32 minute read
million has been provided by the Federal Government, and Kyogle Council has added $4 million to cover the stretch of road from Urbenville to Bonalbo. “Works will start at either end and meet in the middle,“ Tony Lickiss said. “This is a great example of what can be achieved when community partners with council.” Efforts by local communities include signing and submitting petitions and the Bonalbo Progress Associations’ “I survived the Clarence
New funding for war memorials
From Lismore to Thirroul, Gundagai to Kogarah, more than 16 local government areas across NSW will benefit from new funding for conservation work to their local war memorials. More than $125,000 will be invested in the protection and repair of local war memorials, under the Community War Memorials Fund 2021/22, which commemorate the sacrifice of service men and women.
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott today announced the successful projects for the latest round of the community grants which support the conservation, repair and protection of local memorials.
“This Anzac Day, people across NSW will gather to pay respect and honour our diggers so it is vitally important we also protect our local war memorials so that young people understand the sacrifices made during the war,” Mr Elliott said. “A total of $125,160 was awarded in this round, with grants ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 so all communities should review the status of their local war memorials and apply for funding if any restoration work is needed.”
The recent grants will support a variety of conservation projects including: an arborist assessment of Newman Park Great War Memorial Avenue of Honour in Orange; repairs to the Corowa First and Second World Wars Memorial Clock; and the restoration of the St Andrew’s Anglican Church War Memorial Gates in Lismore.
Lismore Parish representative Dr Ross Lehman said the funding had come at an important time as they were working to engage more with the community to encourage people to take the time to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans.
“We are very thankful to be the recipients of the NSW Government grants. Importantly we are looking forward to relocating the Honour Roll and Plaque to honour the veterans from the First World War.” Dr Lehman said.
Mr Elliott also called for applications for the latest round of the Community War Memorials Fund.
“I encourage all communities who believe their local memorials needs repair or restoration to apply”.
The next round of the Community War Memorials Fund opens on Anzac Day and closes at 5pm on Monday 25 July 2022.
To be eligible for funding, the memorial must be listed on the NSW War Memorials Register.
The Anglican Parish of Lismore, St Andrew’s Anglican Church, was granted $10,000 towards the restoration and repair of the church’s WWII Memorial Gates, including electrical wiring for the lights, and the installation of a displaced Honour Roll at Nimbin and plaque in the Warrior’s Chapel of the Church.
Kyogle Council was granted $3000 to have a condition assessment report prepared for the Mallanganee Memorial Gates.
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Lower Clarence rainfall event highest since records began
The Lower Clarence has experienced its biggest rainfall event since the start of record keeping in 1877, following the sizeable rainfall totals received in February and March this year.
Yamba’s cumulative total for February and March was 1267 millimetres with a total of 549mm recorded in February and a total of 718mm recorded during March.
Yamba received 274.4mm in one day alone on February 28 - the highest daily recording for the month of February since record keeping began. On March 1, the following day, Yamba received 258.2mm, for a total of 532mm in 48 hours.
Clarence Valley Council has examined rainfall data from the Bureau of Meteorology’s Yamba Pilot Hill gauge as part of a review into the cause of ponding in some areas in Iluka following the major rainfall events.
“The significant rainfall has led to a saturated catchment and high water table, exacerbating the time taken for water to disperse,” Clarence Valley Council Director Works and Civil Jamie Fleeting said.
“There has been no event or combination of events since records began that comes close to the rainfall totals recorded at Yamba in February and March. Yamba’s rainfall to the end of March (1435.6mm) is higher than Yamba’s median annual rainfall (1407.3mm).
“We need to be aware that the most efficiently designed drainage systems are not built to cope with rainfall totals equal to that experienced in the recent flooding events.
“One of the issues is there are some properties at Iluka that are quite low relative to the road causing ponding. However, there are no simple solutions to this problem.”
Mr Fleeting said stage one of the Hickey Street development, including road and stormwater infrastructure, has been completed and that the development meets design control and design guidelines. He said a detailed geotechnical investigation had been carried out to examine soil permeability at the site.
“Clarence Valley Council is currently reviewing the drainage network and assets in Iluka, as well as investigating the potential to raise the concrete levee at Marandowie Drive in Iluka,” Clarence Valley Council Mayor Ian Tiley said.
Mayor Tiley said he had been in touch with the community and was aware of their concerns and was pleased to receive the detailed report from Council’s Works and Civil team.
