In order for Woolworths to open a bottleshop at their upcoming Big Box in Station Street,a Community Impact Statement must be completed, by law. They have employed Back Schwartz Vaughan (who describe themselves as the "NSW Liquor Licensing Specialists") to gather submissions and of course these solicitors' online survey questions are skewed to get the answers their clients, Woolworths, want. There is even a question about how Woolworths Liquor Shop might benefit the community.
An alternative way of submitting your comments is to send them direct to the government authority at: NSW Casino Liquor & Gaming Control Authority, 6/323 Castlereagh Street, GPO Box 7060, Sydney 2001 Fax: (02) 9299 7427. Their email is info@clgca.nsw.gov.au although they do ask for a hard copy.
Another way is to make a submission is to download the sample letter from our website http://www.mullumaction.org or just take from it the points which are pertinent to you. Copies of the letter are also at Santos, Edens Landing and there will be a stall at the Farmers Market each Friday (in the cafe area)until the submission period ends on 26 July.
If you want to wade thru the solicitors stuff or view their survey, go to http://www.bsv.com.au and follow the links under CIS, and scroll down. For additional (Woolworths) information go to http://www.bsv.com.au/community-impact-statement.htm scroll down to "Mullumbimby" click and enter password "BSV2406". I wonder how many of those other liquor applications listed are for Woolworths booze outlets - probably Nambucca Heads and Ulladulla are.
My personal view is that to put an Liquor Shop right next to the supermarket (in a quiet residential area, 150m from Mullum Public School) is creating a norm that buying booze is just like going to get a loaf of bread and a bottle of milk. Since norms are ways of describing what acceptable behaviour is, they reflect assumptions people make about themselves, one another and how things "ought to be". Does this mean, by extension, that alcohol-fuelled domestic violence, crime and anti-social behaviour as well as drink driving and drink walking are to be come norms in Station Street?
WOOLWORTHS CAGE FENCE
These ugly barricades have been up for six weeks now, and no work has been started. The roads have been blocked off which means that residents, fire engines, ambulance or other emergency services don't have access into Station Street residences. This may be illegal. I have heard stories of cage road rage and some very upset people. Please write (or call) the Echo, mullumaction.org or Byron Shire Council if you are suffering as a result of the cage.
WOOLWORTHS BENEFITS FROM INCOME MANAGEMENT WIDER ROLL OUT
Who benefits from compulsory income management, currently part of the NT Intervention? Woolworths and Coles, of course! Why? Because Centrelink welfare recipients have half their income quarantined to the Basics Card which can only be used in Woolworths and Coles (and few other shops). ABC's The National Interest radio programme stated that now income management may be rolled out to non-indigenous communities in the NT and other disadvantaged communities around Australia.
Listen online or get transcript from ABC"s National Interest on 18th and 25th June at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/nationalinterest/stories/2010/2931121.htm
RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM
"Towards Energy Self-Sufficiency" Hosted by Mick O"Regan; various prominent speakers and information tables from local groups.
Bangalow A & I Hall – Sunday 1st August – 9.30 – 1 pm
Bangalow Climate Activist Group: Green Coast Catalysts
For further information, contact Green Coast Catalysts" Chris Sanderson on (02) 6687 2244, or Don Page"s office on (02) 6686-7522.
"COMMUNITY VOICE"
Working for better political representation in the Northern Rivers
Media Launch of "Community Voice" will take place on Friday 16 July 11 am at boat ramp on Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads, opp Scales Fish and chippery.
Lifts available. http://www.nrcommunityvoice.org
YAMBA FIGHTING A CORPORATE BULLY
Having recently beaten Byron Bay as No 1 top tourist spot, poor ole Yamba is now threatened with a bloomin McDonalds on a massive scale. For more info contact: nomaccas4yamba(@)hotmail.com or call bob at 0434 857 873. Yamba is also going to get its first farmers market scheduled in with the Yamba Fringe Festival http://http://weloveyamba.com/yamba-farmers-market/ on Saturday 21st August, with regular farmers market coming up.
LA VIA CAMPESINA
I went to a 2-day gathering in Brisbane recently, welcoming members of "La Via Campesina" (a world-wide social movement of peasant farmers) representatives of which had come from Japan, Indonesia, Timor Leste and South Korea. The event "Food Sovereignty thru Farmer Solidarity" was organised by FoodConnect in Brisbane, who connect organic farmers with people who want to receive a box of veges each week. Wonderful place, wonderful people! http:// http://(www.foodconnect.com.au). More on Via Campesina in next newsletter – some info about the anti-globalisation movement is at: http://www.newint.org/issue338/keynote.htm
QUOTE:
In a foreword to "La Via Campesina – Globalisation and the Power of Peasants" book by Annette Aurelie Desmarais, Waldon Bello says that "La Via Campesina"s vision of agriculturally rich and diverse societies based on the principle of food sovereignty is a future that is not only worth fighting for, but also one that may be our only way out of the massive social and ecological predicaments spawned by corporate-driven globalisation".
