The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Families bulldozed in highway upgrade

Con Melino and his son Michel - the family home and 200-year-old trees near Wardell will be wiped out by the RTA's preferred Woodburn to Ballina highway upgrade.

Trevor Monti says a six-lane highway route selected by the RTA will devastate land farmed by his family since the 1920s.

George Law says the RTA's planned destruction of his family home and farm will rob his grandchildren of their inheritance.

• New Woodburn-Ballina route 2km longer
• Threatens endangered species
• RTA choices under fire

Story & photos: Eve Sinton

Con Melino, now in his mid-80s, has lived on his farm near Wardell for 45 years. A menagerie of pets surrounds the beautiful old farmhouse by the river, and cattle graze under 200-year-old trees. If RTA planners have their way, this idyllic spot will be buried under a six-lane highway within a few years as part of the Woodburn to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade. The real surprise of the choice is that it adds an extra 2km to the length of the highway.

Mr Melino is just one of dozens of families with a long, proud history in the area, whose lives have been turned upside down with the release of the RTA's preferred route last week (see story, page 3).

The route swings west through pristine farmland and forests. Mr Melino reckons it should stay east of the Richmond River.

"They already have a road over there," he said, shaking his head. "I say why don't they make that road big where it is. I suppose this road may not come here for 10 or 20 years... I won't be here by then."

His son, Michel Melino, said the family had left areas of their land untouched for wildlife.

"They say it's cleared land, but some of these trees are 200 years old," he said. "I don't call that cleared land. They are saying this is of no significance and they say there's no koalas. There are always koalas here. They did their study over two days in the driest February-March we'd had for years, so of course they didn't find much. It's very disheartening to find that's what our bureaucracy's about - the science is just wrong."

Other residents are defiant and plan to put up a strong opposition to the proposed new route.

This includes George Law's family who have owned land near the Melino property since 1894.

"The road will go through our cane fields - it took me 20 years to clear them," he said. "The house was built in 1904 and it will go through that too. Our grandchildren are complaining about losing their heritage. We will put up a fight."

Trevor Monti's farm was bought by his grandfather, a Broadwater doctor, in 1920. His parents came there as newlyweds in 1925.

"It's going to hit me pretty heavily," he said. "Route 2C cuts through our farm.

"It's going to take a lot of our land where we grow crops and it's really going to devastate everything."

Blackwall Highway Action Group spokesman Mark Graham said the route selected fell short of the RTA's own standards.

"Route 2C was not the favoured route in the values management workshop, and was overwhelmingly opposed in public submissions," he said. "It directly impacts on four historic homes. Another home, built from a single Blackbutt log, is located directly on the alignment of the preferred route. Numerous Aboriginal scar trees will have to be cleared too - the only such trees recorded in the entire study area."

Mr Graham said the road creates the greatest ecological impact of any route including the destruction of seven endangered ecological communities listed under the Threatened Species Act and habitat for over 50 threatened species such as Coxen's Fig Parrot and the Albert's Lyrebird.

"It is also two kilometres longer than the present highway, and will generate tonnes of extra greenhouse gases. The fight has only just begun," Mr Graham said.

Friends of the Koala president Lorraine Vass said the RTA's preferred route would devastate east-west wildlife movement.

"It will destroy the nucleus of one of the region's few remaining healthy koala populations," she said. "An evaluation process which favoured this route is obviously flawed."

* United protests against upgrade routes p3.

Hark! the people sing

Gearing up for their Carols by Glow Stick night this Friday are Lismore Heights Primary School students Dylan Butcher, Kahlil Hammond, Dominic Lopez, Jessica Ryan, Nicole Clark, Kate Parrish, Ryden Darvill and Amy Lees.

The Lismore Heights Primary School P&C Association have come up with a different take on the traditional 'carols by candlelight' and are inviting the local community to their first ever Carols by Glow Stick this Friday, December 9.

Families are encouraged to bring a picnic rug or cushion so they can make camp on the school oval for the sausage sizzle at 5.30pm and carols at 6pm, which will be led by students and the band Jubilation from Southern Cross University.

Plenty of glow sticks and food will be on sale, and acting principal Kim Witchard says it's a case of the more the merrier.

