The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Woolies petrol for Lismore

Simon Thomsen

A Woolworths discount petrol station could be open in Lismore by the end of the year after Lismore Council over-ruled the objections of local residents to approve plans for the Diadem Street outlet.

While Cr Frank Swientek lodged a rescission motion that could have delayed the project for a month, the Mayor responded by calling an extraordinary meeting for next Tuesday to finalise the decision. The Echo understands that the move has staved off Woolworths' plans to head straight to the Land and Environment Court for a decision.

While a previous application for the station was refused, the new application uses a larger site, satisfying Council's planners, who endorsed the proposal.

Diadem Street residents mounted a concerted campaign against the project to no avail and one left in tears following the initial approval.

Cr Graham Meineke acknowledged that he felt sorry for the residents.

"I wouldn't want it near me either," he said, adding that if they refused the DA and it went to the Land and Environment Court, Council would be "thrashed".

Cr David Tomlinson sought a compromise on the opening hours of the site: Woolworths wanted it open 6am to 11pm weekdays, while the residents, concerned about noise and sleep interruptions, wanted a 9pm close. He split the difference at 10pm, despite resistance from the service station representative Bob Ingram.

The other big win for Woolworths was saving more than $230,000 in Section 94 development fees. Based on Council's calculation of the traffic the development would generate, Woolworths faced a bill of $268,000, but using an alternative method of calculating the developer charges using the size of the site, the fee was just $37,000. Council staff said that when there was a discrepancy in the fee, they always offered a developer the lower cost. Planner Warren Rackham said making the calculation was akin to "pulling rabbits out of a hat", but added that the $268,000 seemed "exorbitantly high".

But staff also conceded that the $37,000 bill wasn't even enough to cover the cost of kerbing and guttering the rest of Diadem Street and that funds would have to be sought from elsewhere to pay for the work.

Cr Irwin led the charge to bill Woolworths the higher amount, but mayor Merv King used his casting vote to reject the proposal when the vote was deadlocked at 5-all. Councillors will have a second chance to decide how much to charge the retailer when they meet again next Tuesday.

Crs John Chant and Brian Henry excused themselves from the debate due to a conflict of interest.

Lismore motorists finally see red

After more than a decade of freewheeling, Lismore drivers will face a strange sight on Bruxner Highway from tomorrow when traffic lights glow once again in the city.

The intersection of Ballina and Diadem streets has lights due to the increased traffic from the $40 million expansion of Lismore Square. Mayor Merv King will switch them on at 10am this Friday. And for motorists who've forgotten how they work, the yellow light means stop - although you can enter the intersection if you are so close that sudden braking might cause a crash - and red means absolutely stop. Council's road safety officer Wendy Johnson said motorists should take extra care when driving through the intersection in the coming weeks.

Ballina Rivafest makes a splash

By Julian Ryan

Breast cancer survivors (l-r) Veda Dorrough, Karen McFarland, Helen Korff, Sue Shaw, Patsy Brosnan, Rose Mortimer and Denni Pearson are team members of Rainbow Dragons Abreast, which is taking part in the regatta at this weekend's Rivafest in Ballina.

All roads - and rivers - lead to Ballina this weekend for the annual Rivafest celebration.

More than 10,000 people are expected to celebrate the Richmond River during the two-day festival, which features delicious food, music and aquatic activities, plus loads of entertainment for the whole family including a spectacular fireworks display on both nights with the shimmering river as a backdrop.

Ballina Council tourism and development manager Liz Shepherd said this year's program has been specifically designed to appeal to the young and the young at heart.

"I think the highlight will be the dragon boat racing," Ms Shepherd said. "There will also be thundercats racing in the river, water skiing, market stalls, a circus workshop, sand modelling competitions and great bands, plus a whole lot more to keep the crowds entertained."

Meanwhile, if delicious local seafood, fine wine and jazz sounds appealing, head to the Ballina RSL Club's marquee at the western end of Fawcett Park on Sunday from 12.30pm and sample food prepared by award winning chef Gerhard Spatz.

Rivafeast is being hosted by the RSL Club and will include a gourmet seafood buffet and a delicious selection of hot seafood dishes prepared right before your eyes. Wine is included along with a fine selection of cheese and seasonal fruit, and the host chef will be on hand to discuss your every culinary requirement.

