Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Richmond Valley mayor Charlie Cox, Page MP Ian Causley, Clarence MP Steve Cansdell and Richmond Valley councillor Norma Wise at the opening of the Coraki Rural Transaction Centre (RTC) on Saturday. The RTC provides a range of community services including free Centrelink access as well as internet, fax, photocopying, laminating and binding services. The building also houses the Coraki Medical Centre and a café. The RTC was funded under the Federal Government's Regional Partnerships Program with additional funding from Richmond Valley Council and the Coraki community.

Evans Head Plan of Management

Richmond Valley Council and the Ballina Ex-Services Home are anxiously hoping the draft plan of management for the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome, which is now on public display, will be adopted by mid July.

The Ballina Ex-Services home has until July 11 to satisfy the Federal Government that it can purchase land at the heritage-listed aerodrome for a $30 million nursing home or lose the allocation of beds.

After the close of submissions on May 27, the draft plan of management will go to Council for approval. The plan, which was developed in consultation with the NSW Heritage Office, will then go to NSW Heritage Office for final approval.

As well as the sale of land to the Ballina Ex-Services Home, the draft plan of management includes proposals for the establishment of a memorial garden in recognition of the heritage value of the site, a heritage interpretative walk, an airpark facility and possible expansion to allow for aircraft industries.

The draft plan is on display until May 27 at Council's offices in Casino and Evans Head, and on the council website at www.richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au.

Casino Beef Week

Only three weeks to go till the opening of Casino Beef Week 2005!

Tickets are selling fast for the official dinner on Thursday, May 26, featuring the crowning of Miss Casino Beef Week and entertainment from the funny and crazy Vegas Legends Show.

The show features 15 outrageous costume changes and comic impersonations of legends includes Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Elvis Presley and Tina Turner.

Dinner and show tickets are $30 per person, with show only tickets just $15. They can be purchased from the Casino RSM Club or phone 6662 1666.

Pampering mums in Kyogle

The Kyogle Neighbourhood Centre and Kyogle Seventh Day Adventist Church have banded together to give single mums a treat for Mother's Day this Sunday, may 8.

Starting at 9.30am at the church hall in Bloore Street, Kyogle, volunteers will be offering free massages, facials, entertainment, snacks and talks for mums in distress, while other volunteers will be washing their cars in the street.

Single mums, mothers separated from their children or mothers grieving the loss of a child are all invited to come down and get pampered on their special day. For more information and bookings phone Kahl Read on 6632 2333.

Lennox seniors village a step closer

By Eve Sinton

Ballina Shire Council has left the door open for a controversial 148-unit 'Seniors Living' retirement village on Condons Hill by deferring a staff recommendation to re-zone the land for environmental protection.

Describing the re-zoning, recommended after a five-year community consultation, as a 'rush' measure, Cr Keith Johnson proposed the zoning deferral and got the support of a majority of councillors at last week's meeting.

Council also requested the developer, Margaret Condon, withdraw her challenge in the Land and Environment Court so Council could continue to work on the development application.

While Ms Condon has not yet withdrawn the appeal, a spokesperson said she welcomed Council's decision.

"The Condon family have proposed as part of their development application to donate 100 per cent of the visually significant area (three hectares) as public open space to the Ballina Council," the spokesperson said. "Margaret Condon said Council have operated in a fair and independent way for both the landowner and the community on this issue and is pleased with the outcome."

Brian Smith of the Lennox Head Residents Association said the group was disappointed that Council had not followed the recommendations of the strategic plan.

"Our hope is that now they have decided to process the development application, they will see that it's inappropriate for the site," he said.