37 minute read
8 billion Housing Package for New South Wales. “This is all about accelerating the rezoning of key housing areas to make more land development-ready for new homes.” The package includes a pilot process for proponents ready to offer more than 300 homes in Regional areas of NSW – like new housing estates
Tweed Council seeks Deferral of ‘Intense’ new State Planning Controls
By MARGARET DEKKER
Tweed Shire Council will write to the NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts, seeking to defer the commencement of the Perrottet Government’s new Rezoning Pathways Program in the Tweed Shire until consultation with other NSW LGAs and the broader Tweed community has occurred.
Under the new ‘Rezoning Pathways Program,’ announced earlier this month, the NSW Government will assess and select state or regionally signifcant planning proposals, or lead the rezoning work from start to fnish, with all land to be rezoned by 2024.
“Working with councils, rezoning is one important lever that we are pulling to get the ball rolling on more housing supply across our state,” Dominic Perrottet, NSW Premier said.
“We are throwing everything at getting more houses built so more people get keys in doors and can realise their dream of owning a home.
Anthony Roberts MP, Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes, said the Rezoning Pathways Program is part of the Government’s $2.8 billion Housing Package for New South Wales.
The package includes a pilot process for proponents ready to offer more than 300 homes in Regional areas of NSW – like new housing estates or big apartment blocks - that could be assessed by the NSW Government.
“We want projects that can make a difference to our housing supply quickly, which is why we are seeking nominations for proposals that are well advanced with a planning proposal able to be submitted within two months, Mr Roberts said.
In a late Mayoral Minute put to Tweed Shire Council at last Thursday’s meeting, Tweed Shire Mayor, Chris Cherry moved that Council write to NSW Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts, seeking deferral of the Rezoning Pathways Program until consultation has occurred with other NSW Councils and the community.
“The impacts could be quite intense,” Cr Chris Cherry, Tweed Shire Mayor said.
“The proposal is that any development that are 300 units or over will be dealt with by the State Government, assessed and determined by the State, and there is not a lot of information on how much our local
planning controls will be consulted, how much our local community will be consulted, and it’s essentially really taking local control out of our planning arena.
“Is it not a great thing for local democracy,” she added.
Mayor Cherry
acknowledged the want and need for greater affordable housing in the Shire as quickly as possible however not at the cost of losing the Tweed’s unique planning controls.
Cr Nola Firth welcomed Mayor Cherry’s motion which the Greens councillor strongly supported.
“It really is concerning that the State is doing something like this without any consultation with us, we’ve gone to this enormous amount of trouble to develop our own local controls, we’re in the throws of doing a growth management and housing strategy at the moment and I’m very disappointed by this,” Cr Nola Firth said.
It’s understood Local Government NSW, the peak body representing state LGAs, was blindsided by the state’s Rezoning Pathways Program, which Cr James Owen fears is too remotely controlled.
“We’re very unique up here and a lot of Councils will say that but that’s why the planning’s been very Sydney-centric and a lot of planning seems to be driven by Sydney but we need to have our own unique
identity up here, our own options for doing things, we know our community better than anyone.”
Tweed Council fears state control over 300+ home developments in the Shire
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Council backfips on Treeland Drive centre
By TIM HOWARD
Clarence Valley Council’s backfip on its planned demolition and rebuild of the Treelands Drive Community Centre has pleased a group of Yamba residents.
Members of the recently formed Yamba Community Action Network, unfurled a banner protesting the proposal in the council business paper at its December meeting, to reaffrm support for the project which was the centre point of the Yamba Community Precinct Project.
Instead of proceeding with Option A, which proposed to demolish the current community centre, sell off the Wooli St hall and move the library into a purpose-built facility in the proposed new community centre.
Instead councillors voted for Option B which proposed to build a new library, make minor renovations to the exisiting TDCC and retain the Wooli St Hall.
Council conducted community consultation prior to the decision which was also clouded by recent events involving the closure of the Grafton Olympic Pool.
Council had secured an $11.1 million grant from the State Government for the TDCC project, but council voted to transfer those funds to its plan for a new aquatic centre at Grafton, which it had made it’s number one priority project.
The council’s community consultation showed that Option A had been the preferred course of action with 105 in favour of the demolition and construction of a new centre (Option A) and 91 in favour of Option B.
