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LETTERS, FEEDBACK AND OPINION
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MORE EASY UNDER ALBANESE
What a pleasantly predictable election result, blind Freddy would have seen that coming; there was no way any self-respecting Aussie voter was ever going to tolerate such a badly behaving Govt any longer. Watching LNP carnage on a grand scale, was a joy to behold, “How good is Australia”. No miracle this time just a massive revolt by the “quiet Australians” totally disillusioned with the most corrupt and incompetent Govt. in Australia’s history and the systemic lying, backstabbing and bullying behaviour of Scott Morrison, who was treating Australians like mugs and will undoubtedly be remembered as the worst PM in history.
How good was it to see this treacherous shapeshifting blatherskite taken down?, and that a Federal ICAC with real teeth will now be a reality and we can look forward to a steady stream of these corrupt ex-LNP ministers who have been up to their necks in rorting public money and openly flouting Parliamentary standards and rules- while hiding behind Ministerial powers to thwart AFP inquiries- being finally held to account; it is going to be highly entertaining.
And just a cheerio call to Bill Ashford and Joff Johnston, I know Bill especially was eagerly awaiting my comments after this election, and I rarely disappoint. When confronted with home truths, Bill and Joff often lash out spuriously in response- with offensive rightist diatribe which is very un-Australian, but they only besmirch themselves.
But fellers don’t despair, this result was vital for all Aussies, we will now have an efficient, ethical Govt. And finally, continue watching Sky News After Dark as much as possible (while it lasts), for personal wellness, as I’m sure those right-wing crazies will put the best spin possible on this great result. Fellers, remember the jingle, “life will be far easier under Albanese”.
Keith Duncan,
Pimlico
THANK YOU
I’m so proud of what my team has achieved. An incredible community effort has been underway to engage others in
the things that matter to them, and to support me as their community independent.
I would like to send out a huge thank you to every person who has supported my campaign in ways big and small, and especially to the thousands of people who have put their faith in me in the form of their vote.
The work of the Voices 4 Page group will continue, and I plan to run again.
It’s inspiring indeed to see the success of the new teal MPs across Australia. For the sake of our communities I would have loved to have joined those independents, to be our community voice on the cross-bench, but the people have made their choice and I respect that.
I am heartened by the strong and compassionate speech of our new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He has made it clear that a federal integrity commission will be a priority of this new government; that the Uluru Statement will be officially recognised and acted upon; and that the workplace, including parliament, will be a better place for women moving forwards.
It is clear that these important priorities of many teal independents are front and centre for the newly forming government. I hope that a strong climate policy will also be front and centre.
I will continue to fight hard to ensure that our flooded neighbours receive the support and certainty they need for now and for the future, so no one is left behind.
Hanabeth Luke,
Independent for Page
THE ENVIRONMENT
Billionaires Mike cannon Brooks and twiggy forest want to help save the environment well the best way than can help the environment is not buy AGL or what other ideas they may have. Rather they should give their billions to the reforest now who plants trees everywhere to bring back the big scrub and other areas denuded of trees to stop ongoing climate change. In addition, another great company devil’s ark who rewild native animals back into nature to help rebalance the eco system that’s so out of whack it’s insane think flood bushfire and incessant rain. Furthermore, they could fund getting rid of feral cats pigs etc and non-native species of plants like Lantana etc. This is how they can help the environment and save us from utter disaster from climate change.
Alan Mosley
Yamba
WARDELL HALL LEASE – CORE
Congratulations Councillors! You did a good job of taking the heart and soul out of Wardell! It is plain to see how trade has dropped off and parking is a breeze as no-one goes there anymore.
Wardell CORE was really bringing in the numbers. The dress shop was busy, Nigel’s pie shop was busy with visitors and volunteers buying over twenty pies a day, cars and people were continuously coming and going. All gone! Wardell is now a ghost town. All CORE wanted was a one-year lease to finish the job of assisting flood victims.
So where did it all go wrong at the Finance Committee meeting of 19th May? The Mayor led the charge and those on her ticket voted to refuse the request from Wardell CORE to take over the lease of Wardell War Memorial Hall.