“There is no denying these floods have had a major impact on the Valley,” Mayor Tiley said.
“When we compare the cumulative totals of rainfall data with historical flood events in January, February and March, the increase is 73 per cent above the 1974 flood event and there has been no combined event like this in 145 years of record keeping.
“We are working on providing solutions to all affected areas. Council is assessing the damage caused by the floods and determining a way forward to manage issues in the community and revitalise its assets. Please be patient while we are working on getting things fixed.”
Service NSW joins forces with Aust Post to help Lismore
Residents in Lismore will be able to access Service NSW and Australia Post services in one convenient location, as part of a trial disaster rebuilding program to help disaster impacted communities recover.
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said a Service NSW Mobile Service Centre is now co-located with an Australia Post Lismore Workers Golf Club car park.
“It is vital for government organisations to work together and support affected communities by providing them with easy access to a range of services in one easy location,” Mr Dominello said.
“Customers can visit the Service NSW and Australia Post teams from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday to complete more than 1,000 government transactions and services, including replacing licences and also making postal, banking transactions.
“Service NSW is working towards a continued partnership with Australia Post to bring immediate and coordinated emergency response efforts if and when required.”
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said this would help streamline the recovery process.
“Flood-affected residents and business owners need support as quickly as possible, with this co-location of Service NSW and Australia Post to provide a great one-stop-shop for services,” Ms Cooke said.
“This initial co-location of the mobile services in Lismore will be available for three days until Friday, April 22, with both organisations then looking to provide affected towns in regional NSW.”
Australia Post Group & Managing Director Paul Graham said the co-location would ensure locals could maintain access to its services such as receiving and sending post, organising accessing banking and
The Service NSW team is also stationed at the Community Hub in Lismore’s CBD.
Residents and businesses affected by the recent a unanimous decision at a recent Tweed Shire Council meeting.
Council supported a report to amend Council’s Revenue Policy to allow for a reduction in water consumption charges following the natural disaster event of late February 2022.
This would be done where water usage is abnormally high due to having to wash out inundation, by averaging out the previous 3 years water consumption charges. Any spike in water consumption charges as a result of the effectively be eliminated.
Councillors also agreed to allow for the deferral of up to two quarters (6 months) of rate instalments with zero interest, to be repaid over a two-year period from 28 February 2022, where impact or hardship demonstrated.
Any lessees or licensees of Council land or buildings will also be offered a fee-free period, where the premises is unable to be used due to time of the event until reoccupation of the land or building.
Furthermore, in a situation where houses have been deemed uninhabitable, residents can contact Council to have their bin collection stopped and an adjustment will be made to their rate notice.
Mayor of Tweed Chris Cherry said Council had acted quickly to do what it could within its jurisdiction to offer affected residents and businesses.
“The Tweed has just experienced its biggest cost on residents and businesses has been said.
“Council is keen to help residents where we can.
“We understand it can household payments, particularly at this time, and hope this assistance agreed to by Councillors today might provide some relief.”
Residents experiencing payments can also apply for a special plan to be set up for individual ratepayers experiencing hardship.
To apply for a hardship plan, visit Council’s website.
Flood-affected homeowners, renters and landlords can now apply for ‘Back Home’ grant payments to help replace appliances, reconnect utilities and carry out structural repairs to make their homes safe and habitable again. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $112 million package, co-funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, would provide one-off payments of $20,000 for owner-occupiers, $15,000 for landlords, and $5000 for renters across the Hawkesbury, Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed Local Government Areas.
“Housing continues to be one of our most pressing priorities in flood-affected communities, especially across the Northern Rivers, and this package helps support their rebuild and recovery,” Mr Toole said.
“We want to see people safely back in their homes. This grant provides payments to help people make critical repairs like fixing roofs, reconnecting utilities or replacing furniture and whitegoods.”
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said more than 10,000 homes had been assessed as damaged, with more than 4,000 assessed as uninhabitable across the State.
“Anyone who has registered already will receive an alert that the system is now taking formal application. More than 5,900 residents have already registered their interest in the ‘Back Home’ grant and Service NSW will be reaching out to them in the coming days to ensure this support is delivered as quickly as possible. Impacted households can apply on the Service NSW website or via the app, with support also available on 13 77 88,” Mr Dominello said.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the ‘Back Home’ grant is one of the many ways the NSW Government is helping flood-affected communities rebuild.
