Two Men Killed in Tragic Crash at Fairy Hill

Two men have died following a single-vehicle crash near Casino in northern New South Wales overnight.

Emergency services were called to Droneys Bridge Road at Fairy Hill about 10pm on Wednesday, 26 March 2025, after reports that a vehicle had left the roadway and entered the Richmond River.

Upon arrival, officers from the Richmond Police District found the vehicle submerged. A 22-year-old female occupant had managed to escape from the vehicle and was found uninjured at the scene.

With assistance from Police Rescue and NSW SES crews, the vehicle was retrieved from the river. Tragically, the bodies of two men—believed to be in their 20s—were located inside. Formal identification is yet to be completed.

A crime scene has been established as investigations continue into the cause of the crash. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Droneys Bridge Road remains closed while inquiries are underway, and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Withdrawing from the floodplain has failed – it’s time for real flood mitigation

Three years ago, our community faced Australia’s biggest natural disaster since Cyclone Tracy. The devastating floods tore through Lismore and the Mid Richmond, destroying thousands of homes and businesses – leaving an entire community with serious questions about its future.

In the aftermath, there were only two approaches that could have been taken: remove everyone from the floodplain, or keep them there and implement serious flood mitigation measures to lower the height of the next flood.

The NSW State Government chose the strategy of removing those in danger from the floodplain. This has failed.

Over 2,000 homes were identified to be unsafe. We are now in a position that less than half of the homes identified will be bought back. Some families who accepted a buyback, have purchased new properties back on the floodplain, highlighting the failure of this plan.

Individuals and families had nowhere to live and had to make decisions about their immediate future. Some people started putting money back into their homes and commenced renovations immediately. Others decided to sell their properties on the private market. The new property owners did not qualify for the buyback.

After the completion of the buyback program, maybe 900 of the 2000 homes identified by the NRRC will have been bought back. This means over 1000 homes will remain on the flood plain. Those individuals and families will be no safer and are still at risk. The CBD, industrial estates, businesses, villages, farmers and the road network are no safer.

The strategy of withdrawing from the floodplain has failed. Flood mitigation is the only strategy that will give the region a sustainable future and safety.

Over $800m has been spent on the original strategy of withdrawing from the floodplain. None of this money has lowered the level of the next flooding event. This means no home, business or industrial estate occupant, is in any safer.

Our path ahead must include a public commitment to flood mitigation. CSIRO will release a report this year, looking at practical scenarios that include engineering solutions to mitigate future flooding. This work is crucial.

If the community knows a metre or more will be taken off future events, they will invest and live in confidence in the Northern Rivers.

The McKell Institute’s Cost of Extreme Weather Report found that between 2005 and 2022, the Federal Government spent $23.99 billion on disaster recovery and relief, while only $1.51 billion was allocated for disaster prevention. This imbalance must change. Flood mitigation is the best prevention option for the Northern Rivers to grow and prosper. It will also save future governments—and therefore taxpayers—billions of dollars by reducing the impact of future disasters. The 2022 disaster alone is measured as a $15 billion event.

The Government at all levels must act. Decision-makers now will determine whether the next major flooding event in this region kills people, destroys lives financially, or if the region has been made safer. Mistakes have been made, and significant public funds have been spent with marginal return. This can be rectified with a real commitment to flood mitigation and a clear vision for the region’s future.

Watch the Interview: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ktfXZLc-mst5ROIzjsXMrrFN91xYcHMv/view

Three years on! Where is the relief for river towns?

By Samantha Elley

A visitor to Woodburn could be forgiven for thinking that some of its residential streets have experienced an apocalyptic event.

At last count, 10 houses are boarded up and fenced off in Richmond Street alone, not to mention those in other streets that have just been abandoned.

A large amount for the tiny riverside community population.

Three years since the Mid-Richmond area experienced its worst flood in history, it is not lost on the residents that help offered so freely after the event, has, like the flood itself, dried up.

Woodburn business owners, Daniel Simpson and David Sly, last week addressed Richmond Valley Council’s ordinary meeting regarding a Notice of Motion put forward by Cr Robert Hayes.

The motion specifically addressed the need for a report on the future of buy back lands and current planning requirements for new, upgraded and replacement development on flood affected lands in the Mid-Richmond villages.

Mr Simpson, who owns the Rod n Reel Hotel on Woodburn’s main street, read from an email he sent to local politicians and the Reconstruction Authority back in December 2023, stating that nothing had changed.

“I am writing to express serious concern of the viability of Woodburn,” he read.

“The lack of cohesive planning for the future of the town, fuelled by a buyback program that is a short-sighted and a knee jerk solution, lacking vision.

“I fail to see how this program benefits the community and I am left wondering where the wisdom is and what the over-arching objectives of the program are.”

Mr Simpson stated that since that email nothing has changed.

“In Woodburn, adhoc buybacks continue,” he said.

“The community is unaware of the plan for these houses and the land on which they sit.

“The buyback program could revitalise the town… could be raised and sold to first home buyers.

“Alternatively, they could be demolished with the land never to be built on again.

“Unfortunately, I expect the latter is more likely, but the point is we the community just don’t know.”

Mr Simpson suggested that for the town to bounce back it required investment, which required a level of certainty.

“A certainty the buyback program and unclear flood mapping has eroded,” he said.

“House raising and retrofitting, using flood resistant materials, would be a much better alternative for Woodburn.”

