DOZENS OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS AT RISK IF LABOR AXES NATS PROGRAM TO SUPPORT RICHMOND AND CLARENCE VALLEYS

Richmond and Clarence Valley citizens will be worse off if the NSW Labor Government fails to continue funding a key Nationals initiative that has delivered around $12 million dollars for 50 key projects across the two local government areas, Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has warned.

“The Stronger Country Communities Fund was an initiative of the previous Government, but that doesn’t mean the current Labor Government should scrap it to divert money to pet projects in its Sydney heartland,” Mr Williamson said.

“Dozens of sports clubs, swimming pools, playgrounds, rest areas and many other projects across the Richmond and Clarence Valleys have become better, safer and more welcoming to people with a disability thanks to this initiative.”

Recent grants have included $1 million for the Albert Park tourist stopover revitalisation at Casino, $213,000 to upgrade Shark Bay at Evans Head, $1,453,482 towards the Grafton Aquatic Centre upgrade, $117,255 towards the upgrade of toilets and showers at Lawrence Golf and Sports Club, $143,698 to run

No Dogs Allowed on Old New Brighton Road Pathway in North Ocean Shores

Byron Shire Council has designated the Old New Brighton Road pathway as a Wildlife Protection Area, resulting in a strict prohibition on dogs and the enforcement of substantial fnes in this location.

This section of the pathway winds through a small segment of the Billinudgel Nature Reserve between Kolora Way and Brunswick Valley Way in North Ocean Shores, surrounded on both sides by the Marshalls Creek Nature Reserve.

Sarah Nagel, Manager of Public and Environmental Services at the Council, noted that the shared pathway had been a popular choice for dog walking in the past, but it had come at the expense of the sensitive local environment and wildlife.

“We’ve observed that people have been allowing their dogs off-leash in this area for years, and the dogs often venture beyond the designated path into the adjacent forest, which is under the management of the National Parks and Wildlife Service,” stated

Ms. Nagel.

“Unfortunately, even when dog owners keep their dogs leashed, the scent and sounds of dogs can impact the feeding and breeding behaviors of wildlife in this area, including endangered species such as koalas. This is the reason for our decision to implement a complete dog ban in this space,” she added.

Approximately twothirds of the Old New Brighton Road pathway and the surrounding NPWS estate have been identifed by the Council as primary koala habitat. The remaining portion is classifed as secondary koala habitat according to the Byron Coast Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management 2016.

The koalas in this region are part of the ‘Endangered Koala Population between the Tweed and Brunswick Rivers east of the Pacifc Highway’ as defned by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. Koalas are listed as Endangered at both the State (Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016) and National

(Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) levels.

Many other native animals, including swamp wallabies, bandicoots, and groundfeeding rainforest pigeons, also inhabit this area.

“Signage has been erected, and in coordination with our colleagues at NPWS, we will be actively enforcing the dog ban within this newly designated Wildlife Protection Area,” Ms. Nagel affrmed.

“I hope the local community can understand our concern for the native and endangered animals in the reserve and can take their dogs to the fantastic dog-off lead areas available on the nearby beaches instead.” creative workshops and exhibitions at the Iluka Emporium and $273,586 towards the Malabugilmah community playground.

Signs indicating the dog ban have been installed at the entrances to the pathway.

To learn more about responsible dog ownership and the locations where dogs can be exercised off-lead in the Byron Shire, please visit the Council’s website.

Mr Williamson noted that NSW Labor had said it is reviewing all of the previous

Liberal and Nationals Government’s initiatives for regional communities and he conceded the Government had the right to do this.

“But dumping our Stronger Country Communities Fund to save a few bucks would be a really bad idea, causing harm to local communities and even more harm to the Labor

Party Government’s reputation in regional areas like the Richmond and Clarence Valleys,”

Mr Williamson said. We don’t want that and I don’t believe Premier Chris Minns wants that, so I appeal to him to ensure common sense prevails,” Mr Williamson concluded.

Flood recovery projects completed on North Coast

The NSW Government has successfully restored safe road access for residents and visitors, marking a signifcant milestone in food recovery efforts. With a dedicated investment of over $85,000, Crown Lands played a vital role in the rehabilitation of two crucial Crown roads, addressing the extensive food damage experienced in the Ballina and Lismore regions.

One of the restoration projects focused on Coopers Lane West at Main Arm, near Mullumbimby. This area bore the brunt of last year’s foods, causing substantial damage to the road and bridge abutment, leading to severe restrictions on vehicle access. Crown Lands dedicated $60,000 to this effort, undertaking a comprehensive restoration process. The repairs involved remedying the eroded road, clearing, and fxing drains, and the reinstatement of the bridge abutment through the strategic application of rock fll and geotextile fabric. These measures not only restore access but also fortify the infrastructure to withstand future challenges.

A further investment of more than $25,000 was directed toward the recovery of a food-damaged section of Cawongla Road in Larnook, part of the Lismore area. The project encompassed a multi-faceted approach to ensure road safety. Notably, a gully formed due to the fooding, which posed a threat to driving conditions, was effciently flled. Additionally, a new vehicle crossing was constructed, and measures such as cutting approach ramps and batters along the creek were implemented to enhance stability. To control water fow and prevent erosion, a basin was meticulously crafted, incorporating imported rock for added resilience.

These initiatives constitute a comprehensive response to the devastating food event that occurred in February 2022. The ongoing commitment of Crown Lands to prioritize infrastructure recovery is evidenced by these essential projects. Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, aptly highlighted the signifcance of Crown roads in providing vital access links for regional areas, thereby ensuring immediate benefts for the affected residents and visitors.

Minister for the North Coast, Rose Jackson, underscored the immense challenges faced by North Coast residents over the past year, making it evident that these community-driven projects, while seemingly modest, hold tremendous impact. Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffn, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that initiatives like these are instrumental in aiding the recovery process and helping communities return to a semblance of normalcy. As we forge ahead in the long journey of recovery, these efforts stand as a beacon of progress, illustrating the resilience and unity of the affected regions.