Local Government News

Don Page
State Matters

Camphor Laurel harvesting

I recently received an update from the Minister for Primary Industries regarding a State Forests trial to investigate and demonstrate the feasibility of harvesting the noxious weed, camphor laurel from infested property on the Far North Coast.

The project which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth, Delta Electricity, the NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative and Forest NSW is investigating the use of camphor laurel as a fuel for electricity generation at sugar mills during their off season.

The trial will continue for two years before Forests NSW will decide about future involvement in the project on an ongoing basis. I will keep you informed of any updates in regard to the trial.

Residential Parks Act review

Following the recent Review of the Residential Parks Act, a report was tabled in the NSW Parliament on December 7. The Report includes a number of findings on the operation of the legislation and suggests refinements that would improve its effectiveness. 

Some of the areas covered in the Report include disclosure of information to new residents, termination of tenancy processes and resident access to compensation, rent increase disputes and sale of homes on-site.

Copies of the Report are available on request from my office.

Safe Swimming

The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation provides the following tips for safe swimming this summer;

• Learn to swim and survive
• Always supervise children near water
• Never swim alone
• Only swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach
• Fence swimming pools
• Beware of fast-flowing water, submerged objects and deep water

Rules for Conducting Raffles

I have recently had enquiries to my office from not-for-profit organisations selling raffle tickets, as to the rules for running such activities.

The Department of Gaming and Racing who have responsibility for the issue have a brochure outlining the rules for raffles run by not-for-profit organisations, which is available from my office.

Generally, not-for-profit organisations are not required to obtain a permit to sell raffle tickets but they must comply with the requirements of the Lotteries and Art Unions Act. In a raffle, the total retail value of prizes cannot exceed $25,000, the total of money prizes should also not exceed $5,000.

A prize may only contain liquor to a total of 20 litres and tickets for such a raffle cannot be sold to, or by, persons under the age of 18.

There are a number of other rules applying to the conduct of a raffle which can be found in the Department of Gaming and Racing's brochure.

Merry Christmas

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers of the Northern Rivers Echo a Merry Christmas and safe and happy New Year. I hope that this Christmas brings happiness and joy to everyone, their families and our community. For those fortunate enough to be holidaying may you enjoy your break and travel safely.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful time in the true spirit of Christmas.

I can be contacted by writing to PO Box 1018, Ballina 2478 or by telephoning my Electorate Office on 6686 7522 or faxing 6686 7470. For those on-line my e-mail address is Don.Page@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Thomas George
Canberra Connection

Minister Scully visits

Last week it was my pleasure to host a visit to the Lismore Electorate by Minister for Roads, Carl Scully who opened Bald Knob Road situated between Woodenbong and Legume (MR622). It was also announced that a further $150,000 will be allocated towards the cost of improving the Legume to Woodenbong Road in the next financial year to widen, strengthen and seal of various sections.

Following my representations, the offer of additional funding to Tenterfield Shire Council was made and based on a 50:50 funding agreement.

During the visit funding of another $10,000 was provided to Kyogle Shire Council to undertake maintenance work on Lions Road. This is a local road and provides an alternative route to the Summerland Way for light vehicles. Over many years, the Kyogle Lions Club has raised many thousands of dollars for improvements to be made to this road.

Young Drivers Forum

An important aspect of the Minister's visit last week was participating in a Young Drivers Forum at Kyogle High School. Representatives from all high schools in the Lismore Electorate attended to convey their views in relation to an Option Paper titled; "Improving Safety for Young Drivers".

I encourage young drivers, learners and P-platers to obtain a copy either from my office or the website youngdrivers.com.au. Comments can be made on the form attached to the Options Paper and forwarded to Improving Safety for Young Drivers or by delivering to my office.

Natural Resources Crisis

The decision by a major water group to sever its relationship with the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) was symptomatic of serious problems with the NSW Labor Government's handling of natural resource issues.

The credibility of Labor Natural Resources Minister Craig Knowles is on the line. In terms of reforms to water and native vegetation, Mr Knowles has promised farmers and rural communities so much but we now find his actions are not matching the rhetoric. Apparently Border Rivers Food & Fibre, representing water users in an area stretching from Stanthorpe, Tenterfield, Glen Innes and Inverell to Goondiwindi and Mungindi, has announced it is severing its relationship with DIPNR over the Border River's Intergovernmental Agreement.

Issues include Labor's withdrawal from the National Water Initiative, a proposed cap on Barwon-Darling water allocations, flawed native vegetation legislation, stalled groundwater reform and DIPNR's failure to put a submission into IPART's review of bulk water prices. The Department had been in turmoil since the Minister announced his botched restructure, resulting in the loss of many experienced staff.

Labor's failure to properly consult and listen to our rural communities is causing a lot of anger and confusion. Labor just doesn't seem to understand that continued city-centric decision making is costing the livelihoods of many country people.

Electorate Functions

State Representatives Sports Certificate - It has been my pleasure to present these special recognition certificates to local talents; Dylan Bundock, Timothy Knight and Terry Hughes.

Lismore Unlimited Busines After Hours @ Tursa - these gatherings provide the business people of Lismore opportunities to network with other owners and operators and really benefit the trade and industry environment for Lismore Businesses.

Casino Primary Annual Presentation Ceremony - many proud parents, relatives and friends gathered for this important event. Many students were duly recognised and I wish these students all the best in their transition to secondary school next year.

St Vincent's Hospital Assistants in Nursing Certificates Presentation - this was a joint venture course with Collaborative Health Education Research Centre and St Vincent's Hopsital in partnership with EastCoast Training. Already 11 of graduates have achieved positions in aged care. The future of aged care is of great concern to all levels of government and health agencies.

• My office will be close 12 noon Friday 24 December 2004 and reopen Tuesday 3 January 2005.

I welcome and invite your feedback in relation to any of the above matters, please do not hesitate to contact my office regarding any matters on (ph) 6621 3624, (f) 6622 1403, by writing to PO Box 52 Lismore, e-mail; thomas.george@parliament.nsw.gov.au or www.thomasgeorge.com.au

Steve Cansdell
National News

A very big year

It has been an exciting year for the Northern Rivers, a challenging one for me as your local MP, and a dreadful one for the NSW Labor Party Government.

In May, Bob Carr broke another promise by axing the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line. There were well-founded fears the closures would extend south, but thanks in part to a well attended rally at Grafton Station which I organised, the remaining CountryLink services are safe... for now.

Labor then released its infamous 'Mini Budget' and associated measures, including massive increases in property taxes for small investors, the defunding of our Business Enterprise Centres and the proposed closures or cutbacks to the Wollongbar and Grafton Ag Stations.

In August I embarked on my inaugural Pedal for Pre-Schools fundraiser, where I cycled to all the community preschools in the Clarence Electorate. Thanks to some wonderful support by sponsors, we raised over $9000 with each of the 16 pre-schools receiving $575.

In September Labor introduced its appalling tax hike on our registered clubs, with the inevitable staff sackings and price hikes already starting to happen.

October saw the return of the Howard Government and two of its hardest working local representatives, Ian Causley and Luke Hartsuyker. It was a big relief because there is no way the Northern Rivers could afford two Labor governments.

I will be fighting hard for you in 2005 with the main task to ensure we bear as little as possible of the burden of Labor's savage cutbacks to services in country NSW.

In January I intend to launch my own website as another means of keeping you informed and making it easier for you to relay your concerns and ideas to me. It is already online so you can take a sneak preview. The address is www.cansdell.com.

I would like to wish you, your friends and family a merry Christmas and a wonderful 2005. Please take extra care on the roads over the holiday break and be water safe, especially with children.