But Yamba CAN members were unhappy with the community consultation process, which included stalls at Yamba Markets, was not rigorous enough.
The organisation’s chair, James Lamerton, attended the council meeting last week and described the council decision as a “good result”.
“Demolishing a perfectly good hall and replacing it with a Taj Mahal, was something the Yamba community doesn’t need or want,” he said.
Yamba CAN secretary Lynne Cairns, who had earlier made a deputation to the council on the issue, said there were some worrying decisions made in the council’s pursuit of this project.
She said there were concerns the previous general manager, Ashley Lindsay, had awarded tenders without a resolution of council to back him, as required under the Local Government Act.
But his successor Laura Black, said this was not the case and said comments made in the deputation were incorrect.
But Mrs Cairns said there were more anomalies in the council documents which showed council had been determined to push this project through.
It was revealed council has spent $728,818 to date on planning for the project and this amount was to be included as a defcit in the council’s general fund.
In the meeting councillors debated a motion from Cr Greg Clancy that Option B become the council’s preference.
Three councillors wanted to proceed as planned.
Cr Karen Toms said this plan had been on the books since 2006 when it became apparent the Treelands Drive Community Centre was not “ft for purpose”.
“I would rather see nothing done than proceed with Option B,” she said.
She said Option A was a forward looking plan that represented an investment for Yamba in its future.
She said if the council had not changed direction in July to deal with the Grafton pool issue, the project would be funded and underway.
“Treelands Drive was not ft for purpose when it was built and tizzying it up is not giving the community what it wants,” she said.
Cr Allison Whaites said Option A was the most popular of the two choice and sticking with it best represented the views of the community.
She downplayed the Yamba CAN argument, saying the views of its 50 members were outnumbered by the 194 people who responded to the council community consultation process.
And Cr Steve Pickering was the most passionate. He said supporting Option B was a vote to do nothing.
He said all Option B would do is give councillors more reading material and throw away $728,000 already committed to the project.
He said there was nothing in the proposal to support claims it would cut council costs.
“There’s nothing here that says it would be a third, half or twice the cost of Option A,” he said.
But most councillors were reluctant to embark on a project where the council would fnd itself borrowing up to $12 million.
Cr Jeff Smith pointed out on current projections that would cost council $600,000 a year to repay, or $15 million over 25 years.
It was a point Cr Clancy took up in his right of reply, arguing now was a time to be cautious spending money.
“A lot has happened in the last few year, we’re in a new world,” he said. “We’re no longer able to throw money at things.
He agreed there were good arguments for the other option and Option B was not perfect.
Yamba Community Action Network members, chair James Lamerton, secretary Lynne Cairns and member Renata Millonig with a banner protesting against a Clarence Valley Council proposal to demolish the Treeland Drive Community Centre.
Have your say on Lismore Planning Panel
Leukemia patient is home for Christmas with two days to spare
By SAMANTHA ELLEY
When retired school teacher Glenys Davidson had an attack of asthma while at one of her grandchildren’s eisteddfods, she put it down to the smoke in the atmosphere.
“It was August 2019 and we had a lot of smoke and back-burning going on and I had asthma on and off,” she said.
“After the eisteddfod I went to Ballina Hospital as I felt terrible.
While the staff treated Glenys for the asthma, they ran a blood test.
“They told me there was an anomaly in the blood and they would need to do further tests,” she said.
“At 7.30pm the same night, they put my husband and I in a separate room and the doctor came in and shut the door.
The doctor proceeded to tell Glenys she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Before she knew it, a specialist and team were organised at the Gold Coast University Hospital and Glenys and husband Greg drove up there.
“By 10.30 that night I was in a bed in a ward,” said Glenys.
It was then the Leukemia Foundation stepped in.
They organised accommodation for Greg while Glenys underwent her chemo treatment.
“Between each round I came home and waited for my platelets to build up and then I’d go back for more treatment,” Glenys said.
“I went into remission and during that time, I was watching my temperature all the time.
“I had to go back a few times with the last visit being nine days.
Two days before Christmas Glenys was
given the all clear and was able to go home and spend the holidays with her family.
“My son and his wife held Christmas with the whole family,” she said.
