Mullumbimby Community Action Network

Originally published 10Jul2010

mullum-zine

Comments wanted for Woolworths Liquor Licence

NEWSLETTER 81 - 10 July 2010


WOOLWORTHS HOPES FOR LIQUOR LICENCE

In order for Woolworths to open their bottleshop at their big box in Station Street, they have to have a Community Impact Statement completed, by law. They have employed Back Schwartz Vaughan who describe themselves as the "NSW Liquor Licensing Specialists" to gather submissions and, understandably, the solicitors" online survey questions are skewed to get the answers their clients, Woolworths, would 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 on Friday (in the cafe area).

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 may of those other liquor applications are for Woolworths, eg Nambucca Heads and Ulladulla?

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 five 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 or parcel deliveries 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). 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".

Cheers
Deborah