Cr Nigel Buchanan, who had a distinct conflict of interest, voted against CORE. But how could this be when he had previously made complaints to Council about CORE giving away free pastries to flood affected victims. This isa pecuniary interest complaint.
The Mayor told me “We have to look after Nigel” and Nigel told me “He was asked to go on the Mayor’s ticket to keep the Greens out”.
People are living in tents and caravans. The Indigenous will be housed at Wardell Sport & Rec grounds until their houses are rebuilt on flood prone Cabbage Tree Island after receiving a $70million Government grant. But what about the rest of the flood affected? They seriously need help and they are not getting it from Ballina Shire Council. Originally the Mayor wanted everyone to go to the Recovery Centre in Gallans Road, Ballina. That’s when CORE got kicked out of the Wardell War Memorial Hall.
The Council report says: The core objectives for management of community land categorised as general community use are to promote, encourage and provide for the use of the land, and to provide facilities on the land, to meet the current and future needs of the local community and of the wider public—
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LETTERS AND OPINION
People have been coming from far and wide to get help from CORE. Joel and Venetia are not the type to lie down and die. They are fighting to keep CORE alive and have signed a lease to move into the old bank building. The rental is $550 per week as opposed to being minimal at Wardell War Memorial Hall. CORE has now got 120 members in its incorporated body. The Wardell Progress Association has got 31.
Who voted which way? FOR the motion to lease the Hall to the Wardell Progress Association: Councillors Cadwallader, Buchanan, Ramsay, Bruem, Johnston. AGAINST:Meehan, McCarthy, Dicker, Chate. ABSENT:
Jeff Johnson.
Remember this in two years’ time when the next local government election is upon us. Margaret Howes Empire Vale
BALLINA COUNCIL
It proved business as usual for Ballina Council in granting approval undercover of extraordinary Richmond River flooding for a commercial centre on reclaimed floodplain at the base of Ballina Heights housing estate and notorious Cumbalum highway blockade.
For far too long the area has served as the wrecking ball for bureaucratic backed developers and ensuing record flooding.
The proposed site with adjoining ovals, sediment ponds and nearby bicycle track to Ballina, once formed part of a natural outlet for Emigrant Creek floodwaters to the sea via both Roberts and Deadmans Creeks all now choked off behind the Ballina Airport.
Further upstream lay the Tintenbar valley crippled by this upheaval and additional flooding backlash from a third Pacific Highway and other inane projects where local landholder knowledge was ridiculed in favour of ill-fated official modelling reducing Old Bangalow Road and my adjoining farm to the pathetic cesspit that now exists.
In response to my protests was a vendetta of farm visits from various public officials pointing the finger in my direction to cover their own tracks.
Yet footage I hold on official floodplain vandalism would stand one’s hair on edge.
And let’s not forget my dozens of pre-flooding submissions to officials that never warranted a response yet would have alleviated so much heart break to flood victims had they been heeded.