Monday, July 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Of course big companies upturn small towns and their communities!
Posted by Leigh Blackall at 3/30/2010
from his blog:
http://leighblackall.blogspot.com/2010/03/of-course-big-companies-upturn-small.html
On Radio National's Australia Talks tonight was a discussion and talk back session on the issue of the big chain supermarket Woolworths setting up in the iconic small town Mullumbimby. I tried to get through with my phone call, but like most people I guess, was left out and relegated to a very slowly moderated online forum. So here's my post here, just in case the ABC moderator has gone home for the night (as it seems she has).
Disappointed at the set up of the discussion. Of course Woolworths and mega businesses like them disrupt the local economy. Transport, parking, foot traffic, consumer demand, the market, even the culture of the people in a place is affected by Woolworths inevitable presence and their standardised business practice.
And surely we can see that offering young people a minimum wage simply assists Woolworths to be accepted in the community over a generation of branding awareness.. giving kids a skewed view of what employment means to a massive company they will never meet the owners of, be treated as human resource, as a precarious casual or part timer.. little wonder kids have difficulty developing an understanding their place and responsibility in community and society.
So I'm disappointed that the discussion questioned the impact of Woolworths and the whether it is negative. Of course it is!
But Woolworth's success in changing the culture and market in Australia is done. It is inevitable that they, and companies like them are coming to your town. So I hope more towns will work with that relentless energy and turn it to their favour. Suggests Product or Brand Displacement, where the company's presence is seemingly invisable in the community. No logo, no standardised employment or shopping experience.
How about a genuine effort on the part of Woolworths with its vast resources? Create a business that addresses these and many more concerns for the community with real sensitivity, that works into existing businesses, making themselves invisible, enhancing rather than competing, taking responsibility for the impacts they will have, rather than spinning it into a thing we apparently need or want - we don't.
from his blog:
http://leighblackall.blogspot.com/2010/03/of-course-big-companies-upturn-small.html
On Radio National's Australia Talks tonight was a discussion and talk back session on the issue of the big chain supermarket Woolworths setting up in the iconic small town Mullumbimby. I tried to get through with my phone call, but like most people I guess, was left out and relegated to a very slowly moderated online forum. So here's my post here, just in case the ABC moderator has gone home for the night (as it seems she has).
Disappointed at the set up of the discussion. Of course Woolworths and mega businesses like them disrupt the local economy. Transport, parking, foot traffic, consumer demand, the market, even the culture of the people in a place is affected by Woolworths inevitable presence and their standardised business practice.
And surely we can see that offering young people a minimum wage simply assists Woolworths to be accepted in the community over a generation of branding awareness.. giving kids a skewed view of what employment means to a massive company they will never meet the owners of, be treated as human resource, as a precarious casual or part timer.. little wonder kids have difficulty developing an understanding their place and responsibility in community and society.
So I'm disappointed that the discussion questioned the impact of Woolworths and the whether it is negative. Of course it is!
But Woolworth's success in changing the culture and market in Australia is done. It is inevitable that they, and companies like them are coming to your town. So I hope more towns will work with that relentless energy and turn it to their favour. Suggests Product or Brand Displacement, where the company's presence is seemingly invisable in the community. No logo, no standardised employment or shopping experience.
How about a genuine effort on the part of Woolworths with its vast resources? Create a business that addresses these and many more concerns for the community with real sensitivity, that works into existing businesses, making themselves invisible, enhancing rather than competing, taking responsibility for the impacts they will have, rather than spinning it into a thing we apparently need or want - we don't.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Land & Environment Court: Woolworths' try for Mullumbimby
NEWSLETTER 70 31 Dec 09
First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR, folks! Many thanks to the kind people who contributed to our trip to the court case in
WOOLWORTHS-v-BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL
LAND &
The above case was to challenge Byron Shire Council’s refusal of Woolworths proposed on-site sewage system? Did they do that? NO! What happened? They thrashed out a round-table “agreement” at lunch time, presented their arguments for and against the latest on-site sewage management plan to the Commissioner and finished after less than one day, the second day’s hearing (Christmas Eve) was cancelled. Now we await the Commissioner’s decision which will come around the end of January.
