NPWS Pest Management Officer Lisa Wellman said that prior to the start of each program, which began in 2006, advertisements are placed in local newspapers to advise people that the baiting is commencing.

“The program is undertaken twice a year in spring and autumn and looks for evidence of wild dogs which can then be controlled,” Ms Wellman said. 

“Control programs are based around baiting programs, and monitoring is also undertaken to determine how successful the program has been.

“The reserves to be targeted this spring are Maryland, Toonumbar, Richmond Range, Mebbin, Mt Jerusalem, Bundjalung, Nightcap, Mt Pikapene, Fortis Creek and Goonengerry National Parks, Whian Whian State Conservation Area and Bungabbee and Muckleewee Mountain Nature Reserve.

“In Mount Pikapene National Park, south-west of Casino, the wild dog program is being conducted as a collaborative program with adjacent landholders for the first time. Monitoring will commence next week, with baiting to follow if required.

“About a dozen enthusiastic landholders are already involved in the program and will conduct baiting on their own properties in conjunction with control in the national park. We would like to encourage other landholders to join in.

“Landholders in areas nearby who wish to conduct baiting on their own properties should contact their local Livestock, Health and Pest Authority.

“Our monitoring allows us to target wild dogs in specific areas where they are found and in the past has shown that control has been effective.’
 
“We have received very positive feedback from the community in response to our programs. We encourage park neighbours to report wild dog incidents to the NPWS and the LHPA.”

For information on where wild dog control programs are taking place, contact your local NPWS office: Kyogle Area 6632 0000, Tweed Area 6670 8600, Richmond River Area 6627 0200, Clarence North Area 6641 1500.

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The crash happened about 7.50pm on the Tweed Valley Way at Stotts Island, near Tumbulgum, and involved a southbound silver Mitsubishi sedan and a northbound white Nissan Navara tray top utility.

A bicycle found at the crash site had been dislodged from the rear of the utility during the collision.

A 34-year-old woman from Murwillumbah, the driver of the sedan, died at the scene, as did the driver of the utility, a 27-year-old Yamba man.

The passenger of the utility, a 36-year-old man from the Clarence area, was ejected from the vehicle and also died at the scene.

Officers from the Ballina Crash Investigation Unit remained on site for several hours overnight, with the road reopening about 1am.

They are still working to determine the exact cause of the crash and would like to speak to anyone who observed either of the vehicles prior to the crash.

Anyone who can assist the crash investigators should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Pest Management Officer Lisa Wellman said that the group hopes to improve shorebird management by sharing resources and ideas and developing effective regional strategies.

“Both migratory and resident shorebirds are under pressure right across the region as the population increases. Predation by animals such as foxes also places them at risk,” she said.

“While national and international agreements to protect shorebirds are important, local efforts to protect them are also essential.

“Shorebirds have three basic habitat requirements: roosting, foraging and nesting areas. Avoiding disturbance of these areas is crucial for their survival.

“The population of shorebirds in NSW is estimated at 23,200. Important coastal sites in this region include Flat Rock and South Ballina Beach near the Richmond River estuary and Woody Head and other beaches adjacent to the Clarence River estuary.

“The new regional shorebird group includes representatives from State and local government, community groups and interested individuals.’

“Our aim is to work together to raise awareness of shorebirds and improve the effectiveness of our management strategies through greater co-ordination.

“The group’s formation is timely as we anticipate the arrival of migratory shorebirds such as little terns on our beaches in spring.

“Migratory shorebirds make a huge journey by a route called the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. This is one of the world’s great flyways, stretching from Russia to Australia. The flyway passes through 22 countries with 55 migratory species using it.

“The Pied Oystercatchers at Belongil Beach, near Byron Bay, have also now started breeding and beach users are asked to leave them undisturbed at this important period.”

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Neighbourhood Centre leaders from Lismore, South Grafton, Casino, Nimbin, Mullumbimby and Pottsville gathered with Senator Stephens and Ms Saffin to discuss their plans for celebrating Social Inclusion Week 2010.

The first Social Inclusion Week was held last year and was the brainchild of Jonathan Welch, best known for establishing the Choir of Hope and Inspiration (formerly the Choir of Hard Knocks).

The Australian Government and the Brotherhood of St Laurence were major sponsors of the inaugural Social Inclusion Week.

The objective of the Week is to bring about more inclusive communities through taking practical steps to fight loneliness and isolation by bringing people together.

Last year’s week was a great success, with a wide diversity of events held across Australia – from sausage sizzles to jazz sessions, from cricket matches to market stalls, and even roller-skating displays.

The focus of each event was on bringing people together, particularly those who are traditionally isolated from the rest of the community such as people suffering a mental illness, those who are homeless and people with a disability.

“Neighbourhood Centres are a touchstone for finding out about local services and getting involved in the community,” said Senator Stephens.

