$1 BILLION TO BUILD BETTER BUSH ROADS AND RAIL

“OPINION,” the ancient Greek observerextraordinaire Plato once noted, “is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.” A pendulum that rarely swings beyond the shadows of ignorance might be a more apt way to explain the great verbal divide that fills many a silence between two people.

I’ve always found it apt that the word ‘pin’ occupies a central position in not just the word, but the very concept of opinion itself. Relatedly, there is an old Roman adage, “Opinions are like nails, the harder you hit them the deeper they go in.” Which somehow captures the painful facet of having to endure the verbal diarrhoea of your classically opinionated bore in closed confines.

Something that seems to have crept into popular culture over the last decade or two, is the prevalence of overconfident sods with a forceful opinion about everything. As if being repulsively assertive were an acceptable compromise for being clueless. Every field seems riddled with self-righteous types that afford no hoot to being correct as long as they appear to be right at all times.

As if holding a mirror up to the ever-expanding ranks of society’s shallow pig-headed brigade, the astronomer Phil Plait once said, “I’m tired of ignorance held up as inspiration, where vicious anti-intellectualism is considered a positive trait, and where uninformed opinion is displayed as fact.” And it is the seeming, or made to seem factual stance, that our present world has been lulled and led most astray. Unwilling or unable to get to the bottom of anything thanks to the ever-present spin of opinion and ulterior motive.

Relatedly, the French

Nobel Prize-winner

André Gide once gleaned, “Most often people seek in life occasions for persisting in their opinions rather than for educating themselves.” The inclination of wanting to be informed, albeit develop views that are firmly reinforced by fact, seems a personality trait that is waning, not that there’s ever been a period defined by people who have demanded accuracy above all else.

It is interesting to note that the origin of our modern-day word opinion is derived from the old Latin word opinionem which meant “fancy, belief; or simply what one thinks.” Which is very apt, because at the end of the day, three-quarters of anyone’s opinions are usually the simple sum of their personal take on any specific subject. Or as Idries Shah once said, “Opinion is usually something which people have when they lack comprehensive information.”

A lack of comprehensive information, or any willingness to make an effort to learn has ever defined the common variety of know-it-all. Waltzing around with every answer: opinionated people should have some kind of fluoro symbol (like a loudhailer) on their clothing to warn the rest of us what we’re in for should we unsuspectingly engage in conversation.

So, the next time you find yourself waxing in a ridiculously opinionated manner, reflect and ask yourself – am I merely being a parrot to my inner senseless self, or am I imparting something of worth that reflects reality as objectively as possible? And, depending on which side of that ultimatum you fall, it will shed a tremendous amount of light on what you’re all about.

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $1 billion in the regions to upgrade the roads communities use every day, fasttrack freight and rebuild transport infrastructure after disaster.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the landmark commitment would improve the resilience of the road and rail network right across NSW, beneftting the regions for generations to come.

“This is a state-building initiative that will drive safety and drive productivity, ensuring people and products get where they need to –and that when disaster strikes, communities and supply chains remain connected,” Mr Toole said.

“In 2019, we made history with a $500 million investment to help regional councils fx their local roads. It’s improved thousands of kilometres of the local roads our communities use every day and beneftted every regional LGA in the State.

“We’ve heard loud and clear that there’s more to do which is why we’ll inject an extra $400 million into the Fixing Local Roads program so we can help councils turbocharge their efforts on road maintenance.

“We’ll also invest a further $600 million in the road and rail network through a new Fast Tracking Freight program and a Build Back Better program.

“We want a road and rail network built for the long-term with the capacity and strength to survive fre and foods, to meet the growing freight task and to get product to market cheaper and more effciently.

“As anyone in the bush knows, we can’t keep replacing these roads and rail lines and expecting something different the next time a disaster rolls through – we have to put in the money now to keep our State moving forward.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic and recent foods forward thinking was needed to strengthen the state’s supply chain.

“Betterment isn’t a last minute thought bubble or cash splash. This has been a 12-month journey since I signed the frst co funded betterment pilot in the country to rebuild infrastructure in the northern NSW post foods,” Mr Farraway said.

“This is what the community expects and this is the policy direction we need to move in when it comes to disaster recovery.

“International studies have shown for every $1 spent on mitigation, you save $10 in recovery.

A NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest that dollar now when others won’t, because we are serious about delivering the projects that matter to regional communities.

“Freight is worth $66 billion a year to the NSW economy and the freight task is only growing.

“Our new Fast Tracking Freight program will make it easier for rail freight projects to get off the ground and get our food and fbre from paddock to port.”

The funding commitment includes:

· A $400 million injection for Fixing Local Roads to help regional councils continue their work to repair, maintain and seal the roads their communities use every day;

· $300 million for the establishment of a new Fast Tracking Freight program to tackle freight pinch points on the road and rail network, better connect road and rail with key and emerging freight hubs and increase the capacity and reliability of the network; and

· $300 million for a Build Back Better program to invest in more resilient State, regional and local road and transport infrastructure across regional NSW.

