Come frolic at Yamba and and Surf the Coldstream on 20 October 2012

Surfing the Coldstream Festival Program

20 October 2012

 

Yamba Flinders Park

Run Time Main Stage Second Stage Tennis Court

 

Midday – 12:30pm Ulo

12:30 – 1:00pm Spaghetti Circus

1:10 – 1:30pm Four Way St

1:30 – 2:00pm Opening

2:00 – 2:40pm Emily Wenham

2:40 – 3:00pm Dom

3:00 – 3:40pm Siskin River

3:40 – 4:00pm Sandy Feet

4:00 – 4:40pm The Easy Escape

4:40 – 5:00pm The Wet Suits

5:oo – 5:40pm Parade

5:40 – 6:00pm Then Joelene

6:00 – 6:40pm Mostaccio

6:40 – 7:00pm Then Joelene

7:00 – 7:40pm The Good Ship

7:40 – 8:00pm Then Joelene

8:oo – 8:40pm Marshall Okell

8:40 – 9:00pm Shultzee’s Burn

9:000 – 10:00pm Jeff Lang

 

Yamba CBD Busking

Run Time Act Location

 

9:00 – 9:30am Ukulele Group Cnr Wooli & Yamba St

9:00 – 9;30am Emily Wenham Cnr Yamba & Coldstream St

9:00 – 9:30am Alakasam The Block

9:00 – 9:30am Balloon Magic Cnr Wooli & Yamba St

9:30 – 10:00am Then Joelene Cnr Wooli & Yamba St

9:30 – 10:00am Mostachio The Block

9:45 – 10:00am Alakasam Cnr Yamba & Coldstream St

10:00 – 10:30am Sandy Feet Sol Cantina

10:00 – 10:30am Siskin River Cnr Yamba & Coldstream St

10:15 – 10:30am Alakasam Cnr Wooli & Yamba St

10:15 – 10:30am Balloon Magic The Block

10:30 – 11:00am Then Joelene The Block

10:30 – 11:00am Emily Wenham Cnr Wooli & Yamba St

10:45 – 11:00am Balloon Magic Cnr Wooli & Yamba St

11:00 – 11:30am Sandy Feet Sol Cantina

11:00 – 11:30am Mostachio Cnr Yamba & Coldstream St

11:30 – Midday The Good Ship The Block

Departing midday from the Block the Magic Bus will transport everyone to Flinders Park

 

 

Address: Flinders Reserve, Main Beach, Yamba (map)

Contact Name: Dave Irving

Phone: (02) 6646 3091

Email: liveprawnproductions@gmail.com

Website: www.surfingthecoldstream.com.au

 Photographs from Google Images

This Stoner-Gulaptis pea and thimble trick would be laughable if it didn't affect NSW North Coast families

 

It is good to see The Daily Examiner is not letting go of this subject:

 

THE 45 jobs Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner came to Grafton to announce are now being advertised.

There will be 41 clerical and administration positions for which the salary will be between $54,742 - $59,512.

The remaining four jobs will consist of leadership roles which will pay $82,000- $91,000 and $108,000 for the top job.

Even if the people who apply for these jobs negotiate their pay for the top figures suggested, the total value of this project in terms of wages for the Clarence Valley will be just over $2.9 million per year.

This figure is substantially less than the $9 million in wages the Valley lost when the State Government down-scaled the jail and a far cry from fulfilling Mr Stoner's famous claim to an ABC journalist that his Government would leave Grafton better off in terms of public service jobs.

None of these jobs will involve contracts longer than three years, said a spokesman from the department of Crown Lands……

These Crown Land Division public service positions were first advertised at Jobs NSW on 2 October 2012 and applications close on 14 October 2012.

Only 43 of the 45 mentioned appear to be Grafton-based - the remaining two are at Newcastle.

None seem to have been advertised in Clarence Valley media and, as the Crown Lands office in Grafton was already marked by O'Farrell's razor gang to lose seven permanent positions and another twenty may also be affected, one has to wonder if all these jobs Stoner is talking about are actually being filled internally within the department and therefore will not be available to the one hundred or so people made redundant as a result of the Grafton Gaol closure.