"Singing carols is a lovely thing for families to do together at Christmas time, and the kids love the glow sticks - they're really excited already," Kim said. "Carols by Glow Stick is not just for the school - it's a chance for the whole community to come together and celebrate the magic of Christmas."

Anyone wanting to attend Carols by Glow Stick should simply go to the school in High Street (just past the Lismore Workers Heights Bowling Club) and follow the signs. It is an alcohol, drug and smoke-free event.

Other services happening around the region include:

• Ballina Minister's Association presents Carols by Candlelight on Saturday, December 10, at the Lennox Head foreshore (northern end of the Lennox Head Surf Club) at 7.30pm. For info phone 6686 7219.
• The Ballina Minister's Association presents Carols by Candlelight on Sunday, December 11, at Kingsford Smith Oval in Ballina from 7.30pm. The evening includes traditional carols and contemporary Christmas songs, dance performances and fireworks. Glow sticks, novelties and refreshments will be for sale. A gold coin will be collected at the entrance, with all proceeds to the Ballina Religious Education Program. For info phone 6686 7219.
• The Lismore Chapter of the Compassionate Friends welcome all bereaved parents, their family and friends to a special Candlelight Remembrance Evening on Sunday, December 11, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Bexhill from 6pm. The service provides parents with the opportunity to acknowledge the difficulty they experience facing Christmas and gives parents an opportunity to light a candle in memory of their child or children. A light supper will be provided after the service. For info phone Glennys on 6621 4086 or Dianne on 6621 5558.
• Carols at the Common will be held on Sunday, December 18, at the Clunes Village Common from 6pm. Keyboardist Tony Narvo and locals will put on a show, plus there's a visit from Santa, a sausage sizzle and refreshments and glow sticks for sale. Bring a cushion or picnic rug.
• Tintenbar Carols by Candlelight will be held on Sunday, December 18, at the Tintenbar Oval at 5pm. The wet weather venue is Tintenbar Hall.

Cattle king killed in crash

Australian cattle baron and Ballina landowner Peter Menegazzo died in a plane crash in central NSW last week.

Just nine days after he donated a $20,000 jet ski to the Ballina Jet Boat Surf Rescue, one of Australia's largest cattle barons, Peter Menegazzo, was killed in a light plane crash.

Mr Menegazzo recently purchased about 5km of Ballina coastal land, stretching from Keith Hall to Empire Vale, for more than $10 million. He planned to relocate to the coast to run cattle.

Also killed were Mr Menegazzo's wife Angela and two pilots. It's believed the aircraft ran into severe storms near Condobolin.

Surf Rescue captain Garry Meredith said Mr Menegazzo was a kind and gentle man.

"It really hit me hard because he wasn't your typical businessman. He didn't like publicity and when I spoke to him it never crossed my mind that he was a multi-millionaire because he was just so down to earth," he said.

Mr Meredith said that Mr and Mrs Menegazzo's names would be painted on the side of the jet ski as a memorial to their generosity.

New highway route bypasses towns

By Eve Sinton

The towns of Woodburn, Broadwater and Wardell will be bypassed as part of the latest Pacific Highway upgrade, announced by Roads Minister Joe Tripodi last week.

The RTA's preferred route passes east of Woodburn and Broadwater, crosses the Richmond River on a new bridge and swings inland to skirt the Blackwall Range and Buckombil Mountain. It veers east again through Pimlico and finishes with an interchange at the Bruxner Highway, where it will connect with the future Ballina bypass.

The Woodburn to Ballina route will be on public display until January 31, 2006, which is also the deadline for public submissions.

The RTA says it will continue to discuss aspects of the route with landowners and the community, declaring the chosen route as "the best overall balance between functional, ecological, heritage, social and economic considerations".

The plan still has to be approved under the EP&A Act. An environmental impact assessment must be displayed for community comment before being signed off by the NSW Planning Minister. The process is expected to take at least two years.

Mr Tripodi said the Government would continue to do preliminary assessment work for the inland route advocated by Ballina MP Don Page, but that it may have significant ecological, farming and social impacts.

"Despite these constraints, I agree to consider looking at the Summerland Way proposal," Mr Tripodi said. "However, this will not stop planning for the upgrade of the Pacific Highway."

