Lower Clarence Valley as seen from space orbit

 

NASA, Gateway toAstronaut Photography of Earth, retrieved 27 October 2023:

WOOLOWEYAH LAGOON, CLARENCE RIVER, SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN, YAMBA, SHOAL BAY

Australia, New South Wales

Click on image to enlarge and for additional clarity

International Space Station ISS

Crew Earth Observations

Spacecraft nadir point (location): 29.3° S, 151.6° E

Photo center point: 29.5° S, 153.3° E

Spacecraft Altitude: 224 nautical miles (415km)

Camera: Nikon D5 Electronic Still Camera

2019:04:06 at 22:50:27 GMT

CATALOGED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO

A lesson in what not to do in Clarence Coast waters

Wooli Bar, Clarence Coast, Northern NSW
IMAGE: svbrahminy 2016

Coastal bars are shallow, shifting sandbanks at the entrance to rivers and coastal estuaries. There are at least nine coastal bars from Wooli to the NSW-Qld border.

Appearances are often deceptive when looking at a bar from the shoreline. Crossing bars can be a dangerous business that will in the blink of an eye turn a planned day's fishing into planning for a funeral.

"Crossing coastal bars can be very dangerous. Channels through the bars can change frequently. Waves can change quickly with the tide and weather. Even in apparently calm conditions, vessels can be swamped, damaged or wrecked, which can result in death." 

This story fortunately had a happy ending..... 

Clarence Valley Independent, 24 August 2022:

Two fishermen, a father and his teenage son, are lucky to be alive after their five-metre runabout overturned on the Wooli River bar on the weekend.

Two runabouts were observed by Marine Rescue Wooli Radio Watch Officer Jackie Taffs attempting to cross the Wooli River bar at around 6:20 on Saturday morning.

The first runabout had to contend with five sets of breaking waves of up to 2.5 metres, becoming near vertical on a few occasions, before making it to deeper water. The second vessel was not so fortunate, overturning and spilling its two crew members into the sea just past the breakwater.

The team at Marine Rescue Wooli instantly swung into action, with Deputy Unit Commander Richard Taffs who was also on duty, running down to the nearby bar with a handheld radio to keep a close watch on the position of the two fishermen so as to guide rescuers, while a rescue crew was quickly assembled for rescue vessel Wooli 30.

Fortunately, the crew of the overturned vessel were wearing lifejackets, and were soon swept into the surf zone and onto the nearby Wooli Beach, where members of Marine Rescue Wooli collected them, returning them to the base for a first aid assessment, dry clothes and a hot drink ahead of the arrival of an ambulance and a more thorough medical examination before they were interviewed by NSW Police.....

The dos and don't of crossing coastal bars in New South Wales can be found at:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/using-waterways/waterways-and-designated-areas/navigating-coastal-bars/crossing-coastal-bars

Showers over Easter but thankfully no big rain dumps to spoil the Northern Rivers long weekend

Well La Niña may be over this time around and the Clarence River and tributaries may have fallen to pre-flood levels, but the rain has not quite gone away.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting the likelihood of showers every day for Grafton and Yamba up to at least 6 April 2021.

This applies to the Northern Rivers generally - so a slightly damp Easter long weekend is on the cards.

Currently the waves along the Clarence Coast are running at 1- 2ft+ off a SSE  breeze, but are expected to pick up for the long weekend. So hopefully the surfers will enjoy their Easter break.

Autumn in north-east NSW is likely to be wetter and warmer than usual - so mosquitoes may continue to be a nuisance and a health risk for the next 2-3 months

IMAGE: ABC News 28 March 2019

Rain was a constant feature in coastal north-east NSW last month.

Up to 27 February 2021 Yamba had recorded 242.2mm, Evans Head 296.8mm, Ballina 329.2mm, Cape Byron 247.4mm and Murwillumbah 299.4mm.

Autumn which begins on today, 1 March, is expected to bring more rain through to May.

Australian Bureau of Meteorology, 25 February 2021:

Autumn is likely to be wetter than average across Arnhem Land in the NT, southern and eastern Queensland, most of NSW, eastern SA, and eastern Tasmania. Chances greater than 70% are generally confined to small pockets of southern Queensland and north-east NSW.

