''Verrmont'', Boyd's Lane, Dulguigan
MURWILLUMBAH NSW 2484

Max Boyd AM

Media Release TWEED SHIRE: AT THE CROSS ROADS

This Forum organised by the 'MAX BOYD GROUP' is due to continue its
third session at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre Auditorium on
Sunday 22nd. February 2004.

This series of presentations is designed to provide Tweed residents
with valuable information and knowledge that highlight the things
that makes the Tweed so special and the issues that could threaten
our quality of life if future Councils take the direction which will
put those things we cherish at risk.

The Tweed Caldera is at the centre of the Tweed volcanic region. It
is the core of a bio-region which straddles the NSW/Q1d border and
has the highest biodiversity in Australia. This is based on a great
spread of habitats across the Mt. Warning shield volcano and along a
coastline that is washed by the east Australian current from the Coral
Sea and the long shore current from the Tasman Sea.

Tropical  and sub-tropical species from the north overlap with the
temperate from the south. During the drier and colder years of many
ice ages, the Tweed volcanic region became a refuge for many species
from old Gondwana. Many of these are found nowhere else on Earth.

It is also a favourite place for people to live in. The great challenges
are for us to live well and to provide for our great-grandchildren to
live well, but to do so in such a way that thousands of diverse species
and ecosystems can also live well.

On the Tweed we know this is a special place and it is our responsibility
to look after it. Voters on 27th. March 2004 should insist on higher
levels of attention to these issues,, therefore they must seek out
candidates who will provide leadership and give them the power to make
the difference.

The MAX BOYD GROUP believes the Tweed Shire is at the CROSS ROADS and its
members commit themselves to retaining the Tweed as a special place.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR ANYONE WISHING TO ATTEND ANY OF THESE PRESENTATIONS

THIRD SESSION: Sunday 22nd. February 2004
Tweed Heads Civic Centre

2 p.m. Associate Professor Clyde Wild
'Population and the Future for Tweed Shire'

Head of the School of Environmental and Applied Sciences at Griffith Uni.
(Gold Coast)  Lecturer in Environmental Biology covering' The Global
Environment' (environmental studies) and in 'Terrestrial Invertebrates'
(entomology).

Particular interest in the interaction of people with the natural environment.
Goal is to identify ways in which people can live in an area while its
biodiversity values are maintained. Had regular fortnightly ABC radio feature
programme on matters of environmental interests.

3 P.M. Mr. John Hunter 'The Significance of the Tweed's Rainforests'

Moved to Tweed in early 1970's where he gained an interest in plants which
set the course for his life. Special interest in medicinal properties of
rainforest plants of the Tweed and a commitment to its natural and cultural
heritage.

Degree in Botany UNE and masters degree focusing on distribution of Antarctic
Beech Rainforest in the Tweed Range. Works as a natural area manager with
emphasis on documentation and management of rainforest in Northern NSW.
Completed research for Queensland Government on areas of wet tropics world
heritage rainforest.

4 p.m. Dr. Tony Horn and Mr. Richard Swinton 'Water Issues in Tweed Planning'

Tony: For past 12 years involved with water management with Dept. of Natural
Resources Mines (Qld) dealing with salinity and contaminant hydrology, ground
water management and catchment planning. Currently involved with innovative
trial scheme in the Williams River in NSW where farmers who improve their
operations to a particular level of environmental management will be given
access to more secure water supplies than non accredited farmers.

Richard: Natural Resource Manager with NSW Agriculture on North Coast.
Grew rice and irrigated crops for 25 years. M. App. Sc. and Dip. FM (Hons)
Specialises in development of community water sharing plans. Has represented
NSW Agriculture on the 3 Water Management Committees covering North Coast
from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads.

ENDS

For further information
Cr. Max R. Boyd A.M.
Ph. 02 6672 2843 Fax. 02 6672 6586