Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Cutting the cake to celebrate the official opening of Interail Australia's new Casino office and the first anniversary of its rail container service is Richmond Valley Mayor Charlie Cox and Lismore MP Thomas George with Interail Australia's business analyst Natalie Stace, general manager Catherine Baxter and some of the train crew employees.

Interail rides into Casino

Casino-based rail freight company, Interail Australia, celebrated the first anniversary of its rail container service and the opening of its new Casino office this week.

The office and facility are on the site of the original Casino State Rail workshop and the office is housed in the heritage listed timekeepers office.

The company operates a rail container service three days a week out of Casino and is currently moving Northern Rivers produce, including hides from Casino Hide Traders and macadamia nuts from local growers, to the Port of Brisbane.

General manger Catherine Baxter said the opening of the new Casino office represents a new era for the company.

"This is a great day for Interail Australia and the people of Casino," she said. "This building symbolises our company's growth and the support we have from our local community."

Ms Baxter emphasised that the freight service is a safe and efficient alternative to road transport.

"The container service has moved the equivalent of 318 B-double loads in 636 containers since the service commenced on July 8, 2003."

The company has injected close to $7 million into the local economy and employs 20 administration and train crew staff.

Speaking at the opening, Lismore MP Thomas George said it was a nice change to hear a good news story about railway.

"Rail is on everyone's lips at the moment and its good to see a room full of employees," he said.

Interail Australia was formed in 2002, when Queensland Rail purchased the freight and business assets of Northern Rivers Railroad, which operated the Ritz Rail tourist train.

Council rate debate continues

Richmond Valley Council voted at its meeting on Tuesday to defer its decision on the proposed new rating structure, giving ratepayers a three-day window in which to make suggestions for an alternative.

Submissions on the rating structure are due by this Friday, June 18, with Council to hold a special meeting next Wednesday, June 23, to discuss the feedback and decide on a final structure.

The decision follows the huge outcry from Evans Head residents following publication of a proposed new rating structure in Council's Draft Management Plan, which proposes a further 9.5% rate hike over and above the 3.5% rate rise that occurs every year. This option would have seen some businesses and residents in the town facing a rate increase of up to 400%.

After a discussion in which many councillors acknowledged the need to address these concerns, Council agreed to the short delay.

General manager Brian Wilkinson said that the time frame was now critical, saying Council would have a cash flow problem if a decision was not made immediately.

"The Minister for Local Government must approve any increase above the rate pegging variation of 3.5%," he said. "Under the Local Government Act Council has a statutory obligation to adopt the Management Plan by June 30 and set a new rate structure by July 31. The first rate notice must be mailed by July 31 otherwise we will have to wait till November to collect rates from those who pay by installment."

Keep an eye on Notes next week for information about the final rating structure.

Have your say on Coraki's future

Members of the Coraki community are invited to a second community economic development workshop next Wednesday, June 23, at the Coraki Conference Centre from 6pm.

At an initial workshop held on June 6 community members and representatives from local organisations talked about their visions for Coraki's future.

Don't worry if you couldn't make the first meeting - come along and have your say at this one. Phone Kate Welch, Chairperson of Coraki Townlife Development Program on 6683 2325 or Louise Ford at Richmond Valley Council on 6660 0393 in order to finalise catering.

Please feel free to contact Therese with any Richmond Valley news, events, or story ideas, at or Ph: 6662 7735, or fax: 6662 2811.