Along with the rain Autumn is likely to be warm, with north-east NSW having a 60-70 per cent chance of exceeding median maximum and minimum temperatures.

This combination of a wetter and warmer March (beginning with median maximum temperatures on the coast from Clarence to the Tweed expected to be between 27-28 degrees Celsius) will likely see mosquitos remain active in our region, so locals need to remember to apply mosquito repellent when outdoors even though Summer has ended.

The incidence of aboroviral diseases, and Ross River Fever in particular, have been increasing since 2020.

ABC News, excerpt, 16 February 2021:

NSW Health says symptoms of Ross River infection include fever, rash and joint pains, and that prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites.

"The majority of people recover completely in a few weeks. Others may experience symptoms such as joint pain and tiredness for many months."

Official figures show many regions experienced their worst year on record for the virus.

There were more than 640 cases in the Hunter-New England Local Health District, its highest number in the past 30 years.

About 400 cases were identified in the northern and mid north coast regions — the 30-year average for the Northern NSW Health District is 135 cases a year.

Cameron Webb, a researcher for NSW Health Pathology, said mosquito numbers exploded after heavy rain in February 2020.

"But it's incredibly difficult to predict ... even though you do get more cases of the disease when there are more mosquitoes about, it's a bit more complicated than that," Dr Webb said.

"Because mosquitoes don't hatch out of the wetland already infected with the virus, they have to bite native animals and those animals are typically kangaroos and wallabies.

"You will be at greater risk ... when you are outside some of the main urban areas, particularly when you are in that interface between the wetlands and areas where there is a lot of wildlife."

Council campaign

Councils on the far north coast, one of the worst-affected areas, recently launched the Tackling Mosquitoes Together campaign.

It was developed to raise awareness about risk factors, especially trouble spots around the home.

The Tweed Council's environmental health officer, Kelly Piazza, said mosquitoes would breed wherever there was still water.

"Anywhere and everywhere, and they will take any opportunity," she said.

"So anywhere the water can sit and be stagnant, that's where you're going to find that mosquitoes will come and lay their eggs."…...

Tackling Mosquitoes Together campaign runs through to end of April 2021. Details at https://www.tacklingmosquitoestogether.com.au/

Join our SMS program for helpful tips and reminders to protect yourself, your family and community from the disease risks and nuisance of mosquitoes.

Fewer people using Clarence Coast beaches in the wake of bushfires and COVID-19 travel restrictions

Clarence Valley Independent, 10 July 2020:

Bushfires and the COVID-19 lockdown have caused a 33% decline in visitors using Clarence Valley beaches. 

This significant decrease is consistent with other areas of New South Wales and is a result of severe bushfires in the spring and summer months affecting both tourist and local attendance which was then followed by COVID-19 travel restrictions and limitations on public gatherings. General manager, Ashley Lindsay explained, 

“Australian Lifeguard Service figures show that during the 2019/20 season there was a total of 119,034 visitors to Clarence Valley beaches this was a decrease of 60,838 compared with the previous season.” .....

During this lifeguard season there have been 14 rescues and 8758 preventative actions which demonstrates the importance of the service,” he said. 

Patrolled beaches include Bluff Beach (Iluka), Turners Beach, Main Beach and Pippi Beach in Yamba, as well as beaches in Brooms Head, Minnie Water and Wooli. In addition, a drone service has continued at Yamba providing critical data for the Department of Primary Industries regarding marine activity and surf conditions.

However, up and down the coast while bathers may be fewer in number surfers are still enjoying the waves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sadly, just before 2.30pm on Saturday 11 July 2020, a young surfer was repeatedly attacked by what was believed to be a large white pointer shark at Wilsons Headland, Wooli Beach. Although his friends and other surfers pulled him from the water, the local boy died on the beach.

Clarence Valley Council, 12 July 20202:

A Sad Loss for Our Community 

JOINT STATEMENT FROM CR JIM SIMMONS AND GENERAL MANAGER ASHLEY LINDSAY REGARDING THE TRAGIC DEATH OF MANI HART-DEVILLE 

We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of this young man, Mani Hart-Deville. 

