At the recent Clarence Roundtable meeting those in attendance reported significant growth in their respective industries such as transport, housing, retail and real estate. This has been attributed to the infrastructure projects within the entire Clarence Valley. RMS presenter, Bob Higgins, advised that work on the 38km of the 155km of the Pacific Highway has commenced with the big building years of 2017/2018 and 2019 to look forward to. This is positive for us as more workers relocate to the Valley during the construction phase, with more money being spent locally and the economy moving in the right direction. To ensure we capture this slice of the economy, Council and Chamber are collaborating to form a pilot Hospitality and Tourism Cluster with the objective to meet informally to discuss the challenges faced and potential opportunities that can be obtained during the large road infrastructure projects. We encourage accommodation providers, real estate agents, restaurants, cafes, retail outlets, gyms, sporting facilities and anyone other sector that could benefit from these projects to attend so we can work in partnership to maximise potential growth during this busy time for the region. Our initial meeting will be held at the Yamba Bowling Club on Monday 27th June at 5.30pm in the Boardwalk Bar. Please RSVP to the Bowling Club for catering purposes. Phone 6646 2305.The Chamber is holding a Meet the Candidates event, for the Federal Election, on Monday 20th June at 5.30pm in the newly renovated Boardwalk Bar at the Yamba Bowling Club. Everyone welcome to attend and participate in this no cost event. We continue to work hard for our local community and over the next few months you will notice a new Entrance Statement, Service Club signage and other tourism related projects emerge around town. Don’t forget to help yourself to the herbs and vegetables that are growing in the planter boxes in the CBD and in Chamber Park. We have chilli’s, lemon grass, parsley and mint growing in abundance at the moment. A working bee painted the internal walls of the toilet block at Chamber Park last weekend and we think it looks modern and fresh despite the age of the toilet block. Like us on Facebook for regular updates on the projects and community news. Sue Hughes, President