Repco Rally

Links concerning the fight against the World Rally Car Race in Tweed and Kyogle

Kyogle KRATER "No Rally, thank you!" group No Rally group of 6 Feb 09 by Philippa of Lismore. - video (taken around Feb 09) of local wildlife whose lives will be put at risk by race. from the Coffs Coast Advocate of 11 Mar 09. (Also in the Northern Star) Article enthusiastic about planned rally about local Coffs Harbour racing driver who hopes to participate. - official World Rally website, - announcement (undated) of official rally on official web site.

Come in spinner

There is a Simpson's episode where a "snake oil salesman" comes to Springfield promoting something or other. The actual thing they are promoting is useless, worthless and does not work ... BUT ... they do a nice song and dance routine and as a result captivate the community leaders. Sound familiar??? It does to us in the Tweed valley and Kyogle areas. Talk about life imitating art!!! Repco Rally Australia came to New South Wales and the north coast with bells and whistles and a well rehearsed sales pitch. They have captivated the state government, various Chambers of Commerce and local councils with their web of deceit. They offer nothing but the chance (like a ticket in Lotto) to make a big, but short lived, profit. What they destroy along the way does not matter to them! They don't live here and won't be around to see the outcomes. They have demonstrated that they will say whatever they need to say to win over the person or group to whom they are talking at the time. Consider their claims about support from various community groups ranging from wildlife carers to Landcare groups. They have had no difficulty claiming to all and sundry that these groups are working with the rally organisers or have agreed to undertake certain tasks in support of the rally BUT - they have never talked to these groups. This is demonstrated by letters to local media from representatives of these groups stating that, not only have they never been contacted but, they are actually opposed to the rally! The rally organisers have recently been trotting out multiple reports that, they claim, support the running of the rally. As locals look at these reports they are not convinced. There are so many levels on which this proposed rally is just WRONG that it beggars belief that it is still on the table. No Rally Group is organising a community protest at Murwillumbah on Thursday 28 May. It will occur in two stages. the first is at 2pm in Knox Park in the middle of town and will feature street theatre highlighting our spin on the rally. (Ya gotta have some fun with it or you would cry). The protest will reassemble outside the Council Chambers just prior to the Council meeting to let Councillors know just how we feel. Come join us if you can. We would love to see you there.

Repco Rally Australia releases reports "in stages"

Repco Rally Australia Chairman Garry Connelly announced via NBN TV News and the Tweed Daily News that his organisation would be releasing the environmental, social and economic impact reports for the proposed rally in the Tweed and Kyogle areas "in stages" over the next week or so. They released their preferred route today. Reports may be downloaded from the Repco Rally Australia website I am tickled that they are releasing them "in stages" - just like the cars!!! Seems somehow appropriate. Those among us who lean towards the cynical, and I know there are at least two of you out there, might think this is an effort to disarm the argument for a reasonable time (at least 28 days) for pubic comment on the DA - once it is eventually lodged. You two might argue that until the documents are lodged with the Council concerned that they have no "standing' as documents. They are merely opinion put forward by one of the protagonists. You might further suggest that when one of the Tweed Councillors moves to extend the period for public submissions from the minimum 14 days to 28 days that another, less favourably inclined, councillor may argue that the community has already had sufficient time to consider the documents. You two, being the cynical things you are, might express concern that we can't be sure that the documents published via the RRA website are EXACTLY the same as the ones presented to Council. The publishing of the reports on the website is a distraction, a cynical ploy aimed at gaining positive publicity for Repco Rally Australia. Like many others I have downloaded the reports that have been made available and will download others as they become available, HOWEVER, I will argue strongly to Councillors and anyone else that the community must be given an adequate time to digest, consider and respond to the documents lodged with Council. What is published beforehand does not matter. What you can do: - Download the reports and consider their content. - Get your arguments ready (bearing in mind that we have no guarantee that these are the documents that will ACTUALLY be lodged with Council). - Put in a submission once the DA is lodged.

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