Notices General Christian Porter Prior to Deadline

Petition on Collaery NGT welcomes letters A Change.org petition and other contributions addressed to Attorney received by email or post Notices General Christian Porter prior to deadline. Letters was posted from Byron Post longer than 300 words may NH&WS AGM Office on 29th October by be edited for length, and Nimbin Health & Welfare Association Inc AGM Tues- members of Byron Friends articles for accuracy. Please day, 10th November, 3pm – 5.30pm at Birth & Beyond, of Palestine, calling on the include your full name, 54 Cullen Street, Nimbin. A celebration will be held after Attorney General to drop address and phone number the AGM. Become a member for only $3 and support this the charges against barrister for verification purposes. vibrant community organisation. RSVP: 0457-804-997 or Bernard Collaery and his Opinions expressed remain email Jen Ireland: [email protected] vibrant com client, Witness K. those of the author, and Nimbin Community School Co-op AGM The 196-page petition are not necessarily those of AGM Wednesday 18th November, 6pm at Comskool with 4,249 signatures states, Nimbin Good Times. Room, Nimbin Community Centre 81 Cullen Street. New “These are honourable members welcome. Major project is Nimbin Open Learn- men who bravely exposed ing Centre. Australia’s subterfuge in even though some wooden its negotiations with the sleepers and bridges have Nimbin Organic Food Co-op AGM government of Timor Leste.” deteriorated. AGM Monday 23rd November, 5pm in the Comskool After backing Indonesia I’m glad we agree on Room, Nimbin Community Centre, 81 Cullen Street. All in its murderous occupation the option of mini-buses members welcome. of Timor Leste and training (especially if electric) being its infamous Kopassus a better way than the large Art competition special forces, Australia buses that don’t serve our Entry forms for the 2021 Summerland Giant Pumpkin and then resorted to bugging the communities so well. Watermelon Still Life Art Competition are due 1st Decem- Timor Leste parliament so Those living in Ballina and ber. The theme for this year’s competition is ‘Fairies in the it could could grab an unfair Tweed Heads could easily Melon Patch’. Prizes: 19 years+ $500; 12-18 years $150; advantage in the Timor Sea catch buses connecting them 5-11 years $50. Entry forms are available from the Roxy oil and gas negotiations. to a central rail service that Gallery, Scarborough’s Shoes, Amanda’s Hair and Beauty Whistleblower Witness runs through Lismore city and the Heartland Office, Kyogle. K’s revelation of Australia’s and all other major towns in dirty tricks resulted in the our region. Free notices International Court of Justice Tweed MP Geoff Provest’s Keep it short, under 50 words, and to the point, get it to us ordering Australia to stop recent announcement that a by deadline and we’ll run it for you for free. spying on Timor Leste, but new light rail service to South it also drew government fury Tweed from Queensland is And the party you Kevin, have played your and charges against Bernard being supported, shows great represent wants a “gas-led part, by moving to get Collaery who represented hypocrisy when he would economic recovery”. Not only rid of the Environmental him. not support renewing a rail will this mean a network of Protection and Biodiversity Shame, Australia, shame! service along our line that PK Violet fracking around Australia, Conservation Act, meaning Gareth W R Smith already exists in good order. it also means poisoning the that a company like Santos is Byron Bay We are sadly aware that the Great Artesian water basin, fined only $1,500 for leaking change of legislation carried being widely used elsewhere. Budget bonus an underground store of poisons into underground Rail trail response by the LNP and Labor Good to hear that rail trails I have been asking a number water as big as France and water systems. Regarding Marie Lawton’s (though all minor parties will not prevent the return of of pensioners how they thousands of years old. In a You haven’t replied to my response (NGT 10/20) to supported keeping our rail rail in the future. However, propose to spend the two country that is facing a water last letters Mr Hogan, I hope my article, ‘Rail Myths and line for future services) shows your suggestion of running bonus payments of $250 shortage, it’s not very clever you will reply to this one. Realities’ (NGT 9/20): we cannot count on them a rail service along the coast each. to do this. Yagia Gentle The company that carried to help us get rail back, but seems ludicrous, with it People seem to be very But I get a bit confused Nimbin out the survey for Byron there is hope that a public/ being the highest priced land happy. $500 to a pensioner is about where your National Shire Council, Arcadis have private partnership may still in Australia and subject to a lot of money. party ethics sit. You claim A ray of hope stated that they did survey be possible. rising sea levels. Of course “wet blanket me” to stand for the farmers, Well said, Aidan Ricketts ‘most of the line’ in spite of We are hoping that the We understand it is not pointed out that there is not yet you advocate for mining (‘The real threats to our certain sections being quite rail corridor will be kept your fault our emasculated going to be an annual CPI companies that ruin liberty and survival’ NGT inaccessible, even though ‘in public hands’ however rail service was lost, but increase. farmland, destroy sacred October). An accurate and John Holland Pty Ltd it is not safe from being we should be able to work I believe for the first time in Aboriginal places, and poison insightful article. (now owned by the Chinese leased out. Lismore MP together for a win-win 23 years. the water. Your party even The world is a mess, but government) is paid $750,000 Janelle Saffin put through an outcome. Amazing how one almost fought hard to allow farmers there is hope via the existence per year to keep our railway amendment for it not to be Lydia Kindred, exactly cancelled out the to cut down koala habitats. of those such as Greta line clear. sold outright. Northern Rivers Railway other. But who are these ‘farmers’ Thunburg and Extinction True, a representative The Byron Railroad Action Group If this becomes a precedent, you represent? Are they the Rebellion. has told me that only two Company is open to Australian pensioners are same ones that advocate Education is the answer. people who initially helped extending its solar train Rail trail response 2 going to be in big trouble. intensive farming practices Peter Mudd form the Sourdough Group, service to Tyagarah, Reading Marie Lawton’s Tony Batchelor that have had such an East Lismore a Northern Rivers think- Mullumbimby and beyond, letter (NGT October), it was Lismore effect on insect populations tank for developing business and Byron Shire Council is hard not to sense her glee around the world that 40% Good news week opportunities, were in working towards this. about the dismantling of our Open letter of the world’s insects are At the end of October we support of rail trails. The best option is to place branch rail line from Casino Dear Kevin Hogan, endangered? received the great news from Surprisingly, the rails and the ‘rail trail’ beside the to Murwillumbah. The scientists tell us that In Germany, 75% of flying ICAN, that we now have the ballast on most of the line tracks on recycled plastic Her points read like a since 1950 the oceans are one insects have disappeared, 50 ratifications supporting are still in good condition raised cycleways that are memo from Bob Carr and degree warmer. One degree and other countries are not the UN Treaty to Ban Michael Costa’s brief to take is not much, but it takes far behind. Pollination, and Nuclear Weapons. the train away. The proposed a phenomenal amount of the ecological chain, doesn’t On 22nd January 2021, Bookkeeper Martha Paitson legislation not being available energy to heat the oceans by function well without insects. this will become written About us Web www.nimbingoodtimes.com for public comment also one degree. This is short-term profit for a into International Law, And find us on Facebook Managing editor Bob Dooley smells of another brief. David Attenborough, in few, over long-term suffering making it illegal to possess, Assistant editor Sue Stock NGT is published by the The absence of public his new film warning about for many. manufacture, propagate or Sub-editor S Sorrensen Nimbin Aquarius Foundation, transport in the Northern ecological destruction, And it has now been proved threaten the use of nuclear Rivers is a tragedy that the says it’s because we’ve used weapons. Layout Peter Chaplin, Andy 81 Cullen Street, Nimbin. that there is corruption in public are crying out for, and millions of years of stored It is not the end, it is only Gough, Bob Dooley the government. Through NEXT DEADLINE: ripping up our branch line energy (fossil fuels) in a short the ‘right’ avenues, I can pay the beginning, and it surely Photographers Sue Stock, is another slap in the face by time. thousands of dollars to a at least, will throw the cat Chibo Mertineit Wednesday 25th November the NSW government. It has so far caused half the politician, or ‘donate’ to their amongst the pigeons. Thanks Email Distribution Peter, Coralie, nimbin.goodtimes@ Having a go at Lydia Great Barrier Reef to die, party to tell them about the to all involved including Sue, Bob, Rob and Lisa, Daniel, gmail.com or put stuff in our Dominique, Aengus, Rosie, pigeonhole at the Nimbin Kindred from NRRAG is acidified the ocean, stunted deal I want to make. I wonder ourselves for making this Trevor and Dave Community Centre. another slap in the face for all the planet’s fish population, what deal Gladys Berejiklian happen. of us who tried to keep the and the poles now get fifteen made to allow clear-felling Here’s to a nuclear weapons The Nimbin GoodTimes acknowledges the Bundjalung people, train. degrees hotter, meaning the around the buffer zone of free future. the traditional owners of the land and waters on which we work Paul Brecht ice will melt and flood the NSW’s national parks? Deb and Mick Stacey, and live, and pay our respects to the Elders both past and present. Evans Head world’s coastal cities. Indeed, even you, Ballina

