NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL CELEBRATED IN THE TWEED

By Margaret Dekker

It’s been eleven days of fun, frivolity and of course ‘sconeversations’ as part of this year’s Seniors Festival in the Tweed, all part of NSW Seniors Festival, the largest celebration of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

The theme for the Tweed’s 2023 festival was ‘Celebrate Together, promoting the goal of fostering an inclusive community that cares for each other.’

Following the opening ceremony in Murwillumbah on February 1, the “jam-packed program” included activities, tours, workshops, concerts and morning teas at venues across the Tweed Shire.

A ‘plantation safari’ at Tropical Fruit World, social sailing day on the Tweed River, a visit to Hinze Dam via the Numinbah Valley, a virtual singalong morning, croquet and a fun run in Knox Park, artmaking session at the Tweed Gallery, a Country Music Concert, even exploring Council’s waste management centre were all part of this increasingly popular festival.

Even the sensitive and deeply personal choices on burial or cremation options were explored in a special forum held by the Tweed Valley Cemetery Chapel. The Tweed Shire has twice the New South Wales average of residents aged over 65. It supports older members of the community through a Community Development Offcer who can be contacted via the Community Development Team on 02 6670 2400 or email tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au

By SAMANTHA ELLEY

It’s no secret the Richmond Valley has experienced its fair share of natural disasters.

From drought, bushfires, Covid and flood, the Northern Rivers LGA is fighting back to ‘reclaim our vision of a vibrant, thriving community’ in the words of mayor Robert Mustow and general manager Vaughan Macdonald.

This has started with the process of developing the Richmond Valley Growth Management Strategy (GMS), on display on council’s website.

“The catastrophic floods of 2022 have changed the dynamics of our region and our main population centre of Casino is emerging as a strategic centre for the future,” said the mayor and general manager’s introductory message to the strategy.

Other changes, including plans to create an additional 600+ jobs in Casino and the surrounding areas, along with housing pressure from tree-changers initiated by the Covid-19 pandemic, have helped reshape the region’s future.

Such changes are key drivers that will impact on the demand and supply of land for jobs and homes, according to the GMS.

To gain some context, as at 2021 the population of the Richmond Valley was around 23,550 projected to grow to 27,650 by 2041.

With a total of 10,970 dwellings in 2021 there is a minimum implied demand for 13,550 dwellings in 2041. With these predicted changes the council knows, to meet baseline needs it has to find an increased volume of housing supply while also providing the right structural changes.

The council is looking for input from Richmond Valley residents, regarding needs in the communities, types of housing etc.

To find out more in the draft Growth Management Strategy go to https:// richmondvalley.nsw. gov.au/exhibition/ draft-richmond-valleygrowth-managementstrategy-casino-placeplan/