Council Comment

with Charlie Cox

Good news on roads

The recent announcement by the Federal Government that the Roads to Recovery funding will continue past 2005 is good news for every local government area across Australia.

Roads are one of the major responsibilities borne by our Council and their maintenance is an expensive exercise.

The Roads to Recovery program has enabled Richmond Valley Council to complete local projects totalling $1.48m to date. In this financial year another $583,000 will be utilised.

Major projects completed include Knights and Ryans Bridges ($1.07m), Pelican Creek Bridge ($87,000), Lagoon Road Bridges ($89,000), Hotham Street ($104,000) and Old Dyraaba Road ($120,000).

The Roads to Recovery Program is one of the most popular, transparent and equitable incentives offered by the Federal Government. It has had a significant influence on our ability to plan ahead with an assurance of available resources.

Farewell Bill

On Saturday night last, a large gathering attended Council's farewell to our retiring director of works, Bill McMahon.

In a light-hearted atmosphere, speakers all paid high tribute to Bill's achievements and commitment to local government over a 41 year career. 'Bill the Bridge Builder' as he is affectionately known, leaves our Richmond Valley community with many tangible assets and improvements.

An innovative and determined engineer, Bill pioneered our successful bridge building enterprise. Well done and thank you Bill.

Old chambers plan

Yesterday, Richmond Valley Council held its first monthly meeting in the new Chambers in Graham Place. Our new headquarters is an attractive, functional achievement. Remember that it is also a public facility that groups are welcome to use.

Council will be advising you of times and dates for tours and viewings by the community - watch our Council newsletter for details.

Meanwhile, the future usage of our Casino Civic Centre Building is still under discussion and a meeting with interested parties has been arranged for Tuesday, March 2.

Council vote

Electoral rolls for the March 27 local government elections have closed. The Returning Officer for the Richmond Valley Council area is located in the new building at Graham Place. Any enquiries you have of him can be directed to that location.

Resident survey

Council has been encouraged by the number of responses received to the Ratepayer/Resident Survey. A reminder that the closing date is February 27. Thank you for involvement in this important part of our planning process.

Relay for life

The NSW Cancer Council has approached Casino with a view to staging another Relay for Life event. Memories of the 24 hour relay held here in 2001 are still fresh in many minds as a wonderful social event and awareness raising venture. If you are interested in joining the 2003 Relay for Life organising team or wish to give support in any way, you are most welcome to attend a public meeting at the Casino RSM Club on Wednesday, February 25, at 5.30pm.

Immunisation

A reminder that childhood immunisation clinics are held in Casino on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. It is important that you consider immunisation in the interests of your child and those other children he or she is in contact with. Phone Community Health on 6662 4444. The service is free but bookings are essential.

A decade of COW

Congratulations to all at COW FM on 10 years of continuous service, entertainment and promotion of our area. Community radio, through its volunteer presenters from a wide range of age groups, bring a lot of friendship and happiness into our lives without some of the cynicism and engineered sensationalism of some media. Well done, COW FM.

Council Comment

with Phil Silver

Tinkerbell decision this Monday

The Ballina Planning Meeting of February 12, resulted in a Notice of Rescission in respect of the zone change refusal for the Tinkerbell site to allow a shopping centre. The matter will now be determined at an Extraordinary Council Meeting, Monday, February 23, at 5pm.

The issue is one of the most significant strategic planning issues to come to this term of Council, in terms of its impact on other commercial activities in the Shire and the alternate future for the site of medium density housing.

If you have a particular view on this issue, I would ask that you contact one of your Councillors or attend the Meeting at 5 pm on Monday. Only by being made aware of your views, can your Councillors represent them.

Virgin Blue's announcement of last week to introduce a daily 737-700 jet service into the Ballina-Byron Gateway airport from August, 2004, is a stunning outcome for the Airport, the Shire and the Region. This outcome followed strong, ongoing representations by Council.

Tourism and business development will be the obvious beneficiary and that can only help one of our greatest needs, being jobs for our youth.

However, a strong social consequence of the service will be the ability with low cost fares for our retired community to visit their children and to have grandchildren come to visit.

People who used to drive to Sydney or bus or train, should now be able to fly in a cost effective way.