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Casino Showground and Racecourse Upgrade: Construction Begins

delight that the Casino Showground was receiving this major investment of public funds. He said it would be transformed into a “world-class facility”, which would bring more visitors to the Northern Rivers region and be a huge boost to the local economy.

60 Individuals Facing Charges After Mid North Coast Property Crime Investigation: Strike Force Kinnereth

By J. WILLOW

By J. WILLOW

Wednesday 8th February 2023, marked a monumental occasion for the Casino Showground and Racecourse with construction officially underway on the $8.2 million upgrade project.

Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan and State Member for Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, have proudly turned the sod on the longawaited redevelopment.

The upgrade includes the construction of an indoor arena for equestrian and other agricultural events, the upgrade of the racing stable complex to provide 80 to 100 new stables, the rehabilitation and upgrade of the sand-based training track, the upgrade of the race track proper and the establishment of a cross country equestrian course.

In addition, new day yards, holding yards and pens will be installed to support equestrian events. Mr Hogan said the project would give the muchloved community asset a much-needed overhaul, creating a high-quality facility suitable for major equestrian competitions and other high profile events. He also noted that the redevelopment would create jobs and be a great economic driver for the community.

Mr Gulaptis echoed this sentiment, expressing his

Richmond Valley Council Mayor Mustow was equally happy to see the project finally happening, saying it would be a great benefit to the community’s health and wellbeing. He thanked both Mr Hogan and Mr Gulaptis for their support in making the project a reality. The project is being funded through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the NSW and Federal Governments. With construction now underway, the Casino Showground and Racecourse is on track to be transformed into a modern and world-class facility suitable for major events. This redevelopment will no doubt be a great benefit to the local community and the Northern Rivers region.

Free solar - savings up to $600 on electricity bills

The NSW Government is ofering a new way to assist people on low incomes with their power bills by installing free solar systems for eligible households in place of their Low Income Household Rebate. This program aims to improve energy afordability by helping households unlock long terms savings on their electricity bills. While this means you will no longer receive the $285 annual rebate on your electricity bill, you could receive up to $600 in savings per year from your new solar system!

The ofer is only available to households that live in the specifed regions and meet the eligibility criteria. When participating in this program households will receive a free, fully installed 3kW solar system in place of their Low Income Household Rebate.

SAE Group are the approved provider, designing and installing solar systems to eligible homes in your region.

To be eligible you must:

- Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate

- Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years

- Own your own home

- Not already have a solar PV system

- Hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Afairs

Gold Card

If you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household

A 3kW system is designed to generate an average of 12.6kwh per day, which will deliver electricity savings depending on each household’s energy consumption. Managing Director of SAE Group Glen Ashton comments “We know electricity bills continue to place a lot of pressure on households, and we are pleased to be working with the NSW Government to help ease the pressure on low income households.”

SAE Group are an Australian owned and operated organisation with over ten years’ experience in the solar industry. SAE Group are a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer, and hold accreditations ISO 9001, ISO 45001 for safety and quality systems. Safety is paramount to us, and it our goal to ensure we provide quality solar systems to eligible households that will deliver ongoing savings for many years to come.

Want to fnd out more?

Visit: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-low-income-households to check your eligibility and apply online or visit www.saegroup.com.au or call us on 02 66 389 439. The Solar for Low Income Household Ofer is supported by the NSW Government.

Strike Force Kinnereth has been a significant success and has resulted in 145 charges being laid against 60 people. The charges include three counts of break and enter, two counts of larceny, 10 counts of stolen property, seven counts of drug possession and 11 counts of traffic offences.

In addition to the charges, four people were arrested for outstanding warrants, and 11 people were apprehended for other matters and released without charge.

The results of Strike Force Kinnereth have been a positive outcome for the Mid North Coast Police District and the community. The strike force has demonstrated that police are committed to tackling criminal activity and will continue to investigate and charge those responsible for crimes on the Mid North Coast. The Mid North Coast Police District encourages members of the community to report any suspicious activity to police and to provide any information they may have in relation to this investigation.

Strike Force Kinnereth was an important initiative of the Mid North Coast Police District and has successfully resulted in 60 people being charged with a total of 145 offences.

The strike force was established in October 2022 and comprised officers from the Mid North Coast Police District, supported by the Dog Unit, Highway Patrol and POLAIR.

As a result of the inquiries made by investigators, four people were arrested for outstanding warrants, and 11 people were apprehended for other matters and released without charge. In addition to the arrests, 81 people were dealt with, and a 14-year-old boy was arrested and charged with 38 offences allegedly linked to 13 different incidents. He has been granted strict conditional bail to appear before a children’s court. The success of Strike Force Kinnereth has shown that police are committed to tackling criminal activity and will continue to investigate and charge those responsible for crimes on the Mid North Coast. This has been a positive outcome for the Mid North Coast Police District and the community, and members of the community are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to police and to provide any information they may have in relation to this investigation.

“Leemo has views on just about anything”