As a retired teacher, she was able to explain to her grandchildren, aged between 12 and 4 years old what was actually happening to their Nana.
“When they had visited me in the hospital and saw me attached to a peg in my arm and chemicals going into me, I explained to them that I was getting my medicine
that was going to make me better,” Glenys said.
With 53 new families facing a blood cancer diagnosis every day over the holiday season, the Leukaemia Foundation is urgently asking for donations to the Leukaemia Foundation Christmas Appeal.
“Additionally, 16 people will lose their battle with the disease of blood cancer which claims the lives of more than 5,950 people each year,” a Leukaemia Foundation spokesperson said.
“Blood cancers combined are the second highest cause of cancer-related deaths in the country, making blood cancer one of the nation’s most deadly cancer.
Blood cancers include leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma and it is estimated that by 2035, blood cancer diagnosis per year will double.
“Blood cancer doesn’t discriminate, it can develop in anyone and can occur at any age and at any stage of life across all states and territories,” the spokesperson said.
Glenys is one of the lucky ones and her life has returned as much as possible, back to normal after a stem cell transplant.
“I am back to running cross-country and visiting the gym,” she said.
If you would like to help the Leukaemia Foundation support those with blood cancer you can visit leukaemia.org. au or call 1800 620 420.
Glenys with husband Greg Glenys with grandsons Dusty and Buddy Davidson
$150 BACK TO SCHOOL VOUCHERS AVAILABLE NOW
The Back to School NSW Vouchers program provides 3 x $50 vouchers, totalling $150 for each eligible student. The vouchers can be used towards the cost of school uniforms, shoes, bags, textbooks and stationery.
Applications close June 30, 2023. For more information, eligibility and to apply go to https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/back-to-school-vouchers
Here for us Janelle Saffin MP
MEMBERFORLISMORE
Footpath Trip-Hazard lands woman in Hospital
By MARGARET DEKKER
The ‘notorious’ footpath west along Hastings Road in Bogangar/ Cabarita Beach has claimed another casualty with a woman tripping on its uneven surface, falling heavily to the ground, and sustaining serious head injuries.
The well-known ‘Caba’ local - who The Northern Rivers Times has not named - suffered a deep gash to her forehead, severing a blood vessel, and experienced heavy bleeding as she waited on the footpath for an ambulance to arrive.
The woman’s partner, Peter, said the quickthinking actions of nearby Reef Villas staff and locals and NSW Ambulance staff were instrumental in preventing disaster.
“They recognised the seriousness of her blood loss and got her to Tweed Hospital Emergency ASAP,” Peter said.
“Tweed Shire Council has a serious OH&S issue here which they’ve chosen to ignore. The walkway is broken, has been broken for years, and Council has done SFA to update warnings (by their laughable yellow paint,) grind back high concrete or replace this well-used footpath,” he added.
Other Bogangar/ Cabarita Beach locals were scathing in their assessment of the ‘dodgy footpaths around Caba,’ taking to the local community Facebook page to vent their concerns about uneven pathways, inadequate street lighting and locals’ other near misses.
“These footpaths seriously are very concerning; you would think with the high rates we pay we would at least have level & safe pathways!!!
“I nearly tripped there two nights ago ..
“This footpath has been a disgrace for way too long.
“It is disgusting how footpaths all over the country are left in this disgraceful condition. We have just travelled from Kingscliff to Perth in our caravan and I am now in a moon boot with a broken foot from the very same thing happening to me in Perth, come on Councils get your act together!” one woman posted to ‘Bogangardians’ Facebook Page.
A Cabarita Beach woman suffered head injuries after tripping on an uneven local footpath
COUNCIL KNOCKS BACK AIRPORT OPERATION OFFER
By TIM HOWARD
Clarence Valley Council has knocked back an offer to operate passenger services from the Grafton Regional Airport.
At last week’s council meeting a confdential report went to council outlining an expression of interest from passenger air service provider FlyPelican to offer regular passenger services.
The provider had been in talks with the council’s previous administration during the on again-off again relationship between the airport owner the council and Rex Airlines since early 2020.
And during 2022, FlyPelican, Qantas and Link Airways had expressed interest in using the airport for regular passenger services.
Grafton has been without air services since Rex withdrew its Grafton to Sydney fights at the end of June.
