The Northern Rivers Times
November 30, 2023
14 NEWS
Samatha’s Book
This is no ordinary stroll Title: Walking Her Way Backwards Author: Emmell Sørensen Price: $16.95 Publisher: Shawline Publishing By Samantha Elley Who doesn’t love a good walk? Imagine though, if that walk was of such great worth and proportion that it helped you discover more about yourself as you put each step forward. This is what Emmell Sørensen undertook when she travelled from Australia to Spain with her husband ‘Camino boy’ to experience El Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James). The book is a travel diary of sorts, where Emmell outlines the path they travelled on this ancient of treks covering 800 kilometres, along with other pilgrims from across the globe. Emmell underwent plen-
ty of physical pain, mental endurance, emotional fragility and spiritual awakenings as she encountered and described beautiful little villages along the trail and met some interesting characters. The destination for all pilgrims is the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela where it is said the bones of the apostle James are buried. So for every step forward that Emmell takes on the journey, she experiences an enlightening view of her life and is rewarded at the completion of her journey with that satisfaction that is given to those who realise their goals. Emmell Sørensen is a seasoned walker and planned and trained for five years before undertaking El Camino do Santiago. She is a mother, writer, musician, music therapist, teacher and pastoral carer having walked a metaphorical journey with people.
You can order your copy of Walking Her Way Backwards from shawlinepublishing.com.au
Beyond Bricks: Hospital Project Leaves Lasting Social and Physical Impact
As the Tweed Valley Hospital project approaches its final stages, the project team takes immense pride in not only the physical construction accomplishments but also the social impact achieved throughout its execution. Prioritizing community benefits has been a focal point for both Health Infrastructure NSW and managing contractor Lendlease from the project’s outset. These entities have been steadfast in their commitment to empowering the local community by engaging local subcontractors, fostering local employment, emphasizing opportunities for Aboriginal individuals and businesses, and nurturing apprenticeships. Over $40 million worth of contracts for the
Tweed Valley Hospital have been awarded to suppliers from the Tweed-Byron and Northern NSW regions, constituting over 10% of the total contract value. These subcontracts encompassed critical facets such as concrete supply, civil works, landscaping, fencing, and high-voltage installation. Engaging local companies in significant projects not only bolsters their economic standing but also augments their expertise by collaborating with a Tier 1 contractor on a substantial government initiative. This exposure often translates into expanded capabilities, empowering these businesses to undertake more extensive projects in the future. During the project’s peak, a staggering 70% of the daily workforce hailed from the Tweed-Byron Local
Government Area (LGA). Moreover, over 50% of the project’s construction hours have been executed by local residents, underlining the substantial community involvement. Notably, the project has surpassed industry standards by elevating the engagement of local Indigenous businesses and individuals, increasing the spend to 5%, resulting in an admirable achievement of over $24 million in Aboriginal Participation in Construction (APIC) expenditure, representing more than 12% of the primary works contract. In a bid to inspire and prepare the upcoming generation for careers in construction, the project actively engaged with local students and schools. Lendlease spearheaded two highly successful ‘Try-a-Trade’ events on-site, attracting over
250 students who gained firsthand experience in various trades. Subsequently, several students embarked on work experiences with project subcontractors, enriching their insights and shaping their career paths. Lendlease extended its support to the NSW Big Picture learning program in collaboration with Kingscliff High School, offering students practical and relevant learning experiences beyond conventional schooling. The enduring legacy of the Tweed Valley Hospital transcends the physical structure of the state-of-the-art health facility. It encompasses a profound social impact, empowering local companies and individuals long after the construction’s completion.
Level 1 water restrictions have been delayed Rous County Council (Rous) advises the activation of Level 1 water restrictions are not expected before Christmas, as initially predicted, due to higher than anticipated rainfall in the region during November. Drier than average conditions associated with El Nino negatively impacted the Northern Rivers’ water supply in September and October 2023. However, recent rainfall during November, coupled with the forecast of further storm events, mean that the need for water restrictions is now delayed. “However, recent weather patterns do not change the current restriction regime,” said Andrew Logan, Group Manager Planning and Delivery, Rous County Council. “If we experience a dry summer, as predicted by
the Bureau of Meteorology, Level 1 water restrictions will continue to be activated when Rocky Creek Dam reaches 70%. “It is important for the community to know that the most recent advice is that El Nino conditions continue. So, whilst our current conditions have been more favourable, the overarching forecast has not changed and as such we are still encouraging the community to follow water saving advice. “We understand that it can be tempting to relax water conservation efforts during periods of rainfall. However, we want to emphasise the importance of continuing to conserve water and adopting water saving tips to preserve our supply for as long as possible.” Rous is actively monitoring rainfall data and inflows into Rocky Creek Dam which is
currently at 84%. The dam levels are regularly updated and can be viewed on the Rous website: https://rous. nsw.gov.au/water-savingsand-restrictions. Rous will continue to advise the community of any changes or updates. “We appreciate everyone’s water conservation efforts and encourage our community to continue to use water wisely and conserve water where possible.” For further information, please contact Sarah Angus, Drought Communications and Engagement Officer, on 02 6623 3800, communications@ rous.nsw.gov.au. About Rous County Council Rous County Council (RCC) is a multipurpose county council delivering bulk water, weed biosecurity and flood mitigation services to the Northern Rivers of NSW.
RCC’s constituent councils are Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley: Bulk water: The regional water supply authority. It provides water in bulk from its principal supply sources at Rocky Creek Dam and Emigrant Creek Dam servicing more than 100,000 people. Weed biosecurity: The local control authority for weed biosecurity. Operations cover an area of more than a million hectares including Kyogle and Tweed Shires, which are serviced by agreement with those councils. Flood mitigation: The flood mitigation authority across the local government areas of Ballina, Lismore and Richmond Valley.
