Council Comment

with Charlie Cox

Park future

Council is a strong supporter of sports and physical activities.

Team sports in particular, encourage social interaction, a sense of fairplay and promote healthy lifestyle. The recent additions to amenities at Stan Payne Oval received considerable funding allocation from Council.

Last week I chaired a meeting of our Sports and Recreation Advisory Committee with representatives of cricket and junior rugby league in Casino. It was pleasing to see both groups reach amicable agreement on future plans at Queen Elizabeth Park. Subject to adoption by Council, the decisions that were reached are designed to facilitate multiple usage of the complex for many years to come.

Council at present is rebuilding the toilet block at Colley Park. We appreciate the understanding and patience of both sports, netball and soccer, during construction. Our works programme just could not handle the job at any other time.

Evans Head sewage

A Focus Meeting of government bodies involved in the planned upgrade of the Evans Head Sewerage Treatment Plant was held last week. The upgrade will replace an outdated facility which services both Evans Head and Woodburn. Council has separated the project into two parts. The actual building of the plant will go ahead while at the same time, the matter of where the treated water will be discharged to is being determined.

I should point out that these days, with modern technology, treated effluent is nowhere near as obnoxious as the word "effluent" might imply.

The proposed secondary use of treated water to irrigate playing fields, farmland as well as creating wetlands makes a lot of sense both environmentally and economically.

Rail services

Calls for a feasibility study into a commuter rail service on the Casino-Murwillumbah line are part of our ongoing support for the retention of the coastal rail service. Richmond Valley, its people and its commerce, needs a land transport system in addition to the road system. The rail corridor exists, albeit having been allowed to deteriorate over many years. Should government opt to close the line it would be a decision deeply regretted in the future - similar to the closure in Queensland of its rail service to the Gold Coast many years ago.

Those with vision can see the tremendous value to everyone in a rail circuit linking South-East Queensland and Northern NSW.

Whilst strongly supporting the concept, however, I do not see its operation and management as a local government responsibility.

Seniors Week

Seniors Week is underway. Our Richmond Valley Organising Committee has so many activities planned that a comprehensive programme of events has been distributed to every letterbox in the Valley. Seniors are an important asset to our community. Their outings and clubhouse activities strengthen our community and encourage a positive link between generations. I trust you take the opportunity to join in.

Luck of the hospital

What a great job hospital auxiliaries do to support our health system. Last Friday's St Patrick's Day morning tea raised valuable funds as well as bringing the community together.

I get the impression most of the organisers are of Irish background - the function was five days early.

Council Comment

with Phil Silver

Beware of amalgamations

Forced amalgamations are the stand-out issue confronting Ballina Council and all of the Councils in the Richmond River Valley for the next term of Local Government. The four councils of the Clarence Valley are now one and our valley will surely follow.

It is noteworthy that for the Clarence, the Minister's proclamation was under Part 1, Chapter 9 of the Local Government Act which relates to the Constitution and dissolution of areas. In effect, the Minister has dissolved the old areas and constituted a new one, as opposed to amalgamating existing areas.

Ballina residents, like those of Maclean, have the most to lose given our strong financial position and low levels of rate. Notwithstanding the different property values, the Lismore residential rate is 5 times the Ballina residential rate.

Pious resolutions of Councils that they do not support amalgamation will achieve nought. The Minister has clearly stated that the only way they can be avoided is for Councils in a region to demonstrate that they can achieve structural reform, operating efficiencies and non duplication. The fact that we have two regional Airports within 40 minutes drive servicing a single regional market, is quite frankly, exactly the type of thing the Minister is talking about.

The goal for each Council must surely be to retain its own Local Government area and elected body with control over its own finances, rating and planning decisions. Such a model does exist and has been raised with the Minister as a solution for the Richmond. At a recent meeting, the Minister indicated his tacit support for such a model.

It remains the responsibility of Councils in the Richmond to follow through on this and deliver a solution that provides operating efficiencies.