“This support will help people get back to their homes as quickly as possible as they work to recover from these devastating floods,” Ms Cooke said.
“The ‘Back Home’ grant is also open to those with damaged households in suburbs that adjoin the hardest hit council areas.
“We are working hard to ensure these grants make it into the hands of those who need it most, regardless of where they live.”
The funds can go towards any clean-up costs to restore housing to a habitable condition, including: • Inspection and safe reconnection of utilities, such as electrical, gas, water, hot water and sewerage equipment not otherwise the responsibility of utility companies; • Necessary replacement or repairs to damaged essential household goods such as refrigerators, ovens, washing machines and microwaves; • Necessary replacement or repairs to damaged equipment such as computers and tools; • Replacing other essential household contents; • Moving to a new property; and • Necessary structural repairs including roof, flooring, walls and fitting replacement (owners).
In addition to the eight hardest hit LGAs, the ‘Back Home’ grant can be accessed by owners and renters with households in the following adjoining areas: • Agnes Banks • Barcoongere • Berambing • Bilpin • Bucketty • Cattai • Coombadjha (2460) • Dirty Creek • Halfway Creek • Hernani • Leets Vale • Lower Portland • Maraylya • Newton Boyd • Putty • Sherwood • Tabulam • Ten Mile Hollow • The Gulf • Upper Corindi (2456) • Urbenville • Vineyard • Wisemans Ferry • Woodenbong
Low-income earners who are successful in their application for the Disaster Relief Grant (DRG) are unable to apply for the Back Home grant.
However, anyone who doesn’t qualify for the DRG can apply for the Back Home.
For more information on the ‘Back Home’ grant and to apply, please visit www.service.nsw. gov.au/transaction/ apply-flood-recoveryback-home-grant
“Leemo’s View”
“Leemo has views on just about anything”
Mum Jane’s “LACK” of Etiquette
‘Leemo Cat’ once more. Oooh…the grossness of watching!! ‘Cos they were on special after Easter, ‘Mum Jane’ bought some prawns. Big fat Kingies. She told me that 11 were for her and 1 was for me. She placed a lonely prawn in MY bowl and sat at our table with HER prawns on a plate + a lemon cut in ¼’s, + salt & pepper + a bowl of warm water, a napkin & a book. I astutely observed her eating, with a total lack of any etiquette whatsoever in the correct way of eating prawns. Kinda ‘OFF
COMES THE HEAD’
like Henry V111. Then the slimy poo string thing is removed. And THEN she eats ‘ALL’ THE REST OF IT… shell and all. Aaaargh gross! SO, ‘cos she has been nagging me about reading & learning, I found her a book by someone Miss Vanderbilt (who sounds most posh) about ETIQUETTE. ‘Mum, here’s a pressie for you and it will tell you about how to consume prawns at table correctly.’ Well, didn’t that get a raised eyebrow from her? ‘Mum, prawns should be eaten with knife & fork. AND, when squeezing lemon over them, you are ‘sposed to use your cupped hand, a spoon or your napkin, to shield others (e.g., ME, LEEMO) from squirts.’ The eyebrows went almost to her hairline this time which wrinkled her forehead terribly. ‘And, Mum, why on earth are you eating all the HARD SHELL bits pray tell? What’s your story?’ I was commanded to sit and listen, AND she ‘started’. (aaaargh!) ‘Leems, are you aware that prawn shells are totally safe to eat and contain nutrients health? It’s kinda like eating an overcooked crunchy HOT chip (which I detest) but prawn shells are better for me than chips… so there! Crikey! I know, I’ll change the subject. I went to another page of the posh book. ‘Mum, are you drinking your wine according to the Rules of Etiquette? Did you know it involves 4 basic steps… Looking, Swirling, Smelling, and Tasting? OMG, the raised eyebrows went all the way to the back of her head this time. She looked kinda bald. Oh Lordy…this did not bode at all well.
‘LEEMS, YOU JUST
LISTEN..OK?’. ‘I shall eat prawns in any manner which pleases me…not for some poxy elitist etiquette dictate from your silly book. I eat prawns applying the only way to enjoy them…. using my hands, not cutlery = NO WASHING UP.’ ‘And NO, I WILL NOT look, swirl or smell or taste ANY wine I wish to drink. I will simply open the bottle (of MY budgetary choice) and drink it.’ So stick that in your pipe and smoke it.! (Crikey..what a most strange & deplorable use of words. I DO NOT smoke pipes!) (Ponder?) Moving on. ‘Oh Mum, you adorable most kind gorgeous Mother whom I love, would you mind carefully peeling my ONE prawn and cutting it into delectable cat size bites for me?’ (and take out that slimy bit!) Later. YUMBOSI.. delicious..can I now have another brush Mum?? Nite & contented purrsies, Leemo.