Page 8 The Nimbin GoodTimes November 2020 [email protected] The future for Nimbin visitor information services we no longer have a clear an embedded YouTube Face-to-face services for a Nimbin VIC would tourism product beyond understanding of our visitor function or video postings, The Chamber’s recent identify both expenditure maps and brochures. demographic. Anecdotally, something the Chamber has workshop also looked at needs and possible income Self-guided trails were businesses report this has been giving consideration options for replacement streams. suggested that would changed – even before Covid to for some time. A well- of the Nimbin Visitor Given our recent survey include a focus on arts, Chamber Chat hit. supported website could also Information Centre (VIC), identified a strong desire local buildings and murals, by Diana Roberts, president Since Covid we have provide an online messaging closed permanently by for a service that runs seven music, our indigenous lost much of our young service or chat function and Lismore Council at the days a week throughout the culture, food, herbs and On-line services backpacker market and engagement with on-line beginning of Covid. year, it is highly unlikely we healing, environment and The Chamber launched its international visitation, platforms such as Facebook, The survey we recently would be able to deliver a sustainability, on-farm visits new-look website last year: which accounted for up to Instagram and Twitter. conducted indicated the self-funded model without and so much more. www.nimbinaustralia.com.au 43% of our visitor market, So, who are we servicing, community feels strongly outside financial support. Hopefully workshop and since that time has been has disappeared. Instead how do we meet their needs that we need a face-to-face Most VICs receive funding contributors were inspired spending considerable time we are looking at an older and how do we fund this? – dedicated visitor service from their local Council or enough to bring some of the and resources to develop demographic, currently the crunch questions. Better running in tandem with are supported financially incredibly creative ideas to a dynamic, optimised and domestic tourists, seeking understanding the visitor online information. by a Regional Tourism fruition. useful website. a more enriched visitor demographic, their interest The survey results did not Organisation. We currently In the longer term, perhaps Until now, the focus has experience. and needs is information deliver a strong preference don’t have the luxury of an enterprising visitor been on delivering a website This presents lots of that we can collect through for location, and at our either, but maybe we could information service could that supports our local opportunities for us, as this local businesses, maybe via a workshop we canvassed make that happen. work up visitor experiences businesses and community visitor has more ready cash visitor survey. We can seek two options – 7 Sibley Once we identify funding and then charge people to organisations. This has and will be more willing to government grants to fund Street and Nimbin Bush options, we can more fully participate, as an income- included promoting aspects pay for visitor experiences. If construction of a website to Theatre. Extensive discussion explore possible locations and generating stream. of our local culture and we this is so, how do we better meet this need. delivered no clear preferred what’s required to make that We also explored the need are doing this to the best of cater for their interests, The challenge will outcome or strategy for location work. My research for signage throughout the our ability with very limited encourage them to stay be maintaining it, as moving this forward. has indicated easy parking, village, and how this could be resources. longer and spend more in government generally The Chamber Exec has disability access and good used to enhance the visitor As Lismore Council is our village, while ensuring does not support on- yet to discuss where to from toilets are essential elements experience. Work and energy no longer supporting the the needs and desires of going wage costs. Options here but, after spending of a VIC, with successful are needed here too. visitNimbin website, the both visitors and locals are we’re considering include: the past six weeks looking VICs often located alongside In closing, it’s all a little Chamber is exploring met? financial contributions from into this, I’m going to share an existing visitor attraction. overwhelming, a much bigger expanding our website to Servicing visitors digitally local businesses who derive my thoughts following our While obtaining a grant to task than I ever imagined. include provision of visitor is important, given many benefit from the website; workshop. Firstly, I think we fit out a location and develop We could just throw up our information. What does visitors access destination booking commissions; an need to be really clear about product such as signage, hands, say it’s all too much that mean, how would it information on-line and on-line retail sales arm who would use a VIC and local maps and brochures and muddle on, but our local look and how could we fund a visitor-focussed website focussed on locally-made what their expectations are. should be possible, on-going economy and associated that expansion of its role? needs to inspire and inform. product; advertising; and Obtaining this information operational costs will present employment have become We are exploring creative Options for content are directing funds from the will enable us to develop a a challenge for us. It’s worth very dependent on the tourist and possible ways whereby extensive – on-line reviews, special business rate levy better-informed business noting that Byron VIC is dollar. a dual-purpose website, location-based listings, collected by Council for plan. self-funded and managed by Regions around us are servicing both visitors and social media commentary, economic development in VICs cost money to volunteers. Could we achieve directing much more energy local needs, can be delivered brochures, maps, fact sheets, Nimbin. run. For Lismore Council, that? Again, if you have any in this direction as the value in a professional manner. online booking services, These are really big issues this was in the vicinity ideas or thoughts please of tourism to a local economy A working group looked retail sales, links to other the Chamber is currently of $150,000 per year for share. Email: chamber@ is widely recognised and at this in some depth at a sites and much more. grappling with and if you Nimbin. Undoubtedly we nimbinaustralia.com.au valued, and government recent Chamber workshop There is also the potential have any experience or could deliver this service financial support in a Covid and gave us much to think to tell our stories to the thoughts in this regard more economically, although What do we want to environment is significant. about. A website needs world and showcase what’s we’d love to hear from it’s not entirely clear what showcase? Hopefully we won’t miss to be useful to those who happening in our area you. Email: chamber@ Council funds contributed Our recent workshop was out and will be able to secure access it, but it is apparent through media such as nimbinaustralia.com.au towards. The business plan full of exciting ideas for some of this funding. Better access a focus of Nimbin Community Centre WANTING TO BUY – FRESH SEEDS by Teresa Biscoe, co-ordinator Will pay $$$ Community Centre Map Please call Last year the Community Centre commissioned local Shelly mural artists Elsbeth Jones and Julie De Lorenzo to paint 0421-723-727 a map of the Community Centre site showing all our buildings, separate tenancies Clarence River Wilderness Lodge and identifying all our tenants. The work has been Riverside Campsites, Cabins, Tree Huts, completed and the new map Gold Panning, Canoeing, Bushwalking has replaced the old notice board at the front of the Cullen Street carpark. We now have a bright, beautiful and very Nimbin map of our footpath, but were never able ramp and improving the accessibility in the Lismore Community Centre. to use it to pick up or drop area to the footpath to allow area. We hope this will help our off clients due to the parking this important service the many visitors find their way zone in front of it. accessibility it needed. Nimbin NAIDOC Day 2020: around the centre and reach We have been quietly They also mentioned that Always Was, Always Will Be www.clarenceriver.com the people and services that lobbying to get this changed, they had committed to This celebration is being held they are seeking. but due to the bus stop improve several important on Friday 13th November, located across from the ramp, roads around Nimbin 11am – 3pm in the heart Consultation with Traffic Council was reluctant to including: the section of of the Nimbin Community Advisory Committee change anything. Nimbin Road leading into Centre grounds. The Community Centre Since the bus stop location the village where we had the This will be a Covid- has, in consultation with was moved during the tragic accident a few years safe gathering, so it will be the Nimbin Aged Care and Lismore Council review of on- ago that claimed the life of smaller and we will have Respite Centre, been working street parking in Nimbin, we beloved community member some Marshalls to direct to provide better access to decided to give it another try. Simone Rutley; Lillian Rock people and ensure that we their service for their many I was invited to attend a Road; Stony Chute Road and manage the safety of all clients. meeting with the Committee Blue Knob Road. present. Many years ago NACRS at Council Chambers and I would like to give a big Please respect and accept CALL TROY PHONE: 0447-364-545 got funding to install the was able to present a case to thank you to this committee the direction being offered to LISMORE / KYOGLE / NIMBIN & SURROUNDING AREAS disabled access to the front them to consider changing for the great work they ensure the safety of all who PROMPT RELIABLE SERVICE – 13,000 LTRS DRINKING WATER LISMORE COUNCIL / ROUSE WATER / NSW DEPT HEALTH APPROVED of the building from the the zoning in front of the do improving safety and attend. WATER CARTER LIC NO: 50.2020.2352.1