After 2 years of campaigning, three court cases (two of which were deferred because Woolworths didn’t have a new management plan ready, despite the fact that the case was ostensibly about the management plan which was refused by our councillors) this was a very disappointing outcome. Ratepayers have paid for this court case, and it has not been about the right and wrong of BSC councillors’s approval – it’s been about how Woolworths can get the go ahead with “agreement” from both sides, with the Commissioner being the approval authority. If he approves it, and if things go wrong, who will be responsible? The Commissioner??
http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2009/12/31/woolies-protesters-feeling-ripped-off/
23 DECEMBER: In the morning, various items were presented and documented as exhibits – for example the Updated Draft Conditions of Consent: Exhibit 24. Our Counsel, Tim Robertson stated that they would have to be modified.
Commissioner Hussey: “Where’s the disagreement?” [about the Conditions]
Tim Robertson (Counsel for Byron Shire Council) made comments as follows:
- System failure: the way the system is designed will lead inevitably to a de facto pump out system.
- Critical control particulars such as:
- volume into the plant
- volume into the irrigation system/effluent field
- peak flow rate: if the re-use system breaks down the numbers double.
- CFUs one more in 100mL then you can’t use the water in the toilets
[CFU is Colony Forming Unit, a measure of viable bacterial or fungal numbers]
- Inadequacy of management plan which we consider unworkable. They have retrofitted documents rather than building from the ground up.
- Tasks given to the Woolworths Floor Manager are beyond his expertise. Critical person is the service contractor his not someone who is skilled in effluent irrigation management.
Other matters such as the number of pumpouts allowed per year, and the consequences of the failure of the model were mentioned. McEwan (Counsel for Woolworths) made some comments – ask Deb for details.
Basically the Commissioner wanted to agreement to be reached on the Consent Conditions for Woolworths development to go ahead. He asked the legal teams whether agreement might be reached that day – there was a shocked silence and then the Commissioner added that the administration staff wanted to know (NB next day being 24 Dec). The legal teams said they probably would, and lunch time was spent with them sitting around a table with the experts, coming to “agreement” about the conditions for Woolworths to operate.
After lunch, I arrived back and witnessed some of the round-table conversation. The soil expert Catherine Hird, commissioned by BSC, had been making a point (as I understand it) about the complexity of the on-site management plan. She was being roundly put down by both sides with “But Catherine …” in loud voices. My impression was that Ms Hird was not being heard.
A solicitor for Woolworths suggested that extra pumpout should be allowed to Woolworths in case of suspected sabotage from anti-Woolworths protesters because if they put one bottle of bleach down the toilet each day, then the whole system would be out of action.
When the Commissioner returned to the court, the court attendant called out “Silence in the Court” everyone stood up, and bowed their heads. The Commissioner was asked for a little extra time, and was assured that all would be finished that day.
When he returned, both legal teams gave speeches, and Tim Robertson outlined why the on-site sewage management system should not go ahead. His speech was reasonable, might have been convincing and yet seemed hollow since, as I understand it, they had all been thrashing out an agreement to make it a “viable” proposition.
McEwan did his speech for Woolworths. This man has chutzpah; his attitude is aggressive. He summed up the extraordinarily intricate management plan which hundreds of pages long thus: “They just have to look and see if its ponding, check the dials and fill out the log sheet”. Further, he said categorically “the land is not constrained” and “This system is 1000 times better than other systems”. I could see why Woolworths employed this man.
TANKERING and BUFFERS:
The agreement apparently includes 200,000 litres of sewage leaving the site in tanker trucks – about 3 months of the sewage produced per year. Effectively this makes in an off-site and not an on-site system, and tankering is still illegal in Byron Shire. As for the buffer zones, apparently the current proposal is for 1m buffer zones and not the 3-6m zones currently required for human and environmental health. Ask Shannon McKelvey or Ray Darney at Byron Shire Council for confirmation of the above.
L & E COURT PURPOSE:
From the Court’s website, their purpose is to safeguard and maintain
- the rule of law
- equality of all before the law
- access to justice
- fairness, impartiality and independence in decision making
- processes that are consistently transparent, timely and certain
- accountability in its conduct and its use of public resources
- the highest standards of competency and personal integrity of its judges, commissioners and support staff.
It will be interesting to find out whether the Commissioner will construct a new rule of law in the case of Woolworths – in particular the Clause 45 (1) of the Byron Local Environment Plan 1988 which does not permit pump-out of effluent. A precedent set to refuse pump-out was set in the Codlea-v-BSC case 1999. The Local Government Act and Local Government Regulations set standards for on-site systems which were acknowledged by Byron Shire Council in their refusal of Woolworths on-site system.
