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THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 25 #41 Tuesday, March 22, 2011 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 [email protected] BONUS SUPPLEMENT [email protected] Your Sustainable Community 2011 www.echo.net.au inserted in this week’s Echo 23,000 copies every week ARGUE OR CUDDLE WITH ME – IT’S YOUR CHOICE www.yoursustainablecommunity.net Harmony celebrated Empty mansions are ‘on-shore tax havens’ Echo Forum hears need for tax reform and local action on aff ordable housing Ray Moynihan to fi nd an aff ordable property close to Lismore. Australia’s leading advocate for aff ord- ‘I didn’t want my child growing up able housing, Professor Julian Disney, in a garage,’ she told Th e Echo. called for major changes to the way Chair of the National Housing houses are taxed at a forum in Byron Affordability Summit, Professor last week attended by over 200 people. Disney urged local councils to cre- Professor Disney told the forum, ate not-for-profi t companies to work ‘excessively generous’ tax concessions with developers to build genuinely meant houses were increasingly seen aff ordable housing, which could of- as speculative investments rather fer people the security of long-term than places to live, with very expen- rental leases, virtually unheard of in sive mansions becoming ‘on-shore tax Australia, though extremely common havens’ which sucked resources away in Europe. from more productive investments. Also at the forum Byron Commu- He called for changes to the nega- nity Centre general manager Paul tive gearing concessions for invest- Spooner launched a new campaign ment properties, reform to land or called ‘One Year, One House’ which capital gains taxes for very high-cost aims to garner community support to houses, and a reduction in stamp build at least one aff ordable house in Isabelle and Fleur from Mullumbimby St John’s primary school get along nicely, unlike some politicians (see below). duty, arguing the current system re- Byron in the coming twelve months. ‘Harmony Day is celebrated on March 21 every year,’ school principal, Mr Tim Bleakley said. ‘Our students will learn inforced inherited inequality creating Another group, Transition Byron, that not only do they share common ground with other cultures, but also that our diff erences make Australia a a ‘huge divide’ between those who’ve said they were actively seeking possi- special place. The most important lesson they will learn today is that in Australia, everyone belongs.’ Photo supplied been lucky with housing and those ble locations and developing plans for who haven’t. housing that was both aff ordable and Th e forum also heard fi rsthand ex- sustainable. Ray Moynihan chaired periences of the aff ordability crisis, Th e Echo’s forum, and Mandy Nolan Justine Elliot and Don Page argue over including from Blackbirds singer Re- will host the next one: ‘Are we failing nee Simone, who was forced to leave our kids?’, April 28. failed health funding in Byron Shire the insecurity of Byron’s rental market See more on the topic on page 12 Hans Lovejoy ‘On top of their lack of policies, the Byron Shire Hospital can be eligible biggest threat is that Don Page’s lead- for funding under the new federal/ Federal Labor’s Justine Elliot has hit er Barry O’Farrell will renege on the state arrangements. out at state MP Don Page and asked health agreement between the federal ‘Accordingly, the Coalition has com- to explain what policies he can deliver government and the Ssates. mitted to $1m planning money needed on health services. ‘Th is landmark agreement will pro- to enable this project to proceed. ‘With only a week to go until the vide $16.4 billion in new funding for ‘Th e Coalition will provide 1,500 State election, many locals have raised hospitals and healthcare across the extra beds in the health system and with me concerns that Don Page and nation. an extra 2475 nurses which will help Barry O’Farrell have failed to outline ‘Don Page needs to come clean and all hospitals including Mullumbimby their specifi c commitments for our tell us what his party intends to do.’ and Byron Bay. local hospitals. ‘Th e redevelopment of Byron Bay ‘I call upon Don Page to detail what $1m in planning needed Hospital was done under the last Co- funding commitments he has secured In response, Mr Page told The alition government. for the North Coast. Echo, ‘Th e applications for funding ‘Justine Elliot is the last person who ‘In particular, will he commit fund- are made by the North Coast Area should be talking about health in By- ing for the new Ewingsdale hospital? Health Service (NCAHS). ron Shire – neither state Labor nor Professor Julian Disney is urging councils to create not-for-profi t companies ‘Also, what funding has he secured ‘Th e NCAHS has to have detailed federal Labor have done anything to to work with developers to build genuinely aff ordable housing. Such for Byron and Mullumbimby hospitals? planning in place so that the Central assist with hospitals in Byron Shire.’ practice is common in Europe, he says. Photo Eve Jeff ery premium home loan call now NO application fee discounted interest rate NO monthly loan fee loan redraws available 1300 802 222 summerland.com.au Terms & conditions, fees & charges apply. See us for details. <echowebsection=Local News> Local News OSTEOPATH Kites take to the skies this Sunday Reg#1074713 Dr Bardia Asaadi D.O. 22 Years Clinical Experience s-ASSAGE MANIPULATION ADJUSTMENTS s!RTHRITIC SPORTSWORKINJURIES s-USCLE JOINTNERVE RELATEDAILMENTS s-EDICAREPROVIDERFORALL CLAIMSREBATES Ph: 6684 6754 COVERING TWEED, GOLD COAST & NORTHERN RIVERS UÊÊ-ÌVÃÌÃÊvÊiÜÊ>`Ê ÕÃi`ʵÕ>ÌÞÊÃVÌiÀÃÊ vÀÊ-"*, ,]Ê GET ,/-]Ê 6 , Ê MOBILE IN >`Ê*, STYLE! UÊ7 iiV >ÀÃÉÜ>iÀà The annual Kites and Bikes will see business and commu- the local bike shops. stilt walkers, Jumping Castle UÊvÌÊV >Àà Festival livens up Brunswick nity teams trying to break their Bring along your decorated and Samba Blisstas. UÊ >ÞÊÛ}Ê>`à Heads this Sunday March 27. opponents’ kite strings for the bikes, scooters and strollers to Th e community group fun- UÊ*ÜiÀÊV >Àà If you don’t have a kite to honour of being the last kite the Bike Parade, or decorate draisers include the Lucky UÊÊÕ}iÊÀ>}iÊë>ÀiÊ fl y, you can make and decorate fl ying in the air. them in the morning at the Duck Race which commences «>ÀÌÃÊ>`Ê>VViÃÃÀià Visit our showroom UÊÀiiÊ iÊ`ià to view our great one at the Housie Shed from Th en everyone heads to the Milli Fairy Tent. at 3pm, the Kites and Bikes UÊÊÌiÀiÃÌÊvÀiiÊwÊ>ViÊ range of scooters 9am to noon, and then join beach or the Essential Energy Expressive Bikes is the ac- raffle, a Lucky Kite Dip and V`ÌÃÊ>««Þ® and mobility aids in the kite fl ying in the park Fly In. tion highlight with extreme community BBQs. Ducks and UÊÊ Ý«iÀÌÊÃiÀÛV}ÊqÊ>Ê HIRE EQUIPMENT with Australian Kite Fighting Th e Terrace will be closed stunt demos at The Terrace raffl e tickets can be purchased >iÃÊ>`Ê`ià NOW AVAILABLE Champions, Mick Ayo and to cars and given over to throughout at 12am, 1pm, 2pm now from the Visitor Centre or Grant Tozer. bikes, scooters and skate- and 3pm. from the Information Tent or SCOOTERS At 12.30pm the Hotel Brun- boards, with free organised Entertainment on the day Rotary BBQ on the day. & Mobility swick Rokkaku Kite Challenge bike activities sponsored by includes Spaghetti Circus and Photo by David Young YOUR TRIED & TRUSTED LOCAL MOBILITY SPECIALISTS FOR OVER 10 YEARS "«iÊ`>ÞÊÌÊÀ`>ÞÊn°Îä>ÊqÊ{°Îä«Ê >`Ê->ÌÕÀ`>ÞÊn°Îä>ÊqÊ£ÓÊ Banging a diff erently made drum 3/25 Industry Drive, Story & photo Eve Jeff ery that mimics how nature builds Tweed Heads South plants and trees, Zeoform can 07 5524 4398 Shonosuke Okura, pictured, is turn waste paper pulp into a 1800 726 000 one of Japan’s national treas- hard, durable substance that www.scootersandmobility.com.au ures – revered internationally can be moulded into virtually for his masterful drumming any object of any size or shape. performances. Just about anything you Lesser known is Mr Okura’s currently own made of wood, dedication to ecology, the en- plastic, fi breglass, metal or a vironment, his deep spiritual combination of these, can practice and astute business probably be moulded from acumen. Zeoform, claims Mr Wheeler. Okura san recently visited He says computer, tablet and Lightforce Mullumbimby last week to so- smart-phone cases, flooring lidify a partnership with local and interior panels for homes, Computers ‘ecopreneur’ Alf Wheeler whom offi ces, cars and airlines, furni- he met in Tokyo last year. ture and homewares, jewellery, Authorised Reseller Th e two men with a small toys, musical instruments and Authorised Service Provider group of other like-minded endless other applications are Authorised iPad Reseller people plan to market Zeo- perfect for this material. form, a material made from The product is also be- We Are Thrilled to Announce: recycled paper and water ing produced as a handcraft which can replace deplet- moulding material for children Our New Mac Centre ing natural resources such as of all ages. wood, petro-based plastics, Aft er the offi cial part of his Is Now OPEN! toxic composites and other Mullumbimby visit was over, non-sustainable materials. Okura san played a drum, Using a patented process handed down through 15 gen- erations of his family, to a small ‘Okura san got redirected to Our Apple Certified Technicians provide the audience in Wilsons Creek, be- Guam,’ he said.