Tuesday, 31 July 2001

Protesters attack nuclear Star Wars - OLD ALLIES GET TOGETHER, The Australian, 31 July, 2001.

Protesters attack nuclear Star Wars - OLD ALLIES GET TOGETHER: [1 Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 31 July 2001: 2.
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In Sydney, where the building of a new nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights in the city's south is a contentious issue, about 50 observers watched in drizzling rain as protesters delivered speeches condemning the US and the nuclear industry.
"Star Wars has the ability to create a new nuclear arms race," she said. "We need to solve international problems through peaceful means, not by creating fear. Australians are against furthering the nuclear arms industry."
SMALL protests against the US missile shield by anti-nuclear and environment groups were held around the country yesterday to send a message to Colin Powell and Donald Rumsfeld.
The protests were held outside the US consulates in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
A letter signed by 27 peace groups was faxed to Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and John Howard, arguing that missile defence may lead to a renewed nuclear arms race.
In Sydney, where the building of a new nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights in the city's south is a contentious issue, about 50 observers watched in drizzling rain as protesters delivered speeches condemning the US and the nuclear industry.
Among the placards being waved were signs saying: "Transform Military to Clean up the Earth" and "Star Wars Starts Wars".
Natalie Stevens, 26, who dressed up as a kind of anti-nuclear Darth Vader complete with death mask, said she thought it important to send a strong message to the visiting US heavyweights.
"Star Wars has the ability to create a new nuclear arms race," she said. "We need to solve international problems through peaceful means, not by creating fear. Australians are against furthering the nuclear arms industry."
Friends of the Earth spokesman John Hallam said the protesters wanted to send a signal that Australians were alarmed by theproposed missile defence project.
"Like people all over the world, they want to see nuclear weapons eliminated," he said.
In Melbourne a small group outside the US consulate performed street theatre, which involved trying to shoot rubber missiles out ofthe air with small rubber balls. An attempt to deliver a letter to the consulate was unsuccessful.
Illustration
Caption: No nuke:; Photo: Photo
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Wednesday, 25 July 2001

Chance discovery alerts wine industry to a disaster in the wind, The Australian, 25 July, 2001.

Chance discovery alerts wine industry to a disaster in the wind: [1 Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 25 July 2001: 3.
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Identification of the pustules as grapevine leaf rust, a fungus endemic in northern Asia that kills leaves and retards vine growth, has rung alarm bells around the country.
Federal chief plant protection officer Bill Roberts said rust was spread by wind so easily that, during the1950s, rust on Australian wheat was blamed for turning New Zealand ski fields yellow.
While [Darwin] is far from the valuable southern vineyards, many grapevines grow in its suburbs, planted bythe city's Greek and Italian communities. Wine Makers Federation of Australia policy director Stephen Strachan said the disease was of serious concern.
A WIND-BORNE disease that threatens the nation's $3.6billion wine industry has been discovered by accident in a Darwin backyard.
Small yellow pustules on a grapevine leaf caught quarantine officer Matthew Weinert's attention while he was visiting friends.
Identification of the pustules as grapevine leaf rust, a fungus endemic in northern Asia that kills leaves and retards vine growth, has rung alarm bells around the country.
Six more vines infested with the disease, which can be spread hundreds of kilometres in a day by wind, have been discovered in northern Darwin and eradicated.
Owners of backyard grapevines are being urged to come forward to have their vines checked. Commercial growers and primary industry officers in the north of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland are also being warned about the disease.
A committee of 30 leading government and industry figures debated strategies to beat the disease during a nationwide telephone hook- up on Monday.
Territory plant pathologist Rex Pitkethley said it was hard to predict how the rust would behave in Australia.
"The disconcerting part is that it occurs in some cool temperate areas around the world, which gives us cause for concern that it could establish in the main grape-growing areas of Australia," he said.
Federal chief plant protection officer Bill Roberts said rust was spread by wind so easily that, during the1950s, rust on Australian wheat was blamed for turning New Zealand ski fields yellow.
"(Grapevine leaf rust) is a disease of the tropics and, among the imponderables at the moment, we don't know how effective it is in cool areas," Mr Roberts said.
"We are taking the safest approach and assuming it will cause an impact."
The disease may have arrived on the clothing or shoes of soldiers or travellers arriving from East Timor in thepast two years.
While Darwin is far from the valuable southern vineyards, many grapevines grow in its suburbs, planted by thecity's Greek and Italian communities. Wine Makers Federation of Australia policy director Stephen Strachan said the disease was of serious concern.
"We are not ruling anything in or out," he said. "We don't have a lot of knowledge about the disease and it is a matter of looking at worst-case scenarios.
"The wholesale wine industry is worth $3.6billion. That is why we are taking it very seriously."
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Monday, 23 July 2001

Three injured in office-block blast, The Australian, 23 July, 2001.

