 The Northern Rivers Echo Main News
$20m project puts Lismore on the Map
 Aspect North Executive Director Tony Hart is planning a $20 million investment in a mapping facility at Lismore airport.
A bold plan to develop a $20 million aerial and geospatial (mapping from space) mapping facility next to Lismore Airport will be unveiled in Lismore next week.
The project, developed by Lismore-based consultancy firm Aspect North, will be called the 'Lismore Geospatial Information Centre'. It promises to be a major fillip for the airport and the region, creating more than 100 additional jobs in the city. Aspect North Executive Director Tony Hart said his company plans to invest more than $14 million in the project over the next three years, but to ensure its success, substantial government support is vital.
'This project will deliver long term benefits to the region in investment and jobs, but it needs strong financial support from State and Federal governments and Lismore council if it's to go ahead,' he said.
Mr Hart and his team will brief Lismore councillors on the project next week, and hopes to submit a Development Application for the $4 million purpose-built building coming in the near future.
'There will be a lot to see when the Centre is fully operational, including the permanent stationing in Lismore of six sophisticated aerial surveying aircraft and a range of highly professional staff,' Mr. Hart said. 'Two of the aircraft will be turboprop jets capable of return flights to destinations as far afield as Nepal.'
Mr Hart said the project was the birth of a new industry for Lismore.
'The geospatial information market is a dynamic one, now worth $1 billion annually in Australia and $34 billion globally, and growing rapidly,' he said.
'Many aspects of modern life involve geospatial referencing. Governments and industry are highly dependent on it for everyday operations. Recent advances in technology have revolutionised the field, making it possible to base the project in a regional city like Lismore,' Mr Hart said.
'Lismore is ideal for what we've planned - it has a superb airport, Southern Cross University has skilled technical staff and a stream of suitably qualified graduates, and a Council keen to encourage investment. On top of that, the Federal and State Governments can be expected to get strongly on-side, so we're confident that we are on a winner.'
Mr Hart said Aspect North was the only organisation in the Southern Hemisphere - and one of a handful globally - that could take on such a complex task as gathering mapping data from both aircraft and satellites, processing and analysing the terrain and distributing the results quickly and effectively.
To develop the Geospatial Information Centre, which has been six months in the planning, Aspect North created a new company, Mapping Australia - a joint venture with two New Zealand companies. More than 300 people will be working for Aspect North on a broad range of mapping, engineering, surveying, planning and consulting initiatives.
Mapping Australia general manager Jeff Ward said digital data gathered by the mapping aircraft and remote sensing satellite technology will be processed by technical staff working in top-security facilities at the Information Centre.
'Broadband Internet links, an office complex, flight crew rooms, a single-level office building, photogrammetry lab, store rooms, staff amenities, car parks and landscaping will be included in the development,' Mr Ward said.
Hopeful of government backing, a 'sod-turning' ceremony on the site, bounded by Wilson and Snow streets, South Lismore, is planned for the end of the year, or early next year. Construction will take several months for an opening by mid-2003.
Tony Hart is confident the Federal and NSW governments, along with council, will provide incentives up front to ensure the long-term economic benefits to the region.
'We've been pleased with the support shown by local MP Ian Causley, deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and Lismore mayor Bob Gates,' Mr Hart said.
'And the support of the Bendigo Bank's Regional Development Fund has been crucial to the ongoing efforts of Aspect North to put this region at the cutting edge of information technology.'
The work developed in Lismore will be marketed under the brand name iMap and include multi-dimensional maps featuring geographical, geological, environmental and other data about significant areas of the Australian and New Zealand landmasses and offshore islands and waters.
Clients will include the Australian and NZ Defence Forces. Aspect North is already a major provider of digital mapping data to the Australian Defence Force and NATO. Other customers will be in the mining and agricultural industries and the general public. The incredibly accurate digital maps will also be available for purchase on the Internet.
'This project will literally put Lismore on the map as a world leader in mapping. Our company is willing to make this substantial investment and show our strong support for Lismore. Now it's up to the various governments to show they're willing to support Lismore as well. Everyone will win from this project,' Mr Hart said.
