This blog is open to any who wish to comment on Australian society, the state of the environment or political shenanigans at Federal, State and Local Government level.
Showing posts with label NSW North Coast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NSW North Coast. Show all posts
By 30 October 2023 NSW Dept. of Primary Industries' Combined Drought Indicator mapping showed that drought was intensifying along the North Coast of the state, from Port Macquarie-Hastings up to the NSW-Qld border.
An
est. 42.8% of the region is experiencing intense drought; with another est. 41.6%
in drought; and 15.5% considered drought affected.
As of the end of October, the North Coast region was the most affected by the growing drought conditions. State-wide
almost half the land area is yet to experience drought. With only
est. 3.2% of the total land area listed as in intense drought;
est. 13.8% in drought; est. 33.8% drought affected; and the
remaining 49.2% unaffected by drought conditions.
Recent drought history from January 2017 to October 2023 of three Clarence Valley parishes which include major population centres.
Clarence
Valley community urged to reduce water use
A
combination of low rainfall and high consumption has put Clarence
Valley on the brink of water restrictions.
Due
to low flow conditions in the Nymboida River, Clarence Valley's water
supply is currently being sourced from Shannon Creek Dam.
Clarence
Valley Council has Permanent Water Conservation Measures in place.
However, dry conditions are predicted to continue and current
projections indicate water restrictions are likely in the near
future.
Several
neighbouring councils have already implemented water restrictions
including Bellingen Shire and parts of Tweed Shire, while Rous County
Council, which services Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley,
anticipates Level One water restrictions will be activated before
Christmas.
"It
is now an important time for the community to make a concerted effort
to adhere to the permanent water conservation measures in order to
delay the introduction of water restrictions," CVC Manager
Water/Sewer Operations Andrew Potter said.
"Water
consumption across the Clarence Valley has steadily risen in recent
weeks, including several days above capacity."
The
Rushforth Road Water Treatment Plant (RRWTP) has maximum capacity to
provide 22 megalitres per day. Average daily consumption
(22.39ML/day) exceeded 22ML for the first time in the week ending
Sunday 22 October, when consumption peaked at 28.01ML.
There
have been another ten days of more than 22ML being pumped out of
RRWTP since 21 September, when temperatures reached 37 degrees for
the first time heading into the warmer months.
"Generally
warmer weather correlates with higher water consumption," Mr
Potter said.
"We
understand people are keen to keep their lawns and gardens alive.
However, we urge people to consider ways they can reduce their
usage….
Measles
was officially
declared
eliminated from Australia in March 2014, which
means that outbreaks in Australia
now
start with a single non-immune individual contracting infection while
overseas and coming/returning to Australia.
[National
Centre for Immunisation, Research and Surveillance,
Fact Sheet, 2019]
After
a two and a half
year respite Measlespopped
up
on the public health radar in New South Wales again in
February, March,
April and July
2023.
With
a
low number infections
being identified on incoming international flights up
to
late July 2023 and
one case with no identified source.
The
latest instances
triggering
limited
period alerts
for
Rose Bay, Randwick, Minnie Waters, Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga.
Those
most likely to be susceptible to measles are infants under 12 months
of age who are too young to be vaccinated, anyone who is not fully
vaccinated against the disease, which may include some adults, and
people with a weakened immune system.[NSW
Health,
21 July 2023]
The
Mid North Coast and Northern NSW Local Health Districts are urging
people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles and to get
vaccinated if not up to date, following the notification of a case in
the region.
It
is likely the case acquired their infection whilst travelling in
Bali, where a high number of cases have occurred in recent months.
The case visited several locations in NSW while infectious, and
contact tracing of potential high risk persons is underway.
Dr
Valerie Delpech, Acting Director, Northern NSW Population and Public
Health Directorate, said anyone
who
was in the same locations as the cases should be alert for signs and
symptoms of measles until 18 August, and check their vaccination
status.
People
may have been exposed to the case in the following locations:
•
Coffs
Harbour University football field, AFL North Coast under 10
competition – on Sunday 30 July between 9am-10am
•
Woolgoolga
AFL sports field, AFL North Coast under 12 competition – on Sunday
30 July between 11am-12pm
•
Hazard
reduction burn, Minnie Water Road, Minnie Water – on Monday 31 July
8.30am-5.30pm
These
locations do not pose an ongoing risk to people…..