Although the report was confdential, it was passed undebated as part of a block of reports which required no action from councillors.
After the meeting Mayor Ian Tiley said the rejection of the offer was a “no brainer”.
He said the costs of the service to the council would have been onerous and there was no way the council could recoup the costs.
But Cr Tiley said the airport remained a viable asset and just this year had received a $1.54 million upgrade of the water storage capability of the airport for fre emergencies.
Cr Tiley said while it was desirable for Grafton to have a passenger service operating from the airport, it was essential the operation ftted into the council’s budget.
Offcially the council voted unanimously to not proceed with the expression of interest from FlyPelican.
Tweed Shire welcomes new Deputy Mayor
By MARGARET DEKKER
It was to generous applause and unanimous vote Cr Meredith Dennis was named the new Deputy Mayor of Tweed Shire Council at an Extraordinary Meeting of Council last week.
Meredith Dennis is also President and Volunteer Coordinator at Wedgetail Retreat for Palliative Support in Murwillumbah and three years ago was awarded the Tweed’s highest civic award, the Citizen of the Year.
“I believe the last few years have been the most challenging and the most unprecedented. The Covid-19 pandemic decimated our Shire in many ways, it witnessed times of great distress for many businesses, families, and individuals,” Rhys Byrnes, outgoing Deputy Mayor, Tweed Shire Council, said in his address to Council.
Cr Byrnes noted his proudest achievements included his call for a ‘border bubble’ to be created during the border closure; driving cost-relief measures for ratepayers out of the pandemic and the food; opposing the state’s amalgamation of four Murwillumbah public schools into one super campus; introducing drone technology for safer beaches; and creating friendly ‘Council Catchups’ for Council colleagues.
Cr Dennis acknowledged she had Cr Byrnes’ ‘big shoes to fll’
“I will certainly do my very best to represent the Council and the community,” Cr Meredith Dennis, Deputy Mayor TSC said.
Cr Dennis’ will serve as Deputy until December 2023; Cr Byrnes remains a councillor.
Cr Meredith Dennis is the new Deputy Mayor of Tweed Shire Council
CASINO CBD TO BE TRANSFORMED
Casino’s CBD is set to come alive with $334,000 from the Nationals in NSW Government to beautify the main street.
Nationals MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said he was delighted to have the Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole in Casino to offcially open the CBD revitalisation project, which is part of the NSW Government’s $20 million Streets as Shared Spaces program.
“Richmond Valley Council was granted $334,000 to brighten the community and bring residents together through the newly created green space,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“This eye-catching project, on what was an underutilised block of land, will make the area more vibrant by providing more public space for the community to sit, relax and catch up with friends, admire new art installations, or even dine al fresco in their revitalised surrounds.
Richmond Valley Council contributed an additional $30,000 to create The Greens On Barker project, a pop-up activated green space on an underutilised block of land marked as a future commercial development opportunity.
The space will feature accessible pathways, shade structures, sandstone block seating with landscaping, pavement stencilling and artwork.
Mayor Robert Mustow said the creation of the new community space would foster community connections and help to build the local economy by encouraging people to spend more time in the town centre.
“This new space provides an attractive area which will draw people to the heart of Casino and build a sense of community and support our local businesses,” Cr Mustow said.
“These are key elements for the area identifed in Council’s recently released Richmond Valley Growth Management Plan and Casino Place Plan.
Streets as Shared Spaces capitalises on opportunities created by the pandemic with 70 per cent of people in a recent poll saying they were connecting with people in public spaces instead of at home.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said communities were also demanding better walking and cycling infrastructure.
“Now is the time to capitalise on the increased appetite for open space and safe places to connect with our communities in a meaningful way,” Mr Toole said.
The Streets as Shared Spaces program provides funding for councils to test and pilot new and innovative ideas which temporarily adapt streets as safe, shared public spaces to support healthier, safe and resilient communities.
For more information visit: https://www.dpie. nsw.gov.au/premierspriorities/great-publicspaces/streets/streets-asshared-spaces-program
GREAT TIME TO BE GREEN SAYS CANDIDATE
By TIM HOWARD
The Greens broke out one of their rising stars to officially launch Dr Greg Clancy as their candidate for the seat of Clarence for the 2023 NSW Election.
