what’s what’s new? new?
THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 26 #43 Tuesday, April 10, 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
p18
BLESSED ARE THE CRACKED FOR THEY LET THE LIGHT IN
Uranium exploration looks set after ban lifted Luis Feliu
The Far North Coast could be explored for uranium under legislation passed by the state government last week. The 26-year-old ban on uranium exploration was lifted when the legislation passed the Upper House, sparking an outcry from the Greens and Labor MPs who opposed it. The controversial move came two weeks after the first anniversary of the world’s biggest nuclear disaster at Fukushima in Japan, which is still causing major problems. Labor’s spokesman for the Tweed, MLC Walt Secord, told parliament one of the areas nominated for exploration was the Clarence-Moreton basin (which includes the far north coast). Mr Secord has called on north coast National Party MPs Don Page (Ballina), Geoff Provest (Tweed), Thomas George (Lismore) and Chris Gulaptis (Clarence) ‘to ensure that the unique quality of life on the north coast was protected from uranium exploration’. In his speech against the bill, Mr Secord cited a corporate publication from the Sydney law firm, Clayton Utz, which revealed possible areas for exploration. He said the newsletter, entitled ‘Is the tide turning? NSW government proposes lifting ban on uranium exploration’, issued on March 1, identified parts of NSW ‘they think are ripe for potential uranium exploration.’ ‘The paper singled out the Murray Basin and the Mundi Mundi Plains near Broken Hill as well as the Clarence-Moreton basin, which is the far north coast of NSW as potential sites for exploration,’ he said. ‘In 1986, in a spirit of bipartisanship, the NSW parliament agreed that the potential release of toxic elements could contaminate large areas of land
Earth Wind and a lot of blues It was a good Good Friday as the high-octane Earth, Wind and Fire took to the Mojo stage. Bassist and original member of the band, Verdine White, showed that life after sixty years still gives you plenty to smile about as he bounced across the stage full of the joy of the Bluesfest. For more Bluesfest pics, see Jeff Dawson’s page 28. Photo Eve Jeffery
A 45-year-old Tumbulgum woman is believed to have suffered a fatal Crowds were treated to spectacular heart attack minutes before headlinweather and sublime music for the ing act John Fogerty took to the stage 23rd annual Bluesfest, held at the Tya- on Saturday night. garah Tea Tree Plantation. World-class entertainment ranged Woman dies Paramedics performed CPR on the from the punk-edged Pogues, Aussie classic Cold Chisel, reggae great woman at the front of the Mojo stage Ziggy Marley, songstress Lucinda for about 15 minutes before she was Williams, ska originals The Specials, taken away on a stretcher. The concert guitar virtuso Steve Vai’s G3 and the was delayed as a result for around 20 legendary Donovan, John Fogerty, minutes. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances. Yes, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Meanwhile, police have praised One of many highlights included the appearance of Led Zeppelin bassist, crowd behaviour over the weekend despite issuing 150 infringement noJohn Paul Jones, with Seasick Steve. Another was Cold Chisel’s dedica- tices for drug offences. Police drug-sniffer dogs were again tion to Aussie music pioneer Vincent Lovegrove, who recently died in a car on the beat at the festival and drivers continued on page 2 accident in Byron’s hinterland. were also randomly breathtested for Staff reporters
alcohol and saliva-swabbed for illegal drugs on roads in and out of the site. Police told media they searched 300 people and 20 vehicles for cannabis and amphetamines, but that overall crowd behaviour was positive. Bluesfest director Peter Noble says the 23rd annual event was another major success with ‘something for everyone young and old’, ‘bringing in tens of millions of dollars into the region, creating hundreds of jobs and creating beautiful music’. Mr Noble said the response from major artists to the enthusiastic Byron audiences was heartfelt. The manager of Earth Wind and Fire, which he said was one of the best acts ever, told him ‘you just can’t buy that sort of audience, it’s the best in the world, they hang on every note. It’s such a
pleasure to play for them’. ‘Donovan said to me “Peter, that’s an Irish crowd, they sing along with you, it’s a great event”’.
Petitions against Byron Council events policy Petitions were also available throughout the festival encouraging punters to oppose the current Byron Shire Council events policy which proposes to cap events at two per year. ‘This policy singles out music as the only form of event to be banned in the Byron Shire,’ it reads. Submissions close April 26. Q See the video of this story at
netdaily
Go to echonetdaily.net.au
Enrich your Spirit Perhaps the most tranquil tourist attraction on the east coast and a wonderful place to spend a couple of mellow hours… Brisbane News
Open 7 Days 10am–5pm 81 Monet Drive, Mullumbimby (02) 6684 3111
www.crystalcastle.com.au <echowebsection=Local News>
Only from B12 mins l Site, tu uesfest @ Mull rn left um P Office. ost