Minnie Water is a small close-knit village and the communities of Minnie Water and Wooli will be hurting. 

Those that came to Mani’s aid were local surfers who witnessed the attack and friends from the local community, with experienced lifesavers responding as well. We believe one was a life member of Yamba Surf Life Saving Club. 

Mani attended school at South Grafton High, so the impact of this tragic event will reach across the Clarence Valley. 

We will be doing all we can to support the community through the shock and grief. The beach was not patrolled at this time of year, but it and all beaches in the Clarence Valley Council area from Iluka to Wooli have been closed and attempts will be made, by the Surf Life Saving Service, to locate the shark over the coming days. 

On behalf of council we wish to express our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the community.

STATEMENT ENDS.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clarence Valley Council closes beach carparks until April 27 2020

Clarence Valley Council: 

The following beach car parks will be closed from Thursday 9 April until Monday 27 April: 

Turners Beach, 
Yamba and Breakwall (excl. for Farmers Markets) 
Main Beach, 
Yamba Pippi Beach, 
Yamba Blue Pools, 
Angourie Spookys Beach, 
Angourie Main Beach, Iluka (excl. the breakwall carpark) 
South Terrace, 
Wooli (near the Volunteer Rescue Service) 
Minnie Water Foreshore Reserve north of the surf club 
Brooms Head Foreshore reserve near the hall.

The Daily Examiner, 9 April 2020, p.5:

In an effort to stop tourists and local from congregating at Clarence beaches, Clarence Valley Council from today will close nine beach carparks until April 27. 

“NSW Government Health orders are crystal clear around social distancing and gatherings. Our beaches are only open to local residents for exercise and fishing and that’s only OK subject to people complying with social distancing requirements,” council general manager Ashley Lindsay said. 

“Once people finish their exercise they should return home immediately. We don’t want a repeat of what happened on Gold Coast beaches. 

“No holiday-makers should be coming here at this time. 

“Digital signage close to Yamba advising that beach carparks are closed will also be activated to deter visitors from using our beaches. 

“We all need to follow these rules to save the lives of the people we love. Everyone knows someone whose health is compromised. Healthy younger people can get very sick too.” Northern NSW Local Health District chief executive Wayne Jones is urging people who would have ordinarily been travelling to Northern NSW over the break to reconsider their plans, and steer clear. 

“For every person who doesn’t come to our region, it makes it easier for us to manage our own physical distancing needs here in Northern NSW,” Mr Jones said. 

“If travellers stay away, it means there is less chance of new cases being brought into our region.

Clarence Valley NSW has recorded its highest tourist numbers ever

Clarence Valley Council, media release, 9 July 2019: 

Record tourism numbers in the Clarence 

THE Clarence Valley has recorded its highest tourist numbers in history, with an estimated 1.3 million visitors coming to the region during 2018. 

Tourism Research Australia figures show a 22% increase in international, domestic and day visitors from 2017 to 2018, continuing an impressive increase over the past three years. 

Clarence Valley Council destination management officer, Lou Gumb, said the word was getting out that the Clarence Valley region boasted some of the finest scenery, adventure and nature-based experiences that Australia had to offer. 

“The Clarence Valley offers a diverse array of quality and unique offerings,” she said. 

Key Clarence Valley tourism results for 2018 are: 

 Domestically, we welcomed 680,000 overnight visitors who stayed 2,355,037 nights. 

 Internationally, the Clarence Valley received 27,000 visitors who stayed 157,830 nights. 

 Day visitors to the Clarence Valley totalled 600,000. Council’s economic development manager, Elizabeth Fairweather, said Tourism Research Australia’s figures showed a big turn around after a steady decline in tourism numbers over the past 10 years. 

“We hit the lowest point in 2014 when 857,000 visitors were recorded as coming to the area,” she said.  

“But here we are at the end of 2018 with a whopping 52 per cent increase on this in a relatively short space of time. 

