LETTERS & OPINIONS Country Music returns to Clarence Valley

BY SAMANTHA ELLEY

for development in our area. In looking at their maps it appears that the areas were already up for development anyway.

North Lismore Plateau is one in Lismore. This has been ongoing for 20 plus years!!! But apparently, they will fast track these? HOW, again no information, and the developers are still going to develop and sell. No mention now of cheap blocks, so typically in Lismore a new block will sell for $300 to $450k. Doesn’t leave much for fees etc and to build a house. They will discuss with developers re relocating fooded houses in these new subdivisions. That may or may not happen.

When asked were small business being considered for buybacks or help the NRRC’s answer was simply NO!!!

This body and the process is a complete debacle. If the people selected by NRRC accept a buyback, where are they going to buy a replacement dwelling out of food? Certainly not around this area and indeed people are taking a buyback and buying a cheaper house IN THE FLOODPLAIN because they can’t afford anything else. How is this fxing the problem?

For the good of the individual, family, and businesses the only comprehensive solution I can see is to channel our efforts into mitigation measures. This will positively affect everyone that was adversely impacted by the 22 food and those proceeding.

Surely for the good of all, both homes and businesses, affected by the food the ultimate solution is in mitigating the effects and the height of any fooding.

CSIRO is currently conducting an in-depth study of the whole area looking at how to do exactly that. Unfortunately, if we allow bodies to throw money away very selectively there won’t be any left to put into effect measure that will help all.

Not much good if six people are in a car accident and there is only one with a seat belt on and air bags unless you are the one!! And that’s what we are looking at here.

People of this area have been given false hope and misled since the food. They cannot and will not continue to accept the terrible treatment we have had and are still receiving.

It’s time for the Government to commit to a solution that helps everyone in the area. It will also instil confdence in residents to stay and other businesses and therefore people to come to the area. It can again become the hub of the Northern Rivers but only if we take very positive steps.

I urge ALL RESIDENTS to contact your local representatives, the premier’s offce and the PM’s offce to strongly inform them of the mess we are in and the absolute hopelessness of the present situation and there is a way forward and remember it’s our (taxpayers) money

We need a decision urgently to move our community as a whole forward and I frmly believe, as do many, that solution is mitigation.

Col Baker Modanville

After being cancelled last year, the Clarence Valley Country Muster came back with a vengeance for 2023.

“When I had the big muster for a week, we would get about 700 caravans,” said organiser Wendy Gordon.

“This year we just had the one day “Christmas in July” event.”

And what an event it was.

Four hundred people enjoyed a sit down Christmas roast lunch and 82 caravans attended the event, staying for the weekend.

“Next year we will make it a full weekend event, starting with a Friday night around the campfre,” said Wendy.

“I was so happy to get so many caravanners back after having to cancel because of Covid and the foods.”

And the visitors came from all directions including Sydney, the Hunter Valley, the Gold Coast and even as far as Maryborough.

Entertainment included the talented Donella Waters as Dolly Parton and at one point even teamed up with who became Kenny Rogers to sing ‘Islands in the Stream’ together.

An auction was held to raise money for the children of the Scott family who lost their parents in the recent Hunter Valley bus crash just outside of Singleton.

“We raised $3,300 and I will be delivering week,” said Wendy.

“The painting entitled Mother Earth, created by Casino resident, James Cunningham of Hollywood Art, raised $600 on its own.”

The event was held on Wendy’s property at Ulmarra and despite still taking down Christmas decorations, she is looking forward to next year.

To keep up with what is happening with the Clarence Valley Country Muster, you can follow them on Facebook.