The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Last chance for koalas

Simon Thomsen

Friends of the Koala president, Lorraine Vass, with Willie, a sick koala currently recovering at the Koala Care Centre in East Lismore.
The Centre is now offering free guided tours on Saturday mornings. Tours will give visitors an insight into the habits of the koala, and the care required when they are recovering from illness or injury.
Presently there are four koalas in residence.
One, 'Star', has been recovering from injuries received in a bushfire in Broadwater last February. Her burned claws, which were brittle when they grew back, have been a problem. She is now almost strong enough to be released back into the wild.
The Care Centre is adjacent to the Southern Cross University campus in Rifle Range Road. There are also a number of wild koalas living in the trees around this area.
The Care Centre is run entirely on voluntary basis, with funding coming from Lismore Council, National Parks and Wildlife, member subscriptions and on-going fundraising.
If you want to visit the Koala Care Centre contact the Lismore Visitor Information Centre on 1300 369 795 or call them directly on 6622 1233.

Lismore Council has released its long-awaited draft Koala Plan of Management for public comment.

Lismore is just one of the four remaining urban areas in NSW that still has local koalas and a Council steering committee, chaired by Cr Frank Swientek, has spent nine years in sometimes acrimonious debate determining its contents.

The battle continues, with Council split 5-all at its July meeting about putting the draft plan on public exhibition. Mayor Merv King used his casting vote in favour following a bitter debate that sparked threats of legal action for defamation.

Yet many see it as the last throw of the dice if koalas are to survive in Lismore.

The Plan's author, Sandy Pimm, is blunt in the introduction, opening with "the Lismore Koala population is in trouble". Primary koala habitat covers just four per cent of the land in the study - 82 per cent of the habitat covered by the plan has been cleared - and one per cent is secondary habitat. Lismore's remaining koala habitat is less than one per cent of the council area.

"Yet this habitat is still under pressure from development" Ms Pimm wrote. Studies are suggesting the koalas could be gone within 10 to 20 years.

Council's Group Manager of Planning and Development, Michael Bismire, said the draft plan is on two months' public exhibition until October 31.

It applies to approximately one-fifth of the Lismore council area - east of the Wilsons River, and North to Bexhill and Macleans Ridges, East to Marom Creek, then through Meerschaum Vale and Tuckean Creek to Bagotville.

"The main aim of the plan is to come up with a workable system of land use that allows koalas to exist in the wild alongside the development that we expect to occur in the future," he said. "It looks at ensuring development laws in Lismore's south-east and urban fringe are realistic for developers, and also good for koalas.

"If the plan is not adopted, developers and landowners will face a much tougher regime under the State Environmental Protection Plan (SEPP 44)."

The plan identifies threats to koalas such as habitat loss, traffic, dogs and disease, and proposes measures to overcome these threats. But much of it is a softly, softly approach, relying on the education and awareness of landowners, together with incentives for maintenance and replanting of habitat. It categorises the remaining koala habitat as being of either primary, secondary or marginal significance to koalas.

Regulations over the clearing of koala food trees will apply close to the urban area where development pressure is greatest, but will not apply to rural land further south. Instead it proposes working with the rural community to develop incentives and education programs to gain their support in protecting and enhancing habitat.

But while Lismore Council has developed what many agree is a good workable plan, it comes with a catch - the Council is not prepared to spend any money implementing it. It specifies that the actions identified in the plan will only happen if external funding sources are found to pay for them.

Friends of the Koala President Lorraine Vass said there was a lot in the plan that will benefit the long-term survival of koalas, but it all comes down to money.

"It's regrettable that elements depend on Council sourcing external funding, " she said. "It's important that we recognise the economic benefit of koalas on our land for future generations. "

Mrs Vass said it was vital for people to have their say if they wanted koalas to survive in Lismore.

"I'd urge everyone who cares about koalas to take the time to look at the management plan and comment on it, so Council knows how the community values its native wildlife."

"In the end the plan will only work if people are committed to the long-term survival of koalas and are willing to take responsibility and participate in the plan's implementation. "

Mr Bismire said public information sessions on the draft plan would be held in both rural and urban areas in coming weeks.

The draft plan can be seen in Council's Goonellabah and CBD offices, or it can be downloaded from the Council website at www.lismore.gov.au.

Funding gap leaves school facing closure

Story & photo: Andrew Dostine

Maureen Moran (left back) principal from the Young and Powerful School and teacher's aid Katherine Lay with students from the school.

