Letters To The Editor
Plateau people shocked over bypass delay
In relation to the recent stalling of the Alstonville bypass project, we're sure Plateau people will be in shock! This decision demonstrates complete disregard for our community, and a blatant breach of faith. We believe that politicians must be held responsible for promises made regarding the construction of the bypass.
As part of the construction process, the RTA formed a Community Liasion Group in 2003, with representatives from across the Plateau. The February 04 meeting of this Group was informed that "formal approval has been received to prepare and start construction" (RTA Minutes, Meeting No 3, 24/2/04), and that " contract documents are nearing completion, and the RTA will then call tenders for construction" (RTA Minutes, Meeting No 3, 24/2/04). Remember, this is 12 months ago - a full year, with nothing accomplished.
This is the RTA timetable for completion of the bypass:
Implementation Phase:
Mid 2004: Call tenders for construction;
Late 2004: Commencement of construction;
Late 2006: Open to traffic. (RTA Minutes, Meeting No 1, 30/9/03).
There are so many questions that should be answered:
1) What about the economics of the project, given the $s already expended?
2) Why the rush to cut down that wonderful 100 year old cedar tree? If there are any route changes, then the tree could have stayed, for goodness sake!
3) Why finalise the signage, wording, and the placement positions of the signs on the entry and exits to the bypass?
4) How can a responsible government get to that stage of detailed planning, acquire land, sign off on the design, prepare the route, and then decide there is no money?
5) Was it all just a ruse to give the community reps something to talk about? If not, then how does the RTA justify such waste of money?
The RTA acknowledges Plateau people and commuters have a right to be informed: "There are procedures that the RTA follows to ensure a consistent and timely message is given to the community" (RTA Minutes, Meeting No 3, 24/2/04). The time for that message is somewhat overdue, RTA!! How about an explanation, because this community is feeling betrayed and angry.
Bob Wilson and Marilyn Perkins,
Alstonville Bypass Community Liaison Group members
Bypass Action Group members
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Rubbish collection an urban luxury
Having just moved to town after more than 20 years of living in the bush I feel it's a privilege to have my garbage collected. While I've learnt to keep my garbage to a minimum and don't have much to put into my bin, I love the fact that someone else deals with it for me. After only three weeks in Lismore, I consider this novelty one of the major benefits of living in town.
I was somewhat surprised therefore by Loretta Mackay's attitude to garbage collection in Lismore. Garbage collection is user pays. If Loretta finds one garbage bin inadequate for a household of 15 (I probably would too) why not organise another bin and an additional collection? Households are not restricted to one bin provided they pay for the extra collection, which is not a great cost. Alternatively, if Loretta has a car in her household she could make a regular trip to the landfill, which is so close to town compared to the distances I've travelled for 20 years. Also, I'd suggest to Loretta that she use the recycling drop off centres. Plastics, glass and aluminium in quantity take up a lot of room in the bin and why throw them into landfill when they can be reused?
As for stinky garbage, I separate all my organics into the bin that's collected weekly and wrap them in newspaper. There's really nothing smelly left for the garbage bin. It's all so easy no matter where one lives within the urban area.
Diana Roberts
Lismore
Home grown
My name is Michelle Ellis. I now live in America and have done for the last six years.
I always read The Echo - it is the only paper with information and news from around my home town of Casino.
Just like to thank you for helping me keep a part of home keep up on what's going on.
Doing a great job.
Michelle Ellis
Americas
In the swim at Kyogle
What do you do with hot Lismore children on a sweaty summer weekend? The choice is Ballina by the sea or Kyogle swimming pool.
It is worth the 40-minute country drive to see the magical expanse of blue that meets the eye when we arrive in Kyogle. Six of us swam in all three pools over the course of an entertaining afternoon.
There is the cool toddlers pool with funny fountains and mushroom stools, and the deep blue excitement of the Olympic pool where you can watch the adolescent action from the shade of the comfortable grandstand.
With small children ranging in swimming confidence we were happy in the middle pool. It is a large square shape with a depth of one metre, is covered in deep shade and surrounded by seating for water challenged adults. Management provided pool toys and we splashed and dived and practised our swimming for hours.
Families of Lismore, I recommend Kyogle for a fun day out. The town's three pools cater for all pool users, especially children, and offer a shady retreat on a hot day.
Cr Vanessa Ekins
Lismore
Debating rates
Re Brian Smith's letter (Echo, Feb 3).
What are you exactly asking for Brian? Are you asking for the rest of the community to pay a higher share of rates, so that those who have been fortunate in buying prime land at the right time, now pay less, because their values have soared excessively? Be realistic. The ad valorem of basing rates is applied over the whole country, with values based on those released by the Valuer General. Having relocated to this area from Sydney, all I see is letters from people whinging that the systems, which have been in place for many years, are no longer applicable because of higher costs. Mate, if you don't like the fact your properties have leapt ahead in leaps and bounds because of their position, then get out. How dare you expect other people to bare the cost of your indulgences. Do you want us to help you pay your fuel bills also, because it's going up?