Alstonville Residents Raid the Cabinet
 Alstonville Bypass Action Group spokesperson Bob Wilson in front of some of the traffic which is clogging up the Alstonville Main Street.
The people of Alstonville-Wollongbar are so fed up with waiting for a highway bypass through their traffic-clogged village that they plan to take matters into the own hands by tackling the entire NSW Government when it meets in Evans Head next Tuesday.
The Alstonville Bypass Action Group will stage a silent protest in front of the NSW cabinet meeting at K-12 school at Evans Head, over the lack of action by the state government.
While the Federal Government has pledged $12 million towards the project's estimated $36 million cost, NSW Road Minister Carl Scully, who admits the bypass is needed, says finding the money in the NSW budget will be difficult.
Bypass Action Group spokesperson Bob Wilson developed the 'It's not a big ask, Mr Scully' campaign after hearing the Transport and Roads Minister say that putting a date on funding for the Alstonville bypass was a 'big ask.'
Burnett's bus line will provide a free coach to Evans Head, departing from the Alstonville top plaza. Anyone who wants to come along is welcome.
'We want as many people as can make it. It's important that as many people as possible let the State government know that we're not going to sit down and let this issue pass. This is an ideal opportunity to demonstrate to the minister and to Bob Carr that there's a problem we need solved,' Mr Wilson said.
'The bypass planning started 35 years ago. At that time we had a problem and now we have major traffic problems every day. Between 15,000 and 16,000 cars travel on this section of road every day and 2000 children go to school at the end of the Main Street. It's a recipe for fatal accidents and not a week goes past when there isn't a knockdown,' he said.
'The federal government has already committed $12 million so the NSW government would need to put in approximately $22-24 million. It's not a 'big ask' compared to Sydney. In Sydney they spend that amount every day. That $12 million is just sitting on the table until the date of the project is announced. It's pretty frustrating.'
The action group is planning to maintain the rage with signs along the Bruxner Highway declaring 'It's not a big ask, Mr Scully'.
'This part of the Bruxner Highway is used as an alternate route to the Pacific Highway. For example when the bushfires were burning at Christmas the traffic was diverted through Alstonville and there were an estimated 30,000 cars that day.
Any person who wants to join the protest should call Bob on on 6628 0506 or 0414 708 662 for details on the bus trip.
Story & photo: Rudi Maxwell
Young and Old Diggers Catch Up
 Flight Lieutenant Dave Gravelle, Flight Lieutenant Brad Cordery, Corporal Simon Slattery, and Ross and Jack Cordery with the Air Force PC9 forward air control plane at Ballina airport for Anzac Day.
When Flight Lieutenant Brad Cordery was offered the chance to come to Ballina for Anzac Day he jumped at the opportunity for family reasons.
Brad's grandfather Jack Cordery is a World War II veteran and local resident, so the two military men will have a chance to celebrate Anzac Day together.
'I've wanted to join the Air Force since I was 13 and Pop was an inspiration to me. He flew Spitfires and Kitty Hawks in the second world war,' Brad said.
Although Jack can't march this year, Brad believes the importance of Anzac Day can't be underestimated.
'I think it's important for people like myself in the Australian Defence Force to see the links back to those people who fought in the war and those who lost their lives. It gives you a perspective on what our jobs are now. You get to talk to guys and women who've done so much. It's a great experience and it provides a link with the past,' he said.
Story & photo: Rudi Maxwell
Bexhill 'Pool' 10,000 Times Too Acidic
 SCU environmentalist Graham Lancaster testing the seemingly pristine water at the former Bexhill quarry.
While it's increasingly popular with local swimmers, the crystal-clear water in the former brickworks quarry pit at Bexhill is 10,000 times more acidic than public swimming pools and poses a serious risk of eye irritations and impact on the membranes in the ears.
However, the high levels of aluminium, copper, manganese and zinc are within swimming guidelines and the water is actually pristine in regard to nutrients and bacteria, according to Graham Lancaster, the manager of the Southern Cross University-based Environmental Analysis Laboratory.
'The zero faecal coliform count compares to Lismore's Wilsons River, which contains 100-200 faecal coliforms per 100ml,' he said.