Flood houses in Woodburn

Mr Sly, co-owner of Sly Brothers, a timber supply business that has been in Woodburn since 1932, did not hold back saying buybacks destroy a town.

“A large percentage of these homes are already renovated,” he said.

“There are numerous homes that could have stayed exactly where they were.

“Growth is essential for the viability of any town as it gives employment, kids at school, sporting teams, emergency services.

“Otherwise, the town will die pretty quick.”

Mr Sly said the lack of properties in town meant it was hard to attract employees or find them a place to live.

When asked by Councillor Lyndal Murray what the feeling in the town was, Mr Sly replied:

“You can hear it in my voice.

“I don’t like to public speak, but here I am wanting to have a chat.”

During the discussion of the Notice of Motion Cr Hayes reported that he had received many questions from Mid-Richmond residents asking about the land once a buyback house is removed, whether new houses could be built on land with building entitlements, what restrictions there were on new residential buildings and the request for clear directions on development.

‘Some houses have been bought back and others refused but have been allowed to remain where they stand,” said Cr Hayes.

“Landholders with vacant land and building entitlements are told by Richmond Valley Council that building is unlikely.

“These lots of land will be worthless but no compensation offered.”

The motion for a report was unanimously carried.

A spokesperson for the NSW Reconstruction Authority confirmed the $880 million program for the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program had offered buybacks to 1345 homeowners and resilient measures such as house raising, retrofits and relocations to 420 homeowners.

“As at 14 February, 865 buyback offers had been approved and 622 buybacks had been settled,” the spokesperson said.

“216 home assessments had been carried out and 31 raise, retrofit and relocation offers had been approved.”

In Woodburn, the spokesperson confirmed 24 buyback offers had been approved with 16 properties settled.

Only one out of the seven home assessments for resilient measures had had their grant approved.

Houses that could not be relocated, have their materials recycled, according to the spokesperson, reaching a rate of 70 per cent of materials being reused, including metals, concrete, organics and timber.

Any homeowner wishing to confirm their status within the Resilient Homes Program can call 1800 844 085 or email resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.

If you live in Woodburn, you can also attend the pop up information office at 123 River Street, Woodburn every fortnight by appointment. The next one is on February 26.

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RVC Council Merges Opera and Country in Dazzling New Show

By Robert Heyward

A unique fusion of opera and country music is set to hit the stage as Richmond Valley Council partners with Opera Queensland to present Are You Lonesome Tonight at the historic Casino Civic Hall on Tuesday, May 6. The performance, part of Opera Queensland’s national tour, promises to take audiences on a musical journey spanning the classics—from Puccini and Verdi to Hank Williams and Dolly Parton.

The show will feature three singers and a musician who will explore the rich traditions of both genres, appealing to a wide range of music enthusiasts. Richmond Valley has a longstanding connection with opera, having hosted nine touring productions over the past two decades. Past performances include Carmen (2003), Pagliacci (The Clowns) (2004), Die Fledermaus (the Revenge of the Bat) (2005 and 2013), Don Giovanni (2006), The Magic Flute (2009), Madama Butterfly (2014), The Mikado (2016), and The Barber of Seville (2017).

The 88-year-old Casino Civic Hall

The 88-year-old Casino Civic Hall, an iconic venue in the region, has recently undergone extensive upgrades. Renovations have included a new main hall floor, installation of under-stage flooring, repairs to wall-mounted fans, and restoration of the Art Deco lighting system—improvements made possible by a $152,000 grant from the Stronger Country Communities Fund. Additionally, the council secured $208,000 from the NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund to enhance the venue’s internal painting, further stage flooring, and seating.

Mayor Robert Mustow expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming performance. “Tickets for this unique show are selling quickly, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for our community to experience top-class performers in one of our great local venues,” he said. “With a show of this calibre, I expect there will be strong interest not only from our area but from across the region.”

In keeping with the venue’s relaxed atmosphere, patrons are encouraged to bring their own refreshments as they enjoy the banquet-style seating arrangement.

Tickets are available for $12 through Richmond Valley Council’s administration centres in Casino and Evans Head, or online via the Opera Queensland website. For more details on the performance, visit Opera Queensland’s national tour page.

Williamson Slams Minns Government for Failing To Act On Youth Crime In Richmond And Clarence Valleys

State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, has condemned the Minns Labor Government for failing to address rising youth crime in the Richmond and Clarence Valleys, following its $4 million funding boost to tackle youth crime in Bourke and Kempsey—while ignoring other high-need areas.

Mr Williamson said while the funding for Bourke and Kempsey is welcome, it does nothing to assist victims of youth crime in his electorate.

“Youth crime is spiralling out of control, and the Minns Government continues to sit on its hands,” Mr Williamson said.

“Every day, I hear from families, small businesses, and community members who are suffering because of escalating crime.

“The people of the Richmond and Clarence Valleys deserve real solutions—not selective handouts that leave communities behind. We need urgent legislative reform and real investment in crime prevention because right now, this government is failing us.”

A long-time advocate for crime reduction strategies, Mr Williamson is calling for stronger bail laws, increased police resources, and targeted intervention programs to address the root causes of youth crime.

“Chris Minns and his Government cannot continue to ignore the crisis in the Richmond and Clarence Valleys. We need action now—our communities deserve better than failed policies and empty promises.”

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