BOM working on ongoing Grafton radar issues
The recent wet weather that has seen the eyes of Clarence Valley residents looking to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Grafton radar for approaching weather conditions has raised more questions than answers about what is going on in the atmosphere. Last week the CV Independent received reports for the second time this year that the Grafton radar was malfunctioning … weather being displayed on radar images did not correlate with the conditions on the ground.
Locals evidence to Land and Environment Court
Six local community members presented evidence to a Land and Environment Court conciliation conference between Yamba developer Clifton and Clarence Valley Council ... Mr Cousins said recent reports identified that by the year 2030, there is a chance between 50 and 80 per cent of the houses in Yamba will be uninsurable and before any development on the floodplain is allowed to proceed, developers should "get the fundamentals right".
Rates to rise 4.7 per cent, water charges increase
Clarence Valley ratepayers will be slugged 4.7 per cent more for residential rates and an extra 6 per cent for water access and consumption after a split 6 to 3 vote by Clarence Valley Councillors when they endorsed the 2024-2025 Fees and Charges.
Rejected – NRPP refuse Miles Street Yamba subdivision
The Northern Regional Planning Panel have refused a proposal for a controversial $53 million 284 lot subdivision at Miles Street, Yamba, in a split decision 3 votes to one ... The NRPP gave ... reasons for refusing the application relating to filling of the site, the flood risk and evacuation, community concerns about flooding, and the management of Acid Sulphate Soils ...
Parliamentary committee public hearing resurrected
Just three weeks after public hearings about Lower Clarence developments before the Portfolio No 7 committee of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Planning system and the impacts of Climate Change on the Environment and Communities were scrapped, they have been resurrected, delighting community groups ... But last Friday afternoon, Yamba CAN Inc. was informed by the committee that a hearing concerning Lower Clarence developments will be held next week.
Yamba Welding and Engineering Australian Marine Exporter of the year
Yamba Welding and Engineering celebrated its 50th anniversary ... one of the Clarence Valley’s premier export businesses ... started in 1974 by Bill Collingburn in his garage and has grown to become Australia’s go to supplier for premium quality, high performance vessels, for the Australian Defence Force, Border Force, Marine Rescue, Coast Guard and the SES.
Parliamentary committee visit Valley
Members of NSW Parliament’s Portfolio Committee No. 7, who are undertaking a parliamentary inquiry into the planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities, saw and heard about issues concerning proposed and approved developments sites in the Lower Clarence first-hand when they visited Yamba and Maclean last Friday.
Rescue tubes at popular swimming spots
Clarence Valley residents who enjoy visiting the beach or popular waterholes now have the peace of mind of increased safety after rescue tubes were installed in eight locations to help save lives. The rollout of the rescue tubes over the past few months now sees the lifesaving devices available to the public 24 hours a day in case anyone needs to be saved from the water.
Are we uninsurable?
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite insurance costs have risen, resulting in home and contents insurance being cost prohibitive for some Clarence Valley homeowners with prices ranging from $35.51 to $252.36 per week, while in some parts of the valley some companies refuse to insure homes ... To determine home and contents insurance costs across the region and if we are insurable, the Clarence Valley Independent sought quotes for a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, single storey home...
Outrage after public hearings scrapped
Public hearings before the committee of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities will not be conducted on the NSW mid and north coasts from Port Macquarie to the Tweed ... The Northern Rivers area, and particularly the Clarence Valley has the highest flood risk hazard of all, as outlined in the NSW State Disaster Mitigation Plan 2024 – 2026. Surely this triggers the necessity for the committee to provide hearings in the mid-north and north coast regions of NSW, Yamba CAN Inc members said.
