Tuesday 19 June 2012
Coal seam gas industry's one man PR team
Barry O'Farrell robs around 1,400 pensioners living in the Page electorate
Whale Meat FAIL
Monday 18 June 2012
The Chris Gulaptis Travelling Photo Show
Chris Gulaptis as he appears on the NSW Parliamentary website |
In a late development, the lads at our local watering hole reckon the reason the local member's photo isn't on the website is because Farry O'Barrell put a freeze on public spending at parliament house so we'll have to wait until the 2013/14 budget when carpenters can be employed to undertake the task of increasing the width of the top of the doorways at the photo studio. Currently, all doorways are standard sized, but enlarged doorways are needed if the Member for Clarence is going to get his swollen head through them.
A timely reminder that suspected corrupt conduct can be reported online to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption
Moves to have a crematorium on the Lower Clarence
Clarence Valley Council has a proposal before it to have a crematorium on Chatsworth Island.
The hot spot earmarked to get the new facility is 441 Chatsworth Road, Chatsworth Island.
That location is currently occupied by a two-storey brick home that sticks out like dogs' b#lls.
It's just a stone throw off
the Pacific Highway immediately south of the Mororo Bridge near the Iluka turnoff.
The last price tag on the property which covers about 1.75 acres (7,000 m2) was $325k.
Image credits: LJHooker, Maclean
Sometimes regional newspapers has a better grasp on Abbott & Co than the national media
Sunday 17 June 2012
Daily Examiner subeditors asleep at their desks
Sample 1:
Sample 2:
Rubbery electricity price rise claims from the NSW Government in June 2012
* Endeavour Energy is a statutory State owned corporation, established under the Energy Services Corporations Act 1995 (NSW) and the State Owned Corporations Act 1989 (NSW).
Pacific Highway Stoush: local media fires up the blowtorch
"My Government preference remains for the duplication to be completed by 2016, in line with our 2004 commitment [and] ... is willing to provide our share of the additional funded needed ... if the NSW Government will match our funding commitment..."
BARRY O'FARRELL - MARCH 8, 2011
"Only the NSW Liberals and Nationals are committed to completing the upgrade of the Pacific Highway by 2016."
ANDREW STONER - OCTOBER 28, 2009
"[Premier] Nathan Rees can't pass the buck on this issue. The upgrade of the Pacific Highway is a State Government responsibility, so it's up to them to get the job done.
"If elected to Government in 2011, we will make the upgrade of the Pacific Highway a top priority."
DUNCAN GAY - OCTOBER 10, 2007
"I would hope this time he (then roads minister Eric Roozendaal) would have been a statesman and say, 'Yes I will match that money and save the lives of people in NSW that have to use this highway'."
ANDREW FRASER - OCTOBER 21, 2009
"I pay credit to the Rudd [Labor] Government ... for increasing the funding... The Pacific Highway is a State road that effectively causes the loss of one life a week.
"The State Government must increase its commitment... As ... Mr Albanese pointed out ... the Federal Government is actually carrying the State..."
NRMA PRESIDENT WENDY MACHIN - FEBRUARY 27, 2012
"It was the Howard Government that set the 50/50 funding split for the Pacific Highway from 2006 and the NRMA has supported this approach since day one.
"While in Opposition, the current NSW Government frequently called on the NSW Labor Government to match federal funding for the Pacific Highway dollar-for-dollar and we supported this call too."
The Daily Examiner could have added the local state member of parliament to this list……………….
And this is the excuse offerd by the Clarence Nats for his backflip.........
"Valleys Unite
THE contributors who write on politically based news articles leave me wondering what party, if any, do they support to assist in running this country. It is very easy to sit back and criticise day in day out. What are they actually doing to be constructive?
Our newest MP Chris Gulaptis is finding his feet, working long hours to represent us. Regardless of individuals' alliance, assistance to rally support for our valleys would be more productive.
Well done DEX for their latest initiative to produce a video petition to submit to governments regarding the Pacific Highway.
We need the voices from all walks of life to be heard. Can you truly expect one person to do all the work. We need to unite, regardless of political affiliation to be heard in regional Australia.
Whether you voted for Chris or not, he is our voice. We should be supporting him in every way possible to achieve what our valleys deserve. This constant political bickering is no different to those at the top running our country. We shouldn't be led by their example, but be the electorate that can unite and achieve.
Fiona Leviny
Chairman Clarence Electorate for NSW Nationals"{The Daily Examiner on 15th June 2012}
Garn! The bloke’s been in politics one way or another since the 1990s. He was a waste of space then and he’s a waste of space now.
Appealing to community spirit won’t change the politically spineless character of “our voice”.
Positive outcomes happen in spite of Gulaptis not because of him.
I swear he must practice his ignorance before going to bed each night
FAMILIES who receive welfare benefits can afford to have children more than others, according to Tony Abbott….
