THE BYRON SHIRE ECHO Advertising & news enquiries: Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 [email protected] [email protected] http://www.echo.net.au VOLUME 20 #18 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2005 22,300 copies every week Page: $1 at newsagents only ADVANCED CONSPIRACY THEORY 5,11,41 Locals lobby Canberra Peace was the word at the weekend for disability funding Alex McAuley ‘There were about 350 introduced. The fact of the Bangalow resident Cindy people at the rally including matter is that $600 pays for Petersons and her daughter Justine Elliot, federal mem- one nappy per day for six Alexandra have returned ber for Richmond; senator months. That doesn’t go far from Canberra after making Jan McLucas, shadow minis- for someone like me. the journey to lobby the fed- ter for ageing, disabilities and ‘Nevertheless, I found her eral government to provide carers; Kay Patterson, minis- to be receptive to our con- adequate funding for family ter for community services; cerns and found Jan McLu- carers of people with depend- and Anna-Maria Arabia, cas and Justine Elliot to be ant disabilities. Despite cop- social policy advisor to Kim very sympathetic. It was a ing with the horrors of Alex- Beazley,’ said Cindy. positive experience for me andra suffering a seizure on ‘Kay Patterson addressed because I feel that I am now the plane, Cindy feels that the rally and spoke at length part of a political pressure the experience was very about the $600 per year car- group. This is really the start worthwhile. er’s allowance that she has of something that can make a difference for us. To all those people who generously sup- ported me, they should know that it was well worth it.’ Arnhem Land’s Elco Island dancers led the 150 or so people who gathered on the beach at Byron at Nell Brown, NSW spokes- dawn through their Morning Star Sunrise ceremony. person for the Walk a Mile This kicked off Byron’s part in the global Earth Dance worldwide Day of Peace celebrations. Foundation, had meetings Byron’s Peace Carnival saw three days of peace-related activities. The World Peace Flame was per- after the rally with the parlia- manently installed in the Byron Community Centre after passing through the hands of representa- mentary representatives and tives of different faiths, beliefs and communities and the Mayor. felt that she made some There were dances, doofs, ceremonies, choirs, whale calling, drumming, celebrity spotting, video ground. linkups, a rally through town and a ‘peaceful, easy feeling’. ‘We asked the minister Photo ‘Peaced Off’ Dawson [Kay Patterson] to launch a senate enquiry into the fail- ure of the Commonwealth Council cannot stop lettings: landlords State and Territory Disability Council’s actions in serving email address, but I haven’t home owners can take pri- Agreements to deliver serv- notices to property owners received anything from them. mary responsibility as to how ices to families caring for to cease holiday letting is I have seen the letter because their properties are marketed someone with a dependant wrong and unlawful, says the the media forwarded it on to and managed. The HLO is disability,’ said Ms Brown. Holiday Letting Organisa- me and I have passed this directing its energy to short ‘Initially, she was reluctant to tion (HLO), a new lobby onto council’s legal team,’ and long term solutions. support such a move, claim- group of property owners. Cr Barham said. ‘However, HLO recog- ing that it is a state rather President of the HLO, HLO’s agenda appears to nises that there have been than federal issue and no John Gudgeon, issued a be the self-regulation of the problems with noise and precedent has been set. How- statement to the media on holiday letting industry nuisance associated with ever, after further discussions Friday advising that a letter through a code of practice. holiday lettings in residential she relented somewhat and has been sent to Byron Shire ‘HLO does not seek to areas. On the other hand, agreed to go away and think Council Mayor, Jan Barham, push for resolutions through there is an abundance of about it. We will meet again containing legal advice which any kind of legal proceed- successfully run dwellings before Christmas to open up proves that issuing notices to ings. It does seek to come to countering the claims that negotiations.’ property owners to stop hol- a mutually satisfactory solu- holiday letting inevitably ‘On the whole it was a iday letting is unlawful. tion through meaningful dia- leads to neighbourhood dis- positive meeting with her; On Monday morning Jan logue focusing on real issues,’ turbances.’ she know that we’re not Barham told The Echo that said Mr Gudgeon in his Much of Council’s posi- going to give up. We have neither she nor Council had statement. tion on holiday letting has formed a national carer’s alli- received any correspondence ‘HLO believes that the been based on the result of a At the Canberra rally, from left, Member for Richmond Justine ance and are prepared to Elliot, Alexandra Petersons and her mother Cindy Petersons (Bang- directly from the HLO by solutions are management legal case last year involving take political action.’ alow), Senator Jan McLucas (Shadow Minister for Ageing, Disabili- Friday afternoon. centred. HLO has been a property in Belongil. The ties and Carers) and family carer Marie Dudgeon (Bangalow). continued on page 2 ‘They (HLO) have my formed so that individual continued on page 2 2 September 20, 2005 Byron Shire Echo www.echo.net.au Local News Holiday letting Spring is here Children uked at Steiner Spring Fair From front page SPRING SPECIALS court ruled that holiday let- ting is considered to be a 2 COURSES $33 tourist activity which is pro- from the mirrors hibited by local planning regulations in residential areas. The HLO say their posi- tion is that every home owner has the right to let their property whenever they want to, whether it be for the short or long term. The Echo was unable to Some of our favorite specials obtain a copy of HLO’s legal Salt & pepper squid, Crispy duck w hoi sin & advice before going to press. bok choy, Char-grilled fresh sardines w HLO’s statement concluded bruschetta, Lamb shanks mash & jus, by saying, ‘We need to focus Seafood risotto w fish, mussels & squid, beyond the fears of the North African braised Lamb w cous cous green “NO!” people, the NIMBYs beans & mint yoghurt, Beef Bourguignon and the “I’ve found Nirvana, Creme brulee, Citrus tart,Tiramisu, now shut the gate” people Warm chocolate ooze pudding and create a sustainable community that rides the Book your Christmas party now Licensed & BYO bottle wine waves of change that have 7 Nights 6 pm 34 Jonson St Byron Bay been the most constant swell Reservations appreciated 66 857 950 to pound our shores.’ James (Ukelele Jimmy) Dodd with some of the younger members of his ukelele workshop at the Q See Letters, page 12 Cape Byron Rudof Steiner School’s Spring Fair last Saturday. Pictured clockwise from one o’clock are Charlie Brophy, Tia and Elliot Baylis and Madeline Tresselt. Photo ‘Ban Joe’ Dawson -5,,5-")-"9$%.4!,#%.42% Ain’t love grand 0ROVIDINGQUALITYFAMILYDENTALCARESINCE A musical being presented Learn about environmental law 7ELCOMES$R-ATTHEW0ARSONS"$3 by Quota International of -ICHAEL,EACH"$3 0AUL.EWELL"$3(ONS-0( Brunswick Valley featuring Threatened species and decision making in their local ing a case to court and activ- )NTA2UDAJS"$3 -ARTIN!CKLAND"$3 Tracy Devine and the Relia- coastal protection laws will area and understand how the ists’ rights. .ATALIE3ILBEREISEN"$3C(ONS -ICHAEL%7YLIE"$3-&'$05+ bles is on Saturday October be among the topics covered law can be used to help pro- Cost is $50 full price, $20 /RTHODONTIC3PECIALISTS 15 at the Mullumbimby Ex- at an Environmental Defend- tect the environment. concession. For further er’s Offi ce workshop on Sat- Topics covered during the information or to register for 2OGER0EATE"$3-$3AND3ASHA-IRKOVIC"$3-$3C services Club commencing urday September 24, 10am workshop will include: the the workshop, please contact 0ERIODONTISTANDIMPLANTPROSTHODONTICS at 7.30pm. Tickets $15 each available at the club. Pro- to 5pm at the Byron Bay legal system; key environ- Lyndall Bell, education .EIL,ATCHAM"$3C(ON-$3CAND$R!DRIAN(OFFMAN"$3-$3C ceeds to community projects. Community Centre, 69 Jon- mental laws; the planning assistant, email lyndall. 3TUART3T -ULLUMBIMBYs0HONE Enquiries 6680 1305. son Street. Participants at and development system; [email protected], phone the workshop will receive threatened species law; pol- 9262 6989, free call 1800 practical information that lution law; access to informa- 626 239. should help them better par- tion; effective submission Any interested community 3TARTS&RIDAY ticipate in environmental writing; rights of appeal; tak- member is welcome. 302).'3!,% 3EPTEMBER Locals lobby Canberra for disability funding FURNITUREANDHOMEWARESFORRELAXEDLIVING From front page said Ms Elliot. old worn out shoes on the The Walk a Mile Founda- ‘The contribution carers lawns of Parliament House. tion continues to claim that make is not only to the peo- ‘I am calling on this mean Australian citizens who have ple they care for, but also to spirited government to stop a dependant disability or the community and to the making the lives of carers who care for someone who economy more broadly. It is harder with its out-of-touch does are being discriminated estimated that carers save the polices and start listening to against, and as such the fed- Australian economy approx- the stories of these amazing eral government should take imately $20 billion annually Australians.