The sites are RSM Park, Dan Phelan Park, Sunnyside Park, Melaleuca Park and Russell Park. At the ordinary meeting this week, councillors voted to start the statutory process to reclassify these parks. This will involve community consultation. In his report on the issue, the council s manager of property and economic projects, Mike Perkins, said the council managed about 351ha of green space, including sporting fields, parks, playgrounds, streetscapes and environmental reserves. The expense associated with the maintenance of these areas is a significant cost for council, he wrote. There is high demand for residential land in Casino and an opportunity to use any funds from sale of surplus community land to invest in upgrading facilities that have high community usage.
Agency engagement was completed with several changes being made to the Planning Proposal, including the addition of an area of Zone E2 Environmental Conservation, he wrote in his report. As a result, there are no outstanding policy inconsistencies or objections for agencies which would prevent the LEP Amendment from proceeding. During a public exhibition period late last year, five submissions were received. These relate to road and water issues. While the submissions were not opposed to the proposal, they raised a number of valid issues which will be required to be addressed in detail at the development application phase of the project, Mr McAteer wrote.
The abattoir currently supplies about 20 tonnes of retail ready product every week. Once the new facility is ready, they will be able to supply 100 tonnes per week. It will also create at least 20 new jobs while supporting the ongoing employment of 800 meatworks staff and local contractors and suppliers. Richmond Valley councillors voted on the plans at this week s council meeting. The Casino meatworks new $5 million retail facility will help deliver more local products to Coles, Woolworths and Aldi. Mayor Robert Mustow said being able to value-add to the products coming out of the meatworks was a positive move. It will make the business more sustainable and profitable, he said.
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Subscriber only Richmond Valley Council is calling on Rous County Council to continue investigations into the proposed Dunoon Dam. At last night s meeting, Richmond Valley councillors voted unanimously to write to Rous outlining their concerns about recent changes to the Future Water Project 2060, notably the removal of the proposed dam from the strategy. Mayor Robert Mustow said people needed time to think about the consequences of that decision. Rous supplies bulk water to the Mid Richmond towns and villages of Broadwater, Rileys Hill, Evans Head, Coraki and Woodburn. Our council relies on this supply for our community and to support continued growth in the Northern Rivers region, Cr Mustow said.
We know that in dry times the water stops running, she said. I am concerned that if enough stress is placed on the Alstonville aquifer, it will collapse. In the councils involved, there is little to none understanding of the magnitude of this issue. Before the vote was completed, Cr Cadwallader said she will present another rescission motion for the next Rous County Council meeting. Cr Mustow called on his fellow councillors to support the motion. I think it s premature and short sighted to dispose of this land, he said. We need to be thinking strategically for the future, not for 10 years, but from until 2060.