www.nimbingoodtimes.com November 2020 The Nimbin GoodTimes Page 9 Express your views to council ouncil has a number for landowners, but there emails when new items are of items on public are impacts on neighbours, open for comment. It’s a Cexhibition at the communities and on road critical avenue for you to moment that you might like networks that need to be ensure that Council hears to have a look at. The first is considered. and considers your views. a survey into rural tourism in The second is our draft I was out in Nimbin our LGA. Climate Resilience Policy. In yesterday to participate Council has received March last year, Lismore City in a session hosted by the numerous enquiries about Council joined numerous Chamber of Commerce developing facilities for other councils in declaring to look at ways to improve weddings, health spas, yoga a climate emergency. This visitor experiences. As retreats, micro-breweries and policy moves Council always I was impressed by distilleries in our rural areas, towards implementing a the passion and commitment all of which are currently whole of Council approach to Word of the Bird in the community to find prohibited by Lismore’s responding to climate change by Cr Elly Bird solutions and opportunities planning controls for areas and enhancing climate to address issues. zoned for primary production resilience. focus only and needs to I was also really pleased to (RU1). It’s still an overarching also consider adaptation, hear that the plans for the We are keen to hear policy document, so there are mitigation and community walking trail are progressing your thoughts, as there not a lot of concrete actions resilience. and hopefully we can attract are multiple perspectives in there, but it’s another It’s worthwhile registering some funding to make it a on whether or not it’s a step in the right direction. on Your Say Lismore to reality soon. good idea. New initiatives Action to address climate engage with matters before I can be contacted at: elly. create employment and change has to evolve beyond Council, once you have [email protected] or on alternative income streams an emissions reduction signed up you will receive 0418-639-927. Community asked to help plan Nimbin’s future Lismore Council is asking for to guide development in and around community feedback as part of a Nimbin. We want to make sure these review of Nimbin’s planning controls to align with community values and that guide future development and growth the character of the village is identified in and around the village. and protected.” Council has released a discussion After the results from the Nimbin paper and on-line survey to kick- Development Control Survey are start discussion with the Nimbin collated, Council’s strategic planning community and get feedback on the staff will prepare a Draft DCP types of growth and development that for Nimbin, along with possible are suitable for Nimbin in the future. amendments to the LEP and GMS. Community feedback will inform “With this surge in interest, it’s These will be available in possible amendments to the Nimbin important that Council reviews its early 2021 for a final round of Development Control Plan (DCP), planning controls to make sure new community consultation prior to Lismore Environmental Plan (LEP) developments are in harmony with any recommendation being made to and Growth Management Strategy the unique qualities of Nimbin that Council. (GMS). residents love and attracts tourists The Nimbin Development Control “In recent years there has been a from far and wide. Survey is open until Friday 4th surge of interest and development “We also need to look at December. To read the discussion applications in Nimbin, with Council the cumulative impact of new paper and take the survey, visit: approving 129 DAs since 2015, developments and the high numbers of yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au including 50 for new dwellings,” visitors and tourists has on Nimbin’s Hard copies are also available at Council’s general manager Shelley roads and other infrastructure. the Nimbin Neighbourhood and Oldham said. “Council has a range of tools available Information Centre. Range of measures needed for water security ubmissions have now would also be foolish as it changing weather patterns closed for the proposed would rely on regular rain are likely to increase the Sdam at Dunoon. I falling on that catchment periods without rain. Dams assume that there were a area. Put simply, relying on only work when regular rain – FLOOR SANDING – large number of submissions regular rainfall in a small falls in the catchment area. opposing the concept of a catchment area in times of All that effort for a water

New & old ﬂoors, verandahs, decks new dam to be constructed changing weather patterns supply where less than 2% is in an area that would have a will not provide security. actually used for drinking. • Free quotes & advice very small catchment area, I’m proud that Ballina We have a unique • Prompt service and would flood exceptionally Council is leading the way opportunity in Ballina rare and precious sandstone with the introduction of with the major residential • Quality work rainforest that makes up part the recycled water (purple growth area (up to 4000 assured of the 1% of what’s left of the pipe) to all new major new homes) being on the top Big Scrub rainforest. subdivisions. This program of the hill and the major • All areas serviced The well-documented can be expanded on, and industrial expansion project Indigenous sacred sites in by Cr Jeff Johnson, when combined with in the region (near Ballina Rob Clark ph 6632-3342 or 0410-016-694 the area proposed to be Ballina Council additional rainwater tanks, airport) being at the bottom ABN 93 105 831 192 flooded should also be reason stormwater harvesting of the hill. With roofwater for the dam proposal to community now leads the initiatives, fixing the existing harvesting, as has been be discontinued and more way in investigating and leaking pipes (which account demonstrated in a pilot appropriate and secure highlighting alternatives to for approximately 15-20% project in Warranbool, new options to be investigated the proposed dam. of current water ‘usage’), it subdivisions can actually add further. Rous Council becomes obvious that a range water into the system rather It was a real honour to representatives’ assertion that of measures combined would than become a drain on the speak at the launch of the the Dunoon Dam is the best actually provide a more existing water supply. Water Northern Rivers and most affordable option secure water supply moving The dramatic reduction Alliance at Lennox Head to secure our water supply forward. in energy costs associated a couple of weeks ago with is simply not true. Putting The concept of building with renewable energy renowned community all of our eggs in the big a massive new dam just (solar power) is another leaders Nan Nicholson and dam basket that has a tiny to flush water down the game-changer for future Annie Kia. This alliance catchment area would not toilet, and into the creeks, water strategies, as the high and movement will continue only be a missed opportunity rivers and ocean, feels like energy costs associated with to grow and be a force to rethink how we use and a lazy outdated option, pumping water between areas for positive change as the collect our water, but it particularly given that the is no longer an impediment. Page 10 The Nimbin GoodTimes November 2020 [email protected] Here’s hoping for a big Budget spend on social housing by Janelle Saffin MP, Member for Lismore people’s lives, particularly the disadvantaged in our local communities. ll eyes will be on NSW Treasurer For instance, Momentum Collective’s Dominic Perrottet this month when mission statement of helping their clients have Ahe hands down the 2020-21 State a safe and suitable roof over their heads, secure Budget, particularly to see if a strategically a job and to live a better life align with my leaked big-ticket item becomes a reality for values. future years. I grew up in the Housing Commission (as it I read with interest Sydney Morning Herald was called then) in Ipswich and felt so pleased reporter Matt Wade’s 10th October article, and privileged to have a house, a yard, a ‘NSW to spend big on public housing to