Click on image to enlarge

 

Get ready to Rock the Gate on Saturday 13 October 2012 at Murwillumbah during the National Week of Action

My Daily News 28 September 2012:

MURWILLUMBAH will host what could be the biggest stand against coal seam gas mining through the Lock the Gate Alliance National Week of Action during October.

On Saturday, October 13, the week kicks off with a rally from 10am and concert labelled "Rock the Gate - Northern Rivers."

High profile speakers will join a march through the Murwillumbah CBD, with as well a concert planned from 1pm.

"The National Week of Action has been called by Lock the Gate Alliance to give local communities a chance to stand up against the rapid expansion of coal and coal seam gas activities," said lock the gate Tweed's Michael McNamara……

 

Can our Northern Rivers cope with the amount of water extraction required by foreshadowed mining ventures?

 

NSW Coal, Mineral & Petroleum Mining Titles October 2012

Click to enlarge

 

Perhaps questions should be asked about the average number of dams per operational mining license, as envisaged by the NSW Government, and tally them up across each Northern Rivers catchment as to expected total dam volume and estimated megalitres of extracted river water required over the life of each mining venture.

Can highly variable and environmentally sensitive river systems cope with this additional water extraction?

 

NSW Legislative Council 2012 Adequacy of water storages in NSW (Inquiry):
 

Given the historical long term and recent increasing trends (as noted above), the DSC expects that the number of prescribed dams will continue to grow – particularly for the following reasons:

 

The current on-going significant activity and development in the mining industry, involving the continued evolution of mine tailings and storage dams.

 

Investigation and development of coal seam gas extraction – which will require some holding reservoirs for the water that is obtained as part of the extraction process……..

 

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/2a2ecc1c47e1a218ca257a7d0018f77f/$FILE/AQO-Dams%20Safety%20Committee.pdf

 

Growing old in the Lucky Country

ABC News 3rd October 2012

2GB haemorrhages advertisers and Jones loses appeal against court ruling that he indulged in "racial vilification"

 

From Change.org

 

Brisbane Times 2 October 2012:

 

The list of sponsors pulling out of broadcaster Alan Jones's radio program following his comments about the prime minister's father is growing…

 

The 2009  Administrative Decisions Tribunal ruling, that in a radio broadcast on 28 April 2005  Alan Jones was guilty of racial vilification was upheld on appeal this week.

 

SBS World News 2 October 2012:

 

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Alan Jones' comments about the prime minister's late father are "wrong, unacceptable and offensive" but he won't be boycotting the 2GB broadcaster or banning him from Liberal fundraisers.

 

It would appear that the only person still afraid of Alan Jones is Australia’s Federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott.

Newspaper circulation figures show decline on NSW North Coast

 

Weekday circulation figures for principal regional daily newspapers according to AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER HISTORY GROUP NEWSLETTER No. 69 October 2012:

 

 Click on table to enlarge

 

The only regional daily to record an increase in the audited period to the end of June was the Gold Coast Bulletin (up 221 sales, or 0.61 per cent). The remainder recorded declines of from 0.33 per cent (Broken Hill) to 11.05 per cent (Gympie). And, of course, the Daily News on the Tweed coast is no longer a daily printed publication. It closed on 3 December 2011.

Gulaptis won't ever vote for any same-sex marriage because it isn't " an age old tradition"

Firmly placing his foot in his mouth Nationals MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis confirmed to the Clarence Valley Review on 26 September 2012 that he would not be supporting a same-sex marriage bill if one came before the NSW Parliament, saying he supported maintaining marriage as a tradition between a man and a woman and likened maintaining the traditional approach to marriage to preservation of heritage buildings.

Wonder if he has been taking public relations tips from Senator Bernardi?

Photograph from Google Images

Tweed locks the gate against Alan Jones

Rock the Gate does the Northern Rivers proud:

" SHOCK jock Alan Jones has been dumped as headline speaker at an anti-coal seam gas rally on the Tweed next week, with organisers condemning him as a 'thoughtless bastard' for his extraordinary personal attack on Julia Gillard.

