Gaol population used IPART rates calculation
Rodney Stevens. Clarence Valley ratepayers will see the third-highest increase in their rates in NSW of 5.4 per cent for the 2023-24 financial year due to the new Clarence Correctional Centre’s population of 1100 being factored into calculations, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has verified. At October’s Clarence Valley Council meeting during a Mayoral Minute by Ian Tiley, council papers stated Australian Bureau of Statistics population growth data, which is lagged by three years, was not an appropriate measure of population growth in the current year.
Yamba Rod Run hopes to be back in CBD
Rodney Stevens. Organisers of the Yamba Rod Run are already working to have their traditional Saturday Show and Shine held in the streets of the Yamba CBD after a misunderstanding with council saw this year’s event moved to Ford Park. Lew Falzon of Borderline Street Rodders said after a two-year Covid enforced hiatus, more than 400 vehicles, their owners and families were in town for the 29th Yamba Rod Run.
Local lifeguard Reece Dobbin best in Australia
Rodney Stevens. When you hit the Clarence Valley beaches this summer you can rest assured you are being watched by the best, after Recce Dobbin was awarded DHL Lifeguard of the Year at the Surf Life Saving Australia National Awards of Excellence ... Having saved the lives of more than 20 people during his life-saving career, Mr Dobbin said this wasn’t the first award he had received.
Council to apply to join NRJO
Rodney Stevens. Clarence Valley Council will reapply to join the region’s peak local government body, the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation ... Joint Organisations have legal powers to enable councils to work together at a regional level and with state agencies and other organisations to achieve better planning, economic development, and service delivery outcomes in regional NSW ... Currently the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation NRJO has the Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed NSW local government areas as full members.
Craig retires after 41 years as a paramedic
Rodney Stevens. Growing up as the son of a policeman, Craig Stalker almost followed in his father’s footsteps, but his decision to join Ambulance NSW as a paramedic saw him serve for 41 years around the state, culminating this week after 36 years stationed at Maclean ... Over four decades Mr Stalker said he attended hundreds of fatalities and serious crashes including the horrific Cowper bus crash in 1989.
Always listening to their patients
Emma Pritchard. There may be a few new faces and a name change on the horizon as the business continues to grow, but Celtic Coastal Hearing is proud to remain a family owned and independent practice, dedicated to providing the highest level of quality patient care while upholding the same values and principles it has been delivering to the Clarence Valley community throughout the past 10 years.
Wave of cash and hope for flooded Northern Rivers homeowners
There will be opportunities to repair, retrofit, raise or have the Government buy your home if you were impacted by the devastating floods earlier this year under a massive new Australian and NSW Government program announced by Premier Dom Perrottet, PM Anthony Albanese, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis and others in Lismore on Friday ... The Resilient Homes Program will offer voluntary buybacks to residents located in the Northern Rivers’ most vulnerable areas, where major flooding would pose a catastrophic risk to life.
