THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 entertainment Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 in [email protected] ( ) [email protected] seven Available early Tuesday at: http://www.echo.net.au on VOLUME 22 #06 TUESDAY, JULY 17, 2007 PAGE nINETEEN 22,300 copies every week WE DO NOT KNOW DANIEL JOHNS Community joins in colourful NAIDOC New Aboriginal health service for north coast A new Aboriginal health service is being established on the north coast. The Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service will be based in Ballina and serve the Aboriginal communities from Ballina to Wol- longbar, Broadwater and Byron Bay. Commonwealth Offi ce of Abo- riginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) funding of $600,000 a year will see the estab- lishment of the premises and the employment of a half time GP, full time nurse, two full time Aborigi- nal health workers, receptionist, manager and a variety of social and emotional health, and drug and alcohol workers. The Northern Rivers General Practice Network (NRGPN) will be the auspicing body, with direction set by the Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service Committee. Dr Dan Ewald from the NRGPN, who was involved in the steering committee, has been providing an interim service from the Bunjum Aboriginal Co-operative premises in Tamar Street for the past four years. This will now become part of the new service. Goolaboonya dancers made up of members songs, a kangaroo BBQ with bushfood relishes, results – kids mimicked goannas and adults lost ‘Having the dedicated infrastruc- from related groups in the Bundjalung nation kids activities including beadwork in red, black all inhibition. Last week’s NAIDOC celebrations ture for a primary health care serv- lead the NAIDOC parade away from Railway and yellow, the Aboriginal colours of sove- provided a place of connection for indigenous ice in place that can offer a GP Park and up main street to the peace pole on reignty, and a surprise performance by singer/ and non-indigenous people alike where all were service with the essential extras like the beachfront in Byron Bay last Thursday. The songwriter Jack Johnson. able to celebrate the unique culture and nurture immunisation, managed care for street parade kicked off a sunny day of commu- Children and adults were led in traditional the morale of the indigenous community. chronic diseases, health education, nity celebrations with traditional dances and dance by indigenous example with entertaining Photo Lou Beaumont and mental health services will make a difference,’ Dr Ewald said. ‘This population with high rates Local woman dies from meningococcal disease of health problems needs a secure quality primary health care service A middle-aged woman died on den onset and symptoms may back of nose and throat of a person disease. In 2007 there have been 38 that can be their health care home- Thursday July 12 in Tweed Hospi- include a high temperature, head- who is carrying it, with close and meningococcal notifications in base. Aboriginal people who have tal from meningococcal disease ache, nausea or vomiting, irritability, prolonged contact needed to pass NSW, with one other fatality. an established relationship with having been transferred from weakness or drowsiness, joint and/or it on. It does not appear to be Meningococcal disease is a rare existing GP services in the area will Mullumbimby Hospital earlier that muscle aches, stiff neck, purple spread through saliva or by sharing but serious illness that usually be encouraged to continue that day. blotchy rash that may change quickly. drinks, food or cigarettes.’ causes meningitis (infl ammation of relationship. We will try to get to Greg Bell, the Assistant Director Babies and very young children may Mr Bell stressed that while the lining of the brain and spinal those people currently missing of Public Health for the North have less specifi c symptoms such as meningococcal disease can be seri- cord) and/or septicaemia (blood out.’ Coast Area Health Service, said, ‘If refusing feeds, irritability and a high- ous, in most cases early detection poisoning). The health service committee is anyone suspects meningococcal pitched cry. and treatment would result in a Information on meningococcal also calling on local Aboriginal art- disease, they should seek medical Mr Bell said, ‘Meningococcal complete recovery. disease is available at www.health. ists to design a new logo for the attention immediately.’ infection does not spread easily. It Winter and early spring are the nsw.gov.au/pubs/factsheet/pdf/ service. A $500 prize is on offer for Meningococcal disease has a sud- is spread by secretions from the peak seasons for meningococcal meningoccal.pdf. continued on page 2 2 July 17, 2007 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News
