THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 26 #51 Tuesday, June 5, 2012
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T H I S M A C H I N E K I L L S FA S C I S T S
CAB AUDIT
Inside this week
Mandy Nolan sacrifices more virgins – p24
Check the heart attack index – p18
An invitation to be yourself
Letters to the editor – p12
The blame-shifting over Byron’s latenight alcohol-fuelled brawling and assaults now includes state politicans and the Australian Medical Association. The issue went state-wide after Channel Ten aired footage last week of late-night fights on Jonson Street. Yet no-one appears to want to take ownership of the issue. The video prompted police minister Michael Gallacher and Ballina MP and local government minister Don Page to back local police, the Liquor Accord and business in their push for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to try to tackle the issue. But Byron Shire mayor Jan Barham says she won’t bow to pressure to revisit the issue of installing CCTV. She’s hit back with renewed calls for an earlier closing of pubs and clubs, and says that other measures, such as lockouts and restricted hours, would be more effective and should be tried first. Ratepayers should not have to foot the bill for the installation and monitoring of the cameras, she says.
Police union backs mayor
Mae Wilde with SlutWalk organiser Nicqui Yazdi and youth representative Lily Jo Smith will lead the walk from Railway Park, midday on Saturday, June 23.
Sexual violence is not just a woman’s issue, it is an issue for everyone and to raise awareness the streets of Byron Bay will host the area’s first SlutWalk. The main idea of SlutWalk is that it is a protest against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman’s appearance. Organiser Nicqui Yazdi says that a lot of violence against girls and women
happens within the family. ‘We are inviting and welcoming women, men and young people to be a part of the walk and help to create awareness of these problems.’ Nicqui says that some of the international event can become quite risqué but she feels that it is important to create an honest portrait of women. She asks that people joining in the walk simply come dressed as themselves continued on page 3
Seven: Entertainment – p22
Byron Shire Council Notices Pages 44
Street violence rhetoric widens
Luis Feliu & Hans Lovejoy
Story & photo Eve Jeffery
BEAUTY PAGE 19–21
And her stance has been backed by the state’s powerful police union, which says restrictions on licensed premises similar to those already in place in Newcastle should be the first step in addressing the issue in the tourist town. The township is now reputedly the fourth-worst area for alcohol-fuelled violence in NSW, with 225 assaults recorded for the 12-months to the end of March, 190 of them in the Jonson Street strip alone. Alcohol is sold at more than 50 licensed pubs, nightclubs, cafes, restaurants and bottle shops in the CBD area. NSW Police Association president Scott Weber says licensing rules applying in Newcastle is what’s needed. ‘When a suite of simple, moderate measures to reduce alcohol-related violence were introduced in New-
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castle we saw a dramatic decrease in the number of after-dark assaults. In fact, they dropped by more than a third,’ he said. ‘Measures introduced in Newcastle include the restriction of high-alcohol-content drinks after 10pm, lock-outs and restricted trading hours. It worked in Newcastle and there’s absolutely no reason why it won’t work in Byron,’ Mr Weber said.
Doctors’ support Australian Medical Association’s NSW president, associate professor Brian Owler, supports the Last Drinks coalition’s call for the Newcastle measures to be extended elsewhere in the state. The coalition represents NSW emergency service workers and includes doctors, police, nurses and paramedics. ‘Public health research shows alcohol-related assaults, street offences and hospital emergency department presentations are down by as much as half under the Newcastle restrictions on licensed premises,’ professor Owler said.
‘It’s just common sense really. Newcastle was experiencing very similar problems to Byron. Then once a few simple restrictions were introduced we saw a marked improvement. ‘It would be negligent of the government not to introduce them in Byron and other hotspots around the state. Our doctors, nurses, paramedics and police see the cost of alcohol-related violence first hand every single day. We know how critical it is that something is done and so does the community.’ But the local business chamber and liquor outlets oppose lockouts and are pushing for CCTV cameras, saying money is not the issue and want council support to obtain funding for the cameras. Byron United (chamber of commerce) president Paul Waters says both CCTV cameras and increased police patrols or a mobile police booth focusing on violence hotspots, similar to ones used on the Gold Coast, would be effective in deterring alcohol-fuelled assaults. He claims many incidents involve continued on page 3
Byron Council GM resigns Byron Council’s general manager Graeme Faulkner announced his resignation last Tueday but has remained tight-lipped on the reason. Attempts by local media to seek comment were unsuccessful. In a press release issued to media outlets, however, he said he was ‘pleased to have been able to work in the Byron Shire for the last four years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Byron Shire and want to wish both the elected councillors and staff all the best for the future,’ he said. ‘I’m confident the next GM will continue to work with staff, councillors, and the community for a sustainable Byron Shire.’ The sudden announcement follows a secret council meeting last week to discuss renewal of Mr Faulkner’s contract, at which no decision was taken.
He has resigned a year short of the end of his five-year contract and is set to leave his job within a month. It’s unlikely a permanent GM can be appointed ahead of the September council election owing to the fourweek caretaker period required by state legislation. A report for councillors regarding his position will be presented at the June 28 meeting.