THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 7!4%2 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 7%%+ [email protected] [email protected] 0!'%3 http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 21 #19 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2006 22,300 copies every week $1 at newsagents only PUCKERED LIPS BEAT APOCALYPSE Police fl ag concerns Taste of Byron a top treat over NYE safety Michael McDonald ment. Road closures are one of the In a confi dential letter to Byron important things and providing a Shire Council, the offi cer in charge pedestrian precinct. of Byron Bay police, Inspector ‘There will be 8,000-10,000 Owen King, has expressed his con- people in town for the weekend cerns about public safety on New anyway. They can’t all fi t into ven- Years Eve in Byron Bay. This led ues and they will spill out into the Mayor Jan Barham after an urgency streets.’ motion last week to seek to commit Insp King said he would have $12,500 to lighting and toilets. adequate police numbers for the While declining to release his night. letter to the press, Insp King told The NYE vote got up 7-3, Crs The Echo, ‘I could not wait any Tucker, Tardif and Kestle opposed, longer to fi nd out what was hap- after Councillors expressed misgiv- pening. I needed to tell my com- ings about putting any more money manders what resources I needed. into NYE. It transpired the money ‘Council does have a legislative would come from an existing responsibility for the safety of resi- $25,000 budget for waste manage- dents and visitors. Police too need ment and would not interfere with safe working conditions and I out- the cleanup for the night. lined to Council the risk manage- Cr Barham said Council’s NYE Celeste Butler did more than just dip the strawberries at the Chocolat stall. Photo Jeff ‘Soft Centre’ Dawson ment measures I wanted to put in committee needed immediately to place. book facilities to ensure commu- Victoria Cosford turnout of what appeared to be and bands, roving entertainers, stilt ‘As offi cer in charge and a mem- nity safety and to have the alcohol For an event which faltered, fl oun- largely locals, though also the tail- walkers and children’s activities. ber of the NYE safety committee I prohibition zone approved. dered and ultimately failed last year end of holiday-makers. The air was appropriately per- wanted to ensure a safe environ- continued on page 2 then seemed to be thrown together Like two years ago, the festival fumed with cooking smells as the in a short space of time this year, was held on the beachfront behind sunglasses-clad crowds jostled and the Taste of Byron 2006 can only Main Beach; it consisted of aisles thronged from stall to stall juggling Buttery outreach awarded, be considered an unqualifi ed suc- of stalls, lots of seating under cardboard plates of food. The stalls cess. Perfect weather last Sunday umbrellas, tents housing cooking themselves were a gratifyingly rep- then runs out of funds with a bit of a wind ensured a huge demonstrations, fashion parades resentational mix of both local eateries and producers – some of Members of The Buttery’s out- ‘The reality is that governments them almost impossible to access reach service MISA (Mental Ill- often won’t release funding unless due to the length of the queues. ness and Substance Abuse) Life- it is in line with elections. We need I tasted a lot of Byron that hot style program have been recognised funding this year and both state afternoon – but also beyond: the in Sydney for their outstanding and federal elections aren’t till next most delicious thing I ate, and to be initiatives in supporting those of year, so once again our clients, sure the winning Taste of Byron this region who deal with dual families and carers and other small Dish, was the Iluka Prawn, Pink diagnosis issues, that is mental ill- agencies miss out,’ said Antonia Ginger and Coconut Wonton with ness and substance abuse. They Ravesi, Program Manager of Tahitian Lime and Wasabi Mayo received this award in Martin Place MISA. from Lismore’s Basilico restaurant. as part of the launch of Mental Director of The Buttery Barry In fact all three of their offerings Health Week NSW. Evans said, ‘We are keen to use this were superb: clean fresh fl avours, Ironically as they received the award to highlight the success of use of local ingredients, impeccably award from Governor Marie Bashir this service in dealing with this cooked chicken and prawn, given they prepared to wrap up the pro- minority group in need of such the conditions. Honourable men- gram as the non recurring funding special attention. tion of the day went to Brown from the federal government ceases ‘We welcome any support from Sugar café, not only for their really at the end of October. Along with the community in terms of funding gorgeous Rosewater Yoghurt Balls the jobs of three experienced and opportunities to help reinstate this with creamy chocolate sapote sor- professional staff will be the loss of program.’ A big hit at TOB, Fishheads kitchen was mobbed when word got out about their bet but also for the vicissitudes they over eight group and community Contact The Buttery on 6687 1/2 swimmer lobster, local baby calamari, local prawns and salmon mixed grill. encountered: fi rstly no power to programs which are run from Lis- 1623 or at www.buttery.org.au. Chef Lynette Bradford, here with Kylie Phipps, Konrad Reimer and Ralph run their espresso machine and more to Tweed Heads. Q Family drug support, page 15 Mamone who worked flat out to keep the gourmets satisfied. continued on page 4 2 October 17, 2006 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News Moving on Getting the wrap on Bangalow fashion climate change Fifty people turned up for the inaugural meeting of the Climate Action group at Bangalow Showground on Saturday October 7. The ini- tial focus of the NCCAG has been to tell everyone that Wave this is a battle that we can a Wearable Arts Vision in Education win. ‘Let’s aim big,’ said Gayle Russell, NCAG convenor. ‘The Netherlands has 30% of their energy needs being met by renewable (wind, sun and wave) energy, and Aus- tralia can do better than that. After all, we have more sun.’ Signing up for Green Thursday 2nd Power is something only 2% Friday 3rd of Australians have already Saturday 4th done. NCCAG has put toge- November 2006 ther information outlining 8pm the Green Power on offer, who to contact and the range Vamping it up for the Wrapped In Bangalow fashion spectacular are Morag Page, Dianne Herchenro- of options and effects. der, Michelle Malloy, Jo Swinton and Charlott Clark. Photo Jeff ‘Christian D’Oh!’ Dawson TICKETS $40 – TO BOOK CALL 6684 3223 NCCAG has also had its OUTLETS: SHEARWATER SCHOOL, MULLUMBIMBY NEWSAGENCY, inaugural business meeting The ‘Wrapped in Bangalow’ its doors in August this year, Bangalow and Newrybar THE CRYSTAL CASTLE, BRUNSWICK BOOK GALLERY and is developing strategies fashion parade, featuring col- are this year’s major sponsor. Primary Schools’ ‘Munch & THE BEAD SHOP (BYRON BAY), BAREBONES (BANGALOW), to target specifi c groups from lections from Bangalow There will also be live music Crunch’, a healthy eating CADDIES COFFEE COMPANY (LISMORE) children to householders to retailers will be showing at to further entertain the program for children, and to business and industry. 6:30pm this Thursday Octo- crowd. Bangalow’s ‘Ground Force’. Another upcoming event ber 19. Alana Manion, the parade’s The parade, which won is the Walk Against Warming Participating paraders founder and coordinator, the Community Event of the on Saturday November 4 in include Little Peach, Aurora, said, ‘We are delighted to Year for 2005, showcases Brisbane, at 2pm for spee- Bangalow 2479, Obsession have Obsession presenting local retailers and gives the ches, entertainment and Shoes & Handbags, Echidna the parade this year and we community a different way action. Place, Charlotte’s Parlour, welcome them to Bangalow.’ to raise money for local cha- For further information Aroma House, Stick & The proceeds from this rities. Pick up your tickets Stones and the Bedroom. parade will go to two chari- ($22 a seat) from Bangalow “Poetic, funny, inspirational... I was gob-smacked.” email [email protected]. or phone Clive on 6672 4451. Obsession, which opened table programs this year: 2479 or Barebones. Mandy Nolan The Echo NYE concerns lycart derby there are human Council must take responsi- Cr Barham said, ‘The event From front page missiles hurtling down the bility for the township of will commence at 3pm with Supporting the motion Cr street.’ Byron Bay including safety childrens’ activities and mar- 1Ê Tabart, who has been attend- In conclusion Cr Barham and amenities for residents ket stalls at the beach front. UÊiiÀ>Ê«À>VÌViÊ ing the committee meetings, said, ‘This is about a safe and visitors. Council must The popular parade will fea- said the night was not so community event. We owe it provide adequate resources ture again and there is a UÊ>ÞÊi`ViÊ much an event as a measure to the police and to meet the for the facilities and ameni- request to the community to UÊÀÊÃÕÀ}iÀÞÊ to control the crowd. ‘We can expectations of the business ties to meet the Council’s join in by starting to prepare UÊ7i½ÃÊ i>Ì Ê leave it as a war zone or put people.’ Duty of Care.