“From the ideas that the Centre leaders have been discussing today, it’s clear that Social Inclusion 2010 is going to be even better than last year.”

Ms Saffin acknowledged the invaluable role that Neighbourhood Centres play in the Far North Coast and hinterland region and congratulated them on their proactive role in preparing for Social Inclusion Week 2010.

“Social Inclusion Week is a great time for showcasing the strong community spirit that we have here in the Far North Coast and hinterland,” she said.

“I’ve told the centres that I’m happy to help out with their celebrations in any way, and I encourage all local community members to get involved too – whether it be through participating in an event or running one.”

For more information about Social Inclusion Week 2010, go to http://socialinclusionweek.ning.com/

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Following a period of research, review and consultation with affected stakeholders, GeoLINK, on behalf of the Maclean Flying Fox Working Group, has completed a draft Maclean Flying-fox Management Strategy which includes actions to manage the impact of flying-foxes on the Maclean community.

The Maclean Flying Fox Working Group was established in late 2009 to co-ordinate the preparation of the strategy.

Following six months of research and reporting, the Working Group has endorsed placing the draft strategy on public exhibition.

The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water says the draft is a great step forward in delivering a whole-of-community solution to managing flying foxes in Maclean.

“The working group has delivered a strategy which aims to provide a clear vision to guide the short, medium and long-term management efforts,” it said.

“The community of Maclean and surrounding areas is invited to review the Draft Management Strategy and provide comments so we can move to finalise the document.

“GeoLINK and the Working Group will be hosting a community information session on the draft Management Strategy where the community will have an opportunity to talk to the Working Group and technical specialists who prepared the draft Strategy.”

The community meeting will be held at the Jim Thompson Pavilion at the Maclean Showground between 5pm and 7pm on 1 September 2010 and all interested parties are invited to attend.

To register your interest for the information session, call 6687 7666 or 6640 2500 or email flyingfoxstrategy@geolink.net.au.

A copy of the Strategy can be downloaded from the GeoLINK website www.geolink.net.au/Draft_Flying-fox_Management_Strategy.html.

Alternatively, a hard copy of the Strategy can be viewed at Clarence Valley Council at 50 River Street, Maclean, or DECCW offices at 49 Victoria Street, Grafton.

Submissions should be sent to:
Draft Flying Fox Management Strategy
PO Box 9
LENNOX HEAD NSW 2478

or emailed to flyingfoxstrategy@geolink.net.au

Submissions close 5pm Wednesday 15th September.

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Shortly after 7pm yesterday (Wednesday 4 August), a 22-year-old man allegedly knocked his elderly father to the ground outside a house in Beatson Street, South Grafton, before repeatedly kicking him.

After hearing the disturbance, a 67-year-old man came out of a neighbouring house and called on the man to stop the attack.

The alleged offender chased the man back inside his house before assaulting him, causing serious head wounds, a fractured eye socket and temporary loss of sight.

Police from Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command and NSW Ambulance Paramedics responded to the incident.

The injured resident was taken to Grafton Hospital, where he continues to undergo treatment for his injuries.

The 22-year-old man was arrested near the scene and taken to Grafton Police Station for questioning.

He was charged with aggravated break, enter and commit serious indictable offence (inflict actual bodily harm); special aggravated break and enter with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm; cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent; common assault (domestic violence); and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The man appeared in Grafton Local Court today and was remanded in custody to reappear on Monday 9 August 2010.

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About 7.45pm the girl was walking along Tindal Road towards Grafton, about 1km from Eatonsville, when a four-wheel-drive stopped alongside her.

The man spoke to the girl before getting out of the vehicle and approaching her.

The girl told police the man grabbed her hair and punched her before dragging her towards the four-wheel-drive and trying to force her into the back.

She was able to break free of the man’s grip before running towards a nearby farmhouse. The man then drove off.

The girl suffered scratches, bruising and swelling to her face.

She has described the man as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180-185cm tall with a large build, short dark-coloured hair and clean shaven. He was driving a light or cream-coloured four-wheel-drive with roof racks and double rear doors.

Anyone who knows the man or has other information to assist police should phone Grafton Police Station on 6642 0222 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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The Gillard Labor Government today released for the first time maps outlining the path for the new network to stretch across Australia under the National Broadband Network (NBN).

The maps:

• Show that every house, school and business in Australia will have access to high-speed broadband under the NBN
• Confirm optical fibre will be extended to 93 per cent of homes and businesses in more than 1000 cities and towns by the end of the roll-out
• Show how communities will be served by next generation wireless and satellite technologies under the NBN.

Ms Saffin said local cities and towns set to be connected to the optical fibre network include Alstonville, Ballina, Casino, Evans Head, Grafton, Iluka, Kyogle, Lismore, Woodburn, Wooloweyah, Woombah and Yamba.

“The NBN will offer speeds of 100 megabits per second – 100 times faster than many people experience today,” she said.

