Yet another liquor outlet for Maclean NSW?

It would appear that Richies IGA Super Plus Liquor intends to add to the existing seven hotels, clubs and bottle shops in Maclean NSW (population 2,612) where one can obtain alcohol.

Eight outlets in total would mean there would be one place to obtain alcohol to drink on the premises or take way for every 326.5 town residents.

Any local resident wishing to make a submission concerning the Richies Stores Pty Ltd application may do so here. 

The Lower Clarence can look forward to this type of alcohol promotion if Richies’ application is successful:

* Application images found at Lower Clarence Ratepayers, Residents, Business Owners Facebook page

* Competition image found at http://www.ritchies.com.au/competitions-and-promotions

Is the Abbott Government about to starve local councils of regional funding opportunities?

The Abbott Government is dissolving the Regional Development Australia Fund and, replacing it with the more limited in scope National Stronger Regions Fund which only has a $400 million budget and no funds for distribution until the 2015-16 financial year.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss on the subject; the establishment of the fund would mean the abolition of Labor's Regional Development Australia Fund and a Coalition Government would not honour projects approved for the next round of funding. [Weekly Times,29 August 2013]

Federal Nationals MP Michael McCormack had this to say about the last round of funding promised under the original scheme; Regional Development Australia fund round 5A is also being viewed as an election promise. [The Area News,26 September 2013] 

This is what local governments on the NSW North Coast were expecting to receive under RDAF—Round Five—Funding Allocations to eligible local governments — $150 million:

Ballina (S)	10250	NSW	$232,667
Clarence Valley	11740	NSW	$668,200
Coffs Harbour (C)	11800	NSW	$484,932
Byron (S)	11350	NSW	$149,681
Kyogle	14550	NSW	$229,587
Lismore (C)	14850	NSW	$436,455
Richmond Valley	19050	NSW	$316,430
Tweed (S)	17550	NSW	$613,184

If this previously promised funding is not forthcoming and, funding under the new 50-50 financial obligation regional grants system will not be available for another twenty-one months, how will this affect projects already planned by these eight councils?

Richmond Valley Council was to use its promised funding to kickstart its planned indoor sports centre at Colley Park.

Clarence Valley Council was intending to use the funding for much needed upgrades to Grafton and Yamba public swimming pools.

Kyogle Council was looking to upgrade access to the Kyogle Memorial Institute and to improve public right of way in C Ward.

Lismore City Council planned to provide covered carparking and walkways in its central business district.

While Coffs Harbour City Council wanted to refurbish the Coffs Harbour Regional Museum.

I'm sure that the remaining North Coast councils also had firm plans for the expected grant monies.

Perhaps the Federal National Party MPs for Cowper and Page might like to explain to voters how they are going to assist councils in their electorates with this problem.

Go halfway round the world and do well in an international triathlon - come home and the local media can't decide on your surname.

One can only guess how Ray Hunt of Yamba must have felt when he opened his morning paper yesterday.......

The Daily Examiner 25 September 2013:

VETERAN Yamba triathlete Ray Jones battled oversized wetsuits and freezing temperatures to pick up a silver and a bronze medal at the London International Triathlon World Championships.

Competing in the 70-74 age group, Hunt picked up silver in the aquathlon (1km swim and 5km run) and backed it up with a bronze the next day in the sprint distance triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike ride, 5km run).

He rounded off his efforts with the Olympic Distance Triathlon (750m swim, 40km ride, 10km run) with a 5th placing.

Read the rest of the article here.

Liberal voter Helen Paton feels cheated by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott

One certainty about elections is that voters always win. [Tony Abbott MP 5 December 2007]

So said Abbott but Ms. Paton doesn't think so.......

Kiera ‏@KieraGorden6m

This Lib voter appears shocked with Abbott's first few days as PM. What did they expect? #AusPol via @davidadonaldson pic.twitter.com/T3JbJLhywr