New plans to boost the Richmond Valley economy

PLANNING is underway for a new strategy to strengthen the Richmond Valley’s economy and support existing and emerging industries and Richmond Valley Council is inviting the community to share its feedback on the discussion paper.

The economic development strategy will set out a plan for how Council will support long-term economic growth and prosperity for its community.

To help Council develop the new strategy, a discussion paper titled Directions for Richmond Valley’s Economic Development was produced by Sea & Star Advisory, which also prepared an economic impacts statement for Council following last year’s two food events.

The discussion paper is intended to prompt conversations about how to make our economy more resilient. It proposes fve strategic directions to achieve that vision:

1. Increase economic scale through the food rebuild.

2. Foster lifestyle and tourism markets for stronger local services.

3. Secure agriculture’s supply chains and pursue growing markets.

4. Broaden the Valley’s manufacturing and industrial base.

5. Grow the population and labour force through new precincts.

According to General Manager Vaughan Macdonald, the new economic development strategy will help to inform the Community Strategic Plan and complement Council’s Draft Richmond Valley Growth Management Strategy and the Regional Jobs Precinct initiative.

Mr Macdonald said food recovery remained the immediate priority, but the aspiration should be not just to rebuild, but to re-position the Valley for a stronger future.

He said Council was applying a three-part framework to maximise local economic potential: identify different drivers of growth; foster depth and capacity in key integrated markets; and leverage specifc local advantages.

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.” framework, with high-level actions for the Valley’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity.

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.

“Business is the activity which will make things happen in the Richmond Valley, and economic growth is what we want to encourage - and that applies to all businesses, big and small,” Mr Macdonald said. “Our Growth Management Strategy sets an ambitious target to grow the Valley’s population over the next 20 years, so we need to be ready to explore these new opportunities and create a sustainable and resilient economic future.

“The economic development strategy will set out a shortto-medium term

“This approach is about strengthening our whole community and widening the benefts of our economic development initiatives.”

Mr Macdonald said the Richmond Valley was already a leader in primary industries and food manufacturing enterprises and it was Council’s intention to make it the number one choice for doing business.

He said Council had an important role to play in creating the right conditions for investment, employment and growth.

“Our number one, long-term goal is to make the Richmond Valley a viable region; a place where prosperity and growth are shared for the beneft of all,”

Mr Macdonald said.

“Combined with the Regional Jobs Precinct initiative, these strategies will ensure that the Richmond Valley is well positioned for the future - socially, environmentally and economically – to become the Northern Rivers’ regional industry hub.” Council welcomes feedback on the discussion paper which is available through the On Exhibition section of Council’s website at richmondvalley.nsw. gov.au

Discussions to be led by Sea & Star Advisory have been scheduled for businesses between 15 and 16 March at Casino, Coraki, Woodburn and Evans Head.

To register interest in attending please email Latoya Cooper at Latoya.Cooper@ richmondvalley.nsw. gov.au.

LEEMO & MUM JANE’S ‘BONDING’ DAY’

‘Leemo Cat’ here. HARK, a MOST urgent call. ‘Leems’ quick, come here, I have exciting news.’ Crikey, it’s my peculiar ‘Mum Jane’. NOW what is she on about I wonder? I slunk in like a magnifcent shiny furry snake and eyed her sceptically. ‘What news my wonderful Mum?’ (suck-up stuff.) She was almost skipping in kinda devilmay-care joyous ‘old age agitation.’ (Like she’d had been bought a heated water bottle & a tasty hot pie in winter.)

OMG! ‘Leems, guess what? (I don’t dare hypothesize!) ‘I have a WHOLE day off. I will not be making cakes, jam, slices, chutney, pickles or ANYTHING. Nor will I be cleaning or dusting, ironing or picking up leaves & stuff OR going to any Meetings, Medical, Dental, and Chiropractic, Joint Pain or Mind Counselling appts. THIS MEANS we can have a ‘Bonding Day.’ Now, tell me what we should do together son?’ Crikey, this daft suggestion of hers actually holds a clue in solving my current dilemma! After a ‘fakey’ meditative ponder, I asked if we could drive to Seaworld in our little blue car for our ‘Bonding Day.’ I told her I wished to meet ‘Flipperette’ the Dolphin, give her pats, plus a WHOLE BOX (perhaps 2?) of my FELIX Fish in Jelly sachets. ‘Mum, I know she will leap forth from the frothing water in anticipation of such a treat.’ Mum kinda stared at me in awe, and a humongous smile broke over her face (oooh, the WRINKLES…gross!) and spoke. ‘Leems, what a staggeringly kind gesture on your part..I am so prideful of you. This is surely down to the upbringing bestowed upon you by myself, to always show kindness to others. It is patently obvious that my words have not been in vain and that you truly have evolved as a most exceptional feline.’ Whilst basking in this shower of adulation, the huge ‘tic of concern’ in my brain about my own crisis became bigger. Should I ‘fess up now, or wait until we get back from our journey? Oooh, what to do.? (aaarrgh!) After deep soul searching, I decided it wise to wait until we’re home again in familiar surroundings, where I am cognizant with MANY hidey spots. BUT, resting on the soft grass later, I was overcome with a ginormous sensation of GUILT. I was unsettled. I knew I just HAD to tell her the truth. (Pray Leems, pray very hard!)

‘Mum, I need to talk’. She fondly patted me and smiled. ‘Well, errrm, ummm Mum, I told you a fb and I need to ‘fess up’. ‘Oh dear’ (she said) I’m sure it’s nothing too awful Leems’. Well, known for my truth, honesty and aptitude for being candid, I told her. ‘Mum, in truth, I don’t want to go to poxy Seaworld and give FELIX Fish in Jelly to ‘Flipperette’. BUT, in truth, I’ve gone off FELIX cat food. I know there is a ‘mortgage’ worth in my food cupboard & hoped I could get rid of it at Seaworld. I deduced you would be very cross.’ Oooh, I waited, waited for the outburst? Shiver shiver. NUP, didn’t happen?

CRIKEY! She spoke calmly. ‘Never mind ‘Lil Buddie, I shall give the FELIX to the Op. Shop for them to give to needy cat owners & replace your FELIX with Home Brand ‘Mince & STUFF in ‘Something’. Aaargh. I must go, I am beyond speaking or writing, she is truly a most insufferable mother. Home Brand indeed. Nite with upset no purrs. Leemo.