Address for contact: Commissioner Hussey, L & E Court,
| QUOTATION: | “If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble,… “the law is a ass—a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is that his eye may be opened by experience—by experience.” (Charles Dickens: Oliver Twist). ************************************************ |
The following info comes from Mark Byrne from the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) Lismore. Contact: mark.byrne(at)edo.org.au
1. Climate change
In the washup to the
Port
Bellingen, Friday 5 Feb
Ballina, Wednesday 10 Feb
Murwillumbah, Thursday 11 Feb
2. Timber plantations
The Plantations and Reafforestation Act and Code have been under statutory review since 2005. On 14 December the NSW DPI finally released the two Bills with amendments to the Act and Code Regulation. The
3. Biodiversity
Also on exhibition over the summer holidays is the Draft Far North Coast Regional Conservation Plan. It "outlines mechanisms to offset the unavoidable impacts on biodiversity arising from the implementation of the [2007
4. Planning law reform
In November the EDO and the Total Environment Centre held workshops in Ballina and
Monday, December 21, 2009
WOOLWORTHS-v-BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL: LAND & ENV COURT CASE 23/24 DEC
NEWSLETTER 69: 21 December 2009
LAND & ENVIRONMENT COURT SYDNEY - 23/24 December this week.
This is Woolworths’ last ditch attempt to persuade the Commissioner that they have a viable proposal for an on-site sewage system for the too-small boggy site in Station Street, Mullumbimby. Wws cannot start building until they have approval for the on-site system, or else wait for Mullum’s new sewage treatment plant (STP).
THE HISTORY:
13 August 2009: Byron Shire Councillors rejected (6-1) Woolworths S68 onsite sewage proposal. Woolworths now have to wait a few years for Mullum’s new STP to be built. Not wanting to wait, Woolworths (Wws) challenge our councillor’s refusal in Land & Environment Court.
28 September 2009: Land & Environment Court hearing in Station Street; community submissions given by Duncan Dey, Garry Scott and Deborah Lilly. Next day case moves to Ballina Court House. Instead of the hearing being based on the proposal which was refused by our councillors, the commissioner agrees to let Wws come up with a new and different proposal – but, hey, its not ready – so case is adjourned, till next time, never mind the expense. By being late with their new information, Wws become liable to pay Council's costs. The issue of costs would be heard in a different Court. Council would have to mount that case and, unfortunately, the substantial costs of that court case are not recoverable.
18/19/20 November 2009: Sydney Land & Environment Court – Guess What!! Woolworths new plan is still not ready. Commissioner agrees to give them another month to come up with a plan.
23/24 December: Sydney Land & Environment Court ALL WELCOME!!! The new plans are ready!!! Are they final??? Of course not, each page is stamped with “Preliminary for Discussion” Will they work? My on-site septic is 'flush and forget'. Not so for Woolworths – the Management Plan is 178 pages long and is so complicated they will have to train experts to operate it.
The Commissioner has been excessively and suspiciously generous to Woolworths in allowing them THREE (3) attempts to convince the court that they can come up with a plan that will work, and it is plain for all to see that our councillors WERE RIGHT TO REJECT Wws original proposal.
I shall be flying to Sydney tomorrow for the court case and Duncan Dey and friend are driving overnight to get there so Mullumbimby community will be represented – we feel its crucial to keep an eye on proceedings and let them know we’re watching.
Any donations for our efforts will be welcomed, please go to: http://www.mullumaction.org/donate.html. Thanks Param in Bristol UK for offering some financial support.
WOOLWORTHS PLAN
The Wws plan has plenty of inadequacies, despite its 178 pages. Contentious issues include, for instance, the buffers between the effluent disposal area and the boundaries being considerably less than 1 metre; management of foul odours and putrid gases have not been properly evaluated; Dept of Health apparently has not been consulted about the use of recycled effluent for flushing toilets and whether the inhalation of fine droplets and possible pathogens is a health hazard; the extraordinary complexity of allowable situations when tankers might be used to remove the effluent (currently illegal in Byron Shire); the impact of the mainstream chemicals for cleaning the supermarket and food preparation areas & utensils which are designed to kill microbes, bacteria and algae which will then go into the on-site septic tanks and irrigation systems and probably render them useless.