“The graph line is now on a fast incline but this hasn’t happened by accident. We’ve worked incredibly hard to create awareness of the Clarence Valley, support the local industry, encourage nature-based sporting events and overall enhance the region’s nature-based experiences, targeting active families.” 

Ms Gumb said there had been a multifaceted approach that included working with the local tourism industry, government bodies including Destination NSW and Tourism Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Crown Lands and the Forestry Corporation. 

“We are working to attract visitors and to create an atmosphere that encourages people to stay longer, spend more and return year after year because they have had such a wonderful time in our very special part of the world,” she said.  

“You only have to look at our @myclarencevalley on social media to see how many people have already fallen in love with the area and can’t wait to come back. Even those who have not yet visited the Clarence Valley are fast realising the Clarence Valley should be on their to-do list.” 

Mayor Jim Simmons said the impressive numbers were charging the region’s economy, generating jobs and driving investment in local communities as tourists chose to visit the Clarence Valley. 

“The results speak to the broad appeal of the Clarence Valley region,” he said. 

“We really do have something for everyone, with our renowned Clarence canoe and kayak trail, Grafton Jacaranda season, Yuraygir coastal walk, tourist towns including Yamba, Iluka, Brooms Head, Wooli and Ulmarra.  

“Visitors are coming for our beaches and rivers, bush adventures, laid-back lifestyle, world-class food, events and just to kick back and relax if that’s all they want to do.” 

Want to know more about visiting the Clarence Valley? Head to www.myclarencevalley.com 

Release ends

Patagonia Australia held a "Never Town" conservation activism event at Yamba in May 2018

On Friday 18 May 2018 Patagonia Australia held a “Never Town” film showing and information night on environmental and conservation issues affecting the Clarence Coast.

Part surf film, part conservation film, Never Town takes a journey along some wild coastlines and talks with the people fighting to keep them wild. Filmed along the Southern Ocean coasts of Australia, it’s an exploration of what these places mean to surfers… and what surfers are willing to do to save them. Featuring Dave Rastovich, Wayne Lynch, Dan Ross, Belinda Baggs and Heath Joske.

NEVER TOWN TRAILER from Patagonia Australia on Vimeo.

The evening started with live music and a slide show against the sides of the water tower on Pilot Hill overlooking the Clarence River mouth and ocean at Yamba.

The good-sized crowd that gathered reflected the make-up of the Lower Clarence - retirees, young adults, families with children, along with local business owners and surfing enthusiasts. At least one Clarence Valley councillor was there.

Welcome to country was given by “Fox” Laurie accompanied by DJ Eamens on the didgeridoo.

Judith Melville spoke on some of the issues surrounding the state government’s proposal to designate Port of Yamba-Clarence River an official cruise ship destination and possibly build an international cruise ship terminal.

Dianne Chapman from the Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation spoke of the Yaegl community’s connection to country and commitment to protect Clarence Valley land and waters.

After the film ended a Valley Watch Inc. petition was sent round the audience with this wording:

“We, the undersigned, respectfully call on the Premier of NSW, Gladys Berejiklian, Minister Melinda Pavey (Roads, Maritime and Freight) and Minister Andrew Constance (Transport and Infrastructure) to reject any proposals to allow cruise ships to enter the Port of Yamba or Clarence River estuary.

The Clarence River estuary is an integral part of a valuable Clarence Valley tourism sector which contributes over $300 million to the Clarence Valley’s annual income and employs more than 2000 people. To put that at risk for the dubious benefit to be derived from a brief morning visit is unacceptable, given the threats that a 4,000 tonne, 90 metre long cruise ship pose to the estuary, the fishing industry and Yamba/Iluka’s reputation as a clean, green holiday destination, and to the Dirrangun Reef, which is protected under the Native Title Act (1993).”

Anyone wishing to sign this petition can call in at the Valley Watch booth at Yamba River Markets held on the fourth Sunday of every month at Ford Park next to the ferry jetty. 

The next three market days are Sunday 27 May, 24 June and 22 July 2018.

