2002 Business Awards

2002 Business Awards

I had the pleasure of attending the Lismore 2002 Business Awards last Saturday. The success of the evening once again confirmed and reinforces that I have the honour and I am proud to represent the best area in NSW - the electorate of Lismore. I congratulate Marion Forwood, Barry Robinson, Louise Barry, and their team at Lismore Unlimited Opportunities on the outstanding success of the evening - the attendance was a tribute to their hard work and the event; one of which they should be very proud of.

Casino Village

I congratulate Mayor Col Sullivan and the Richmond Valley Council on the announcement of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) Casino Village to be developed on part of the Casino Airport land. This is a major achievement for Casino and virtually will bolster the economy immediately. The Village will now create another national focal point on Casino. Members of the Motorhome Association now will have somewhere to call home and what better town could they have selected. Once the village is developed it will encompass all the elements of the finest parks both here and overseas, offering a range of sites that include a section where members can `retire' from the road. This will have an ongoing benefit to Casino and the surrounding areas providing further financial benefits with a flow on effect to benefit the whole community.

Police Accountability Community Teams (PACT)

Following a delegation that I took recently to meet with Police Minister, Michael Costa, the Richmond Local Area Command has now been selected as the only country/regional command in NSW to conduct this pilot program. I have now had the pleasure of attending the inaugural meetings to establish PACT in Casino/Kyogle and Lismore. Any concerns relating to policing in the area will also now be referred to this Committee as well as the normal process.

$36, 250 from Area Assistance Scheme

The following organisations have been successful in gaining funding through the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning;
 

$5,000
$9,250
$6,000
$10,000
$6,000

 

Hanging Rock Community Inc
Northern Rivers Community Transport
North Coast Children's Home Inc
Casino High School P & C Assoc.
Jiggi School of Arts Inc

Richmond Regional Vegetation Management Plan

A two-day meeting was held to consider the community feedback to the plan after public consultation. Several landholder observers attended the meeting with other representatives. The result of the meeting was positive and after considerable strong debate, most of the community concerns were addressed and a compromise position has been achieved mostly by consensus. At present a socio-economic report is being conducted before finalising the plan.

Community Development Grants

The Community Relations Commission for a multicultural NSW is inviting applications for funding. The aim of the program is to encourage the participation of people from culturally diverse communities in all aspects of life in NSW. Projects will be funded on a competitive basis to not-for-profit community organizations. Applications forms are available from my office or www.crc.nsw.gov.au and close 26 July 2002.

Sports - Capital Assistance Grants

Once again the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) is calling for applications for capital assistance grants. Applications must be lodged with the local office of the DSR. The grants are on a 50:50 basis to assist with the development of local community sporting and recreational facilities. Application forms are available from my Electorate Office; or by visiting the Department's website at www.dsr.nsw.gov.au. The closing date is 10 July 2002.

Trustee Members wanted

Applications are being invited from persons interested in being considered for appointment as a member of the Trust Board to manage the affairs of the Bentley Public Hall Reserve Trust. Applications should be lodged before 11 June 2002 with the Land Access Unit of the Department of Land & Water Conservation, for further information contact Ph 6640 2061 or my office.