More than 60 students at Goonellabah's Young and Powerful School face an uncertain future after the school's principal, Maureen Moran, announced the school will close at the end of the year unless additional funding can be found.

Young and Powerful is an independent local school, open for 12 years, for children from kindergarten to year 10. For many of its students, it's their last chance for a decent education.

"A lot of our students are kids that have had difficulty fitting into the traditional school system. They might be children who have been expelled or refused from other schools or who have particular learning difficulties. Most of them are dyslexic," Ms Moran said.

"Every child deserves an education and we fill a very specific niche. Even other schools want us to continue because they know we're here to take the students they may not be able to deal with.

"Our programs cater for kids' emotional growth and for individual differences. Between one third to half of our kids are indigenous. But importantly we're very sound academically, with our year 10 results on a par with some of the better State schools."

The school's predicament is the result of funding arrangements for independent schools, which receive around only 60 per cent of the funding for State schools.

"A lot of people in the community think that all independent schools must be rolling in money, but it really depends on the capacity of the students' families to contribute via fees. Most of our students come from families of low socio-economic background, so we're forced to subsidise them," Ms Moran said. "We've managed in the past, but have recently experienced a tripling of our insurance, there have been significant pay rises for teachers, and our rent remains high."

An action committee of teachers, parents and community members is looking at ways to keep the school going, but their fate seems to rest largely with the NSW Department of Education.

"Unfortunately, we're not going to be able to fundraise our way out of this, so we're negotiating with the Department of Education to see if we can be brought under the State school umbrella as a special needs school," Ms Moran said.

"If we fail, the cost to the community will be huge. Some of the younger kids might transfer to other schools, but we're very worried that a lot of kids will simply not continue with their education. If the school closes it will be a tragedy for the kids, their families, and this community," said Ms Moran.

The action committee is currently seeking an urgent appointment with the Minister and Director General of Education to put their case.

A new benchmark for bags

Mike Syme with his wife Janet relaxing on their new recycled plastic bench in the midst of taking delivery from the Lismore Council Chambers.

Mike Syme of Alphadale is now sitting on his old plastic shopping bags thanks to a competition aimed at reducing plastic shopping bag usage.

Run by Lismore City Council in conjunction with the recent Sustainable Industry Expo, the Bags to Benches Competition gave people a free calico shopping bag when they deposited 10 used plastic shopping bags in a recycling bale, which is now on its way to a Victorian recycling factory, Recycled Plastic Australia (RPA), where it's made into plastic benches.

Council's Waste and Education Officer Vanessa Tallon said the competition was so popular, the bale filled in just a fortnight.

One lucky entrant - Mike - won a recycled plastic garden bench made by RPA.

"To make the garden benches, it takes 1500 two litre milk bottles to make one bench, with up to 30 per cent of the material coming from shopping bags.

"That's five years worth of bottles for an average family of four, which saves three cubic metres of landfill space".

The Big Scrub at a stretch

This Sunday's Big Scrub Rainforest Day at Rocky Creek Dam is primarily for Landcare information and education event. But even yoga fans will find something appealing at Yoga in the Rainforest.

Local yoga whiz, Liz Costigan is putting together a beautiful program that will feature Ashtanga-style yoga in the morning and Iyengar-style in the afternoon. As well as yoga, Sunday's Rainforest Day will feature guided rainforest walks, workshops on bush regeneration and weed control techniques, stalls and displays, entertainment and kids activities. All major regional landcare groups, practitioners and businesses are represented at Big Scrub Rainforest Day giving you the chance to gain information about rainforests and their restoration from Australia's leading experts. Everyone is welcome, festivities run from 10am to 4pm and admission and activities are free.

For more information see www.rainforestrescue.org.au/bigscrub.html

Those bloomin' Lions roar

Gearing up for the inaugural Spring Fair are Alstonville Lions Club members (l-r) Geoff Harris, Les Wiles and Frank Stewart with Alstonville Garden Centre owner Terry Prendergast (second from right), who will be exhibiting at the fair.

To complement their hugely successful Autumn Fair, the members of Alstonville Lions Club are hosting an equally impressive Spring Fair this weekend, September 6-7, in Alstonville.

More than 35 local exhibitors will be selling a massive selection of outdoor and garden products, from wholesale plants and lawn mowers to pools, spas and garden sheds.

"If it belongs in the garden chances are it'll be at the Spring Fair - that's our motto," Alstonville Lions Club member, Les Wiles, said. "Whether you have an ordinary backyard or a two acre, prize-winning garden there'll be plenty on offer, and the whole event is geared towards helping local charities. It's just a great weekend for anyone who loves gardens."

