Local Govt News
 Larry Anthony
National News
Government backs Ballina Roads Safety
The Federal Coalition Government is providing $750,000 in extra funding to Ballina Shire Council to fix a local accident black spot and cut the amount
of trucks that drive through Alstonville.
 I
made the announcement in the company of Ballina Shire Deputy Mayor John Felsch (pictured) at the site of one of the black spots on Teven Road between Ballina
and Alstonville.
The Coalition Government is giving Ballina Shire Council $750,000 to realign this road and widen the bridges over Emmigrant and Macguires creeks.
When the bridges are fixed the load limits will increase and that means trucks from the local quarry won't have to go through Alstonville.
However that does not let the Sydney Labor Government off the hook as far as making an immediate start to the Alstonville bypass is concerned.
I would urge Alstonville residents to make sure they support candidates at the state election who support their bypass, as Don Page does, and to have
a careful look at which Ballina Shire Councillors are most helpful to their cause.
For our part, this is the largest single Accident Black Spot funding allocation anywhere in NSW in this round.
Local roads already benefited from Federal Funding in the last 18 months under the Coalition Government's Roads to Recovery program and this extra
funding will make local driving safer for Alstonville and Wollongbar residents.
A Bureau of Transport Economics report last year showed the Black Spot program is returning an average $14 in benefit for every $1 invested, and preventing
at least 32 fatalities and more than 1500 serious injuries in its first three years.
That is why we promised at the last election to extend this program for a further three years at a cost of $180 million and I am pleased that local people
are set to benefit from us keeping our promises.
 Ian Causley
Canberra Connection
Postcard Comp
To commemorate the Year of the Outback, Northern Rivers residents are invited to design a postcard highlighting the multicultural heritage of our region,
a pioneer of our local area, or the role citizenship plays in our community.
Your postcard should be accompanied by a few words explaining the artwork. The best of these postcards will be published in a commemorative book, which
will be called All of Us: a Roadmap to Cultural Diversity in Australia.
This is your chance to have your artwork published in a book which will be distributed nationally. It is also the chance to promote our local region
to people around Australia.
The templates for the postcard competition can be downloaded from www.minister.immi.gov.au/minister2/index.htm.
The competition closes on Friday, November 1 and I hope there are many entries from the people of the Northern Rivers.
Support for Ethanol
Environmental groups and sugar producers have welcomed the Government's support for ethanol production and use as an alternative fuel. Although
local sugar growers are not yet in the ethanol game, we all benefit from this new clean and green technology because it is good for the environment and
good for reducing Australia's growing dependence on dwindling supplies oil. I personally support the idea of a mandatory target for ethanol blends
in general fuel-based products.
Vets & War Widow Pensions Rise
Northern Rivers veterans and their partners, widows and widowers and children will be better off following the latest increases in veterans' pensions
and allowances.
Pension rates will rise in line with cost of living adjustments from September 20, with the benefits to flow through to pension payments from the Department
of Veterans' Affairs payday on October 3.
Veteran disability payments will increase by up to $11.70, with the Totally & Permanently Incapacitated rate rising to $742.40 per fortnight, an
additional $304.20 for the year. The maximum rate single service pensioners will receive up to an extra $197.60 a year as fortnightly pensions are increased
to $429.40, while couples will have their pensions increased to $358.40 each, an additional $163.80 each for the year.
The most pleasing increase will be for Northern Rivers war widows and widowers whose income support supplement will increase to $127.20 a fortnight,
following the removal of the freeze in ceiling rate.
The latest edition of The Veterans' Affairs Information Guide is now available from my office. Details of the new pension rates are also available
from the Department of Veterans' Affairs on 133 254 or at www.dva.gov.au.
Support for Separating Families
When families separate, it can be a traumatic and difficult time for all concerned. A new brochure My family is separating - what now? has been
prepared to simply cover some of the main issues which arise, including parenting, financial and legal issues.
Me and my Kids - Parenting from a Distance and Financial Security - the guide to managing your money are more detailed booklets, which are
also available. Copies can be obtained from Centrelink or from my office.
New Kids Website
The ABC has developed a new interactive website targeted at the 8-14 years age group. www.rollercoaster.com.au
is a new site where kids can play, interact and express themselves at the level appropriate for this age group. This has been developed following the success
of the ABC's The Playground site for younger children - www.abc.net.au/children
- My office is open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday and is located at 63 Molesworth Street Lismore. I can be contacted by phone on 6621 9909 or 1800
818 012, by fax 6621 9959 or by email: ian.causley.mp@aph.gov.au
 Charlie Cox
Council Comment
Hello from the New Mayor
In presenting my first newsletter as Mayor of Richmond Valley Council, I am ever mindful of the important role local government plays in our Nation.
Local councils are the government body in closest contact with the community. As such, councillors and staff are often in a better position than either
State or Federal government to judge local needs and to make relevant planning decisions.
The Mayoral role is many faceted. It requires skills in leadership, representation at higher levels, understanding of issues, but most importantly, a
connectedness with people.
In accepting the position of Mayor of Richmond Valley, I feel it is essential to put a human face on local government so that people feel involved in
the process. I intend to be mobile and available (within reason) to attend group and community functions. Please send invitations in writing through the
General Manager.
On Saturday I was pleased to be called upon to open the Annual Conference of the NSW and ACT Family History Society in Casino. The conference was capably
organised by the Casino Family History Group and included an impressive list of speakers.
From humble beginnings, the study of family history researchers is now a well organised network of enthusiastic and productive people.
I would recommend anyone interested in learning more about their own family history to pay a visit to the School of Arts building to make contact with
this very friendly group.
The amount of research material and publications available will soon get you on the road to addiction.
What is arguably the most used public facility in the Richmond Valley? What is arguably the most used educational, recreational and cultural facility
in the Richmond Valley? Yes, your regional Library.
Our regional Library has branches at Broadwater, Casino, Coraki, Evans Head and Woodburn. A total of 8,809 borrowers last year borrowed in excess of
110,000 books alone.
Services on offer also include internet access, talking books, videos, audio cassettes and software. Special sessions are regularly held for pre-readers
and junior readers.
A visit to one of our branches is well worth the effort.
On Saturday I was able to welcome the Evans Head-Casino Surf Life Saving Club boat rowers on completion of their fund raising row. Two surfboat crews,
both male and female, rowed from Ballina to Evans Head to raise funds for cancer treatment in the local area.
With the surfing season about to commence, it is time to be mindful of the great contribution our volunteer surf lifesavers make to our way of life.
Congratulations to all involved in the marathon and our best wishes for yet another successful season.
We are ever mindful of law and order issues and the rights of individuals to live in reasonable safety.
To this end the Casino LINK Group last week met to discuss a number of community issues. These were in turn presented to the Casino Local Commander on
Friday for consideration.
Our issues will progress further next month when all the Mayors in the Richmond Command meet as the PACT Group with the Area Commander.
Late News Item - We have just received another postcard from those errant corrugated beasts. Sir Loin and the demure Moo Moo Millie have just left
Auckland "flying high and aiming at new horizons."
We hope they get back in time for Beef Week 2003.
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