Lismore MLC Sue Higginson, who took David Shoebridge’s position when he resigned in May, said there has never been a better time to be a Green and standing for office.
She said the Greens position on the major issues facing the community had been shown to be the right way to go.
From climate change, cost of living, protecting the natural environment and housing, Ms Higginson said “the old ways of dealing with these matters is not working.”
“In Greg Clancy the Greens have a candidate who is across all these issues as he has shown with his work on the Clarence Valley Council,” she said.
“Greg is an absolute champion on these matters and is a proven leader in an area that most needs real leadership.”
Dr Clancy, who is deputy mayor of the Clarence Valley, said he would welcome the opportunity to fight for the Clarence and Richmond valleys, which make up most of the Clarence electorate.
He picked out the proposed development of a waste incinerator at Casino as a real issue for the Richmond Valley.
“I recently attended a rally against the waste incinerator and I will do everything in my power to oppose it,” Dr Clancy said.
“We do not need to be burning waste, we have to work on a circular economy where waste is seen as a resource to be recycled.”
Dr Clancy said the vexed issue of building on floodplains was something he had already begun to pursue as a councillor.
“At the last council meeting I moved successfully to get the council to seek legal advice on the implications of rezoning land on the Yamba floodplain,” he said.
“We have just heard both the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier say development on flood plains needs to stop, but neither of them has said how it could be done.
“These are just hollow promises if there is nothing to back them up.”
Dr Clancy said he would continue to push there be no mining in the Clarence and Richmond Valleys.
“Clarence’s outgoing MP, the Premier, and (Agriculture Minister) Dugald Saunders have all spoken against the No Mines Policy.
“The Clarence Valley Council supports the No Mines Policy, but our local member has failed us miserably.”
Dr Clancy said it was important the Nationals candidate for Clarence, Richie Williamson, made a clear statement on where he stood on mining in the electorate.
The Greens acknowledge they face a hard task convincing voters to switch, but Dr Clancy said more people are seeing through the rhetoric of the Coalition parties.
“There is is some sort of view the Greens are off the planet,” he said. “But when you look at what some in the Coalition actually say and do, it becomes apparent it’s the Greens who have their feet on the ground.”
He said with the incumbent, Chris Gulaptis, not standing and the Coalition government struggling in the polls, Clarence electors had a chance to make some changes which would provide long term benefits to the region.
As well as serving as the Clarence Valley’s deputy mayor, Dr Clancy has established deep roots in the community.
He has lived here for more than 40 years taking a leading role in ecological issues.
His name has been under many letters to the editor and he has been interviewed on radio and TV on various issues and he featured in the Channel 10 documentary ‘Rainforest – the Battle for Washpool’.
He has taught bush regeneration courses including at the Grafton jail and was a part-time teacher at TAFE.
Dr Clancy has worked as an ecological consultant and birdingwildlife guide and as a National Parks & Wildlife Service ranger, discovery ranger, contractor and project officer.
He has also been involved with the Grafton Aboriginal Mens’ Group, the Clarence Valley Birdos and was President of the Grafton District Services Country Music Club.
He was also a member of the Clarence Valley Conservation Coalition, the Clarence Environment Centre and the Clarence Valley Branch of the National Parks Association.
He has also been an active supporter of local Aboriginal initiatives and has met most of the elders of the Gumbaynggirr, Yaegl and Bundjalung nations.
Locally owned and operating for over 100 years! Good old-fashioned customer service
AKUBRA R.M WILLIAMS DR MARTENS SKECHERS BIRKENSTOCKS INDUSTRIE LEVIS CROCS
The Greens candidate for Clarence, Greg Clancy, centre, with Greens MLC Sue Higginson, to his left, at the launch of the Greens campaign for Clarence in the next NSW election.