Three injured in office-block blast: [2 Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 23 July 2001: 5.
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The explosion occurred in the air conditioning plant of Plessey House, near the corner of Arthur and Mount streets overlooking the northern approaches to theHarbour Bridge.
The blast is believed to have occurred at 9.54pm. Firemen, who took six minutes to arrive at the scene, found the injured men stumbling towards the entrance of the building.
Mr [Ian Krimmer] said Sydney's state-of-the-art computerised fire detection system meant the nearest fire station was alerted within three seconds of theexplosion triggering the building's alarms.
THREE men were taken to hospital last night with serious burns after an explosion ripped through a North Sydney office block.
The explosion occurred in the air conditioning plant of Plessey House, near the corner of Arthur and Mount streets overlooking the northern approaches to theHarbour Bridge.
The blast is believed to have occurred at 9.54pm. Firemen, who took six minutes to arrive at the scene, found the injured men stumbling towards the entrance of the building.
The workers are believed to have been sprayed with hot oil by the blast.
Ambulance paramedic commander Phil Good said the burns to the men appeared "significant", although they were conscious and talking as they were taken to the North Shore Hospital.
"It can be very difficult to tell how bad burns are at first," he said.
There was a large amount of damage to the plant room, which measures 5m by 10m. A substantial brick wall was knocked over by the force of the explosion.
NSW Fire Brigades spokesman Ian Krimmer said four fire units attended the scene.
"It appears the three men were working in an air conditioning plant on the 19th floor," he said.
"Initial investigations suggest the men were working on an electrical switchboard."
Mr Krimmer said Sydney's state-of-the-art computerised fire detection system meant the nearest fire station was alerted within three seconds of the explosion triggering the building's alarms.
Late last night fire investigators and police forensic officers were attempting to determine the cause and extent of the explosion.
WorkCover and Energy Australia are expected to begin their investigations this morning.
Illustration
Caption: Burns: Picture: Brad Newman; Photo: Photo
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Friday, 13 July 2001

Battle looms on future of 'roo farming, The Australian, 13 July, 2001

Battle looms on future of 'roo farming - RURAL: [1 Edition]

John Stapleton, Jane Mulkerrins. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 13 July 2001: 36.
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Protecting indigenous animals was an outdated idea that damaged Australia's ecology, he said. Farming native animals adapted to thelocal environment was far easier on the Australian landscape than farming cattle and sheep. He was speaking at a conservation biology conference in Sydney last week.
"It really makes a lot of sense for us in this country to produce our meat from the animals that belong here, rather than introduced animals like sheep and cattle that don't belong here," he said. "In the next five to 10 years I think many sheep and cattle producers will halve their numbers and devote resources to harvesting kangaroos."
"Kangaroo populations should be managed as a resource in a manner that balances biodiversity, conservation and grazing production objectives," he said. "It is sustainable. We as farmers have been saying for a long time that kangaroos are a resource. You don't have to drench them or use chemicals, they are running in their natural environment. Kangaroo farming could well be better for the country because we would be farming the natural resource on the country they have lived on for million years.
KANGAROO farming could well outstrip sheep and cattle farming in the future, an industry leader has claimed.
John Kelly, development manager of the Kangaroo Industries Association, said Australians needed to break free from the "Skippy syndrome" and realise the full potential of harvesting kangaroos.
Protecting indigenous animals was an outdated idea that damaged Australia's ecology, he said. Farming native animals adapted to thelocal environment was far easier on the Australian landscape than farming cattle and sheep. He was speaking at a conservation biology conference in Sydney last week.
About 10 per cent of the country's 30 million kangaroos are harvested each year for their meat and skin, in an industry that turns over $200 million per annum. Beginning in the 1960s, the industry provides employment for around 4000 people in rural towns.
Mr Kelly said the cuddly nature of Australian animals and the mythology built up around them had erected psychological barriers to harvesting wildlife.
"It really makes a lot of sense for us in this country to produce our meat from the animals that belong here, rather than introduced animals like sheep and cattle that don't belong here," he said. "In the next five to 10 years I think many sheep and cattle producers will halve their numbers and devote resources to harvesting kangaroos."
The dream of establishing kangaroo farms will not be without controversy. Animal welfare groups are outraged by the Sydney conference's support for the trade and are determined to halt the industry.
President of the Australian Wildlife Protection Council Maryland Wilson said: "It is absolutely shocking that veterinary groups could sponsor a conference that so demeans our national animal."
The council is also lobbying against the NSW Government and the Australian Museum, both of which support kangaroo harvesting.
Juliet Gellatley, director of animal charity Viva! and the woman credited with stopping kangaroo exports to the UK, will arrive in Sydney this month to head the joint European-Australian attack on the industry.
She has vowed to chain herself to the desk of Australian Museum director Professor Michael Archer, if necessary.
Animal welfare groups also express concern about the impact kangaroo harvesting will have on the future of the species.
Catherine Rogers, vice-president of the World League for the Protection of Animals, said: "We know very little about the genetics of kangaroos. We can't have any clear idea of what the result will be of killing off the biggest, strongest males."
But many farmers are supportive. NSW Farmers Western Division Council chairman Graham Morphett applauded the notion of kangaroo farming. He said animal numbers had increased on many properties because farmers had created a lot more watering points.
"Kangaroo populations should be managed as a resource in a manner that balances biodiversity, conservation and grazing production objectives," he said. "It is sustainable. We as farmers have been saying for a long time that kangaroos are a resource. You don't have to drench them or use chemicals, they are running in their natural environment. Kangaroo farming could well be better for the country because we would be farming the natural resource on the country they have lived on for million years.
"It would be exciting to see them take over from sheep and cattle."
But the National Farmers Federation has criticised legislation, known as the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, which is passing through federal parliament. The NFF says the farming industry has not been consulted on numerous amendments to the legislation, which they say could block commercialisation of native flora and fauna.
Sunrise industries such as wattle seed and kangaroo harvesting could be stopped without any proper scientific analysis.
NFF vice-president Wayne Cornish said his federation represented 120,000 farming properties covering 70 per cent of the Australianland mass. He said the failure of the Government to consult with them was particularly annoying.
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Friday, 6 July 2001

