Letters To The Editor
Tourists can be everybody's business
Press coverage of the Ballina/Lismore Councils' proposed tourism collaboration needs to be seen in a regional context. This region has to come to terms with how it will plan, manage and market to its share of the 3.3 million visitations to northern NSW.
A dynamic effective regional industry association like NR Tourism can provide leadership to deal with the pointy end of such an exercise promoting the image and identity of the destination and offering the visitor information for a quality experience. Simultaneously tourism operators, Councils and their communities need to deal with the supply side. By encouraging collaboration of all stakeholders, NR Tourism initiatives will allow visitors to easily indulge in a borderless exploration of the whole region.
NR Tourism's existing showcasing campaign offers the sort of regional promotions that are understood in the industry. They highlight the region's assets and opportunities. NRTourism can act as a collaborative peak industry body should.
Operators of tourism enterprises in this region recognise they can't function on their own. They work hard to establish networks. They collaborate with others to promote their business.
Tourism is about partnerships. It isn't a phenomenon that occurs in isolation. Given that a third of visitors to this area come to be with friends and relatives and do what the locals do, it is evident that the host community has an interest in tourism services. Interestingly, residents' responses to surveys conducted for Lismore City Council's Strategic Plan indicated they were 77% satisfied with the operations and services of the Visitor Information Centre. They obviously recognize the value of informed friendly and professional support for those who want to share the region's attractions with their guests.
It is at the back-end of the equation, the supply side, (the 'what visitors do when we get them here' part), where we are dependent on collaboration between the entrepreneurs who provide amenities for visitors and residents alike and Councils. Councils have a significant role in the tourism mix. Lismore's Strategic Plan supports a regional city focus and all that implies. The portfolio of comments recently raised by community consultation included pursing CBD revitalisation, promoting city image, making Lismore attractive to new residents, encouraging job creation and business investment and support for and promotion of tourism.
Tourism impacts widely. It is not just about bringing people to town. It is about providing visitors and residents with information about and access to amenities, typical landscape and attractions. Some of these attractions are provided by the public sector through investment in roads, sporting facilities, parklands, galleries, libraries and museums, event management and adequate signage to find your way. The private sector works hard to deliver accommodation, quality restaurants and cafes, entertainment, shopping precincts, touring services and friendly customer service in retail outlets.
LCC's substantial commitment to the redevelopment of the riverbank, new swimming pools, design and construction of a world-class cultural precinct and the beautification of the CBD is welcome and will contribute to the attractiveness of Lismore as a regional capital. This focus on regional economic development and job creating investments doesn't happen by chance. Decisions made by Councillors impinge on many aspects of the daily lives of residents and visitors alike. Councillors seek to encourage sustainable economic prosperity and create community well-being for residents. It's a big ask. But it is worth asking for their opinion. This will ensure that the regional capital's infrastructure and core services grow and develop in step with the expectations of the community.
That's probably why two thirds of Councillors at LCC recently thought it timely to be part of the conversation. Their regular contact with their constituency and their role in providing policy and direction informs the operations of local government.
Ros Derrett
Lismore
|
|
Nimbin ignored
It was good to see Nimbin acknowledged as an asset to Lismore in Mark McDonnell's letter (Echo, Dec 16). He was referring to Paul O'Sullivan's plan to pass on Lismore's tourism management to Ballina.
Then reading Merv King's comments about the Keen St. upgrade "Lismore will have a much cooler and more inviting streetscape than at present", these comments do make me wonder - does the Council really value Nimbin enough? Summer in the streets of Nimbin is so incredibly hot, as with Lismore we don't have the benefit of the coastal breezes. We have consistently asked for more shade and a more inviting streetscape over the years and it is like trying to squeeze blood out of a stone.
I have been to other towns with the most beautiful gardens and streetscaping, well maintained and lush. Vandalism happens everywhere, we are not unique. Surely the Council must program the vandalism factor into their maintenance schedule. The few gardens that we do have, need regular watering (no taps for public use in town) and maintaining, not just the occasional pruning. As a proprietor of a business in the main street, that places importance on the value and beauty of plants, we pay for the upkeep of the gardens around our building and know how often that needs to be done.