Aboriginal
artworks have been installed at nine overpass bridges spanning four
lanes on the new Pacific Motorway between Woolgoolga and Ballina on
the north coast of New South Wales.
The
new artworks along the Woolgoolga to Ballina Aboriginal Art Trail
depict the creation stories and ancient travel routes (Songlines) of
the Aboriginal nations of the region.
The
Woolgoolga to Ballina Aboriginal Art Trail is part of the Pacific
Highway upgrade project which also included upgrading nine
interchanges, more than 170 bridges and more than 350 other
connecting roads.
Federal
Member for Richmond Justine Elliot says the artworks tell the
‘Songlines’ of the Gumbaynggirr, Yaegl and Bundjalung nations,
reflecting their physical and spiritual belonging, and connection to
Country. ‘The artworks are in place on nine highway overpasses,
along a 155-kilometre section of highway between Woolgoolga and
Ballina.
‘The
artists were selected by local Aboriginal communities and
stakeholders, and their artworks communicate the rich and ancient
history of these nations.’
Transport
for NSW is planning a community event involving all the artists and
their communities, to be held in the coming months.
MICK
VEITCH MLC SHADOW
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE SHADOW
MINISTER FOR REGIONAL NSW
JANELLE
SAFFIN MP MEMBER
FOR LISMORE
NSW
LABOR CALL FOR ADVISORY GROUP ON NORTH COAST TICK FACILITY
NSW
Labor are calling for a regional stakeholder advisory group to be
urgently formed to help develop a path forward to tackle the threat
of cattle tick infestation on NSW North Coast farms.
NSW
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Mick Veitch and Lismore MP Janelle
Saffin are making this joint call as the NSW Government lease on the
existing tick facility at Kirra in South East Queensland is currently
suspended.
Mr
Veitch and Ms Saffin insist until a long-term plan is agreed upon by
the government to mitigate this issue, the Kirra facility must remain
open and operational.
The
State’s successful cattle tick program was established in 1920 in
recognition of the grave threat of tick infestation for the NSW
cattle industry. To not have a current management plan in place
neglects the needs of many farmers on the NSW North Coast.
Mr
Veitch said, “The NSW Government’s consultation on this has been
woeful.
“NSW
Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall needs to step in and sort out a
long-term solution to an issue which puts many local farmers’
livelihoods at risk.
Ms
Saffin, who has been in close consultation with Tweed Shire graziers’
regarding their concerns said, “The Government’s priority must be
ensuring the community that our multi-million-dollar cattle industry
is protected from threats such as this”
"The North East Forest Alliance was formed in 1989 as an alliance of groups and individuals from throughout north-east NSW, with the principal aims of protecting rainforest, oldgrowth, wilderness and threatened species. NEFA has pursued these goals through forest blockades, rallies, court cases, submissions, lobbying, and protracted negotiations"[https://www.nefa.org.au/about_nefa]
On
30 July 2021 the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) lodged its latest case in
the Federal Court against the Commonwealth and NSW Governments.
If you live anywhere on the NSW North Coast, want to preserve our unique, biodiverse forests for future generations and are considering making a donation, go to:
Environmental
Defenders Office (EDO),Latest News,
4 August 2021:
NSW
Forest Logging Agreement Faces Legal Challenge over Climate,
Biodiversity
In
a legal first, Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is heading to the
Federal Court to challenge a New South Wales Regional Forest
Agreement (RFA).
The
North East RFA covers logging in the coastal area between Sydney and
the Queensland border. It exempts logging in native forests from
federal biodiversity law.
Originally
signed between the Commonwealth and New South Wales in 2000, it was
renewed in 2018 for another 20 years with rolling extensions that
could continue indefinitely.
In
the summer of 2019-20, devastating bushfires ripped through native
forests in the RFA region, including areas of the World
Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
On
behalf of client the North East Forest Alliance (NEFA), EDO will
argue that when the North East RFA was renewed, the Commonwealth did
not have regard to endangered species, the state of old growth
forests or the impacts of climate change, as the EDO will argue it
was required to do.
NEFA
is asking the Federal Court to declare that the North East RFA does
not validly exempt native forest logging from federal biodiversity
assessment and approval requirements (EPBC Act).
NEFA
is acting to protect native forests, which provide critical habitat
for vulnerable and endangered species such as koalas and greater
gliders and to ensure that the laws that regulate logging in these
forests are up-to-date and fit for purpose. It is the first legal
challenge to an RFA in New South Wales.