I have researched some of the chemicals in the products as the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) supplied by Woolworths do not have the relevant information, such as the ingredients of the cleaning products, their toxicity, and Hazchem codes. We have been fobbed off with dummy MSDS sheets that look official! I have googled some of the products, and checked out the ingredients – in particular J512 which is used to sanitise sinks, all surfaces, all items which are handled, buckets, J-fill kits (sprayed onto walls, cabinets, etc) floors, etc has ingredients which are algaecidal, microbicidal. The Panclean product is bactericidal and microbicidal. I list here the other products and if anyone out there has a chemistry background and can explain the effects of these products, especially whether they will negatively impact the microorganisms in a septic system, please contact me, Deborah(at)mullumaction.org and the legal representative from Byron Shire Council, Shannon.Mckelvey(at)byron.nsw.gov.au
The products to be used at proposed Woolworths supermarket, Mullumbimby:
View Quick WW diluted 1:100
Pronto WW diluted 1:4
Reveal WW diluted
Revive WW diluted
Sanibrite liquid diluted 1:200
Soft Care antibac
Sparkle JF diluted
Panclean JF diluted
Pinnacle WW
Breakup Diluted 1:300
J512 JF diluted 1:512
J512 Ingredients:
n-Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride CAS 68391-01-5 which is algaecidal and microbicidal - and
n-Akyl Dimethyl Ethylbenzyl Ammonium Chloride CAS 68956-79-6 which is bactericidal/microbicidal
Furthermore, the Department of Planning News Release of 22 January 2008, when they approved the Woolworths Stage 2 with onsite, stipulated Woolworths’
• "Deferring introduction of in-house, water-intensive fresh food preparation areas until a later stage of development which will be linked to the introduction of a reticulated sewer at the site."
It will be interesting to find out whether or not Woolworths are now planning to introduce an in-house, water-intensive fresh food preparation area, before the new Mullumbimby reticulated sewer STP is built.
More news post case.
Merry Christmas to all our readers.
May the New Year be Woolworths-free in Mullumbimby.
Cheers,
Deborah
Our contact at the L & E court: Duncan Dey: 0429 845440
My mobile: 0435 421053 (Deborah Lilly)
PS: Please see our website www.mullumaction.org and check out the article about Woolworths marketing pokie gambling pubs to children … and how the debate about pokies at the Woolworths AGM was shut down. Woolworths are the biggest operators of pokies in Australia.
LAND & ENVIRONMENT COURT SYDNEY - 23/24 December this week.
This is Woolworths’ last ditch attempt to persuade the Commissioner that they have a viable proposal for an on-site sewage system for the too-small boggy site in Station Street, Mullumbimby. Wws cannot start building until they have approval for the on-site system, or else wait for Mullum’s new sewage treatment plant (STP).
THE HISTORY:
13 August 2009: Byron Shire Councillors rejected (6-1) Woolworths S68 onsite sewage proposal. Woolworths now have to wait a few years for Mullum’s new STP to be built. Not wanting to wait, Woolworths (Wws) challenge our councillor’s refusal in Land & Environment Court.
28 September 2009: Land & Environment Court hearing in Station Street; community submissions given by Duncan Dey, Garry Scott and Deborah Lilly. Next day case moves to Ballina Court House. Instead of the hearing being based on the proposal which was refused by our councillors, the commissioner agrees to let Wws come up with a new and different proposal – but, hey, its not ready – so case is adjourned, till next time, never mind the expense. By being late with their new information, Wws become liable to pay Council's costs. The issue of costs would be heard in a different Court. Council would have to mount that case and, unfortunately, the substantial costs of that court case are not recoverable.
18/19/20 November 2009: Sydney Land & Environment Court – Guess What!! Woolworths new plan is still not ready. Commissioner agrees to give them another month to come up with a plan.
23/24 December: Sydney Land & Environment Court ALL WELCOME!!! The new plans are ready!!! Are they final??? Of course not, each page is stamped with “Preliminary for Discussion” Will they work? My on-site septic is 'flush and forget'. Not so for Woolworths – the Management Plan is 178 pages long and is so complicated they will have to train experts to operate it.
The Commissioner has been excessively and suspiciously generous to Woolworths in allowing them THREE (3) attempts to convince the court that they can come up with a plan that will work, and it is plain for all to see that our councillors WERE RIGHT TO REJECT Wws original proposal.
I shall be flying to Sydney tomorrow for the court case and Duncan Dey and friend are driving overnight to get there so Mullumbimby community will be represented – we feel its crucial to keep an eye on proceedings and let them know we’re watching.
Any donations for our efforts will be welcomed, please go to: http://www.mullumaction.org/donate.html. Thanks Param in Bristol UK for offering some financial support.
WOOLWORTHS PLAN
The Wws plan has plenty of inadequacies, despite its 178 pages. Contentious issues include, for instance, the buffers between the effluent disposal area and the boundaries being considerably less than 1 metre; management of foul odours and putrid gases have not been properly evaluated; Dept of Health apparently has not been consulted about the use of recycled effluent for flushing toilets and whether the inhalation of fine droplets and possible pathogens is a health hazard; the extraordinary complexity of allowable situations when tankers might be used to remove the effluent (currently illegal in Byron Shire); the impact of the mainstream chemicals for cleaning the supermarket and food preparation areas & utensils which are designed to kill microbes, bacteria and algae which will then go into the on-site septic tanks and irrigation systems and probably render them useless.
