CANNABIS COMMITTEE SCHEDULES HEARINGS AT NSW PARLIAMENT AND LISMORE

By Robert Heyward

The Upper House committee investigating the regulatory framework for cannabis in New South Wales is set to conduct its second and third hearings on Monday, 19 August, at the NSW Parliament, and Tuesday, 20 August, at Invercauld House in Goonellabah.

The hearing on Monday will feature testimony from a diverse group of legal experts, medical professionals, academic scholars, medicinal cannabis companies, and representatives from Uniting NSW/ACT. Committee Chair, the Hon. Jeremy Buckingham MLC, expressed the committee’s eagerness to gather insights from these experts, stating, “It has become increasingly evident that our current cannabis laws have failed in the past and continue to fall short today. We look forward to hearing from the witnesses on how we can establish a regulatory framework that is fair, practical, and benefcial for the entire community.”

The committee will continue its inquiry on Tuesday in Lismore, where it will hear from a medicinal cannabis cultivator and manufacturer, academic researchers, activists, legal service providers, the Ted Noffs Foundation, and most importantly, individuals with lived experience.

Mr. Buckingham emphasized the importance of these personal testimonies, saying, “Hearing directly from those affected by the inequities of current cannabis laws is crucial to this

Pay Parking to Begin in Brunswick Heads on 30 September

By Robert Heyward

Pay parking meters will be installed in Brunswick Heads at the end of August, with operations set to commence on Monday, 30 September 2024.

The new pay parking zone covers the central

Permits per household (rateable property) free of charge to all eligible Byron Shire residents. These permits can be used at Council-owned pay parking spaces throughout the Byron Shire.

Phil Holloway, Council’s Director of village and commercial areas, extending from Tweed Street to the river, and from Fawcett Street and Mona Lane in the north to Fingal Street in the south. The zone also includes South Beach Road and the Torakina precinct.

A detailed map of the pay parking zone is available on the Council’s website at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/ Bruns-pay-parking.

During the 27 June Council meeting, Councillors resolved to provide two new Shire Resident Parking

Infrastructure Services, emphasized that these free permits aim to ensure local residents are not adversely affected by the introduction of pay parking in Brunswick Heads.

“Brunswick Heads has become increasingly popular, making it diffcult to fnd parking,” said Mr. Holloway.

“Pay parking is a way to better manage parking availability and generate revenue for improvements in the town and surrounding areas.”

Eligible residents inquiry. We’ve received evidence of barriers to accessing medicinal cannabis, the adverse effects of driving laws on those who need medicinal cannabis, and the uneven application of the Cannabis Cautioning Scheme. It is vital that we listen to regional stakeholders who can offer frsthand perspectives on these critical issues.”

Members of the public are invited to attend the hearings in person or watch the live broadcast on the NSW Parliament’s website. To attend the hearings, members of the public have two options:

1. In-Person Attendance: o Monday, 19 August 2024: The hearing will be held at the NSW Parliament in Sydney. o Tuesday, 20 August 2024: The hearing will take place at Invercauld House, Goonellabah in Lismore. o There is no need to register in advance, but it is advisable to arrive early to secure seating as space may be limited.

2. Online Attendance: o The hearings will be broadcast live on the NSW Parliament’s website. You can watch the proceedings from anywhere by visiting the site during the scheduled times.

For further details on timing, location, and how to access the live broadcast, please visit the inquiry’s webpage by scanning the QR code below.

Rave Reviews for Tweed’s Newest Fast EV Chargers

can apply for the two new Shire Resident Parking Permits starting 16 September via the Council’s website. Residents who previously purchased a $55 Shire Resident Parking Permit can continue using them until they expire. Additional permits can be purchased online for $55 per permit, if needed.

For those without a Shire Resident Parking Permit, various payment options will be available, including cash meters, Pay by Plate cashless parking meters, and phone apps. Parking costs $5 per hour, with a daily cap of $25.

For comprehensive information about the new pay parking scheme in Brunswick Heads, visit Pay parking in Brunswick Heads.

To learn more about the free Resident Pay Parking permits and other parking permit options, visit the Parking Permits page on the Council’s website.

Additional details about the Traffc Area Zone for Brunswick Heads and eligibility for permits are also available on the site under Parking Permit Types & Supporting Documents.

