Max Boyd AM

''Vermont''
Boyd's lane, Dulgulgan
MURWILLUMBAH NSW 2484

Telephone 02 6672 2843 Fax 02 6672 6586

Media Release

TWEED SHIRE: AT THE CROSS ROADS

The fourth component of this Forum organised by the MAX BOYD GROUP
will occur on Saturday 28th. February 2004 at the
Murwillumbah Civic Centre Auditorium.

Living as we do in this beautiful part of Australia, it is all too easy
to close our minds to global problems and to enjoy to the full the myriad
of benefits the Tweed life style bestows upon us.

However, these problems cannot and will not be ignored. Recent research
by the Worldwatch Institute shows that current consumption rates in the
better off countries are unsustainable.

The 12% of the world's people in North America, Western Europe and
Australia account for 60% of world consumption, while the 33% in
southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa consume only 3.2%.

Redefining Progress in California has calculated the production area
of the World's surface needed to provide for one person and called it
the Ecological Footprint.

On average, the productive area available per person is 1.9 hectares (1999).

The average Ecological Footprint was assessed at 2.3 hectares thus
'depleting the earth's natural capital stock'. The variations in
Footprints from country to country showed great inequity. The average
Australian Footprint was 6.9 hectares, USA 9.6 hectares and India,
Pakistan and Bangladesh were 0.8, 0.7 and 0.6 respectively.

Such world sized problems are not going to be solved in a hurry, if
at all. However, the MAX BOYD GROUP strongly believes there is
sufficient scientific evidence to show that everything in the garden
is NOT rosy.

For us all, the place to start looking for better ways to do things
is here and the time is now.

By organising this Forum the MAX BOYD GROUP is recognising the
dramatic changes that are occurring in daily life around the world
and is taking a pro-active role in leading the way towards a
sustainable future for the Tweed.

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

FOURTH SESSION: Saturday 28th. February 2004 (DST)
Murwillumbah Civic Auditorium

2 p.m. Dr. Doland Nichols 'Potential for Forestry Plantations on the Tweed' 
Senior Lecturer School Environmental Science and Management
Southern Cross University. Continuing research on tropical and sub-tropical
ecology and mixed species plantations. Has worked in American Samoa,
West Africa, Ghana, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Oregon (USA).

3 p.m. Mr. Terry Watson 'Developing Sustainable High Yield Tourism for Tweed'

Has a diverse range of business skills, knowledge and experience gained over
29 years in tourism industry. Terry's background includes private enterprise,
Government and tourism academia. He had owned and operated an award wining
nature based operation, had 19 years senior management experience with some
of Australia's leading tourism organizations. Has developed and managed a
tourist development programme for NSW and Federal Governments.
Currently works as General Manager of Tweed & Coolangatta Tourism Inc.

4 P.M. Dr. Keith Bolton 'From Effluent to Affluence'

'The Future of Eco-Technology in Tweed Shire'

Holds a degree in Agricultural Science (UQ) and PhD in Environmental
Engineering (Griffith Uni.) Currently Managing Director in Eco Technology
Australia and Project Manager for Centre for Eco Technology (SCU).

Research and consultancy interests focus on 'turning wastewater into
resource water'. Recently involved in planting 600,000 paper bark trees
for effluent reuse, wetland regeneration, acid sulphate soil management
and carbon credits. Working on other mop-crop projects involving bamboo,
hemp, kenaf, hay and bananas.

ENDS
For further information
Cr. Max R. Boyd A.M.
Ph. 0266 722843 Fax. 0266 72658