neighbourhood and a broad mix of people. get out of the Covid-19 recession’ where the All children must have this opportunity Treasurer was quoted as saying the NSW is and feel like this. It is up to us adults to make set to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on Janelle Saffin and Lismore City Councillor Darlene Cook support the continued good work being sure it happens both at a policy level and at a social housing. done by Momentum Collective team members to combat homelessness and social disadvantage. practical level on the ground. I immediately wrote to Mr Perrottet, welcoming this pre-Budget announcement I know that tackling the issues of housing sound financial management and profitability. Showground success and attaching my Housing Ends supply, affordable housing and homelessness I observed DHA projects across Australia Congratulations to all involved in Nimbin Homelessness Report and Advocacy Paper, are close to heart of many residents of in my capacity as a former Chair of the Showground’s success this year in Phase 1 for his information and consideration. Nimbin and surrounding areas because yours Parliamentary Standing Committee on and Phase 1B of the NSW Government’s Readers can find this report on my website: is among the most inclusive and open-minded Public Works when I was Federal Member Showground Stimulus Funding program. www.janellesaffin.com.au or request a copy of communities. for Page. The team secured a $22,000 grant in from my Electorate Office on 0266-213-624. I stand ready to work with the NSW There are 18,000 Defence Housing Australia Phase 1 to tile one existing amenities block I reiterated to him that the Northern Rivers Government should they release their long- properties nationwide, worth $11.2 billion and and a $41,000 grant in Phase 1B to install a region, of which the Electorate of Lismore overdue social housing policy and implement turning over a $40-million-a-year profit. concrete pathway linking amenities blocks. forms a large part, has an historic significant it on the ground. Defence Housing Australia could sub- Overall, a total of $675,208 was shared shortage of social housing and put in a pitch When it is said that the Federal contract to local builders, handymen and by local showgrounds in the Electorate for a fair share of the Budget spend to go here. Government is not involved in the provision associated trades. of Lismore under the three phases (1, 1B Not only would it provide short-term job of social housing that is not entirely accurate; Had the recent Federal Budget allocated and 2) of this $25-million program, rolling creation opportunities in the construction Defence Housing Australia (DHA) is a great funding for social housing, it would have been out over two financial years as part of the industry but it would house more of the most model for delivering and maintaining mass welcomed. Government’s $2.3-billion Health and vulnerable members of our local communities social housing. My work as a political representative is Economic Stimulus Package (Covid-19 and reduce disadvantage. It has an excellent track record of efficiency, guided daily to make a positive difference in Stimulus). Water supply planning looms large ne of the biggest issues in this us, as a council and to our community region today is the future now and in the future. Recent events Osecurity of our water supply. including the drought, the 2017 floods, Rous County Council, as the bulk last summer’s bushfires and now Covid- water supplier for most of Lismore, 19 have impacted the community’s Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley capacity to adapt. council areas, has to prepare for changes Council acknowledges its key role to our water supply needs in the future in building climate change resilience, as we face increasing populations, promoting mitigation actions and increased demands, and uncertain enabling communities, ecological climate influences. systems and economic systems to adapt Rous placed its Future Water Project and thrive within a changing climate. 2060 on public exhibition in August. Council’s draft Development Control Hundreds of people wrote in or by Cr Darlene Cook, Plan, Chapter 14 Vegetation Protection emailed, and there is a major social Lismore City Council was adopted in the November meeting. media campaign about some of the This DCP responds to the State Treasurer Josh Frydenberg discusses the budget with Kevin Hogan issues raised in the proposals. now to ensure that they have the needed Environmental Planning Policy While the primary new water source water resources in place to cope with (Vegetation in Non Rural Areas) identified for rollout is groundwater any climate-induced water demands in commonly referred to as the ‘Vegetation from the Alstonville aquifer with the future. SEPP’ that requires Councils to update On the same treatment at Marom Creek WTP, the For your information, the Future their DCP controls to define and second source identified would be a new Water Project documentation can be regulate when a permit is required for dam on Rocky Creek at Dunoon. found on the Rous website: h t t ps:// “below threshold” vegetation clearing Page Other sources identified, but not rous.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page. within prescribed zones. preferred due to cost, legal constraints asp?p=DOC-KZG-22-16-87 Sadly, with the changes to the Koala or environmental consequences were Habitat Protection SEPP in NSW desalination, direct and indirect potable Rural Tourism Survey parliament mid-November, any reference 2020-21 Federal Budget reuse (recycled sewage), and stormwater Lismore City Council is seeking to the new state-wide koala mapping had by Kevin Hogan MP, Member for Page recycling. community feedback on rural tourism to be removed from this DCP. Rous will continue to invest in demand uses and the growing demand for these Basically this means that the management programs, rainwater tank activities in Primary Production zoned additional protections proposed to be t has been a challenging employs someone under 35. subsidies, water-saving efficiency devices, areas of the LGA (where the uses are given to koalas in this state have been year for everyone. As We are also supercharging smart metering to detect leaks, and currently prohibited). rescinded. Ia Government, our the instant asset write-off. possible pricing incentives. The ‘rural tourism survey’ is aimed at Lismore is fortunate that we have a focus has been on fighting It will allow businesses Rous is holding a workshop to canvass gauging community views about where Koala Plan of Management (KPOM) the virus and assisting the to invest more in their all the ideas that have arisen during rural tourism uses (such as weddings, covering the south east of the LGA. But economy. businesses. the community consultation in mid- yoga studios, distilleries etc) may be we can no longer hope to roll out the I have been back in 25,990 age pensioners November and a decision on preferred appropriate (if at all), and the types of KPOM to cover the entire council area. Canberra recently for the in our region received two directions for future water security will controls Council should consider. Other councils whose KPOMs were 2020-21 Federal Budget. support payments of $750 be made at their December meeting. The survey is open until 16th sitting on the Minister’s desk waiting The budget is all about in April and July this year This is an issue that does affect the November. Go to: https://yoursay.lismore. approvals – such as Tweed and Byron – growing our way out of the as stimulus. Nimbin communities. Late 2019 the nsw.gov.au/rural-tourism had their Plans refused. Covid recession. They will now also Lismore water supply serving Nimbin New KPOMS can no longer apply to As part of this, we will receive a further two $250 almost ran out. Many local people had November Council meeting any lands outside of the main urban or provide $17.8 billion in payments in December rainwater tanks that also ran dry and At the 13th November Council meeting, peri urban centres. personal income tax relief and March. That is $2000 hundreds of people had to access bulk the recently-drafted Climate Resilience This leaves it open to landholders to for more than 11 million in extra stimulus over 12 water filling stations supplied by Rous. Policy was approved, and it will be put clear valuable koala habitats without any working Australians. months. At the same time, the main Rous on public exhibition this month for controls or constraint placed on them. This is about putting I will continue to water source, Rocky Creek Dam was comments from the community. Considering the decimation of our more money in your work with all aspects of quickly lowering – and that demand This is the first step in a process that will koalas in the recent fires and drought, pockets to spend in our Government to ensure was exacerbated by the fires. If the rains enable Council to look for appropriate combined with the relentless land small businesses and help outcomes for our region. had not come when they did, Rocky grants to assist the community in clearing in part of the state, the future of create jobs. We can look forward with Creek Dam would have been at crisis adapting to and mitigating the effects of the koala in this state is very threatened. We are also giving hope and confidence in the levels. climate change. I can be contacted by phone on 0427- assistance to apprentices resilience of our wonderful Because this is a situation we could all We recognise that the changes in our 895-316 or email: darlene.cook@lismore. and any business who community. face again, Rous needs to make plans environment will pose challenges to nsw.gov.au

