Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Evans Head nursing home in doubt

A $30 million nursing home at Evans Head is in serious jeopardy following a breakdown in negotiations between the developers and Aboriginal Native Title claimants over its value.

The home, to be built by Ballina Ex-Services Home, is on 10 hectares of Crown Land subject to a native title claim. The land was initially valued at $500,00 which has since escalated to $7 million.

Ballina Ex-Services Home board member Frank McKey said his board had negotiated a payment of $160,000 with Bundjalung Elder Laurie Wilson and accused the Aboriginal claimants of stalling on the agreement in order to leverage the NSW Government over their Native Title claim on the remaining Crown Land.

"We're depriving the Aboriginal community of absolutely nothing," Mr McKey said. "Their intransigence in not signing the agreement is holding up this project. I'm totally upset about it. I've been working on this for four and a half years."

Mr McKey said there is an urgent need for additional retirement and nursing home accommodation in the region.

"I've had friends who have had to go to other areas for aged care," he said. "We really set our hearts on helping the elderly. We're devastated it may not go ahead."

The federal government allocated 40 nursing home beds for the development in 2001 and has since given three extensions on the bed licences, which expires at the end of this year.

"It would be hard to justify a further extension," Mr McKey said. "We would have to show that a start has been made."

Mr McKey said some board members are already opposed to continuing with the development in Evans Head, warning that they could only wait a further two months before pulling the plug and looking for another location.

"The allocated beds are not transferable," he said. "If we don't have a resolution on the agreement with the Native Title claimants and on the purchase price of the land within two months it's a dead issue."

Mr McKey and Richmond Valley Council have written to the NSW government asking for help in resolving the Native Title issue and asking for clarification on the purchase price.

"We hope that the government will stick to the original valuation of $500,000," Mr McKey said.

Council's general manager Brian Wilkinson has yet to receive a reply to his letter to NSW premier Bob Carr.

"We believe the project is of a significant nature to the Richmond Valley community to warrant a quick resolution," Mr Wilkinson said.

"The home will not only address the need for aged care and accommodation but it also has the capacity to provide economic stimulus to the region."

Laurie Wilson's solicitor Wroth Wall did not return The Echo's calls seeking comment.

Pssst! Wanna buy a council?

News that Richmond Valley Council is in discussions with a possible buyer of the Art Deco-listed former Casino Council building has angered local community organisations led to believe the site would become a cultural centre.

Casino and District Historical Society president Norm Taylor said that the initial plan was dropped without consultation. The move comes following the closure of the Casino Art Centre.

"We're very disappointed that Council didn't enlighten us and let it all die. Next thing we know it's up for sale," he said. "I do think if Council were to sell the building we'd lose something that's quite unique in Australia."

While regional arts development officer Lois Randall prepared a plan to redevelop the site as a cultural and heritage centre, Mr Taylor is worried that the building could suffer the same fate as the El Gronda cinema and arcade - once described one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in Australia - which was demolished in the mid '70s.

"Council didn't mind when the El Gronda was pulled down," Mr Taylor said. "It seems a shame they may allow this building to be demolished."

A public meeting has been called for next Thursday, August 5, at 6.30pm at the Casino RSM Club where organisers plan to call for the building to be preserved as a community asset.

Mayor Charlie Cox said that Council was considering all its options and will attempt to preserve the upstairs former chambers.

"I don't believe demolition is one of the options Council would consider," he said.

General manager Brian Wilkinson said Council hadn't finalised the building's future, but had been in discussions about its sale over the past few months.

At last week's meeting, Council resolved to continue negotiations with the prospective purchaser.

"Council is aware of the interest from community groups regarding use of the building. That interest has and will be considered as part of Council's processes," he said.

20 years of Bentley

For 20 years now Reg Hartley has championed local artists, organising the Bentley Art Prize show in the quaint Bentley Hall on the Lismore/Kyogle road. This year's show runs from Friday to Sunday August 6-8.

Reg is excited about the prizes, which include a $1500 Aboriginal art acquisition prize, donated by Northern Rivers Group Training.

After Richmond Valley Council dropped its sponsorship, Reg was bailed out by a $1300 donation from former Richmond River Shire clerk, David Miller, who will open the show.

And if this year's entries top the record 400 received last year Reg will be happy, but worried where he will fit all that art work.

"It took us a few years to get the show off the ground but once we started to make money, the entries rolled in," Reg said.

The show kicks off on Friday evening with a wine and cheese night and entertainment by Marge Graham. The official opening is Saturday at 2pm. Funds raised will go to St Vincent's Palliative Care.

Casino Chamber AGM

Casino Chamber of Commerce is to hold its AGM at the Casino Motorhome Village (CMCA) next Tuesday, August 3, commencing at 7pm,

John Hall, director designate of the CMCA is guest speaker. He will outline plans for the next stage of the motorhome village - 'pre-tirement' homes for members wanting a home base whilst still spending time on the road.

President Jannie Stevens is again nominating to retain her position.

"In the past 12 months we have produced a TV commercial promoting Casino as a friendly place to visit and shop, introduced guest speakers to inform members about business operations, presented a free sales and marketing seminar and have our own logo and website," she said.

"In the next 12 months we intend to build on these initiatives and are in consultation with Richmond Valley Council regarding street beautification and alternate parking arrangements in Walker and Barker streets."

To attend phone the Chamber on 6662 1325.

Hospital volunteers a 'priceless resource'

Describing members of the Casino Hospital Auxiliary as a 'priceless resource for the local area,' Richmond Valley Mayor, Charlie Cox, said his 'basic maths' indicated that the 22,500 volunteer hours put in over the past year were the equivalent of 11 full-time positions.

With the hospital's executive officer Peter Jeffree vigorously nodding his agreement, Cr Cox said this must be of great support to both staff and patients, congratulating the Auxiliary on the year just past and predicting a successful 2004/05.

The Auxiliary's annual general meeting, held at the hospital recently, was an occasion for awarding long-service badges, releasing the financial accounts - $51,067 raised through various activities, including $8000 from the Centenary activities, and $1181 donated - and the traditional election of honorary committee members.

The committee for 2004/05 is (pictured) Peg Rice (president), Carrie Kennedy (first vice president), Sylvia Scarborough (vice president), Margaret Newstead (secretary), and Edna Fuller (treasurer).

Highlights of the year included a win in the Beef Week parade for the 'best walking' entry, which prompted president Peg Rice to remark, "I think the judges may have been influenced by our grey hair!"