THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 30 #25 Wednesday, December 2, 2015
www.echo.net.au Phone 02 6684 1777 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
ALL-IN-ONE CHRISTMAS WRAPPING AND KITTY LITTER
CAB AUDIT
Falling forr Mae Wilde this his new year – p38 p38
So Soothe the body and heal Shop the soul: Health & Healing local and th nd feature – p20–23 win! – p26 26
Big weekend for SES crews
FES F EST TIV E seee pages se page pa agees SEASON 24 & 25 Online in
netdaily
SSea Shepherd condemns Japan’s whaling plans www.echo.net.au/sea-shepherdcondemns-japans-whaling-plans
Hands up for climate change action!
SES were kept busy in the Mullumbimby area last Sunday and Monday, after heavy storms ripped through the north coast. New SES commander Mike Davison-Long, who heads the unit based on Coolamon Scenic Drive just outside Mullum, says his crews responded to 26 requests and worked tirelessly Sunday night and all through Monday. ‘The call-outs were mostly for fallen trees and road blockages,’ he said.
Volunteers needed Additionally Mr Davison-Long says volunteers are needed to join the team, and those interested are encouraged to apply via the SES website at www.ses.nsw.gov.au. And as of going to press, nearly 200 north coast Essential Energy customers were still without power 72 hours after the storm. Those affected are in areas around Goonengerry and Federal, and an Essential Energy spokesperson said the main issue facing crews was trees that had fallen over power lines. ‘We’ve had to bring in vegetation contractors to get access to some heavily treed areas,’ she said.
Locals and visitors joined in Byron Bay’s protest on Sunday to remind our corporately sponsored politicians that immediate action is needed on climate change. Photo Jeff ‘Climatised Since 1986’ Dawson
Extra crews brought in
Dr Liz Elliott
‘Our crews were on the ground all Sunday night. They worked for 16 hours, which is the safe allowable maximum, and we’ve now brought in extra crews from Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Tweed Heads,’ she said. A total of 9,800 customers were taken off the grid by Sunday evening’s storms, which wreaked havoc around the region and caused damage to Lismore Base Hospital.
Around eight hundred locals joined in Byron Bay Railway Park on Sunday morning to tell the Paris Climate Conference what they want: a planet fit for forests, marine creatures and children. Millions all over the world came out over the weekend to raise their voices in a similar way. Colourful marches were held in almost every city, demanding that
the negotiators produce binding targets for real emissions reduction. Not carbon credits, which are another corporate centralised solution, but true reductions in fossil fuels and increased local short-haul economy support, organic agriculture and ceasing forest clearing. In the Byron march, the stormy weather miraculously abated for a few hours, while attendees heard speakers and musicians. It was bright, loving and informative.
Representatives of all the three major political parties spoke, and ecologist Mary Gardner spoke of the oceans. Helena Norberg-Hodge spoke of the need to build a movement to oppose corporate solutions to debt and climate change. Spirit, a 10-year-old girl, enchanted the audience with her pure song. Kudra Falla-Ricketts, from the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, received great applause. Climate angels hovered, and capoeira girls
pounded out Brazilian tunes. A heart-shaped human mandala was created in front of Beach Hotel, accompanied by song. Aboriginal elders spoke. Unfortunately, staging a rally now requires permits, plans and insurance, which makes free speech more convoluted. The Greens were very supportive in this regard. Overall it was wonderful expression of Byron’s spirit and defence of our gorgeous environment!
north byron parklands
T W E E D VA L L E Y WAY, W O OY U N G , 1 5 M I N S N O R T H O F B Y R O N B AY
dec 31 2015 Until jan 03 2016 NEW YEAR’S EVE
THE WOMBATS • HILLTOP HOODS • PEKING DUK • WAVVES • ‘WEIRD AL’ YANKOVIC ART VS SCIENCE • EL VEZ • BULLHORN • FLEETMAC WOOD
tickets on sale now at fallsfestival.com
P L AY I N G JA N 0 1 & JA N 0 2
FOALS • BLOC PARTY • DISCLOSURE • RÜFÜS • COURTNEY BARNETT • BIRDS OF TOKYO HALSEY • KURT VILE & THE VIOLATORS • JARRYD JAMES • MAC DEMARCO • MEG MAC PAUL KELLY PRESENTS THE MERRI SOUL SESSIONS • THE AVENER • DJANGO DJANGO GARY CLARK JR. • LITTLE MAY • THE MACCABEES • LEON BRIDGES • ALPINE • TORO Y MOI YOUNG FATHERS • ELLIPHANT • GANG OF YOUTHS • BØRNS • HIATUS KAIYOTE • SOAK KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD • MIAMI HORROR • SETH SENTRY • OH WONDER TIJUANA CARTEL • BOOTLEG RASCAL • GOONS OF DOOM • SPIRIT OF AKASHA