Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Saleyards muster in Casino

Labor promises better health

Country Labor's Page candidate, Kevin Bell and federal health spokesperson, Julia Gillard, talk with residents at a community health forum in Casino last Thursday.

No matter who wins the looming federal election, the community will get improved cancer treatment facilities after Federal Labor's health spokesperson, Julia Gillard, promised that Labor would build an oncology unit at Lismore Base Hospital during a visit to Casino last week.

Her announcement pipped a similar announcement by the Coalition Government the following day (see front page).

As part of her visit last Thursday, Ms Gillard spoke at a community health forum organised by Labor's Page candidate Kevin Bell. Residents expressed concerns around bulk billing, Medicare, dental care waiting lists, and the shortage of rural doctors.

Ms Gillard defended the opposition's recent backflip on the Pharmaceuticals Benefit Scheme (PBS), in which Labor backed the Government's plan to raise the costs of medicines under the PBS.

"A Latham Labor government would use the resources of government to implement better and smarter savings in the PBS and every dollar saved will be used to reduce the need for increased co-payments," Ms Gillard said.

Nimbin resident and Area Health Service boardmember Helen Colbourne asked Ms Gillard to investigate the possibility of midwives obtaining a Medicare provider number.

Other people complained about the lack of bulk-billing in Casino. Only one of 14 doctors in the town bulk bills.

Casino resident Peter Gallo complained about the recent closure of the Casino-Murwillumbah rail line by the NSW Government.

Kevin Bell's defence was that campaigned for it to stay open, claiming that if he won the seat, it would be marginal. "I will be listened to in Canberra and Sydney," Mr Bell said.

Our Kids bag a whopper at Evans

It was thiiiis big.... Davis Sales of the Organising Committee of the Evans Head Fishing Classic presenting a $500 check to Rebekka Battista, Fundraising Officer of the Our Kids charity.

A record number of kids participated in the Children's Section of the Evans Head Fishing Classic last week, with the fullest bag being shared by the Our Kids charity that helps fund equipment for the children's ward at Lismore Base Hospital, and the Evans Head Preschool.

The two worthy causes each received a donation of $500 from the proceeds of entry fees, with the cheques being handed over at the event's conclusion on Sunday night.

Cheap petrol fuels business downturn

Casino 5 Star Handimarket owners Sue and Brian Fitzgerald will close their business within weeks because of fuel discounting by the two major supermarkets in town.

Casino's 5 Star Handimarket is preparing to close its doors because competition from major supermarket chains offering discount petrol vouchers

Owners Sue and Brian Fitzgerald said they withstood the initial impact when a second supermarket, Bi Lo, opened in opposition to Woolworths in December 2003, but within a week of both supermarkets introducing fuel discounts earlier this year, their custom dropped off dramatically.

"We had our strongest six months from July to December last year," Brian said "But the business drop off coincided with the opening of the discount fuel outlets."

Other small businesses have also been affected.

Fruit shop owner Frank Karam however, thinks that while it originally had an impact, customers are making up their own minds.

"When Bi Lo opened, the difference to my business was minimal," Mr. Karam said.

"But once the others started to discount petrol we noticed a drop off in sales for the first few weeks. But it's gradually coming back to normal now," he said. "People are realising they have to often spend money they wouldn't normally spend to save 1 or 2 cents on petrol."

Fellow Walker Street retailer, butcher Pat Doolan was not so sure.

"People are shopping at the two shopping centres for the sake of a few cents saving on petrol," Mr Doolan said. "They are not shopping in the [Walker] street. This would be our worst June for 25 years."

Brian Fitzgerald said the closure of the Handimarket will not only be a loss to him and his wife but to the local community.

"Over the five years we have been in business we have employed over 12 local people and supported many sporting and community groups," Brian said.

Brian issued this warning to Lismore residents concerned about plans for a Woolworths Petrol Plus in Diadem Street: "I urge them to fight it so small businesses in Lismore don't suffer what's happening to us."

Brian said that unless a buyer comes forward soon they would be closing the business within the next few weeks. "It's happening all over Australia," he said.

And the problem seems to be even bigger than that, with Michael Delaney, executive director of the Motor Trades Association, saying that more than 7000 independent petrol station owners represented by the MTA are also hurting. Mr Delaney said the alliances both Shell and Caltex have forged with the Coles and Woolworths respectively, is also threatening the Australian future of rival petrol suppliers Mobil and BP.

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