Tickets are $88 per head or $77 each for a table of eight. To book phone the Ballina RSL Club on 6686 2544.

Rivafest starts at 9am in Fawcett Park this Saturday.

For more details, see the program on page 36 of The Echo or go to www.ballinarivafest.com.au.

Orchids bloom for shoppers

City of Lismore Orchid Society vice president Ron Campbell with plants from the orchid show, which starts today at Lismore Central.

Beautiful orchids have added a delicate touch to Lismore Central today with the opening of the annual three-day Spring-time Orchid Spectacular.

City of Lismore Orchid Society vice president Ron Campbell said a lot of work has gone into preparing the show, which runs until Saturday, September 17.

"The highlight will be the judging, which is done by the North Coast Regional Judging Panel, and I expect the competition this year to be stronger than ever," Ron said.

"There will be pre-loved orchids for sale and anyone who needs advice on how to grow orchids is welcome to talk to the experts for free."

The orchid show at Lismore Central is on today and tomorrow, 7am-9pm, and Saturday, from 7am-2pm.

For more on the show or to submit plants for judging, contact Ron Campbell on 6624 2316.

Zonta flies to the rescue

Zonta members Mary Compagnone and Kaye Hughes present care packs to Micheal Martin, nursing unit manager of Richmond Clinic.

The Zonta Club of Northern Rivers has donated 20 emergency care packs for women to Lismore Base Hospital to help women who arrive in emergency. The packs contain toiletries and clothing.

To fund the project, Zonta is screening Turtles Can Fly, a multi-award winning Iraqi film by Bahman Ghobadi (A Time For Drunken Horses) at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore this Sunday, September 18, at 4pm.

A masterpiece of profound tragedy and intense joy with extraordinary performances from its young cast, it's a moving drama.

Tickets are $15 includes wine and nibbles, from the door or phone 6622 0300.

Lowndes picks the best ute

Australian V8 motor racing superstar Craig Lowndes will visit Ballina this Saturday, September 17, to judge the Rotary Club of Ballina's Ute Muster at the Ballina Rugby Union Club.

Rotary president Keith Smith said all ute owners are welcome to enter the competition. Judging will take place around 12 noon and there are plenty of great prizes to be won, including plasma and LCD televisions donated by Ballina Betta Electrical. To enter simply turn up on the day from 7.30am. An entry fee of $10 per ute is required, with all proceeds going to charity.

The racing legend said he's looking forward to the visit.

"Judging the Ute Muster will be tough - there's six categories and I've been told I can't just pick Fords!" Lowndes joked.

The public is also welcome to come along and check out the utes. Entry is a gold coin donation per family for charity and everyone can vote in the "People's Choice" award.

Craig Lowndes will also appear at Ballina Betta Electrical from 9.30am on Saturday.

Three cheers for our kids

Our Kids fundraising officer Rebekka Battista and Lismore Cellars owner Luke Hoolihan are inviting people to indulge in fine wines and gourmet food at the annual Lismore Wine Fair this Sunday.

Good friends, gourmet food and fine wine are three of life's great pleasures... made better only when savoured on a spring afternoon.

You can enjoy them all at the second annual Lismore Wine Fair this Sunday, September 18, at the Left Bank Café, to raise funds for the Our Kids charity.

For just $10 people can taste more than 70 premium Australian and New Zealand wines and match them with a range of delicious foods from Menins.

Wine buffs can meet Canberra-based winemaker Ken Helm of Helm Wines, enjoy live jazz and go in the draw to win cases of fine wine and books on wine and cooking.

"This is a very unique opportunity to sample some of the country's finest wines and there will be something for all tastes, from rieslings and premium reds to sparkling wines and chardonnay," said Our Kids fundraising officer, Rebekka Battista. "If you're a wine lover you'd be mad to miss it."

All wines featured at the Lismore Wine Fair will be available from Lismore Cellars in Wyrallah Road, or you can order them by the bottle or case on the day.

The Lismore Wine Fair runs from 12pm to 4pm. Tickets are available at the door or you can pre-purchase them at the Left Bank Café.

Wine tasting continues all afternoon and there's unlimited supplies, so you won't miss out no matter what time you arrive.

A ton of fun

Computer whiz Alf Webb, who turned 100 last Saturday, with Telstra Countrywide's Lismore area general manager Sue Passmore.

