Clarence Valley Independent

Geoff Helisma. “The new Surveillance Device for Compliance and Law Enforcement Activity Policy … supports the use of surveillance devices (for example body-cameras) for compliance and law enforcement activities,” the report to Clarence Valley council states. “…There have been a number of recent incidents where regulatory services staff have been subjected to significant verbal and physical abuse from members of the community. “A policy that supports the use of surveillance devices like body cameras is expected to improve workplace health and safety outcomes for impacted staff.”

Emma Pritchard. Earlier this year, the Clarence River Historical Society was contacted by the curator of a Newcastle museum, citing a topic which may be of interest to them. An old brass bell had appeared in a Hunter Valley op shop, and it was suspected it had a strong link to Grafton, and the Clarence River. The evidence was boldly engraved across the front of the brass bell. It read, SS Induna, 1891, Aberdeen.

Emma Pritchard. Since the early 1900’s it has stood on the hill, welcoming parishioners and offering them a safe and sacred place of worship. But now, the 106-year-old Church of the Holy Apostles in Copmanhurst is being permanently closed and sold as part of a wider restructuring plan for Anglican mission and ministry on the North Coast ... There have been no services at the Church of the Holy Apostles in Copmanhurst since March 2020, due to restrictions enforced by the Covid-19 pandemic ... "prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, an average of three or four people were attending Sunday services there."

Geoff Helisma. Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Catherine Cusack will table the Clarence Catchment Alliance’s (CCA) anti-mining petition in the NSW Upper House ... Ms Cusack said she was “actually feeling like I’m participating, today, in the community consultation process that the Clarence Valley has been denied”.

Emma Pritchard. It’s not a feat for the faint hearted, but it’s also one which many aspire to compete in, and win. A 228km journey of sweat, power and determination make the annual Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic one of the most iconic sporting events in Northern NSW.

Penny Bird. It is wonderful to be back on deck in 2021 with our spectacular Autumn Show at the Maclean Bowls Club. There were 21 exhibitors and a variety of 214 beautiful exhibits.

Yamba Buccaneers rugby player Kyah Foster has been selected in the NSW Country Junior Girls Rugby Union U14s team after the NSW Country Junior Rugby titles at Kiama last weekend. Playing for the Mid North Coast Tomahawks, Foster was selected after strong performances against Central Coast and Central West.

Geoff Helisma. Clarence Valley Council (CVC) raised its debt ceiling from $131m to $197m at the Tuesday April 27 council meeting. Councillors unanimously adopted general manager Ashley Lindsay’s recommendation to “update its loan borrowing policy to reflect the increased sustainable debt level of $197m, as outlined in the EY [Ernst & Young] March 2021 debt review update” – Cr Karen Toms declared an interest and did not participate.