Alan Jones has become a champion of the anti-CSG movement, telling the National Press Club last week that prime farming land was being turned into 'a quarry and a worthless lunar landscape' by miners.

The right-wing commentator, who grew up on a farm on the Darling Downs, has even sided with the Greens on the issue.

Jones was to have been guest speaker at the 'Rock the Gate' anti-CSG rally and concert at Murwillumbah on October 13.

But after a public outcry and threats of a boycott, organiser Michael McNamara said the controversial Sydney broadcaster's invitation to speak at the event had been withdrawn...."

What the NSW Minister for Resources and Energy said about coal seam gas mining before he became part of the O'Farrell Government

 

The NSW Minister for Resources and Energy demonstrates that he is always capable of a full 360 degree turn.

 

NSW LA Hansard 3 May 2005:

 

Mr CHRIS HARTCHER (Gosford) [4.41 p.m.]:

…However, the people of the Central Coast cannot be sacrificed on the altar of economic expediency. Their entitlement to clean, safe water must be paramount……

It is well-known that in the northern Pilliga forest, massive environmental damage was caused by Eastern Star Gas at its Bohena No. 2 drill site as a result of exploration practices. Experiences in the United States of America, and in the State of Wyoming especially, clearly demonstrate disastrous problems associated with this industry through groundwater loss, contamination and waste water. Water is used extensively in gas exploration, as it is in gas mining and development…

 

ABC News 18 August 2012:

 

The Minister for Energy and Resources, Chris Hartcher, has told an energy forum in Armidale that coal seam gas will be accepted as an energy source, just like uranium.

The Minster says he's convinced that public concern surrounding the coal seam gas industry will subside over time, just like the debate over uranium.

How to get on Interpol's Wanted List

 

This is Vladimer Bedukadze. Has to be a bad b#gger, right? After all the Georgian Government issued a Red Notice seeking his arrest and return.

 

 

But what’s this? An offence against “life and safety”?

Oh yes, this is the chap who blew the whistle on prisoner abuse and torture in Georgia prisons.

Seems it’s a very dangerous offence to bring down an Interior Minister for crimes occurring on his watch - quick as a flash you have Interpol on your tail.

Former Failed Liberal Party Pre-Selection Candidate Alan Jones Still Sydney University Young Libs' Idol

 

The guest of honour is broadcasting legend Alan Jones AO, and the master of ceremonies is Simon Berger, former adviser in the Howard Government. 

 

Transcript of part of a recording of Radio 2GB shock jock Alan Jones’ keynote speech recorded at the Annual Sydney University Liberal Club President's Dinner at the Waterfront Restaurant in The Rocks, Sydney, on 22 September 2012.

One hundred and twenty-one people were invited to this dinner. Including the MPs for Mackellar, Bradfield, Strathfield, Drummoyne, Wollondilly and Bennelong. In light of the resulting negative publicity one wonders how many will admit to attending.

 

Twitter about face by the SULC:

 

 

The Telegraph 30 September 2012:

 

The event was staged by Sydney University Liberal Club president and aspiring MP Alex Dore. Mr Jones has endorsed his political endeavours.

Yesterday, Mr Dore said Mr Jones had not made the comments about Ms Gillard's father. Later, informed there was a recording of the speech, his position changed.

"It was a very long speech and I did not hear it. I have always found Alan to be respectful," Mr Dore said.

He said there was "no need" to "pick apart Alan's speech. All you are doing is reducing it to a very small thing which distracts from the issues facing Australia".

 

Photograph of SULC alumni Tony Abbott at http://www.sulc.com.au/

 

Alan in his own words and very much in context:

 

http://youtu.be/JpIa0GG0ChM

 

Saffin speaks out against live animal export

ABC News 29 September 2010:

A Labor MP has thrown her support behind calls for a ban on the export of live animals after the slaughter of thousands of Australian sheep in Pakistan.

Almost half a shipment of 21,000 Australia sheep were brutally killed in the country before a court order was obtained by the owners halting the cull.

The Agriculture Department is investigating claims some were buried alive.

Janelle Saffin, the Member for the New South Wales electorate of Page, says she will push for a ban when the Labor partyroom meets the week after next.