Given that Alf Webb's family has worked with Telstra and its predecessors for a combined total of 319 years, it seemed only natural that the Lismore patriarch would become BigPond's oldest broadband customer.

Alf, who turned 100 last Saturday, was presented with a year's free broadband from Telstra as a birthday present, while his family chipped in to buy the computer-savvy great grandfather a digital camera.

Alf began surfing the web when he bought a computer on his 99th birthday. Since then he's become fairly well acquainted with the technology, emailing his family and friends on a regular basis and even restoring old photographs in Photoshop.

"I used to have an electronic typewriter and when it broke down I couldn't buy a typewriter for less than a computer, so I bought the computer," said Alf. "I love studying up on things and with the internet you can find out anything you want to know."

Alf celebrated his century surrounded by 80 family and friends, including four grandsons who work for Telstra today.

Fuel cost hits hard

By Eve Sinton

High petrol prices are adding strain to already stretched budgets according to Northern Rivers Social Development Council president Jenny Dowell.

"People who were budgeting to put $20 a week in their tank now have to put $30 in, and that's $10 less to spend on other things," she said. "As we have so little public transport, people have few options. If high prices continue, young people with low incomes may turn to hitch-hiking."

Ms Dowell added that there might be some positive aspects.

"It might encourage people to consider cutting unnecessary trips and to consider car-pooling."

Businesses are also are experiencing petrol stress.

Bill Norton of Norton's Transport in Lismore said increasing fuel costs were hitting the company hard.

"It's murder," he said. "People don't drive so far, and they aren't buying as much. We are having to put our prices up, but most people are sympathetic about that."

Mr Norton wasn't optimistic about prices coming down.

"It's only the oil companies ripping us off to a certain extent," he said.

Fuel prices are also likely to push up the cost of social services, such as Meals on Wheels. Lismore coordinator Paula Hewett said there hadn't yet been any complaints about petrol from volunteer drivers.

"But it won't be far away," she said. "Our funding organisation, the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, will have to increase our petrol allowance soon. We give our drivers petrol vouchers so they're not out of pocket. The most distance anyone drives to deliver meals is about 15km."

One way for local motorists to ease the pain is with the recently launched TeamPowerPetrol discount vouchers.

TeamPowerPetrol chief Ray Baily said the scheme is picking up momentum.

"Some people are getting discounts of up to $1 per litre," he said. "In just one week, from September 5 to 11, 600 people redeemed vouchers."

For more information, visit www.teampowerpetrol.com.

Meanwhile, the Service Station Association has warned petrol prices could reach $1.45 per litre this week. The Australian Automobile Association supported the NRMA's call for a national summit on petrol prices.

AAA spokesman Lauchlan McIntosh claimed that the retail margin had gone up from 3 cents per litre to 12 cents; refining and wholesale margins had gone from 7 to 13 cents per litre, and oil companies shouldn't raise petrol prices when they were collecting more than ever because of high world crude oil prices.

In the long term, things look set to get worse.

The price of oil has increased over 600 per cent between 1999 and August 2005. Although Australia has produced most of its own fuel in recent years, it remains at the mercy of world prices. A 2002 study predicted that Australia's fuel self-sufficiency would half to just 40 per cent by 2010.

How are you coping with high petrol prices?

Nicholas Dorian and Matthew Wylie:

"We're really feeling the difference. Nicholas has a small 4WD which uses plenty of petrol. There's no public transport so we are car pooling to go to work and to the beach."

Jenna Scutt, university student:

"It's definitely more expensive. My friends and I are just not driving as much any more."

Christine Doggett of Bexhill:

"We are cutting back on the use of the 4WD and using the family sedan more to save on petrol consumption."

League's Howelly grail unearthed

Story & photo: Laurie Axtens

Local sports historian, John McPherson and barber Paul Cororan join former president of the Richmond Clarence Rugby League, Laurie Malony, to admire the local league's first holy grail, the Howell Cup.

The Howell Cup, the first-ever trophy awarded in the local rugby league premiership, has been rescued from the rubbish bin on the eve of the first Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League (NRRRL) grand final.

Local barber Paul Cororan rescued the invaluable piece of silverware from the hands of a local publican as it was about to be thrown out. Originally mistaken for a soccer trophy, the Howell Cup was actually first awarded to the Wallaroos, an early Lismore-based side, after they won a rescheduled final against Mallanganee on September 26, 1914.