www.nimbingoodtimes.com November 2020 The Nimbin GoodTimes Page 11 Can you reduce crime by using drugs – really? have a lifelong commitment I noticed something very quickly of psychosis in a London prison there is a sure and clear test of to decreasing both violent – there were no repeat violent population was found to be more effectiveness. They either re-offend Icrime and imprisonments offenders who had not witnessed or than 20 times that of the general or they don’t. rates – occasionally a barbed-wire been the victim of violence in the community, and almost 70% of And finally, to the fourth ‘what if”. fence proposition. I have a more home. None, zero. Every sentencing people in prison had more than one There certainly are some barriers recent interest in the treatment of report detailed PTSD from living mental health disorder. to getting criminal justice support mental health issues by the use of in fear as a child. Every single one. The figures don’t distinguish for psychedelic therapy – there are psychedelic-assisted therapy. All of these kids I had to lock between violent and other offenders, deeply entrenched views that mimic At first glance, it may appear that up had experienced seeing their and nor do they inform of the type those of Mr Mackey in South Park these two interests are disconnected. mum beaten up, or been abused of mental illness. I plan to dig – all drugs are bad. Maybe they are intricately linked themselves. deeper on these issues; however my Of course, the logical flaws in that – hence my excitement at recently And with violent women hypothesis is that the research will approach are obvious but should not becoming an ambassador for Mind offenders, it soon became apparent conform with my observations – the be discounted, as it is the dominant Medicine Australia. that the vast majority had been vast majority of violent offenders approach. Such views are shared by So, let’s play ‘what if’ for a while. victims of sexual abuse and suffered have mental health issues that lend the majority of police, judges and 1. What if psychedelic assisted from PTSD or substance abuse themselves to psychedelic treatment. lawmakers in the country. therapy could make a real dent by David Heilpern disorder as a result. For men, the There are two important caveats Medicinal cannabis has faced in the numbers of those suffering picture was more complex with a to this hypothesis worth keeping decades of prohibition until very from substance abuse disorder, The phase three trials will range of diagnoses – until the Royal in mind: firstly, the vast majority recent times in this country, and PTSD and depression/anxiety? undoubtedly cement psychedelic Commission. of those who have mental health still the barriers are significant. 2. What if a substantial proportion assisted therapy as a key treatment Suddenly, it became acceptable conditions are not violent. Secondly, Legitimising psychedelics is a hurdle of those who commit violent to these ailments. for men to admit to the abuse they those with mental health conditions that may take some time and effort. crimes and are imprisoned are However, much of the recent had suffered and a PTSD diagnosis are much more likely to be victims So, if we are serious about suffering from those conditions? research has been on those perceived became more and more common. of violent crime. decreasing the prison population 3. What if there was broad to be worthy – those dying of For most violent male criminals, And to the third ‘what if’ and reducing violent crime, the availability of these treatments for terminal illness, Vietnam veterans, alcohol abuse disorder was a regular – imagine if there was broad criminal justice system ought violent offenders? AIDS survivors, anorexia patients feature. availability of psychedelic-assisted to support psychedelic therapy 4. What if there was broad and the like. There are some studies This anecdotal evidence is, treatment of these violent offenders. availability. The current law and outspoken support from the of those with substance abuse unsurprisingly, supported by the I’m not suggesting we lace prison order ‘solutions’ to violent crime criminal justice sector? disorders, but it is notable that research. For women prisoners, water with LSD a la Timothy – more police, longer sentences, As to the first ‘what if’, having violent offenders are not the target two-thirds have a mental health Leary, however surely psychedelic tougher prisons – demonstrably are read the research I am comfortably tested group. condition, and one-third for men. therapy holds more likelihood not working. satisfied that psychedelic-assisted Yet, and this answers the second A third of women have a history of of rehabilitation than the rigid It is time to try a more scientific therapy including psilocybin and ‘what if’, those suffering abuse self-harm. A quarter of all entrant discipline of time behind bars and a approach. MDMA has great results in treating disorder, PTSD and depression/ prisoners are taking medication for lifetime of psychiatric medication. conditions such as substance abuse anxiety are responsible for much of a mental health condition. I reckon that violent offenders David Heilpern was a NSW disorder, PTSD and depression/ the violent crime in Australia. This is a world-wide phenomenon ought to be the first for whom this magistrate for 21 years, and has now anxiety. As a children’s court magistrate, – for example, the prevalence treatment is available – because returned to private practice.

in 1967, which paved the way to equal treatment under the law, the state also controlled almost every decision to be made Wedlock, NT style in the lives of indigenous people who were orking with indigenous men and “Oh yes, Bill. He died long time ago.” I considered state wards. In most states, women in the NT, I noticed that asked about her current surname, which indigenous people needed permission to Wthe older couples were frequently I noticed was her husband’s: this was marry. Of course, marriage to a white legally married, or if widows or widowers, unusual as most Indigenous women retained member of the opposite sex, was not allowed they had been legally married. their own surname when married or in a in most states. By legal marriage, I refer to a legal union relationship. “But you know that my real In decades past, marriage was imposed recognised by the state and in accordance name is my tribal name, like my mum’s.” by the missionaries or religious orders with the federal Marriage Act. For clients Old Betty had been getting the old aged on indigenous couples if they wished to born in the 1970’s onwards, I noticed that pension for many years, in the days before live together. If you failed to marry, then legal marriages amongst indigenous couples ID was needed. Her pension was paid into you were forbidden from having sexual were relatively rare. an account which had been opened decades relations with a member of the opposite sex. I recall one elderly client who was married ago again, in the days before ID. How to Given that many indigenous people were to her partner back in about late 1950 or so, resolve this? removed to live on missions or in religious but he had long died. I needed to establish I convinced her daughter to drive her mum institutions, it wasn’t a requirement that one her identity in order to carry out legal work to Katherine, a distance of some 800km, the could argue with. for her. The trouble was that her birth closest Court house. They managed, after One 60+ year old client was asked in a had never been registered, and like a lot of days of waiting and demands in Katherine court case if he was married to his wife who indigenous people, she didn’t really know her to get Betty’s birth registered. The date of was seated next to him, he nodded yes to the birth date. birth? 1940. Month and day: not known. magistrate, stating simply, “We’re married “I was born in the Great Sandy Desert When I was finally provided with this blackfella way since I was 18 and she was 16.” like my mum, under a tree. My aunt told precious evidence that she was, in fact, After the judge left, my client pointed to me it was the season for good bush tucker. I legally alive, I was elated. Finally, I could by Aniko Papp the bible on the bench and remarked, “See am maybe 80?” she hazarded a guess which complete the necessary paperwork for her to that book? That’s white fella law, not our seemed right, given her shock of white hair. sign. That meant another trip to her home, Betty seated in her rickety chair by her dusty way. They used to make us marry on that Trundling back into her one-room shack in some 500km from my office. humpy. book.” He then laughed, knowing full well a tiny community, she retrieved a bag with a As I completed the documents, “Dammed.” We couldn’t stop laughing at the sheer this was one remark he was never going to mass of papers in it. I carefully went through Betty’s birth certificate showed her birth absurdity of me as a white lawyer having to make in open court: the documents with her. Old pension letters, surname as her long-departed husband’s sign the photo so as to prove her to be real “You know it’s all bullshit eh? The scraps of newspapers when eventually, in an name, her married name. In the end, the living person white fella way, whilst on her missionaries used that book to get rid of our ahah moment, I pounced on her marriage powers that be insisted on a photo of my own country. culture. But they didn’t. It’s still strong, you certificate. client, so I did so on my mobile of dear old Before the Federal referendum passed know.”

