Council Comment

with Charlie Cox

City planning

Richmond Valley Council has placed a Draft Urban Land Release Strategy for Casino on display. The strategy, when adopted, will set the direction for the future residential and industrial growth of the town.

In recent years there has been significant interest shown in real estate and business enterprise in Casino. Predictions are that our town will experience a 1½% population increase annually over the next two decades. By 2025 our population will be approaching 14,000.

Obviously people see Casino as having an attractive, friendly lifestyle at an affordable price. We are readily accessible by road, rail and air and are fortunate to have many of the health, business and recreational facilities to support a quality of life.

In identifying areas for urban land release, Council is also mindful of the need to plan for adequate infrastructure to support such growth - sewerage, water supply, roads, drainage and public spaces.

I urge you to acquaint yourself with the Draft Urban Land Release Strategy - on display at the Council Chambers. Written comments and submissions are welcomed.

Planning changes

Meanwhile, the State Government, through its Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR), is progressing with its efforts to streamline planning processes throughout the state. DIPNR aims to considerably reduce the number of Local Environmental Plans (at present NSW has 5,500) to a more appropriate number as well as standardising definitions of zones throughout our state. The aim is to have one LEP for each of the 152 Councils.

Evans Head sewerage funds

Council has requested a meeting with the Minister for Energy and Utilities in relation to available funding for the Evans Head-Woodburn Sewerage Augmentation. Council has concerns that State Government subsidy for the scheme could be jeopardised if we call tenders without receipt of approval of our funding application.

The Woodburn-Evans Head Sewerage Treatment Plant project is at a crucial stage in its lengthy history and a resolution of this matter is of vital importance to the community.