Mullumbimby Community Action Network

Originally published 05Dec2010

mullum-zine

YOUR SUPPORT WANTED! LIFT BLOCKADE FOR XMAS!

NEWSLETTER 89 – Dec 4, 2010



HELP LIFT WOOLWORTHS BLOCKADE FOR CHRISTMAS!!

How do you feel about the Woolworths blockade of Station Street and our roundabout? Do you feel strongly? If so, please support the campaign to get the blockade lifted and Station and Tincogan Streets re-opened for Christmas.


THE CAMPAIGN

Championed by Cr Basil Cameron; we are calling for the fences to be pulled down to allow circulation of traffic at Christmas time. His Notice of Motion at the Council meeting on 2.12.10 brought on a lively and passionate discussion by the councillors which can be seen on http://www.mullumaction.org . Robert Hart, MCAN"s hardworking web manager, captured these rare and precious moments of visible heart-felt caring for community by Councillors.

After a unanimous vote by the 7 councillors (Crs Tucker & Woods weren"t there) the outcome is that the General Manager is to negotiate with Woolworths about lifting the barricades which have become an embargo on Mullumbimby. He is also assigned the task of getting commercial-level compensation for the lack of access to Council"s property being the ex-Telstra site which locals have been waiting to rent from Council (Cr Tabart"s motion).


WHAT YOU CAN DO

A sample letter is on our website which you can download and send off, or email to newdevelopments@woolworths.com.au. Any copies sent to us will be handed collectively to the GM in support.


ON THE STREET MCAN PRESENCE

A street stall for signature-collecting may be set up in town this week. Please contact Deborah 66843723 if you can offer a couple of hours minding the table, or download 10 copies of the LETTER TO WOOLWORTHS from our website and get your friends to sign. These can be left at Santos, Eden"s Landing, or signed right there in the shop.


ONLINE COMMENTS

Go to http://www.mullumaction.org and add your comment re: the blockade.
Every comment made by community (or letter signed) adds weight to our G M"s quest and more support to people who are adversely affected by Woolworths blockade. Apart from being ugly, it"s caused frequently gridlocked traffic, annoyance and very severe loss of business to some locals.

Woolworths works in Station Street were supposed to have been completed in 3 months, from 7 June to 29 August (as per sign opp Manns Road) and will not now be finished until late Feb, at least.

Poinciana Cafe now can be accessed from the rear lane, past IGA. They have a car park round the back and need our support! Check: http://www.poincianacafe.com/about_us.php


WOOLWORTHS CONTACT

Gary Boyer, Woolworths Region 9 Manager,
PO Box 202, Archerfield, Qld 4108
Fax: (07) 3213 4333 Direct Line: (07) 3213 4101.
(sample letter can be downloaded from http://www.mullumaction.org)
Additionally, email Woolworths PR woman in Sydney Clare Buchanon : cbuchanan(@)woolworths.com.au (take out the brackets, spam stoppers) or newdevelopments@woolworthslimited.com.au


WOOLWORTHS QUOTE:
"...we understand that we have a duty to be more than just a retail outlet, but to also make a positive impact on the societies that we serve. We work to the principle that we can never take our customers for granted – we need to earn their trust and respect and this means acting responsibly both inside and outside our stores."
Retrieved 4.12.10 from Woolworths Limited website: http://www.woolworthslimited.com.au/phoenix.zhtml?c=144044&p=society-home