BROADWATER FAMILIES AND LOCAL MP RICHIE WILLIAMSON UNITE TO PETITION GOVERNMENT FOR SCHOOL REBUILD

An offcial Petition demanding the NSW Government get on with the job of rebuilding Broadwater Public School was launched in the Lower Richmond Valley town on Wednesday by Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson with the enthusiastic support of the Broadwater Public School P & C Association.

The Petition demands the NSW Government withdraw the current unnecessary development application before Richmond Valley Council and issue development consent using the traditional method of a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) planning pathway which is common practice for State Government public infrastructure projects.

Mr Williamson said people power was the best way to get the Sydney Labor Government to pay attention and override bureaucratic bungling that has stalled the rebuild for more than two years.

“I have already contacted the Minister for Education, Ms Prue Car, and asked her to intervene,” Mr Williamson said.

“It should be obvious that this is an urgent problem that can be fxed with a simple order from the Minister. Having as many locals as possible to sign the petition will hopefully get the message through.”

Williamson’s offce on 6643 1244 or online at wwww.richiewilliamson. com.au. Original it’s a pre-fabricated build that is almost fnished, but School Infrastructure NSW

“Lower Richmond Valley parents, community, teachers and most importantly

Any NSW citizen can sign the petition which will be available in local businesses in the lower Richmond Valley or by contacting Mr signatures are required on all Petitions.

Mr Williamson said the project could be completed in just eight weeks because has instead lodged a development application with Richmond Valley Council, a step that is not required for crucial NSW public infrastructure. the students are ready to return to their own classrooms, and I want to see that happen as a matter of urgency,” Mr Williamson said.

Secretary of the Broadwater Public School P & C Association, Emma Crethar said updates provided to the school community by NSW School Infrastructure in September last year highlighted the completion and issuing of a REF to neighbouring properties and advised parents the construction of the modular build school would only take eight weeks offsite.

“Despite these assurances, progress has been alarmingly slow, prompting questions about the reasons behind the extensive delays,” Ms Crethar said.

“The current abandoned and overgrown school ground is the frst thing you see as you enter town and serves as a constant reminder of the devastation caused by the February 2022 foods.

“We are urging swift action and remain hopeful that with this Petition the NSW Government will step in and expedite the rebuilding process to enable earlier commencement of work, saving time and taxpayer’s money.

“Bringing our children back to their community as a matter of priority is essential for their wellbeing and educational continuity,” Ms Crethar concluded.

Rarer than a white crow....by Nigel Dawe

“LUCK,” once said John Milton, author of the epic poem Paradise Lost, “is the residue of design.” It is also the outcome, albeit the direct manifestation of countless nonconceivable twists and developments, that trying to defne it, is no less akin to nailing a fstful of jelly to a wall.

Where luck appears, for whom, and why, are amongst the most baffing questions that can ever be answered; not to mention who even deserves the spoils that luck bestows upon her ‘chosen ones’, if being deserving is the right way to comprehend this tauntingly apparitional phenomenon.

From ancient times, the human being has been puzzled, to the point of obsession, as to the infuence luck ‘plays’ in determining the fate and fortunes of everyone from princes through to paupers.

‘Lady Luck’ in all her different guises, has appeared in some form or another, right throughout history. The Romans referred to her as Fortuna, and depicted her holding a rudder (to steer people in the direction of either good or bad luck). Native Americans honoured a fgure known as ‘Spider Woman’, who was considered to be the ultimate weaver of fate.

In our neck of the woods, we even refer to ourselves as the ‘lucky country’, which may have much to do with our small population – of 26 million, which is not even the size of either of the two largest cities in the world (Tokyo – 37 million, and Delhi – 28 million). Thus, having the fortune of residing in a country where the