48 minute read
Letters
LETTERS, FEEDBACK AND OPINION
We’d love to hear from you!
Please keep under 250 words & include address and phone number This material from the originating organization/ author(s) may be of a pointin-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s). Maximum 2 Letters per person
LISMORE FLOODING - I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT “HE TOLD YOU SO”
Hindsight has unfortunately given us made regarding the in Lismore. Many years ago, an old engineer employed in the Middle system support for vast adamant that this is the problem, and a levee large pipeline/tunnel past the airport to meet the Wilson’s River threatening level to the for the airport.
He suggested using the natural turns of the river to divert from and to, and have to right to say, “I told you so”. Lismore next year.
J Hunt Alstonville Plateau
ESCAPING PERSECUTION
left to languish in limbo, glass in airless hotels, these designated nonpeople, ‘illegals’ or even these already traumatised been ‘released’. Unique timing, most of this government regard to refugees is that they have found it to defuse it or remove it, as an issue that might this already desperate government in the people up for so many years, the government had no other intention than to use them as
Whatever happened to the government’s line that by releasing ‘boat refugees’ from more deaths at sea and signal further ‘illegal longer useful as a government is prepared TNL logo one for being just a little anything this government
Ron Curran
Ocean Shores
LISMORE DAM.
As it’s naturally prone inundation of houses and businesses in Lismore and the surrounding build a road over the houses and businesses ground, and as a result, residents of Lismore
Lydia Kovacs
Ballina
DEPENDANT INDEPENDENTS
All the alleged for the 2022 federal
TWEED REGION COMMUNITY RADIO
www .memphismayhemradio. com Ph: 07 5633 4430
for the Labor party targeting government seats”(Liberal Party government in the event of a hung parliament. refuse to be transparent. have rightfully earned relevant information and slide under the radar, haven’t earned peoples’
G. MacDonald
Pimlico
THE ONLY THING THE LIBERAL NATIONAL PARTY ARE GOOD AT IS
FAILURE. They failed failed on submarines and There so great at failure and most of all they have failed Australia. Don’t be vote them out at the Alan Mosley Yamba
TNL
tnl.net.au SERGE KILLINGBECK for PAGE
Governments must respond to enormity of National Disaster
JANELLE SAFFIN
These times are traumatic for us.
We have suffered a catastrophic event, a National Disaster to be compared only with the destruction of Darwin by Cyclone Tracy.
We now need Governments, both State and Federal, to respond to the enormity of what has happened.
Governments must back us in through our recovery, no matter how long it takes.
We must get the support we deserve.
To rebuild our cities
To rebuild our villages
To rebuild our communities
To rebuild better than ever homes, businesses, cities, villages
To have rescue systems that combine Emergency Services and Community
I am determined to advocate for our needs so that we can be in our homes, in our businesses, on our farms.
The size and complexity of our needs requires a new approach to deal with what has happened to our people.
We need a Reconstruction Commission that stands with us for the long haul.
I have called for it from day one.
Such a Commission would be run by the State Government and backed by the Federal Government.
It will be accountable to our community leaders.
It will report to us.
It will work with us as we chart our community’s repair, rebuild and restoration
It will respond to our physical, economic, emotional and environmental needs now and into the future.
It will have a Chair that we respect and trust.
I have recommended John Brogden who, among other things, is President of Lifeline International and CEO of Landcom NSW.
In the interim, right now, we need the following:
A General Coordinator response programmes purpose in design and delivery
A team of assessors on the ground listening to
A housing help team that ensures that themselves, relatives, etc., they get the rental assistance and those they stay with do not get monies deducted from them by Centrelink
A range of housing options asap, motorhomes with annexes, with priority to being where supports are
A secure temporary accommodation
A land swap, buy back, voluntary house purchase and voluntary house raise
A house repair grant (currently $10,000 & $20,000) to at least $50,000
A business grant that is available to all businesses no what your business structure or ABN or not, or trust or not, etc.
A Jobkeeper program to help businesses keep employees
A response that treats our community as if insured and a Commonwealth-backed reinsurance programme for the Northern Rivers
A scrapping of the 50 per cent off-farm income and wherever else it applies such as the Creatives and others in insecure employment
A guarantee that Federal Telecommunications will never be left stranded again (Satellite and CB radios and more)
A guarantee of better communications from our Emergency Services
A guarantee that our SES will be given the resources it needs to be a fully functional and become a trained Rescue Combat Agency after it goes through a complete reimagining and an SES that incorporates locals into its rescue efforts in all preparedness plans us an unprecedented but
We have to better rebuild, better prepare and better reimagine our lives, our communities, our future.
I will support our communities through this.
THE BREEZE OF EXPERTISE by Nigel Dawe
“Power,” once said the American biologist, Heather Heying, “comes in many forms, one of which is mastery. As we become expert—in creation or discovery, in helping or healing, in communicating or leading—we gain power. That power is in joy.”
Ultimately, it has been my observation that, those who enjoy what they’re doing and do it for long enough, excel in ways that defy explanation, and yet in prowess, precision, and supreme competence: all of which when combined, pass for expertise.
In 2008, Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called ‘Outliers’, which ushered in to popular culture the notion of the ‘10,000-hour rule’, being the suggested and proven timeframe that most people require to establish their expertise. As such, Gladwell professed: “To become a chess grandmaster seems to take about ten years. And what’s ten years? Well, it’s roughly how long it takes to put in ten thousand hours of hard practice. Ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness [in any
Some might argue this concept is nothing new; as far back as ancient China, there is a passage in the ‘I Ching’ that suggests: “Don’t be like the swamp plant that shoots up overnight, instead be like the oak tree on the side of a hill, whose growth is gradual and yet incredibly strong.” Which shares a wonderful thematic moral with Craig D. Lounsbrough’s comment: “I don’t think that I want to sail in a ship built by someone who has no idea of what water is. Yet, our culture is deluged with just such shipbuilders.”
