THE BYRON SHIRE
Mullum Shop Local this Christmas!
Volume 29 #26 Tuesday, December 9, 2014 Phone 02 6684 1777 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
CAB AUDIT
Surf lifesaver off on Chile mission – p5
Inside this week
Win one of 30 $100 shopping vouchers. See pages 18–19 for participating stores.
L I T T L E B O P E E P F O R G O T T O L O C K T H E G AT E
Uplift Fest director Q&A – p7
Our caring volunteers – p13
Govt reveals frack plans
Shopping locally – p18–19
What’s New for you – p20
The Good Life in Byron – p22–24
Byron Shire Council Notices Page 44–45
Slippin’ and slidin’ at St Finbarr’s
Meanwhile NSW lags in renewables Hans Lovejoy
Prime agricultural and forested land in the region is again up for grabs by the fossil fuel industry after the sixyear renewal of petroleum exploration licence (PEL) 445. The approval for UK-based corporation Dart Energy is the strongest signal yet that the NSW Liberal/ National government plans to expand the fossil fuel industry across the state, despite overwhelming public opposition. The move has been condemned by both Labor and The Greens. And in contrast, the NSW renewables sector, ‘has moved from leader to laggard in Australia’s renewable energy race,’ according to
a new report published last week by the Climate Council. Entitled, The Australian Renewable Energy Race: Which States Are Winning Or Losing? – it claims that ‘neither [Victoria or NSW] have targets to reduce emissions or increase renewable energy.’ Regardless, with NSW only producing five per cent of its own gas, the Baird government appears to be rolling out overseas gas export expansion while also providing a vague framework for domestic supply. Its recently announced Gas Plan includes a pledge that ‘projects which demonstrate that they will provide substantive amounts of gas into the NSW market will be designated as continued on page 2
Takara Stewart gets air on the Beach Break – the wettest and wildest ride at St Finbarr’s fair on Saturday. Friends and families enjoyed fun, fine food and great music at the now landmark Christmas Fair. Photo Jeff Dawson
Public EV charging station opens
The blue area demonstrates the newly mapped area for Dart Energy’s petroleum exploration licence 445 in the northern rivers region. Dart has relinquished the green area. Image from NSW Trade & Investment
Australia’s first public electric vehicle (EV) charging station, powered by solar panels over a car park structure, opened at Macadamia Castle in Knockrow last Friday. The launch was led by Greens energy spokesman Dr John Kaye MLC and Ballina Greens candidate, Tamara Smith. In a tongue-in-cheeck reference to comments recently made by the prime minister about coal being ‘good for humanity,’ a large banner was unfurled to read: ‘Solar is good for humanity.’
Tony Gilding, owner of The Macadamia Castle, said, ‘This Tony happens to think that solar is good for humanity. It is such a thrill for me to be setting an example of what is possible for small business despite the best attempts of fossil fuel companies to slow this inevitable swing to renewables.’
45kW system The 45kW system features 180 panels arrayed on a durable, purpose-built car canopy structure. Also known as a solar carshade,
Mr Gilding says it will generate half of Macadamia Castle’s energy needs in addition to charging visitors’ electric vehicles. According to Mr Gilding, Macadamia Castle’s move to solar was prompted by ‘shockingly bad service and incompetence’ from his electricity supplier and retailer and the exorbitant cost of conventionally generated energy, as well as the the obvious benefits of non-polluting solar. He added that he hopes to make Macadamia Castle entirely energy independent in the future.
C oo l t hi s y a t S Summer FABULOUS FAN SALE!
CREATIVE LIGHTING SOLUTIONS Showroom open: Mon – Fri 9AM–5PM | 6680 7007 | Unit 5, 21-23 Tasman Way, Byron A+I Estate Enter via Wollongbar St