Senior
Solicitor Emily Long has carriage of this case under the supervision
of Andrew Kwan.
EDO
is grateful for the assistance of Jeremy Kirk SC and James Johnson
and Claire Roberts of counsel who are briefed to appear in this
matter.
EDO
Chief Executive Officer David Morris said:
“We
are challenging the Federal Government over its failure to assess how
another 20-plus years of logging, against a background of a changing
climate, will impact our forest ecosystems, endangered species and
old growth forests.
“The
Commonwealth didn’t want to incur the costs of conducting a proper
assessment, waving through a 20-year extension of native forest
logging without proper scrutiny.
“Under
the current system, if a population of koalas is being threatened by
a new development, the project needs to be assessed at the Federal
level. But if the same population of koalas is being threatened by a
logging project, it’s been rubber stamped on the basis of
20-year-old environmental assessments.
“We
have known for years that as the climate changes, fires will follow.
And yet the North East RFA was renewed without an assessment of how
climate change will impact the health and resilience of our native
forest ecosystems. Less than 12 months later, fires began ravaging
native forests across the region.
“This
RFA is a powerful instrument that allows the forestry industry to
bypass Federal biodiversity assessments. To be robust, these
agreements must be founded on the latest scientific knowledge on
climate and the state of our forest ecosystems.”
20-year
Extension of Native Forest Logging
Myrtle State Forest Courtesy of NEFA
Regional
Forest Agreements are signed between the Commonwealth and the states,
allowing forestry operations to be exempt from assessment and
approval under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC ACT).
There
are ten RFAs in force around Australia. The North East RFA is one of
three in New South Wales, the others are the Eden RFA and Southern
RFA.
Image: NSW Environment Protection Authority
The
North East RFA encompasses a huge area spanning from NSW’s Central
Coast to Queensland’s Gold Coast. It encompasses critically
endangered ecosystems such as Central Hunter Valley eucalypt forest,
New England Peppermint Grassy Woodlands, as well as Lowland and
Littoral rainforests.
The
ecosystems under the agreement include vital habitat for vulnerable
and endangered species such as the grey-headed flying fox, the
greater glider, the spot-tailed quoll.
In
order for an RFA to exempt native forest logging from the usual
federal biodiversity assessment and approval requirements, when the
Commonwealth enters into an RFA it is legally required to have regard
to assessments of environmental values – including endangered
species and old growth – and the principles of ecologically
sustainable management. EDO will argue for NEFA that when the North
East RFA was renewed in 2018, the Commonwealth was required to, but
did not assess climate change, endangered species or old growth
forests.
In
the subsequent 2019-20 bushfire season, the Black Summer bushfires
devastated these ecosystems and the species that call them home,
changing native forests in these regions beyond recognition.
According
to the Natural Resources Commission 2020 report, 2019-2020 Bushfires:
Extent of impact on old growth forest2, 28% of the Upper North East
section of the North East RFA was fire affected, with over 65% of the
forest canopy in that area being either totally or partially burnt.
23% of the Lower North East section of the North East RFA was fire
affected, with 52% of the forest canopy in that area being either
totally or partially burnt.
On
behalf of NEFA, EDO will argue that the lack of crucial assessments
before the 2018 renewal means the decision to extend the North East
RFA was not made in accordance with the relevant legislation. As a
consequence, the Federal Court should find the North East RFA does
not lawfully exempt logging in the north east RFA region from federal
biodiversity assessment and approval requirements.
It
may be getting cold and windy
as Winter approaches on the NSW Far North
Coast, but that doesn’t mean that sharks aren’t about.
On
Saturday 17 April 2021 a 2
metre unidentified shark
was spotted at Turner’s Beach, Yamba, and on Monday 19 April a 3
metre Tiger Shark was
sighted at Byron Bay’s main beach area.
Due
to bad weather conditions drones
have been unable to regularly patrol Ballina’s beaches since
Friday 16 March 2021 and drumlines have not always been in position.
Therefore the last official shark sighting in Ballina waters was a tag and release 1.94
metre Bull Shark caught
on the drumline at Shelley Beach, according to @NSWSharkSmart.
Bull Shark breeding season is still in full swing in coastal river estuaries and won't finish until the end of May.
