Local business the true victim

involvement has been necessary at the saleyards.

This does not bode well for the many businesses in the small town, who depend on visitors who come specifically for the cattle sales.

“In the first couple of weeks (after the saleyards closed) I saw a decline in trade,” said one local butcher who asked to remain anonymous.

“One person I was dealing with told me they don’t come to Casino at all now.

“He would go to the sale and his wife would have lunch in town and go shopping, but they go to Lismore now.

“How many more are there people like that?”

The businessman said you only had to look out on the street and see how quiet it was.

“We have lost about 20 or 30 customers a day, depending on what type of day it is,” he said.

When asked if locals would still bring in business he said the difference has been those from out of town.

“Lots of farmers like to come and just watch the cattle sales,” he said.

“Some just like to watch the market and they come from as far as the Queensland border, down to Grafton and right across the Northern Rivers.

“Now they bypass Casino and go to Lismore.”

Food places such as Lemos in Centre Street confirm that sales have dropped markedly since the beginning of the dispute.

“Normally if there’s a sale on, we get the actual cattle carters pulling up getting a quick bite to eat,” said owner Marika Gava.

“They are often buying for 3-5 people and at $12 for a roll and a drink, that adds up.

“We are also missing out on the buyers and sellers.

“We had a regular group of people going to the sales and some have since popped in to see us to say they miss getting lunch here.”

While Marika said they have been lucky to still pick up customers from tradies who are in town working after the floods, and they have a good customer base, she knows other businesses are finding it tough.

Mrs Cairns said Yamba CAN wants an open and transparent council that welcomes community participation.

The Northern Rivers Times has asked Clarence Valley Council and Ms Black to clarify its position but it has not replied.

“I went into a retail shop to buy a birthday present for a friend and their shop is so quiet. (The owner) said she can only put it down to the cattle sales not on in Casino.

“Country folk don’t need to call into town anymore.”