Mr Lancaster has conducted testing at the Bexhill site for more than a year.
'The pH of 3.3, recently obtained at the hole is almost as acidic as vinegar and more so than Coca Cola. It's been getting steadily worse since we began testing it a year back when the pH was 4.5 (the lower the pH value, the more acidic the water). The difference is actually a tenfold increase in acidity.'
He predicted that by next swimming season - although the recent hot weather attracted plenty of swimmers to the 'pool' - an even higher acidity will exist, and this could well pose a serious health risk.
Closed about seven years ago, the brickworks site can be accessed easily by crossing the railway line adjacent to the Bangalow Road. Although the disused kilns and buildings are dilapidated, the sparkling water body, in its dramatic cliff setting, obviously holds strong appeal for many, especially young people. Nevermind that the pit contains jagged metal left over from the former quarrying and brickmaking operation. However, a good makeover could give the site the ambience and safety that many people clearly think it deserves.
Mr Lancaster said a thorough remediation of the Bexhill water-hole to control pH and heavy metals levels could be done at a relatively low cost by using a groundbreaking product known as 'Bauxsol', developed at SCU by Prof David McConchie.
Bauxsol, a treated by-product of the aluminium industry, has been highly successful in a range of environmental hot-spots, including the former gold and tin mine at Drake, and contaminated sites as far afield as the USA and Romania. Whatever happens, the Bexhill water body will not go away.
'The increasing water level in the old brickworks quarry is likely to be dominated by ground water infiltration,' Mr. Lancaster explained. 'During operation of the brickworks, water pumps were required to stop the flooding of the quarry pit. The water is characterised by low salinity typical of ground waters in this region but higher salinity than rainwater.'
The testing results were cheerier for humans than for aquatic organisms, with the levels of metals judged to be toxic. The zinc concentration is over 50 times greater than guideline limits for protection of aquatic organisms, aluminium more than 2500 times and copper over 15 times.
'The origin of the acidity and metals is due to an acceleration of natural processes similar to the acid sulphate soils in this region releasing acid and metals,' Mr Lancaster said. 'The quarry excavation exposes sulphide minerals which oxidise to form sulphuric acid which leaches natural metals from the rocks.'
Story & photo: Robin Osborne
Efforts to Prevent Violence Recognised
 Winners of the Far North Coast Domestic Violence Prevention Awards - Sandra Bolt, Bill Sheaffe and Alma Crawford.
The winners of the inaugural Far North Coast Domestic Violence Awards were announced on Wednesday as part of Stop Domestic Violence Day.
Sandra Bolt, coordinator of the Yinganeh women's refuge, received an award for her work in the local Indigenous community.
'It's nice to be recognised, but violence in general is a huge problem. We need to own the problem, acknowledge that it exists. I think we lack real leadership in Lismore. The Aboriginal community needs to come together and work on this problem,' she said.
Other award winners were Alma Crawford for her work in cultural diversity, Pamela Ashton, a long time member of the Far North Coast Domestic Violence committee, and Caddies Coffee, as the organisation working against domestic violence.
Local Media Map Now Online
 SCU students Alex Wicks, Sarita Singh and Jason Adamson, (L-R, front), with Associate Professor Helen Wilson and Associate Professor Jan Davis, Head of the School of Humanities, Media and Cultural Studies (L-R, rear) at the Rainbow Region Media Map launch.
Media students at Southern Cross University have created a 'map' of the local media landscape, which is now available online.
The colourful and innovative Rainbow Region Media Map website was launched last week and includes a database of the various forms of media found within the so-called Rainbow Region, bordered by Mullumbimby, Nimbin, Lismore, Ballina and Byron Bay. It includes newspapers, TV and radio stations, digital media companies and advertising agencies.
The map and website were produced by Bachelor of Arts students majoring in Media Production, including Video, Multimedia, Journalism and Radio. They hope to expand the site to include history of the area, cultural studies (including visual arts, music and more) and alternative communities.