She believes she has the support of many of her colleagues.

"It continues to be the issue that all members of Parliament get a lot of emails about and a lot of contact saying 'please do something about this'," she told Saturday AM.

"Look the way I'll say it is, it's a debate that won't go away.".....

The Four Ts of an Abbott Victory?

Twitter on 22 September 2012 displayed this from one unhappy tweeter:

an Abbott govt will bring us a Thatcherite-Taliban-Teaparty Totalitarian future

Too much speed set to haunt the Member for Clarence?

 
Letter to the Editor The Daily Examiner 26 September 2012:

Too much speed

CONGRATULATIONS to Chris Gulaptis - his hard work in supporting and engineering the installation of a 100kmh speed limit on Iluka Road now has motorists driving that road at 110kmh.
Yesterday a group of us cycled from Woombah to Iluka.
The speed of the vehicles passing us was alarming. The old saying of setting a speed limit and then motorists will drive about 10kmh over that limit was certainly in evidence yesterday.
If we didn't get into single file quick enough for the speeding drivers they let us know by honking their horns. Heaven forbid that they should slow down momentarily.
Two or three drivers observed the road rule regarding passing cyclists when there is an oncoming vehicle. Never mind, Chris can probably arrange for them to be counselled over their good behaviour.
Well done Chris Gulaptis - you have given the driving crazies just what they wanted.

Pamela Smith

Woombah

 

Clarence Valley Council: when each end of the debate spectrum is right and both are wrong

At the Extraordinary Meeting of 25 September 2012 which saw the new configuration of Clarence Valley shire councillors formally take up their roles, there was a single business item dealing with the creation of dedicated parking spaces for recreational vehicles within Grafton City precincts.

This item was progressed by council on a 7-2 vote and, all things being equal, Grafton City should have formal RV Friendly accreditation very soon as a commitment has been made to create the required lower order infrastructure.

Despite the tenor of certain online comments below recently published media articles on the subject and, a rather misleading print-only article, the fact of the matter was that both sides in the debate undertaken before this vote had legitimate points to make.

Firstly, Cr. Karen Toms quite rightly pointed out that Clarence Valley Council senior management had once again markedly overstepped its authority. A fact staff appeared to have admitted.

Just as they admitted that some of the proposed extended-hours parking for these recreational vehicles would be in the vicinity of residential properties and that property owners had not been informed of any impact this might have on access to street parking for their own visitors or emergency vehicles.

Secondly, Cr. Sue Hughes in her turn was right to point out that attracting more overnight, short and long-stay tourists to Grafton would be of economic benefit to the city and that the present state of the local economy made a proactive stance desirable.

The business item was a rather odd interlude in an extraordinary meeting whose purpose was to elect a new mayor and deputy mayor, as well as appoint councillors to internal committees or as council representatives on external committees.

The fact of the matter was that on 25 September past personal enmity, in-fighting and scapegoating were being carried forward into this new local government term and, the level of dysfunction which had begun to characterize governance for the last four years is now being writ large enough for the political jackals in Governor Macquarie Tower to consider moving in on Clarence Valley Council if they so choose - as they did on Maclean Shire Council when its last mayor went politically feral and on Grafton City and Copmanhurst councils when they could no longer hide the fact that they were being held together by sticky tape and creative accounting.

Councillors would be wise to heed the negative example of Singleton Council which still suffers the impact of past political and organisational disarray and, accept that they need to turn and face the problem in a constructive manner before the level of community dissatisfaction becomes vocal enough to reach the ears of the NSW Premier.

The O’Farrell Government will have no compunction about using this ongoing friction and growing evidence of poor governance as a reason to either formally refer matters to the Division of Local Government for determination or refer any significant documented irregularities onto ICAC.

The presence of National Party members among the nine elected representatives is no guarantee that the Premier and Minister for Local Government will not dismiss or dismantle Clarence Valley Council should it become a public embarrassment.

This state government has already demonstrated that regional New South Wales (and the Clarence Valley in particular) is of little consequence to it.