Project staff will be available to discuss the Woodburn to Ballina route from 10am to 6pm at the Broadwater Community Hall next Monday, December 12, and at the Woodburn Community Information Centre, next Tuesday, December 13.

Detailed maps and information about the preferred route are available on the internet at www.rta.nsw.gov.au/pacific.

Protestors take to streets against highway upgrade

A convoy of protesters' vehicles escorted by police cars slowed traffic on the Pacific Highway to a 15kph crawl from Ewingsdale to Ballina last Friday. After the two-and-a-half hour trip, around 100 people gathered in Ballina's Missingham Park to present over 17,000 submissions on the proposed highway upgrade to the RTA's Pacific Highway general manager Bob Higgins.

Around 20 tractors, plus trucks, a semi-trailer and a prime mover, headed slowly south in protest against the loss of more than 400 hectares of farmland in the Ewingsdale to Ballina section of the highway upgrade.

While frustration over the Pacific Highway simmered at a protest meeting in Ballina last Friday community groups and councillors attacked the Government for its lack of planning vision for the Northern Rivers.

Community Alliance for Road Sustainability (CARS) spokesman Tony Gilding said the existing road would become a responsibility for local councils when the new Pacific Highway is built. If the Government funded the new highway with tolls, a significant amount of local traffic would use the old road.

"Within 10 years the load on the old highway will most likely be back to the same level it is now," Mr Gilding said. "Councils will get reimbursed, at least in part, for maintenance. But what of the upgrading that will still desperately need to be done? What about St Helena and the notorious Tintenbar Hill? Who will pay for these to be fixed?"

Ballina councillor Sharon Cadwallader was concerned about the road toll on human life.

"We are seeing on an almost daily basis irreparable human cost on the Pacific Highway," she said. "It is without doubt we will witness catastrophic human cost if a motorway is constructed on the coastal tourist route."

Urban planner and CARS member Ian Oelrichs said a toll would force many users to continue travelling on the existing highway.

"Another critical issue is that the secondary roads, such as the Bangalow to Lismore road, can't cope with current traffic and aren't safe," he said. "Further improvements to the Pacific Highway will continue to increase the traffic that uses these roads, including semi-trailers and eventually B-doubles. There are no funds to carry out the significant upgrade works to make these roads safe now, let alone cope with the increase in traffic."

Square raid by shady characters

A safe, 27 pairs of Bolle sunglasses and game consoles were stolen following a daring break-in at Lismore Shopping Square on Sunday night. Five stores in the shopping complex were raided, with the thieves breaking in through the roof at each business. After stealing goods from Nintendo game consoles to Gamecube games and PSP consoles, they escaped through the ceiling again, without triggering any security alarms.

The break-ins occurred some time between 8pm Sunday and 8am Monday. Police are appealing for any information on the thefts and to contact them immediately if they are offered any of the stolen property for sale. Any information to Lismore Police on 6623 1599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Volunteer's lot is a happy one

Richmond Local Area Commander, Supintendent Bruce Lyons (left) and crime prevention officer Michael Hogan (kneeling) with police volunteers (l-r) Ken Keevers, Amie Walker, John Neill, Stuart Goodwin, Jim Howison, Janice Heffernan and Patricia Kennewell. They were presented with certificates of appreciation on International Volunteers Day, along with Lyn Roberts who was unable to attend the ceremony.

Story & photo: Eve Sinton

John Neill, 81, of Goonellabah has clocked up eight years as a police volunteer in Lismore and loves the challenge. "I do a lot of paperwork and things like returning exhibits," he said. "It keeps your brain working and keeps you active."

Amie Walker of Lismore has been volunteering for three years, and is famous for her Wednesday morning teas. "I had time on my hands," she said, "and I love working with the police officers and giving them a hand."

Mr Neill and Ms Walker were among eight volunteers presented with certificates of appreciation to mark International Volunteers Day on Monday.

Power's series of unfortunate events

A jammed $800 circuit relay triggered the blackout of the entire region on Monday night, leaving around 70,000 homes and businesses without power for up to four hours.

Contrary to speculation that increased power demand in the sweltering heat led to the blackout, Country Energy's regional general manager, Brian Glawson, said "an unfortunate series of events" caused the blackout in Lismore, Byron Bay, Ballina, Mullumbimby, Alstonville, Woodburn, Casino, Kyogle and Evans Head areas.

