Council continues to promote dog leashing in high conservation areas Take the Lead program continues in 2023

xx NORTHERN RIVERS HARVEST FOOD TRAIL

RICHMOND Valley Council, in conjunction with Northern Rivers Food, is providing an opportunity for three food businesses within the local government area to take part in a special support program to help them get back on their feet after COVID lockdowns and devastating floods.

The selected businesses will get to participate in this year’s renowned Northern Rivers Harvest Food Trail, which will be held over the weekend 6-7 May.

Council’s Manager Community Connection

Sharon Davidson said the past few years had been incredibly challenging for farmers and this special support program offered by Northern Rivers Food would help build resilience in the sector. “Our region’s producers faced drought and devastating fires, which led straight into a global pandemic, and then flooding,” Ms Davidson said.

After a successful pilot trial, Tweed Shire Council is extending its Take the Lead program which aims to reduce the number of dogs off-leash in high conservation value areas and other public places in the Tweed.

The program, frst launched in October last year, has to date focused on high conservation value areas at:

• Casuarina/ Kingscliff

• Fingal Head

• Hastings Point

• Pottsville, and

• Wooyung Beach.

As part of the program, Council has increased its enforcement patrols in partnership with Tweed Byron Police, with 122 fnes issued last year as part of the program.

Council’s Project Offcer for Wildlife protection Emily Clarke said the program was crucial to ongoing efforts to protect endangered wildlife in the Tweed, as well as other animals and even people.

“No-one expects their dog to attack wildlife or another dog, but as a recent attack on an endangered Bush Stone-curlew in Tweed Heads and an increase in dog attacks on people and pets demonstrates, unexpected attacks can be very traumatic,” Ms Clarke said.

“Keeping your dog on a leash is the best way to prevent an attack.

“We are pleased our patrols, combined with new beach signage and a social media campaign, have resulted in an estimated 37% increase in people doing the right thing and exercising their dogs on-leash in key designated on-leash beach locations.

“This is great news for our local wildlife, it also makes our beaches a safer and more enjoyable place for people and other pets to visit.”

Ms Clarke said the program had been generally well received a designated off-leash area, so don’t risk being fned,” Ms Clarke said.

“We are asking locals and visitors to take the lead when on our beaches. If you like exercising your pooch off-leash, please visit by the community, with many expressing their support through social media and directly to Council staff.

The Harvest Food Trail provides visitors and locals with an opportunity to jump in their car and visit some of the Northern Rivers region’s best farms, distilleries, breweries and restaurants and enjoy the distinct provenance of our region.

Visitors on the trail can plan their own itinerary over the weekend to experience the range of more than 40 unique food and beverage experiences and connect with our amazing producers, growers, farmers and chefs, showcasing the best the region has to offer.

To keep this initial success going, Council Rangers will continue to run targeted patrols across the Tweed in 2023, in partnership with Tweed Byron Police.

“It’s a $330 fne for walking a dog off-leash unless it’s in one of our designated off-leash areas.”

A handy map is published on Council’s website to help residents locate the designated off-leash areas easily. Visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/ dogs/where-can-I-walkmy-dog.

This project has been assisted with funding from the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.

This opportunity has received support from Council to allow three local businesses to align with some of the most high-profile food and beverage producers and providers in our region, and open their doors to new customers and markets, as well as receiving the industry support offered by Northern Rivers Food.

“The Harvest Food Trail is renowned for its celebration of the region’s capable and determined producers and it would be terrific to be able to showcase the talent we have here in the Richmond Valley.”

Successful applicants to the program will receive a one-year membership of Northern Rivers Food and free participation in the 2023 Harvest Food Trail with support in promotion and planning from both Northern Rivers Food and Richmond Valley Council,

The program is open to an assessment process run in conjunction with Richmond Valley Council and Northern Rivers Food, and interested businesses should contact Lorissa Phelan, Communications and Festival Coordinator at Northern Rivers Food, on socialmedia@ northernriversfood.org or 0409 028 153, or head to Council Notices on the Richmond Valley Council website.