There is not one of the nine current councillors and not one of the senior management 
team who would be blameless if this were to happen, because every single one has already brought into that old, infantile schoolyard game of who's in and who's out of the magic circle with considerable gusto.

Clarence Valley residents and ratepayers deserve better than this from their elected representatives and from council management.

Clarence Valley Council wants to introduce you to family skeletons, ghosts and black sheep

Clarrie Rivers has his hands full at the moment, but he suggested North Coast Voices readers might be interested in this:

Mayor: Richie Williamson General Manager: Scott Greensill 25 September 2012 The family tree branches out at Clarence Regional Library Family history buffs across the Valley who are keen to meet their ancestors can now trace them simply by visiting their local library. The Clarence Regional Library has announced the launch of the Ancestry Library Edition database, allowing people to delve into branches of the family tree simply by clicking onto the Library's website - www.crl.nsw.gov.au. Mayor Richie Williamson has described the Ancestry Library Edition as a wonderful new tool for the library. "The service is ideal for the family historian or the social historian," he said. "Ancestry Library Edition provides the most genealogical information available on-line, with more than five billion names in more than 4000 collections. It offers a wide and diverse variety of unique content to help users trace their family lineage or help historians access historical records that have previously not been available online. It is continuously expanding with new content added every business day." Content highlights include: Immigration Collections Parish and Probate Records Family and Local History Collections U.S. Federal Census 1790 – 1930 England and Wales Census Collection, 1851 – 1901 England and Wales Civil Registration Index, 1837 – present "Ancestry Library Edition allows access anywhere within the library system to any number of users," the mayor said. "It's a resource that both the beginner and the advanced researcher can use again and again to explore history and their own family's history." Clarence Regional Library members can access Ancestry.com by visiting their local Library and booking one of the computers. Release ends. Authorised by: Richie Williamson MAYOR   02 6643 0245 or 0427 457 382  For further information contact: Des Schroder Deputy General Manager (Environment & Economic) 0447 430 261 or 02 6643 0203

Grafton Regional Art Gallery - Exhibition just for kids from 24 October to 2 December 2012

 

Noel McKenna Dog, Vaucluse 2006

 

At the Grafton Regional Art Gallery, Prentice House, 158 Fitzroy Street, Grafton NSW 2460, from 24 October - 2 December 2012:

 

Best of JADA: Jada for kids

Prentice West

A selection of works from the JADA collection

hung at a height for children to get the best view.

Drawing activities will accompany this exhibition.

NBN Coffs Harbour in hot water over biased Pacific Highway news report

27 September 2012

Nine breached accuracy and fairness code in Pacific Highway news report

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that Nine Network station NBN Ltd breached the accuracy and fairness provisions of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice 2010 in a broadcast of NBN News on 19 January 2012.
The breaches occurred in a news item called ‘Fatal diversion’. It reported that the Federal Government had diverted funds from the Pacific Highway to the Oxley Highway, when in fact the proposed diversion of funds was from one section of the Pacific Highway to another.
The ACMA also found that the item did not present the news fairly and impartially in relation to Anthony Albanese, the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, or Rob Oakeshott, the Federal Member for Lyne.
Nine has apologised to Minister Albanese and, in response to the ACMA investigation and following discussions with Nine Network management, it has taken the following remedial actions:

• removed the item from the licensee’s website
• cautioned and provided training to relevant Nine staff
• written to Mr Oakeshott, acknowledging his concerns and the errors in the broadcast.

In addition, Nine has agreed to post a statement on its website acknowledging the findings and giving a link to the ACMA’s investigation report.
Investigation Report 2789 is available on the ACMA website.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Blake Murdoch on (02) 9334 7817, 0411 504 687 or media@acma.gov.au.

Abbott and the Klu Klux Clan Letter

 

From Tony Abbott – Intimidating his opponents since 1977 at Women Against Abbott September 12, 2012:

 

Clarence Valley anti-coal seam gas protestors tell NSW Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis they are not amused

At least thirty concerned people and, perhaps as many as fifty before the protest ended, gathered outside the electoral office of NSW Nationals MP for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, on Tuesday 25 September 2012.

 

This anti-CSG gathering met to emphatically, but politely, express opposition to NSW Government land use policies and potential coal seam gas exploration and mining in the Clarence Valley.