Whether it’s symptomatic of human culture since our earliest days, or just the last hundred years, we often get utterly duped by those who parade about giving the impression they have all the answers. Relatedly, Tom Nichols once suggested: “Knowing things is not the same as understanding them. Comprehension is not the same thing as analysis. Expertise is not a parlour game played with factoids.”
As if countering this somewhat perfectly ironed, and yet rather beguiling modernday trend, Jeffrey G. Duarte once graciously observed: “Face every challenge like a beginner to learn what your expertise has been hiding.” Which is a wonderful way of saying: don’t get too lost or swept up in what you know or think you know, because any one of us are development away from encountering all we have seen or heard up to this point.
At the end of the day, whether you’re an expert or not, it makes complete and utter sense to keep in mind the sentiments of the talent strategist, Gyan Nagpal: “In times of rapid disruption and change, what we often realise quite painfully, is that all we have are experts on yesterday. No one is a true expert on tomorrow.” That said, it is through being open and receptive to what occurs today, that we can at least attempt to position ourselves, so as to catch the full gambit of what tomorrow brings.
QCWA branch
The Coolangatta Branch of the QCWA are carrying on the long-held tradition of caring for people and communities in times
In response to Southern Queensland and Northern NSW, the women came together with community volunteers to supply families and workers with: • Over 1,100 delicious home cooked meals • Hundreds of sandwiches and wraps • Dozens of home sausage rolls and snacks • Over 600 individual care packs for children
Anita Blay, President of CWA Coolangatta said: “The overwhelming and generous donations and support from our community has allowed us to help many people cannot thank our local community members
“The response from people receiving these items has been people had tears and said that it’s not just that we are receiving these, it’s knowing that people care”, Ms Community generosity is on the move literally at Chinderah with the relocation of a donation hub for flood-affected
The community-led Chinderah Donations Hub, previously located at the Hacienda Caravan Park, opened on the grass carpark fronting the Cudgen Leagues Club grounds, Wommin
The move will make the Hub more easily accessible to the community and will offer a wide range of donated goods from household items, to toiletries, food
Staffed by volunteers, the Hub will be open seven days a week anyone wishing to access support, donate goods or offer help, welcome to
This has been a community-driven effort with businesses and residents coming
Council has assisted with the coordination of the centre, with NSW Health Infrastructure providing two shipping containers and SEE Civil donating the use of a large site office for the Hub, while Cudgen Leagues Club is assisting by providing access to
Council has also assisted the Murwillumbah Volunteer Hub, agreeing to provide financial assistance to contribute to the centre’s rental costs and other
Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry said the community hubs were a wonderful example of the Tweed’s incredible
“There are so many people who have been severely impacted by these flood events and the show of support for them has been very reassuring,” Cr Cherry
“To see the local community taking up the challenge of helping fellow residents through
Flood-affected residents from Chinderah, Fingal, Kingscliff and surrounding areas are welcome to pop into the new Hub at Chinderah and access goods donated by the
The Chinderah Recovery Centre reopened this week at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Phillip Street and will be open from to Fridays to assist residents with access to payments and support
Donation hub opens in new location
Schools, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and vocational training services across the Northern Rivers and North Coast will receive a $67 million boost to help their recovery from
The package focuses on replacing educational resources, staff wellbeing, and trauma training to support students, including: • $10 million hardship fund for families to replace essential school items including school bags, school uniforms and lunch boxes; • $6 million for school staff to replace lost equipment and resources; psychology and counselling for school and early childhood staff and trauma training so they can support students; • $9 million to help ECEC services rebuild; and the skills and higher education sector, including TAFE NSW, to replace materials and support staff with
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the funding will help teachers, school and early childhood staff, students and families to get back on their feet after these destructive
“The NSW Government is making sure that our early childhood services, schools and vocational training institutions can replace valuable resources and assets so our young people can get back to their education,”
“Funding is also being made available to help with replacing all the things that students and teachers use everyday, like learning resources, school bags, library books and art
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the funding would help provide the immediate support needed to get students and teachers back in the classroom as quickly as
“Impacted communities have shown their incredible resilience by teaching in makeshift classrooms with limited supplies during this recovery phase,” Mr
“This package will provide them with practical supplies and the emotional support needed to help them
Treasurer Matt Kean said that today’s $67 milllion package for education complements yesterday’s $112 million
“The NSW Government is getting on with the job of getting funding support where affected communities,” Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that support for teachers and early childhood staff to rebuild their personal and professional lives was a centrpiece of the Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the package would give a helping hand to
It has been an extremely challenging time for the students of St Joseph’s Primary School,
Their school was and some students also
Last week theatre company NORPA (whose home at Lismore City Hall was also severely impacted by bit of joy and wonder to the students with an interactive performance of ‘The Underlibrary of
The touring show, created by NORPA in association with the Diocese of Lismore, relates directly to the NSW primary school
‘The Underlibrary of part performance, part game that immerses the children in a quest to solve clues and performance took place in Evans Head where St Joseph’s Primary School is now based while the clean-up continues at
“It was wonderful for the children to be immersed in the experience of history and time travel and problem solving,” said Sheree,
“What a great way to take their minds off the things that are currently happening and to get lost in their imaginations,” said Michelle, another of
“We are so happy to still be able to deliver this experience to school children in our region despite what we have all been through,” said Frauke Hahn, NORPA’s Engagement Coordinator
“It is so rewarding to see the smiles on their faces and for us to create
NORPA’s ‘Underlibrary will be touring to schools in Lismore, Alstonville and Byron Bay next
Photo: Kurt Petersen
North Coast councils seeking regional waste solutions
Richmond Valley Council and eight other councils across the NSW North Coast are seeking a new processing facility to cut waste going to landfill.
The councils are calling for expressions of interest from industry proponents to provide a regional response to the challenge of the volume of waste sent for landfill disposal, as well as enhance recovery rates and gain opportunities from sending recovered materials to end markets.