Green Turtle hatchings making their way to the sea near Evans Head, NSW IMAGE: Rick Pagotto
NSW
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment,
media
release,
9 March 2021:
Furious
flipper action has been seen on a remote beach near Evans Head as
tiny sea turtle hatchlings emerged from their buried nest and made a
break for the ocean.
Green
turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchling, Evans Head
Andy
Marshall from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said
more than 100 Green Turtles hatched last week and their first moments
were caught on camera by a local photographer coincidently walking
the beach.
“These
eggs have been incubating underneath the sand since around December
and the hatchlings all emerged over a few hours in the early dawn,”
said Mr Marshall.
“NPWS
and NSW TurtleWatch are keeping a keen eye on around 7 more sea
turtle nests along the coast as they should also hatch over the next
few months.
“Along
the NSW coast we expect the hatchlings will either be green turtles
(Chelonia mydas) like the ones we saw at Evans Head or the endangered
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), both are generally around 5cm in
length when born.
“If
anyone sees a hatchling please don’t pick it up or interfere with
its path to the sea, instead report it immediately to NPWS or NSW
TurtleWatch so we make sure these little ones make it safely to the
water,” Mr Marshall said.
Holly
West from NSW TurtleWatch says early reports and information from the
public is vital in being about to monitor these hatchlings.
“With
such a large coastline to cover it is likely that we could have
missed some nests being laid and may miss them hatching so public
help at this time is vital,” said Ms West.
“Hatchlings
should emerge at night as they are safer from predators and the heat
of the sand but there are of course always stragglers, so we are
asking people to keep their eyes peeled, especially close to sunset
and sunrise.
“As
well as reporting all sightings, you can help these baby turtles by
removing your rubbish from the beaches, drive slowly along the
beaches, and stay off the dunes,” Ms West said.
If
you find a sea turtle hatchling along the beach please notify NSW
TurtleWatch immediately on 0468 489 259, or contact NPWS on 1300
0PARKS.
NSW
TurtleWatch has been developed by Australian Seabird Rescue, in
partnership with NSW Government's Saving Our Species program. Visit
Saving
Our Species for more information on green
turtles.
Styx River State Forest, in the New England Tablelands region of New South Wales, covers 16,000 hectares. The Brisbane Times reported on 26 February 2020: Conservation efforts in NSW to stop more species becoming extinct in the wake of this season's unparalleled bushfires require more than half a billion dollars over the coming four years. Emergency intervention to save as many as 30 endangered species alone needs $15 million this year and $35 million in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscal years, according to a spreadsheet circulating among state government agencies and obtained by the Sun-Herald.
A burnt area of the Styx River State Forest in northern NSW.Logging has resumed in the area despite most of the region being burnt.
The leaked requests come as Forestry Corporation resumed logging in unburnt refuges in the Styx River State Forest despite risks to species including nationally endangered Hastings River mice.....
While officials wrangle over conservation funding, industrial-scale logging has resumed in fire-hit regions such as the Styx River, inland from Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast. Chris Gambian, chief executive of the Nature Conservation Council, said the logging would have "immensely negative ecological impacts" given so little of the Styx River forest was unburnt.
An endangered Hastings River mouse, from a photograph taken in January 2018. “The fires mean that whatever we thought before about wildlife and species has to be scrapped and reassessed," Mr Gambian said, adding he had asked the Environment Protection Authority to issue a statewide stop-work order for logging in native forests state until the effects of the fires are known. “Logging remnant forests after such a disaster is like sending a demolition crew in to conduct a cyclone recovery operation," he said. "It is hard to imagine a more harmful intervention." Mr Gambian noted the government's own analysis indicated at least 32 threatened animal species alone had lost at least 30 per cent of their habitat due to fires, and were now "teetering on the brink"..... A Forestry Corporation spokeswoman said the majority of production crews on the north coast had moved from native forests to hardwood timber plantations after the fires. "A small number of selective harvesting operations that commenced prior to the fires have continued under the strict regulations governing native forestry in NSW," she said, adding that crews in the Styx River State Forest were "finalising work in this location" and will move some harvesting operations into fire-affected forests "in the near future".....
