THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 27 #11 Tuesday, August 21, 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
Inside this week
S A C R E D C O W S M A K E T H E TA S T I E S T H A M B U R G E R S
CAB AUDIT
Mayoral hopefuls Q&A part II – p5
Classies printed with ink on paper – p34
Buyers agent and Council candidate Michael Murray profile – p42
Mullum’s IGA changes hands
The controversial move to replace Mullumbimby Hospital’s overnight doctor with a video-conferencing system came under fire in federal parliament last week, with Richmond MP Justine Elliot calling on the state government to scrap the ‘cruel’ plan. She told fellow federal MPs the local community had some serious concerns about the proposal, which is set to be trialled for six months from October. In June, state opposition leader John Robertson asked why the overnight doctor was being replaced against the wishes of the local community and hospital nurses. Ms Elliot said, ‘[State MP] Don Page is either unwilling or unable to stand up and fight for the residents of the north coast. He needs to start doing his job and guarantee families on the north coast that this video link will not go ahead at Mullumbimby Hospital.’
Playing politics Hans Lovejoy
Mullum’s IGA supermarket changed hands last week and new owner Dino Rosa wasted no time in getting involved with the community. He told The Echo, ‘Currently I am buying from a local butcher and also negotiating with other retailers and wholesalers in the community to see what partnerships can be forged.’ He says that with the increased buying power a Supa IGA brings, he can make prices more competitive and increase the number of product lines. ‘I would love more floor space,’ he says, ‘but as it is I think we can refine and increase stock by a couple of thousand. ‘One of the first improvements made will be $30k investment in ovens and
hot display cases in the deli and a more regular fruit and veg supply. We have had great feedback already with our increased range of fruit and veg with lower prices.’ Donating to community and sporting groups is also a priority, he says, as ‘it is vital to give back to the community that supports you.’ Most importantly, he says he is retaining all the 30 staff. ‘The strength of this business is its staff. Current employee Daniel Tiffin has been promoted to store manager, and he will oversee the day-to-day operation.’ With Coles and Woolies holding a duopoly on Australia’s food market, IGA, along with other smaller operators, can find competing tough. And despite no current legislation
regulating their predatory pricing, such as promoting loss-leading items such as $2 milk, Mr Rosa is confident that Mullum’s IGA will continue to be an integral part of the town. ‘It’s a combination of both buying power and integration with the local economy that will enable a sustainable and prosperous future for any community.’ Another aim also is to encourage more street traffic on Burringbar Street. He says it was a focus for his stores in Brisbane and it helped to generate more for the local economy. ‘I am genuinely excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, as we start to implement an improved range, lower prices everyday and a very strong promotional program that will see even stronger specials.’
Byron Shire Council Notices Pages 41
Hospital’s teleconference plan tabled at federal level Luis Feliu & Hans Lovejoy
New IGA store owner Dino Rosa with newly promoted store manager Daniel Tiffin. Photo Eve Jeffery
Page 16
But Don Page has hit back, calling out both Ms Elliot and NSW state Labor member Walt Secord for playing politics over the matter. He told The Echo, ‘I am aware of concern within the community about the proposed trial. Unlike Justine Elliot and Walt Secord, I actually attended the Mullumbimby public meeting on August 2 to hear in person those concerns.’ ‘The CEO of the Northern NSW Local Health District indicated at the meeting he would be talking with clinicians and nurses prior to the commencement of any trial of the telehealth system between 11pm and 7am at the hospital. There have been ongoing difficulties recruiting permanent doctors to support the medical officer roster at Mullumbimby emergency department I am advised that recruitment efforts are continuing.’
Mr Page previously told The Echo he doesn’t support the proposed telehealth trial ‘at this stage.’ Frank Lynch from Save Mullumbimby Hospital Steering Committee told The Echo that since the public meeting on August 2, he was was contacted by Hazel Bridgett, chair of the local health board. ‘Given the level of anxiety on the matter, I asked if the board could quickly resolve the problem. Ms Bridgett said that the board was awaiting a report before discussing the matter. ‘The next official board meeting is on August 29. So there has still not been any move to resolve this at board level. Let’s hope that it is resolved on August 29. There is the old saying, “Justice delayed is justice denied”, which has a parallel in health care. ‘This week Dr John Kaye [Greens] MLC will be moving a motion in the NSW legislative council seeking to have the proposal dropped. ‘Mr Page has not spoken to me about whether he has raised this matter with the minister for health, Ms Skinner, as he promised the community he would. ‘His secretary has said only that Mr Chris Crawford [who is proposing the video-conferencing] has been discussing the matter with the nurses. ‘Ms Bridgett also follows the line that “a trial will not proceed without the consent of the nurses”.’
Caldicott’s radiation talk One of the planet’s leading authorities on the effects of radiation poisoning, Dr Helen Caldicott, will speak at the Byron Bay Services Club on Monday August 27 from 6.30pm. It’s a first in a series entitled ‘The Media Is Silent’, and Dr Caldicott will address the little-publicised claim that Fukushima’s number four reactor is slowly sinking into the ocean. Tickets can be pre-booked at seapeace22@yahoo.com.au.
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