This Howell(y) grail, which drew teams from Dunoon, South Lismore, Kyogle and Coraki, was probably donated by the licensee of Howell's Imperial Hotel, Lismore. However, the site of the Howell Hotel remains a mystery, despite the fact that the hotel was the meeting place for the League executive at the time.

Local sports historian and former Echo sports editor John McPherson uncovered the historic trophy after a tip off by sports identity John McMahon.

"The first premiership was shrouded in controversy," McPherson said. "The Wallaroos, or Wallo men as they were called, were instructed to play an exhibition match on the week before the final, despite the risk of injury. This inflamed passions to such an extent that one local spectator was fined the princely sum of five shillings by the local magistrate for improper language on the Coleman Point Football Ground."

In fact McPherson has uncovered so much dirt on the machinations surrounding the local league's original holy grail that he is now determined to produce a play based on his research.

"It has all the elements of a great tragedy," McPherson said. "Passion, betrayal, revenge and bitter regional rivalry. The report of the meeting after the exhibition match was so lethal that it could been mistaken for a NSW Liberals meeting."

The Howell Cup is currently on display at Paul Coronan's barber shop in the Star Court Arcade in Lismore.

McPherson is also keen to talk to anyone with knowledge of league's origins in this district, including the conjecture that the Wallaroos were the forebears of the Marist Brothers Club. To chew the fat about local league, phone John on 6621 6965 or you can email him at jmcpher11@scu.edu.au.

Women unite against violence

Women's Reclaim the Night Collective members (front l-r) Marie Reilly, Carolyn Carey, Gabrielle Inman and Jasmine McHenry with (rear l-r) Melania Stevens, Valerie Thompson, Ruby Roberts and Christine Devine with Ruby's toddler Rocky Hughes.

Preparations for Reclaim the Night in October have begun, with organisers now looking for women to help coordinate the event, perform or share their personal stories with others.

Reclaim the Night is an annual, worldwide protest condemning violence against women and children.

"Women and children are dealing with violence every single day right here in this community," said Marie Reilly from the Women's Reclaim the Night Collective. "Earlier this year the death of Simone Strobel affected a lot of people and I think many were shocked that that sort of violence could happen in the middle of their town. We march to reclaim our public space and demand the right to walk alone in safety."

The next Reclaim the Night planning meeting is on Thursday, September 22, at Caddies Coffee Shop in Lismore from 4.30pm. Women and children of all ages are welcome. For more info, phone Marie on 6620 3044.

All out for Africa

Xavier Catholic College year 12 students Ryan Seymour, Jarrad Brown and Marlo Dadd with Vanessa Jansen and Hayley Brown (front), who will hit the streets in Ballina next Thursday dressed in African themed clothing as they collect money for Sanctuary Northern Rivers Inc.

If you're in Ballina next Thursday and a gorilla or Zulu chief asks you for a donation, be amused but not alarmed.

Around 85 year 12 students from Xavier Catholic College at Skennars Head will be clad in African dress while collecting money in Ballina, Lennox Head and Alstonville next week for local charity Sanctuary Northern Rivers Inc.

Sanctuary sponsors African refugees, bringing them to this region to start new lives as Australians.

School principal Eric Littler said the students hope to raise more than $2000.

"We are very proud of the students. The collection is a perfect example of thinking globally and acting locally," Mr Littler said.

Donations over $2 are tax deductible. Students will issue receipts and carry official school identification.

Beamer tops a record day

Modelling fashions from La Chelle Boutique at last week's Ballina Cup were (l-r) Rachel O'Halloran, Sarah Lyons, Ashleigh Lyons and Tehani Fiedler.

Gold Coast galloper Beamer hung on by a three quarter length to win last week's Ballina Cup, which is what Lennox Head boutique owner Michelle Chandler predicted in last week's Echo.

With more than 4,000 people through the gates, Ballina Jockey Club secretary manager Stephen Taylor said this year's Cup Day broke all records and was a resounding success.

"We had a record crowd and record takings in terms of the TAB and bar sales," Mr Taylor said. "We have received a lot of very positive feedback from both the community and the police about the day and one Ballina publican told me that he took record takings as well."

The next major event for the Ballina Jockey Club is the Boxing Day races.

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