Get Up! Resort golf day benefi ts Uncle Project ALL SCRAP METAL WANTED Mullum group , Ê* Ê1*Ê- ,6 Ê On Thursday July 5 all 7 Ê 19Ê/ Ê"/ across Australia members UÊ, Ê +1* / of Get Up! and guests had UÊ ,Ê " - a get-together to discuss UÊ/,1 Ê " - climate change and what UÊ,"" UÊ "** , we can do in our own com- UÊ ,-- munities to make a differ- UÊ1 1 ence. If you would like UÊ information on the group UÊ-/ -- UÊ9Ê - meeting in Mullumbimby UÊ /, Ê "/",-ÊUÊ, /",-ÊUÊ Ê7 -Ê contact Lisa Mackenzie at UÊ // , -UÊÊ7 Ê "7 ,-ÊUÊÊ ,Ê "8 - [email protected] " 9Ê"7 Ê Ê"* ,/ or phone 6684 4387. The new group, GetUp -/Ê "-/Ê Mullum! will be meeting /Ê, 9 ,- regularly in the lead-up to a planned action. It plans to 1300 788 412 hold a public rally, aiming to educate people on the impact a sea level rise could have on Brunswick Heads CBD and The proceeds of a recent charity golf day at the Byron Bay Beach Resort have been presented to the residential areas including Uncle Project. The resort’s general manager, Justin Leith, gave Mark Gasson, the man from Uncle a BAMBOO FLOORING the overfl ow into Mullum. $600 donation while ‘nephew’ Kai Dailey brushes up on his swing. Photo Jeff Double Bogeyman’ Dawson Sartor looks at Main Arm development concerns NSW planning minister Heritage Rain Forest.’ hour meeting, the Minister across the hinterland from Frank Sartor invited Main She pointed out that ‘the indicated his decision would Main Arm to Coopers Shoot Arm Residents Association proposed developments be forthcoming. is not the way the commu- (MARA), the developers and encroached on regionally sig- Ms MacDonald said after- nity wants to see future rural Byron Shire Council staff to nificant farmland and that wards, ‘The community settlement.’ • The most stable, exotic, environmentally friendly & second strongest hardwood in the world! meet in Sydney on Tuesday Main Arm is only a small doesn’t like being dudded An informal coalition of • Termite resistant last week over concerns hamlet situated along a dan- and in the process the BRSS hinterland groups will meet about Council-approved • Free from toxic fumes gerous road far from essential has been shafted too. with Council on July 24 as development in the village. services. ‘If Council won’t listen to part of the BRSS review and • Affordable with an added value to your investment In a subsequent press Responding to the Minister, the community then we sin- will recommend that CT • 25 year residential warranty release MARA said, ‘What Alex Dichiera said that ‘Main cerely hope Minister Sartor lands identifi ed for rural land • Free measure & quote ensued was a lively but cha- Arm was not opposed to some will. release are dropped from the (54#()3/.3 otic roundtable discussion development on the proposed ‘Pseudo eco villages strung strategy. 7OLLUMBIN 3T -URWILLUMBAH that ranged widely from south village lot and far from Main Arm to the universe being anti development, Main and the Minister’s disap- Arm had already accepted New Aboriginal health service pointment at the absence of development on the the North From front page look at local artwork.’ “Sexually our Mayor.’ village lot.’ the winning entry. For competition details Cr Jan Barham told The Peter Leishman said, Local Bundjalung Elder, and entry form phone the Embarrassed?” Echo last Friday that she was ‘Approval would set a prece- Bertha Kapeen, who is on NRGPN on 6622 4453. If So it’s Not Your Fault! told by staff her presence dent for paved subdivisions the Bullinah Aboriginal Closing date for entries would not be required. throughout the Byron hinter- Health Service Committee, Wednesday August 15. Get Your FREE Copy of the 2007 Men’s Judy MacDonald of land.’ Opposition to the Byron has welcomed the announce- A note on the health serv- Breakthrough News Impotency Report MARA told the Minister that Rural Residential Strategy ment of the art competition. ice name: The name Ballina ‘the Brunswick valley, a sen- (BRRS) was also expressed, ‘I believe the art competi- is a corruption of the Bund- Do you suffer from some form of sexual sitive water catchment with particularly over the circum- tion is an opportunity for jalung word Bullinah, which dysfunction? Are you keen to bring back the passion Main Arm at its head, was stances in which the strategy the local Aboriginal com- means place of many oysters and re-charge your love life? Then here’s some the gateway to State, National was approved in 1998. munity to get involved in – Aboriginal people came especially good news for men. Our NEW FREE and soon to be listed World At the close of the one the health service that is from all along the coast to report reveals the latest and arguably the most going to be provided and to feast on the abundance of effective 100% drug free impotency news, so finally put in what they feel about seafood available in Ballina, you can feel confident about your love life again. To Looking forward Ballina,’ she said. according to Auntie Bertha. get your very own FREE copy discretely sent to ‘I encourage all Aboriginal It was twisted to its current your home via overnight mail call our recorded people to have a go at it and name after the town of hotline on 1300 789507 or visit... submit something to the Ballina in County Mayo, Ire- www.MensHealthNews.com.au. competition that will give us land, by many of the early the opportunity to have a Irish settlers.