The councils, including Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Tweed and Richmond Valley, will seek to negotiate a longterm waste processing contract with industry, with the successful proponent responsible for the operation and maintenance of an appropriate facility.
Richmond Valley Council’s Director Projects & Business Development Ben Zeller said Council was committed to the implementation of viable options for waste management.
Mr Zeller said a regional approach to sustainable waste management may attract private investment in waste treatment, processing or disposal facilities.
He said all nine councils were interested in a complete project package, which incorporated feasibility, finance, technology delivery, operation, maintenance, and marketing of the processed output products.
He said the range of waste streams available for the new facility could include kerbside and self-hauled municipal solid waste and recyclables, general waste from commercial and industrial self-haul customers, and residual waste from the material recovery facility too contaminated for recycling.
“All technologies offered must meet best practice, have a track record of reliable operation, and meet the environmental and safety expectations documented in NSW’s Environmental and Health legislation,” Mr Zeller said.
Expressions of interest will be accepted until 5pm on June 3 and submitted through the VendorPanel.
For more information, contact Richmond Valley Council’s Waste and Resource Recovery Manager Alasdair Lawrence via email to alasdair.lawrence@ richmondvalley.nsw.gov. au.
Lismore urges Australians: ‘Don’t forget about us’
As Lismore residents survey the damage of the second major flood in a month, thousands fear they will be forgotten by Australians when they need help more than ever.
While the spotlight turns to grand ideas of relocating the city, 3700 households still need a dry safe place to sleep before winter.
Coordinator of recovery organisation Resilient Lismore, Elly Bird, said requests for help was at an all-time high.
“Resilient Lismore is working hard to support residents to make their homes safe, secure and warm for winter.
“We need to know that Australia hasn’t just put us in the ‘too-hard basket’. While there is talk of longer-term solutions, that doesn’t change the fact that right now getting residents back into habitable homes must be a priority,” said Ms Bird.
“We need donations of time and skills desperately.
“If you are a tradie or handyperson and can spare a few days over the coming months, Lismore will welcome you with grateful open arms,” Ms Bird said.
Resilient Lismore has set up an online system that matches volunteers with jobs. To donate your time or money to the community recovery effort: www.floodhelpnr. com.au.
OFFERED A LOW TRADE-IN PRICE? BUYING YOUR NEXT CAR ONLINE?
• Instant settlement • 30 years experience • We can come to you
EASTER AT BALLINA RSL CLUB
RAFFLES
EASTER BASKET RAFFLE
FIFTEEN $100 BASKETS TO BE WON Tickets $2 each Tickets available at Member Services Drawn 7pm Thursday 14 April Level One a er the Easter Seafood Ra e concludes
EASTER SEAFOOD RAFFLE
Thursday 14 April Level One Tickets from 5pm Draws from 6pm
SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN FOR THE KIDS
HALF PRICE KIDS’ MEALS
50% o a Grub Lab Kids Meal Package with purchase of any adult meal Includes a meal, so drink, frozen yoghurt & Grub Lab Activity Pack. Available lunch & dinner until Sunnday 24 April.
SUPERVISED KIDS COVE FREE PLAY CENTRE
Open Thursday to Saturday 5.30pm to 8.30pm
FREE KIDS BINGO WITH SHORTY BROWN
THE WILDLIFE TWINS FREE SHOW
Thursday 14 April ON THE BOARDWALK – GROUND FLOOR Doors 4.00pm Show 4.30pm-5.30pm Stay for dinner: 50% o Grub Lab Kids Meal Package
FREE KIDS BINGO WITH SHORTY BROWN
AWESOME ADAM’S FREE MAGIC SHOW
Thursday 21 April Doors 4.00pm Show 4.30pm-5.30pm ON THE BOARDWALK – GROUND FLOOR Stay for dinner: 50% o Grub Lab Kids Meal Package
A parent/guardian must accompany children to all shows and activities
P. 02 6681 9500 ballinarsl.com.au
ballinarsl
Independents antidote to democracy decline
TIM HOWARD
Australian democracy is under threat and the wave of independents standing at the next election is the best bet to reinvigorate it two political veterans told an audience of about 120 Grafton people recently.
The former Independent Member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, and legendary ABC journalist Kerry O’Brien led the discussion at Bring Back the Balance in Australian Democracy: The Role of Independents, organised by the Independent candidate for Page, Hanabeth Luke.
The event moderator was journalist and author, Candida Baker.
Ms McMcGowan won the LNP stronghold from Sophie Mirabella in 2013 by 431 votes and increased that margin to 4.6% two party preferred in 2016.
When she retired before the 2019 election Ms McGowan’s preferred successor, Helen Haines, became the first independent candidate to succeed another independent in Federal Parliament.
Byron Bay-based Mr O’Brien has been at the forefront of Australian journalism for more than 40 years. He has won six Walkley Awards, including the Gold Walkley. He fronted the ABC’s top current affairs programs, 4Corners, Lateline and the 7.30 Report.
He was also a staffer to former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and deputy PM Lionel Bowen, roles which said have given him the insight to cut through the “opaqueness” of political office.
He has also broadcast a series of interviews with former Prime Minister Paul Keating, which he turned into a best-selling book. Mr Keating said it saved him from writing an autobiography.
Ms McGowan described what inspired her to run for office and the grassroots campaign put together that won her the 25,000 votes she needed to win.
She said when the group Voices 4 Indi approached her to run in 2013, she was scared to
“We were a safe seat, nothing ever happened,” she said. “It was worse than being safe, we were scared that if we got involved we’d get into trouble.
“And we did. And we got involved we’d get into trouble and we’d lose contracts as well.
“So we were terrified about talking about politics and what we did felt extraordinarily brave.
“But of course it wasn’t, because once we did we found there was all these other people who thought the same.”
Ms McGowan said building grassroots support required doing politics in a different, more honourable and accountable way.