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Page 12 The Nimbin GoodTimes November 2020 [email protected] Family law mediation Drug lords ’ve got a two-in-one by John Jiggens week, the first a shuttle Itelephone conference, completed my PhD, Marijuana where the parties don’t have Australiana: Cannabis Use, Popular to hear each other’s voices, the I Culture, and the Americanisation of drugs other by Zoom. The aim in policy in Australia, 1938-1988, in 2004. It has each is Consent Orders. been downloaded 21,373 times, and is one The shuttle one’s first. It’s of the most widely read Australian history a Litigation Intervention theses. I suspect its popularity is because Conference. When the people want to understand how such an mediator rings, I put my absurdity as cannabis prohibition began. mobile on speaker. She For many decades in Australia, cannabis introduces herself, gives was regarded as a wonder drug that treated us the standard rave on hand-written orders, the an extraordinary range of diseases. In its confidentiality and so on. child support bit was missed homeland of India, it had been celebrated Legal Aid’s paying for it, as out, and I, negligently, hadn’t as a holy plant for millennia, and prayers my client would have to sell noticed. I limit myself to were offered when the plant was sown or his home to pay her what she one relatively sleepless night harvested. wants. The property valuation before I tell her. Prepared as a drink, and taken with came in much higher than “But he agreed to pay, and suitable ceremony, the plant would bring expected. They want a he was paying it ’til this year.” joy, a release from care, and destroy disease. percentage of the pool, so “Doesn’t matter,” I’m forced It was said no good would come to those who high isn’t good. to reply, “It’s not in the orders. trod underfoot its sacred leaf. he operated, that it was only bad luck he Housekeeping over, my They won’t want to talk about Then a campaign of vilification began, was arrested, and he knowingly remarked, client explains his position. money.’ When I suggest she orchestrated by the US Bureau of Narcotics “Organised crime figures and senior police Then the mediator takes him by John Adams sue me for it, she laughs; “I’d and its commissioner, Harry Anslinger, who officers are often the same people.” through the form we’ve filled never do that to you.” But, as painted it as a vicious, evil plant. He called The Joke in a nutshell: Prohibition corrupts. out, with all of our estimated mum in this case, had rung the song goes, you never can it the Devil’s Weed with its roots in hell, While the Australian media portray values, after which we have me for advice on a lawyer’s tell. and said it was a killer drug that provoked the war on drugs as a fight between noble coffee while she hears from letter she’d received. She’s paid the mediator’s madness and led to the utmost depths of police heroes and evil drug pushers, the the other side. When she Some years ago, we’d filed fee and I’ve tried, and failed, depravity. He gave it a new, foreign-sounding war on drugs is largely a fight between the rings back, negotiation begins. consent orders for property to get the camera on my name: he called it marihuana. White Knights of the police, who believe in Family law property and parenting. Now the laptop working. When I join In the two decades since I wrote my thesis, enforcing the law, and the Black Knights, settlements are not all about father threatens to file a the Zoom session I can see I’ve met some remarkable people who have who know it’s a Joke, and who often turn out, contributions to the marital Contravention Application if everyone and they can’t see told me extraordinary stories about the like John Wesley Egan, to be working with property pool, but we start she won’t let him see the kid. me. I like that. His solicitor’s murders and the mayhem that constitute US intelligence. by agreeing values, then She claims it’s too dangerous young, beautiful, and the cannabis trade under prohibition, The involvement of US spy agencies is talk percentages. That she with Covid. I tell her what the probably overworked. The while writers like Steve Bishop and John another important part of the Joke, which, made his life unpleasant for Chief Judge said about Court mediator’s exceptional. Shobbrook have written about those enablers considering its name, is surprisingly unfunny years (think narcissism + Orders trumping border There’s a bit of shouting, of corruption, men like Justice Edward but the purpose is to strain credulity, to have Stockholm syndrome) isn’t closures and talk her down. even some obscenities from Stratton Williams, whose Australian Royal what the intelligence agencies call plausible that significant. It’s called no- She’s happy to mediate the ex, but somehow, out Commission into Drugs forms the basis of deniability. fault divorce. anyway, and even let him of chaos comes agreement. drug laws in most Australian states, and Living in northern New South Wales Two hours later, we’re still spend time with the kid, now Consent Orders. Dad gets editors like Ron Richards, who championed provides a visceral understanding of The a long way apart. He thinks that the virus seems more time with the kid and puts the corrupt in his newspapers. Joke. Every summer the helicopters arrive to he can raise half what she controlled. He hasn’t been the first $600 in her bank the I decided to rewrite my thesis and re-name remind you that the war on cannabis is not a wants. We suggest a further paying the child support next day. it, The Joke, because the Joke is the central war on drugs, it is a war on certain people. mediation after we’ve talked they agreed, and she wants Also, that day, a letter mechanism of prohibition. It is a faux demonstration that the police to the bank. The mediator her money. Which poses arrives by email from the One of the best summations of the Joke take the laws seriously, while they operate a takes this back to them and problems, first for her, then solicitor in the other matter; came from John Wesley Egan, a NSW kind of de-facto legalisation for their criminal hangs up. We’ll have to wait for me. either they get what they Special Branch detective who in 1966, with allies that hides behind the constant stream for their response. Hers is the impression that want, or they’ll file an the help of his friends in the CIA, became of minor cannabis convictions. The Zoom session, set up she’s holding the kid until he application that the house be Australia’s first major heroin trafficker. In this century, as cannabis’s reputation as by the other side, is about pays up. Mine is that all those sold. After his release from prison he told a wonder drug that treats an extraordinary parenting, not property, not years ago, when we signed his I spend another relatively The Bulletin that his organisation enjoyed range of diseases has been restored, cannabis money. An old client, the solicitor’s rapidly scrawled sleepless night. police protection in the countries where prohibition is falling world-wide.

