The Northern Rivers Times
January 25, 2024!!!
14 NEWS Unveiling the All-New Ballina Coast and Hinterland Visitor Guide:
Your Gateway to Unforgettable Experiences
The Ballina Tourism Team is excited to introduce the muchanticipated Ballina Coast and Hinterland Visitor Guide—an expansive A4 publication meticulously crafted to showcase the region’s must-see attractions through captivating visuals, insightful editorials, and essential visitor information. Serving as the primary marketing publication for the Ballina Tourism Team, the Visitor Guide functions as a gateway to the Ballina Coast and Hinterland, catering to a diverse audience that includes both current explorers of our region and prospective visitors meticulously planning their journeys. Widely distributed through the extensive Visitor Information Centre Network and strategically placed in key destinations, this guide is thoughtfully designed to inspire and inform.
No luxury liner trip for early settlers Title: Death Ships Author: Doug Limbrick Price: $28.95 Publisher: Shawline Publishing By Samantha Elley Coming to Australia in the early days of white settlement was no picnic. There were no luxury cruise liners to enjoy the trip out on. In fact, for many it was a death sentence. Doug Limbrick gives an account in this incredibly well researched book of the lives of the early pioneers who decided to make the great southland their home. Events such as the discovery of gold in 1851 had a huge impact on the numbers of people who decided to come to the colonies and make their fortunes. Limbrick concentrates on six large North American-built ships which were used to transport
emigrants to the colonies to fill the positions in the commercial and agricultural world that had been abandoned by gold-seekers. These ships, the Wanata, Beejapore, Marco Polo, Shackamaxon, Ticonderoga and Bourneuf were commissioned to transport nearly 5000 passengers on board. What happened on those ships and the results, would have permanent effects on those aboard for decades to come. Doug Limbrick is a graduate of the Australian National University in Canberra and has worked for many years in social policy development. His interest is 19th century Australian history and his previous book, reviewed here is ‘Colonial Artist, S.T. Gill’. ‘Death Ships’ has been nominated for a number of literary awards, including the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for Australian History in 2022. Death Ships can be purchased at shawlinepublishing.com.au
In collaboration with over 45 local businesses, the Ballina Coast and Hinterland Guide beckons visitors to embark on a journey of exploration, highlighting the distinctive experiences that define our destination. With a print run of 50,000 copies, the guide is
disseminating across the Northern Rivers region, Southeast Queensland, New South Wales, and select parts of Victoria. Alanah Ward, Team Leader Visitor Services at Ballina Shire Council, shared her enthusiasm, stating, “The Ballina Coast and Hinterland guide provides us with
a unique opportunity to share the wonders of this destination with people across the country. We extend our sincere appreciation to the businesses that have supported this project and shared their compelling stories with us.” For those eager to obtain a copy of the guide, a visit to the Ballina Visitor Information Centre at 6 River Street, Ballina, is all it takes. Retail, tourism, and accommodation businesses are also encouraged to collect copies to offer their patrons. Additionally, the guide is readily accessible online at discoverballina.com. au/visit/visitor-guide, providing a virtual gateway for anyone keen to explore the Ballina Coast and Hinterland from the comfort of their screens.
New carpark and public toilets on the way at Mullumbimby Rec Grounds Commencing late January, a substantial revitalization of the Mullumbimby Recreation Grounds carpark is on the horizon, ushering in a multifaceted project aimed at enhancing both accessibility and overall facilities. Spearheaded by a budget of $903,594, generously funded by the Australian and NSW Government’s Community Assets Program, this initiative signifies a pivotal step towards rejuvenating a crucial community space. The comprehensive project encompasses several key components, including the renewal of the existing carpark with a focus on formalizing 111 parking spaces, inclusive of two designated accessible spaces. Additionally, a 100-meter stretch of new footpath is slated to connect seamlessly to
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper
the amenities block and bus stop area, promoting enhanced accessibility and connectivity. Recognizing the pressing need for improvement, the project addresses the carpark’s ailing surface, a concern voiced by regular users of the recreation grounds. Phil Holloway, Director of Infrastructure Services, emphasized the urgency of this endeavor, stating, “The surface of the car park is badly in need of work, as regular users of the rec grounds will attest to.”
Further augmenting the recreational experience, the project introduces improved drainage, minor landscaping, and a designated safe drop-off area along Byron Street, facilitating convenient vehicle drop-offs, pickups, and turnarounds. A comprehensive approach includes signage and line marking to streamline traffic flow and enhance safety measures. During the approximately five-week duration of the carpark upgrade, the section near Byron Street will be temporarily closed. Minor lopping of select branches will also be undertaken to facilitate machinery access to the site. In tandem with the carpark overhaul, an additional grant of $372,000 from the NSW Government’s Sports Priority Needs Program will contribute to a significant upgrade
of the public toilets and the former “Little Athletics” building. This transformative initiative will incorporate change rooms, adding an extra layer of functionality to these communal facilities. Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, emphasized the broader context of these enhancements, stating, “Not only are these projects helping repair the damage caused by these events, but they are helping to improve facilities so that they can best meet the needs of all members of the community now and into the future.” The ongoing commitment from the Australian and NSW Governments continues to play a pivotal role in fostering community resilience and revitalizing essential recreational spaces.
