Sunday 28 October 2012

Grafton-based GJ Gardner Homes franchisee ordered to pay $99,120.27 for defective building work


See the full details concerning Wood v Fischer Built Pty Ltd here at http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/nsw/NSWCTTT/2012/399.html
 
Breakdown of allowed claim in favour of the applicants on 18 October 2012:
 
Scott Schedule

Item 1 $960.00
Item 2 nil
Item 3 $18,090.00
Item 4 $5,427.50
Item 5 $39,507.27
Item 6 $1,180.00
Item 7 $9,500.00
Item 8 $6,966.82
Item 9 $4,220.00
Item 10 $11,215.00
Item 11 nil
Drain Cost $945.00
Cutting Table $599.00
Repair of paintings $509.68
 
61. The total of all these amounts is $99,120.27 and the respondent is ordered to pay this amount to the applicants within 28 days.

According to The Daily Examiner on 27 October 2012: 
 
Company director Rick Fischer confirmed he would be appealing the decision, adding he wasn't "prepared to say anything further at this stage."

Michael Moore tweets who he voted for in the 2012 US Presidential Election (photo)










































https://twitter.com/MMFlint/status/262291344268066816/photo/1

I didn't switch off the porch light and it's all Julia's fault!

 
THE FACTS
 
On 1 July 2012 NSW electricity prices rose yet again.
 
The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulation Tribunal set this price rise and produced this table outlining the cumulative causes of these increases:
 
SILLY RESPONSE
 
Samantha Lubke-Wood It's not the electricity company's fault, it's the governments fault for selling the company's off and privatising the section. Now it's owned by an overseas company so now they can charge as much as they like. Don't blame essential energy they just get paid to maintain the lines. Blame The PM.
Thursday at 12:29pm via mobile  (Someone obviously forgot that it was a state government sell-off of power assets, that the NSW Government still owns “the lines” aka network and actively lobbies for increases to its own charges, that Essential Energy costs do end up on residential bills and, that electricity pricing is a lot more complicated than 'It’s all Julia's fault!')
 
SENSIBLE RESPONSE
 
Julie-Anne Wiles Our bill came down $250. All we did was turn off the second fridge and not use the dishwasher. I was actually happy with our bill.
Friday at 11:42am via mobile (A mother of two who took the necessary action to avoid household budget stress)
 
FOR THE UNDECIDED SOME COMPARATIVE WINDOW SHOPPING
 
 

First Dog wickedly takes on the Canberra Commentariat


From First Dog on the Moon at Crikey
 

Saturday 27 October 2012

Greens MLC Jeremy Buckingham to visit the Orara Valley on 7 Nov 2012 to discuss CSG frack finding tour

 
 
MNC Greens Media Release:

An Hour in the Orara Valley With Jeremy Buckingham, Greens MLC

Jeremy Buckingham, Greens MLC, will be speaking about his recent frack finding tour to inspect coal seam gas in the United States and his Responsible Mining Bill (Protect land, water and communities) 2012 at the Upper Orara Valley Community Hall, Cnr Dairyville Rd and Upper Orara Rd between 12.00-1.00pm, November 7th.

It is expected that many will travel from Coffs Harbour, the Clarence Valley, the Orara Valley, Bellingen and the plateau to hear the facts about mining in NSW. Those attending the meeting are encouraged to attend with posters and banners.
 
"The Greens Responsible Mining Bill will prohibit coal seam gas and mining in certain productive agricultural areas and other sensitive areas.  Additionally it will provide local councils with the power to prohibit coal seam gas and other mining in certain areas under their local planning provisions," said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.
 
A recent meeting in Coramba was attended by a large crowd seeking information. Altius Mining Limited is planning, according to announcements it has made to the ASX, to continue exploration in the area following the completion of its aerial magnetic survey in 2011.
 
It is reported that exploration targets include Mt Brown (directly south of Karangi), Illabo Mine north of Coramba (near Coramba Nature Reserve), and the Beacon Group of Mines halfway between Coramba & Central Bucca.
 
 
"Gold and antimony mines produce large amounts of pollution.  The sensitive environment, terrain and rainfall patterns in the Orara Valley mean it is not the place for such mines," said Mr Buckingham.
 
The forum will be of particular interest to property owners concerned about a drop in land values, visual pollution and river pollution, small business owners dependent on tourism and all users of local roads, especially parents of school children.
 
 
MNC Greens Media contact: John Vernon Ph: 0402 308 231
Media Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916

UPDATE:

Wednesday November 7th

• 10.30 to 11.30 am Coffee with Coffs Harbour Greens at the Happy Frog. Car pooling to travel to 12.00 to 1.00 rally-meeting at Upper Orara Community Hall cnr Upper Orara Rd and Dairyville Rd. All welcome.

5.00 pm Joint Coffs Harbour and MNC Greens meeting at the Alternatives Bookstore, Hyde St, Bellingen

• 6.30 pm Jeremy speaks at Lock The MNC event. Dinner included/Music/Bimblebox Film at 5 Church St, Bellingen ($20/head) Book at Kombu or No 5.

Thursday, November 8

• 10.00 -11.30 am Responsible Mining Forum (with video highlights of USA tour) at Dorrigo Memorial Hall (the Community Hall)

• 2.15 – 3.45 pm Responsible Mining Forum (with video highlights of USA tour) at the Seniors Citizens Centre Hall, Princess St, Macksville

• 5.00-6.00 pm Jeremy Buckingham Responsible Mining  Forum in Kempsey

Jeremy Buckingham will be sharing a ‘cuppa’. Hear how his Responsible Mining Bill can protect the Kempsey area from further destructive mining practices.

Where: The Oddfellows (Macleay Valley Arts Council) Cnr Kemps Street & Edinburgh Lane, West Kempsey

• 7.00 pm Three Rivers Greens Group Meeting in Wauchope (Wauchope Arts Society Hall - might also be called Wauchope School of Arts) with Jeremy.

Friday 26 October 2012

How modest is the Member for Clarence?


The Member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, has had a very big week in the Legislative Assembly.

Tuesday:  " I make a modest contribution to debate ..."  Hansard, 23/10/12

Wednesday: According to Hansard, Mr Gulaptis did not speak in the chamber. (Hmmm, perhaps modesty prevented him from doing so. Then again, perhaps he was too busy practising his lines for Thursday - see below.)

Thursday: " As a member of the Committee on Economic Development I will make a modest contribution ... "  Hansard, 25/10/12