Saturday 16 June 2012
Who farted in the pool? Was it Jan or Shirley? No one will ever know if you don't tell us.
That, readers, is the Coffs Coast Advocate's novel way of getting readers to provide it with newsworthy events. The Advocate gets top marks today for that one.
ROFLOL #AskTony
Robin Hood O'Farrell, giving to the rich and taking from the poor
If you think this couldn't happen in Australia then blithely vote Libs or Nats at next federal election
Friday 15 June 2012
A $64 question: who is the current Member for Clarence?
Chris Gulaptis, a bloke who's keeping a green leather bench in the NSW Lower House warm, must spend half his time looking over his shoulder to see what his old mate Steve "Scandal" Cansdell is up to.
The occupants of premises in the village of Harwood Island have a poster of their pin-up boy on the wall of their building. And guess what! It's not Chris. Yes, that's right, it's good old Steve.
That has to be a real vote of confidence for the newcomer.
The Northern Rivers Rocks To Protect Its Tomorrows
Sorta says it all about the JuLIAR crew
Thursday 14 June 2012
Metgasco and Richmond Valley Council partners in unlawfully dumping of coal seam gas mining wastewater
These articles raise as many questions as answers about the apparently cosy relationship between Metgasco and Richmond Valley Council mayor, councillors, senior management - remembering Mayor Col Sullivan supported Cr. Stuart George's decision to become a land administration officer with this CSG mining company in 2011.
Lock the Gate Northern Rivers:
Lock the Gate Northern Rivers has received confirmation from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) that Metgasco have been disposing of wastewater from its coal seam gas exploration activities illegally at the Casino Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for almost a year.
This wastewater disposal practice represents a violation of both the gas company’s water management plan as well as the Richmond Valley Council’s STP license and both parties have been told by the EPA to stop immediately.
This information is contained in a letter from the EPA to lawyers acting for Lock the Gate Northern Rivers which was received late last week. A copy of the letter is available on request.
“We found out in March that Metgasco may be removing wastewater from their holding ponds to stop them overflowing and raised our concerns with Richmond Valley Council at that time,” said Boudicca Cerese, spokesperson for Lock the Gate Alliance Northern Rivers.
“Council then referred the matter to the EPA who have now confirmed that Metgasco have disposed of more than 1 million litres of CSG wastewater at the Casino sewage plant since March 2011 in breach of conditions for management of the plant.”
“This disposal practice makes it obvious that Metgasco’s holding ponds are unable to contain the volumes of wastewater produced in drilling operations, despite repeated assurances by them that the ponds are sufficient and will not overflow during heavy rainfall events.”
“The whole matter indicates complete disregard by Metgasco of the regulations under which this industry is supposed to operate, an apparent lack of concern for the impacts of their activities on the environment, and an inability to properly manage the operations which they are undertaking”.
“What we are seeing is an abysmal failure of the current system to properly manage this harmful industry, with industry and local council both flouting existing regulations and a state government that is failing in its duty of care by neglecting to monitor and control the industry.”
“We are calling on the state government to suspend all of Metgasco’s CSG operations in the region and fully investigate their activities to ensure that no further unlawful practices are taking place.”
“It should not be up to local residents to monitor and report on these companies – that is the role of government and for all their talk about strengthening regulation of the industry, they are currently missing in action on this issue,” she said.
The Northern Star 13 June 2012:
But Metgasco has failed to see what all the fuss is about.
In a statement, chief executive Peter Henderson said that all of the company's operations, including the management of "produced water", was approved by "government authorities".
He also said the discharge was safe.
"We have independent technical advice that produced water ... can be discharged safely to the local sewage plant," he said.
Council general manager John Walker said the council had misinterpreted its licence conditions, but he said the council alerted the EPA after concerns regarding the practice were raised with the council.
"We did it, we thought it was okay, it's not okay so we won't do it any more," Mr Walker said.
On Saturday 8 September 2012 all NSW councils will hold an election, including Richmond Valley Council. Something residents and ratepayers might like to start thinking about right now.
Best description of Tony Abbott MHR so far?
Wednesday 13 June 2012
Tell Yahoo! Japan to stop advertising whale meat
O'Farrell Government confirms Carbon Price Modelling correct according to the Member for Page
NSW Government confirms the carbon price modelling is correct
Page MP Janelle Saffin has shown Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to be at odds with his State colleagues in NSW about the impact of the carbon price on the cost of living.
“I asked the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and Minister for Industry and Innovation Greg Combet, in Parliament last week about the measures that the Federal Government is putting into place to help families, pensioners and communities with the effect of the carbon price,” said Ms. Saffin.
“The carbon price is designed to bring the level of polluting gasses down over time which will benefit generations for years to come,”
“It’s a complex scheme as it’s about restructuring the economy and I want to see that it has as little impact as possible on people.”
