topic Re: Grafton NSW in Community Spirit

Grafton NSW

bella_again — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 07:47:53 GMT

Can anyone tell me what its like there??? What is the main employer in the town, is it an open community. Are there services there for the disabled etc? Is there work etc?

Re: Grafton NSW

azureline** — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 07:56:21 GMT

I personally don't like Grafton. It is big but not a lot of services, imo.

My nephew and his family have left there recently (child with Autism) and did not get a lot of services.

My FIL lived near there and he got aged care services but not of a good standard, imo.

My OH on the other hand, loves Grafton.

Re: Grafton NSW

bella_again — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:28:17 GMT

Thanks Azure any feedback positive or negative is appreciated. I was actually wondering why houses are so cheap there. I'd ideally like to live near Coffs but its a bit out of our budget.

Re: Grafton NSW

kengillard — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:30:25 GMT

somewhere between Grafton and Coffs Bella?

Re: Grafton NSW

bella_again — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 08:56:20 GMT

Hi Gill 🙂 I've looked into a few areas but there aren't a lot of choices, its seems most areas near the coast you need a fair bit to break into the bottom end of the market. So I'm trying to find an area that is about middle ground and is an inclusive community for my girls. Grafton houses are very reasonably priced and I could find a house and unit for my girls if I am smart about it.

However if the area is no good then it would be a waste of time as we need somewhere where we can create a support network for our special needs girls and a community where they can be involved.

Re: Grafton NSW

azureline** — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:44:33 GMT

What about trying a fb group for the area? You can do a search for them and ask to join? You may get better info there, as I don't live there, mine is not very "local"

I know unemployment is high, medical services are not great, can take 2 weeks to get an appointment with your regular doctor. Most services medically are sent to Lismore or Coffs.

Re: Grafton NSW

azureline** — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:47:10 GMT

Another thought, if you have a Church you enjoy in your current area, maybe contact the Grafton branch?

Re: Grafton NSW

bella_again — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 10:11:50 GMT

Thanks Azure I've looked up the demographics for the area and its comparable to a lot of places although the unemployment rate is about 8% in 2011 not sure what it is now those were the latest stats I could find.

Re: Grafton NSW

foxette-in-sox — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 20:57:57 GMT

Grafton floods-it floods a LOT lol

There is a prison there & a macca's.

JMO but it's the equivalent of a one horse town.

There WAS a regular boardie on CS who lived there but haven't seen them post for a few years.

I know a family who live out of town on acreage.

I'm writing one liners because I don't think there's much to say about the place lol

I stop there for petrol when I drive to Sydney so I know there's a large BP truck stop sort of place as you drive into town on the left side lol

Re: Grafton NSW

azureline** — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 21:07:39 GMT

It seems a lot of people like Grafton though? South Grafton is the flood area...... the north, not so much.

Fox and I are obviously not being very positive about the city..... I have spent a lot of time there over the years, pony club camps etc, the people are nice in those places, in laws live there too, nephews went to school there.

Re: Grafton NSW

foxette-in-sox — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 22:13:05 GMT

Azure,I don't think we're being not positive lol more just realistic ie no matter what pretty town you choose in whatever state,chances are there will be either none/little services for special needs people-even GP's are generally thin on the ground.That's just a fact of life.

Re: Grafton NSW

bella_again — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 22:39:26 GMT

Where we are now we are pretty lucky in regards to GP they are an excellent bunch out here. There are approx 2,000 for the whole area here we are hoping to find something with more people and more access to the town etc so the girls can be more independent and we can have more of a life rather than living in an isolated area. Grafton does have some services for the disabled and I did see some positives but it sounds like its not for us.

Thank you for your honest opinions very appreciated 🙂

Re: Grafton NSW

jean2579 — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 06:45:24 GMT

Bellamy. Sorry for the slate post I tried to sign into Cs last night and couldn't,t. You mentioned Coffs. We live just south of there and there are many lovely towns about 8 - 10 klms south. Boa bee, Toormina, Bayldon which are not as expensive as Coffs Central. Sawtell which is a seaside village is much more expensive then Coffs.

All of these other towns are only about 4 klms from Sawtell and share a very a large Centro shopping centre, excellent GPs and are serviced by the Coffs Base Hospital which his huge.

The Coffs railway has a direct line via XPT to Sydney taking about 6-7 hours. Direct plane via Qantas, Virgin and Tiger take only about 1 Hour 40 mins to Sydney.

Loads of schools both private and public. Great place for children. Property prices in the suburbs I mentioned are affordable. Search postcodes 2450 and 2452 on your realestate site.

We have lived here for about 10years. Much more choice and activity than Grafton.

Re: Grafton NSW

jean2579 — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 06:47:13 GMT

Bella, sorry for the typos in above. Had some eye drops put in by the Doc today and should not have tried to type.

Re: Grafton NSW

bella_again — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 13:56:15 GMT

Thank you Jean :-x

Re: Grafton NSW

viewmont1071 — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 21:12:39 GMT

I have been to grafton many times and have relos living there.