Visitors can rest assured they're in the very best of company at the fair, with one exhibitor recently winning a major award.

Alstonville Garden Centre, run by Sue and Terry Prendergast, was recently named best new business at the Ballina Business Awards - a title Sue and Terry are thrilled to have.

"We were just chuffed - absolutely over the moon," Terry said of the award. "We built the centre around the customer and it's paid off remarkably - people love to come and spend time here. The award says to us that our vision for the centre has been fulfilled. But we won't be resting on our laurels - there's always lots more to do!"

As well as all the gardening goodies, the Spring Fair will also feature a free Kids Corner, keeping kids amused with a variety of activities including a jumping castle, painting, animal displays and free lollies. Car buffs will no doubt relish Sunday for its spectacular vintage car display and of course there's plenty of refreshments available all weekend.

The Spring Fair is at the Alstonville Showground and Apex Pavilion. Entry is $2 for adults or $6 for a family, with the fair open daily from 9am-5pm.

All proceeds from the event will go to Alstonville Lions Club for local community projects, which include assisting the Lismore Challenge Foundation and helping local residents with hearing impairments.

Casino High the best!

Casino High School students Shawn Walker, Kylie Benstead, Rob Johnston, and Cameron Trustum proudly display the trophy presented to the school for winning the NSW VET in Schools Excellence Award for 2003.

Casino High School was awarded first place in the NSW Training Awards 2003 VET in Schools Excellence Awards at a glittering ceremony at the Sydney Convention Centre last week.

Principal Geoff Cousins said the school delegation's reaction when they won set the tone for the evening. "We all jumped up and down with excitement, and other winners then followed suit" he said. The school runs the full eight vocational education courses with over 80 per cent of students participating and many finding employment as a result.

"We are absolutely excited to be recognised for our Vocational Education Program," Mr. Cousins said. "It's a tribute to the whole school community, staff, students and the P& C."

Mr Cousins also wanted to thank Casino and district employers who take the students for the workplace component of the courses.

Casino Gardens Bloom

Rae Weir proudly displays her winning Grand Champion Garden in the Casino Garden Club's Spring Garden competition.

After 20 years hibernation the Casino and District Garden Club is up and running again and have just held their Spring Garden competition with Rea and Trevor Weir winning the Champion Garden section with a colourful all round display of spring flowers and shrubs.

"We hope the club will go from strength to strength," Rae said. "We formed the club to show civic pride in Casino. We have guest speakers at our meetings and we are hoping our membership will increase."

The club meets on the first Thursday of the month at Casino RSM club at 7.30pm. Contact Rae on 6662 2842 for more information.

Development board moves to Lismore

Ten community members have been appointed to the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board this week by Minister for Regional Development, David Campbell.

They are Tom Senti CEO, Tweed Economic Development Corporation; Terry Watson General Manager, Tweed and Coolangatta Tourism; Neil Davies, Aboriginal Training Consultant, Department of Education and Training; David Lyons, Australian Workers Union; Cr Marilyn Perkins Ballina Shire Council; Lawson Savery, Executive Dean of Business, Southern Cross University; Sue Schmolke, Nicholson Fine Food; Vicki St Lawrence, St Lawrence and Associates consulting services; Margot Sweeney CEO, Summerland Credit Union, and Cr Ian Tiley, Maclean Shire.

They join two ongoing members, Lexie Hurford and Ian Oelrichs, on the Board.

The new board has also been given extra financial support from the NSW Government with a 30 per cent increase in day-to-day operational funding.

During a visit to Lismore last Thursday, Mr Campbell also said that the office of the Department of State and Regional Development will relocate from Ballina to Lismore in the Rous Water building (The Echo's building) by the end of the year.

Mr Campbell said the move will bring the Department closer to other agencies involved in business growth.

A lifetime to keeping kids healthy

Lismore mayor Merv King presented Cr John Crowther, Roger Sheaffe and Bruce Towner with certificates of appreciation for their commitment to the Life Education program recently.

Between them, the trio has devoted more than 55 years in total - around 18 years each - to helping educate young children about the dangers of drugs.

Life Education chairwoman, Mary Harris, also a long-time member, is stepping down next month, and Life Education is seeking new members to help share the load. The committee meets bimonthly. If you'd like more information, phone Bruce on 6621 6644 or Mary on 66242 064.

Magellan St dispute ends

Lismore Council's long-running dispute with the failed contractors of the Magellan Street upgrade has been settled.