I have researched some of the chemicals in the products as the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) supplied by Woolworths do not have the relevant information, such as the ingredients of the cleaning products, their toxicity, and Hazchem codes. We have been fobbed off with dummy MSDS sheets that look official! I have googled some of the products, and checked out the ingredients – in particular J512 which is used to sanitise sinks, all surfaces, all items which are handled, buckets, J-fill kits (sprayed onto walls, cabinets, etc) floors, etc has ingredients which are algaecidal, microbicidal. The Panclean product is bactericidal and microbicidal. I list here the other products and if anyone out there has a chemistry background and can explain the effects of these products, especially whether they will negatively impact the microorganisms in a septic system, please contact me, Deborah(at)mullumaction.org and the legal representative from Byron Shire Council, Shannon.Mckelvey(at)byron.nsw.gov.au
The products to be used at proposed Woolworths supermarket, Mullumbimby:
View Quick WW diluted 1:100
Pronto WW diluted 1:4
Reveal WW diluted
Revive WW diluted
Sanibrite liquid diluted 1:200
Soft Care antibac
Sparkle JF diluted
Panclean JF diluted
Pinnacle WW
Breakup Diluted 1:300
J512 JF diluted 1:512
J512 Ingredients:
n-Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride CAS 68391-01-5 which is algaecidal and microbicidal - and
n-Akyl Dimethyl Ethylbenzyl Ammonium Chloride CAS 68956-79-6 which is bactericidal/microbicidal
Furthermore, the Department of Planning News Release of 22 January 2008, when they approved the Woolworths Stage 2 with onsite, stipulated Woolworths’
• "Deferring introduction of in-house, water-intensive fresh food preparation areas until a later stage of development which will be linked to the introduction of a reticulated sewer at the site."
It will be interesting to find out whether or not Woolworths are now planning to introduce an in-house, water-intensive fresh food preparation area, before the new Mullumbimby reticulated sewer STP is built.
More news post case.
Merry Christmas to all our readers.
May the New Year be Woolworths-free in Mullumbimby.
Cheers,
Deborah
Our contact at the L & E court: Duncan Dey: 0429 845440
My mobile: 0435 421053 (Deborah Lilly)
PS: Please see our website www.mullumaction.org and check out the article about Woolworths marketing pokie gambling pubs to children … and how the debate about pokies at the Woolworths AGM was shut down. Woolworths are the biggest operators of pokies in Australia.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
climate change art competition for schools
Ballina Byron ‘Fair-Go 350’ Art Competition
As part of the International Day of Action on Climate Change, Ballina Climate Action Network (BCAN) and North Coast Climate Action Group (NCCAG) are planning an event in Ballina - at Missingham Park by the Amphitheatre - and invite students to participate in an Art Competition depicting local sustainable solutions
Art: drawings, paintings or other creations (eg using recycled materials)
When: closing date Fri 16th October. Winner to be announced at the Fair on 24th Oct.
2 Categories: under 12 and 12 to 18 years
Entries mailed or delivered to: address and postal address TBA
Prizes:- 1st $80 voucher and 2nd $40 for both categories. (Vouchers donated by Ballina businesses: Eco-options & Jack Ransom Cycles.)
Enquiries: for Ballina ring Sue on 66860602, for Byron ring Tracey 66871056 or email bcanlist@gmail.com
Studies by NASA’s James Hansen - globally respected climatologist - and his team last year produced studies that show with over 350 ppm Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere:
• we will not have a planet as we know it and,
• to which life on Earth developed – and is adapted.
The present level of CO2 is 390ppm and rising. That is why we are already seeing many adverse effects around the world including: widespread droughts and fires accelerated melting of most glaciers and Arctic Summer ice, and tropical diseases spreading to new areas.
We have one planet and one chance to prevent runaway Climate Change. To do this we need a commitment to immediate and deep cuts, especially from the developed nations, at the Kyoto talks in Copenhagen at the end of this year.
100 countries so far have registered to host at least one event on the 24th of October
While the discredited sceptics are still finding fertile ground many ordinary people around the world, concerned for their children’s future, are uniting to tell their politicians that they want strong action NOW
Ballina Byron ‘Fair-Go 350’ will provide information on sustainable local solutions and highlight initiatives in place by our local councils, businesses, and environmental groups.