She said the community was surprised to find the skills it had developed raising money for hospitals and schools, recovering from bushfires and other emergencies could carry over into politics.
“The other surprise was – and it didn’t start out that way – was valuesbased politics,” she said.
“It became incredibly important, but we didn’t know it at the start.”
She said they decided at the outset the then Member for Indi did not share many values with the community and being her exact opposite would be their competitive advantage.
Ms McGowan said she was “blessed” at the time with the messages coming from the Obama administration.
“He’d been say “I can” and you had Michelle Obama saying “when they go low, we go high”,” she said. “So we adopted that measure as comparison to our competition.”
Mr O’Brien said he did not support any Independent candidate, but hoped their rise as a political force would arrest what he described as a decline in democracy.
He said their was broad cynicism and confusion in the Australian community as to what had gone wrong with government.
“Why it is less responsive than it needs to be, why so many people feel that they are no longer enfranchised by the democratic system,” he said.
He said the traditional media has declined at the same time and has struggled to stay relevant as it tried to fund its services.
“The ABC has never been more important than it is today and it is under threat too,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said the major political parties had lost contact with the community because they took too many people too much for granted.
“They’ve tended to become more committed to retaining power for power’s sake than they have been to achieve the goals they might once have been committed to, which was running a country.”
He said the system had failed to provide leadership, pointing to the high turnover of leaders in both parties in the past two decades.
“It is the equivalent of a professional football changing its coach every six months. It’s madness,” he said.
Ms McGowan said while it appeared most of the independent candidates, like Ms Luke, were women this was a symptom of the change rather than the cause.
She said independents rose from the community and women were “better at community” than men.
“You’ve got to have people in there that can represent your community,” she said.
“I think what’s happened with the major parties is people … owe their allegiance first to the party, second to their faction, third to their funders and community might come in fourth or fifth. Not first.
“And that’s a problem because you can’t get your federal member to come and do what you want to do because you don’t elect them, the party branding gets them elected.”
She said to counter this being recognised as putting community first was vital and women had a competitive advantage.
“Who are the people in the community who are good at community?” Ms McGowan said. “At the moment in Australia it’s lots of women.”
Ms Luke, from Evans Head, s a lecturer at Southern Cross University and a volunteer with Marine Rescue.
She described Ms McGowan and the Indi approach to politics as inspiring.
“The work I’ve done at Southern Cross over the last 11 years has been all about ‘how can communities have more say in decision making?” Ms Luke said.
“To then learn about what she’s been doing to then turn that into politics is profoundly inspiring and become something I can grab hold of and run with.
“The trick is there is 122,000 voters in Page, it’s a short time to meet everybody, but I’ve got the message out and I’m here to listen. That’s the most important thing.”
Ms Luke said it was time to break the coal and gas industry hold on politics and she was encouraged by the way the locals fought off coal seam gas attempting to gain a foothold here.
“We have a federal government that is pouring billions of dollars of the public purse into coal and gas, subsidising it.
“It’s time we took back control of those purse strings and part of that is engaging people in politics and part of that is having conversations with as many people as possible.”
Successful Independent candidate and former Member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, Independent candidate for Page Hanabeth Luke, discussion moderator Candida Baker and legendary ABC journalist Kerry O’Brien at the Grafton District Services Club.
“Leemo has views on just about anything”
CATS DON’T WEAR HATS….
‘Leemo Cat’ here. I was trying to write something nifty, but ‘Mum Jane’ has me on a MISSION…OMG! She gave me a book today and told me to read it. Then informed me she would be ‘testing’ me in 7 days on what I had read and ‘learned’ from the book. This, to me, is totally unethical as “I” didn’t get to choose the silly book. It is called “Hark a Shark” by (apparently?) everyone’s favourite, Cat in the Hat. Oh good grief!! It’s ‘sposed to teach me about the fascinating world of Sharks, how many types there are, LOTS of things about them, and discover why they aren’t so scary after all. Hmmm. (Like, as if I care? I’m highly unlikely to run into a shark exercise quite absurd.) (AND, Cats don’t wear hats!) Mum told could have washed a sharkie right up to the top of the hill where we live and it may now be ‘sharking’ its way toward our place atop a surf board on a mission to eat me, so I’d better start learning. She is so asinine at times I can only pray for her. I decided to “Present My Case” hoping to ‘Mum, WHY not a book on Mousies? Lizards? Snakies? And, of great concern, ‘how come really, I, as a cat, have to learn to read books anyhow? YOU should, as my beloved Mother, be reading them to me should you not?’ Hmmm. Mum stare-glared at me and informed me EVERYONE should read books themselves, even cats & puppies & sharks etc. I queried WHY? ‘Well Leems, if you did take the time to read instead of sleeping, you will come across what the author Roald Dahl once said, “If you are going to get anywhere in life, you have to read LOTS of books.” And, in addition, you’ll gain wisdom about so much stuff and discipline your brain. Your lamentable memory may improve (like your confusion about waking up). You will feel worthier about yourself. AND, you’ll live longer. Leems, just consider what happens when you work a muscle every day. (She muttered working any muscle was unlikely in MY case. HOW RUDE!) The muscle grows and becomes much stronger & smarter. Reading works the same way for your brain. You get smarter. SO THERE Leems! Off you go. READ YOUR
SHARK BOOK
right now ‘cos I’ve submitted your name to HARD QUIZ as a cat expert on sharks. If you fall asleep reading, I shall brush you with your HARD bristle brush, not the soft one. That’ll wake you up. But totally no treats… got it? Quite truly, I cannot believe I am being subjected to this nonsensical rubbish. I am exhausted beyond belief and believe I need to take me and Plush Blue Blankie to our secret sleeping hideaway. It is so very quiet there, and very small & hard to get to, Mum won’t be able to a torch on me. So, I’m outta here NOW! Nite..but with only a small half purr… Leemo.
Headspace re-opens for appointments at SCU
headspace Lismore, the youth mental health service, is again offering young people face-toface appointments after temporarily relocating to the Southern Cross University (SCU) Health Clinic precinct.
