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- 14 May 2004
Northern Rivers Villages
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Page: 9099
Mr DONALD PAGE (Ballina—Deputy Leader of The Nationals) [12.10 p.m.]: With inward migration to the Northern Rivers area continuing as strongly as ever, the question arises as to how to preserve the attractiveness of the region, sustain job opportunities and not fall into the trap of overdevelopment. To achieve those objectives a vision for the region is needed. I believe that an important part of that vision is to develop and support the concept of the Northern Rivers area being a region of villages. The pattern of development in the Northern Rivers region is unique. Historically the region developed as a series of villages, and at present three of every five local residents live in one of the region's 300 villages. Combined with rural industries spread across the region, and the proximity to the coast, that development pattern has created an extremely attractive lifestyle for local residents. The natural beauty of the landscape is complemented by the perception that the area is generally not overdeveloped and possesses great charm.
Village settlements provide basic infrastructure and services as well as community cohesiveness, whilst larger centres such as Lismore, Ballina, Grafton and Murwillumbah offer extensive retail, educational, health and transport infrastructure, as well as government services. There must always be high-order infrastructure such as hospitals, universities and larger schools in the larger centres, but I believe our future must also embrace the concept of villages. A September 2003 report commissioned by the Northern Rivers Regional Strategy Secretariat entitled "Villages: An Investigation into Village Infrastructure and Services" investigated the functionality of villages in the region. The report compared infrastructure and services provided in three local villages—Bangalow, Evans Head and Uki. It found that there were baseline services and infrastructure needed for a village to function effectively. Those included a community meeting place, postal services, a basic grocery store, a transport network, open space, a water supply, a waste management system, electricity and telecommunications.
With the Northern Rivers featuring in the top 10 growing regions nationwide, the report provides valuable information about the infrastructure and services needed if the future settlement pattern is to include villages. Whilst those who have moved to the Northern Rivers region have chosen our area because of lifestyle considerations, issues such as high unemployment, structural change in the agricultural sector and low average incomes are challenges to be addressed in future planning for the region. In addressing population growth issues, community representatives are faced with a number of options. In its February 2001 discussion paper entitled "A Region of Villages" the Northern Rivers Regional Strategy Secretariat suggests four options: limiting population growth, allowing urban centres to absorb growth, dispersing growth in the rural hinterland, and creating urban and rural villages. In my view, following the urban and rural village model should be seriously considered for the future of the region. Villages allow residents to live in a rural setting, providing for basic infrastructure and a sense of community, whilst also protecting prime agricultural land.
The development of villages, in conjunction with moderate growth in the region's major centres, allows for a choice of lifestyle, with minimal negative impact on social cohesiveness within these centres. The success of this strategy is contingent on the ability of Federal, State and local government bodies to plan for, and provide, appropriate services and infrastructure in these new urban and regional villages. Villages should be small enough to allow for a sense of community, but at the same time have basic services and infrastructure. They should be secure, have local character and be connected to the local environment. One of the undoubted benefits of living in the country as opposed to living in the city is that in country areas there is a much stronger sense of community. People's feeling of belonging plays an important role in ensuring their happiness in their environment.
Bangalow is an excellent example of a village that has successfully enhanced its village status to encourage investment in the area, improve residential amenity, and overcome the challenges associated with the redirection of traffic away from the village. The Spirit of Bangalow Program has addressed issues such as economic development, physical design, events and marketing, and social development. The residents of Bangalow and visitors are impressed by the strength of community spirit in the area and the success of the program. Bangalow has is a healthy mix of new influences, whilst preserving what is good about the old. People who live in Bangalow generally participate in local events, whether it be the local show, the music festival, the billy cart derby or the Christmas Eve street community get-together.
The intelligent development across the Northern Rivers region of villages such as Bangalow will also take some of the pressure off the sensitive coastal areas where many people want to live. A couple of years ago two prominent North Coast planners, Ian Oelrichs and Steve Connelly, went to a number of countries to specifically look at villages, how they worked, what they offered, and how we could use any overseas experience, good and bad, to help the Northern Rivers region, enhance our villages, and develop a sustainable model for village development. Their subsequent contribution has been important, and I am pleased that Ian Oelrichs is Chairman of the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board. I encourage and support Ian in promoting the benefits of the region by promoting the sustainable village concept. Planning for future settlement is a complex, slow and vexed task. Regional coastal areas are at the centre of changing population patterns in New South Wales as retirees, families and individuals choose to move to non-urban coastal regions. I commend all those who support the concept of villages in the Northern Rivers region. [Time expired.]
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