I will support any person’s right to protest, but I will not condone any person who are happy to put another person’s life at risk, and we have seen plenty of desperate such actions this weekend.
I have seen the products of such rock throwing at cars in my time working in major population centres with the emergency services, the outcome is death.
I note that the Northern star has chosen not to publish a story about the environmental damage caused by some protester who chose to damage local roads with painted slogans and covering traffic signs with even more paint, I wonder if other people are concerned about the reported $10,000 repair bill. Has any protester considered the fact that some poor motorist could be injured, or worst, because of the covered road signs?
The rally takes place once every 2 years, over 3 days. 40-50 odd cars drive over roads, which are designed to take traffic or higher numbers without any protest, it could be said the protesters created more traffic flow themselves over similar or the same roads, making the exact same environmental impact, the difference the average protester car would not have the pollution systems fitted the rally cars have or have a greenhouse gas offset plan the rally has. I hope the paint used by the protesters was not lead based and they paid the real estate agents for the signs they “borrowed”, I think not.

We were driving to Kyogle on Saturday evening about 5pm. Approaching Cawongla from the north, we saw one badged rally car overtake six vehicles across double lines in the 50 km/hr area. It had to quickly squeeze back in when it saw our Holden Commodore approaching. Further on, on a very windy road with again double white lines, another badged rally car came around the bend, overtaking across double white lines. We got quite a shock I tell you.

Unfortunately I did not have my camera. I don't think this behaviour sets a good example for young people in this area.

I also feel tthat the manner in which the corrupt State government overrode the Local Government Act and 13 other acts is more like a government in the former Soviet Union. No consultation with the people or elected local governments.

I am so sick of the beat up around the alleged rock throwing incident. It has not been proven to be thrown by protestors. Where are the equivalent stories of the aggressiveness by pro rally spectators? Burly men intimidating (women) protestors, trespassing to knock down protest signs on private property, tailgating and yelling "go rally" as they overtake while speeding excessively, yelling obscenities and threats. Oh yeah, but they are the minority! Thankfully they are, but a much bigger minority than the few alleged rock throwers. What about actually covering the concerns of the protestors who have a right to oppose the destruction to the environment, the stripping of voters rights, and the inappropriate use of public funds? Yes a few (minority) made a profit for a few days, many were effected negatively like the petrol station in Murwillumbah Repco demanded be closed and all the locals who depend on it, or the supermarkets in Mur'bah whose carparks were taken over by Rally spectators/personnel so their customers couldn't park? Do those few that made a profit realise they probably only broke even because they are paying for the rally out of their taxes? The rally drivers whom protestors met seemed very nice, they were interested in the protestor concerns, didn't know it was going through a national park, and support the environment. They also didn't know they were going past people's homes. The protests are not against the rally drivers or local people making money, but make sure it's done properly and for the benefit of all not just a few. And stop the biased coverage about the protestors, it was a largely successful and peaceful protest by people representing a large cross section of the community, united by the belief that legislation should not be changed to subvert existing laws to profit and entertain a few.
Suzanne Gray
Chinderah

I'm ashamed to say I voted green in the last Tweed council elections, hoping for a balanced council, however, the actions by Cr Milne over Rally Australia has left me wondering why I bothered.
Her behaviour will have far reaching implications on the area, much more than a few cars driving quickly on closed roads every two years.
I cetainly won't be making the same mistake twice.
What a foolish waste of a vote.

I was actually in the event so I may be able to shed some light on the disappointing acts and efforts some of the people went to..

At the rally we had people waiting on side roads to then pull out in front of competitor’s cars and others on a regular basis. Once they had pulled in front they would drive down the road at anything from 20 klm’s an hr to 40 trying to make traffic problems. I do not see how this is a protest to anything other than making it dangerous to the other cars on the road.

So please if you are going to write about things that happened on the weekend tell the WHOLE STORY.

It was disappointing as over the weekend we saw thousands of people who were totally wrapped the rally was in town and probably only 100 people protesting, and the way they did that was just wrong they painted on the roads they painted on the street signs.

To throw rocks at cars on the HWY is or would be attempted man slaughter and they find this OK to do??? What type of people are we dealing with here if they were true protesters they would not damage things and or run away...

I have respect for a protest where you stand with a sign and complain but to be a vandal is WRONG

While I don't condone rock throwing at these vehicles I can understand the frustration of people over the issue. When Sebastien Loeb says 'if the majority of residents didn't want the rally to return to the area then it should be moved' it shows his lack of understanding on what's happened here. This was a 'done' deal by the previous Mayor and then at the sniff that possibly the people be heard in their cries of not wanting it the State Government mandated it be! So Rally drivers you understand the majority did not and do not want you killing our wildlife and destroying our wonderful environment and while we don't have a voice, sadly a very few people will take things into their hands and do violent and irrational things. I pray that nobody gets hurt when it's on next.

I believe the crowds and local support show your statement to be incorrect, as there were,

* Thousands of people watching the event.
* Hundreds of people standing at there fences waving at us
* Every business I spoke to as I personally spent over 10,000 dollars in the area at business were all happy the rally was there.

And one could only assume a handful of people breaking the law spray painting street signs, and a hand full of people at the protests.

So your statement "the majority did not want it" seems to be a statement that you could never back up as it was not visible in any way..

And as for I hope nobody gets hurt, we can and I say the word we being the general public.. We can say that if people do do these things again we will go to every length to have them prosecuted.

The way some of the protesters acted just made you all look like law breaking clowns.

