Ensemble Della Mar sets its sights on Tassie

A group of young, talented musicians will soon be off to tour Tasmania, but before they go, they will hold a special concert on Friday August 11, from 5pm, at the Cape Byron Steiner School.

Ensemble Della Mar director, Loani McRae, told The Echo, ‘With all the challenges and distractions facing kids today, and after a period of being banned from performing during covid, it is wonderful to hear the magical sounds returning from the students, and to celebrate playing music together’.

‘The ensemble of 20 play violin, cello, guitar, flute, piano and trombone. They also sing beautifully, and play a variety of world, classical and modern music’.

Loani said, ‘Having a tour to work towards inspires our members to really shine, and this in turn inspires other young musicians to want to play. It’s a beautiful circle, and we really appreciate that people see the value in supporting these students in their development.’

She adds special guests include the Syrinx choir, Smokey Fields, and Kyle implementation plan agreed by the NSW government and local councils.

Lionhart, who has just returned from a successful tour of Europe.

‘All ticket sales will go towards the bus to transport us around Tasmania, and will be greatly appreciated’.

Loani asks that tickets are booked before the night, ‘as it helps us for catering purposes’.

For more info visit www. events.humanitix.com/ ensemble.

‘Work has begun on the Dairy Flat road raising project [Richmond Valley Council] and works for a range of other projects will be starting imminently. The Australian government continues to work closely with the NSW and local governments to ensure the implementation of these projects moves as quickly as possible’.

Transparency?

According to the NEMA’s website, the ‘CSIRO worked with local councils, community groups and other key stakeholders in the region to identify existing project proposals for improving the region’s flood resilience’.

‘CSIRO and [consultancy firm] Alluvium ranked these projects according to specific criteria and scientific analysis and provided a report to the NEMA detailing prioritised projects’.

The Echo asked the NEMA ‘what government body is responsible for the oversight for this funding and program?

A NEMA spokesperson replied, ‘While the Australian government, through the NEMA, is responsible for providing the funding and guidelines for this program, the NSW government, through the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation [NRRC], is responsible for its administration’.

As previously reported, the NRRC lacks transparency owing to its corporate status.

The Echo also asked the NEMA, ‘Was there any independent assessment of the projects that were chosen by CSIRO and Alluvium?

They replied, ‘Under Phase 1 of the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative, the CSIRO worked with local councils, community groups and other key stakeholders in the region to identify existing project proposals for improving the region’s flood resilience’.

‘The projects put forward by CSIRO under Phase 1 of the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative were existing project proposals put forward by local and state governments and the community, as part of the CSIRO’s consultation process with the seven local government areas (LGAs).

‘CSIRO used a robust assessment process to confirm each project’s eligibility, then ranked them against a Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) using the following indicators: flood risk mitigation; flood resilience; environmental impact; social-cultural impact; economic outcomes and project feasibility.

‘Given the robust consultation process undertaken by CSIRO including the MCA, it was determined that additional assessment of the identified projects was not required.

When asked ‘Are there any timelines for the completion of these projects?’, the NEMA spokesperson replied, ‘As the

NSW government is responsible for the administration of these projects, they, along with the local councils delivering the projects, will be best placed to answer’.

mitigation: Nats

Meanwhile, federal MP for Page, Kevin Hogan (Nationals), said, ‘The community would feel exceptionally disappointed by projects announced by the federal government, as they contain no effective flood mitigation works’.

‘These are all flood resilience projects,’ he said.

‘They are not flood mitigation projects, which is what this funding was intended for.

‘Spending on flood mitigation means the level of water would be lower in future flood events. None of the projects announced will do that. I’m greatly disappointed that this is such a lost opportunity for our community,’ Mr Hogan said.