Van owners get a reprieve
The owners of 136 semi-permanent holiday caravans in 4 Council managed caravan parks have won a reprieve from eviction on June 30, after Clarence Valley Councillors passed a rescission motion to halt the process 5 votes to 3 ... At the March 20 ordinary Council meeting, a foreshadowed motion put forward by Cr Peter Johnstone was carried 6 votes to 2... “They’ve been poorly treated, it’s an insult, it’s almost intimidation": Cr Cairns.
Cane Harvest Festival reignites
The hottest place in the Clarence Valley on Saturday will be Maclean as the community comes together to celebrate the reignited Cane Harvest Festival. Harking back to yesteryear, the streets of Maclean will come alive on April 12 with activities, exhibitions, music, and people for the first time in more than 25 years.
Health district review after cancer patient dies
The Northern NSW Local Health District has apologised to the family of a Grafton cancer patient who died last month just hours after leaving Grafton Base Hospital. Terminal cancer patient, 55-year-old Sandra Shipley died within hours of visiting Grafton Base Hospital on Saturday, March 22.
No compensation for holiday van owners
Clarence Valley Council Mayor, Ray Smith is confident Council is acting in accordance with legislation concerning the impending eviction of 136 Holiday Caravan owners at four Council managed caravan parks. Letters were sent in early March to Holiday Caravan owners at Iluka Riverside Holiday Park, Brooms Head Holiday Park…
Trauma for hospital upgrade
Despite the $263.8 million investment to redevelop Grafton Base Hospital, major trauma patients will still be triaged to Lismore or Tweed Heads for treatment. At a recent community meeting concerning the paramedic roster changes at Yamba Ambulance station and the impacts they could have, Australian Paramedics Association members revealed that the upgraded Grafton Base Hospital will not be classed as a major trauma hospital.
Police tackling youth crime crisis
The commander of about 200 officers from 17 police stations across 3 Local Government Areas that encompass the Coffs Clarence Police District, Superintendent Joanne Schultz, revealed some informative and interesting insights into crime in the region at Sunday's community meeting.
Improving flood immunity
Yamba Road will see $20 million in improvements in the next few years to improve flood immunity and redirect a potentially dangerous section of the only direct thoroughfare from the M1 motorway into town. As the Clarence River levels rose … the only artery servicing deliveries to, and disposals from, Yamba, was first cut, as it is traditionally, west of Palmers Channel at the Southbank Road intersection.
Rain bombs bring flood
Despite seemingly dodging a bullet in the form of the worst of the winds and rain from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, the Lower Clarence was in the crosshairs of a major flood after large volumes of rain fell in the catchment. From Thursday, winds and rain lashed the Lower Clarence, causing minor flash flooding and uprooting trees around Yamba.
Record youth and Indigenous jail populations
Record numbers of youths and Indigenous young people are currently incarcerated in NSW jails with the population of inmates on remand due to the current crime wave surging by more than 20 per cent … the percentage of Indigenous inmates currently incarcerated was between 45 and 50 per cent, while 55 per cent of the jail’s inmates were on remand.
“Enhancements” will lead to less ambulances being available
There are times when paramedics from Yamba Ambulance Station are called away from the Lower Clarence, that they are told they are the only ambulance available between Ballina and Coffs Harbour.