Mirage News, 11 February 2020: Residents’ views differ widely across the NSW North Coast on the impacts of short-term holiday letting (STHL), according to the results of a Southern Cross University survey. Most residents (71%) and approved accommodation providers (64%) favour rental caps for permanently non-hosted investment properties; while just 34% of Airbnb hosts residing in the region support day limits for such properties. There were more than 1,600 responses to the survey. The finding is part of research aimed at giving locals a say in decision-making about how to manage short-term holiday letting in the NSW North Coast region. The survey focussed on the area between Tweed and Kyogle in the north to Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest in the south. Residents in 12 council areas were surveyed: Ballina, Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, MidCoast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond and Tweed. The research follows a similar study by the same Southern Cross University researchers in the Byron Shire in 2018. The project was undertaken in partnership with Destination North Coast.
Drs Tania von der Heidt, Sabine Muschter, Deborah Che and Rodney Caldicott from the School of Business and Tourism at Southern Cross University spent several months surveying 1,632 residents in the NSW North Coast region, including 320 Airbnb hosts, 169 approved accommodation providers and 1143 other residents. Dr Muschter said one significant finding was slightly more than two-thirds of approved accommodation providers and other residents believed caps are needed when the property is without a host – temporarily or permanently. “In other words, most residents favour a model involving mandatory on-site management for any short-term holiday letting,” said Dr Muschter. The majority of the short-term holiday lettings are listed on online rental platforms, notably Airbnb. Across the 12 council areas Airbnb listings increased 371% over the past three years – from 4,072 at the end of 2016 to 6,456 at the end of 2019. The rate of growth in the 12 council areas has outpaced that of the Byron Shire, which grew by 195% in the same time period, albeit from a higher base. In December 2016 the number of Airbnb properties in Byron (1,172) was already more than three times as high as that of the next biggest tourist destination in the North Coast – Tweed – which had just 289 Airbnb listings at end of 2016. Dr von der Heidt said the data suggests the other surveyed council areas are following the Airbnb trend that started in Byron Shire. She said the study demonstrated a diverse range of perceptions of the sector with many championing the positive impact to tourism, the local economy and employment, while around half of the respondents highlighted social impacts such as traffic, parking and neighbourhood lifestyle and called for more regulation. “While Airbnb hosts did not wish for their operations to be regulated, most approved accommodation providers and other residents want more regulation on short-term holiday letting including adequate reporting avenues to lodge complaints of misconduct, appropriate enforcement of non-compliance, and the introduction of compulsory public liability insurance for guests and third parties,” Dr von der Heidt said. According to the latest data from Destination North Coast, the NSW North Coast’s multiple tourist hubs are valued at approximately $12.5 million per day. Even though tourism generates 9.4 per cent of regional jobs and supports 7,000 business, the North Coast faces many tourism pressures, including the burgeoning peer-to-peer accommodation platforms..... In November 2018, with a view to shaping the implementation anticipated state planning legislation, Clarence Valley Council resolved to submit to the NSW Government "an expression of interest in allowing short term rentals for 180 days a year in R2 low density residential coastal areas (Yamba, Iluka, Angourie, Wooloweyah, Brooms Head, Sandon, Wooli, Diggers Camp and Minnie Water) but allowing short-term rentals for 365 days a year in all other residential areas where tourism pressures are not as pronounced and was allowed with a development application previously." By February 2019 The Daily Examiner was reporting that there were 330 active Airbnb lisitings in the Lower Clarence, with the vast majority being in Yamba.
Nature Conservation Council of NSW An estimated 800 million animals have died in the recent bushfires. Donate here to help us provide nest boxes for fire-affected wildlife! https://chuffed.org/project/help-buil...
There is an urgent need to provide shelter for the thousands of animals that survived the fires. Lots of small tree-dwelling mammals, including sugar gliders, possums and bats, rely on tree hollows for shelter. Without these hollows, many animals fall prey to feral animals such as cats and foxes. With this campaign we hope to place nest boxes of various sizes on the North Coast to provide emergency shelter for hundreds of animals affected by the recent fires.
North Coast Voices no longer allows the Facebook Button sited at the end of each blog post to activate when it is clicked on by a reader.
This button has been deactivated because it has become clear that Facebook Inc. is not now and has never been a corporation genuinely committed to principles of digital privacy and security of Internet users' personal information and other associated data.
Unfortunately, because Blogger installs this button as part of a set, Gmail, Blog This!, Twitter, Pin Interest and Google + have also been deactivated and, we apologise to readers who may use these features.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
[Adopted and proclaimed by United Nations General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948]
Hi! My name is Boy. I'm a male bi-coloured tabby cat. Ever since I discovered that Malcolm Turnbull's dogs were allowed to blog, I have been pestering Clarencegirl to allow me a small space on North Coast Voices.
