THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 26 #35 Tuesday, February 14, 2012 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
CAB AUDIT
LUMINOUS EGG WITH A GOLDEN SHIELD
Lock The Gate unhappy at being under surveillance Hans Lovejoy
It has been revealed that federal police are keeping tabs on groups and individuals protesting against coal-seam gas (CSG) and other environmental issues. Last Tuesday, federal government minister Joe Ludwig told Greens senator Christine Milne ‘The AFP [Australian Federal Police] monitors protest groups in line with legislative requirements to prevent the occurrence of criminal acts.’
CSG a state govt matter The news comes after Tweed representative on the national Lock the Gate Alliance against CSG, Michael McNamara, called on Page MP Janelle Saffin and Richmond MP Justine Elliot to ‘take a stand against this intimidatory tactic’. ‘It says something about the government that they find cane farmers, small business operators, professional people, dairy farmers and tradespeo-
ple so threatening.’ When asked if she supports the views of the Lock The Gate Alliance, MP Justine Elliot told The Echo, ‘I know there are many who hold concerns in our community about coalseam gas mining and I have previously called on Barry O’Farrell and the local National Party state MPs to explain what they are going to do about the community concerns right across the far north coast.’ Mr McNamara, however, is unconvinced. ‘She has claimed in the past that CSG is only a state matter, but here the federal police are involved. In the recent protest at Kerry, near Beaudesert, police were pushing cameras in people’s faces. ‘The message was clear that if you protest you can expect to be placed on police or ASIO files. ‘Police and politicians should remember that there is a legitimate right to make political protests in a democracy,’ he said.
Wild card for Amanauel
Sports field unveiled Luis Feliu
The official opening last Friday of the $17 million state-of-the-art Byron Regional Sport and Cultural Complex was a day of community celebration, with several hundred guests and locals joining officials in the opening ceremony and a tour through the facility. The complex, after two years of construction, is now open for use by sporting and cultural groups, not just from Byron but throughout the region. It was described by Mayor Jan Barham as the outcome of a united community which made ‘a dream come true’. ‘This is what $17 million looks like and it’s money well spent and deserved, it gives me great faith in the community and local government and shows the determined spirit of this community, which is set to shine brightly,’ a chuffed Cr Barham told the gathering. The facility on 16 hectares provides top-class playing fields for athletics, netball, soccer, rugby, hockey, cricket, softball and more. The building includes a multi-purpose hall that can accommodate up to 2,000 people and which also doubles as a basketball stadium complete with electronic scoreboard. There is also a canteen, meeting and function rooms, a dance studio and offices.
Contributors praised
Ten-year-old vocalist Amanauel Visser has plenty to smile about after it was announced last Sunday night on Network 10 that he had won a wild card entry to the finals of the refurbished Young Talent Time. Amanauel, who performed on the show just over a week ago, gained praise from judge Tina Arena who said he has a beautiful stage presence. Photo Eve Jeffery
Both Mr Elliott and the Cornell family were honoured with the main sports fields named after them in recognition of their contributions to the community and the fields were unveiled during an inspection tour around the facility. Richmond MP Justine Elliot said that when Cr Barham and the community sport association’s Paul Irwin, first approached her about funding and support for the project in 2006, she was inspired by their enthusiasm and commitment to make it a reality. She said it was ‘great community victory for Byron Shire to enjoy’; having such a facility and it would greatly benefit local kids and boost tourism
Justine Elliott, Herb Elliott and Jangala, aka Pete Marshall, at the dedication of the Herb Elliott Field at the opening of the new Byron Sports Complex. Photo Jeff ‘I Don’t Need Another Complex’ Dawson
to the area in a big way with its ability to host large conferences and events. ‘It will also be a great meeting place for the community, which has so many uses for it, and everyone should be very proud.’ Mr Irwin said the day marked the end of a 30-year chapter in which several sports organisations had sought to have a much-needed sports and cultural facility built for everyone to use in the shire. ‘We would have settled for a cow
paddock for sporting fields, but what we have here today is what this community deserves, and we’ve been rewarded for our efforts,’ he said. During the unveiling of the sports fields, Cr Barham paid tribute to Herb Elliott, who had been a member of Council’s sports committee planning the project, as his Olympic committee experience had been ‘invaluable’. ‘To name a field in his name hopefully will be an inspiration for young continued on page 2
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