"Clarence Valley Independent" both a victim and another manifestation of the cost-of-living squeeze

 

Greysen Enterprises Pty Ltd and its shareholders, John Warden, Anne Mazzitelli and Melissa Lutton, have decided that the Clarence Valley Independent - published in print and online as a weekly issue - is no longer a free community newspaper.

Over the years the level of journalism has dwindled somewhat in the newspaper and content has been frequently drawn from media releases and also copy supplied by local individuals & special interest groups - with the occasional advertorial thrown into the mix.

However, because of its community-focused articles it remains part of the staple news diet of the Lower Clarence Valley and has been since its inception in 1994 as the Lower Clarence Review.

This local paper will now cost $2 a copy commencing May 2024.

Clarence Valley Independent, 17 April 2024:

More about the changes at the “Independent”

After almost 30 years a ‘free’ newspaper, increasing production, print and transport costs mean the business models of the Clarence Valley Independent can no long absorb the cost of “giving away” the local weekly newspaper.

As of the beginning of May there will be a nominal charge of $2 on the regular Wednesday edition.

We are trying to ensure the outlets at which readers have been able to obtain their copy of the CV Independent are all still available.

Once established under the new pricing structure, a home delivery service will also become available in selected areas; more on this next week.

After the introduction of the paid newspaper, readers will also see changes to the papers format, with more pages and features.

The one thing which will not change is the community contributed aspect of the paper, with all our regular contributors invited to continue their association with the CV Independent. Our deadlines remain unchanged, and we love your contributions and being able to inform the Clarence community of your club or group. In fact, an increase in size of the newspaper should mean more available room for additional contributors.

If you are not already using the pages of the CV Independent, you can email your report to news@cvnews.com.au by 10am each Monday and this is a free community service.

Clarence Valley Council is now publishing its Schedule of Works each week to better inform residents and ratepayers about general maintenance and flood damage repairs to bridges, roads and pedestrian thoroughfares

The Northern Rivers' floods of February-March 2022 left behind a mountain of debris, damaged bridges, roads and water & mud ravaged homes. 

The Clarence Valley was not immune and, like the rest of the Northern Rivers, it has been experiencing intermittent flooding ever since.

To keep residents and ratepayers abreast of the lengthy Schedule of Works produced by the continuing adverse weather, Clarence Valley Council is posting the coming week's schedule every Friday via its Noticeboard E-News.

To receive these weekly updates on bridge construction & maintenance, grading underway or finished and capital roadworks, quick and easy registration can be completed at:

https://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/Connect-with-us. 

The Schedule of Works will also be published each week in the Clarence Valley Independent newspaper which is available in print and online.