Diary of a food survivor Part 21
By SAMANTHA ELLEY
I have to admit, when everyone was starting to prepare for Christmas, my frst reaction was to stress. With all the preparations that go into decorating, preparing Christmas lunch, buying presents, the round of social events that go along with the season, just seemed too much after a year of recovering from the food. I saw a post from a Facebook friend who said for the frst time in her life she had not prepared anything for Christmas and did not look forward to the season at all. I understood her. For me, Christmas is a magical/ spiritual time. As a practicing Christian, it means celebrating the birth of God in human form – Jesus, here to give hope, joy, peace and love to mankind. But I didn’t feel it. We had lost our Christmas tree and all the decorations my children had made over the years and we would effectively have to start all over again. My older son will not be home this year, so I was wondering, why bother? Then I remembered all the people who helped us this year. Who effectively provided that Christmas spirit right throughout the year, with donations, mud army support and constant checking in to see if we were ok. They were providing the hope and love, which gave us the peace and joy we needed to continue on. So I started writing thankyou notes and sending Christmas cards to let them know how appreciated they were. Then we bought a Christmas tree. It has no decorations yet, but it has lights. Then I was involved in making up hampers in our church to give some joy to families who were doing it even tougher this year. The Christmas spirit found its way back when I started looking around me at the blessings we had been receiving all along, despite the horrible experiences we had. So, to all my fellow food survivors and those who have been a wonderful support this year, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the hope, joy, peace and love you can handle and experience and may 2023 be the most boring year you will ever have.
Little steps.
Country carols in Burringbar
By MARGARET DEKKER
It was a distinctly ‘Aussie-flavoured’ Carols by the Evening Light in Burringbar in the Tweed Valley on Sunday night.
More than 100 locals including families gathered before the Bush Fire Brigade Shed in Masterson Park as the sun set and carols were sung by local village chorists, including a rousing rendition of the classic Jingle Bells renamed ‘Aussie Jingle Bells!’
“Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden ute, Kicking up the dust, ..
It’s summertime and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs!”
The evening featured a visit by the ‘real’ Santa with the children later chasing him on his motorised scooter-sleigh almost a kilometre down the new Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
NEWS BRIEFS
The Archies are here
Australia’s favourite and most significant art award is in Grafton until the end of January.
The Archibald Prize 2022 exhibition opened at the Grafton Regional Gallery on Saturday and will remain there until January 29, as part of the Art Gallery of NSW’s touring exhibition.
A subsidised entry fee of $5 is available to Clarence Valley residents as a visit to the gallery has been included in the Summer Splash activities designed to offset the closure of the Grafton Pool.
Also at the Gallery during the exhibition period:
Young Archies Awards featuring portraits by local children;
Art Class 2022 brings together HSC works from a selection of Clarence Valley high schools;
Summer Sensations showcases artwork across all mediums by 51 emerging and established Clarence Valley artists, celebrating their creative contribution to the cultural vibrancy of the area.
Help needed Grafton Regional Gallery is calling our for volunteer Gallery Assistants during the ‘Archies’ to help enrich the experience of visitors by actively engaging and sharing information about the Gallery, its art collection and exhibitions.
Shifts are for three hours (10am-1pm or 1-4pm). Please email if you are interested.
Superstar heading our
way
Pop superstar Jessica Mauboy will perform at Groove on the Grass in Market Square at Grafton on January 28
The Kuku Yalanji and Walkamin woman headlines a stellar line up that also includes Dami Im and Jem Cassar-Daley.
The free, all ages, all inclusive Council event on Bundjalung
country is funded by the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Grant Program.
Clarence Koala
funding Clarence Valley Council has been successful in obtaining two NSW Government grants to assist in koala conservation in the region:
It received $200,000 for LGA Koala Habitat Mapping and Population Survey.
The grant, plus $100,000 received in May to develop koala habitat maps across land between Mororo, Lawrence and Banyabba, would help avoid incremental impacts, such as loss of important habitat linkages, on koala population decline.
There was also $100,000 for a Koala Vehicle Strike Funding Package to adopt traffic management that reduces threat of fauna/ road kill from vehicles in identified ‘black spots’ and key corridor areas.
Both grants are part of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment NSW Koala Strategy Grant program.
Council good sports Clarence Valley Council has backed the following allocations from the Lower Clarence and Clarence sports committees: • $3530.90 to Coutts Crossing Croquet Club for restoration of croquet playing surface at Wajard Park; • $1000.00 to Junction Hill Tennis Club for drainage works to Junction Hill tennis courts; $2,423.00 to Lawrence Golf and Sports Club for topdressing, drainage and access to croquet courts at Lawrence Sportsground; • $2490.35 to Big River Sailing Club for riverbank stabilisation at Big River Sailing Club; • $1011.82 to Yamba Football Club for facilities at Ngayundi Yamba Sports Complex.
