Tweed Shire Echo

THE TWEED SHIRE Volume 2 #02 Thursday, September 10, 2009 Advertising and news enquiries: Phone: (02) 6672 2280 Fax: (02) 6672 4933 [email protected] [email protected] www.tweedecho.com.au LOCAL & INDEPENDENT Pages 10 - 111 Developer link to gangland investigation Ken Sapwelll Kings Forest developer Bob Ell has become embroiled in a police investigation into the gangland-style shooting last week of reputed stand-over man and accused arsonist, Michael McGurk. Mr McGurk’s murder has triggered sensa- tional claims of bribes involving state and fed- eral MPs which are now being investigated by the State’s corruption watchdog, the Independ- ent Commission Against Corruption. Mr Ell is not a suspect in the case but police are hoping that he and other McGurk associates can help identify people who may be motivated to organise what they suspect is a professional hit. The media-shy billionaire property developer is not commenting but his right-hand man On common ground… on the Tweed, Reg van Rij, this week disputed claims that his boss or his company, Leda Hold- Anti-rally protesters chatted with two of the leading world rally drivers, Dani Sordo, of Spain (sitting on car) and Sebastien Loeb, of France, the ings, had put the former lightbulb salesman on five-times world champion, after the Byrrill Creek stage of the event was cancelled last Friday. The drivers, according to locals, sympathised with the payroll. opponents of the rally saying they were unaware it was to be run through a residential area or in national parks. Loeb, who won the weekend ‘Mr Ell had some business dealings with him event on time but was later relegated to second place on a technicality, apparently told them ‘How could your government get away with this?’ but to my knowledge he did not employ him,’ ■ See Rally receives a mixed response, page 3 said Mr van Rij, who is project manager for the 880ha Kings Forest site which Mr Ell wants to gunned down outside his Sydney home in front they decided to take the money and run. After the 1999 council elections which swept turn into a small city. of his son that he feared for his life. The former Hawke government tourism min- the pro-development Balance Team into of- Asked whether Mr McGurk’s services may Mr McGurk is the latest in a colourful pro- ister John Brown introduced them to Japanese fice in a campaign masterminded by Mr Bed- have been used to resolve ownership claims by cession of people either linked to Mr Ell or woodchip company, Narui Norin, who bought ser, staff insisted on a new master plan for the others over parts of the site west of Cabarita the Kings Forest site which has long-been em- the land for $22 million, with Mr Brown being site because it included wetlands that fed into since Mr Ell acquired it in 2003, Mr van Rij said: broiled in litigation and was once at the centre rewarded with a $1million unit in a Brian Ray Cudgen Creek. ‘Emphatically not’. of the biggest fraud scam in the shire’s history. development. Former councillor Bob Brinsmead, who According to Sydney Morning Herald re- It was originally owned in the 1970s by Cam- In the headlines that followed, Mr Brown owned a tourist attraction which adjoins Kings porter Kate McClymont, Mr Ell employed Mr bridge Credit before it went bust, leaving inves- claimed the property was a gift but the Tax Forest, sparked a Department of Local Govern- McGurk as a debt collector and negotiator and tors broke and angry. Office said it was income, and hit him with an ment investigation which failed to support his had posted $100,000 bail for the Scotsman on It was picked up by local car dealer Bill Bedser assessment of $819,000. claims that staff were trying to stop the project. recent firebombing and assault charges. before being on-sold to a consortium which in- In 1995 Narui appointed Tim Barr as its Aus- During this time council and Lands Depart- The controversial businessman and lender of cluded Mr Ell, Brian Ray and Malcolm Edwards tralian representative but the property bubble ment inspectors were kept busy investigating last resort purportedly had a recording of a con- for $8 million. burst and the company was under pressure incidents of illegal clearing and burning which versation capable of bringing down the NSW Their company, Monacorp, made some from its bank to push harder for development were undermining its environmental status. government and claimed just days before he was progress in developing the estate but in 1990 consent. continued on page 2 Fixed ﬁ rst year rate of % First 4.99 pa* no establishment fee no registration fee Comparison rate is based on a loan of *comparison rate $150,000 over 25 years. Terms & conditions, Home Buyers % fees & charges available on application. Special 5.89 pa www.sccu.com.au 1300 360 744 ncaa scc871 ABN 82 087 650 682 Murwillumbah s Ballina s Casino s Lennox Head s Byron Bay s Lismore s Mullumbimby s Cabarita Beach s Centro Tweed s Tweed City <echowebsection=Local News> Local News ART EXPO & COMPETITION Ocean Shores Community Centre Fate of koala colony Preschoolers’ OPENING NIGHT Friday 18th Sept 7pm aerial antics Expo open Fri, Sat, Sun hangs in balance 18th –20th Sept on show 10am-4pm • Art Demos Ken Sapwell koala plan of management • Café • Poetry Reading which optimises their chances • Community art canvas • Local musicians The fate of one of the Tweed’s of survival. Program details see : www.osartexpo.com last remaining viable koala Mr van Rij says his company QUALITY ART FOR SALE AT AFFORDABLE PRICES colonies hangs in the balance has followed due process in a Big thanks to our major sponsors: Lions Club of Brunswick Mullumimby, Print Rescue, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Byron Shire Council, as the government prepares to bid to address concerns raised OSCA Byron Shire News, Summerland, NC Institute of TAFE, Echo. release the brakes on the long- by the community and fol- stalled Kings Forest develop- lowed the advice of Dr Carrick, ment, says Team Koala Inc a University of Queensland zo- president Jenny Hayes. ology lecturer. Ms Hayes says the 880ha site ‘We have gone about it in which Leda Holdings wants an appropriate and fulsome to turn into a satellite city of [sic] fashion,’ he said, adding 10,000 people is home to one that appropriate restrictions of two colonies in the shire had been placed on pets to which koala expert Steven prevent them from attacking Phillips identifies as still viable koalas. and disease-free. But she fears that the colony No changes to plans will be wiped out if the govern- Ms Hayes said she was dis- ment agrees to Leda’s concept appointed that Leda had made plans which allow residents to hardly any changes to its plans keep dogs and utilise an 18- despite the avalanche of con- hole golf course which she be- cerns. lieves should be turned into a ‘The restrictions they plan to koala sanctuary. impose to help save the koalas Her comments come as are either impractical or would council staff prepare an official not be enforceable,’ she said. response to Leda’ s submis- ‘There are no road under- sions made in reply to the 1500 passes or overpasses for wild- public submissions against the life even though there will be project that have been received an estimated 16,000 car move- Mt Warning Community Preschool pupils l-r Layla Kernaghan, by the government so far. ments a day. Matilda and Sunny Gudgeon, Michele Thomas on trapeze and Project manager Reg van ‘Leda thinks that the prob- Madhuri Fitch on set in the preschool grounds which will be Rij has rejected the claims, lem will be overcome by in- transformed into a circus cabaret venue next week. saying that the company had stalling speed humps and im- engaged leading koala expert, posing a speed limit but who is Roxanne Millar cabaret, as the myths contain Frank Carrick, to prepare a going to be around to enforce great characters and messages any restrictions?’ Ancient Greek tales will be told still relevant to our modern in the skies above Uki later this world,’ said Michele. Dog restrictions month at an aerial circus caba- ‘The show will be a mixture Ms Hayes said similar en- ret to raise funds for a local of circus performers from the forcement problems would ex- pre-school. area, talented parents and staff ist with proposed restrictions Tweed Valley Circus Arts and the involvement of chil- SOLAR on dogs, which included lock- director Michele Thomas will dren from the preschool.’ ing them up at night, keeping erect an outdoor rig in the A spokesman said all funds them on a short leash and lim- grounds of the Mount Warn- raised would go towards the iting their weight to under 10 ing Community Preschool for preschool, which has been op- kilograms. an enchanting sky-high per- erating for 28 years, and hopes HOT WATER ‘Some of the smaller breeds formance. to establish a sustainable en- such as terriers are known to Having studied with Sydney ergy component. attack koalas – they should aerial theatre company Aeri- The preschool wants to get take a leaf out of the success- alize and performed at the the message of sustainability ful Koala Beach development Sydney Olympics, Michelle is out to its charges at a young REBATES STILL which bans cats and dogs out- completely at home with her age, giving them access to solar right.’ tall task.

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