THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 25 #12 Tuesday, August 24, 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
H U N G , D R AW N A N D T H WA R T E D
Elliot holds Richmond Michael McDonald
While the federal election outcome waits on horse trading between the major parties and independents, there was no surprise in Richmond. Labor’s Justine Elliot hung on to her seat, albeit with a swing against her. Despite a late start and competition from a Liberals candidate, the Nationals’ Alan Hunter proved to be the main contender to Elliot, polling 21.7 per cent of the primary vote. On two party preferences with 79 per cent of the vote counted Elliot had 38,861 votes or 56.91 per cent to Nationals candidate Alan Hunter’s 29,426 votes.
Primary vote result On the primary vote Elliot picked up 27,287 votes or 39 per cent, and Hunter 15,053. Liberals Joan van Lieshout came next on 12,836, followed by Greens Joe Ebono 11,008. Among the independents Tweed community activist Julie Boyd fared best with 807 votes, followed by Matthew Hartley 675, Stephen Hegedus 664, Nic Faulkner 466 and then Dem-
Art Expo’s new venue
ocrats David Robinson 406. Van Lieshout’s reputation as a Tweed councillor counted for little in Byron Shire, most of the votes going to Elliot, Ebono and Hunter. Of the 18 Byron booths, Elliot took ten and Ebono eight. Elliot’s support was mostly in the towns and Ebono in the hinterland. Revenge on the local Greens failed to manifest in the hills, with Ebono taking 46 per cent of the vote at Main Arm Upper, 50 at Goonengerry and 58 at Wilsons Creek. Ebono even edged out Elliot in Mullumbimby, 33 per cent to 31. Independent candidate Julie Boyd issued a final statement after the event: ‘Can we please stop the bickering now, and work to clean this mess up, starting with shared leadership. ‘Julia Gillard can have Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, Tony Abbott can have Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and Bob Brown can have Sundays to clean up the mess they create and set the agenda for the next week!’ See full results at http://vtr.aec. gov.au
Electricity network receives $8.8 million boost Country Energy says it has begun work on an $8.8 million project to build a new zone substation and upgrade powerlines near Byron Bay. The upgrade is part of a $70 million investment of the Lismore to Mullumbimby electricity networks. It was approved by the NSW Department of Planning in 2009, following the completion of environmental, social and heritage studies. ‘The investment project will secure the power supply for the fastest growing region well into the future,’ Far North Coast regional general manager Richard Wake said. ‘The 18-month project includes construction of a new zone substation north-west of Suffolk Park
and upgrading the transmission network from 66,000 volts to 132,000 volts to increase power supply capacity and reliability,’ Mr Wake said. Country Energy’s civil contractors have begun preparatory works, including constructing a minor access road on private property at the end of Yagers Lane in Skinners Shoot. Construction of the new zone substation is due to begin later this year. ‘The network upgrade will secure the area’s future energy needs for at least the next 20 to 25 years, based on forecast growth figures,’ Mr Wake said. Anyone wanting more information can visit www.countryenergy.com.au/ upgrades.
Elemental artists Catik with her piece entitled ‘Beach Balls’ and past award winner and workshop host Turiya Bruce have their entries set for the Expo Story & Photo Eve Jeffery
Organisers of the new and improved Ocean Shores Art Expo are drawing for this year’s theme ‘The Elements’ and are all fired up about the show which will open its doors this weekend. Its new venue is the Ocean Shores Public School. ‘After a year of hard work by the OSAE team, we are
proud to present to you this year’s greatest art event in the north of the Shire,’ says organiser Ri Fraser. ‘The auditorium gives us the space we needed to expand in response to the continuous groundswell of creative activity in the Byron Shire.’ Ri says that artists have entered more works than ever before with over 220 artworks, many are entered in our continued on page 2
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