THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 25 #49 Tuesday, May 24, 2011 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 23,000 copies every week
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Mining moratorium Coorabell’s day of 50s retro announced by govt 60 days not good enough: Greens want 12 months and inquiry into coal seam gas Ray Moynihan
strategic agricultural land.’ As part of the state’s changes, new regional plans will be developed. ‘These plans will provide local communities with far greater certainty about how their areas will change over time,’ the Minister said. The state government’s moves were immediately attacked by the Greens upper house member Jeremy Buckingham, who described the freeze as a ‘Clayton’s moratorium’ and called for a special commission of inquiry into the safety of the coal-seam gas industry. Mr Buckingham told The Echo he has seen firsthand how fracking operations in New South Wales could threaten water resources, including the Richmond River.
The state government has announced a 60-day freeze on exploration licences for coal, oil and coal-seam gas, following growing community calls for a moratorium, and the recent rally in Murwillumbah attended by over 3,000 people. Local councils in Lismore, Ballina, Kyogle, Tweed and Byron, along with Rous Water and the Northern Rivers Tourism, have all demanded some form of moratorium for coal-seam gas, along with environmental groups, farmers’ organisations, and politicians across the political spectrum. Concerns have focused chiefly on ‘fracking’, which can involve pumping large amounts of water mixed with chemicals into drilling wells, in order Politicians respond to extract gas trapped in coal seams or Federal Labor MP Janelle Saffin said other materials. while she was pleased with news the region’s gas might offer an alternative to Exploration rights cover coal, she shared concerns about ‘frack10,000 square kilometres ing’ and its environmental impacts. Gas exploration and production is priCompanies exploring in the region marily regulated by the states, but Ms have not ruled out using the controver- Saffin said she was exploring whether sial process here, and a spokesman for the National Water Commission could foreign-owned Arrow told The Echo better protect water resources from the last month it was likely fracking would industry’s impacts. be used if pilot drilling went ahead, Fellow federal Labor MP Justine Elpotentially as early as next year. liot, the member for Richmond and Arrow is owned by two of the parliamentary secretary for trade, has world’s largest oil and gas companies, acknowledged community concerns Shell and PetroChina, and has explo- but declined to support calls for a ration rights that cover more than moratorium. 10,000 square kilometres from Byron Don Page, state Minister for the across to the west of the mountains. North Coast, who’s expressed public Revealing the 60-day freeze on concerns about fracking, said ‘we benew exploration licences, the Min- lieve that agricultural land and other ister for Planning Brad Hazzard an- sensitive areas exist in NSW where nounced new rules that will require mining and coal-seam gas extraction extraction projects be assessed for should not occur’. their impacts on agricultural land In Byron Shire, councillor Ross and water resources. Tucker told The Echo while he didn’t He said the aim was to ‘balance support Council’s recent call for a morthe need for investment certainty atorium, he’s personally opposed to with conservation of high value continued on page 3
At a retro-vibe filled Coorabell Hall this coming Saturday from 10am to 3pm, Coorabell Public School’s annual Fab 50s fete will be held. There are prizes for best crossed and best traditional dress, a cupcake and flower arranging competition and the grand art auction which so far has attracted many fine local artists including Charly Wrencher, Sam Wortelhock, Leigh Pearson, Mandy Nolan and Simon Harriott. Funds raised on the day will contribute to the much-needed assembly and playground upgrade. Pictured is Kirra Brien offering a cup cake, while Maree Parrington, Magira Holmes and Sonya Brien take tea. Photo Jeff ‘Cup Cakes’ Dawson
Feral animal trappers wanted as numbers rise Feral animals in Byron’s hinterland are on the rise, and Byron Shire Council is calling for expressions of interest from experienced feral dog, fox and cat trappers. With 20 wild dogs being caught in the past six weeks around western Goonengerry and Upper Coopers Creek, deputy mayor Patrick Morrisey said the trapping program will be implemented to protect the Shire’s biodiversity and support farmers. ‘Council made a budget allocation of $20,000 last week. ‘How this is spent will depend on what expressions of interest Council receives, what extra support Council can get from the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (NRCMA), and what percentage of the cost of trapping is borne by land-
holder, be it private land, Council land or other land tenures. ‘Swift timing for the trapping program is essential. The more wild dogs we can trap prior to the spring breeding season will have significant flowon effects for the protection of wildlife and stock,’ Cr Morrisey said. Council’s Scott Hetherington said the feral animal trappers will use ‘softcatch traps’, which allow native wildlife to be released unharmed. ‘Softcatch traps have rubber jaws that do not injure a trapped feral animal. Following capture the feral animal is then euthanised.’ Expressions of interest close Friday June 10. Call 6626 7324 or visit www.byron.nsw.gov.au/expressions-of-interest for more. Photo of animal trapper Jim Rogers and feral dog supplied
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