Richmond Valley - Many made it to Meet the Candidates

SAMANTHA ELLEY

It was standing room only at the Casino Arts and Culture Centre in Walker Street as Richmond Valley mayoral and councillor candidates gathered to introduce themselves last week.

Hosted by Bruce Lyle and MCed by ex-Lismore mayor, Jenny Dowell, mayoral candidates were given three minutes to outline their reasons for being deserving of ratepayers’ votes.

This was followed by two minutes for each councillor candidate to speak or be introduced by their group leader. Common topics covered included the need for transparency and accountability, streamlining red tape when it comes to development applications, food mitigation, listening to constituents, waste management, the Northern Rivers Live Stock Exchange, business sustainability, youth crime, housing affordability and water security.

Newcomers, Group C – Lyndall Murray, were quick to point out they were not career politicians but emphasised heavily on listening to residents, with an online survey for people to be a part of at richmondvalleyvoices. org.

Current mayor, Robert Mustow heads Group D and outlined achievements of the council so far, including his availability in his role, where he has attended more than

2,200 events across the Richmond Valley since taking offce.

Current councillor, Robert Hayes leads Group B and is keen to stand again to be able to complete existing projects, with a heavy emphasis on maintaining the status quo.

Previous Richmond Valley Council general manager, John Walker, heads Group A and his team believe now is the time for change, where we can learn from the mistakes of the current council.

Outlier and lone voice, William Drew, made a promise to all voters that he would be the thorn in the side of council, if he were elected. Aware that one person can’t change major policy, his focus will be on calling others to account.

There were a number of questions from the audience as follows with highlighted responses: What do you see as the major challenge for Council and how will you address it?

Group D – Sewerage upgrades, where $10m is being spent in Evans Head very soon.

Group B – Water security. Existing water contracts need to be looked at.

Group C – Community consultation and future planning for natural disasters.

Group A –

Infrastructure delivery and food recovery. Finances need to be looked at.

Mr Drew – Passionate about Salty Lagoon as it is an Aboriginal area and needs cleaning out. What needs to be done about the Casino saleyards?

Group B – the lease set in place is for a long period of time now and will get us to a break even point and that shouldn’t change.

Group C – Advisory group needs to be consulted as rate payers shouldn’t be subsidising a council asset. It should be making money, not costing money.

Group A – The community is in the dark over the details of the saleyards and there should be an independent inquiry.

Mr Drew – No comment.

Group D – The community asked council to lease the saleyards to the real estate agents but we couldn’t do that. Council didn’t make the decision to lease the saleyards. Will community members still need prior approval at council meetings?

Group C – We need 100% transparency

Group A – We need to open up all information sessions to allow public access.

Mr Drew – We need transparency and as councillors are elected, they should be available to talk to ratepayers.

Group D – Mayor already has an open door policy and current policies are around who can come and talk to council.

Group B – Public access should be through the right channels so certain people aren’t talking on their grievances till midnight. What will you do for the homeless food survivors?

Group A – There are a number of us doing rebuilding as many of us were rejected from government funding.

Mr Drew – No comment.

Group D – Lobby the federal and state governments hard to provide the right funding.

Group B- Fight hard to state and federal governments for funding and processes.

Group C – Work on the front line of food recovery with organisations. Look into acquisition of land for new development.

Will you agree to an industrial incinerator in the LGA?

Unanimous no.

Waste management?

Mr Drew – I am for roadside pickup and vouchers.

Group D – Government charges a levy and a study showed that kerbside collection costs about $40 per household.

Group B – There is a cost involved and somewhere the ratepayer will pay.

Group C – Resource, not waste. Reduce waste and recycle more. Let’s see it as an asset.

Group A – We can learn to recycle with an emphasis on Armidale’s recycling system.

How will you represent those in other areas apart from where you live?

Group D – The current mayor has proved he is across events in all areas of the Richmond Valley.

Group B – Current councillor is very adamant to connect Casino with lower river area.

Group C – Wants to hear from all people across the Richmond Valley.

Group A – All represents all. It’s not about where you live.

Mr Drew – I will be a thorn in everyone’s side to make sure all are represented. What measures will you take to stop corruption and do you have a personal agenda?

Group B – There is no room for conficting interests as there are processes in place.

Group A – The personal agenda we have is what we are standing for.

Group C – We represent diverse voices not our own agendas.

Mr Drew – I am all about transparency.

Group D – The policies in place are already very strict and with pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests, we believe if there is doubt, we walk out and don’t have any discussion in the matter at hand.

Flood and storm water and food mitigation?

Group C – We will wait for the CSIRO report and then ask the hard questions. Flood mitigation is critical and we need funding from federal and state governments.

Group A – Great believers in food mitigation and will be open to the CSIRO report suggestions.

Mr Drew – Climate change is making a difference and we should have policies around that. Building dams will help with food mitigation.

Group D – Work is currently underway with Evans Head drainage and Casino will be looked at in time.

Group B – the CSIRO report is so important. Flood mitigation is the answer.

What will you do about roads?

Group A – Roads are the most important thing but it is a matter of money.

Mr Drew – Roads are a priority and I support any work to be done there.

Group D – Roads are a priority. We live in a very high rainfall area and when potholes appear, people need to be patient. It also comes down to funding.

Group B – We have 500km of gravel roads. The road program needs to move quicker than it does but getting workers on road crews has been an issue too.

Group C – We also need to improve consultation with neighbouring councils on shared roads.

TIM HOWARD