Clarence Valley comes together to Close the Gap
Emma Pritchard. Communities from across the region, including more than 900 local school students, came together at the Maclean Showground on June 2 to attend the Clarence Valley Close the Gap Day 2022, and spread the message of the importance of embracing and achieving equality in the health, education, justice and employment aspects of First Nations people.
REX-IT from Grafton
Emma Pritchard. Regional Express (REX) has announced the withdrawal of services from several regional centres, including Grafton, with flights to cease from June 30 ... Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan and Clarence Valley Council (CVC) Mayor Ian Tiley have called on the Labor Government to extend the RANS program which has enabled REX to continue operating within the local area.
West Yamba masterplan petition
Rodney Stevens. Residents of the 2464 postcode have sent a strong message to council through a petition calling for a moratorium  on land filling and further developments until a West Yamba Masterplan is developed. Launched  by environmental watchdog Valley Watch, the petition, which has garnered more than 1550 signatures from Yamba, Wooloweyah and Angourie, was presented to Clarence Valley Council Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy at Sunday's Yamba Markets.
$10 million subsidy for timber industry
Emma Pritchard. Timber producers throughout Northern NSW have been given a massive boost after the State Government announced a $10 million subsidy to assist local mills impacted by recent bushfires, destructive floods and relentless rain to source supplies from outside the region ... With J Notaras and Sons Sawmill presently operating at 60-70 percent below normal production, Ms Layton said the announcement will enable the local business to source timber supplies from further afield, and most importantly, allow the sawmill to remain operational.
Heat is on for Thunderbolt contenders
Emma Pritchard. The Grafton Greyhound Racing Club will host several regional qualifying heats as part of the inaugural Thunderbolt series on June 4. Set to become the world’s richest race over a short course distance, The Thunderbolt is a new feature event on the NSW Greyhound Racing (NSWGR) calendar following its unveiling earlier this year.
Paging a fourth success
Kevin Hogan has retained the seat of Page for The Nationals following the 2022 Federal election ... Mr Hogan described his most recent re-election as very humbling, adding this one is personal. While she was unsuccessful in her first Federal election despite polling more than 12000 first preference votes with 86.7 percent of the total vote counted at the time of publication, Independent candidate for the seat of Page Dr Hanabeth Luke spoke positively about the experience, revealing she also plans to run again.
Subdivision modified to preserve koala habitat
A positive outcome for both the environment and a developer has been successfully negotiated by Clarence Valley Council with the approval of modifications to a proposed subdivision at Lawrence ... Community concerns were first raised in November 2021 when a Development Application for the first house in the subdivision was lodged with Council, which would have impacted on koala habitat and feed trees in the road reserve.
Forget Me Nots always remember to have fun
Four years ago, a local group was established to offer support, social interaction, and plenty of fun, laughter and friendship, to Clarence Valley residents living with dementia ... it expanded to include locals affected by memory impairment, and senior citizens with limited opportunities to socialise. Together, they sing, they dance, and they enjoy being in each other’s company.
