Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Despite a tougher approach from police, residents in North Casino are still concerned about serious social problems in the area at night.

Following an increase in late night drinking sessions, fights and drug dealing, the North Casino Residents Advocacy Group appealed to government agencies, Richmond Valley mayor Charlie Cox and Lismore MP Thomas George to help solve the problems.

However, they say their cries for help are not being heard.

A spokesperson for the North Casino Residents Advocacy Group, who did not want to be named, said increased police patrols are providing some relief and they would like the police to adopt a similar approach to that being employed in Goonellabah.

"We congratulate police on the Goonellabah strategy of targeting and warning known offenders," the spokesperson said. "We want this here."

The spokesperson said the group had written to Richmond Valley Council and NSW Housing expressing their concern, but so far they had had no response. The Oaks Community Centre, which is located in the middle of the housing estate, is staffed by people from the Department of Housing and Department of Community Services. However, the group says these agencies are not addressing the obvious social problems.

"Kids are running around until 2am some nights," the spokesperson said. "They [the agencies] do nothing about it."

While the group supports the activities run from the Oaks Community Centre during the day, they say the programs are not fixing the problem.

"Although we support the activities during the day, those participating in the nightly rampages are unlikely to attend any organised activity," the spokesperson said. "When darkness falls and the Oaks Centre is closed and all the government department workers go home, the problems start and continue all night."

The group claims current strategies to combat the problems are simple not working.

"Each time problems surface in this area, the reaction of politicians is the same - more talk fests to set up committees of government department representatives to run programs and activities from the Oaks Centre," the spokesperson said.

"Throwing more government funds at the problem is not the answer and never will be."

Richmond Local Area Commander, Superintendent Bruce Lyons, told The Echo he visited the North Casino housing estate with Thomas George one night this week and was disturbed by what he saw.

"I accept there are many problems in the North Casino area and I understand the fear that some residents hold regarding unruly behaviour, excess use of alcohol and drug usage," he said.

Superintendent Lyons gave the community an assurance he was working to solve the problem.

"I think it is important for the communities to realise that it's a problem that police cannot deal with alone," he said. "However, I do give an undertaking that we will do whatever we can to sustain more police patrols in the area, particularly at night."

Superintendent Lyons said he would raise the issue at the next Police Accountability Community Team meeting with mayors and members of parliament. He said he would also investigate the possibility of the PCYC setting up youth programs in the area.

WorkCover forum

Business owners who haven't complied with the latest Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) laws are leaving themselves open to huge risks and the possible loss of their business, according to Casino Chamber of Commerce president Janni Stevens.

In order to explain the ins and outs of OH&S legislation the Chamber is holding a WorkCover forum for all business owners next Wednesday, February 16, at the Casino RSM Club from 7pm.

"It's a minefield out there," Janni said. "We want to bring people up to date with what could happen. We want to inform businesses that they need to be aware and careful."

Changes to NSW OHS laws brought in on September 1, 2003, states that owners and operators of businesses with 20 workers or less are required to identify foreseeable workplace hazards, assess the risk of harm from those hazards and then eliminate or control the risks.

Mr Thomas George MP will chair the meeting and guest speakers will Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations and Commerce Chris Hartcher and Northern Cooperative Meat Company general manager Gary Burridge.

A fair go

St Mark's Casino Anglican priest Father Geoffrey Bradford and parish member Joan Causley, who are getting ready for the annual St Mark's Dahlia Show and Book Fair next Saturday, February 19, at Anglican Parish Hall in Casino.

Mrs Causley said 32 boxes of books will be for sale including reference books, travel books, encyclopedias, novels and cookbooks.