Face-to-face appointments were temporarily suspended in Lismore after headspace Lismore’s building was impacted by flood water last month.
Face-to-face headspace appointments will be available at the SCU Health Clinic by appointment.
Lismore headspace manager, Simone Balzer, said Social Futures had worked hard with the program funder, Healthy North Coast, to find a space where young people could come.
“We do know young people prefer to meet face-to-face and we are very grateful to have a new space,” she said.
“Many of the young people we are seeing have a mix of sadness, anger, and not really knowing what to do, so young people are wanting that support from us.”
Ms Balzer stressed that there was no ‘right’ way to react to a catastrophe and any young person looking for support should not hesitate to get in contact with headspace Lismore.
Young people can also book face-to-face appointments in Casino, Kyogle, Ballina and at headspace Tweed Heads.
headspace also offers young people phone, tele and online counselling. We aim to provide holistic support to young people. Whilst supporting young people with Mental Health is our core focus; we also provide support to young people to access support for physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drugs and vocational and education support via our consortium partnerships and multidisciplinary workforce.
Healthy North Coast has coordinated the new SCU space providing Lismore residents access to the vital primary health services.
Funded by the Australian Government through the PHN Program as part of the Northern NSW flood recovery efforts, the new precinct has the capacity to house more than 20 primary health services.
Healthy North Coast is also launching a new online directory of primary care services onsite so that community members can make appointments. To view the directory, visit https:// hnc.org.au/lismoreprimary-health-precinct.
Free assessment and demolition
Free structural assessments and demolition is on offer for residential, small business and primary production property regions to help them repair or rebuild as quickly as possible.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie said the Australian and NSW governments co-funded Property Assessment and Demolition Program will meet the full cost of demolishing structures that are uninhabitable and beyond economical repair.
“We know that the faster this recovery work can be completed, the sooner communities can start rebuilding and getting their lives back to normal,” Minister McKenzie said.
New South Wales Deputy Premier Paul Toole said Johns Lyng Group has been appointed as the Managing Contractor assessors and demolition services necessary to deliver the program.
“This package will help ease the burden on owners who face months, and even years, of repairing and rebuilding their properties damaged or destroyed by these Toole said.
The Property Assessment and Demolition Program will be available to both uninsured and insured residential and commercial property owners (including small businesses and primary producers) in eligible declared areas, including the Northern Rivers and Hawkesbury Nepean.
Individuals requiring restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition may be eligible to apply for a Disaster Relief Grant or a Back Home Grant to help fund necessary repairs Property Assessment and Demolition program.
To register with the optin Property Assessment and Demolition program, or for further information about the program, go to www.service.nsw.gov. au/transaction/register assessment-anddemolition-pad-program or call Service NSW on 13 77 88.
This approach is similar to that adopted by both governments in response to the 2019-20 Black which cleared more than 3,000 homes.
Redevelopment for Community Centre
Yamba is set to be home to a modern, spacious cultural and educational hub with the redevelopment of the Treelands Drive Community Centre.
Community consultation has informed the draft architectural design and the position of the new building will create a precinct integrated with the TAFE NSW Connect Learning Centre and Yamba Community Health.
The modernised centre will include a larger library, new art space, dedicated youth space, outdoor communal areas and additional public parking with acoustic fencing.
“The Treelands Drive Community Centre will be an important cultural asset serving the community for many generations to come,” Clarence Valley Council Acting General Manager Laura Black said.
The project is funded by the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, a bushfire support program co-funded by the NSW and Australian governments.
The development application for 24 Treelands Drive Yamba is currently advertised on Council’s website and open for submissions until 4pm Friday, April 22.
It is anticipated the existing community centre will close to the public on June 30, 2022 with a target delivery date of June 2023.
Council welcomes submissions from members of the community and industry stakeholders as this helps with informed and transparent decision making.
View the development application and make a submission on council’s website, www.clarence. nsw.gov.au.
More support for elderly in
The Morrison Government is delivering $300,000 to local organisations of New South Wales and Queensland, to provide older Australians with mobile devices that will help them stay connected with their friends, family, community and support services.
Community organisations will be able to apply for up to $5,000 to loan mobile devices to socially isolated or disadvantaged individuals whose device has been damaged or lost in the
Existing Network Partners within the Be Connected program will be eligible to apply for this grant round. Applications close on Friday, April 29. For more, visit the Be Connected website.
RVC report: Flood costs $150 million; economic impact $250 million
Richmond Valley Council has responded crisis with a detailed report outlining the extent of the recovery challenge and its plans to rebuild its infrastructure, economy, and community.
The Richmond Valley Flood 2022 Response, which was handed to NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet last Tuesday, outlines the measures Council is taking in immediate response, and breaks down the estimated $150 million cost to repair critical infrastructure throughout the Richmond Valley, as well as the cost to local homes, businesses, the natural environment and the wellbeing of our communities.
It also looks to the future with plans to restart our regional economy and build back better so our community is more resilient to future natural disasters.
To help gain an understanding of the local economy, Council engaged Sea & Star Advisory to undertake a preliminary economic impact statement and advise on measures to support economic recovery.
The study found the Richmond Valley’s economy could expect loss of production over the next two years – estimated at $250 million. The biggest impacts are forecast to be in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors.
Council’s General Manager Vaughan Macdonald said the levels of the past month had damaged homes, businesses, and public infrastructure across the Richmond Valley.
Mr Macdonald said there were also economic and social challenges in the area and called on authorities and the government to assist in the recovery.
“Rebuilding from this catastrophic event will require a supreme effort and support from all levels of government,” he said.
“Richmond Valley Council has played a strong role in the initial disaster response – working to restore essential services, reopen public roads and support our emergency services agencies.
“But we cannot do this alone. It will take enormous effort and support for those affected to rebuild their lives.”