"0 3UFFOLK 0ARK 3ERVICE #ENTRE 0HONE ÈÈnxÊΣ££ SHORES DENTAL *5,9 30%#)!, image by Jess - Class of ‘06 ./7 /&&%2).' À>Ê i>ÊEÊÃÃV>ÌiÃÊÊ to a bright future! 7(%%, !,)'.-%.43 &/2 /.,9 iÌ>Ê-ÕÀ}ià Find out the secret behind the smile. High School /UR AIM IS TO SERVICE THE learning in a dynamic, creative and exciting environment. ÞiÊ7>ÃÊ iÌ>ÊÞ}iÃÌ COMMUNITY 7ITH OUR NEW WHEEL ALIGNING MACHINE FREE ÜÊ«iÊ ÀÊ>`Ê>ÌiÀ>ÌiÊÊ enrolments for 2007 & 2008 COURTESY CAR AND OUR QUALITY ->ÌÕÀ`>ÞÃÊLÞÊ>««ÌiÌ available now MECHANICS WE ARE IN KEEPING phone now for a personal WITH OUR MOTTO n or group tour ¼ , / Ê- -½ 1UALITY 3ERVICE n Balraith Lane, Ewingsdale. 2ALPH +YNOCH1UALITY 0EOPLE *OHN 7RAIGHT " Ê-", -Ê Ê /, Ê,Ê, ]ÊÊ High School Yr 7 to Yr 12 ph: 02 6684 7400 EXCLUDES FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENTS www.myfutureisbright.net " Ê-", -Ê*\ÊÈÈnäÊÎ{ÇÇ !3+ !"/54 /52 &2%% #/524%39 #!2 www.echo.net.au Byron Shire Echo July 17, 2007 3 Local News
Give us our Helen Street footbridge, say residents
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Supporters of the Helen Street footbridge gathered at the site last Sunday to put their views. Photo Jeff Dawson 1, /1, Supporters of the Helen Street happy to do that with the and affordable. We just need and staff. ‘We are beseeching Bridge in South Golden promise of a bridge, we are the chance to do so.’ Council to not abandon us Beach, plus the Progress Asso- certainly not happy now The group of concerned after so much hard work,’ she ciations of New Brighton and Council has fl ip-fl opped on residents is upset that since said. ‘We ask Council to keep South Golden Beach, say they the plan. 2005 there has been no faith with this community that Ìi`ÊÌiÊÞ are ‘aghast’ at the news that ‘Consultancy fees and other attempt made by Council to has struggled so long and hard Byron Shire Council has killed non-construction costs were discuss the situation with the for this bridge. off the bridge project. estimated at $100,000, leav- community. ‘We could have ‘It will not only provide a On June 28 in confi dential ing $336,000 for construction looked at ways in which the safe throughway, but also a session Council voted not to works. But a deeper examina- non-construction costs of manageable route for young proceed with the bridge as it tion of information on the $100,000 could be reduced, children to reach the only rec- was deemed ‘too costly’ based project on Council’s website such as landscaping grants reational amenity in the area. on construction cost quotes showed the planning group and community labour, sweat We want a chance to revisit ranging between $900,000 that the design quote was equity and so on,’ Mr John- the bridge design and help and $1.4 million. Instead, already $212,000 over budget ston said. bring it in within budget and Council has identifi ed road at the outset of the tender Residents approve of the up to all standards. : work and construction work process. proposed safety works to ‘If we can set up a working Y~w GFF; {w~{ HHOO that will ‘create better access’ ‘We are stunned that the improve access to the beach group of Council staff, work- }{ { ~ H to the beach from all parts of tender went out when the for all residents. They feel that ing with community repre- {y{ North Ocean Shores and budget was blown out to the this should be funded from sentatives who have engineer- South Golden Beach, and will tune of $212,000 at the out- existing rates and not be con- ing and construction skills to be assessing and approving set,’ said Ralph Johnston, a sidered as an alternative the explore further design and bww M {y{ these arrangements at its next long-standing member of the Helen Street Bridge Project as construction options, we feel z} { ~ meeting on 30 August. South Golden Beach bridge proposed by Council. can achieve an outcome one {{ wx{ Residents say the consult- planning group. ‘Why wasn’t After a meeting of several way or the other. If this is not ant process has blown out the community told of the dozen concerned and affected possible within a six month : costs for the bridge: ‘The costs and involved in a reality residents last Sunday, long period we will accept the loss GMOO budget for the bridge set in check before it was sent out? time proponent of the project of the project. Give us a 2005 was $436,000. At that ‘We feel that the bridge Maggie Brown made an chance please!’ point, Council had earmarked design is at fault. It’s exces- impassioned plea to Council QComment, page 10 $139,000 from developer sively over-engineered for the contributions towards its con- purpose. We just don’t need a W{yw x{z { struction, and took out loans three-metre span for a foot- g{{ { x{z :JOO totalling $297,000 to cover bridge! the shortfall. We, the ratepay- ‘We have enough expertise X{zz{ wx{ :HHO ers, have been paying $28,000 and contacts locally to work jwx :KOO pa in interest on those loans with Council staff and come since then. While we were up with a bridge that is simple
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"* Ê Danger: poets in action at the beach resort ÇÊ 9-t
6Wdjii^bZi]Zn XaZVcZYi]Zl^cYdl "Ê ", Ê+1,1 Ê t i`ÊÕ«ÊÜÌ ÊVi>}ÊÞÕÀÊwÊà ÊÌ>¶Ê ÞÀÊ >ÞÊ *iÌÃÊEÊ*À`ÕViÊÜÊ`ÊÌÊvÀÊÞÕ°ÊÀÊ>ÊÀi>Ã>LiÊ vii]ÊiÌÊÌ iÀÊiÝ«iÀÌÃÊÊ>vÌiÀÊÞÕÀÊ>µÕ>ÀÕt UÊ>À}iÊ>µÕ>ÀÕÃÊ`iÛiÀi`ÊEÊÃÌ>i` vÀiiÊÌ ÀÕ} ÕÌÊÌ iÊÀi} Bill Mackay of the Love Handles and poet Mandy Morris get in training for the poetic lunch. Photo Jeff ‘Bawdy Lair’ Dawson UÊ{ää³ÊÛ>ÀiÌiÃÊvÊvÀià ÊEÊÃ>ÌÜ>ÌiÀÊwÊà UÊÊÌ>ÃÊ}Õ>À>Ìii`ÊvÀÊ£ÓÊÌ Ã Be transported in and beyond been known to set off Dangerously Poetic is a between the toes is their seventh UʵÕ>ÀÕÊ>Ìi>ViÊÃiÀÛVi at Dangerously Poetic Press’s spontaneous dancing. Karl community not-for-profit publication and their first UÊ->ÛiÊfffÊqÊÊÌ iʵÕ>ÀÕÊ ÕL annual Poetry Day lunch on Farren will grace us with group dedicated to expanding recorded CD designed to Saturday July 21 at the Bec- original songs from his new poetry consciousness on the take listeners on a journey ton Byron Bay Beach Resort CD, Repentance Creek. Ann north coast. It offers through the rainforest, the restaurant from 11.30am to Bernauer and Hector will add workshops, a monthly hinterlands and by the sea. 1.30pm. a Latin beat. A special menu reading series in Bangalow, Pick up your invitation to the This vibrant cabaret of of soup, salads and cake will and special events as well as launch at the Annual Poetry 1ÌÊ{ÉxxÊ iÌi>Ê ÀVÕÌ]Ê music and poetry has become be available for purchase with publishing local poetry. Sand Day Lunch. ÀÌÃÊEÊ`ÕÃÌÀ>Ê ÃÌ>Ìi]Ê ÞÀÊ >ÞÊÊÈÈnäÊn£Ó£ a tradition. Local literati coffees and tea. ÌÕÀÊÌÊ >Þà ÀiÊ ÀÛiÊ>ÌÊ *]ÊivÌÊÌÊ gather to celebrate poetry at Enjoy a sneak preview of iÌi>Ê ÀVÕÌ]ÊÌ iÊ{ääÊÊÀ} Ì® the pre-Writer’s Festival free Dangerously Poetic Press’s Baby whale memorial gathering cultural afternoon. Everyone CD/book, sand between the Howie Cooke from Surfers one year ago and was with- is welcome. Writers, travellers, toes, haiku from byron bay and for Cetaceans and Dean Jef- held 20 hours from the sea and actors will share their beyond, to be launched at the ferys of Byron Whale Action by NPWS and then killed 26*5 favourite poems from around festival the following Sunday. Group have called a gather- with lethal injections’. the world. This collection of haiku by ing at North Cabarita Beach And on Wednesday 18 a 4.0,*/( Bill Mackay of the Love ten local poets includes at midday on Tuesday to second gathering will occur Handles will be the MC. The musical interludes with ‘honour the memory of a at Little Watego‘s at midday "GUFSPOFUSFBUNFOU Love Handles ensemble with shakuhachi fl ute played by baby female humpback to remember the calf who -04& their travelling music have Kevin James. whale who stranded there was buried at Cape Byron. 