salesman. I brought it up again when the masses left because he knows full well I love the little hippy village that I know like the back of my hand. Even if I have busted so many of its STREET SHUFFLE residents I’ve saved more in ways I cannot for the life of me Journal of the North Coast’s disclose. I mistakenly used the word compassion to the PM longest serving covert which triggered a huge angry and dominating reaction. “Don’t speak to me about compassion. That village lives off ’ve told you before about Scomo’s church mates treating my Centrelink and spends all day stoned, from what they tell the Big House like it’s their very own. He’s given them me Bethany. Tell me it’s not true?” Iall passes and they come and go all day as they please, “It’s not true sir, many of them are in the pub.” I tried and take up a lot of his time. I think they believe he’s lightening the moment but that fell badly flat. “Of course working for them really. Their spokesperson as it were. it’s not true. The village is a hub of activity and most people Often I’m just sitting around in the background with don’t smoke in fact. Or not all day.” little to do at these times but the Undacuva training is ever “There you go, druggies one way or another. Leaners not present and I can’t not listen to every word. A lot is about lifters, Bethany.” He’s standing over me now, at least six money. They seem to have a lot of money. All members are Hillsong church conference inches taller, more, grinning down at me like a Cheshire tithed ten percent of their earnings and no doubt it adds up cat, eyes popping. Force oozing out of him. Extremely quickly each week. In fact, Jobkeeper has been making the coloured paper as acid. It was the easiest money in the world. intimidating actually. Church a bonus fortune. So much money I daren’t tell you. As they were queuing along Dudley Street to go in, we’d do I felt like kneeing him in the balls but my skirt was too Many of them are full of the same old missionary zeal to a brisk trade and be long gone by the time they worked out it tight and I would’ve probably harmlessly hit him on the save everyone from themselves and one in particular has had no effect. thigh. And looked stupid as they threw me out. been preaching for months to the PM about buying the Now the same moneybags who pushed until Hillsong “It’s a great idea for the Church to buy that little village,” famous Festival Hall in Melbourne for another Church. I bought Festival Hall last week, are keen to buy Nimbin. I’ve he hissed and I felt a tiny bit of his spittle. Didn’t even think should say infamous the way he talked about it. been listening to them for months and thought they were of Covid until I’m typing this now. “There’s only one street “That place has been supporting, indeed encouraging dreaming but if they can fork out twenty odd million for they tell me, shouldn’t even cost too much. Anyway it’s out of sinners from the day it was built. Boxers and druggie Festival, why not the village they call “the devils playground’. my hands, I’m not on the purchasing committee. But I have musicians have been leading people astray in there for I couldn’t really say much to defend you: it would have no doubt they can afford it, especially with my Jobkeeper decades.” He goes on and on to anyone who will listen. been casting pearls before swine, except to mention Jesus helping them at the moment.” “We’ll show them what real singing is.” said to love your enemies. Corona is causing all sorts of new thinking as you might It caught my attention because I happened to spend quite I may as well have not spoken. There was a fractional expect, and Hillsong is not the only one looking at leaving a bit of my youth around West Melbourne and “festival” as moment of silence and then it was like those words just the city, so, Nimbinites, heed this warning. Hang onto your we used to call it. I was homeless at the time and trading didn’t land. They disappeared into thin air. I even wondered piece of dirt with those bare feet and don’t be tempted by anything I could on the streets. When there was a music if I actually spoke them or was I just imagining I did. offers from crisp white shirts with aftershave who secretly event on at Festival we could sell any sort of pill or square of Scomo is such a bully and at the time smooth talking are here to eradicate the devil’s lettuce.

www.nimbingoodtimes.com November 2020 The Nimbin GoodTimes Page 13 We must concentrate instead on what we in-road, because, I bet, it was long in advance have. We have lots of land, and rivers and decided to go gas. oceans, rain and sun and complex ecological “Following its detailed deliberations, the communities of a vast array of species. Commission concludes the Project is in Australian soil can still potentially feed the public interest and that any negative people with yields of healthy crops grown impacts can be effectively mitigated with strict organically and GM-free under regenerative conditions.” – IPC, 09/2020. farming principles. Only a healthy planet can be “in the public “Issues raised at the public hearing and in interest”; something we don’t have due to a more than 11,000 written submissions to the million similar projects all over the world, Commission included groundwater impacts; due to the continued ill-use of fossil fuels, climate change impacts from greenhouse gas the continued disregard for the ecological Insanity triumphs emissions; biodiversity impacts; impacts on importance of forests, due to the agricultural agriculture; bushfire impacts; employment practice of spraying poisonous substances, impacts; health impacts; impacts on Aboriginal due to humankind not waking up to their Future gas field at Narrabri cultural heritage; and management of waste own devastating arrogance towards life. (including salt).” – Independent Planning Can we, please, at least begin to tidy up Commission of NSW, 09/2020. our mess that we are passing on to the young by Antoinette Tombrook You cannot eat gas; you do not need gas for All these impacts will be severe, leaving generations? cooking, heating, making love. Exposed gas, a long-lasting legacy to these kids playing We can and we must make a difference. t is the school holidays. We are privileged extracted from the depth of the earth, is today in the backyards of our towns, innocent I love hearing the kids play in our to see kids and hear kids in our small- volatile in its application and contributes to a of the latest crime against Australia and neighbourhood. I wish for them to have Itown neighbourhood. volatile economy. ignorant of the bleak future that awaits them. poison-free food, clean air to breathe, forested Most are very young, and I was wondering That is the crux: a fickle economic model Those responsible for handing out landscapes, and an abundance in natural what their parents think of the recent born from fickle governments. What can approvals know that too. They are richness to feed their minds and souls that we approval of 850 coal seam gas (CSG) wells in you expect other than a downward spiral thieves in the night committing these right now let slip through our fingers. northern NSW. that must end in a collapse of this so-called injustices knowingly and quietly. A million There is a lot that the individual can do, Gas is a fleeting product in every facet. economy? submissions against would not have made an so do it. If Antarctica goes, so does humanity

Thwaites Glacier Courtesy Tech Explorist

by Bernadine Schwartz 195 other significant glaciers. The WAIS is completely ntarctica is a continent different, instead of one solid full of natural grandeur continent beneath, it’s a series of Aand indescribable beauty, islands covered in ice, where most covered in thousands of glaciers sit on the floor of the Southern and vast ice sheets nearly equaling Ocean, and in some areas as low as the size of North America and 1.7 kilometres below sea level and unmarked by time for 34 million concerns are mounting, as satellite years, and it’s still unconquerable imagery shows 87% of glaciers and impossible to harness. around the peninsula are receding It’s a planetary storehouse of ice and at a rate of two kilometres a that reaches down as far as five year and others are beginning to kilometres, and for all that time it’s thaw and they’re gathering pace. Melting gaciers in West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula are increasing the rate of ice loss from Antarctica been out of sight and out of mind, Pine Island is the largest of the Photo: Won Sang Lee/Korea Polar Research Institute, courtesy Inside Climate News but today it’s one of the fastest islands and the largest ice stream warming locations on the planet, in Western Antarctica, with Pine with all eyes now heavily focused Island Glacier itself covering an area, with large portions the goals of the Paris Agreement, A technique referred to as the on the massive Thwaites Glacier area of 175,000 square kilometres. deteriorating and turning into a it wouldn’t make an ounce of Bayesian method, which is akin to and the Pine Island Glacier that However, the Thwaites Glacier is slushy mix of icebergs and pieces difference if a miracle occurred modern-day betting systems, was act as a gateway to a massive cache the largest, taking up an incredible of floating ice. and temperatures rapidly declined, used to understand how complex of frozen water. If their gates break 192,000 square kilometres, equal The other major concern is that because Antarctica will still life evolved and in short, if we were open and it all escapes into the to the