Fair suck of the sav.
K Andersen
Ballina
Island paradise
Yesterday (Friday, Feb 4) construction was started on the first of three islands for Lismore Lake. Council has finally taken the opportunity while the water level is low, making it easy and inexpensive.
We will need good rains and an improved river flow before permission to pump water from the river will be granted.
That happy day will arrive one day.
If the islands are then in place, and some tree planting has been undertaken, plus new and improved picnic facilities, Lismore will be an attraction for residents and visitors.
Lismore needs such an area.
Molly Crawford
Lismore
Sorry Russ
Further to my letters (Echo, Jan 27 and Feb 3), which were mostly about the loss and regaining of my mobile phone.
Russell came to see me today (Feb 5) and very emotionally asked me to ring the Police and say that he didn't take my phone, and also write a letter for The Echo, saying that I was wrong in accusing him of doing so.
All I can say is that I am sorry that I went to the Police - I rang them in his presence - and also that I wrote what I did, but as I told him, there was no other conclusion that I could come to under the circumstances.
Once again Russ, thanks for returning my phone, no matter how it came into your possession, but please don't come banging on my door again - I am nearly 80 years old and don't need the trauma.
Doug Myler
Lismore Heights
Montgomery search
Earlier this year you kindly published a letter I wrote to you concerning my search for relatives of Wilfred Montgomery. Wilfred was killed during WWI and I'm trying to locate a relative so that I can return the memorial plaque presented to his family to commemorate his death.
Since my first letter I have established that one of Wilfred's brothers lived in Lismore until he died in 1982. His name was Gordon Ellison Montgomery and he was married to May McIntosh. Gordon is buried in the Lismore Memorial Gardens.
If any reader knows anything about Gordon I would appreciate if they contacted my via the internet on llanwarne80@ hotmail.com or on (02) 6971 1447.
Thank you for your assistance.
Glyn Llanwarne
Family gathering
Descendants and extended families of Francis Battis and Mary (nee Byrnes) are invited to attend a family gathering at Casino Showground on Easter Sunday (March 27) from 9.30am.
Francis and Mary came to the Richmond River in 1855 to reside at Rosehill Cedar Camp and Francis worked as a cedar getter until his untimely death in 1861.
Their children were: William (1855-1949, married to Dinah Webster), Catherine (1856-?), Elizabeth (1856-1931, married to Alsager Steel), Mary (1858-1948, married to Francis Reis), Francis (1859-1914, married to Anne Jane Stewart), Michel (known as Henderson 1861-1933, married to Caroline Flack).
Associated family named include Barnes, Bathis, Bathurst, Battis, Bingham, Dunne, Green, Gilbert, Hague, Hopkins, Lee, Mills, Muldoon, Nolan, O'Meara, O'Neill, Pearson, Reis, Rogers, Steele, Vaughan, Williams and Wright.
For more information phone 6662 2893 or 6662 3911.
Joan Newman
Casino
Caring Council
I just want to send a quick 'thank you' to Lismore City Council.
This morning (Feb 9) on my way into town I was pleasantly surprised to see roadworks being done on the unsealed section of Martin Road, Larnook, which was had long been in a shocking state of disrepair.
I guess it just goes to show that if enough ratepayers constantly and repeatedly phone, email and write to LCC somebody will finally listen, and better still, take action.
Cheers!
Andy Gough
Larnook
Access denied
It only took the businessmen at Lismore Council five minutes to ransack 'the commons' and set up the groundwork for the long-term locking up of the recreation area in the centre of Lismore - Lismore Park.
Lismore Park is the area bordered by Dawson and Brewster streets, which takes in Oakes, Heaps, Crozier, Humbly and Blair ovals. This area has long been zoned 'community' for open community access.
On Tuesday night our beloved big business behoven Council voted to change the parkland's zoning from 'community' to 'operational'. The change will mean that Council's administration will be able to lease areas within the park for any length of time they see fit. Under the original community zoning leases were restricted to five years.
Although this might not mean that McDonalds will be moving into the Oakes Oval canteens tomorrow, it does open up that option for the sell-your-freedom-to-our- mates-for-pathetically -paid-jobs elements on Council.
Depending on the terms of the new long-term leases, leaseholders will probably be within their rights to restrict public access to the parks, to charge entry to those lands and deny other sporting groups any option on sales of food, drinks or alcohol. These sales are often essential for the survival of our local clubs.
Council will argue that this won't happen under the term of their present planning, however, that will not stop this or a future Council from signing off on a 99-year lease. Only community zoning could have afforded us that protection.
It literally only took five minutes and unless it is reversed before the first long-term lease is signed the traditional 'commons' will be lost to the public forever.
The vandals have sacked the commons and will soon be selling them off to friends on the Gold Coast without a whimper of protest.
Laurie Axtens
North Lismore
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