We have an area called a "blister" by the Council - probably because you get blisters if you sit out there in summer, it's so hot. This is a place where people can sit together. This "blister" was supposed to be erected for a six month trial period and then, if approved (which it was) upgraded and landscaped. Now, a few years down the track it is still a temporary structure, it's derelict, the planter boxes look like giant ashtrays and for a major tourist destination it is a visual embarrassment.
I had a major fall in the "blister" five months ago, due to the fence being broken, receiving a scar for life on my face and other injuries which I am still dealing with. I believe there have been a number of other accidents. Perhaps if I pursued a Public Liability claim for my pain and injuries, we could use the money to upgrade this meeting space to something that would be an asset to the town and that we could all enjoy. An oasis rather than a blister. Then again, it would be much easier all round, if the Council would acknowledge its responsibility toward Nimbin as a great asset, that needs much more care and attention than it is currently receiving.
Tarang Bates
Nimbin
Can't see
It's only a small thing - but you can't read; "City Hall" from the road because of trees over the sign on the western face of the building. Perhaps a new sign on the southern side is the go. Also, and I mention this tentatively because public toilets has always been a sore point for this Council, as at the slightest sign of difficulty they get closed, but, well, particularly as we have a daily coachload, Jims, that arrives mid-morning from Byron and shows them "Lismore - on the way to Nimbin", by depositing them at the entrance to Heritage Park for 10 minutes, then, it is appropriate that the ambience of the Tourist Information low-level toilets, ie. the ones the building sits on, might in some way be improved. But who we should be asking to fix this is a mute point in these strategically-challenged times,
William Goode
Lismore
Not along
I read with interest the letter from Camille Borgas (Echo, December 9) about the 'Ladies restrooom' in a Lismore arcade where her small child was refused permission to go to the toilet unless she paid at once.
I had a very similar experience there. I made my way to these toilets not long ago, only to find that I had no coins in my wallet. I had a fairly large denomination note, for which the woman in charge had no change. I was hurrying for an appointment, and promised to pay her the 30 cents as soon as I had change, but she barred my way to the toilets and refused to let me in. I found her manner offensive and, like Camille, left feeling quite upset.
Needless to say I now avoid these conveniently located toilets.
Nathalie Buckland
Nimbin
No vision
I read with interest recent media reports on Assistant Planning Minister Diane Beamer's visit to Ballina, to hand over to Ballina Council a cheque for $210,000. This money is to enable the preparation of a plan for the future of the whole Shire; however, ratepayers shouldn't be mislead. Although the money was handed to Council via the Mayor, this was not an initiation of the Councillors.
Staff in the Strategic Planning section of Council came up with the ideas, and worked over a period of time to develop and submit a proposal, which was ultimately successful.
Staff's initiative was possibly borne of frustration: in November 1999, my motion calling for a Review of the Local Environment Plan (LEP) was successful, and the Review was to be completed by June, 2002. That is, over two years, Ballina Council would embark on a planning process, and come up with a plan for the Shire that reflected community expectations, and provided for changes due to population growth, and the changing demographics.
This was in 1999. At budget time each year, that LEP Reivew was continually pushed to the back-burner, because there was no money! Of nine Councillors, just two cared about this. My constant focus on the need for, and importance of, strategic planning actually became a source of derisive fun for some councillors - and these councillors are still there, guiding the Shire's future for you!
In 2002, my motion to prepare a Development Control Plan (DCP) for the central business district of Ballina, commencing in July 2003, was also successful. The motion called for "a community vision - to give clear and specific guidelines" about the development and redevelopment of the central business district: but, guess what? Once again, there was no money! So, no DCP.
Can you believe that any Council could spend millions of dollars on its business centre, with no visionary plan to guide development in that business centre?
Ballina's LEP has been amended almost 100 times (actually 95), yet, Councillors appear to see nothing untoward with this, and in fact, some promote the LEP as a model, because the amendments maintain its currency! That's reactive, rather than visionary, in my book.
Currently, there is no master plan, with higgledy-piggledy development being approved, on the basis that any development brings dollars, and that makes it good development. Do the people of Ballina Shire care?
Marilyn Perkins
Wollongbar
Lesson of Christmas
This time of peace and joy is often anything but that. Not much peace to be found in the hectic social, shopping, end of year celebration, kid's commitments whirl that Christmas in the year 2004 brings. Joy? Well talk to people and look into their tired and stressed eyes, where is the joy?
