Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Miss Casino Beef Week candidates (l-r) Rebecca Scofield, Louise Bennett, Cathy Saxby, Krystle Denny, Bryony Zaiko and Casey Saunders check the winner's cloak they are vying for this year. Casino Beef Week kicks off on May 25 and runs till May 31, with entertainment and activities for the whole family. See The Echo next week for more details.

Sewerage rates to double

Residential sewerage rates in the Richmond Valley will more than double in July to pay for an anticipated $66 million worth of sewerage projects in the next 20-25 years.

The rise from $417 to $870 was outlined in the 2005/2008 draft management plan and budget adopted at an extraordinary meeting of Richmond Valley Council on Tuesday.

Richmond Valley Council general manager Brian Wilkinson said the rate increase was needed to provide for the funding of sewerage infrastructure projects in Evans Head, Casino, Broadwater, Woodburn, Rileys Hill and Coraki.

As well as the proposed sewerage rate rise the draft management plan and budget dips into reserves to the tune of almost $1.5 million and lists a total of $6.5 million of works not able to be funded.

Mayor Charlie Cox said he is not happy that Council is becoming "purely a maintenance council" and is not able to fund sufficient capital works. He warned that ratepayers will be slugged with further rate increases unless state and federal governments come to the aid of local government.

"We've forgone applying for a rate rise but we would need to re-visit this next year," he said. "Local government has limited opportunity to access funds over and above what it can harvest from its ratepayers. Governments are putting more and more responsibility onto local government."

Brian Wilkinson, mayor Charlie Cox and strategic planning manager Ray Medhurst are meeting with Minister for Energy and Utilities Frank Sartor in Sydney next Monday to press the case for funding assistance for sewerage projects.

The draft management plan is now on public display for 28 days. It is available from Council's offices in Evans Head and Casino and on council's website at www.richmondvalley.nsw.gov.au.

Campbell Hospital update

The Save Coraki & District Campbell Hospital Committee does not support a proposal to turn the Campbell Hospital into a multi purpose service centre (MPS) because the hospital would still close.

The proposal was put forward by the Mid Richmond Health Service Advisory Committee at Monday's committee meeting as another option the North Coast Area Health Service could adopt. It is one of three options the NCAHS is now investigating in addition to its original plan to replace the Campbell Hospital with a GP-run health clinic and community centre.

The MPS would include the retention of four to six acute care beds and a 24-hour emergency department, with links to the Mid Richmond Residents Village.

The new proposal has been supported "in principle" by Richmond Valley Council, which has drawn criticism from Coraki residents and consultative committee representative Sandy Weeks.

"Richmond Valley Council is selling the community out in supporting a multi purpose service because it means the closure of the hospital," she said.

The advisory committee will meet again to discuss the options with the NCAHS next Monday, May 16.

Sports fees freeze

A two-year freeze on sporting fees in the Lismore Council area will continue in the next financial year. Council voted 10-1 to maintain the existing fee structure on the back of a wide-ranging, 12-month review of the fees.

Cr Frank Swientek was a lone voice in opposition, calling instead for a drop in the charges to reflect the community's ability to pay. He said that Lismore is an "economically depressed region", and that a 50 per cent reduction in fees would increase local participation rates.

Cr Jenny Dowell, who was instrumental in initiating the review, argued that Lismore's sporting fees were relatively fair in comparison to other councils. Comparing Lismore to Dubbo, she said that Dubbo Council charged $3000 per field per season, while Lismore only charged $1500.

However, the debate revealed that not everyone pays. The National Rugby League was given Oakes Oval free of charge for last week's Country vs City clash. The Echo understands that Soccer Far North Coast paid $1600 to use Oakes Oval when the Brisbane Strikers visited in 2002.

Lighting the way at Crozier Oval

In a reversal of its initial promise to nearby residents, Lismore Council will review the Lismore City Park management plan to allow for the installation of floodlights on Crozier Oval.

The original plan, completed in 2000 after lengthy consultations with nearby residents, strictly forbade the installation of large-scale lights. On Tuesday, Council voted 9-2 (Crs Irwin and Ekins against) to have the plan changed.

Cr John Chant, who put forward the motion, argued that sporting groups would benefit greatly from the lights, particularly Soccer Far North Coast, who would use the field every Friday night.

Cr Chant said the lights would have virtually no impact on nearby residents, with new technology allowing them to be angled towards the park, and a boundary of trees around the ground minimising any glare.

However, Cr Irwin was concerned that Council was backing out of its initial commitment to residents.

"Is it any wonder that people have so little faith in our politicians, when they give an undertaking then change their minds in such a short period of time," Cr Irwin said.

The four sets of lights would cost around $110,000 and stand 20 metres high - 12 metres lower than the floodlights currently at Oakes Oval.

Give the gift of life

Lismore MP Thomas George (pictured) is encouraging locals to get behind Operation Lifeblood - the biggest ever campaign to enlist 40,000 new Australians to give blood.

The Lismore Blood Donor Centre aims to increase the number of new people giving blood to 343 by the end of July and they are desperate to enlist people straight away.

"Red Cross do a tremendous job but blood cannot be stockpiled, which means new donors are needed urgently," Mr George said. "According to Red Cross every donation can help save up to three lives. One in three Australians will need blood at some point in their lifetime, but right now only one in 30 people actually give blood. I call on everyone in the community to think about giving blood - it's simple and only takes around 30 minutes."

To register as a donor for Operation Lifeblood phone 1300 655 233 or visit the website www.donateblood.com.au.