size of Britain. the sea floor beneath the Thwaites continue to melt in catastrophic to rewind Earth’s history back to sea, it alone would raise global sea Both are rapidly melting and Glacier is on a retrograde slope amounts, causing entire nations to the very beginning, the emergence levels by 2.2 metres. draining into the Amundsen Sea, that goes inland and if it manages be wiped off the map of the world of intelligent life is somewhat Since 2018, scientists have weakening their very foundations to retreat far enough and the forever. unlikely. And now here we are, in intensified their research, after and already they’re responsible for floating ice shelf breaks into Most scientists believe 2OC is the throes of becoming extinct. discovering that hidden beneath a 5% rise in global sea levels. icebergs, it will simply collapse an existential threat and staying It’s a crying, crying shame; the western parts of Antarctica The enormous Thwaites Glacier under its own weight. below it is no longer obtainable, we took life for granted. The were the unmistakable signs also goes by the name of the This is backed up by the latest and the days are long gone when only species on the planet gifted of global warming. A team of Doomsday Glacier, because if it climate modelling that also scientists spoke in terms of with not only an exceptionally Brazilian scientists made history completely disintegrated it would suggests there will probably be prevention, instead the operative intelligent mind but also a highly on 9th February this year cause a rippling effect throughout nothing to stop it. word now is ‘delay’ a climate sophisticated body that gave us after recording a record high the western half of Antarctica, Research conducted by the Earth catastrophe, so it bothers me the ability to make our dreams a temperature of 20.75OC in the giving it the capacity to raise global Institute at Columbia University greatly when I hear or read fake reality, and just look at what we Seymour Islands. sea levels by two to three metres, suggests that 60% of the shelf is facts without a shred of evidence. created. East Antarctica is a frozen profoundly altering the landscape at risk of hydro fractures as melt Every minute of every day, what A world where we promoted desert, sitting on top of a continent of the entire planet. water widens crevices and fissures we do determines our children’s greed and rewarded the greedy, about the size of Australia but so It’s becoming more evident and in crucial areas, giving it the future, so please stop and question and off we went full steam ahead far it and the central regions of that the Thwaites Glacier is the potential to trigger a collapse, yet every action you take and say to on the gravy train and despite Antarctica are stable, however the most vulnerable of all, after on- the majority of climate models yourself, Is this necessary? years of unrelenting warnings, we same can’t be said for the Western site drilling and data collected never factored this in. It’s an absolute miracle that we still wouldn’t get off. Antarctica Ice Sheet (WAIS), by the Thwaites Glacier Project According to all the research, it’s even exist, according to findings So you tell me, who would want including the Antarctic Peninsula, discovered very little of the ice becoming apparent that even if the published in the proceedings of to forgive us for all we have done? I where these islands sit alongside shelf remaining in the western world stays under 2OC and meets the National Academy of Sciences. for one won’t be!

Page 14 The Nimbin GoodTimes November 2020 [email protected] Broad options in draft Far North Coast Water Strategy welcome The newly-formed WATER It was launched on 19th October Association of Australia (WSAA) drought-resilient system would have Richmond and Tweed Rivers. Northern Rivers Alliance has at the start of National Water in their document All Options on the 30-50% of its water coming from “WATER Northern Rivers is welcomed the diverse water supply Week, with its message ‘Let’s re- Table. sources not dependent on rain. ready to assist the development options featured in the draft Far imagine our water future’. WSAA recommends a suite of Simon Clough, spokesperson for of this new vision of water supply North Coast Water Strategy, “We have been very concerned diverse options and strong water WATER Northern Rivers and in our region,” Ms. Kia said, “and released by the NSW Government about the narrow focus of Rous efficiency measures. In particular, former Rous County Councillor we look forward to the public on Friday 30th October. County Council Future Water they note that new dams, being said, “Why would we waste more consultation process empowering “We are pleased to see a list of Strategy 2060, which has ignored rainfall-dependent, do not provide money on this destructive dam our community.” diverse options, not all of which many of the modern solutions drought-resilience. when water experts say there The draft Far North Coast Water will be progressed,” said Annie available that, when combined in If new supply is needed, it’s are better ways to ensure water Strategy is on public exhibition, Kia, spokesperson for WATER a mixed portfolio, help create a advantageous if these sources are security? It’s time for Rous to with submissions invited, until 13th Northern Rivers. resilient and drought-proof water independent of rainfall, such as change tack.” December. WATER Northern Rivers is an system,” said Ms Kia. water re-use and desalination. The group has also welcomed It is available at: www.industry. alliance of groups and citizens who The broad-options approach in Dr Stuart Khan recently echoed other initiatives within the strategy, nsw.gov.au/water/plans-programs/ want smart water options for the the draft strategy is in line with the this when asked about the Rous supporting Aboriginal rights and a regional-water-strategies/public- region, instead of the Dunoon Dam. recommendations of Water Services Future Water Strategy, noting that a focus on improving the health of the exhibition/far-north-coast Water experts say dams are not the best defence against drought by John Revington provides an estimated cost WSAA reports that many per kilolitre for each of the cities around the world What’s the best way to options it examined. Some “have achieved community ensure water security in a of these costs are shown in acceptance for purified hotter and drier climate? the diagram. recycled water.” In an authoritative new So a dam would be poor WSAA’s call for a range report called All Options protection against drought – of options to be put on the On The Table, the Water and it is also one of the most table is echoed by the NSW Services Association of expensive options. Government’s Productivity Australia (WSAA) warns In his paper ‘Rous water Commission and by that dams are “often high- supply augmentation Infrastructure Australia. A risk investments as they are proposal – brief Productivity Commission reliant on rainfall and less review’(2020), Professor green paper made two resilient to climate change Stuart White rejects Rous’s recommendations about than other options”. fanciful accounting and water systems: address the The WSAA concludes estimates that water from barriers to using new water that the best strategy is “a the Dunoon Dam would sources and keep improving diverse portfolio of water cost $7.50 per kilolitre. the efficiency of our water supply sources” rather than Rous based its costing of usage. one large, rain-dependent the water from the dam on In its 2019 Audit, source. In other words, use the total amount of water Rous County Council wants to build a large dam between Dunoon and The Channon to guard Infrastructure Australia multiple supply sources, and that it could provide, rather against population growth and a drying climate. But an authoritative new report suggests dams concludes that “ensuring ensure that some of them than the amount of water it are not the answer. all options are on the table, are not rain-dependent. actually would provide. and can be deployed when The All Options report If Rous had been more should you put on the loss supply water to almost one combined with a diverse required, is likely to be examined 330 water projects realistic, it would have found of Indigenous heritage sites, million additional people portfolio of demand and essential for governments around Australia and found that the cost per kilolitre or irreplaceable rainforest, without needing to increase supply options.” and operators to effectively that commonly overlooked of water from many other or the habitat of endangered its supply. Another barrier to and efficiently ensure secure supply sources include options is lower. species? White argues that water supply diversity is [water] supply over the long “purified recycled water Moreover, financial On the other hand, water efficiency measures would resistance to the potable term”. for drinking, stormwater calculations for the dam do efficiency is the cheapest be “highly likely to enable use of recycled water, but So Rous is at odds with harvesting and water sharing not account for its cultural option of all, and the savings significant deferral of the Perth already replenishes a range of organisations, (particularly rural and and environmental impacts. achieved can be dramatic. need for the commitment its groundwater with and with the community it urban trade)”. The report What monetary value Sydney Water was able to to Dunoon Dam, when recycled water, and the serves. 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