A false flag musing: I have noticed one particular voice on Facebook which is Pollyanna-positive on the subject of the Port of Yamba becoming a designated cruise ship destination. What this gentleman doesn’t disclose is that, as a principal of Middle Star Pty Ltd, he could be thought to have a potential pecuniary interest due to the fact that this corporation (which has had an office in Grafton since 2012) provides consultancy services and tourismbusiness development services.
A religion & local government musing: On 11 October 2017 Clarence Valley Council has the Church of Jesus Christ Development Fund Inc in Sutherland Local Court No. 6 for a small claims hearing. It would appear that there may be a little issue in rendering unto Caesar. On 19 September 2017 an ordained minister of a religion (which was named by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in relation to 40 instances of historical child sexual abuse on the NSW North Coast) read the Opening Prayer at Council’s ordinary monthly meeting. Earlier in the year an ordained minister (from a church network alleged to have supported an overseas orphanage closed because of child abuse claims in 2013) read the Opening Prayer and an ordained minister (belonging to yet another church network accused of ignoring child sexual abuse in the US and racism in South Africa) read the Opening Prayer at yet another ordinary monthly meeting. Nice one councillors - you are covering yourselves with glory!
An investigative musing: Newcastle Herald, 12 August 2017: The state’s corruption watchdog has been asked to investigate the finances of the Awabakal Aboriginal Local Land Council, less than 12 months after the troubled organisation was placed into administration by the state government. The Newcastle Herald understands accounting firm PKF Lawler made the decision to refer the land council to the Independent Commission Against Corruption after discovering a number of irregularities during an audit of its financial statements.The results of the audit were recently presented to a meeting of Awabakal members. Administrator Terry Lawler did not respond when contacted by the Herald and a PKF Lawler spokesperson said it was unable to comment on the matter. Given the intricate web of company relationships that existed with at least one former board member it is not outside the realms of possibility that, if ICAC accepts this referral, then United Land Councils Limited (registered New Zealand) and United First Peoples Syndications Pty Ltd(registered Australia) might be interviewed. North Coast Voices readers will remember that on 15 August 2015 representatives of these two companied gave evidence before NSW Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No. 6 INQUIRY INTO CROWN LAND. This evidence included advocating for a Yamba mega port.
A Nationals musing: Word around the traps is that NSW Nats MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis has been talking up the notion of cruise ships visiting the Clarence River estuary. Fair dinkum! That man can be guaranteed to run with any bad idea put to him. I'm sure one or more cruise ships moored in the main navigation channel on a regular basis for one, two or three days is something other regular river users will really welcome. *pause for appreciation of irony* The draft of the smallest of the smaller cruise vessels is 3 metres and it would only stay safely afloat in that channel. Even the Yamba-Iluka ferry has been known to get momentarily stuck in silt/sand from time to time in Yamba Bay and even a very small cruise ship wouldn't be able to safely enter and exit Iluka Bay. You can bet your bottom dollar operators of cruise lines would soon be calling for dredging at the approach to the river mouth - and you know how well that goes down with the local residents.
A local councils musing: Which Northern Rivers council is on a low-key NSW Office of Local Government watch list courtesy of feet dragging by a past general manager?
A serial pest musing: I'm sure the Clarence Valley was thrilled to find that a well-known fantasist is active once again in the wee small hours of the morning treading a well-worn path of accusations involving police, local business owners and others.
An investigative musing: Which NSW North Coast council is batting to have the longest running code of conduct complaint investigation on record?
A which bank? musing: Despite a net profit last year of $9,227 million the Commonwealth Bank still insists on paying below Centrelink deeming rates interest on money held in Pensioner Security Accounts. One local wag says he’s waiting for the first bill from the bank charging him for the privilege of keeping his pension dollars at that bank.
A Daily Examiner musing: Just when you thought this newspaper could sink no lower under News Corp management, it continues to give column space to Andrew Bolt.
A thought to ponder musing: In case of bushfire or flood - do you have an emergency evacuation plan for the family pet?
An adoption musing: Every week on the NSW North Coast a number of cats and dogs find themselves without a home. If you want to do your bit and give one bundle of joy a new family, contact Happy Paws on 0419 404 766 or your local council pound.
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