""There was not a high demand at the time of the incidents and the likelihood of such an incident occurring again is extremely remote," he said.

The problems started when a component failed at the South Lismore zone sub-station around 4.10pm, leaving Lismore's CBD and rural areas to the south and west without power, then a relay jammed at the station near the South Lismore sewage works, which carries the region's 132kv supply, triggering the shutdown.

"Field crews responded immediately to isolate the defective component and were well on their way to restoring supply, however, protection equipment at the greater Lismore electricity bulk supply point failed during the restoration work," Mr Glawson said.

Casino had power restored within a couple of hours when the supply was rerouted through Grafton, however, the staged restoration of power to the rest of the region took another 90 minutes.

"Supply was first restored to critical sites, followed by the bulk of our customers by 8pm," Mr Glawson said. "I would like to apologise to our customers and thank them for their patience."

On Tuesday night, he had a wry smile when guests at a Country Energy-sponsored business function were, coincidentally, presented with Christmas candles.

Pregnant woman robbed by teens

A 33-year-old pregnant woman was attacked and robbed as she went to use the public toilet in Lismore's Clyde Campbell carpark on Thursday night. The assault occurred around 6.15pm when three teenage Aboriginal girls pushed the woman in the stomach and stole her handbag before fleeing in the direction of Molesworth Street. The girls were all aged 13 to 15 years. The first attacker had a slim build, with long dark curly/frizzy hair, wearing a white shirt and black tracksuit pants, with a knitted woollen pink beanie; the second and third offenders were both of slim build, with dark hair and wearing trousers. Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen them loitering in the car park area to contact them on 6623 1599.

Correction

Last week's Ballina Shire Council report on Council backing a coastal Pacific Highway route was incorrect.

While a number of councillors expressed a personal opinion on which route they favoured, Council did not endorse a specific option and voted instead to push for a Ballina bypass.

The Echo apologises for the error.

Firies honoured for long service

Retiring Goonellabah firefighter Randall Jones (front) with NSW Fire Brigades Northern Region zone commander Geoff Barnes and other Goonellabah firefighters who received long service and good conduct awards (l-r) Dennis Drew, Ian Drew, station officer Andrew McQuade and captain Kevin Muldoon. Absent was firefighter Ray Egans, who received a long service award for 33 years of dedicated service.

After more than 28 years with NSW Fire Brigades, retiring firefighter Randall Jones feels like he's leaving behind not just a job but also a family and some of the best mates he's ever had.

Earlier this week Randall was farewelled during a special ceremony at the Goonellabah Fire Station where numerous firefighters were presented with long service and good conduct awards.

Randall, who was a firefighter with the Urunga Fire Station for 18 years before transferring to Goonellabah around 10 years ago, said being a firefighter was easily one of the best experiences of his life.

"Once you've been to a few fires together there's a certain bond that's created. There's genuine camaraderie," Randall said. "Being a firefighter builds your character and instills a sense of responsibility and pride in your community. The station has been my second home and I miss it already."

Other firefighters from Goonellabah Station presented with long service and good conduct medals were: captain Kevin Muldoon, 40 years service; Ray Egans, 33 years; Dennis Drew, 31 years; station officer Andrew McQuade, 24 years; and Ian Drew, 19 years.

Teeth boss calls for fluoridation

Julian Ryan

Toothy grins all round from NSW Health chief dental officer Dr Clive Wright (seated) and (l-r) Northern Rivers Oral Health Network general manager Julie Hornibrook, coordinator Gail Loader and area clinical manager Dr Greg Davies at the opening of the $200,000 Goonellabah Dental Clinic upgrade last week.

The state's chief dental officer has backed a plan to fluoridate the local water supply after raising concerns about the region's high level of tooth decay.

Dr Clive Wright, visiting Lismore last week to open a $200,000 expansion of the Goonellabah Dental Clinic, said fluoridation would help prevent tooth decay and reduce the need for visits to the dentist.

"Fluoridated areas - 90 per cent of NSW - have significantly better levels of oral health than we see in the North Coast population. A key reason is adding fluoride to the public water supply," he said.