8&*()5 Cohen awarded costs in defamation case "GUFSPOFUSFBUNFOU Greens MP Ian Cohen was The case arose from public defendant had an interest in counsel would suggest. [He] t/PGVSUIFSUSFBUNFOUTSFRVJSFE awarded costs, believed to be meetings in 2001 at which Mr saying it and the audience showed himself as a man who in the hundreds of thousands Cohen spoke in support of had an interest in hearing it. was prepared to dish it out t(6"3"/5&&%1"*/-&44 of dollars, in a defamation Suffolk Park resident Bill It was the same interest. when it suited him. I cannot /0/*/7"4*7& case brought against him by Mackay, who was being sued ‘In my opinion it is diffi - accept that he was unable to Suffolk Park developer Jerry for defamation by Mr Ben- cult to disregard [Bennette’s] deal with the sting of the mat- -"4&35)&3"1:46$$&44 Lee Bennette. nette for comment in letters combative nature in assess- ters complained of in the same 5XFFE)FBETt3PCJOBt#BMMJOB In the NSW Supreme published in The Echo. The ing a sum by way of damages robust way in which he con- Court on July 10 Justice developer sent in his own which would properly and ducted every other aspect of
#& Harrison found that while agents to the meetings to adequately operate as a con- his life.’ Cohen had not proven his secretly record Mr Cohen’s solation to him for the wrong As background to his ruling defence of truth in describ- remarks. done. In my opinion, it lies ill Justice Harrison summarised ing Bennette as a bully and a Of the meetings Justice in the mouth of [Bennette] a long history of incidents thug who improperly manip- Harrison noted, ‘If it is con- to complain about the way in involving Mr Bennette, includ- ulated the system by bring- trary to public policy and the which [Cohen] responded to ing his conviction for assault- ing defamation proceedings general interest of society the present proceedings ing local filmmaker David just for the purpose of stifl ing that persons should be ham- when the facts suggest that Bradbury in 1996 and a local public protest, his defence of pered in the exercise of their [Bennette’s] stock in trade government investigation in qualifi ed privilege in making rights by constant fear of has included the rough and 1993 which resulted in Byron the remarks was successful. actions for slander, then, in tumble of litigation, of threat Shire Council formally apolo- In response to the verdict my opinion, the occasions and counter threat, and an gising to Mr Bennette. ‘This Mr Bennette said in a press upon which the defendant almost unyielding belief in and other material serves release, ‘I am pleased that the spoke were privileged occa- the correctness of his own clearly to emphasise that the defence of truth failed. Jus- sions. The rallying point position. The whole of [Ben- plaintiff’s patience must have tice Harrison also found that around which support for nette’s] story serves only to been sorely, and regularly, the defence of unlikelihood Mr Mackay was to be focused confi rm that we are paid in tested,’ noted the judge. ‘It is of harm was not made out… was the litigation commenced our own coin. equally true to say that what- I believe that the reasoning in by the plaintiff [Bennette] ‘I am not satisfied that ever qualities the plaintiff was relation to the defences of against him… The defendant [Bennette] has established able to bring to bear in his qualifi ed privilege and com- [Cohen] chose these occa- that the hurt to his feelings dealings with the council, a ment is fl awed, and I have sions as the opportunity to arising from the matters com- subtle application of interper- instructed my legal advisers give a description of Mr plained of was as signifi cant or sonal skills would not appear to lodge an appeal.’ Mackay’s opponent. The deep as the submissions of his to have been one of them.’ www.echo.net.au Byron Shire Echo July 17, 2007 5 Local News Farmers mart supports The Buttery stg
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