THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 26 #08 Tuesday, August 2, 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 23,200 copies every week
Byron Bay Writers’ Festival PROGRAM LIFTOUT CAB AUDIT
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THE WORLD IS FULL OF RIDICULOUS DISTRAC TIONS AND HERE’S ANOTHER
Being clear, not nuclear Byron action day, Saturday August 6
Hendra virus claims Mullumbimby horse Story& photo Eve Jeffery
As the Hendra virus season gets into full swing, a fifth horse has died from the disease on the NSW North Coast, the latest animal from Mullumbimby. New South Wales Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth says the property has been quarantined and movement restrictions are in place for all horses and companion animals, including cats and dogs. ‘There are eight other horses on the quarantined property of which four are considered at risk’, said Mr Roth, who explains that the horse was not noticeably ill on Saturday July 24, but was found dead in the paddock on Sunday morning.
Annual occurrence
From left, Leif Brokaw and Saya Minami provide the message, while Brazilian muso and cappoeria performer Luiz Gerardi and activist muso Mook Handley support Elle Shimada, from the Cape Byron Steiner Songbirds. Jeff ‘Plutonium Pup’ Dawson.
Saturday August 6 is Hiroshima Day, and in light of the high levels of radioactive fallout that continues to spew from Fukushima’s damaged reactors in Japan, a day of action is planned in Railway Park in Byron on Saturday. The aim is to protest against the nuclear industry and stand in solidarity with the people of Fukushima, according to longtime antinuclear activist Mookx.
‘From uranium mining, radioactive nuclear power stations and deadly nuclear weapons to the problem of storing nuclear waste for thousands of years, we will be saying “No” to uranium. ‘The Mirrar elders in Australia are demanding to “Leave it in the ground” – this is also the name of a song I wrote way back in 1977 which I’ll be singing on the day.’ The day’s events will feature a global
link-up at 12 noon, as well as a program including a Japanese culture market, kids’ activities, the Rainbow Chai Tent, bands, DJs and a fireshow (see gig guide for details). There will also be a special screening of Twice Bombed: the Legacy of Yamaguchi Tsutomu, which chronicles the man who survived both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Volunteers welcome; please ring Saya Minami on 0422 351 942.
‘A veterinarian took a swab from the dead horse and sent the sample to NSW DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for laboratory analysis – results confirmed the Hendra virus.’ Vetrinarians say that outbreaks of the Hendra virus is an annual occurrence and are warning animal owners to remain cautious but calm. Mullumbimby vet Richard Gregory
says the first case this year appeared in late June 2011, where a horse died of Hendra virus near Beaudesert in Queensland. He also says that the virus is very unstable and does not survive long in the environment. ‘Hendra is not particularly contagious,’ he said at the Mullum clinic last Friday. ‘This does not mean that people should not be careful. ‘The general principles of hygiene should be followed. Extra precautions should be taken if people have a sick horse. The horse should be observed from a distance and if exhibiting concerning signs contact your vet for steps to be taken. ‘Hendra virus is not a hardy virus and can be easily killed by washing hands or skin with soap and water. ‘Washing clothes in detergent will kill the virus as well. As a general rule all horse and pet owners should be washing their hands after contact with their animals to reduce the likelihood of zoonosis (animal diseases transferrable to humans). This is good common sense regardless of the risk of Hendra virus.’ Pet owners have raised concerns continued on page 3
Liquor shop near school ‘not detrimental’ Victoria Cosford
The Liquor and Gaming Control Authority (LGCA) has told The Echo it is satisfied with the ‘overall social impact’ of moving the Woolies liquor shop in Mullumbimby to its current location. The department says it will ‘not be detrimental to the wellbeing of the local and broader community.’ The comments come after claims
by Mullumbimby Community Action Network (MCAN) of an alleged failure by LGCA to respond to the objections of the adjoining liquor store, which is located a few blocks from a primary school in the town. According to MCAN spokesperson Deborah Lilly, over 640 objections by local residents were submitted to not only the Authority, but also to Sydney solicitors Back
Schwartz Vaughan, who were collecting community submissions for the Community Impact Statement. ‘Did anyone out there ever receive an acknowledgement to their letter?’ she asked in a recent Mullumaction Newsletter. A spokesperson for LGCA said they ‘received no formal submissions Mullumbimby vets Richard Gregory and Jamie Lines say that vet pets ‘Kit’ regarding an application to remove and ‘Georgeous’ have little to fear from the Hendra virus but that pet owners continued on page 2 should take sensible precautions.
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