The North Coast Area Health Service has been seeking the cooperation of Rous Water and its constituent councils to back fluoridation.

"NSW Health has fluoridation as one of its top public health strategies. Along with the Australian Dental Association, which strongly supports fluoridation, I earnestly hope we can implement this important health measure on the North Coast."

Dr Wright said NSW Health will pay for the fluoridation plant.

"In most cases of rural and metropolitan NSW, water fluoridation is central to the broader strategy of addressing dental disease and the critical health problems it can cause," Dr Wright said.

A telephone survey is currently underway to gauge public support for fluoridation.

New House of God prepares to open

Pastor Peter Miller: the former Lismore RSL site will open as the Lismore Revival Fellowship in February.

A new 80-place early childhood centre, an indoor pool, gymnasium, community facilities, and a modern church, will form the backbone of the revamped former Lismore RSL site when it opens in February.

Pastor Peter Miller of the Lismore Revival Fellowship says work on the site is progressing well, although bringing the decrepit site up to current building standards, along with the renovations, has cost more than $500,000.

"I am confident the finished complex will provide a wonderful asset to the city," Pastor Miller said. "This is one of the larger projects of the Revival Fellowship. We have seen significant interest and growth in our church since buying the building earlier this year."

Planning for the opening is underway and the organisers are keen to speak to anyone with a previous connection to the RSL who would like to join the celebrations.

For more information about the opening or the childcare service, phone Brian Lovegrove on 0421 363 379.

Boomer bombardment for region

Population expert Bernard Salt says baby boomers are heading beachside and the Northern Rivers is well placed to cash in on their wealth.

Story & photo: Eve Sinton

Baby boomers will swamp the Northern Rivers over the next 20 years, cashed up after selling their city homes and pushing coastal house prices beyond the reach of locals.

Refusing to grow old gracefully, they will bring with them an 'urban-chic-meets-the-beach' culture in which they make the rules.

'Fat' becomes the more socially acceptable 'heavy', 'bald' becomes a 'Number 1 haircut' and you'll be able to pick them as the ones dressed in sag-disguising black clothing, as they cling to the last vestiges of youth, says population expert Bernard Salt.

Speaking in Lismore this week, Mr Salt predicted that big picture infrastructure like the Pacific Highway upgrade will funnel the baby boomers into places like Ballina and Byron Bay. The population will grow by 110,000 - almost 50 per cent - to 335,000 in 25 years.

The sea change will morph into tree change as the wave spreads inland to places like Lismore.

Mr Salt sees a bright economic future for the Northern Rivers, driven by 50-somethings moving here to enjoy a middle-aged adolescence on the beach.

Businesses marketing their products as 'lifestyle' rather than 'retirement' or 'senior citizen' will be able to cash in on a big influx of spending on housing, retail and entertainment. Every influx of 10,000 people will generate an additional $82 million in retail spending and $28 million in supermarket spending.

Mr Salt says Lismore will become a 'conduit city', providing jobs, business and administration, while Ballina and Byron will be the focus of the lifestylers as they get spiritual, re-couple, and make ageing disgracefully a fashion statement. So far, only half of the baby boomer population has made the shift.

Bloke drought

The bad news for women aged 30 to 55 is that they outnumber the men.

The man drought is even worse using Salt's 'fella filter', which deducts the married, de factos, gays, baggage-laden sole parents and those earning less than $80,000 a year. Just six per cent of men qualify as eligible bachelors. Most are in accounting and software - "bean-counters or geeks," he says.

Mr Salt said Byron Bay is the national capital of separated and divorced 30-something women - they make up almost a quarter (23 per cent) of the population, compared with the national average of 14 per cent.

In Lismore, there's a 'menopolis' - the greatest concentration of eligible men - in Girards Hill, while most of the single women live in Goonellabah.

"I note these areas are connected by the Bruxner Highway," he said. "I suggest it be re-named the Highway of Love."

For more information on Australia's beach age, read Bernard Salt's book The Big Shift 2 ($19.95) or see his website, www.thebigshift.com.au.

All I want for Christmas is a pub drink

Winsome Hotel owner Dallas Bayly will be open on Christmas Day and is backing the NSW Government's push to lift restrictions on liquor laws.

