SIGNS LABELLED A DOPEY IDEA

"LISMORE City Council supports a drug-free Nimbin, your support would
be appreciated."

That's the message Lismore Councillor Neil Marks wants to put on
billboards at the southern and northern entrances to the village
renowned the world over for its liberal attitude towards marijuana.

However, bemusement was the response from Nimbin locals
yesterday.

"Does that mean we can't drink alcohol or coffee?" asked Hemp Embassy
president Michael Balderstone.

Cr Marks will propose the erection of the two billboards at Tuesday's
Lismore City Council meeting.

"Personally, I like Neil Marks, but this is extraordinary," Mr
Balderstone said.

"I look forward to seeing the graffiti.

"This is like the final assault on Afghanistan.

"Does this mean we can look forward to more police
raids?"

Cr Marks did not return calls from The Northern Star yesterday, but in
the council papers he argues the billboards would support Nimbin's
push towards a healthy lifestyle, following the council's decision to
build a skate park in the village to replace the controversial steel
facility.

"This measure would show that the council supports the community and
its push towards a healthy lifestyle and is aimed at people who would
come to Nimbin with the sole purpose of purchasing illegal drugs," he
wrote.

However, Nimbin Chamber of Commerce president Peter Wise was surprised
by the councillor's move.

"The council should first consult with the Nimbin community on putting
up signage of that nature," he said.

Nimbin, which stages the popular Mardi Grass drug reform rally every
year, was last month named one of the top 10 hippie travel
destinations in the world on the Toptenz website.

"People come here for the alternative lifestyle. They realise the
hippies got it right," Mr Balderstone said.

A recent study commissioned by the Nimbin Visitor Information Centre
found 41 per cent of tourists visited the village because of its
reputation and 33 per cent for its alternative lifestyle.

Mr Balderstone said it was impossible to estimate the value of the
drug economy to Nimbin, which nationally is estimated to be worth $8
billion.

"The drug issue is huge, but it's not just Nimbin, it's the whole
North Coast," he said.