The Minister responded to the question from the Page MP by asserting that Mr Abbott’s claims that the price impact of the carbon price will be “unimaginable” were extremely deceitful.
“I note that in Page, the NSW Government said the carbon price impact on Ballina Shire Council will be $61,799. But what it failed to point out to locals is that this represents an increase of just 0.4 per cent of the council’s total rates income,” said Ms Saffin.
Mr Combet, in answering the question from Ms Saffin, advised that the NSW Local Government Minister recently issued a press release showing council rates will rise 0.4% as a result of the carbon price.
“For the average household, Deputy Speaker, this is 6 cents a week,”
“The NSW Government, has actually confirmed the Treasury forecasts, .
“To help households, this Labor Government is providing tax cuts, increases in family payments, pensions and other benefits.
“All up, an extra $10.10 per week on average will be delivered through the Government’s Household Assistance Package.” said Mr. Combet.
In Page, more than 33,000 pensioners will receive extra $338 extra per year if they are single and an extra $510 per year for couples; more than 12,700 people will receive increase in family assistance payments and; 43,000 taxpayers will receive a tax cut.
Ms Saffin said the Federal Government’s household assistance package should be welcomed by people living in Page.
“Most families feel the pressure of modern costs of living but Mr Abbott’s negative scare mongering won’t do anything to help households cope with these pressures,”
“In contrast, the government’s payments will put extra cash into household budgets to provide real relief and help with cost of living pressures.” said Ms Saffin.
Wednesday 6 June, 2012 Media contact: Matt Dunne 0417 287 456
Tony Abbott & political posters 'n' placards
The Finnigan's Home of The BISONs on 1st June 2012:
Tony Abbott is Upset Over this in Tanya Pilbersek's Electoral Office
But he is happy with this
Tuesday 12 June 2012
North Carolina attempts to make a law turning back the sea
Scott Steel, closet marsupial, accidental blogger, poll analyst - seer
Monday 11 June 2012
A factual perspective to the school funding debate
Letter writer Phil Francis points out some salient facts in the education funding debate in today's Daily Examiner.
Heavy lifters
Why did the comprehensive Gonski review call for changes to the way schools are funded? Because public schools are there for all - they do the 'heavy lifting' by catering for disadvantaged children.
Consider these facts . . .
Public school/Private school enrolments are in the ratio 66:34. The equivalent ratio for 'At Risk students' is 79:21; for ESL New Arrivals Program: 91:9; for Students with Disabilities and Special Needs: 80:20; for Indigenous Students: 86:14; The proportion of students enrolled in remote public schools is 1.8% compared to 0.8% in private schools; for very remote schools 1.2% compared to 0.3%. These figures delve to the heart of where funding should be directed.
Public schools have a legal and moral responsibility to be open to all students; private schools don't and aren't.
Phill Francis, Wooloweyah
On the NSW North Coast the third tier of government continues to chaff under short-sighted O'Farrell Government policies
Clarence Valley Shire Council
Committee: ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY
Section: Notice of Motion – Councillor Sue Hughes
Date: 12 June 2012
Item: 14.005/12 COAL SEAM GAS
To the General Manager, Clarence Valley Council
SUMMARY
I propose that the following report and notice of motion be submitted to Council.
PROPOSED MOTION
That Council:
1. Acknowledge their statutory responsibilities in relation to planning development applications and assessment, Council as a matter of social responsibility and in the long term sustainability interests of the environment and the community which they represent, support a moratorium on Coal Seam Gas activities within the Clarence Valley area until there are clear land use legislation and policies enacted by the NSW Government to responsibly guide and regulate the Coal Seam Gas industry.
2. Note the 35 recommendations in the Report from the NSW Government's General Purpose Standing Committee No. 5 on Coal Seam Gas and write to the NSW Government expressing the desire for the outcomes to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
3. Notes the list of roads handed to the Mayor in Lismore at the regional rally 12 May 2012 by residents of the Ewingar district declaring the road reserves CSG free.....................
Coffs Harbour City Council
NOM12/3 – Opposition to Private Shooting in National Parks.
14 June 2012
Councillor Mark Graham has given notice of his intention to move:
Purpose:
That Council note:
1. The NSW Government is seeking to allow private shooting in national parks and other conservation reserves.
2. The NSW Government proposes to allow private shooting in conservation reserves in the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area.
3. It is irresponsible for any government to be proposing an activity which will be dangerous to members of the public and others who use conservation reserves for recreational purposes.
4. While feral animal control is an important activity, it is only safe and effective when undertaken professionally and as humanely as possible. This can only be achieved through the resourcing of professional control programs implemented by state conservation agencies.
That council:
1. Oppose this dangerous proposal by the NSW government; and
2. Write to the Premier and the Environment Minister in opposition to the proposal to allow private shooting in conservation reserves.