After the protesters had been in position for a good half hour or so, Mr. Gulaptis deigned to show himself and immediately set out to cast doubts about the legitimacy of concerns relating to coal seam gas exploration and mining.

One interested local queried the fact that Mr. Gulaptis appeared to have abandoned the precautionary principle when it came to the possibility that mining corporations might sink multiple commercial gas wells on privately owned land in the electorate he represents.

Of course Gulaptis has a history of favouring the mining industry, so his current attitude should come as no surprise.

It is understood that the Member for Clarence initially objected to his meeting with protesters being filmed by a participant and, as he is not known to be shy, one has to wonder if plausible deniability was what he hoped to preserve in this exchange with protesters.

Yesterday morning The Daily Examiner published this photograph and article online.

North Coast Voices also has these images of a somewhat uncomfortable Gulpatis meeting with ardent protesters - courtesy of our own K. Roo:

UPDATE:

Denise Deane of Yuragir Coast and Range Alliance on 27 September 2012:

Mr Gulaptis was humble to admit he indeed did not know a lot about the unconventional gas industry but was prepared to read the list of Australasian Accidents and Spillages related to CSG. He accepted literature and video educational material provide by the community. 

We remain deeply concerned that local productive industries, including the largest commercial fishing fleet in the state, will be badly affected by the by-products and pollution from the industry as has occurred in other parts of AUSTRALIA. It's astounding that we as stakeholders in shared resources such as our water, sustaining life and livelihoods have not been properly consulted and our concerns abandoned in favour of mostly foreign owned mining companies.

Fluffy assurances from CSG mining company advertising, such as Metgasco, that this industry is safe and can coexist with farming and healthy communities are inadequate. Metgasco already have a poor track record with spillages,  illegal dumping and leaking toxic ponds.

Mr Gulaptis asked for anyone directly affected by a neighbouring gas company to ensure they report to him. Funnily these were similar words from Mr Hazzard at Casino, but the crowd erupted when he said this as prevention is far better than cure. We will lock our gates. We do not want to have these huge problems.

6% of well casings fail immediately upon instalment, within 30 years, 50% of well casings fail and ultimately all of them fail. Cement is not going to withstand multiple horizontal seismic fracking and has a limited life span. 

ABC News on 26 September reporting on a gas project of which Chris Gulaptis approves:

A mining company with gas exploration licences for the Clarence Valley has just signed a multi million dollar deal with an energy company.

The almost $3 million dollar agreement between Red Sky Energy and ERM Power will fund drilling of up to nine gas wells.....
However the Clarence Valley Alliance Against Coal Seam Gas says it is extremely worried about the mining exploration deal. Spokesman John Edwards said if the project was only for nine wells in the valley, it would not be a major concern. "But if there's a resource discovered under any of those wells that will mean the companies will then move to the next level, which is a gas field," he said.
"We'll have dozens, possibly hundreds of gas wells clustered around in a very small area, connected to pipelines and roads.
"It's going to be horrific.
"If there was only nine wells to be drilled in the Clarence valley I don't think too many people would have concerns.
"But Metgasco have already admitted they want to put one thousand wells in the Casino area.
"This isn't just a single well coming up with conventional gas, whatever that is.
"It's unconventional and they're just playing with semantics, they really are."

Red Sky-ERM Power petroluem/gas titles PELs 457, 478 & 479 in the Richmond and Clarence valleys found at MinView:

 Click on map to enlarge

Japanese Fisheries Agency denies November-March Antarctic whale hunt cancelled

Wednesday September 26th, 2012



Well, it only took a few hours from when the Japanese newspaper report was released, but the Japanese Fisheries Agency has said despite the need for its main ship, the Nisshin Maru, to be overhauled, this year’s whale hunt will continue. Not only will the Southern Ocean hunt not be called off this year, as was originally thought this morning, but the 8,000-ton ship’s refitting will allow Japan to get another decade’s worth of service from it. I can hear Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd starting their boats’ engines now….

Data Mining: be afraid, be very afraid

http://youtu.be/F7pYHN9iC9I