Major milestone
The clean-up effort is closing in on completion with more than 20,000 truckloads of waste affected communities across NSW, marking a major milestone in the progress is thanks to the combined effort of councils and others working in the clean-up
“Around 95,000 tonnes of waste has deposited at facilities in a difference in helping communities get on with our crews won’t stop and Minister for Flood said the end is in sight for the enormous cleanup effort following the possessions because of is a major step in helping
“With bulk clean-up operations expected to month, local residents and businesses are urged
“It has been the toughest of times for communities so it’s heartening to see some light at the end of the
The estimated completion of bulk waste clean-up across some of the hardest hit local follows: and
Further information
and Firearms Squad the distribution and and Firearms Squad established Strike Force the facilitation of
These inquiries followed the resolution of Operation Ironside, an scale drug importations, drug manufacture and warrants in Banora Great Lakes, Newcastle as specialist police and dog handlers from the Australian Border Force
During subsequent searches, police seized a shot gun, ammunition, cannabis leaf, cash, numerous electronic
All seized items will undergo further forensic
It will be alleged all prohibited drugs between
Housing, roads, flood resilience and mitigation top wish list
Temporary and permanent accommodation, rebuilding the battered road network and funding to support flood resilience and mitigation activities top the list of priorities as the Tweed moves into the postflood recovery phase.
Council is advocating strongly to all levels of government for additional support in the wake of the devastating flood of February 2022, which inundated thousands of homes and damaged more than 2,100 properties, rendering 500 uninhabitable.
The record flood has left a damage bill of an estimated $80 million on Council infrastructure, including more than $50 million in damages to the road network. This figure does not include the cost of damage to businesses and private homes in the Tweed – estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
These figures follow the announcement last week (12 April 2022) of an additional $855 million joint flood recovery support package from the NSW and Federal Governments, as well as an additional $350 million package from the NSW Government for temporary housing for flood-affected communities in the Northern Rivers.
The NSW Government also announced today the creation of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation to oversee recovery of the region.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry welcomed this additional support.
“We are grateful to the NSW Government for their decision to invest in temporary and more permanent housing for residents of the Northern Rivers displaced by the flood,” Cr Cherry said.
“We are seeking an urgent meeting with the new Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation to discuss a solution which is specific to the Tweed. Our situation is quite different to that of our neighbours and we need to ensure we meet the needs of our residents moving forward.
“While we welcome pods in certain circumstances, we think they would be better placed on individual’s lands so they can be close to where their family and community are and close to the home they are rebuilding.
“We’ve come a long way in the 7 weeks since the flood with the cleanup nearing an end and emergency repair works giving way to more permanent solutions.
“The streets may look a bit cleaner but the recovery is far from over. We still have several hundred people displaced and in short-term accommodation – many of whom are suffering with not knowing what the future holds.
“We were experiencing a severe housing crisis exacerbated by COVID-19 before the flood: that has now been worsened and housing remains our top concern as we move forward with the recovery.
“We thank the State and Federal Governments for their support to date and will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of the Tweed community as we move to rebuild in a smarter, more floodresilient way.”
Council has listed the following issues in need of urgent attention, in some order of priority:
1. Housing • An incentive scheme to encourage owners of short-term holiday rental properties to provide longer-term temporary accommodation to flood victims. • Purchase of flood-free land for relocation of industrial and residential properties via land swap arrangements or voluntary relocation plans. • Expansion of current voluntary house purchase and voluntary house raising schemes.
2. Roads • Support with repair and rebuilding of roads impacted by significant landslides, particularly with those heavily used such as Scenic Drive at Bilambil, Tyalgum Road and Reserve Creek Road. • Funding for improved reconstructions that are more resilient to future floods such as Tweed Valley Way at Blacks Drain and Kyogle Road rather than replacing the original infrastructure like-for-like. • Review of Pacific Highway accessibility during flood events to prevent the roadway being inundated at Chinderah and cutting the Tweed LGA in half as occurred during this flood event and in 2017.
