Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Big beef with meat works

Local beef farmers have claimed that they are being shut out of processing at Casino's Northern Cooperative Meat Company (NCMC) and it's costing them money.

Concerns over operations at the Co-op were aired at a public meeting on Sunday, where farmers were told that in recent months, Bindaree Beef and Tancreds had been refused access to the meat works, leaving only two operators processing cattle there. Farmers said that the reduced competition for their cattle led to lower prices at the Casino livestock exchange.

Richmond River beef producers president Bill Bolin said farmers and Co-op shareholders are concerned that the works are not being run in the best interests of all concerned.

"Potential customers have been turned away and the works haven't been operating at full capacity," he said. "It saddens me that we can't get a representative from the Co-op to listen to our concerns. They should be prepared to answer some of our questions instead of saying it's a management issue and can't be discussed in public. It's imperative the meat works be kept going for Casino."

Rous Mill beef producer Liz Hamilton said she now couldn't find an operator willing to buy her vealers and can no longer process them in Casino.

"They've taken away the license of two operators that dealt with veal, so there are very few buyers of veal at Casino saleyards and the price is low for farmers."

Ms Hamilton said that Bindaree Beef told her they were refused a license because another processor claimed it would pull out if Bindaree Beef was allowed back in.

"Is this meat works been run by the shareholders or the processors?" she asked.

Michael McMahon, cattle buyer from South Gundurimba, said Tancreds had 29 vealers that stood in the meat works yards for a week before being turned away.

"The meat company has to work on a level playing field," he said. "It is obvious that the two major players don't want you in the market."

Farmers want something done, but are afraid of going public on the issue.

"If one of the major processors takes a dislike to you it can hurt your back pocket," one said. "We've got to make a stand. If there are only two major processors it's a concern."

The cattle farmers are planning to put a series of questions to the Northern Cooperative Meat Company AGM on November 8.

The Echo contacted the Co-op for comment, but management refused, saying any concerns would be addressed at the AGM.

Council Notes

A cash-strapped Richmond Valley Council is anxiously awaiting confirmation that the NSW Government will still subsidise the cost of upgrading the Evans Head sewerage treatment plant.

A subsidy towards the construction has already been reduced by $200,000 and a cut to the subsidy for preparatory work has been announced.

Following the recent release of revised ranking criteria for similar projects under the Government's funding program, Council has written to the Minister asking for confirmation that the treatment plant will still be funded and at what level.

Strategic planning manager Ray Medhurst said once the subsidy is approved, the upgrade would be completed by July 2006. But for now ratepayers will be waiting to find out how much of the bill lands on them.

Coraki Artsfest

Coraki will be buzzing with artists, poets, graffiti art, music and market stalls, at the inaugural Coraki Artsfest this Saturday.

The Artsfest is being held in conjunction with the Coraki Tea Tree Art Prize exhibition and will include arts demonstrations and workshops, graffiti art, music, bus tours and stalls. For more details, see Shaggy Dog, page 2, and The Scene, page 25.

Beef Week AGM

Ideas were tossed around on how to cover the costs of Casino Beef Week following the annual general meeting for Casino Beef Week last week.

The books showed a loss of $10,000 for the 2004 festival, despite it being shortened to six days. While the new formula was popular with locals and visitors, it wasn't enough to put money in the bank.

"We don't make heaps of money, and we don't keep all the takings from events," said president Terry Serone.

Each event runs autonomously, but returns any profits to Beef Week to cover administration costs. This profit is never enough to cover the large operating costs for the festival, which relies on sponsorship to cover the gap.

A day in the life

Staff at St Michael's Nursing Home are dressed up and ready to go for Casino's Relay for Life this weekend.

Organisers of Casino's second Relay for Life are expecting 32 teams to take part in the 24-hour walk-a-thon this Saturday and Sunday to raise money for cancer research. And if you're keen there's still room for more.

Teams and individuals are welcome to register right up to start time, 10am Saturday. Just get yourself down to Queen Elizabeth Park by 9.30am Saturday and start walking.

The event will begin with an opening ceremony and the opening lap will be lead by survivors and carers.

Richmond Valley mayor Charlie Cox has joined the Council's team.

"I'm doing the 3am shift," Charlie said. "So they were happy to have me on board. It's a great opportunity for people to camp out in their own town and socialise and at the same time to raise money for cancer research."

There will be a candlelight ceremony of hope on Saturday and all are welcome to attend. Participants will be entertained during the walk by lots of local entertainers including Casino and Kyogle country music clubs.