$5 MILLION TO IMPROVE NORTHERN RIVERS RURAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

DAMAGED rural drainage systems will be cleaned out, repaired, and ftted with mechanisms that will reduce the impacts of future fooding, thanks to the Australian and NSW governments’ $5-million Northern Rivers Drainage Reset Program.

The program is part of the $150-million Primary Industry Support Package, co-funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffn stated, “I welcome this modest grant as will our local farmers, as it can start to address a longterm legacy issue.

“It is recognition that this is a major issue that needs to be addressed in the overall mitigation plans yet to come. A welcome small reset,” Ms Saffn said.

“I also look forward to seeing future announcements on residential drains action across the Northern Rivers.

“I have advocated on this matter across all local government areas of the Lismore Electorate. Here in Lismore alone, Lismore City Council in 2016 had a drains maintenance backlog of some $23 million.”

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, said the program will support the recovery of Northern Rivers primary producers in the sugarcane, horticulture, rice, soybeans, beef and dairy industries who continue to be impacted

Eligible Richmond

by food-damaged drainage systems.

“This program will provide an injection of funds to improve priority drainage channels, reducing the immediate risks to agricultural assets and surrounding communities in future food events,” Minister Watt said.

“The funding will focus on the cleaning and treatment of sediment in drains to assist in the movement of water through these river systems.

“This represents the practical and tangible ways we’re improving the longer-term food resilience of this region.”

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the Northern Rivers Drainage Reset Program is a direct response to fndings and recommendations from the Independent Flood Inquiry.

NSW Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said an immediate solution was required to address this longstanding issue.

“Having a clean and healthy drainage system in our Northern Rivers is critical to running productive farms and mitigating future fooding events,” Mr Saunders said.

The $5-million Northern Rivers Drainage Reset Program is being administered by Regional NSW in partnership with the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation and will be rolled-out by local councils.

Valley Seniors

rabbits for their meat and skins. From going to the local church to beg for food, to guiding his father home from the pub when he has drunk the day’s takings and unable to walk on his own two legs.

The reader gets an insight into a forgotten era when the bottle-o would roam the streets and pick up whatever valuable scraps they could, such as bottles and metal and whatever else they were able to get their hands on. George’s father Bob was king as he knew how to scam and had the gift of the gab.

There are moments of comic relief, warm father-son times, drama and even a bit of action.

George has captured his life in detail and crafted it into an engaging read. Not bad for someone whose schooling didn’t start until late in life.

King Bob and his boy Jumbo is on sale at www.booktopia.com.au

Many seniors living in the Richmond and Clarence Valleys will again save $250 on fuel and taxis in 2023 thanks to The Nationals in NSW Government’s Regional Seniors Travel Card, with applications now open, Clarence Nationals candidate Richie Williamson has announced.

“This is a classic NSW Nationals initiative that would never happen under Labor: the principle is that city seniors get discounted travel on a massively subsidised public transport network we don’t have here, so our local seniors deserve help to get around too,” Mr Williamson said.

“Applications have now opened for the Regional Seniors Travel Card, a $250 pre-paid Visa card that can be used on fuel, taxis, and pre-booked NSW TrainLink regional trains and coaches.

“We know how much seniors value this card –it can mean a few extra visits to the grandkids, or make seeing friends locally, getting to the shops or attending medical appointments much easier.”

Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said he wanted the number of cards issued this year to break the 2022 record, when 362,000 cards were issued.

“I really encourage all eligible seniors to get their applications in and save themselves $250 on travel costs for this year,” Mr Farraway said.

The Regional Seniors Travel Card has injected $196 million into regional economies, with more than one million cards issued since the scheme started in 2020.

Mr Williamson said that in broad terms, to be eligible people needed to be of age pension age and receiving some form of support from Services Australia or the Department of Veterans Affairs or hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

“To check if are entitled to this card and to apply please go online at service.nsw.gov.au, visit your local Service NSW shopfront or call 1800 569 070,” Mr Williamson concluded.