3. Flood mitigation • Funding for a review of the Murwillumbah CBD Levee and Drainage Study and the recommendations which come from that which are likely to include improved flood pumping systems along with support for greater community and business preparedness. • Repair and improvement of the Murwillumbah CBD flood levee. • Review of impacts of M1 on flooding.
4. Rivers and riverbanks • There was extensive damage and flood scouring of riverbanks (up to 30m deep in places) that is significantly impacting and putting at high risk key infrastructure, such as Kyogle Road, Tweed Valley Way and others. • Support for cleaningup rivers and restoration works.
5. State Emergency Services • Funding support for the building / rebuilding of new SES unit facilities in Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads. • Upgrade of evacuation centres. • Membership drive to increase active members of the SES/ Rural Fire Service, e.g. through payroll concessions.
6. Community support • More funding assistance for organisations supporting communities.
7. Rebuild and repair costs • Assistance for local government with the significant cost to repair buildings and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Council is working on its submission to the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry – and is encouraging residents, businesses and community organisations in the Tweed to do the same.
The deadline for inquiry submissions is Friday, May 20, with late submissions considered by people directly impacted by the floods.
For more information, visit www.nsw.gov.au/ floodinquiry.
An additional $40,000 will be provided to assist in the recovery of arts and cultural activity in affected areas in the Northern Rivers.
As part of the initial $435,000 provided by the NSW Government in March, $70,000 was given to Arts Northern Rivers to deliver microgrants of up to $1,000 to local artists and art groups in the region who lost studios, works in progress, and equipment.
After fully allocating its funding, Arts Northern Rivers received dozens of additional requests for
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said while the organisation was able to raise money through its own sources, the NSW Government will help provide additional funding. left a devastating artists and arts and cultural organisations, and we know some will never truly recover the priceless pieces of work they lost, or the studios they’ve poured their hearts and souls into,” Mr Franklin said.
“It is crucial we continue supporting communities in their recovery, and these micro-grants through Create NSW will go toward helping assist those who need the help getting back on their feet.
“The Northern Rivers region has the highest number of creative practitioners per capita in the state, and it is critical we ensure those who need the help get it
In addition, to support other creative practitioners, organisations and groups across NSW, Create NSW will deliver a $200,000 Recovery Grants for NSW Creatives program, with grants of up to $30,000 available for eligible organisations and up to $10,000 for individuals and groups.
Visit www.create.nsw. gov.au.
of different
of our
A boost to natural ventilation is headed to more than 10,000 public school classrooms with the rollout of automatic fresh air ventilation systems, as the NSW Government bolsters protection against COVID-19 for school communities.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the $100 million Air Quality Assurance Program is focused on delivering permanent improvements to natural ventilation in classrooms, based on evidence and expert advice.
“The World Health Organisation, the Doherty Institute and NSW Health agree that maximising natural ventilation in classrooms by opening windows and doors remains the most effective method for minimising the spread of COVID-19 – and this is the foundation of our approach in schools,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The NSW Government is committed to keeping students learning face to face at school and is taking steps to ensure that we maximise fresh air in our classrooms. Installation of these systems will further enhance the quality of air in our classrooms.”
The Air Quality Assurance Program was announced in October 2021 following the comprehensive audit of more than 150,000 spaces across all NSW public schools.
The audit, combined with independent, expert advice from building services consultant Steensen Varming, has guided the targeted approach to ventilation in schools.
The 10,000 classrooms receive automatic fresh air ventilation build on the 2,000 classrooms announced last year.
The program is supporting permanent upgrades to windows, ceiling and exhaust fans, additional servicing of ventilation systems, procurement of 19,000 ongoing installation of automatic fresh air ventilation systems.
In addition to the Air Quality Assurance Program, permanent fresh air ventilation systems are also being progressively installed in thousands of classrooms as part of the NSW Government’s $500 million Cooler Classrooms program.
As at February 2022, more than 5,500 classrooms and 380 libraries have had systems installed under this program.
Rules on political signage to be enforced
As the Federal election campaign moves into full swing, candidates and their supporters are reminded they must comply with State and Council regulations when erecting political signage.
With nominations due to close tomorrow ahead of the poll on Saturday, May 21, Council is reminding candidates of the strict rules governing the erection and display of political signage.
Council officers will undertake a program of compliance and monitoring to ensure all posters and signage containing electoral material comply with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 Division 2, Subdivision 13 - Election signs.
As part of these regulations, election signs must be no more than 0.8 square metres in area.
