THE BYRON SHIRE
MULLUM
Volume 25 #52 Tuesday, June 7, 2011 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 23,200 copies every week
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CAB AUDIT
FRACKING OPEN THE HEAD FOR ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Byron Shire renewable energy co-op in pipeline ment with federal and state policies, the forum was extremely positive Plans for a new Northern Rivers Re- about communities growing more of newable Energy Co-operative were their own energy, and using it more conceived this week at an energy fo- efficiently. rum attended by over 100 people. Still at planning stage, the co-oper- Sold lies by the media Executive Director of Beyond Zero ative would potentially produce, buy and sell renewable energy in the re- Emissions, Matthew Wright, pointed gion, using wind, solar and bio-mass to European nations shifting rapidly as well as wave and ocean-current away from carbon, and presented a technologies as they become available. strategy for Australia to achieve 100 Against a backdrop of disappoint- per cent of its power from renewables, Ray Moynihan
Swap market fun
using large-scale solar and wind farms. ‘We’ve been sold lies and misinformation through the media that renewables can’t provide baseload energy needs,’ he told the forum, urging people in the region to train as volunteer presenters with Beyond Zero. Several speakers stressed that reducing energy consumption was one of the cheapest and easiest ways to cut greenhouse emissions, with several examples presented by University of Technology Professor Stuart White. Professor White described a recent experiment in Sydney where energy saving had been made into a ‘competitive sport’ for kids, with one competition between schools producing reductions in household power bills of almost 10 per cent. In another case, in Townsville North Queensland, minor adjustments to the way air-conditioners operated reduced peak demand in summer by an estimated 20 per cent, without the changes even being noticed by users. Professor White said one of the ‘best kept secrets’ in the energy world was the enormous cost of meeting peak demand, requiring billions to be invested in old centralised network infrastructure, including expensive transmission lines.
Decentralised power grid
Kai Melody Bubbles Goodwin had a great time on Sunday at the Council sponsored Byron Swap Market in the Mullum Council grounds. Photo Jeff Dawson
He shared research showing how a decentralised, ‘intelligent’ power grid which distributed energy more rationally and efficiently could dramatically slash wastage, with both environmental and economic benefits. Professor White also said government policies and regulations were sometimes creating ‘absurd barriers to innovation’. He cited an example in Sydney, where the University of Technology wants to use its own locally generated power, but would be charged the same massive fee by the continued on page 3
Award-winning pics for David
Byron-based photographer, David Young, has had a pretty good year so far – his portrait of Tom Guppy with ‘Buffalo Wings’ earned him a high commendation from Olive Cotton, judge Naomi Cass, and a Directors Choice Acquisitive Award. David’s striking portrait of Bob Hawke was also selected from 1,200 entries to be one of 55 hung as part of
the National Gallery’s National Photographic Portrait Prize. He then picked up a Silver award in the Nature category of Pano Awards. Sydney photographer Tamara’s dark image of an old man smoking won her the $20,000 Olive Cotton Award. The exhibition hangs at the Tweed River Gallery until the end of June. Photo Jeff ‘Nylon’ Dawson
Byron businesses angered by paid parking proposal Byron Bay business group Byron United (BU) has slammed Council’s plans for paid parking in the town. ‘The Board of Byron United strongly opposes this move on a number of grounds,’ president Sevegne Newton said. ‘This is a shortsighted move that could have major ramifications on the economy of the area. ‘Council have proved to be poor financial managers and until they make cutbacks and do the job they are paid to do, we will not support revenue raising or rate increases. ‘There is no guarantee that the money raised in Byron will be spent in Byron. Business has not been consulted.’ Cr Patrick Morrisey responded to BU with a letter, and dismissed claims of lack of consultation.
‘Council resolved on 28 April 2011 to place the Draft Management Plan and fees and charges on exhibition,’ writes Cr Morrisey. ‘This document refers to paid parking fees, parking coupons and proposed increases in paid parking in Byron Shire. ‘Two public meetings were held and advertised in Council’s Public Notices in the Byron Shire News. ‘One was held at Council’s works depot at Bayshore Drive Byron Bay on 24 May 2011. ‘I note no-one from BU attended that management plan and budget presentation and discussion. Your concerns could have been discussed then. ‘Since then, Council further
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