Story & photo: Julian Ryan

The Winsome Hotel's restaurant will open Christmas Day and according to the pub's owner, Dallas Bayly, NSW Government plans to lift restrictions on pub trading for key religious days are welcome.

Under the present laws, pubs can trade between noon and 10pm on Christmas Day and Good Friday in their dining rooms, but a proposed overhaul of the laws would allow pubs to open on Christmas Day and Good Friday, as well longer opening hours on Sundays. If they garner public support the current restrictions will be lifted next year.

Mr Bayly said Christmas was all about social interaction, so people should be allowed to go out to a pub and drink.

"Christmas and Good Friday are not just about religion to some people and if you're not Christian you shouldn't be excluded from venues because of someone else's beliefs," Mr Bayly said. "I think it's a good idea to lift the restrictions because plenty of people are alone on Christmas Day and if pubs are allowed to open their bars less people will be lonely."

But Brad Stamp, Mary Gilhooley's licensee and chairman of the Lismore Liquor Accord, said even if the rules change, he won't be taking advantage of the extra trading hours.

"I don't have a moral issue with publicans interested about trading on Christmas Day, but personally I think that staff should have the opportunity to have the day off and spend it with their families," Mr Stamp said.

The changes are the Government's response to its Alcohol Summit and appeared on the Department of Gaming and Racing's website last week.

Public submissions on the draft laws are welcome and can be made by email to liquorbill@dgr.nsw.gov.au or by writing to the Department of Gaming and Racing, GPO Box 7060, Sydney NSW 2000.

Smoother roads by Christmas

Lismore mayor Merv King says much-needed resurfacing works on Ballina Street between Dawson and Keen Street will be completed over the next few days.

"Ballina Street is part of the Bruxner Highway and it has an enormous volume of traffic with over 25,000 vehicles on any business day," he said. "That traffic flow has led to its deterioration so with nearly $1 million being spent on the improvement works, everyone will get a smoother ride."

Other major roads due for a reseal are Ballina Street between High Street and Rous Road, to be done before Christmas, and the Bruxner Highway from Alphadale Road to Richmond Hill Road in mid-January.

Cr King said Council would supply traffic control in the CBD over the busiest Christmas shopping days.

I spy an ibis

People across NSW are being asked to become birdwatchers this Sunday, December 11, and take part in the state-wide annual ibis census conducted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

Wildlife management officer Geoff Ross said the count was part of ongoing research into the species.

"Ibises are native to NSW and they're one of the state's key wetland species. They're constantly on the move in the state's ever-changing inland waterways," Mr Ross said.

"From time to time ibis numbers suddenly increase in the city, due to changing water patterns in their traditional breeding grounds in western NSW. Unfortunately this can upset the balance in urban and rural waterways, impacting on farmers and city dwellers alike."

People can call in sightings to the Environment Line on 1300 361 967 or complete the survey forms at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/ibis_survey. Forms can also be faxed to 9895 7414.

Lighting up with Christmas spirit

Life Saver Rescue Helicopter fundraising officer Philip Gibson with Trinity Drive resident Val Stuckey and her grandchildren Hannah, 4, and Mia, 2, outside her brightly lit home.

Story & photo: Terra Sword

If you think putting up the Christmas tree lights can be a bit of chore, spare a thought for Trinity Drive residents Val and Clyde Stuckey, who hand painted and installed more than 2000 lights across their family home for the annual Trinity Drive Christmas lights display.

This amazing spectacle takes Val and Clyde around two weeks to create, and is a far cry from the few reindeer and a row of coloured milk bottles they started with 11 years ago.

"My six grandchildren get so much enjoyment out of the lights and all the kids in Lismore love it - when you see children driving past the smiles on their faces says it all. It's something we really enjoy being a part of - it's like living in the middle of a big Christmas party for two weeks," Val said.

The Trinity Drive light show is also a fundraiser for the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and from this Sunday, December 11, until Christmas Eve Santa will be there every night between 7.45pm and 9.45pm handing out free lollies, while his helpers collect donations.

Rescue Helicopter fundraising officer Philip Gibson says in the last 10 years the event has raised more than $58,000.

"We are so grateful to the residents of Trinity Drive for their efforts and countless hours of work they put into this annual event," Philip said. "The magic of the street just captures you - it's like something out of a fairytale."