“And NBN Co will also deliver next generation wireless and satellite services with speeds of 12 megabits per second to local centres including Coutts Crossing, Lawrence, Urbenville and Woodenbong. This would provide average data rates more than 20 times higher than most users experience today.

“Today’s release of the maps follows the news earlier this month that Coffs Harbour would be one of the next roll-out sites for the NBN and the nerve centre for the roll-out to the North Coast corridor.”

Details of the NBN mapping is available at: http://www.alp.org.au/agenda/nbn/

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About 5pm yesterday, officers from Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command executed simultaneous search warrants on two cabins at a caravan park in South Grafton and a house on nearby Maxwell Avenue.

The raids follows the arrest of a 26-year-old man in Kent Street at Grafton earlier that day and relate to investigations into a series of break-and-enters which have occurred in Grafton and Yamba over the past two months.

During the search warrants, police found mobile telephones, jewellery, credit cards and other items, all of which are alleged to have been stolen.

Police arrested three men at the caravan park, aged 29, 25 and 24.

They have each been charged with break, enter and steal offences and will all appear at Grafton Local Court today.

The other man appeared in Grafton Local Court yesterday.

Numerous additional charges are likely to be laid in the future, including over the attempted disposal of $40,000 worth of jewellery alleged to have been taken during one of the break-ins.

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“Governments the world over continue to procrastinate,” said Chris Sanderson, from Green Coast Catalysts.

“They allow the interests of the fossil fuel industries to take precedence over our energy security. For the same reason, they continue to avoid taking the necessary action that science demands to avoid climate catastrophe.

“As countries now perceive their traditional energy supplies are at risk and prone to serious interruption, so do individuals.

“Many recent books by respected authors, as well as popular movements, are now suggesting that we are approaching an era when energy self-sufficiency is a prudent planning goal for families and businesses.

“The idea of holding this forum is to explore clean renewable energy options available now, and what’s coming soon.”

The event, running from 9.30am to 1pm, will be chaired by local journalist, Mick O’Regan.

“The event starts by an overview of the situation we are faced with now, as Climate Change converges with Peak Oil,” Mr Regan said.

“Then it filters down to what forms of renewable energy are actually available in the Byron Shire right now, followed by our wish-list for future possibilities.”

Morning tea and a light lunch will be available, catered by Bangalow Museum’s Heritage House Tearooms. Gold coin admission to help cover costs.

Mr O’Regan will introduce a series of speakers, starting with the University of Wollongong lecturer Dr Adam Lucas, who will talk on ‘The Big Picture’.

“Australia is at a crossroads in energy policy formation as it reaches capacity constraints due to population growth, climate change and lack of energy infrastructure investment over the last 30-40 years,” he says.

His current research focuses on energy policy responses to anthropogenic climate change and the peaking of world oil, coal and gas production.

Speaking for the Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO) will be David Warrilow, who will discuss Peak Oil and the likely consequences for the local population.

ASPO, an initiative of the Sustainable Transport Coalition, is a network of professionals working to reduce our oil vulnerability, aiming to bring the probabilities, risks and opportunities that Peak Oil presents, to the attention of decision-makers.

Geothermal energy will be discussed by Alecks Atrens, from the University of Queensland’s Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence, while Nick Lake, director of local company Nickel Energy, will present the solar energy options available here and now.

From Grafton, the Regional General Manager for Country Energy, Richard Wake, will explain such matters as Feed-in-Tariffs, and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECS), and no doubt respond to questions about price increases.

Robert Rosen will discuss mooted Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle initiatives, including local electric vehicle hire, fast charging facilities, and possible linkages with the Brunswick Heads Community Economic Transition Plan, local tourism accommodation providers, and renewable energy installers.

Don Page, Member for Ballina (which includes the Byron Shire), who ‘starred’ as the (hypothetical) Premier of NSW in the very successful Green Coast Catalysts ‘Climate Change Hypothetical’ event held at the A&I Hall in 2007, was delighted to be involved in another such stimulating event.

“All over the electorate, people are asking me what they can do now to cut down their energy use, and how can they increase energy efficiency in their homes,” he said.

“First, they are concerned about the scale of the problem globally. Then they want to know specifically what they can do right now. We hope this event will provide some clear answers.”

In the outer hall, information booths will give detailed information on such matters as public transport, with TOOT (Trains on our Tracks) manning a stand.

Local political party Our Sustainable Future will have Lismore Shire Councillor Simon Clough and former Byron Shire Councillor Hugh Ermacora providing information on its policies.

Transition Byron Shire will present information about the Transition Town initiative, plus Sapoty Brook’s electric bicycle.

It is anticipated that other stands will provide information on local biochar projects, as well as solar heating, appropriate house design, energy financing, subsidies and grants, and ‘green’ painting opportunities.

For further information, contact Green Coast Catalysts’ Chris Sanderson on (02) 6687 2244, or Don Page’s office on (02) 6686-7522.

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