'We are concerned to maximise students' opportunities to remain in the region to pursue a media career,' said Director of Research and Postgraduate Studies in the School of Humanities, Media and Cultural Studies, Associate Professor Helen Wilson.
'The Professional Placement unit is designed to give students experience of work at a professional level in a media organisation, preferably in the local area, and we very much appreciate the co-operation of the local industry,' Prof Wilson said.
'In addition, students were asked to demonstrate research, design and presentation skills for the inception of this Rainbow Region Media Map.'
Six of the students found they worked so well together on uni projects they started their own company just over a year ago, called Didgetal (www.didgetal.com.au). They already have two major commercial projects under their belt: creating the BASC (Byron All Screens Celebration) Film Festival 2002 website and multi-media exhibition, as well as the Lismore Herb Festival television ads. The students, most of whom will complete their studies this year, are: Sarita Singh, Alex Wicks and Jason Adamson, all from Byron Bay, Anna Davidson from Ballina, Mel Tongmar from Mullumbimby and Tim Nelson from Lismore.
'We all got along so well we decided to set up a company, and it's been going brilliantly so far, although it's hard combining work and study,' Sarita said. 'I feel we're really going to go places.'
The map can be found at http://hmcs.scu.edu.au:591/index.html
Rate-Pegging Robs Council: GM
Plans by the NSW Local Government Minister Harry Woods to cap rate increases to a maximum of 3.3 per cent will shortchange Lismore council's budget by more than $400,000, general manager Ken Gainger claims.
The Minister announced the cap last week, sparking concerns from council as it begins to look for the funds to pay for a new aquatic centre, the flood levee, CBD upgrade, Lismore Lake and the still crumbling road network.
'The decision represents a fair balance between the needs of local councils to deliver good services and the needs of the ratepayers of NSW,' Mr Woods said.
But Mr Ganger said ratepayers are being 'conned' by the Minister's decision. Calling it 'duplicitous' the general manager said it forced councils to cut back services in order to balance the budget at the same time the NSW government made local councils take on additional responsibilities.
'What ratepayers aren't told is that increasing costs are eating away at the money available to maintain the city's infrastructure, fix the roads, provide good quality community and sporting facilities, and maintain other services,' he said.
To break even, Mr Gainger said council needs an additional $1 million, thanks largely to insurance premium increases of up to 50 per cent, plus a 3.5 per cent increase for employees, along with a compulsory 1 per cent superannuation contribution increase.
'Rate-pegging will deliver only an additional $570,000,' he said.
'Ultimately, the community suffers - community groups find there is no money to support their events and sports clubs find facilities are not maintained as frequently as they used to be. The government's approach is heavy-handed and simplistic.'
Pollies serve it up
Lismore MP Thomas George may deliver a fine speech in parliament, but the big question next Wednesday is 'can he make a decent coffee?'
Mr George, a former publican and stock and station agent, will be back behind the counter next Wednesday for some first-hand experience of running a small business . 'Pollies for Small Business Day', is organised by Lismore Unlimited. They hope to make this an annual event to mark the start of 'Small Business Month' in Lismore.
Federal MP Ian Causley will also try his luck in retail at Recycled Sports next Friday. Mr George will work at Sistas Café.
House burns down
A Barkers Vale couple lost their house to a fire early on Wednesday morning. The couple managed to escape the blaze and contact the Rural Fire Service but lost all their possessions. Police are treating the fire as suspicious and are investigating.
Man injured
A Casino Joinery employee was badly burned on Friday when a bottle of Methylated spirits exploded in his hand. The man was using the metho when it caught alight and exploded. He was taken to Casino Hospital suffering from burns.
Clarence on Zion
Clarence Wagner, the International Director of Bridges for Peace and a leading teacher on the Hebrew Roots of Christianity will speak on the Middle East at the Alstonville Baptist Church at 7.30pm on Wednesday. Wagner has lived in Jerusalem for more than 10 years and will talk about the complex events in Israel. Entry is free, but an offering will be taken.
