Free EDO seminar on gas exploration and production, 6-8pm 11 August 2011 at Casino RSM Club

FREE EDO Northern Rivers Seminar: Gas exploration and production

Three companies are currently exploring for coal seam and conventional gas in the Clarence Moreton Basin , which covers much of the Northern Rivers. Metgasco Limited already has approval for a gas-fired power station near Casino and is currently seeking planning approval for a gas pipeline from Casino over the Border Ranges to Ipswich . Red Sky Energy also recently announced coal seam and conventional gas discoveries between Casino and Grafton, and is intending to seek approval for a small power station in the area.
Various environmental and legal concerns have been raised about gas exploration and production by affected communities. EDO Northern Rivers is holding a public seminar to provide information about what is happening in the region; discuss the potential environmental impacts; explain the approval processes involved; and inform the community about their legal rights. Speakers will be from the EDO , Metgasco and the National Toxics Network.
Where : Casino RSM Club, 162 Canterbury St
When : 6-8 pm Thursday 11 August 2011
No need to book .
For more information, please contact Mark Byrne, EDO Northern Rivers Education Officer, (02) 6621 1113 or email.

Beer prices SLASHED in Yamba

How do they do it?

A Yamba hotel advertised that it was having a cheap grog night last night, Friday night, between 8.30pm and 10.00pm. Beer was going to be extra cheap because drinkers wouldn't have to pay GST on their beverages. However, that's only part of the story because drinkers at the hotel last night also didn't have to pay the carbon tax, the mining tax or the luxury tax.

North Coast Voices contacted the hotel yesterday and sought details about the "special offer". The hotel said that a schooner of beer which usually goes for about $4.50 would be discounted by 40%, resulting in a price of $2.50 ... (we won't discuss their mathematical skills here, that might be a subject for another day).
Hmmmm, wonder which authority will investigate operations at the hotel? Do we start with federal government authorities, state government authorities on local government authorities?

Pub art in Maclean NSW

The Maclean Hotel circa 1903 is situated in the centre of "The Scottish Town" and on the main thoroughfare, River Street.
This mural is on a wall in the beer garden.

Further along Maclean's main street is the second of the town's three pubs. The Argyll Hotel circa 1894 features an Art Space in its dining area.

Teh Bolta beginning to bomb?

Week 32 ratings at TV Tonight:

Sunday 31 July 2011

Ranking below 50

The Bolt Report Ten           

Total  119,000
Sydney 24,000   Melbourne 35,000  Brisbane 40,000  

Adelaide 4,000   Perth 15,000

The Bolt Report Encore Ten
Total  119,000
Sydney 20,000  Melbourne  15,000  Brisbane 45,000  

Adelaide 17,000 Perth 22,000

Crikey says it with graphs

Federal Minister for Home Affairs and Justice & Janelle Saffin MP announce additional Safer Communities funding for NSW Far North Coast

In July-August 2011, the Federal Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Brendan O’Connor & Member for Page Janelle Saffin jointly announced Safer Communities funding totalling $296,000 for projects in the Richmond Tweed and Kyogle local government areas.

The announcement follows grants under the same program in 2010 which saw NSW North Coast benefit.This new funding for NSW Far North Coast communities breaks down at follows…….

Richmond Valley Council is to receive:
$28,000 to go toward the development of a Youth Engagement Strategy to connect with young people in the community; and
$48,000 to fund a dedicated Graffiti Clean-Up Program.

Kyogle Council will get $70,000 for its Kyogle Memorial Project which will undertake:
the renovation of the Kyogle Youth Centre,
improved safety at the Memorial Park in Kyogle, and
the preparation of a shire-wide Crime Prevention Plan.

Lismore City Council had been awarded $100,000 for the Goonellabah Plan which will complement and expand upon the Changing the Tune - Goonellabah Youth Plaza initiative, which received $150,000 (spread over three years) from the Gillard Government last year.

Clarence Valley Council will be provided with an extra $50,000 towards its Youth Activities in Yamba (YAY) Project and will use these funds for a range of projects, including a dance, rap, music and video production program and an exhibition of art work produced by local young people.
Other activities such as mentoring camps will be run as part of this project to provide these young people with opportunities to develop life skills they can use in their community, and help them avoid crime and anti-social behaviour.
A mini bus will also be purchased to provide group transport for local young people to attend these and existing programs.