RICHMOND VALLEY HANDYMAN SERVICES
Covering Casino and Richmond Valley area
0412 951 889
Give Paul a call anytime for profession and prompt service
Resources boosted to fasttrack road recovery
Council’s road crews and contractors are set to turn their focus to more permanent repairs of the Tweed’s damaged road network as emergency works to reconnect isolated communities near completion.
Since the February flood, and again during last week’s deluge, crews have been working hard to restore access to 62 isolated communities in the Tweed Shire, many cut off as a result of landslips and roads and bridges that washed away.
Three communities remain isolated this week, including residents at Commissioners Creek Road, Manns Road at Rowlands Creek and Snake Gully Road at Upper Burringbar, with another six communities having restricted access. Council will continue to work alongside other agencies to ensure supplies and medical assistance are available until access is restored for these people.
Council’s Director Engineering David Oxenham, who has been leading Council’s flood response, said the focus would now turn to more permanent repairs of other roads across the Tweed.
“Until now, our focus has been to ensure the safety of isolated communities mainly in remote areas of the Tweed,” Mr Oxenham said.
“With emergency works and the road clean-up nearing completion, our crews can now focus on more permanent repairs of our damaged roads.
“We have engaged multiple contractors to get as many repairs done as quickly as possible to help the community get back to some kind of normality. More than 1,900 repair jobs have been logged as a result of the flooding events, and crews will be out and about at various locations across the Tweed over the coming months to tackle this workload.”
Permanent repairs started this week on Tweed Valley Way, between Riverside Drive north and Riverside Drive south at Tumbulgum, which suffered significant damage during the floods.
Nightworks will be undertaken from 7 pm to 5 am and may take up to 2 weeks to complete, weather permitting. One lane of Tweed Valley Way will be closed to allow crews to work safely within the roadway. Traffic controllers will be on site to direct traffic flow. Please follow safety signs and messages boards.
Access to some properties or driveways may be restricted during these nightworks. Please seek assistance from the stop/slow flagmen if required.
Materials removed from these roadworks will be taken to Quirks Quarry on Eviron Road. It is anticipated trucks will be transporting material between 7 pm and 12 midnight using the following routes: • northern route will be via Cudgen Road • southern route will be via Clothiers Creek Road.
Permanent repair works are also underway on Stokers Road at Stokers Siding, Carool Road at Carool and Kyogle Road at Terragon.
Mr Oxenham said engineering assessments were already underway at the larger and more complex road damages, including landslips at Scenic Drive, Reserve Creek Road and Tyalgum Road, but while these tasks are necessary, permanent construction works at those locations are still some way from starting.
“In the meantime we will focus on the large number of repairs that don’t require significant engineering,” he said.
“As a result, residents may notice some damages are fixed as a crew works through a road and other damages are left for another time.”
“We apologise for any inconvenience and ask for your patience as we work towards more permanent repairs,” Mr Oxenham said.
“Where the roads are closed, please don’t remove or tamper with closure signs or barriers. It’s a serious offence and could result in someone being hurt or killed.”
Council’s standard procedure is to notify affected residents and businesses of planned works via a letterbox drop. However, in the interest of expediency, this may not be possible during these flood repair works and updates will continue to be made online via Council’s website and MyRoadInfo.
Over the next two months, contractors will be undertaking less complex repairs on the following roads, with additional roads to be added as recovery works progress: • Stokers Road, Stokers Siding (starting 6 April) • Bakers Road, Byangum • McConnells Road, Dunbible • Nolans Road, Stokers Siding • Cane Road, Tygalgah • Chinderah Bay Drive, Chinderah • Clothiers Creek Road, Clothiers Creek • Cudgen Road, Stotts Creek • Duranbah Road, Duranbah • Eviron Road, Eviron • Hattons Road, Eviron • Loders Road, Duranbah • McCollums Road, Cudgen • Melaleuca Road, Duranbah • Plantation Road, Cudgen • Riverside Drive, Tumbulgum • Rosewood Avenue, Bogangar • Tamarind Avenue, Bogangar • Tweed Valley Way, Tumbulgum (nightworks started 4 April) • Bilambil Road, Bilambil Heights • Carool Road, Carool (started 5 April) • Dulguigan Road, Dulguigan • Glengarrie Road, Glengarrie • Hogans Road, Upper Duroby • McAuleys Road, Terranora • Urliup Road, Urliup
These roads will remain open, however minimal traffic delays are to be expected.
Tyalgum Road, about 950 metres east of Van Den Broek Road, will remain closed for at least six months after a geotechnical investigation found the roadway too dangerous for temporary repairs.
Council will excavate the remaining road to prevent motorists from by-passing barricades blocking the roadway, which was severely damaged by a major landslide during the
A ramp developed by motorists to drive through the major slip on Tyalgum Road has been removed by Council crews and motorists are reminded not to attempt to cross this dangerous slip.
It is expected Tyalgum Road will be closed for 6–12 months, in the area of the landslip.
Council’s Director Engineering David Oxenham said the geotechnical assessment indicated the landslip could very likely be subject to ongoing movement, particularly following any additional rainfall.
“To ensure the safety of road users, Tyalgum Road will remain closed until permanent repairs can be made,” Mr Oxenham said.
“Unfortunately, there are no safe and reasonable short-term repair options for this road, which will require achieve a level of safety.
“The landslip is affecting some 110 metres in road length and some 50 metres in height in the slope above the road. A safe, temporary track near the slip cannot be built as the slope both above and below the road is relatively steep.” arrangements at the secondary landslip site on Tyalgum Road.
If you’re a budding detective, Tweed Regional Museum has a challenge for you these school holidays.
To coincide with the latest exhibition, Liked & Shared, which features the most popular photographs shared on social media over the past 3 years, the Museum is inviting kids and families to test themselves with its Found & Solved quiz.
Pick up your quiz at the front desk and use the clues to help you explore the exhibition and find the missing letters you need to solve the secret phrase.
