Funding announced for local Rum Distillery

The Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt has announced that Sunshine Sugar is amongst seven agricultural processing business in the Northern Rivers to receive funding under the Australian and NSW Governments’ Supply Chain Support Program.

For Sunshine Sugar, this grant will help kick start a new era of both food resilience and re-establishing a link to the regions storied past with the development of a world class Rum Distillery based at the Broadwater Sugar Mill site.

Sunshine Sugar and Sydney Rum Distillery have a Heads of Agreement for a long-term relationship that will see a ‘craft with scale’ distillery established to showcase the fnest Northern Rivers sugarcane to the world through a portfolio of premium to ultrapremium rum brands. The distillery will reestablish an important historic link with the regions past, when rum was distilled at the Harwood Sugar Mill in the late 1800’s and into the early 1900’s.

Sydney Rum Distillery Chief Executive, Steve Magarry said; “This new distillery will incorporate some of the latest developments in sustainability and environmental credentials, from raw material sourcing to design and energy usage.” While the brands will be available in the local market, the focus will be to showcase quality

Australian provenance to consumers all over the world. It also offers our strategic focus on long-term sustainability of our growers and our sugar industry the opportunity to diversify into high value products and signifcant export markets.

Chris Conners Chief Executive of Sunshine Sugar added; “Not only does this initiative have a great link to our heritage, it fts squarely into our industry through business diversifcation and innovation. It also an important plank in the long-term sustainability of the Broadwater Mill with diversifcation projects supplementing the cane crushing operation.

Exciting $1.4M upgrade on the way for Gilmore Crescent

Gilmore Crescent in Byron Bay will get a $1.4M road upgrade and other improvements after Council awarded a tender for the works this week. The works have been made possible thanks to the Australian Government’s Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program – and they’re set to get underway on Monday (13 March), weather permitting.

The Gilmore Crescent project was jointly funded by the Australian Government and Byron Shire Council. Australian Government funding of $1 million was provided through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program. This program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia.

In addition to a road upgrade, the project will deliver 250m of shared path for cyclists and pedestrians that connects through to Tennyson St and 100m of shared path through to Lawson Street where a pedestrian refuge crossing is also being constructed. 18 additional car parking spaces will be provided and the existing parking will be line marked and formalised as part of the project.

“We are thrilled to have the chance to fnally upgrade Gilmore Crescent which has been in need of improvements and will be of great beneft to local residents, as well as the community of Sandhills Early Childhood Centre and the Youth Activity Centre,” Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon said.

“These works will also provide safe and vital connections from the foreshore area through to Council’s fantastic new Skatepark for everyone who is walking, rolling or riding – so we are very happy to be delivering this upgrade for the whole community.

Member for Richmond,

Justine Elliot MP congratulated Byron Shire Council for being awarded this important funding to deliver vital upgrades to Gilmore Crescent in Byron Bay.

“Many locals have contacted me regarding Gilmore Crescent, and I am proud as your strong voice in the Albanese Government to deliver this important funding,” Ms Elliot said.

“The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program supports local councils to deliver important local road and community infrastructure projects,” she said.

Where poetry leads the way…by Nigel Dawe