#2
Green groups slam SE Qld regional plan
BRISBANE — Conservation organisations have criticised the Queensland government's draft south-east Queensland regional plan, released for public comment on October 27, labelling it a sham and a threat to the environment.
Brisbane Region Environment Council coordinator Michael Petter said on October 29 that developers were the big winners from the plan, despite Labor Premier Peter Beattie's claim that it would ensure 80% of the region was protected from urban development. Beattie said that a high proportion of the area from the Gold Coast to Noosa would be made up of national parks, conservation areas, agricultural land and water catchment areas.
But Petter said the plan boosted — rather than controlled — urban development and put more than 22,000 hectares of significant remnant bushland at risk.
Koala Action Group president Debbie Pointing said the plan supported further urban expansion which questioned the government's commitment to koala conservation, which involves maintaining koala habitat.
Bill Mason
Bill pasting is not a crime!
DARWIN — Human-rights activist Gary Meyerhoff was found guilty in the Darwin Magistrates Court on October 28 bill pasting.
Meyerhoff was charged under a Darwin City Council by-law, which prohibits postering "without a permit". The council has never issued such a permit and this was the first time that anyone has been charged with the offence.
The court gave Meyerhoff a 6-month, $600 good behaviour bond and he has been ordered to pay costs of $710. He will appeal the decision in the Supreme Court.
Kathy Newnam
Victory for roof tilers
PERTH — Following a two-week strike, more than 800 roofing tilers returned to work on October 25, after Harmony became the last of WA's four tile manufactures to accept the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union's claim for a 15% pay rise over three years.
The new agreement also includes a 5% increase in casual loadings to 25%, redundancy pay, sick leave, annual leave and payment of site and height allowances.
Chris Latham
From Green Left Weekly, November 3, 2004.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.