THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 25, #1 Tuesday, June 8, 2010 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 21,000 copies every week
MILES TO GO BEFORE WE SLEEP
Twister trashes Lennox Head A water spout came ashore at Lennox Head last Thursday, became a tornado and trashed houses and caravans. The state government declared a disaster, made more difficult by asbestos spread across the town. Paramedics received multiple triple zero calls for assistance but there were few injuries despite the level of property damage. Byron Shire SES Controller Noel McAviney said that there were some storm affected areas in the Shire, though nothing as devastating as Lennox Head. ‘We ended up getting nine callouts in total after the storm,’ said Mr McAviney. ‘We had two trees over cars. One of the cars had the back window smashed in and one was pretty badly damaged. Both of the cars were in Mullumbimby. The other seven calls we got were from people in the Suffolk Park area, mostly from people with water in their home.’ Mr McAviney said that the Byron SES had their hands full in their own backyard on Thursday but were able
to send teams to Lennox Head on Friday and Saturday to help out with the cleanup. Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge has warned storm victims to avoid unlicensed traders when carrying out repair work on their property. ‘Unlicensed traders often target storm affected areas hoping to make a quick buck from vulnerable residents,’ said Ms Judge on Thursday afternoon. The Southern Cross Credit Union has kicked off a Lennox Head Tornado Appeal. In conjunction with the Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce, Southern Cross started a relief fund with a $1,000 donation to the appeal. ‘This small coastal town has immediately displayed its strong spirit by supporting affected residents,’ said Neale Wilson from SCCU’s Lennox Head branch. ‘We have set up a dedicated account for donations.’ Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal can ask at any Southern Cross Credit Union branch across the Northern Rivers.
Emergency crews get to work in the storm at Lennox Head last Thursday. Photo courtesy Christopher Dean.
Pleasing the palms at naturefest
About a dozen participants attended Lelarnie O’Sullivan’s traditional palm basket-making workshop at last weekend’s Brunswick Valley Nature Festival. This basket was made for transporting large quantities of paperwork by Broken Head resident Jan Barham. The festival in part marked World Environment Day on Sunday, and included the Visions of the Valley photographic exhibition, workshops, talks and walks. Photo Jeff ‘Basket Case’ Dawson
David Holmgren tackles sustainable futures Residents of the Byron Shire will have the opportunity to attend a presentation by renowned permaculture designer David Holmgren. Speaking for one night only on Thursday June 17 in Mullumbimby, Mr Holmgren will be sharing his experience on creative ways society can navigate through the challenges of climate change and peak oil. David Holmgren is internationally recognised as the co-originator of the Permaculture Design System and inspirer of the Transition Initiatives. David Holmgren said, ‘The simultaneous onset of climate change and the peaking of global oil supply represent unprecedented challenges for human civilisation. ‘The night will look at an integrated approach to understanding the potential interaction between climate
cally evolved over the last 30 years to creatively respond to futures that involve progressively less and less available energy. Local food and drinks will be available from the Mullumbimby Community Garden and Transition Byron Shire during the event. The Planning for Local Resilience presentation is an initiative of Byron Shire Council in conjunction with Transitions Byron Shire and contributes to achieving objectives of the Byron Shire Greenhouse Action Strategy. Cost of tickets is $10 and they can be reserved by registering via email Photo Maureen Corbett sustainability@byron.nsw.gov.au. Parchange and peak oil using a scenario ticipants are asked to arrive at 5:45pm planning model.’ for a 6pm start. Mr Holmgren will also review perSee more about David Holmgren at maculture as a design system specifi- www.holmgren.com.au.
enrich your spirit
www.crystalcastle.com.au Open 7 Days 10am-5pm (NSW time) 81 Monet Drive, Mullumbimby 40 mins from Tweed Heads 20 mins from Byron Bay (02) 6684 3111
<echowebsection=Local News>