RSL member ‘should have excused himself from panel’

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Editor

On 15 March 2012 the Joint Regional Planning Panel (Northern Region) approved the controversial RSL LifeCare regional retirement village for the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome.
Panel member John Griffin made a declaration at the hearing: “John Griffin (panel member) declared he is the secretary of an RSL sub-branch in
Queensland, but has had no involvement with RSL LifeCare or the matter for
determination.”
The chairman, Garry West, stated this did not preclude John Griffin from sitting on the panel. Continue reading →

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Aerodrome stormwater contaminates waterways

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Editor

Despite NSW Environment Protection requirements and local government and State Government assurances that there is no problem, silt-laden stormwater from the contaminated Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome continues to flow into local waterways.

Photographs taken on Sunday,  August 21 show silt escaping into the drainage system along Woodburn Road, Evans Head, from a vast lake of water on the 24-acre site. Continue reading →

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Inappropriate development threatens aerodrome

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Richard

The state heritage listed Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome is under threat from inappropriate residential development.
The aerodrome’s owner, Richmond Valley Council, offered the site for a regional retirement village (RRV), even though it already had an airpark proponent wanting to build on the same place.
Council ignored the airpark and geared activity to making sure the regional retirement village will be built. Continue reading →

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Committee praises rates knockback

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Editor

The Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Committee (EHMAC) has praised the decision to reject a Richmond Valley Council (RVC) application for a special rate variation.

EHMAC president Dr Richard Gates told the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) in a letter that the committee congratulated IPART on its decision to refuse the application of RVC for a Special Rate Variation (SRV) and the grounds on which it made that decision.

“As pointed out in the decision there was no community support for a SRV,” Dr Gates said. “Many ratepayers and businesses are struggling to make ends meet. Continue reading →

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Council destroys World War II heritage at Evans Head

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Editor

Richmond Valley Council has started the destruction of part of the state heritage listed Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome to accommodate a 24- acre regional retirement village/ seniors living complex, which has yet to be approved.

The decontamination work, which involves the ripping up of the former main runway, taxiways and World War II hangar sites, including council’s old works depot, was Continue reading →

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Welcome to the Watchdog!

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Editor

This Valley Watchdog site was established to provide information, opinion and a forum for public discussion for all three levels of government for matters relating to the Richmond Valley local government area and, where required, the wider Far North Coast region of NSW, Australia.
The website encourages input from community members about issues of concern to them and may publish letters or post material in the public interest.

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