THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 28 #22 Tuesday, November 5, 2013 Phone 02 6684 1777 Fax 02 6684 1719 [email protected] [email protected] www.echo.net.au CAB Page 22–23 23,200 copies every week AUDIT POSSIBLE FOREGONE CONCLUSION Inside Mungo on Bank divestment The wonder Health The suits you Byron Shire this the politics of action in Byron of dancing & Beauty wear when you’re Council Notices week ignorance – p10 – p7 bees – p15 – p16–19 swimming – p20 Pages 42–43 Making a splash at OS MP Don Page refuses to support CSG petition State coalition minister and Byron Justine Elliott (Richmond MP) and Bay resident, Don Page, is unsup- Janelle Saffi n (former Page MP), he portive of a 12,000-strong petition told parliament, ‘it was a shameless by residents calling for a north coast electioneering tactic, initiated by two moratorium on coal seam gas Labor federal members on the north- Th e widely anticipated petition ern rivers in a desperate attempt to was tabled in parliament last week boost their chances in the recent fed- aft er it reached 10,000 signatures. eral elections.’ Mr Page, who is the minister for ‘Th ey stood in main streets gath- the north coast, instead used parlia- ering signatures and spreading alarm ment time to launch attacks on the about coal seam gas – scaremonger- region’s two federal Labor MPs and ing to try to save their seats – in the members of the public opposed to full knowledge that coal seam gas mining expansion. companies had walked away from It follows widespread opposition the north coast months before be- to CSG by communities through- cause our rules are so tough. out the north coast, including many When asked by Th e Echo to clar- declarations by towns and local ify that statement given Metgasco councils against the industry tak- are recommencing drilling near Ca- ing a foothold. Protests against CSG sino, he said, ‘Metgasco have sealed continued last week with residents all their CSG exploration wells and from Lismore and Richmond Valley only have an interest in convention- Sienna, Charlie and Alannah made the most of the cool waters at Ocean Shores Country Club’s family fun day rallying outside Metgasco’s offi ces al natural gas.’ on Sunday. Hundreds enjoyed games, good music, a sausage sizzle, and face painting on a hot spring day. and drill sites. And with regard to the petition’s Photo Jeff ‘Twisting By The Pool’ Dawson While defending his govern- request to exempt the north coast ment’s unprecedented ‘tough’ re- from mining, Mr Page told parlia- strictions on the industry, he ac- ment, ‘It is not good public policy cused ‘disingenuous individuals’ to discriminate either for or against Planning policy relaxes CT subdivisions of conducting anti-coal seam gas any particular geographic area of the Hans Lovejoy But there are some omissions to land. While the minimum lot size surveys in residential locations in state, no matter how close to para- the LEP – coastal, E2 and E3 envi- is yet to be determined, it will be re- north coast towns, despite their dise that part of the world might be.’ Th e planning document that defi nes ronmental zonings were left out as ported to Council prior to being sent knowing that his government, ‘al- ‘Th e government’s role is not to land usage, developments and zon- the state has yet to finalise those to the NSW department of planning. ready banned CSG activity in all advocate on behalf of mining com- ings has been fi nalised by Byron Shire parameters. Mayor Simon Richardson said at NSW residential areas and in a two- panies, but to have the regulatory Council staff and is on its way to Syd- And it’s a policy that could see Th ursday’s Council meeting that he kilometre buff er zone surrounding framework that protects our land and ney for state government approval. some movement in the real estate and general manager Ken Gainger every residential area.’ water resources and our environment It’s called the Local Environment market: Council staff have included recently met with NSW planning But Richmond MP Justine Elliot – something that Labor never did.’ Plan (LEP); councillors voted last provisions enabling community title MP Brad Hazzard in Sydney and hit back saying, ‘Th e Nationals be- During the debate, Lismore MP Th ursday to sign off on the 114-page (CT) subdivision of approved multi- told him that funding advice for trayed the people of the north coast Th omas George also went on the policy, which is in accordance with ple occupancy developments, which ground truthing, or mapping, had in supporting CSG mining’. She also attack, accusing former Page MP state government requirements. is again subject to state government still not been received by Council challenged the CSG companies, say- Janelle Saffin of allowing mining Council’s media spokesperson said approval. from the planning department. ing if there are no coal seam reserves expansion while in offi ce. ‘She was it also corresponds with the shire- Additionally Council will seek a ‘He was shocked to hear this,’ Cr in her electorate then they should a member of the Legislative Coun- wide Development Control Plan future amendment to the LEP to al- Richardson said, and he expected return their exploration licences. cil when the licences were issued (DCP), which is still being prepared. low two (detached) houses on rural Mr Hazzard to reply soon. And while Mr Page didn’t name continued on page 2 Local News North Coast news daily: netdaily.net.au MP Don Page challenged All the fun of the Bruns fair by Greens on renewables continued from page 1 porting our push for 100 per for the northern rivers. They cent renewable NSW. Starting took the money and ran.’ the transition now means that But surprisingly Mr regional NSW can get ahead George then stated his sup- of the global competition and port for fossil fuel expansion. become leaders in clean en- ‘If we do not produce the ergy solutions.’ extra energy needed in this When asked if he supports state, especially in the north- Dr Kaye’s 100 per cent renew- ern rivers, major businesses able push, Mr Page told The such as the Northern Co- Echo, ‘I stand by my long- standing commitment to re- operative Meat Company will Bruns Public School principal Mick Channells, with Daisy newable energy. Indeed I was pack up and move over the and Lily Burke, gets ready for the major annual fundraising a keynote speaker at a confer- border. They cannot survive event on Friday November 8 from 4 to 8pm at the school. ence in Bangalow a few years without cheaper energy.’ Photo Jeff ‘Rolled Up’ Dawson ago, specifically on the im- Page challenged portance of renewable energy to our future. Clearly it will Social enterprise symposium Nov 22 on renewables take some time to transition Former Democrats leader Cheryl Kernot is one of the keynote to a 100 per cent renewables Meanwhile Greens NSW speakers for the upcoming Northern Rivers Social Enterprise situation given both the Com- MP John Kaye challenged Symposium, to held at the Belongil Bistro and the Byron Com- monwealth and state objec- MP Page’s sustainable creden- munity Centre on November 22. tives are to get to 20 per cent tials and vision for the Ballina It will be a chance to exchange innovative ideas, says con- by 2020. I would like to see electorate. venor Sasha Grahame, and it aims to promote awareness and BULK FOODS the Ballina electorate better the source ‘National Party MP Don education in social enterprise development. those targets, which is entirely Page says on his webpage that Byron Shire mayor Simon Richardson is supportive and possible given our interest in Come check us out his vision for the electorate is says, ‘The importance of the symposium is in bringing togeth- renewables, the employment to create a sustainable future er those committed to seeing all members of the community opportunities associated with for the whole community,’ Dr enriched by how we operate. It’s about community, business OVER 400 BULK such a focus, and not to men- Kaye said. ‘[Mr Page] says he leaders and politicians coming together to ensure that the ad- tion the abundance of sun- FOOD PRODUCTS! understands that this is about age of “hand up” rather than a “hand out” becomes a reality shine! I think our area can be creating jobs by protecting the rather than just a slogan.’ a leader in renewables.’ Amazing specials each week! environment. The challenge Tickets are available from Byron Community Centre and for Mr Page is to show he is for more visit www.nrsdc.org.au/socialenterprise.html. 81 Stuart St, Mullumbimby (next to Edens Landing Fruit & Veg) serious about the environ- Transmission line facebook.com/thesourcebulkfoods ment and local jobs by sup- abandoned Baggaley in court after drug bust The challenge comes as a proposed high-voltage trans- Former Olympic athlete and The dual silver-medallist mission line from Tenterfield Byron Bay resident Nathan canoeist, 37, was one of three to Lismore was cancelled last Baggaley is again facing drug men arrested in relation to week. The abandonment of charges after he was arrested a clandestine amphetamine the $250 million Bonshaw on Friday night in a major drug lab and faces seven line, once dubbed ‘essential’ Australian Federal Police charges. He was due in Lis- by electricity network provid- drug bust at Tweed Heads. more Local Court on Monday. er TransGrid, is a victory for grassroots campaigning and Day of the Dead ceremony follows on the heels of the can- cellation of a similar line on The Natural Death Centre is mony at 4pm.