Show that you have ‘found & solved’ the quiz at the front desk and you will win one free session in the Museum’s new photo booth.
It’s a great way to spend some holiday
time and make some memories, so bring your friends! The Tweed Regional Museum will be open during the holiday period from Tuesday to Saturday but will be closed over the Easter public holidays. Photo fun is available anytime during opening hours in the new custom booth – it’s just $7 for a strip of four photos. Liked & Shared is Tweed Regional Museum’s first photographic-based exhibition and is a kaleidoscopic window on the past, seen through the lenses of popular local photographers who have captured the faces and places of the Tweed for over a century. For more information, visit the Tweed Regional Museum’s website or Facebook page.
Brother John Hilet FMS will conclude his tenure as Principal of Trinity Catholic College Lismore at the end of Term 1, 2022.
Brother John has been Principal since January 2013.
From Term 2, he will take up a new position as Director of the Master Planning, which will involve leading the recovery and revival of Trinity Catholic College Lismore following the of February 28 and March 30.
Since Sister Mary Cannane PBVM completed her term as Foundation Principal Brothers have held the position of College Principal.
Today marks a in the history of our College given the
WaterNSW and the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) wish to advise customers and the or
appointment of Trinity’s College Council of Trinity Catholic College Lismore LTD has appointed Jesse Smith to lead Trinity.
Jesse, an ex-student of the College himself, has been Acting Principal since Term 4 in 2021. He brings a wealth of skill and personal knowledge to the role. He has extensive experience in governance and board matters being the Chair of Jodie’s Inspiration LTD for the past six years, and Company Secretary of the Scott
Jesse is an active member of St Carthage’s Cathedral Parish and a Member of the Association of Saint Marcellin Champagnat.
“I take this opportunity to publicly thank Brother John for his service to the Trinity Family during change and development in the College,” Br Neville Solomon, FMS, Chair of College Council, said.
“Brother John’s strong commitment to contemporary pedagogy, effective faith formation and pastoral care of students and staff is deeply appreciated and will be formally recognised later in the year.
“I also publicly thank Jesse for his dedication to the role in this time of crisis but also of renewal. His understanding of the role of a prominent independent school in a regional area, combined with his experience of a Catholic co-educational school with a broadbased curriculum, will enable him to bring both strong and informed leadership to our College community.”
VACANT
CASINO’S BEST EXPOSURE BUILDING
1 single shop or 1 double shop - High & dry, modern bldg. with car parking 70 Centre St, South Casino More info - Phone 0412 675 725
Stone & Wood’s foundation offers grants
Many of you who are fans of our beer also know that being a useful part of the community is an important measure of who we are as a business.
It’s why we started a separate, not-for inGrained Foundation, an organisation designed to help tackle the challenges faced in the areas where we work and live.
For the past four years, the inGrained Foundation has run the Northern Rivers Large Grants Program, donating money to local charities and organisations who are making real change within their community.
This year, more than ever before, our backyard of Northern NSW, needs support. That’s why, we’re pumped to announce applications for the inGrained Foundation’s 2022 Northern Rivers Large Grants program are now open.
With a funding pool of $200K, grassroots organisations from the Northern Rivers and Clarence Valley can apply for a cash grant between $5 - $30K to assist with programs our community, or the environment that surrounds us.
Visit our website for more information on the grants and please forward on to friends or family who program.
Outside of this, Stone & Wood are committed to helping the recovery efforts in the region by running a fundraising program over the bars at both our Byron and Brisbane breweries for the foreseeable future and lending a hand on the ground whenever we can.
Tweed Local Achievers recognised at festival opening
Service to the community was recognised at the opening ceremony of the Tweed Seniors festival with the presentation of the Local Achievement Awards.
The awards presentation was one of many highlights at the ceremony which featured musical performances by local choirs, dancers, a mini expo and time to reconnect over a cuppa and light refreshments.
The Tweed Seniors Festival 2022 coincides with the NSW Seniors Festival which started on Friday, March 25 and ran through until Sunday, April 3.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry presented seven Local Achievement Awards winners with their certificates at the Tweed Heads Civic and Cultural Centre at the opening ceremony.
The recipients included: • Glenda Ashby – service to Marine Rescue Point Danger • Carole Cohan – service to Meals on Wheels, Tweed VIEW Club and Fun Activities for Banora Seniors (FABS) • Merilyn Gilmore – service to numerous Tweed charities over more than 30 years • Ruth Philip – service to South Tweed Over 50s group • Irene Rainey – service to Tweed Valley Justice Association and work as a JP
• Annie Simonds – service to Friends of the Gallery and Friends of the Pound • Alan Young – service to Twin Towns Radio Yacht Club • Sue Breckenridge – service to Murwillumbah Farmers Market and small farmers (absent). The audience was also treated to performances by the Murwillumbah Philharmonic Choir and the Fasolati Community Choir. There was also a repeat performance by Freddy and Lorraine reprising their popular Charleston dance routine – back by popular demand following their hit performance in 2021. To find out more about Council’s community services and programs, visit our webpage or call 07 5569 3110.
Parks to continue to champion energy savings
After participating in Earth Hour at the end of March and seeing a power usage at some Holiday Parks will continue to embrace sustainability and energy saving measures across the group. Parks operates under a quadruple bottom line, where sustainability and positive environmental outcomes are a success.
Operations Manager Allan Thomas said the Earth Hour initiative was embraced by parks across the group who encouraged guests to take part and shared links to Earth Hour
“Our park at Scotts Head saw up to a 40 per cent reduction in energy usage during Earth Hour compared to the same time the previous week,” Mr Thomas said. reduction in power usage is also seen when comparing energy usage from the hour before, showing a purposeful and meaningful change in guest behaviour and energy usage.”
“Even half that amount of energy reduction across our parks would be an extremely positive outcome showing the value environmental initiatives like Earth Hour have.
“The 7.1KWh reduction Holiday Park at Scotts Head is equal to the energy produced from around 25, 60-W lights on for four hours.