Philip says two other homes that are worth visiting for their brilliant lights are the Casagrande's home at Kahala Place, Richmond Hill, and the Motbey's home at 8 Oakland Place, West Ballina.

Council considers showground support

Lismore Council general manager Paul O'Sullivan is proposing Council intervention to save the financially troubled Lismore Showgrounds and its Trust, which is losing an estimated $100,000 per year.

In a report to go before next Tuesday's Council meeting, Mr O'Sullivan outlines that while the annual North Coast National is profitable, the Showground itself has a rising deficit that is threatening to drag the entire organisation under.

Mr O'Sullivan felt moved to intervene to ensure the future of the annual show, rather than "seeing the Lismore Showground gates locked up".

The General Manager is proposing that Council effectively underwrite the North Coast National for the next two years while the Showground Trust undergoes a major restructure, including an end to all permanent employment from the end of 2005.

He says the problem is that having the A & I Society as showgrounds manager, and show promoter is not sustainable. Council will act as guarantor on a $50,000 loan to the Trust to see it through some short-term financial difficulties.

The move already has the backing of the Show Society and the Trust, which met last month to endorse the plan.

Council will provide in-kind management to the Trust as it prepares a business plan to ensure its ongoing viability.

Get a Rough Deal for advice

Lismore solicitor Steve Bolt has just released the second edition of Rough Deal: A plain English guide to the drug laws in NSW.

Updated from the 1997 edition, Rough Deal explains the laws about drug possession, production and supply; police powers; sniffer dogs; and the legal consequences of drug offending.

It includes new material on changes introduced since the groundbreaking 1999 Drug Summit.

In plain language, Rough Deal offers invaluable information to drug users, their friends and families, and those who work professionally with drug users.

Rough Deal is now available for $29.95 at good book stores.

Somewhere to put the presents

If you're in the hunt for a Christmas tree, then the Buttery - the drug and alcohol rehabilitation service at Binna Burra - has just what you're looking for.

The Buttery Farm has cut down young pines to make way for native species revegetation and is selling the trees for $10 to $12 as a fundraiser.

Call Vicki on 6687 1623 to order a tree, or you can pick one up on your way past The Buttery, on the corner of Lismore and Friday Hut roads, Binna Burra.

Waste goes weekly

Lismore's waste minimisation officer Lesley Trott says the new weekly business waste and organics collection service is proving popular.

"Most businesses need a weekly waste service to manage their waste well, and the organics bin allows businesses to separate out their paper and cardboard, food waste and green waste for recovery, rather than landfill," she said. "It is a good result for all concerned."

Council introduced the weekly service after surveying business needs, and is not charging increased rates for the extra service.

Musician's melody stolen from van

A young musician and former Lismore resident had a lifetime's creative work stolen recently when thieves broke into his campervan, stealing thousands of dollars worth of musical equipment and a computer.

Daniel Rorke, 30, had just returned from teaching music in Iceland to see family and friends, when his campervan was ransacked at the Natural Arch National Park, north of Murwillumbah.

He lost two saxophones, a bass clarinet, an Apple computer containing all his original compositions, an iPod, video recorder and CD player.

"At first I was most upset at losing my tenor saxophone. It was made in the 40s and I'd restored it myself," Daniel said. "Then I realised that any instrument can be replaced but my work, some of it spanning years, was gone forever."

He is offering a reward for any information leading to the recovery of his belongings. Phone Coolangatta Police on (07) 5536 2444 or Daniel directly on 0429 169 098.

Clean sweep for Kyogle

Kyogle mayor Ernie Bennett at the Tidy Towns awards presentation in Kyogle recently with the 'Millennium Monster', which represents Kyogle's desire to one day be plastic bag free.

Kyogle must be the cleanest place in the Northern Rivers after winning three Tidy Towns awards.

The town's 'Kicking a Bag Habit' program won the Litter Prevention Award and its Sense of Place planning initiative - designed to integrate the community with economic development - took out the Tony McGrane Memorial Award for Civic Partnerships.

Meanwhile, the Raine & Horne Young Legends Award was won by the Kyogle Youth Ventures program, which was set up to address and deter possible drug and alcohol misuse by youth in the town.