The Rivers Secondary College 2022 HSC Students Excel Against The Odds
Congratulations to our HSC students who have achieved outstanding results, attaining 20 band 6’s, 77 band 5’s and 6 top bands in extension courses. 15 students are on the Distinguished Achievers list, including Niamh Montgomery, who was also named an All Rounder for 2022. Niamh was the highest achiever across the college, gaining an ATAR of 97.7.
The Principals of the three campuses were honoured to receive Minister’s Commendation Awards on behalf of their entire school communities in recognition of the extraordinary support given to our HSC students to ensure they achieved their best following the devastating food events.
Thanks to our community, as these achievements are fostered through a collaborative effort to support our young people to strive and prosper. Wishing our HSC students all the best for the bright futures they have ahead of them.
KADINA HIGH CAMPUS
Lochlan Maguire
My time at Kadina was highlighted by the personal growth I experienced throughout the years. Many of my teachers had a signifcant impact on my development with stand-out efforts from Miss Somerfeld and Mrs Clifford.
Kadina helped me to pursue my goals of gaining early entry into university where I’ll be studying for a Bachelor of Nursing.
Kadina has helped me secure a job using the knowledge I gained during my time at the school.
Billy Wright
My time at Kadina had downs, but also many ups. Now that I have left, I fnd myself missing the ups, the atmosphere of having everyone and everything surrounding me, creating somewhat of a home and family for me.
The friends I made, I will never forget. I plan to pursue my flm career aspirations, as Kadina had a role in infuencing that dream.
I wish only good things for the future and current teachers/ students of Kadina.
RICHMOND RIVER HIGH CAMPUS
Niamh Montgomery
Completing the HSC this year was likely one of the hardest things any of our year group will ever have to do.
Seeing our town and school destroyed made it incredibly diffcult to think of our education as something important in comparison to the wreckage around us.
I was lucky enough to have a clear idea of what I wanted to do after high school, which drove me to work hard even under tumultuous circumstances.
I plan on studying English internationally, and I will never forget the support I have received from both the RRHC and Aurora College Staff during my high school years.
Carmen Flower
Finishing school should have been exciting and fun, but after all the tragedies, I think my year and I are just happy it’s over.
My HSC experience, in short sucked. So many tears were shed over fnishing major works and trying to fnd the motivation to study.
However, I am extremely lucky to have a few kind and supportive teachers and friends who truly care enough to help each other through those exhausting times.
I’d say that is the key to achieving greatness in life and school. I think my future will hold a lot of traveling and working. I am determined to see my dream of becoming an aviation technician through despite the hardships we have all faced.
Don’t be afraid of failure, or you will never succeed in life. Remember school is not the end. It’s a very small puzzle piece in your life. Big thanks to our epic Year Advisor for pulling us through that mess of a year.
Elwood Bird
I was the only person from my public school to attend Richmond River out of my year 6 class of 12 people, and at frst the idea was a bit daunting, but having now graduated I couldn’t have made a better decision. Richmond River is one of the most inclusive communities, not just schools, I have ever had the honour of being a part of and I would easily recommend it to anyone.
I’ve made some of the most amazing friends and have had the privilege of being taught by some of the fnest and loveliest people, not just teachers that secondary education has to offer.
I plan to pursue my dream of becoming a professional basketball player, but in the future, I would love to study teaching or psychology at university.
LISMORE HIGH CAMPUS
Isabel Kemp
My experience during my last year of schooling has been notably the most different from my previous years.
I expected that Year 12 would be a tough year from the beginning with the stress of HSC looming over us. I was more nervous about how we would embark on our journey through Year 12 as our cohort had been interrupted by COVID-19 in our previous years, taking away vital face-to-face learning time.
However, early this year, I didn’t expect my vision for Year 12 to pan out the way it did when we were unexpectedly hit by the catastrophic food, impacting our friends, family, community, school and therefore our learning. This situation presented great diffculties when it came to the HSC as these valuable weeks of learning were taken away from us, causing us to lose and skip entire modules from our subjects. This period of interruption also inhibited me from working on my major work for Visual Arts as I could not obtain any of the supplies to work on my artwork.
