Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Council sued for negligence

Casino resident Heather Donoghue was last week awarded $26,000 in damages from Richmond Valley Council for stress caused by the drowning of toddler Chloe Ensby in a North Casino retention pond.

Ms Donoghue, a neighbour of the Ensbys, claimed she suffered post traumatic stress disorder after watching three-year-old Chloe being pulled from the water retention pond and administering CPR. Council has also been ordered to pay Ms Donoghue's legal costs in excess of $10,000.

Chloe drowned after falling into the unfenced pond adjacent to a playground in April 2001. Residents had been pleading with Council for three years before the accident happened, asking for the pond to be fenced. Despite a subsequent Coroner's report recommending the pond be fenced, Council still refused and instead installed warning signs and remodelled the banks of the pond.

Ms Donoghue's solicitor James Fuggle said Ms Donoghue is happy and relieved at the decision, which found Council's actions to be negligent.

"Water is an attraction to kids, and the playground was close to kids," he said.

North Casino Residents Action Group member and friend, Roslyn Zemcevicius, said the decision is a victory for the local community.

"It's not about the money," Ros said. "It's about Council being held responsible for their inaction on this issue. They have been found negligent twice and are still not accepting their responsibility. We hope that legislation will now be enacted to fence these types of ponds in residential areas."

Richmond Valley Council general manager Brian Wilkinson said Council was now discussing the matter with their insurers to determine if they would appeal the decision.

Mr Beef calendar

Mr Beef contestants, celebrating with winner Michael Newby (the horny fellow), may now be featured on a calendar following enquiries to Casino RSM from people wanting to buy a calendar of the 12 contestants. The club wants to hear from charities interested in benefiting from the sale of a calendar.

Calling all Casino charities; Casino RSM club sports coordinator and organiser of the inaugural Mr Beef competition, Kenny Woodhams, wants to hear from you.

Kenny has been inundated with people ringing him asking where they can get a calendar of the Mr Beef contestants who strutted their stuff during this year's Casino Beef Week.

Kenny has had to tell them there is no calendar but interest is so high he's willing to organise one if he can get a charity to come forward and benefit from the sales.

"All the guys are very keen to do it for a good cause," Kenny said. "I think it would be terrific if Mr Beef not only gave everyone a good laugh but also did some good for the community as well."

If you are interested or would like to suggest a charity contact Kenny Woodhams on 6662 1666.

Prime time for Casino

Primex marketing manager Bruce Wright (left) and Landpower Northern Rivers owner Steve Jones are expecting around 50,000 visitors to descend on the Primex agricultural exhibition, which runs from this Thursday to Saturday, June 16-18, in Casino.

The weekend will feature hundreds of agricultural exhibitors showcasing everything from cattle to tractors, plus plenty of food stalls, cooking demonstrations, a free country music concert featuring Beccy Cole and others on Saturday from 12pm and much more.

Primex will be open daily from 8am and entry is $8, with free parking available. For more information or to download the full program visit the website at www.exhibitionmarketing.com.au/primex.

Condon to sell Lennox Head Hotel

The Lennox Point Hotel, owned by local developer Chris Condon, will be auctioned in Sydney on July 7 and according to experts, could go for more than $15 million.

After eight years of running the pub and 25 years in the hotel industry, Mr Condon said he made the decision to sell because he wanted to spend time with his family.

"I have four young boys, two of whom have disabilities, and if you own a pub you just don't get the quality time with your family," he said. "My family and I love living in Lennox Head so I will be reinvesting the proceeds of the sale into less labour intensive projects, giving me more time to be a father and do all the things that dads do with their kids."

The sale is being handled by Greg Hains from John Parsons Hotel Brokers, who said there has already been great interest in the property from prospective buyers.

"Since the sale was advertised last week we have been inundated with calls, mainly from property developers and hoteliers who are keen to secure this fantastic property," he said. "We expect it to realise a price of around $15 million, which would be a record price for a pub sold outside the metropolitan areas."

Area Assistance grant funding

Several community projects on the North Coast will benefit from the latest round of Area Assistance Scheme funding announced this week.

In the Lismore area, the YWCA of NSW has been granted $21,747 for Aboriginal youth work; Eltham Public School Parents and Citizens Association gets $2860 for portable shade structures; the Disability and Aged Information Service Inc gets $120,774 for low cost student accommodation (in partnership with Southern Cross University Residential Services); and the Men's Resource Centre will receive $368,576 for work on men's wellbeing and the reduction of domestic violence.

Northern Rivers Screenworks has also been awarded $23,000 for work with senior citizens and young people telling stories reflecting the region.

Local halls will be upgraded with grants of $8000 to the Horseshoe Creek Hall Trust, $10,000 to the Bonalbo and District Development Association, $19,175 to the Pimlico Ladies Charitable Organisation Inc and $5895 to the Pearces Creek Public Hall Inc.