Salt Village has become a new favourited for electric vehicle (EV) drivers, joining other Tweed shopping centres, venues, and tourism accommodations by installing four fast charge plugs for EVs. Since their opening in May 2024, the chargers have quickly gained popularity among EV drivers, who appreciate the beauty and convenience of this picturesque location as a perfect spot to take a break while recharging. To use the new chargers, drivers simply need to download the Evie app, pre-approve payment, plug in, and enjoy the destination. The chargers feature variable pricing, allowing drivers to take advantage of low-cost power during the day when excess solar energy is available on the electricity grid. For more information on electric vehicles and EV charging, including a map of Tweed’s EV charging stations, visit Electric vehicles | Tweed Shire Council.

Unleash Your Wild Side at Woombah Wild

Explore the newly renovated play space at Woombah, designed to spark fun and adventure for children of all ages.

Nestled amidst lush native trees, towering palms, and vibrant subtropical plants, Woombah Wild offers a true escape into nature. The upgraded play area features an exciting tunnel slide tower, a junior slide, and a challenging climbing wall. For those seeking a bit more excitement, there’s a gyro swing, interactive musical instruments, and a rocking fre truck. Families will appreciate the new shaded picnic shelters, comfortable seating, and upgraded amenities, including a BBQ shelter ideal for gatherings. These enhancements were made in alignment with the Open Space Strategic Plan, Open Spaces Asset Management Plan, Disability Inclusion Action Plan, and Playground Policy, ensuring a space that is inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable for all.

N.Q. ADVENTURES

‘Leemo Cat’ back. Oooh, good news from our house. ‘Mum Jane’ told me this she reckons she’s on an upward trajectory a er 2 weeks of coughing, spluttering, irritability & moany stu Hallelujah! e standards of my ‘treats’ & ‘brushing’ have also improved! e other ni y thing was that my buddie ‘Matilda’ Magpie turned up a er her winter sojourn to Far NQ & sat on our front railing trilling my name. I couldn’t wait to race out for a chat & ask about her adventures; I got Mum to make her some food & Mum even came out to greet her! ‘Matilda’ had us enthralled trilling about her travels; (which beats Mum reading me ‘Badjelly the Witch’ for the millionth time.)

‘Matilda’ went right up to Cairns & all around.

‘Cos she can y, she did slow glides over places like the Butter y Aviary which has over 2000 tropical butter ies; she landed atop Captain Cook’s statue, snuk into the Tolga Bat Hospital, hitched a ride on both the Railway train at Kuranda & a Croc & Crab boat trip at Karumba; she even went to the Castle at Paronella Park & told us it was built by Jose & Margarita Paronella who were from Spain; it stood on the banks of Mena Creek & featured a dance oor area above which hung the rst ‘disco ball’ in Australia. It was a 1 metre wide mirror ball which turned and re ected 1270 tiny hand cut circular pieces of mirrors, which, snow ake like, re ected over the whole room. I glanced at Mum’s face;

Crikey, she was kinda like, in a trance with a far away look on her face. I asked if she was OK & even ‘Matilda’ had her head to one side enquiringly looking at Mum. Well, it turns out when she was little, Mum lived with her family in places like Mourilyan & Ravenshoe & Townsville & Magnetic Island (OMG..were Mum’s parents gypsies, travelling forth in a horse pulled caravan?) & she knew about Paronella Park & other places ‘Matilda’ was telling us about in NQ. Oooh, how ni y, Mum’s having a reminisce. She spoke a er a few minutes, ‘Matilda’ did you go to Etty Bay? Did you see the big Groper at Mourilyan Harbour? Did you see the cane- elds burning at harvest time? Did you get to the Millstream or Tully Falls at Ravenshoe? What about Castle Hill in Townsville? Did you y to the top to see the Saint painting? What about the granite boulders, rock wallabies and the many koalas who live on Magnetic Island?’ ‘Matilda’ was looking somewhat befuddled by all these questions & swooped up a tree to rest. When she came back, Mum & I were waiting. ‘Matilda’ told us she was truly was ‘ ight-lagged’ from her journey but would tell us about a new birdie buddy she met and then more stu tomorrow. OK..Mum & I agreed! (For a change!) ‘Well, trilled ‘Matilda’ I met a most a stunning Sooty Owl (Lesser) which has a heart-like white face and looks so handsome & so very regal; I reckon he rather looks like ‘Hedwig’ the owl from the Harry Potter tales. I’ve named ‘MY’ Nth Qld owl buddy ‘Oskar’; he has promised he will visit me when he can so you’ll get to meet him. Well my friends ‘Leemo’ & ‘Mum Jane’, it is really is ni y to be home and see you both, but I best go see my magpie family to nd out all the goss.’ Oooh, how wonderful having ‘Matilda’ home & ‘Mum Jane’ on the mend. I shall go lie on the warm grass. With contented purrsies. Leemo.