Despite having to deal with some of the toughest interruptions to our learning, the support from my teachers and friends had been tremendous. The dedication of the teachers to help us learn and provide amazing support has made Year 12 a great experience, motivating me to keep trying and allowing me to achieve great accomplishments such as being selected for Art Express.
The support from my peers has also been tremendous, allowing me to make new friends and become closer to my entire year group. These positive experiences overall outweigh the negative circumstances, making Year 12 my favourite year of schooling.
Brooke Spies
The 15th of December marks that fnal part of the 2022 school journey, flled with many detours and challenges. All of this mixed with pandemics, excitement and of course the foods.
The achievement of receiving an ATAR is dedicated to the teachers, Principals and school community which had a huge impact on my school life and my academic opportunities.
I am deeply grateful for all who have helped encourage me through the tough times of 2022 and to remind me of my end goal. A heartfelt thank you to Lismore High Campus and everyone involved who have helped me to pursue my academic goals, and hopefully my dream university.
On behalf of the staff and students of The Rivers Secondary College, congratulations all our HSC students on their achievement. They are a credit to themselves, their college, their campus and their families.
Council reseals 14 roads across Mullum – and more to come
Council has resurfaced 14 roads in Mullumbimby over the last three months, as well as three roads in Ocean Shores.
The list of freshly resealed roads in Mullum includes Ann Street, Byron Street, Casuarina Street, Cedar Street, Dinjerra Place, Gordon Street, James Street, King Street, Mill Street, Pine Avenue, Prince Street (south of Argyle St), New City Road, Nurubuan Street and Queen Street.
“We were held up with a bit of rain early on which means we’ve still got a few roads to go around Mullum in early 2023 including, Manns Road and River Terrace – and we apologise for the delay getting to these but rest assured they will be done,” Council’s Director Infrastructure Services, Phil Holloway said.
“We’re pleased to be rolling out these road projects, and to be doing this work at the same time as our drainage maintenance program in Mullumbimby and setting up the longer term works and funding arrangements we need to get stuck into our important bridge and road works for flood impacted areas of our Shire.
“With the impacts of the floods, it has been a huge year and I guess the message from us is that we are working hard, tackling resourcing issues just like everyone else in the region – and at the same time we’re continuing to deliver smooth new roads and improvements for our community,” Mr Holloway said.
Regional Roads and Transport Minister Sam Farraway said the NSW Government was pleased to assist Byron Shire Council in maintaining local roads and infrastructure.
“Well-maintained roads play a vital role in our regions, supporting growth and development,” Mr Farraway said.
“We’re continuing to assist with funding to repair local roads in communities still recovering after bushfires and floods, helping generate jobs where they are needed most.
In recent months Council has also been busy completing muchneeded road reseals in Oceans Shores on Warrambool Road and Yamble Drive. Redgate Road in South Golden Beach was also resurfaced. The $25.6M road improvements have been funded by the NSW Government and Byron Shire Council. More information about the roadwork program can be found on Council’s website.
Community organisations rally together to share the Christmas spirit
Momentum Collective’s Aboriginal Homelessness Prevention Service (AHPS) team coordinated a donations table at their Tweed Heads offce to bring some joy to those vulnerable in the Northern Rivers community. The team set up a table as a dropping point for community donors, local members and Momentum staff to give appropriate gifts and non-perishable foods to children, families and individuals in need.
According to Momentum Collective’s AHPS Case Manager, Donna Cusack, there is a great need for supporting vulnerable families and children during this year’s festive season.
“In the past year, our AHPS team has supported 345 Indigenous people who have experienced homelessness or fnancial hardship, and 84 were under 18 years old. When food, rent, hotels and the cost of living continue to increase, it is harder for families to afford food or a simple gift for their children.”
“Local community members and Momentum staff have also contributed to the donations resulting in numerous children’s toys and food hampers”, said Ms Cusack.
The collaboration of these organisations to provide extra support and relief to vulnerable families and children will ensure that children experiencing homelessness or fnancial hardship will receive a gift this Christmas.
If you would like to contribute to a family in need this Christmas, visit Momentum Collective’s Head Offce at 35 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads or call 1300 900 091.