Sue Fielder on behalf of BCAN
As part of the International Day of Action on Climate Change, Ballina Climate Action Network (BCAN) and North Coast Climate Action Group (NCCAG) are planning an event in Ballina - at Missingham Park by the Amphitheatre - and invite students to participate in an Art Competition depicting local sustainable solutions
Art: drawings, paintings or other creations (eg using recycled materials)
When: closing date Fri 16th October. Winner to be announced at the Fair on 24th Oct.
2 Categories: under 12 and 12 to 18 years
Entries mailed or delivered to: address and postal address TBA
Prizes:- 1st $80 voucher and 2nd $40 for both categories. (Vouchers donated by Ballina businesses: Eco-options & Jack Ransom Cycles.)
Enquiries: for Ballina ring Sue on 66860602, for Byron ring Tracey 66871056 or email bcanlist@gmail.com
Studies by NASA’s James Hansen - globally respected climatologist - and his team last year produced studies that show with over 350 ppm Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere:
• we will not have a planet as we know it and,
• to which life on Earth developed – and is adapted.
The present level of CO2 is 390ppm and rising. That is why we are already seeing many adverse effects around the world including: widespread droughts and fires accelerated melting of most glaciers and Arctic Summer ice, and tropical diseases spreading to new areas.
We have one planet and one chance to prevent runaway Climate Change. To do this we need a commitment to immediate and deep cuts, especially from the developed nations, at the Kyoto talks in Copenhagen at the end of this year.
100 countries so far have registered to host at least one event on the 24th of October
While the discredited sceptics are still finding fertile ground many ordinary people around the world, concerned for their children’s future, are uniting to tell their politicians that they want strong action NOW
Ballina Byron ‘Fair-Go 350’ will provide information on sustainable local solutions and highlight initiatives in place by our local councils, businesses, and environmental groups.
Sue Fielder on behalf of BCAN
Rally to STOP Woolworths in Newport, NSW
It’s now been a couple of months since we started the campaign to stop Woolworths from ruining the beautiful village of Newport.
Thank you very much for signing the petition. The numbers have now swelled to a staggering 2,000 plus, both on line and on paper but we do need more people power to beat the likes of Woolworths, so we’re holding a
Public Rally, on Sunday, 27 September at 10.30 am meeting outside the Surf Club.
Please tell everyone – relations, friends, man, woman and child, to come to the rally to make it clear we don’t want this ugly monstrosity in our village.
Now here’s the latest on the progress of the development by Woolworths.
The council has entered into an automatic agreement to sell the carparks to Woolworths if the two carparks are zoned commercial. Then it’s game set and match as Woolworths automatically become owners of the land and push through their DA with minor compromises designed to palm off residents.
Woolworths rezoning application is now with an independent consultant for assessment. With the application are Woolworths “indicative concept drawings” that are the justification for the rezoning of the council’s carparks.
An independent consultant is being used because the council has a financial stake in the rezoning deal and submissions via Pittwater Council to the consultant, SJD need to be made by 9 October 2009 (see details below).
So what are the main points everyone finds so abhorrent about Woolworths’ proposal?
A typical submission might read as follows: (please feel free to use this one if you want to)
“The Woolworths zoning application should be rejected. It will destroy the village of Newport for the following reasons:
1. This is a key site because it is the last off-mainroad opportunity for Newport to develop its village character.- with landscaping local shops and open areas as embodied in the letter and spirit of the Newport Master Plan, endorsed by residents and passed by council.
2. The Woolworths proposal would dominate the site in the crudest possible way. It covers the entire site, is extremely bulky, allows for no community use, is designed to funnel people only into Woolworths supermarket and will therefore be detrimental to local shops.
3. Newport has sufficient supermarket space with the opening of the 1600 sq mtre Coles supermarket.
4. Because of its size and layout, this development would result in excessive traffic congestion, noise and pollution in Foamcrest Ave and surrounding streets.
5. Because the site is bounded by local streets and the escarpment at the rear, a large number of residents would be affected by after hours noise.
6. Many residents look down on the site. Viewed from above, the above ground carparks will be ugly in the extreme. This plan allows for more parking than Newport needs. This type of crude development is no longer acceptable in modern urban planning.
Even if minor modifications were made to the Woolworths plan, the effects as described above would still apply. To rezone council carparks commercial at this stage would result in the broad concept Woolworths have put forward. Therefore this application should be rejected.
At a later time, after this application is rejected, a fresh approach to this site could be undertaken. Other financially viable concepts that embody the spirit of the Master Plan, allow for community access and enhance Newport as a village would be welcome. “
To make your submission, you need to fill out a form asking whether you have looked at the rezoning proposal. The application is on the council website at http://tinyurl.com/ovwtdm.
