Richmond Valley Council Meeting Feb 15th

Story by Lara Leahy
Images by Lara Leahy (Pool by RVC)

Cr Hayes was assured by Director Jones acknowledged delays, but said that the ePlanning implementation is being processed, and are working towards having RVC operating by the July 1 deadline.
Cr Morrissey is intending to move the motion that addresses the safety concern for traffic and pedestrian safety along Centre St at the Richmond and Canterbury St intersections. Roundabouts and pedestrian crossings are proposed, urgently.
In regards to the Rous’ Future Water Project 2060, RVC stresses the importance of investigations into the proposed Dunoon Dam including cultural heritage, landholder views, environmental impacts, ecological offset requirements, geotechnical assessments and the potential for State and Federal Government funding assistance for its construction. Council would like to make representations to the Federal and NSW Governments to seriously consider their position.
The time has been deemed right to conduct a redetermination of organisational structure within RVC. Its aims will be to strengthen leadership and operate as a progressive team.
Bushfire report includes a provision for unused bushfire funding to be funnelled into other bushfire and drought communities program projects.
Casino memorial Olympic pool master plan has been completed. It will provide year-round access to the facilities and will be user friendly for people of all ages. The development will be carried out in three stages.
The Casino Food Coop have submitted a DA to remove exotic trees, relocate the existing emergency shelter, construct a building in which retail ready products are prepared and alter landscaping including retaining walls and sewer / trade waste drainage.
Council received a DA request to allow a subdivision at 36 & 38 Mangrove St, Evans Head that would place the properties well below the minimum lot size currently permitted.
The following public sites have been deemed unnecessary and expensive for council to maintain and are proposed for reclassification and potential disposal. This includes: RSM Park, Dan Phelan Park, Sunnyside Park, Melaleuca Park and Russell Park.
The Richmond Valley Destination Management Plan 2021 – 2025 has been adopted and will be open to the public for consultation.

Greater support helps give kids the best possible start

Ensuring access to early intervention can allow kids to get the best possible start in life, no matter their challenges or location, and help them to reach their full potential.

The staff from Jumbunna Community Preschool and Early Intervention Centre

These are the guiding principles of Casino-based Jumbunna Community Preschool and Early Intervention Centre, winner of the January round of Greater Bank’s #GreaterNorthernRivers community funding program, who plan to use the cash injection to continue to build capacity at the centre.
The centre has received $2,000 for topping the public vote, with runners-up, Our Kids – Northern Rivers Children’s Health Fund (Lismore) and Association of Veteran Surfers Ballina Byron Inc. both receiving $500.
Jumbunna General Manager, Karen McDermott, said the centre provides a broad range of services supporting young children across the region.
“Jumbunna is the specialised early childhood intervention service for the area, providing education, therapy, family support and inclusion for children with disability, developmental delay or who are at risk of delay aged birth to 18 years of age,” Karen said.
“The name Jumbunna is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘talk together’ and it reflects the philosophy of our centre. By talking, playing and working together, children and adults learn to understand and hence accept each other.

The grounds of Jumbunna Community Preschool and Early Intervention Centre

“All kids deserve to have the best chance to make the most of their lives and we are most appreciative of the support from Greater Bank that will help us to continue to build the capacity within the centre and give kids the assistance and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Greater Northern Rivers Regional Sales Manager, Scott McCluskey, said investing in children delivers an exceptional return.
“The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome for children, so we are delighted to be able to make a contribution,” Scott said.
“These children are the future of the Northern Rivers so it’s very important we support them and play a role in helping them reach their potential.”
Voting in the February round of the #GreaterNorthernRivers Community Funding Program is now open, with Blazeaid (Casino), Eltham Public School P & C Association (Casino) and Human Nature Adventure Therapy (Ballina) in the running for a share of $3,000 for the month.
The public can vote online at www.greater.com.au/greaternorthernrivers until 5:00pm, Wednesday, 2 March 2022.

100 day launch for The Casino Food Co-Op’s Beef Week

Image by Lara Leahy

The Casino Food Co-Op Casino Beef Week is back in 2022. With just under 100 Days to go until kick-off, the Casino Beef Week Committee is excited to bring this year’s festival to our community, celebrating 40 years of supporting the local beef industry.
The Casino Food Co-Op Casino Beef Week will run from the 21st to the 31st of May 2022 and feature over 100 different events over the 11 days and feature all our favourite events.
Beef Week Opening Ball and Queen Crowning
• Breakfast with the Butchers
• Beef Week Cup horse and greyhound races
• Beef Week Saturday
• 4 Day Cattle Spectacular
• Celebration of Fashion
• Rural Ladies High Tea
• Busking championships
• Mr Beef
• Rodeo
• Street Parade
• Craft Market
• And Many More
To celebrate the 40th anniversary, our theme is 40 Years of Beef Week – Creating History, which means the organising committee and staff are busy planning to bring back some of the old classic events. More details will be released in the coming months.
Casino Beef Week would like to thank our Principal Partners, The Casino Food Co-op, Richmond Valley Council and Casino Lifestyle Village. Our Major Partners, Casino RSM, Westlawn and ZZZFM/2LM as well as all of our other sponsors and partners, both big and small, throughout the community.
One of the biggest changes this year is our extended cattle spectacular starting on Wednesday the 25th and running until Saturday the 28th. By extending our cattle show, we can bring more cattle to showcase in the heart of the Casino CBD and improve the quality of the show.
“This is our 40th anniversary and we are extremely excited about the changes we are making this year to produce our largest festival yet, with more events, more fun and of course, more cattle this year’s event is shaping up to be one of our best yet.” Said Frank McKey, President of Casino Beef Week. “We are also proud to announce that we will be bringing back our street parade and a couple of other events that could not go ahead last year, as well as some old classics”. Mr McKey would also like to introduce our new event coordinator Jacob Stone who has a strong history working in community and major events over the past 16 years.
The new event coordinator Jacob Stone is also excited about the changes this year and is thrilled to work with the Casino Community. “Growing up on the North Coast, the Casino Beef Week has always been a great community event to attend, and to now have the opportunity to work with the Richmond Valley Community to bring this community event to life is an unbelievable experience. The commitment by our local community for Casino Beef Week is absolutely stunning”
The committee and staff are busy planning a number of exciting changes and new events this year, so it is more important than ever to sign up for our mailing lists and stay tuned on our social media pages.
Local businesses that wish to partner with Casino Beef Week should go to the Casino Beef Week website and download the prospectus. You can also use the website to sign up to host an event, volunteer at the festival or sign up to receive updates on all our events. Just look under the Get Involved Section on the Home Page.
If you want to find out more about this year’s Casino Beef Week, go online to www.casinobeefweek.com.au or pop into the office at 86 Walker St, Casino during the week and say hello.