Speaking after the awards were presented, mayor Ernie Bennett praised the community for their efforts.

"These awards are something that we as a community value very highly because when you get a set of volunteers willing to get out and deal with visual and social aspects of the town it creates a sense of belonging," Cr Bennett said. "After the fire at Norply, a lot of people weren't feeling so good and this is just the type of morale boost that we needed. In the future I would like to see even more people get involved."

Meanwhile, on the coast, Keep Australia Beautiful NSW declared Angels Beach in Ballina the winner of the Northern Rivers Region Clean Beach Challenge.

The award recognises the work of the Angels Beach Dune Care Group, which has worked tirelessly to eradicate introduced species and regenerate more than 10 hectares of coastal bushland.

March for your rights

Tora Blackman and Col Locke from the Safe Water Action Network (SWAN), which has coordinated this Saturday's People With Solutions Festival in Heritage Park following the International Human Rights Day rally in the CBD.

A civil rights march and rally will be held in the Lismore CBD this Saturday, December 10, to mark International Human Rights Day and protest against the Senate's approval of new anti-terror laws.

Rally organiser Bernie Wunsch said the new laws are an invasion on the most basic of democratic rights - free speech.

"The new anti-terror laws mean that any "seditious" comments could potentially see people thrown in jail," Bernie said. "Sedition is a colonial throwback. It's a basic human right to be able to speak out against Government policy. A country that doesn't allow that is a dictatorship."

The rally begins at 10am in Magellan Street.

The protest is followed by the People With Solutions Festival in Heritage Park from 12-5.30pm, organised by anti-fluoride campaigners the Safe Water Action Network (SWAN).

The festival features information stalls and speakers on everything from fluoridation to the environmental impact of the RTA's proposed Pacific Highway routes.

It also features live bands, a 'Skate for Freedom' youth event and plenty of food and drink stalls.

For more information phone 6629 5358.

Howard calls it a day

After eight years as fundraising manager for the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, Howard Atkinson has retired.

Howard said his years with the service have been the most rewarding and satisfying of his working life, but it was time to hand over the reins.

"This is a job for a younger person with new ideas who can take the organisation to greater heights and in new directions," he said.

Howard now plans to take a six-week holiday in the UK and Ireland with his wife. However, on his return he will continue to help the Rescue Helicopter and other community organisations.

Opera helps orchestra play up

Rotary Club of Lismore Central president Allan Fry recently presented a $1000 donation to Lismore Symphony Orchestra committee members Sandy Cochrane and Karen Traise.

Proceeds from the Rotary Club of Lismore Central's annual Opera at The Channon are helping other musicians soar to new heights, with the Rotary Club recently donating $1000 to the Lismore Symphony Orchestra.

Rotary member Geoff Cawley said the orchestra had brought joy to the ears of many and it was a pleasure to lend a helping hand.

"The Lismore Symphony Orchestra is made up of a group of very dedicated amateur musicians, who play with enormous heart and soul, and have an exceptional repertoire," Geoff said. "Having an orchestra in a city of this size is quite a feather in Lismore's cap. Next year the orchestra is presenting a concert of Carl Orff's Carmana Burana, and this donation will help them prepare for what we expect to be a magnificent performance."

The Club has raised nearly $100,000 for local charities in the last eight years.

Elsmer Jones remembered

A former mayor of Casino, Elsmer Jones, will have a four hectare reserve named after him if a proposal by Richmond Valley Council gets the nod from the Geographical Names Board.

Minister for lands Tony Kelly said the late Elsmer Jones contributed to the community of Casino for many years.

"Mr Jones had a variety of talents which led him to work as a cabinet maker as well as Casino District Coroner. He was also an alderman for Casino Municipal Council for 27 years and was mayor for a number of terms, the longest being from 1914 to 1918. He remained as deputy mayor until 1954."

The naming proposal has been advertised and public comment will be accepted by the Geographical Names Board until January 2006.

For more information, visit www.gnb.nsw.gov.au.

Koalas counted

There's still time to tell Friends of the Koala and Lismore City Council where our local koalas are - and where they aren't - by filling in the survey form online at www.liscity.nsw.gov.au. Just a few clicks will help paint the picture of koala populations.