When Sebastien Loeb says 'if the majority of residents didn't want the rally to return to the area then it should be moved'.

Well by the number of spectators that came into the towns and spent their money into these business, it was a good boost to the economy, so does 50 or 100 protesters, and some of those who threw rock and other missiles and vandalised the community property which the local rate payer will have to foot the bill for, gave the other peaceful protesters a bad name, count as a majority - I don't think so

What The..?

Refering to "Suzanne Gray"'s comment above:

Are you kidding me? Of course the rock was thrown by a rally protestor, who ELSE could it be? A rally Supporter? Someone who's indifferent to the rally? Yes, It could the latter, but they then turn into a protestor when they attempt to inflict damage upon a rally car.

I am a rally fan, I am a local, I do not care for many other spots, YET I DO NOT PREVENT PEOPLES RIGHT TO WATCH/PLAY SAID SPORT. What would you do if all the locals were to start protesting that we do NOT want hippies/smokers/etc in our area? I bet i'd hear "Its our right to be here" And thats exactly true, Its the rest of our rights to support a motorsport we love to be staged in the area.

I personally will be calling for t he rally to be moved from the tweed, To the Kyogle Shire, where there are people who support it, I think the residants of the Tweed region have shown that there's too much of a minority with radical views. Many of those of us in the Kyogle shire on the other hand, Are respectful to eachother, We respect people to do what they want, and we will continue to do so.

To those of you who protested and caused damage: Shame on you. Wake up and realise that protesting is your right, But so are other peoples lives, its their right to live it as they please.

suzanne grey so you think the "minor profit" made by some with be offset by taxes. the federal government collects the GST of 10% which is passed on to the states. Why do states back events like this? well 2 fold it creates employment, and brings people to spend money which creates more GST income back to the state, it also simulates the local businesses income, now the rally crowd may not buy new cars at a car dealership, but the increased income at say the bakery may mean they buy a car and so on.
The one impact the local community will bar from the rally will be the sucking of the council’s budget to repair the damage by the protesters to roads and signs.
On Saturday I spoke a gentleman and his son, who drove down on the Friday night from north of Brisbane, he had being around rallying for years and said it was the biggest event he had seen in Australia, he also said he had spent over $300.00 in town on fuel, camping, and food. That is $300 of income from one person on one day that the local shops would not have got if not for the rally.

The actions of protesters actually harmed the environment. The extra emissions created by the extra police presence alone would not be insignificant. The pressure packs of paint used polluted the air and paint drift would have landed on surrounding areas. Council will be required to remove the graffiti and nasty chemicals will be used which will pollute the area again.

Susana, your comments about the example to other drivers is welcome. Anyone who drives around here knows how many dangerous drivers there are on the roads. And we certainly don't want to encourage even greater acts of stupidity. This event could have been used to promote road safety, but sadly the opportunity was lost.

As a Kyogle resident, I feel extreely privliged and proud that the WRC chose Kyogle as the venue for Round 10. I enjoyed the entire weekend, and thank the organisers for putting in such an effort into the event. Many of these people were unpaid, and dedicated their time to the event and community. I cant wait for the rally to return in 2011 - and this time I'll put my name down to volenteer assistance.

I speak for many locals when I say that we miss the Rally now that it has gone - ans wished it could have stayed longer. We thank the drivers and officials for their friendly attitude and hope that they enjoyed Kyogle as much as we did sharing it with them.

The huge amount of division this event has created in the community is why it should never be held anywhere near here again. We need events that will unify people, not divide them. Neighbours and work collegues are not speaking. There are threats of violence all over the media. Stereotypes and villification abound, all because event organisers choose the green capital of Australia to hold a non green event. They lied to, and did not consult with the community, Those event organised have wrecked this community. They have bought shame to Rallying. It is them that rally fans should be angry at, not the residents who naturally sought to protect what they love. There are plenty of other places in NSW where it would have been more suitable. How is this community going to heal from this?

The reason a couple of cars were tempted to overtake dangerously was because "protestors" were driving at 20kph to deliberately frustrate long queues of traffic on a major public road. These "protestors " also drove danderously by travelling in both lanes in one direction to prevent overtaking. I also saw such a "protestor" throw litter out their car window.

I was an unpaid worker, just one of One Thousand VOLUNTEERS at the event. I personally spent $1500 over the week plus another $300 earlier in the year in preparation - spread amongst small business people in Bonalbo, Casino, Kyogle, Uki, Murwillumbah, Kingscliff, Bogangar, Chillingham .... ( I had initially considered accommodation in Uki but after later seeing the protest banner I am glad I spent my accommodation money elsewhere to benefit a different small community).

If the one thousand Volunteer workers each spent only $1000 each, all in different townships, that totals One Million dollars spent around the region just by workers (not considering spectator visitors).

This event was my "Annual Holiday". The violent life-endangering behavior I witnessed by "protestors" has soured my annual holiday and I have decided not to return to this region - these people do not deserve my support now or at any time in the future when I may have returned.
I will spend my budget elswhere.

There were many locals who got the hell out of the area and therefore did not spend money locally. I have heard many business's in Murwillumbah were stuck with lots of left over food, and many retail shops did terribly as locals avoided the area like the plague. Makecarsgreen....what a great idea. Why don't they instead of spending billions on making cars that travel airborne and sideways at 200kms per hour. Just what we need. If you can't understand why people were protesting over the weekend then perhaps you should check www.norallygroup.org