Local MPs
 Don Page
State Matters
Countrylink services cut back
I have received a number of constituent complaints objecting to the axing of the Countrylink coach service that currently takes train passengers arriving in Lismore at approximately 7 pm from the railway station on to their destinations at Wollongbar, Alstonville, Ballina and Lennox Head.
Effective from October 1, passengers living on the plateau will be offered no alternative once the coach is withdrawn.
In addition Ballina and Lennox Head residents will be forced to leave the train at Grafton and travel a further 3 hours by coach in order to reach home, a considerably longer journey than the current coach service from Lismore.
The majority of constituents affected are the elderly who use the XPT to visit their families in the south. Some do not drive, or have other family living locally who can assist and they cannot afford a hefty taxi fare from Lismore to reach their homes.
This is a blatant cut to country services by the Carr Government through the Minister for Transport Carl Scully.
I have made urgent representations to Mr Scully seeking his review of this decision.
Farmers may be interested in ChemCollect which is a free one off collection scheme aimed at ensuring unwanted and de-registered agricultural and veterinary chemicals (especially organochlorine pesticide) are safely collected and disposed of.
The collection service will have deposit points in Lismore, Casino and Ballina during August.
Farmers wishing to take advantage of this opportunity to clear their properties of unwanted chemicals can book a date and time to bring material to a collection point on 1800507654.
The collection points and dates are:
Lismore: August 22-24 at Lismore City Council Waste Facility, Wyrallah Road.
Casino: August 27 at Casino airport.
Ballina: August 28-29 at Ballina Shire Council old works depot on Pacific Highway.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is proposing a new Regulation to replace the Clean Air (Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Fuels) Regulation that expires on September 1.
A Regulatory Impact Statement has been prepared by the EPA for public comment which assesses the economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of the proposed Regulation called the Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean air-Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Fuels) Regulation 2002.
The new Regulation includes an increase in on-the-spot fines for excessive smoke, the strengthening of provisions relating to tampering with anti-pollution devices, vertical exhaust requirements for diesel vehicles over 4.5 tonnes as well as the retention of requirements relating to new and existing petrol dispensing pumps.
A copy of the proposed Regulation can be obtained from my Electorate Office or at www.epa.nsw.gov.au.
- I can be contacted by writing to PO Box 1018, Ballina 2478 or by telephoning my Electorate Office on 6686 7522 or faxing 6686 7470. For those on-line my email address is apage@parliament.nsw.gov.au
 Thomas George
State Matters
Drought
Unfortunately the drought assistance measures recently announced by Premier Carr are only applicable to Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPB). It is anticipated and hoped that the scope will widen to include Casino and Richmond/Tweed RLPB areas. Some of the measures such as the drought telephone enquiry line and access to Rural Financial Counsellors are accessible for advice as well as information through the website: www.agriculture.nsw.gov.au/drought. The National Party has been calling on the NSW Government to urgently introduce drought assistance measures for a number of weeks as conditions have gradually worsened across the State (over a period of time). It has taken the NSW Coalition's planned round-table meeting with financial institutions to spur on the Premier into action. This package falls short because of the defined RLPB areas, however I continue my appeal for immediate measures that should include transport assistance for the cartage of fodder and water, as Casino and Richmond/Tweed Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPB's) have restrictions on the movement of livestock to other RLPB's.
Shadow Minister visits
Andrew Stoner, Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, undertook a familiarisation tour to the Lismore Electorate recently. He visited the Northern Region Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter base and local units of the State Emergency Service. It was a great opportunity for Andrew to become more aware of the need for new facilities to provide services during times of flooding, Natural disasters, bushfires etc, particularly from the perspective of our area.
COLA school funds
I have been advised that additional assistance on a dollar for dollar basis to construct new facilities and improve existing buildings has been approved under the 2001/02 Joint Funding Program. Majority of schools will use the funding to contruct shade shelters, games courts, covered walkways, multi-purpose spaces and covered outdoor learning areas (COLA). Minor works funded from the program include: Kyogle High School: COLA project ($8,000); Larnook Public School: storage shed ($3,040); and The Channon Public School: improving conditions in the clerical office ($1,493).
Seniors Card
Local seniors may have received contact from me in relation to the NSW Seniors Card; the response to this contact has been overwhelming.
The telephone has been very busy and a number of people have mentioned that they have had difficulty getting through to my office. Please be patient as there is no time limit on this matter. A lot of people already have a card but may be unaware that my office provides a local directory, which lists all the participating businesses and the offers that are available in Lismore, Casino, Kyogle, Ballina, Byron and surrounding towns.
Should you wish to receive this publication, please do not hesitate to contact my office and you will automatically receive an updated version each time it is revised. My staff are currently supplying directories and application forms to those who have already contacted my office.
Public Liability
I believe a number of organisations may have received a letter stating...
"4. Public Liability Insurance - no longer required; The Government recognises that Associations undertake a variety of activities with differing levels of risk and that Associations themselves are the best judges of their insurance needs. Accordingly, effective from 10 May 2002 the Associations Incorporation legislation no longer requires Associations to have public liability insurance to become or remain incorporated."
Despite this advice, I strongly suggest that each and every organisation should seek its own advice on what type of insurance it needs to have.
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