“This same result across our 37 holiday parks would equate to energy savings of 925 lights kept on for four hours.
“Our parks are committed to reducing their impact on the environment and our organisational culture is one which embraces sustainability through its quadruple bottom line.
“All building projects at our parks are looked at under the lens of reducing energy consumption, with new cabins at Evans Head and Urunga based on Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Principles.
“Heating and cooling are typically the largest energy users in homes, so our proposed new cabins at our Jimmys Beach park, will also utilise solar energy to power the air conditioning units during the day and reduce the park’s environmental footprint. Drought resistant native plants will be used in the landscaping and water tanks will be installed to provide grey water and irrigation, reducing the park’s water use.” Parks is also in the process of changing over to smart metering for all its holiday parks across NSW to ensure an accurate calculation of energy costs across the group and for more transparency into its energy usage.
Mr Thomas said he looked forward to further operational initiatives to reduce the group’s carbon footprint.
Qld housing package needed in Northern Rivers
Member for Lismore wants the Prime Minister to announce funding for a house raising and buyback program for the Northern Rivers as he’s done for Queensland.
“We have seen the announcement today of a $740 million joint CommonwealthState package to help Queenslanders rebuild, raise or sell homes damaged in the recent
“This National Disaster in our region is comparable with the devastation of Cyclone Tracy. It calls for an all of government response to address the rebuilding job ahead.
“Our communities are traumatised by the disaster and retraumatised by the lack of coordinated recovery and rebuilding efforts.
“I was lobbying last year for funding for projects in my area because the Australian Government’s grant guidelines inexplicably excluded Lismore City and Tweed Shire as priority locations for
“The Lismore City, Tweed Shire and Kyogle priority projects ready mitigation works, house purchase, house raising and land swaps.
“Since the February 28 updating these projects. The funding is beyond anything that councils can afford.
“I hope the Commonwealth is working with the State Government now on a joint package for the Northern Rivers, as has been done for Queensland.”
WISHING ALL OF OUR VALUED CLIENTS A SAFE AND HAPPY EASTER
Clarence Valley Home Modifcation & Maintenance -Gra on
Hoping everyone enjoys Easter with family & friends 02 6643 1831 Dunoon General Store
Wishing everyone a very happy and relaxing easter 02 6689 5225
Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat
Easter Greetings to all! Everyone deserves a chocolate lled easter full of memories 02 6679 1591 Nymboida Camping & Canoeing
Here’s wishing Easter is a good one for all! 02 6649 4155
Sanitair - Tweed Coast & Northern Rivers
Wishing all every good thing at Easter and always 0414 550 298 Woodenbong Driveway
inking of all locals and customers at this special time of the year 02 6635 1300
Richmond Valley Wreckers - Casino
Hope everyone has a great time over the Easter Break 02 6662 8565 Lismore Car Buying Centre
Real Estate Of Distinction - Byron Bay
Abundance and joy to everyone this easter 0438 841 122 Banora Family Dental & Implants
Stay happy and safe over Easter everyone, smile! 07 5628 3295
Ace Variety Discounts - Alstonville
anks to all our loyal customers have a happy and safe eater 02 6628 8222 e Saw Spot - Kyogle
Hope everyone gets lots of eggs and love this Easter 02 6632 3600
Craigs Float Hire
Here’s wishing Easter is good for one and all! Enjoy! 0499 589 905 Motion Mover - Wardell
Have and “egg-stra” happy Easter everyone. 0428 813 310
Meridian Property Group - Casino
Wishing everyone a happy easter with special people 02 6662 6666 Nimbin Candles
Peace & Joy to all our customers and locals this Easter Season 02 6689 1010
Urbenville News & Vistors Centre
Warmest thoughts at Easter for everyone, everywhere 02 6634 1254 Kiambram Country Cottages- Toowoomba
Have a fun, sunny and happy easter all 0428 617 188 Tenter eld Bowling Club
Happiest Easter to Everyone! 02 6736 1023 Iluka Bait and Tackle
Everyone deserves a happy and stress free easter – we wish this for all 0402 997 572
Summerland Tool Supplies
Have a safe and happy easter one and all 02 6622 6098 Gra on Shopping World News
Wishing all our customers and locals the happiest of easter greetings 02 6643 1277
AutoBarn - Tweed Heads
Here’s hoping everyone has a fun, sunny and memorable easter 07 5523 2055 Down e Hatch - Murwillumbah
Carpet One - Ballina
Happy Easter to all our customers and locals alike 02 6686 3855 Glamour Petz - Duranbah
Wishing everyone an Easter full of peace and happiness 0407 305 609
Scarboroughs - Kyogle
We wish a sweet and happy easter to our valued customers 02 6632 1519 Days Machinery- Casino
Wishing a happy and safe Easter Season to all our customers and friends 02 6662 1444
East Coast Asphalt - Mooball
Hope everyone enjoys their Easter – have a good one 02 6677 1859 Lemos Corner - Casino
Have fun over the Easter weekend, stay safe and enjoy. 02 6662 6965
Vince McNamara Engineering & Sales
Big Rivers Sca olding - Maclean
Hoping for a fun lled easter for all 0432 473 633
Hideaway Park - Gra on
Happy and safe Easter to all our customers, family and friends 0408 653 634
Richmond Valley Tyres - Casino
Happy Easter to all our customers and locals. Have a bright and happy weekend. 02 6662 6696
BSJ Auto Electrics - Ballina
May the true spirit of Easter bring happiness and contentment to every one of our customers and locals alike 02 6681 5566
Ted Mans Pest Control - Kingscli
May Easter be a time of celebration and fun for all 07 5659 2927
Walker Bros- Smash Repairs & Towing- Casino
Happy Easter to all our valued customers, relax and ejoy 02 6662 1464
Farrell McCrohon - Gra
Hope a happy and safe Easter is had by all 02 6642 5200 Easter Gree