Why Christmas? It really is a genuine question. We can't call ourselves a "Christian" nation and if you look into the true past, were we ever? Did we want to be? We are now privileged to share with that past a multitude of beliefs, philosophies, ideals and cultures.
So you have to ask, why Christmas?
For the kids? Yes partly, but not to teach them about greed, possessiveness, competitiveness and having the latest whatever it is. Let it be the season to teach and learn something precious. The joy in giving, not just the material gifts bought in the frenzy of credit card spending and the busy rushing shopping public we all become at this time. It's the giving that is priceless. Giving of self, giving from the heart. Giving from places you've never dared to give from previously. Giving from a sense of collective humanity, after all we are all from the same species. We all need the same fundamental things, share the same needs, desires and fears.
So - Give kindness, give honesty, give praise and encouragement, give compliments, give without expectation, give with the right motivation. Give freedom-of-expression and freedom to live and let live. Give acceptance, give respect, give humility, give love, give yourself, give equality, give non-judgement, give trust, give friendship.
To everyone in the Northern Rivers, if you package up these gifts in happiness as a wrapping and tie them with a ribbon of love we truly will have a season of joy.
So sit and be still, listen, look, breathe in, commune, meditate, find peace, feel the joy and have a wonderful, glorious and meaningful Christmas.
Helen Rigby
Dunoon
Season of giving
Being Christmas time I wish to start off my letter by thanking all the people involved in the Carols by Candlelight program on Sunday December 2004.
Four friends and I really enjoyed Carols by Candlelight. It was my first time attending one in the Northern Rivers. No violence or swearing, just a community wanting to come out and celebrate Christmas.
It was a warm feeling of community there. In my group of friends were two people with learning problems and they had a ball of a time there! Thank you to the two men who came over to my friend Joy's aid when her chair tipped over with her in it. I don't know their names but they know who they are. Thank you.
If people or businesses want to make a donation I know of three charities who are in need of donations desperately.
-
ASCA (Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse)
They are desperately in need of funds to cover the periods of January so that they can continue to council by phone survivors of child abuse. Their support group in Lismore has been of invaluable support to me. Their address is ASCA Administration PO Box, Charlestown NSW 2290
-
Mayumarri Healing Centre is the only centre in Australia run by survivors of child abuse for survivors of child abuse. It receives no government funding. This place is a godsend for both young and older survivors of child abuse. The miracles it has done for the hundreds of people who have been there can never fully be told. It has kids camp weeks and it has lots of healing weeks for adults.
Next year for the 1st time, it will hold a foster parents week. In order to help foster parents care for foster children who have been abused.
Their address is Mayumarri Healing Centre PO Box 361 Cessnock NSW 2325. Telephone 4998 6003. The healing I have received here has been very deep on a personal level.
-
3. Lismore Soup Kitchen is continually in need of donations to keep operating but even more so at Christmas time. It's looking at feeding 100 plus people on Christmas Day. Who have nowhere to go and celebrate Christmas except the Town Hall. Telephone 6622 4055 or call into the Soup Kitchen Sun - Sat 9am - 1pm in Norco Lane, South Lismore.
I've made many good friendships there.
Merry Christmas everybody.
Helen Coyle
South Lismore
L'Strange love
The bugle blowing, red carpet, announcement from The King Rat at Kirribilli today that "Tricky Dicky", Richard Alston has been appointed the Australian Ambassador to the Court Of St James in London is an international embarrassment. This is the inept galoot best known for his relentless and spurious pursuit of the ABC for telling the truth about frequent Australian Government lies and shortcomings in both Iraq and Bali, in between his night job of 'screwing down coffin lids'.
Forget his current grandiose generous pension and Super payouts as an ex Senate Leader and Senior Government Minister. Forget his tax-free salary in London of $197000, the chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce and free luxurious palatial home high on The Strand. He also gets expenses of office, (read food and drink and unlimited first class travel and five-star hotels), which last year had an allocation of over $500,000.
This from the heartless Howard/Anderson Federal Government which is reducing funding to the disabled, aged and infirm, while increasing the costs of their PBS medication. Let our local Federal MP's, defend this locally.
The current London incumbent is Michael L'Estrange, (another Howard forelock tugger), so we are now going from the Strange to the Bizarre. Neither appointee had any diplomatic experience, and like Lord Alexander of Baghdad will be another international embarrassment to our once proud and formerly independent country.
John X Berlin
Maclean
|
