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22 May 2000
Northern Territory News headlines
'Super days out for 33 000 fans'
'The Northern Territory is fast becoming the Supercar capital of Australia. For the second year, a total of 33 000 fans have gone to Hidden Valley for the big event'. Strange that - everyone I spoke to AT the races thought the crowd was well down on last year. Nonetheless a lot of people turned up, which proportionately if repeated in Sydney or Melbourne would have resulted in crowds of over 1 million. And just after the Government has berated the Alice Springs Council for potentially wasting money on a Civic Centre, it comes up with more spending for the racetrack - this time $400,000 on a track underpass.
'New, deadly jellyfish sparks expert alert'
'Experts are trying to identify what may be a deadly Irukandji jellyfish netted at Casuarina Beach yesterday.' While it may be a young box jellyfish it is unusual to see them here in May. Will this put an end to dry season swimming?
'Lights to fight midge blight'
The headline could have been better - 'Night lights might fight short sighted midge blight'. Breeding midges are in confusion after the NT Government flicked on $60,000 worth of lights designed to attract them away from residential areas. The midges bite in large numbers and can cause major itching and huge red welts and prevent many of the population from being outdoors at night. Meanwhile, several pharmaceutical companies are believed to be developing midges that are not tricked by lights. Only kidding about that last bit….. (I hope).
'Man, 19, drives over best friend'
As if jellyfish and midges aren't enough for one day. This is not a story about a dog. 'A young Howard Springs man may be thinking that "with mates like these who needs enemies" after being run over by his best friend at the weekend.' The young man was left with a broken pelvis and a bad gash on his head.
'Candidate Dawn calls for online council'
The temptation to cover this week's council elections has so far being resisted on the basis that the writer could be considered cynical - which of course is totally false. However, Dawn Lawrie, a mayoral candidate, is offering voters online chat sessions with ratepayers should she be elected on Saturday. She is quoted as saying 'Many people have told me about their frustration and anger with Darwin City Council and complained about council's lack of consultation'. This sounds like a real rival for Channel 9's MSN site. I can just see the poll results now -
Should street parking fees be introduced into the city
Yes 12 No 0
Should the number of roundabouts be reduced
Yes 68 000 No 0
Are we over governed and should councils be abolished?
Yes 20 000 000 No 0
And then the council decision……
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