The form you need to fill out is attached as a PDF which can be easily printed out. It is essential we get our submissions in by 9 October - and the more the better.
It’s great that just about everyone in Newport is pulling together on this. We can beat them! Look forward to seeing you at the rally.
David Catchlove
Newport Versus Woolies Community Group
(nowoolies@gmail.com)
Thank you very much for signing the petition. The numbers have now swelled to a staggering 2,000 plus, both on line and on paper but we do need more people power to beat the likes of Woolworths, so we’re holding a
Public Rally, on Sunday, 27 September at 10.30 am meeting outside the Surf Club.
Please tell everyone – relations, friends, man, woman and child, to come to the rally to make it clear we don’t want this ugly monstrosity in our village.
Now here’s the latest on the progress of the development by Woolworths.
The council has entered into an automatic agreement to sell the carparks to Woolworths if the two carparks are zoned commercial. Then it’s game set and match as Woolworths automatically become owners of the land and push through their DA with minor compromises designed to palm off residents.
Woolworths rezoning application is now with an independent consultant for assessment. With the application are Woolworths “indicative concept drawings” that are the justification for the rezoning of the council’s carparks.
An independent consultant is being used because the council has a financial stake in the rezoning deal and submissions via Pittwater Council to the consultant, SJD need to be made by 9 October 2009 (see details below).
So what are the main points everyone finds so abhorrent about Woolworths’ proposal?
A typical submission might read as follows: (please feel free to use this one if you want to)
“The Woolworths zoning application should be rejected. It will destroy the village of Newport for the following reasons:
1. This is a key site because it is the last off-mainroad opportunity for Newport to develop its village character.- with landscaping local shops and open areas as embodied in the letter and spirit of the Newport Master Plan, endorsed by residents and passed by council.
2. The Woolworths proposal would dominate the site in the crudest possible way. It covers the entire site, is extremely bulky, allows for no community use, is designed to funnel people only into Woolworths supermarket and will therefore be detrimental to local shops.
3. Newport has sufficient supermarket space with the opening of the 1600 sq mtre Coles supermarket.
4. Because of its size and layout, this development would result in excessive traffic congestion, noise and pollution in Foamcrest Ave and surrounding streets.
5. Because the site is bounded by local streets and the escarpment at the rear, a large number of residents would be affected by after hours noise.
6. Many residents look down on the site. Viewed from above, the above ground carparks will be ugly in the extreme. This plan allows for more parking than Newport needs. This type of crude development is no longer acceptable in modern urban planning.
Even if minor modifications were made to the Woolworths plan, the effects as described above would still apply. To rezone council carparks commercial at this stage would result in the broad concept Woolworths have put forward. Therefore this application should be rejected.
At a later time, after this application is rejected, a fresh approach to this site could be undertaken. Other financially viable concepts that embody the spirit of the Master Plan, allow for community access and enhance Newport as a village would be welcome. “
To make your submission, you need to fill out a form asking whether you have looked at the rezoning proposal. The application is on the council website at http://tinyurl.com/ovwtdm.
The form you need to fill out is attached as a PDF which can be easily printed out. It is essential we get our submissions in by 9 October - and the more the better.
It’s great that just about everyone in Newport is pulling together on this. We can beat them! Look forward to seeing you at the rally.
David Catchlove
Newport Versus Woolies Community Group
(nowoolies@gmail.com)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Rally to stop Shooters Games, Sydney
Urgent Rally
Keep up the pressure!
STOP THE SHOOTERS GAMES
- there's no such thing as conservation hunting -
Thursday 10 Sept 12.30 pm
Parliament House Macquarie St Sydney
Keep up the pressure on the Rees Govt:
No Hunting in National Parks
No Blood Sport Reserves
No hunting native animals
No release of exotic birds for hunting
ALSO
Free Public Meeting
National Parks Under Attack - Help Nature Claim them Back!
Wednesday 9 September, 5.30-8.00pm
Light supper, 5.30pm - Free
Theatrette, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney
Stop the exploitation of nature and national parks
by blood sports and commercial facilities
Keep up the pressure!
STOP THE SHOOTERS GAMES
- there's no such thing as conservation hunting -
Thursday 10 Sept 12.30 pm
Parliament House Macquarie St Sydney
Keep up the pressure on the Rees Govt:
No Hunting in National Parks
No Blood Sport Reserves
No hunting native animals
No release of exotic birds for hunting
ALSO
Free Public Meeting
National Parks Under Attack - Help Nature Claim them Back!
Wednesday 9 September, 5.30-8.00pm
Light supper, 5.30pm - Free
Theatrette, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney
Stop the exploitation of nature and national parks
by blood sports and commercial facilities
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