You could fill your dance card at Nyamup village, The Australian, 6 July, 2001.





You could fill your dance card at Nyamup village: [1 Edition]

Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 06 July 2001: 36.
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YOU can still buy a house in Sydney for $650,000. But go west to the other side of the country and you could be the proud owner of the 26ha Nyamup Holiday Village, complete with 25 cottages, a manager's residence, a park and a nine-hole golf course.
Nyamup is located in Manjimup shire amid the famous karri, jarrah and red gum forests of south-west WA, 320km from Perth. Thestately karri is one of the tallest hardwoods in the world, reaching 90 metres in height.
Nyamup was established as a timber mill town in 1939 by Bunning Brothers on crown land. At its peak the town had more than 50 cottages, an office, staff quarters, boarding house, butcher, millwright, school, bowling green, clubhouse and the mill itself.

YOU can still buy a house in Sydney for $650,000. But go west to the other side of the country and you could be the proud owner of the 26ha Nyamup Holiday Village, complete with 25 cottages, a manager's residence, a park and a nine-hole golf course.
And this is not to mention the community dance hall, once regarded as the best dance hall in WA outside Perth, with its jarrah floors especially designed for old-time dances.
Wilgarup River, which runs through the property, is stocked with trout and the prized native freshwater crayfish known as marron.
Nyamup is located in Manjimup shire amid the famous karri, jarrah and red gum forests of south-west WA, 320km from Perth. Thestately karri is one of the tallest hardwoods in the world, reaching 90 metres in height.
National parks and reserves cover 80 per cent of the Manjimup region.
Nyamup was established as a timber mill town in 1939 by Bunning Brothers on crown land. At its peak the town had more than 50 cottages, an office, staff quarters, boarding house, butcher, millwright, school, bowling green, clubhouse and the mill itself.
The mill operations were wound up in 1990 and Bunnings entered into an agreement with business couple Derek and Marilyn Hall to purchase buildings and assets on the site. Many other buildings were sold to different parties for salvage.
The Halls turned the village into a family retreat and holiday centre.
Derek's father, Joe, and his partner Dot Oates, lived at Nyamup and slowly worked to restore the buildings over the last decade.
The Hall family finally gained freehold title over the land after a protracted and complicated land-swap deal with the WA Department of Conservation last year.
Several cottages have been renovated, but competing business interests and health issues have pushed the Halls into putting Nyamup on the market.
"We will be sad to sell," Derek Hall said. "The place has that much potential. Unfortunately we have no choice.
"The vision that we all had, it would have been nice to continue on. My father achieved a lot here, he has done all the work. But unfortunately, because of his ill health, we haven't been able to achieve what we would like to.
"We hope someone with the same or similar vision to us will bring the place up to what our expectations were.
"There is a lot of work to do, there's no doubt about that, but it's work that you can casually do, and reap the rewards in the end.
"Nyamup has been a refuge for a number of people, it is so serene, it brings people back to reality. It is a beautiful place."
Selling agent Trevor Fellows of Elders at Manjimup said: "As you drive down through the leafy trees, with the emus and kangaroos living side by side on the property, it's magnificent. There's so many things you could do with this property, from school groups to scout camps to leasing cottages out to charities."
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