Not for the first time the insurance industry sounds alarm over climate change impacts

COASTAL RISK AUSTRALIA 2100: Clarence River NSW,

 expected Highest Tide Flooding in 2100 at +0.54m.
High Tide flood extent (dark blue) and medium sea level rise scenario for 2100 (light blue)

Common Dreams, 29 August 2016:

Warning that climate change amounts to the "mother of all risks," three of the world's biggest insurance companies this week are demanding that G20 countries stop bankrolling the fossil fuels industry.

Multi-national insurance giants Aviva, Aegon, and Amlin, which together manage $1.2tn in assets, released a statement Tuesday calling on the leaders of the world's biggest economies to commit to ending coal, oil, and gas subsidies within four years.

"Climate change in particular represents the mother of all risks—to business and to society as a whole. And that risk is magnified by the way in which fossil fuel subsidies distort the energy market," said Aviva CEO Mark Wilson. "These subsidies are simply unsustainable."

According to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), fossil fuel companies receive an estimated $5.3tn a year in global subsidies—a figure that included, as the IMF put it, the "real costs" associated with damage to the environment and human health that are foisted on populations but not paid by polluters.

Tuesday's declaration is being issued as leaders prepare to convene for the 11th G20 summit, which is being held in Hangzhou, China on September 4-5 under the theme: "Toward an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected, and Inclusive World Economy."

"We're calling on governments to kick away these carbon crutches, reveal the true impact to society of fossil fuels and take into account the price we will pay in the future for relying on them," Wilson added.

Indeed, insurance companies are increasingly shouldering many of the costs associated with a warming planet, whether it be from extreme weather damage or reimbursing farmers for lost crops.

In the first half of 2016 alone, natural catastrophes have caused $70bn in losses, of which $27bn was insured, according to an assessment by insurance and reinsurance company Munich RE—with events of particular note being climate-related "storms in the U.S. and Europe, massive forest fires in Canada, and the complete absence of typhoons in the northwestern Pacific."

And housing data firm Zillow recently published an analysis which found that as many as 1.9 million homes across the country could be underwater by 2100 if the seas rise as much as climate scientists predict, amounting to property losses in the hundreds of billions of dollars……

West Yamba: Expected Highest Tide Flooding in 2100 at +0.74m. Image courtesy of John Edwards.
High Tide flood extent (dark blue) and high sea level rise scenario for 2100 (light blue)

Desmond John Euen is still hunting the Snark*

Never let it be said that Desmond John Euen’s self-aggrandisement is not a hardy plant.

A reader of this blog alerted me to the fact that there was yet another slide show posted on the Internet by Queensland’s former truck driver and wannabee infrastructure entrepreneur who would like to see the small coastal towns of the Lower Clarence River turned into residential precincts for a large container and coal loading port of impossible dimensions.

His latest effort includes this intriguing statement for which I can find no supporting evidence:

Snapshot from Y.P.R Aust-Asia Global Economic Transport Corridor

Mr. Euen’s enduring presence on the Internet in chronological order:

2015 http://www.ypraust.com.au (website for Mr.Euen’s incorporated entity Y.P.R. (AUST) PTY LTD registered in March 2014, in which he is sole director and secretary with all its shares owned by him through his first $1-1 share company AUSTRALIAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS PTY LTD in which in turn he appears to be the only director, shareholder and company secretary)

14 January 2015 http://www.slideshare.net/DesEuen1/the-new-transport-era-yamba-port-rail (slide show)

22 December 2014 http://www.slideshare.net/DesEuen1/the-new-economy-yamba-port-rail (slide show)

14 December 2014 http://www.slideshare.net/DesEuen1/des-euen-d-bendall-2?related=1 (an undated and unsigned letter purporting to support Mr. Euen)

25 November 2013 http://www.slideshare.net/informaoz/michael-sutton-paper (anonymous document alleged to be a presentation at two-day Regional Ports Conference in 2013)

* The Snark is an absurd creature in a nonsense poem by Lewis Carroll published on April Fool’s Day 1876.

Anchor Resources expands its exploration footprint further into Clarence River Catchment

Chinese-owned Anchor Resources Limited has lodged a further mining exploration application ELA 4731 which will extends its proposed gold/antimony mining projects further into the Nymboida River sub-catchment of the larger Clarence River Catchment.

The Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour  local government areas primarily draw the drinking water for an estimated 120,000 people from the Nymboida River system.

ELA 4731 sits above and below EL 6465 – Anchor Resources’ Blicks Project which is targeting gold, copper and molybdenum.

We saw whales! versus Don't trash my home! The two faces of regional tourism

 

The Daily Examiner publishes a letter from another satisfied holidaymaker on 25 October 2012:

 

Good stuff, council

I just spent a delightful week in Yamba.
Can you imagine my surprise when I picnicked in Ager Park on a beautiful sunny day and the view from my picnic spot was wonderful?
Twelve months ago when I was here on my annual holiday, all I could see in Ager Park were weeds (bitou bush) and trees.
I did not know the view was so spectacular.
We saw whales.
I asked a local who had cleared this bush and I was told Clarence Valley Council.
I would just like to congratulate the Clarence Valley Council on the wonderful job; and you haven't allowed the environmental propaganda to block your view.
Three cheers to Clarence Valley Council and see you next year.

Terry Mortimer
Wagga Wagga

PS My daughter said that from Ager Park she saw a black-tailed wallaby in the Pippi Beach sandhills.

The next day the same newspaper published this:

River vandals

We have run a cattle property on an upper tributary of the Clarence River for five generations. The river habitat up here is healthy and supports a rich biodiversity, which we value greatly.
People camp illegally by the river on a TSR (Travelling Stock Reserve) that is leased by our family and although we often clean up rubbish left by campers, most camp responsibly, leaving little or no trace of their visit.
Last weekend, however, a large group came and left the place looking like a war zone. Large amounts of rubbish, including cans and broken beer bottles, were strewn everywhere. Along with disposable nappies, piles of uncovered human faeces, soiled toilet paper and fishing lure packets (despite the river currently being closed to fishing).
Worse still, areas of pasture were destroyed by reckless vehicle activity and several beautiful old bottlebrush trees were chopped down. Cleaning up the filth yesterday, I wondered, why try to make the place look good again if it's only going to encourage more people to come and trash it. I can't understand how these campers thought it was okay to treat part of the Clarence Valley with such disrespect and leave it in such an awful state.

Clinton Killen
Cangai

 

Yamba residents have until 14 September 2012 to tell Clarence Valley Council that it needs to find somewhere other than Main Beach to dump its additional stormwater

Clarence Valley Council is considering routing surface run-off and storm water from at least ten private properties on Pilot Hill at Yamba onto one of the town’s principal tourist attractions, Main Beach.

Concerned residents have until 14 September 2012 to tell Clarence Valley Council what they think of this idea.

I’m sure no-one wishes the owners of these properties to continue living with the existing level of land slippage risk, but many would not see polluting the beach below as being an acceptable solution to the problem.

Attachment 13.081/12 outlining the stormwater options.

Minutes - Ordinary Council Meeting - 26 June 2012

According to Clarence Valley Council:

The draft Plan recommends Option 4. (Refer Item 13.081/12 from Civil & Corporate June meeting.)

The consultant and Council staff recently met with eight residents to present the draft Plan. It is recommended that the document now be placed on public exhibition for two months and submissions called for during that period. All affected landowners will be individually advised and discussions will be held with representative of the Crown Land Division as owners of the crown reserve.

Following the exhibition the draft Plan will be brought back to Council to determine the preferred course of action and timetable/costing aspects of that option.

The plan is now on public exhibition until 4.00pm, Friday 14 September 2012

To view plan visit Council's offices at 2 Prince Street, Grafton or 50 River Street, Maclean or download a copy below.

Make a submission in writing addressed to:

The General Manager
Clarence Valley Council
Locked Bag 23
Grafton NSW 2460

or

Email: council@clarence.nsw.gov.au

Clearly marked: Submission - Yamba Coastline Management Plan.

Further details can be obtained from Cassandra Hewat on 6645 0205 or via email cassandra.hewat@clarence.nsw.gov.au.