The matter was due before the Disputed Claims Court in late June, but lawyers for the claimant settled with Council a week before the hearing. Builders Steltech had claimed more than $1 million in damages and costs against Council after they were dismissed from the job in 1999.

Council stepped in to finish the $1.5 million job when Steltech ran in to financial difficulties.

General manager, Paul O'Sullivan, declared it was a win, despite paying a $25,000 settlement.

"This is an exceptionally good outcome for Council and the community, in that Steltech has agreed to waive all of its claims and is not seeking the return of any securities from Council," he said.

While Council ended up in front on the deal, most of the savings will go in legal fees to defend the claim from Steltech.

Tinkering with the telly

The LINC TV crew get ''all-techo" in the midst of the station's refurbishment. They may need to get a bigger hammer next time. Pictured in the LINC editing room (clockwise from bottom left) are volunteer Frank Mizzi, LINC office manager Sarah Walker, editor Greg Neal and the technically minded station manager, Jamie McDonald.

LINC TV, Lismore's community television station, is taking a break from broadcasting, but their activity levels have increased.

The station is currently upgrading and repairing its broadcast equipment. They will return to air over the next few weeks once the new and refurbished equipment has been installed and thoroughly tested.

LINC will take advantage of the break to look into all of its operations, with an eye to revamping and training its staff, and the station also hopes to extend its broadcast range beyond Lismore in the future.

LINC is looking for people who are keen to join the station and get involved in both the broadcast and administrative areas to cope with the increased levels of activity at the station. This includes people with cars to help with the transmission roster. At present they currently transmit a 4 hour broadcast tape and it is as easy as playing a video at home. No experience is necessary and training will take place for those interested in helping.

If you're interested in joining LINC contact Jamie McDonald, the station manager, on 6622 0144 or drop in and visit the station at Suite 4/70 Molesworth St, Lismore (upstairs next door to NRG). The office is open from Monday to Thursday, from 10am 'til 5pm.

Putting their best boot forward

The winners of The Northern Rivers Echo/Trevor Oram's Living Entertainment Golden Boot Award were honoured at the Far North Coast Soccer annual dinner at the Lismore Workers Club on Saturday night.

Katie Parker from Rovers won the Women's First Division title with 16 goals while Troy Matthews of Rovers and 2002 winner Wayne Mortimer of Italo Stars tied for the Men's Premier Division title with 14 goals apiece. Each won a $750 open order at Trevor Oram's Living Entertainment.

Pictured are Troy Matthews and Katie Parker, both of Richmond Rovers, with Trevor Oram and Italo Stars' Wayne Mortimer proudly displaying their Golden Boot trophies at the FNC Soccer annual dinner.

Trades at risk from apprentice drop

Story & photo: Andrew Dostine

Roofer Graham Leeson with apprentice Adam Joyce.

A lack of apprentices in the building industry may be stifling the growth of local construction according to Lismore Mayor Merv King.

"Lismore's construction industry is well and truly on the boil. But there are now long delays in securing the services of building firms or tradespeople," said Cr King.

"For years the apprenticeship system has been neglected. Now is the time for the number of construction apprenticeships in Lismore to be dramatically expanded."

Lismore City Council has written to all school principals in the area asking them to encourage young people to consider a trade career.

Council has also written to the Minister for Education and Training, Dr Andrew Refshauge, seeking additional funding for TAFE positions, as well as to over 150 contractors and builders in the region asking them to consider taking on apprentices.

Local builder, Darryl Schwebel, said that he has been looking for an apprentice for nearly four months. "I've had two that have left in the last 12 months, and now I'm looking for another, but without much luck."

According to Darryl the apprenticeship system isn't helping businesses. "The government incentives you get are pretty paltry, and there's a lot of downtime. You lose one day a week for the first three years," he said.

For some, the solution is the federally funded Group Training Scheme, which encourages third party training groups to take on the administrative functions associated with hiring apprentices.

Roofing tiler Graham Leeson says he probably wouldn't have been able to take on an apprentice without the help of the scheme.

"I've now got one apprentice and I'm thinking about putting on another two. The group training scheme makes this possible. Northern Rivers Group Training, from whom I contract my apprentice Adam Joyce, pick up all the extras like superannuation, annual leave and sick leave. All I have to pay is Adam's wage. It's a tremendous help," Graham said.

The scheme, which has been operating for around five years, also allows apprentices to be rotated between tradespeople. It gives apprentices exposure to different employers and employers some flexibility during quiet periods of inactivity.

