Richmond Valley Notes

with Therese Schier

Council in the poo over new rates

Casino real estate agent John Anderson believes Richmond Valley Council's water and sewerage rate rise from $418 to $700 will cripple the Casino real estate market. Council will hold an extraordinary meeting next Monday, July 25, to make a final decision on the rate.

Louise and Dennis Sharpe thought they'd made a good investment when they spent their "unofficial superannuation fund" on a block of 11 units in Casino. Now it's looking like a poor investment because Richmond Valley Council is planning to almost treble their water and sewerage charges, costing them an additional $8000 a year.

"Our combined rates and charges to council last year were $5767.55 and this year our rates under the new proposal will be $14,003.55," Louise Sharpe told councillors at their meeting this week.

"This is our first and only investment property. We simply cannot absorb this increase."

Richmond Valley Council voted to raise residential sewerage rates from $418 to $700 in its Management Plan for this financial year to cope with an expected $66 million in sewerage works and maintenance over the next 20 years.

But local real estate agents have accused Council of handing Casino residents the bill for a problem caused by the growing popularity of Evans Head. Critics say the rises will make rents unaffordable for many of the tenants, who are primarily pensioners, and will drive investors out of the town.

Renters face increases of around $20 per week and Centrelink has already told some financially-strapped clients that it will not be covered because they are already on the maximum level of rent assistance.

Agent Maria Small, who manages some of the units, said the charge was unfair because caravan parks, hotels and motels did not have to the share burden of the rate increases. She pointed that the Council-owned Silver Sands Caravan Park also houses permanent residents.

"I just think they need a fairer system, rather than one rule for them and one for us," she said. "Silver Sands is one of the heaviest users [of sewerage infrastructure], but they pay a lesser rate than the residential units are expected to pay."

Dennis Sharpe said a user pays system would be fairer.

"I don't think they're being fair in assuming we use as much as a house. We're happy to pay for what we use."

Mrs Sharpe warned that the increase would turn away Casino property investors "in droves."

"It will have a flow on effect to property values and the real estate industry and associated businesses. Less expendable income will mean that all businesses in town will be affected. These rate increases will come at an enormous cost to the community," she said

Casino real estate agents agree.

"It's just another cost that wasn't there 12 months ago," agent John Anderson said. "Everybody appreciates there are rises in costs, but not such a big jump."

Fellow agent Tony Harvey said Council should be using developers payments to fund infrastructure.

"They collect Section 94 charges from developers which are pretty substantial," he said. "That money is for the purpose of infrastructure. Their inability to plan shouldn't be thrust back on the community."

Mayor Charlie Cox said he was aware of the impact the rise might have.

"However if there's a charge on residences we have to be fair across the board," he said. "Council's shown a level of understanding by looking further into the points raised."

Council will hold a workshop next Monday, July 25, followed by an extraordinary meeting at 3pm to make a final decision. The sewerage and water rates must be levied by August 1 to be collected in this financial year.

Reprieve for Woodburn Visitor Centre

The Woodburn Chamber of Commerce has been granted a six-month reprieve to continue to operate the visitor information centre in the old Ferryman's Quarters at Woodburn.

The Chamber has been running a Community Technology Centre (CTC) and selling local produce, but funding for the CTC has ended and council has called for a report on options for its future use.

The meeting heard from the Chamber and a local resident, Mr Dieter Mayer, who would like to operate a coffee shop and visitor information services from the building. However, Mr Mayer estimates it would cost at least $30,000 to bring the premises up to scratch for a food outlet. Councillors felt this may be an unsustainable amount despite traffic flows of 20,000 vehicles a day past the building.

Contact Therese
Ph: 6662 7735
Email: tschier@richmondnet.com.au

MP claims no savings in health merger

North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) chief executive Chris Crawford has rejected claims by Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser that the merger of two health services has failed to produce administrative savings.

Mr Crawford said than more $1 million had been saved in the amalgamation of the former Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast Area Health Services, with the money already being invested in frontline clinical care.

"Already the reforms announced in late 2004 and implemented from January 1, 2005 have paid dividends for North Coast residents accessing local hospitals and community health centres," he said.

Meanwhile, the stand-off between NCAHS and its anaesthetists, who have refused to renew their contracts, continues with no resolution in sight.

An NCAHS spokesman said local hospitals were using locums to cope with urgent surgery and emergencies.

Fluoridation on the agenda

Plans to flouridate the Rous Water supply and also the villages of Bonalbo, Urbenville, Mulli Mulli and Woodenbong have raised alarm bells with the Safe Water Action Network (SWAN). SWAN is holding a 'Truth Decay' information evening next Wednesday night, July 27, at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore from 6.45pm. The multi-media presentation will be supported with music from local group The Romaniacs.

Farm safety highlighted

During National Farm Safety Week Jan Mills from Casino Community Health says it's critical for rural people to think ahead on accident prevention issues.

"The major population influx to the area means people are often unfamiliar with the potential risks in a rural environment. These include the need to use potentially dangerous equipment such as ride-on mowers, brushcutters, tractors and ATVs. Tractors and farm machinery continue be the major cause of serious injury and farm injury related deaths on farms, with ATVs or quad bikes also causing significant concern".

Stressing the need for supervison of children, Jan said farms have been found to be one of the most dangerous of Australian workplaces, with on-farm accidents, many of them serious, happening every day.

Clear as mud

Residents in the area of Emigrant Creek Dam who have brown water coming from their taps should not be concerned about water quality according to Ballina Shire Council.

Rous Water chair and Ballina mayor Phillip Silver said that despite its muddy appearance, the water is of drinkable quality.

"While our treatment plant is working a little harder than normal as a result of increased turbidity following the recent heavy rains, the quality of water delivered to our consumers remains high and meets all required health standards," Cr Silver said. The new state-of-the-art Emigrant Creek dam water treatment plant, will be operating by November. It will increase Rous Water's drinking water production by 20 per cent.