No signs are allowed to be displayed on Council’s road reserves, either free-standing pole signs or those affixed to trees or street furniture. Signage is also not allowed to be displayed on a trailer parked on a road or roadrelated areas.
Election signs can be affixed to private telegraph poles, however the owner needs to be certain the pole is not owned by an electricity provider as legal action has occurred elsewhere in NSW.
Council officers will remove signs from public property if they are not standard-sized corflute with appropriate content, or if they are in a dangerous location. All signage connected to power poles will be reported to Essential Energy for their attention and action.
Signs can be attached to the walls of houses or commercial buildings, as long as they adhere to size limitations in State regulations and are not attached to heritage or draft heritage items.
Any signs that do not comply with the above rules may be impounded by Council officers and will attract a Council fee for retrieval. Any signs remaining one week after the election (May 28) will be removed and impounded.
Electoral material
Candidates are responsible for complying with their electoral material obligations under the Commonwealth Electoral Act. Additional information on electoral material can be found in the Candidates Handbook: February 2022 Federal elections and By-elections published by the Australian Electoral Commission.
$5 million in grants to support mental health and wellbeing
Community Wellbeing and Resilience Flood Recovery Grants are now available to support the wellbeing and mental health of residents in flood impacted areas across Northern NSW.
Minister for Regional Health and Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the grants will be allocated to non-government organisations to help deliver local trauma and recovery programs to ensure support is available long after the clean-up has finished.
“Natural disasters cause unseen stress and anxiety for impacted communities and we need to recognise that rebuilding goes far beyond bricks and mortar,” Mrs Taylor said.
“These grants will help provide a much-needed boost for communities who have been through a very difficult time, and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring we are doing everything we can to support them.”
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the grants would support resident’s mental health and wellbeing as the region rebuilds.
“The devastating flooding left an enormous emotional toll on local residents and business owners. This funding will help provide the support they need on the long road to recovery,” Ms Cooke said.
The initiative will be delivered by Healthy North Coast through the PHN Program and in collaboration with the Northern NSW Local Health District.
Healthy North Coast Chief Executive Officer Julie Sturgess said the program will focus on young people, older people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the NSW local government areas of Lismore, Richmond Valley, Tweed, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle and Clarence Valley.
“These communities are most at risk of poorer outcomes following natural disasters, but they also know best what they need to get back on their feet,” Ms Sturgess said.
“For that reason, development of grant proposals and delivery of programs will be coordinated locally to enable tailored, community-led solutions.”
Under the Community Wellbeing and Resilience Flood Recovery Grants program a total of $5 million will be available over 3 years and will be released in stages.
Funding will be allocated to selected proposals with a budget of $100,000 - $200,000 per year, and multiyear projects will be considered.
Applications for grants can be submitted at www.tenderlink.com/ hnc.
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Family event to light up the Clarence
The Clarence Valley Council sponsored event at Bailey Park on May 14 is set to deliver an economic boost of at least $115,000 to the region via overnight and day visitor spend. “Riverlight Ulmarra is a riverside lantern festival for local and visiting families and friends,” Clarence Valley Mayor Ian Tiley said. “It will be a celebratory event for Ulmarra and provide a timely economic boost for the community after the recent floods. “Council has proudly put forward $4500 in sponsorship and also facilitated grant funding through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Fund.” Recently elected councillor Steve Pickering is a passionate Ulmarra community member and was a strong advocate for Clarence Valley Council’s Ulmarra Bypass Community Economic Development Plan in 2018. “The plan was created in consultation with with the Ulmarra community to encourage more community led events to drive visitation to the historic village,” Cr Pickering said. “Riverlight Ulmarra meets this objective. The lanterns will not only create a beautiful image, but will attract visitors to stay the night.” The festival is being organised and promoted by Phil Nicholas from Events Delivered, who created the Riverlight Ulmarra website which also includes additional travel ideas for visitors. “The spectacle will be a lantern parade through Ulmarra and down to the Clarence River to launch the lanterns, which will create a magical atmosphere,” Mr Nicholas said. “However, we also want to encourage visitors to stay for the weekend and enjoy all the wonderful aspects of the surrounding region. So as part of Riverlight Ulmarra we have incorporated four fantastic travel itineraries: Town and Country, The Tartan Trail, Rural River Hamlets and City to Surf.” Each of the itineraries concludes at the festival, which runs from 2pm to 9pm and includes lots of activities and displays, market stalls, the Coopers Brewery Bar, delicious food from local vendors, the Riverlight lantern parade at 6pm and live music headlined by local groovers The Ninth Chapter at 7.30pm. Everyone can get involved in lighting up the river. Bring your own lantern or make one at the festival, then join in the parade through the park down to the banks of the Clarence River. People can buy a lantern kit, and in the weeks leading into the event there will be FREE lantern making workshops at Brushgrove Hall: • 11am-4pm Saturday, April 30 • 11am-4pm Sunday, May 1 • 11am-4pm Saturday, May 7 At these workshops there will also be the opportunity to contribute to the design and construction of a large,
sculptural lantern that will head up the parade. For those unable to attend the workshops, lantern kits are easy to buy when purchasing festival tickets. Tickets to Riverlight Ulmarra are $15 plus booking fee. For more info visit www.riverlightulmarra. com.au/ Riverlight Ulmarra coincides with the 10th year of the plunge Arts & Culture Festival. Check out the full 2022 Plunge program at www. clarence.nsw.gov.au/ plunge or pick up a copy at your local library or gallery.