But Northern Rivers Group Training manager Sebastian Steenhuis says there's still a long way to go. "We could easily double the number of apprentices on our books if there were more vocational and pre-vocational training places available," he said.

BEC helps business start out

Lea Hine, founder of the Iron Pot Food Company, discusses her products with a customer.

Lea Hine's small, home-based business is doing so well it's already off to the Brisbane markets - thanks in part to the training and mentoring Lea has received from the Casino Business Enterprise Centre (BEC).

The Iron Pot Food Company, which Lea operates from her home in Kyogle, produces a range of organic products including pesto, chai, dukkah and honey. Lea approached the BEC for advice about starting a small business and has nothing but praise for the BEC and manager Shirley McNaughton.

"The BEC has been extremely supportive, commencing with my initial queries about starting a small business through to the ongoing development, management and growth of The Iron Pot Food Company," she said.

Ms McNaughton said the success of The Iron Pot Food Co. is a good example of the way in which training and mentoring can help both new and existing businesses and is encouraging business owners to take advantage of two workshops the BEC has on offer during Small Business September - Cash Flow Management and Women's Networking, Sales and Marketing.

"Financial management is the most critical issue for a small business to address," Shirley said.

"And Lea has especially benefited from our series of "women's metworking, sales and marketing workshops which are held in Kyogle. It's very much a supportive and motivational group, and the women often refer business opportunities to each other," she said.

The BEC can tailor make programs to suit a particular business and Lea is especially appreciative of the one to one mentoring she received.

"This level of mentoring has given me a great deal of confidence as I have been able to discuss many issues over the phone and in person. These issues have always been further supported with considered advice, reference material, networks and skill development opportunities," Lea said.

For more information on their services and programs or to register for their September workshops, contact the Casino BEC on 6662 5055 or email casbec@bigpond.net.au

Kyogle Hospital on target

Work on the $10 million Kyogle Hospital redevelopment is on schedule according to the Northern Rivers Area Health Service, with the current refurbishment of the Community Health site due to be finished by the end of October.

Once it is completed, the interim relocation of the main hospital services will begin. The project's scheduled completion date is August 2004.

In the meantime, service delivery including emergency treatment will continue as normal, with the local community kept informed of the amended locations for the various departments and services.

The new facility, to be called 'Kyogle Memorial Health', will have 12 acute beds, 28 Aged Care nursing home-type beds, an Emergency Department, a Community Health Service and 10 Community Aged Care Packages.

Guess who's going to dinner

Left to right: Rebekka Battista from the Left Bank, Jo Winkler from Winks Hairdressers, Mellita Gardiner, and competition winner Siobhan Allen.

A lucky guess at the hairdressers was all it took to send Lismore's Siobhan Allen to dinner at the Left Bank Restaurant. Siobhan guessed the exact number of hair clips contained in a jar at Winks Hairdressers in a competition that raised $720 for the Our Kids appeal.

The Left Bank, Winks and Mellita's Beauty Secrets came up with competition to help the special care nursery and children's ward at Lismore Base Hospital.

"The idea came to us following a conversation I had while getting my hair cut," said Mellita Gardiner.

"It was so much fun and the response was so good we're already talking about doing it again next year."

As well the $70 dinner voucher, Siobhan also won a $50 voucher from Winks Hairdressers, a $30 voucher from Mellita's, plus a basket of hair care products.

Wanted: parents for budding English students

Foreign English language students with some of the Homestay parents at the International Language Centre of Southern Cross University.

The International Languages Centre at Southern Cross University is in need of 'Homestay' parents for its regular short-term intakes of foreign students here to learn English.

Lisa Bartholomew, Homestay coordinator, said that students, drawn from universities with links to SCU, want to do more than just learn English.

"They want to learn about the region and get involved with local activities," she said.

Every Thursday the students fulfil a volunteer work placement at venues like the Neighbourhood Centre, plus they undertake regular cultural tours.

One attraction for those offering to serve as a host family is the $150 per week paid by the Languages Centre to cover expenses.

One experienced host, Jenny Arthur, has had "between 30 and 40 over the past five years." Jenny said, "There are some cultural differences that the host family can help with. They need to learn about things that we might take for granted, such as sleeping between, rather than on, the sheets, and not going out too far in the surf, etc.

If you would like to know more about being a 'Homestay parent' call Lisa on 6620 3429 for details.

This week's features: Dunoon Sports Club Anniversary - Education Week 2003 - Over 50s Art Expo - Your Shopping Guide - Local Businesses