Health meeting
A community meeting to discuss local health services will be held at the Lismore Workers Club next Tuesday, April 30, from 7-9pm. Topics include a master plan for Lismore Base Hospital, rehabilitation services, and changes to surgical services.
|
|
|
Bachelor of Business graduates Pete Mahony of Lennox Head; Rachael Trihey of Casino; guest speaker Mark Skinner; and Bianka Demets of Sydney.
|
|
|
|
Bachelor of Business (Accounting) graduate Belinda Champion, of Lismore, who had a shin and knee reconstruction due to sports injuries over the years (she's a keen surf life saver at Lennox Head), with fellow graduate Eric Matakwa Okeno, who came to Australia from Kenya in 1996. His sister flew out from London especially for the ceremony.
|
Students better by degrees
A total of 265 awards were conferred at Southern Cross University graduation ceremonies last Saturday.
Ad man and AFL heavyweight Mark Skinner addressed graduates in Commerce and Management, and Social and Workplace Development.
Geoff Buckley, Director of Strategy and Alliances at Tourism NSW, addressed graduates from the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management.
'The double whammy of the September 11 tragedy and collapse of Ansett changed the face of tourism, but things are starting to look up,' Mr Buckley said. In September, visitors to Australia were down by 12 per cent compared to the year before; in November they were down by 21 per cent, but by February numbers were up by 1 per cent.
Amongst the international graduates and friends was a group of 30 who flew from Thailand to attend the ceremony. They included nine of the 23 Thai recipients of a Master of International Tourism and Hotel Management, as well as a high-level delegation from their university in northern Thailand.
The graduation ceremonies continue this weekend for another 1000 students, with High Court Justice Michael Kirby due to speak to graduates from Law and Justice.
Business Urged to have a Light Heart
 Lismore mayor Bob Gates, Light Heart project coordinator Wilma Crowther, Lantern Parade organiser Jyllie Jackson and Lismore Unlimited Manager Marion Forward at the launch of the Light Heart Project.
Dozens of glowing lantern hearts will float through the Lismore CBD on June 21 as a part of the eighth Annual Lismore Lantern Parade, if the business community gets behind an innovative sponsorship program called Have a Light Heart Project.
Launching the project last week, coordinator Wilma Crowther said it aimed to foster ongoing and supportive relationships between the Lismore community and its business sector.
'In 2001, the Lantern Parade introduced 'Little Dream Boats', which provided opportunities for members of the business and community sector to have fun and express themselves in a creative way, at the same time raising the profile of charity and community organisations,' she said.
Local businesses can nominate a community organisation and sponsor a lantern for them to decorate and carry in the parade.
This year's project is inspired by the Art in the Heart project on the old Lismore high site.
'It's also a counterbalance to the theme of the Lantern Parade this year -'Shadows to Dance in',' said Wilma. 'And of course it is an invitation for everyone to find the light in their hearts to share, care and celebrate! Which is the ultimate aim of the Lismore Lantern Parade.'
The Lantern parade is also introducing Parade-a-thon - so sponsored community groups can raise funds for their organisation.
For more information about the 'Have a Light Heart' project call Wilma on 6621 3798 . For details on Lantern Parade workshops and activities, call the Workshop on 6622 6333 email festival@nrg.com.au
Heritage Week Celebrations
The Alstonville Plateau Historical Society has organised a range of activities on the plateau to mark Heritage Week, April 20-28.
During the week, photographs taken by Alstonville High School students are on display in the window of the former Westpac Bank in Alstonville's Main Street. The photographs were taken as part of a Heritage Week Competition, sponsored by the Federal Hotel.
To round off Heritage Week, a brochure of three self-guided walks to Alstonville's hidden treasures will be launched in Elizabeth Anne Brown Park, Alstonville, on Sunday, April 28, at 2pm. If the weather is fine, a short historical walk will follow the launch, heading down Daley Street to St Bartholemew's Church and onto Lumley Park. Afternoon tea will be provided by the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society in the RSL Hall on the Bruxner Highway from 3.30-4pm. In wet weather, the launch will be in the RSL Hall. The public is welcome to attend.
For more details, contact Jane on 6628 3925.
Variety Helps Local Families
 Variety Club members Bruce Maxwell, Phil Batson, Trevor Watts, Tony Tamplin, Victor Sheil and NRMA Far North Coast Member Services manager Mario Napoli with Julie and Aaron Dougherty and Donna and Sarah Rose.