upgrade project has released the report for the Woolgoolga to Ballina Operational Noise Compliance Review (Stage One), for the section between Glenugie and Maclean. Transport for NSW Director North Region Anna Zycki said the report outlines the steps taken to complete the compliance monitoring and includes a summary Glenugie to Maclean section. “The report within this section that are eligible for consideration of at-house noise treatment,” Ms Zycki said. “Property owners with eligible for consideration of at-house noise treatment will be contacted by the project team. “The compliance review process is continuing for the remaining sections of the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade, with the operational noise compliance review being completed in stages. “The project team will keep stakeholders informed as more stages are completed.” The operational noise compliance review report is available to view nsw.gov.au. For more information, please call 1800 778 highway@transport.nsw. gov.au. The Australian and NSW governments are jointly funding the $4.95 billion Woolgoolga to upgrade on an 80:20 basis.
Anzac Day back with a bang
TIM HOWARD
Marchers outnumbered the watchers at the Grafton Anzac Day ceremony as people the annual day of remembrance.
New Grafton RSL sub-Branch president Leith Basset said it was heartening to see so many people turn out after the problems with Covid-19 over the past two years.
“It was great to see so many people turn out for the march and there was nearly 1000 at the Dawn Service,” he said.
“The fact that so many people wanted to be in the march was awesome to see,” Mr Basset said.
“That’s one of the things that’s been so important to see today is the way Anzac Day brings the whole community together.
“There’s people from every age group here. It’s great to see it grow from strength to strength, to strength.”
The Sub-Branch members heard some distressing news during the service when they learned their immediate past president Brian Bultitude had been injured in car crash heading to a Dawn Service.
Sub-Branch secretary he had a text from Mr Bultitude’s wife, Margaret, that Mr Bultitude had been in Coffs Harbour Hospital.
There was no further information available.
Mr Bultitude had been president of the Grafton sub-Branch for 24 years and secretary for three years prior to that.
After the march down Square to Memorial some well-researched speeches from four school students.
Westlawn Public School student gave a detailed account of the crucial Battle of Romani from August 3-5, 1916 when the Australian Light Horse and New Zealand troops under the command of General Harry Chauvel, turned Canal.
Rio’s research revealed the heroism in that battle was not limited to people.
He recounted the bravery of a normally called Bill, who prior to the battle had a reputation for throwing riders.
Ridden into battle, Bill turned from villain to hero, saving the lives of four soldiers, plus the ammunition and supplies.
Grafton Public School of the way Anzac Day has become embedded in the way of life of Australian from its inception a year after the Anzac landings at Gallipoli.
Grafton High School student Oscar Robinson example of his great, great, grandfather, Victor, who landed at Gallipoli had shaped his life.
Finally McAuley Catholic College student Paige Thompson used the example of the Battle of Jutland, the only naval battle of the war involving both the British and German the changing fortunes of war.
She recalled both the British and Germans claimed victory. The ships than the British, but failed to achieve of Germany, which severely hampered its war effort.
Ms Thompson’s research also found at the battle and that three during the battle. After the service the veterans left for some well-earned refreshment, two-up school going. Westlawn Public School pupil Rio Brown reads his account of the crucial World War 1 Battle of Romani.
Grafton Public School captain Vinh Coorey delivers an address at the 2022 Grafton Anzac Day Service.
Grafton High School student Oscar Robinson.
