THE TWEED SHIRE Volume 2 #12 Thursday, November 19, 2009 Advertising and news enquiries: Phone: (02) 6672 2280 Fax: (02) 6672 4933 [email protected] [email protected] Whats New! www.tweedecho.com.au LOCAL & INDEPENDENT page 11 People power kills ‘rail trails’ bill Luis Feliu for improved walking and cycling in- frastructure. We have repeatedly told Community groups on the Tweed and the government we are ready to sup- throughout the state have welcomed port genuine rail trail plans, but this the government’s backdown on the bill was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.’ controversial ‘rail trails’ bill, declaring ‘The bill could not be supported it a win for people power. because the community could see the The government last week with- government’s hidden agenda to not drew its Transport Administration create rail trails but profit from the al- Amendment (Rail Trails) Bill, which ternative management of the railway could have seen the tracks from the land and infrastructure. closed-down Murwillumbah-Casino ‘In earlier legislation the govern- rail line ripped up and railway land ment was attempting to wind up the sold off to developers. important Act passed over 100 years Opposition parties, local councils, ago that sets out that rail lines can unions, farmers, environmental and only be removed by an act of parlia- other groups had united in a show of ment, to allow the sale of rail land to defiance culminating in a huge rally developers. outside parliament house last month. ‘The government needs to face up to Trains On Our Tracks (TOOT) the reality that because of its appalling president Karin Kolbe said the gov- record on walking and cycleway in- Festival uncovers the unity behind ernment had realised its ‘folly’ of frastructure, no one trusts them when selling off railway lines which were it comes to public transport plans,’ Ms needed in high-growth areas, rural Rhiannon said. the Tweed’s multicultural variety areas ‘and are an important method of reducing carbon emissions’. Vigilance needed Kim Cousins consultation, especially with what they wanted more Woodford Festival of the ‘TOOT reminds our federal Labor Tweed MP Geoff Provest said vigi- something multicultural.’ of. They said “culture”’, Tweed,’ Kerry said. representatives, particularly Justine lance was needed in case the govern- The Tweed’s inaugural Uni- Community services she said. ‘It’s been a vision of mine Elliott, of the need to honour election ment attempted a ‘backdoor sale’. ty Festival, held last Satur- and government agen- Due to the big turnout since I came to this town. promises to provide rail services,’ she ‘We have had a big win with this day, was such a success that cies were available on the at the festival, Kerry is now ‘I just can’t wait for the said. backflip, but when it comes to rail, La- organisers are planning to day to give advice in an looking to hold four to five next one. But we’ll take lit- bor has a record of breaking promises. hold several similar events informal setting; African quality events each year in tle steps, and often. If you A real threat They axed the line in May 2004 just next year. drumming was taught and the Tweed. rush into these things they Greens MP and transport spokes- weeks after promising it a 12-month Coordinator Kerry Turn- Aboriginal games were ‘These events can create won’t work.’ person Lee Rhiannon said it was reprieve and they are now so cash- er said the first Unity Festi- played. jobs for young people. We an important win for communities strapped that another sale attempt val was always going to be Kerry said what she en- just need really good plan- Pictured above: Molika across NSW, which had seen the bill would surprise no one. the hardest, but hundreds joyed most of all was watch- ning and economy of scale,’ Thornbury, left, and Radha as a real threat to precious rail infra- ‘We now need to convince the Gov- of people turned out for it, ing the interaction between she said. Gleeson, from the Indian structure. ernment not only to re-open the line, making it a ‘huge success’ festival goers. For 2010’s Unity Festival, dance group Natya Shakti, ‘The government’s so-called Rail but to start planning its extension to and done on a budget of ‘Seeing all the happy Kerry is planning to hold display the poise and Trail Bill was an irresponsible piece of Coolangatta to meet up with the two only $18,000. children in the Kid’s Cor- the event for 12 hours, in- elegance of the traditional legislation. If passed it could have re- rail systems being built on the Gold ‘It took a year of my life ner was wonderful. En- stead of seven. By the fol- dance during the Unity sulted in the loss of valuable rail corri- Coast. to plan,’ Kerry said. ‘If you tertainment was free, we lowing year, she hopes to Festival. Photo Jeff Dawson dors and infrastructure by alienating ‘The arguments for North Coast want quality you’ve got to will always do that. We have it as a two-day event. it for profit-making purposes other rail are rock solid in terms of the local put work into it. You need did an evaluation of the ‘I want this event to be- ■ More photos, page 7 than rail trails,’ Ms Rhiannon said. economy, the environment, road safe- to do a lot of community festival and asked punters come the Dreaming or ■ Editorial, page 8 ‘The Greens are long term advocates ty, tourism and education,’ he said. LIMIT 3 PER CUSTOMER. SOBER WOOLCRAFT SHEEPSKIN PACK NO RAINCHECKS. CHECK DIGITAL Sheepskin fronts & matching acrylic BREATHALYSER rear seat & accessories. Check your breath alcohol level with SKU SC07536 accuracy. Calibrated to Australian NO RAINCHECKS $ 99 legal limit. 12 month warranty. SKU AC30520 Sober Check is not for legal 9 or medical purposes. SAVE $4 $169 DRIVE SAFE $ 99 $ 99 pr 170W 6.5” 79 2 WAY pr SPEAKERS 29 AWESOME VALUE The perfect upgrade for factory installed NO JOKE! speakers. SKU ME03488 CATALOGUE OUT NOW! Sale Ends Only available at Sunday GULF WESTERN XMP 20W50 4LT SG rated. Suitable for petrol, light diesel & LPG engines up to 1993. SKU OA01383 SOUTH TWEED HEADS 29 9 Harvey Norman Centre, Greenway Drive Ph: 5523 2055 Nov ‘0 Personal Shoppers only. Savings off regular ticketed price. AUTOQLDN03035 <echowebsection=Local News> Local News $1200 FREE All-female fight set for federal seat Ken Sapwell consideration, it is clear home insulation package to me that the Nationals This includes owners, occupiers, rentals and investors The fight for the federal seat are by far the party most Take advantage of the $1200 free insulation of Richmond is shaping up as closely aligned with the before it is discontinued altogether. a three-way all-female contest values of family, she Call Chelsea at after Pottsville businesswom- said. SKYLINE INTERIORS P/L an Tania Murdock (pictured) ‘This includes standing on 0401 414 681 threw her hat into the ring this up for regional Australia, or 6680 2231 week. putting small business We are your local insulation company, please support us. The 40-year-old mother of ahead of big business, three is a front-runner for Na- understanding the im- tional Party pre-selection to portance of good eco- contest the seat held by Labor nomic management and MP and Minister for Ageing, standing firm on tradi- Justine Elliot, since 2004. tional family values.’ Ms Murdock is expected to She said as Pottsville be joined in the three-way con- Beach Business Asso- test by former Tweed mayor ciation president for the and sitting councillor Joan van past three years she had Lieshout who is seeking Lib- worked hard to achieve eral Party pre-selection. the right balance be- Tweed Nationals electoral tween the preservation council chairman Murray Lees of the environmental said this week he was ‘very amenity and the need to excited’ about Ms Murdock’s encourage economic and nomination. social goals. ‘It’s fantastic news. She is an ‘I believe that my ex- outstanding candidate,’ said perience, qualifications and cline in these services to our Ms Elliot narrowly won the Mr Lees, who will be oversee- enthusiasm can offer residents area, despite commitments that seat from the National Party MP ing the pre-selection process an effective alternative and a were given by the Rudd Labor and Minister for Youth Affairs, scheduled for December 6. better deal for the Richmond government in the context of Larry Anthony, amid claims of Ms Murdock, who narrowly electorate, she said. the last Federal election.’ campaign skulduggery. failed when she stood as an ‘There needs to be more Ms Murdock and Cr van The seat, which for decades independent at the last coun- employment and educational Lieshout face an uphill battle had been the natural preserve cil elections, said she became opportunities, better health to wrest the seat from Ms Elliot of the Nationals, was first won a National Party convert after and community support serv- who held onto it at last year’s by Labor when Mullumbimby being approached months ago ices and a better deal when it election, increasing her win- school teacher Neville Newell to consider standing. comes to our infrastructure ning margin by almost nine emerged from obscurity to ‘Since then I have had nu- needs, particularly in relation per cent on the back of voter defeat the uninspiring former merous meetings with the Na- to public transport. dissatisfaction with former Nationals’ leader Charles Blunt tionals and after much serious ‘We have seen a steady de- Liberal PM John Howard.