If Variety is the spice of life, then two local families' lives have just received more flavour.
The Variety Club of NSW presented the Rose and Dougherty families at the Northern Rivers Hotel on Tuesday with donations to help their children.
Sarah Rose, aged 15, has Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder that means she needs assistance in almost everything she does.
The Variety Club, along with the NRMA and Flash Cab, fitted out the Rose family station wagon so that it can now take Sarah's wheelchair.
Sarah's mum, Donna, gave an emotional thank you.
'This will make such a difference. Sarah needs help all day long and being mobile makes life so much more interesting for her. She's a teenager and she likes to look around the shops and look at people,' Donna said.
The car will also mean it is easier for Sarah to receive her regular hydrotherapy treatment.
'We had to get a Flash cab organised each time and it's so expensive. Life is very limiting when you're stuck at home and can't travel, but Variety and the NRMA have just been so helpful. They had no qualms about spending $30,000 - it's a lot of money and we're very grateful,' Donna said.
Variety also donated a walking frame to the Dougherty family for their son Aaron, who has cerebral palsy.
His mother Julie said the walking frame has already made a huge difference to Aaron's life.
'This means he is much more mobile and independent. It's just fantastic because it means Aaron isn't confined to a wheelchair all the time. He can take it to school and play in the playground with the other kids. He's been using it to chase the wheelchair around - it's been a lot of fun, he's taken to it really well,' Julie said.
Local Variety spokesperson Bruce Maxwell said that the donations wouldn't have been possible without the help of both the community and the NRMA.
'We've had tremendous support from the NRMA and we hope this makes life a bit easier for both kids. We couldn't do it without the people in the area and we did a lot of fundraising here at the Northern Rivers Hotel. I've always said that if you need to raise money then you go where the battlers live - they always dig deep,' he said.
New Fight Over Forest Rights
Forest owners and people in the timber industry have expressed outrage at a proposal to regulate forestry on private land. At a meeting in Casino recently, around 50 members of the timber industry were briefed on the proposal contained within the initial consultation paper being prepared by the Richmond Regional Vegetation Management Committee (RRVMC).
And while the forest industry people have formed a committee to monitor and lobby on the progress of the plan, environmentalists are also getting organised in what promises to be another major showdown on forestry in the region.
The proposal entails a regulated approach to all private forestry and a mechanism to fast-track proposals with minimal environmental impact. Kyogle mayor Ernie Bennett says the problem is that virtually all forests in the Richmond region have been categorised into high or very high conservation value.
'This would effectively prevent any operator from obtaining a fast-track consent. The alternative is a full consent process possibly requiring a full environmental impact assessment,' Cr Bennett said.
Landowners are concerned that proposal does not confirm who will be responsible for the cost of flora and fauna assessments on private land - which are currently paid for by the Department of Land and Water Conservation.
The consultation paper suggests incentives and recommends compensation for landowners whose income or property values are affected by the plan.
The Regional Forest Agreement guarantees a supply of sawlogs to the industry. If the proposed plan cuts off that supply then the public purse would have to foot the bill,' he said.
Currently, forest operations on private property are exempt from the provisions of the Native Vegetation Conservation Act.
Libby Dyason, from the Coombell Farm Forestry Centre, south of Casino, said that forest growers believe their industry is capable of self-regulation.
'If a set of industry guidelines was developed along with an extension and training program, the forest growers would readily adapt,' she said.
But Dailan Pugh from the North East Forest Alliance says that while the draft plan has 'good points', like the protection of old growth, rainforest, and wetlands, too much is left unregulated.
'It allows for clearing up to two hectares of high conservation vegetation at a time, simply by submitting a form to notify DLWC that you are going to do it. Having agreed that all stream sides should be protected, this has recently been reduced to provide protection only for large streams. It also allows for unregulated clearing of forest understories where trees and shrubs are less than 10 years old,' he said.
Unless conservationists now convince the Regional Vegetation Committee and DLWC that this is unacceptable it will only get worse.'
|