Are Clarence Coast homeowners becoming too greedy?

National Australia Bank (NAB) Quarterly Australian Residential Property Survey: June 2012:
"According to the survey, national house prices fell -2% in the June quarter, from -1.3% in Q1’12, with all states reporting price falls in the 3 months to June.
House price declines were most pronounced in Victoria, down -2.9% (-1.8% in Q1’12). Heavier falls were also seen in NSW (-2.3%), compared with -0.4% fall in Q1’12. Capital values held up best in WA, although they also fell -0.6% (-0.1% in Q1’12). Marginally slower price declines were recorded in Queensland (-1.7%) and SA/NT (-1.6%).
The housing sector is expected to remain under pressure in the next year, with property professionals expecting national prices to fall by -0.7% (-0.2% forecast in Q1’12). There is, however, wide variance between the states.
Prices are expected to continue falling in Victoria (-2.1%), NSW (-1.5%) and SA/NT (-0.5%), but grow in WA (1.6%) and Queensland (0.5%)."
ANZ Research is slightly more optimistic; "prices, capital values and property market confidence in NSW should edge gradually higher through the second half of 2012 in the absence of further deterioration in the global economy."
These reports might explain why First National Real Estate Yamba in its July 2012 property update flyer is stating “some vendors pricing does not reflect the current market” as contributing to the fact that only forty-five homes have been recorded as sold in Yamba in the last six months.
Apparently many of those million dollar plus waterfront ‘mansions’ are only worth a million dollars plus in the eyes of their owners at the moment. Which might explain why they have been very publicly languishing in online property listings representing around three hundred and twenty Yamba properties currently for sale.

The Great Angourie Croc Hunt of 1940

There was a time when the Lower Clarence thought it had its own crocodile, according to The Courier-Mail on  5 January 1940.

Click on image to enlarge

Roads and Ports Minister Duncan Gay demonstrates just how out of touch he is with regional NSW

The Clarence Valley Review on 28 March 2012:

Click on image to enlarge

More New England madness.........

From A Clarence Valley Protest on 27 March 2012:

Those New England vandals have reared their heads again

Goodwood Island in the Clarence River estuary
Click on Google Earth image to enlarge

Former President of the New South Wales Farmers Association, member of  the federal Ministerial Advisory Council on Regional Australia, current Inverell Shire Mayor and Chair of Regional Development Australia: Northern Inland NSW  Mal Peters, along with fellow RDANI committee members Les Parsons, Heather Ranclaud, Neil Argent, Scott McLachlan, Ray Tait, Matt Patterson, Jane Kreis, Melanie Dowell, Sue Price, Ian Lobsey, and Anita Taylor (in company with Inverell councillor David C. Jones) have turned their greedy eyes towards the Clarence Valley.

With a view to wrecking not only the Clarence River below Harwood Bridge, but a good part of the Valley as well.

It seems these individuals are promoting the idea of creating a Moree to Iluka-Yamba rail line running into a bulk shipping/coal terminal probably situated on Goodwood Island after deep water dredging a channel from the river mouth and, in 2010-11 formed plans to ask for an estimated $1 million to conduct a feasibility study.

Mayor Peters apparently lobbied for this idea at the inaugural meeting of the Regional Australia Advisory Council in Melbourne in mid-2011.

However, Clarence Valley residents only became widely aware of this scheme when The Daily Examiner published an article on 5 March 2012, along with this diagram:

Click on image to enlarge

As has come to be expected from industry groups and local government over the Great Dividing Range, there is little to no consideration of the environmental, cultural, economic and social costs this scheme would impose on coastal communities.

The photograph below shows the infrastructure of one typical Australian coal terminal.

Unfortunately this is exactly the type of crudely executed vandalism which would appeal to the develop to death, mining at any cost heart of the new NSW Nationals Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis.
__________________________

See A very shortsighted view
__________________________

Where should Clarence Valley tourism funding go?

One Lower Clarence ratepayer objects to Clarence Valley Council's attempts to reposition Grafton as a tourist hub - a ‘River City’ destination.

Clarence Valley Review, 1 February 2012
Click on image to enlarge