The biggest employer in Grafton was the Gaol until

http://www.nbnnews.com.au/index.php/2012/06/29/92-jobs-go-at-grafton-gaol/

The Clarence Valley community is reeling tonight after news today that 92 prison officers at Grafton gaol are to be sacked.

The O’Farrell Government axing, which comes on top of 108 Telstra jobs lost in 2010, has angered the community.

Google Pristine waters council. The nymboida area is close to Grafton and ...welll pristine.

a little known fact is there is also a small juvenile justice centre at South Grafton.

The area's main industries are agricultural based, Beef, Cane, Maccas are the big three google Harwood sugar mill. Ecotourism is also becoming predominate.

google Clarence river to find the fishing and prawing industries. The Clarence river empties to the sea at Iluka/Yambaand there is a reasonable prawning fleet

http://www.crfc.com.au/

Good ole "Nanaglen Rustie" bought the old Cobb and Co coaching station at Nymboida and thart has given the local ecotourism industry a lift with his financial input

http://www.coachingstation.com/

Step Back In Time

The original Wine Bar and Parlor Room, now a cosy part of the fully licenced Hotel and restaurant, display many old photographs and memorabilia of an era long past.

Original hand-sawn cedar and red mahogany beams, parallel walls and open log fires maintain the historical atmosphere of the 19th century when Cobb & Co. stage coaches, bullock teams, timber cutters, graziers and other pioneers stopped here on the woolpack road from Armidale to Grafton.

Hope this helps cheers Dave

Re: Grafton NSW

viewmont1071 — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 21:18:51 GMT

woops one more thing....the Grafton Airport is way way out of town....like 20kms from Grafton odd.

If you google Yuraygir National Park you will get an idea of what to expect if you head staright tom the coast from Garfton ie. most graftonites beach it at Wooli rather than Yamba or on the other side at the Sandon river

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkCamping.aspx?id=N0040

http://www.clarencetourism.com/about-the-clarence/yamba-and-the-clarence-coast/wooli/p/52

Wooli is a beautiful seaside village with a storybook setting. On land it is encircled by Yuraygir National Park and the village is located on a narrow peninsula with the Wooli Wooli River on it's western side and the Pacific Ocean to the east.

This section of coastline forms the northern sector of the Solitary Islands Marine Park which protects the estuaries, beaches and islands from the Sandon River to Coffs Harbour in the south.

As the Gateway to the Solitary Islands Marine Park, Wooli is the perfect place for those wanting to explore the natural underwater beauty of the marine park by deepsea diving.

Wooli is the only place in the Clarence Valley with a dive shop for those needing diving gear or tank refills.

Re: Grafton NSW

viewmont1071 — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 21:53:26 GMT

Thanks Azure any feedback positive or negative is appreciated. I was actually wondering why houses are so cheap there. I'd ideally like to live near Coffs but its a bit out of our budget.

google Urunga, Valla, Mylestom Raleigh North Beach. I live at Valla rural. Macca's, Beef services and ecotourism are major permanent employers while the Pacific Highway duplication contractees will be the biggest employer for about the next 6 to 10 years.

The local chat

The pacific highway upgrade from Warrell Creek to Urunga is imminent.The geotech enginerss are everywhere and some of my friends have alreasdy had their properties purchased by the RMS

There is a large camp of road workers being established at Ballards Road near the Wenonah, Hungry Head area.

http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/news/contract-secured-nambucca-urunga-pacific-hwy-upgra/1902629/

WORK is underway on next stage of the Nambucca to Urunga Pacific Hwy upgrade after building contracts were officially secured by the Abigroup.

The company, which was awarded a preliminary contract earlier this year, was given the green light last week to get on with the job.

A spokesman for Roads Maritime Safety said boundary fencing and geo-tech work was being carried out while design pans were finalised.

Major works are expected to start in August.

Re: Grafton NSW

viewmont1071 — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 22:00:08 GMT

all the precast cioncrete for the large bridges requires to cross the Bellinger river will be produced at Macksville NSW

http://www.abigroup.com.au/Sustainability/Environment/Environmental-Monitoring-Data/Macksville-Pre-cast-Yard/

the Yard manager at a local business owners meeting said to bank on an influx to Macksville of approximately 2000 to 2500 inc workers familes while the duplication ensues.

google Phoenix and Nambucca Valley care for disabled services. as Jean said the Coffs Harbour Base Hospital is a big hospital while Bellingen and macksville have smaller rural style hospitals.

Once you past Urunga then ther is dual lane carriageway all the way to Coffs...... I can get to Coffs in about 35 minutes from way... way out in the boondoo at Viewmont

One of the areas major "businesses is aged care google Pacifica, Autumn lodge and their offshoots... they are always looking for casual staff

Re: Grafton NSW

jvharrison — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 22:33:45 GMT

Hi Bella and good to see you

Grafton as a lot mentioned does flood quite badly Have you thought about buying in Murwillumbah which is only half an hours drive from the bottom end of the gold coast......and all the services.......not sure what type of work you guys are looking for either

All the best in your search