Those planners, past and present, now in denial, should hang their heads in shame. John Hayter Tintenbar
HYPOCRISY
I don’t know whether Andrew Forrest suffers from memory loss or is just a dyed in the wool hypocrite but his screams of anguish over Australia’s continued use of fossil fuels border on blatant hypocrisy. Forrest made his squillions mining in WA using massive earthmoving and mining machinery over many years, that machinery would have swallowed up millions of litres of diesel fuel as well as engine and hydraulic oils, grease etc, courtesy of the petroleum industry around the world. How many tons of carbon would have been, and still is, being pumped into the atmosphere by Forrest’s mining ventures just to fatten his wallet and do you think he really cares? Australia does well out of mining royalties and the sale of products overseas that keep our economy afloat and we know that we need our fossil fuel industry to power our economy until a definite alternate energy source can be guaranteed, we just cannot tie ourselves to every pie in the sky that appears on the horizon. Australia is rich in minerals and no doubt is the envy of a lot of countries in this day and age, China is showing aggression in our Pacific zone in a blatant attempt to bully Australia, China intends to build a Naval base in the Solomon Islands also eyeing off New Guinea as a base. Ask yourself, for what obvious reason? Australia is well on the way to being the sitting duck of the Pacific, thousands of hectares of open country covered in glass solar panels with monstrous wind turbines perched up on the hills by the thousands. What happens when the renewables brigade manages to close down all our base load power stations and the aggressor becomes more aggressive, as has happened in Europe with Russia? A few guided missiles into those solar farms would put paid to our electricity supply in a couple of days, the wind towers would be easy meat, the downside of renewables is that it takes so many to provide so little power. But then I could be wrong, and monsters do not exist. Fred Perring Halfway Creek
FAKE VICTORY
I would like to congratulate Barnaby Joyce on his stellar performance during the federal election, and the wonderful result in keeping and increasing percentages within their seats. The Liberal party certainly now needs to take a few lessons from the Nationals. Mr Joyce now has the mandate to demand a greater number of senior shadow portfolios, and a stronger, louder voice within the coalition. I am still quite amazed how the labor party can steal an election with an underwhelming 32% of the primary vote, greens and simon says independent’s obviously gave them the win. Not a lot to be proud of labor. I can find the courage within my crushed soul to congratulate Mr Albanese on his win. No doubt the lefty’s are right now gloating on their success. They should enjoy it while they can, it will be short lived. The greatest tragedy is the demise of our treasurer Josh Frydenberg, a true talent and decent human being. Replaced by a novice, a political nobody with votes from the rich, snobby individuals who don’t give a hoot about paying through the nose for electricity, fuel and food or other necessary items. One wonders about our political system. I do hope Mr Albanese can govern within his own right, and not have to give the Simon says independants any recognition, they deserve nothing. The fickle nature of Aussies voting habits truly baffles me. They threw out Mr Howard for delivering them many years of stable, prosperous government, and now Mr Morrison. Did he not just guide us successfully through a pandemic with deaths well below international numbers. Did he not get unemployment under 4%, did he not successfully introduce jobkeeper and prevent millions of employees from joining the dole queue, to name just a few great achievements. Go figure. The prime ministers job is to do exactly that, he is not there to win a popularity contest or be everyone’s friend, he was there to serve his nation, and serve it very well he did. G. MacDonald Pimlico
YOUNG AT HEART… by Nigel Dawe
That youth rhymes with truth is an irony of not just the English language but of life itself that has often brought me more than a quizzically wrought wry smile.
The United Nations deems youth to be ‘all persons between the ages of 15 and 24’; your average dictionary deems it: ‘the time of life between being a child and an adult’. Clearly dictionaries factor in the sliding temporal lull that this period can exacerbate or elicit in some, and not others.
Having highlighted these diverging definitional points, I’m not your average youth-knocking, big noting old timer. I do it not to mock but to express my deep regard for the exuberance and energy young people typically bring to what they are most passionate about. As one of my own literary heroes, Albert Camus once chimed: “Youth is above all a collection of possibilities.”
Using my own now long since departed youth as an example, I don’t think I’ve ever felt the world around me to be larger, more alluring, or limitless than what I did back then. It is a period I will fondly recall for the rest of my days. The Bulgarian Nobel prize winner, Elias Canetti, perhaps best expressed this swirling sentiment: “Every old person sees himself as a sum total of successful tricks. Every young person feels himself to be the source of the world.”
When you’re young, being old or even getting old is something supremely non-existent, it is an unfathomably foreign prospect in light of your own glistening prime. And then one day, it occurs to you that you are no longer what could be considered even remotely – young. Like sitting on a surfboard with your back to the beach, becoming old is a gradual drift until you look behind you and realise that you are not right next to the shore of your youth, but you’ve been carried a full five kilometres out to sea.
That said, I don’t think I’ve ever missed for one moment the season of my youth, in actual fact I lean more towards the consoling sentiments of Virginia Woolf: “One of the signs of passing youth is the birth of a sense of fellowship with other human beings as we take our place among them.” That we seem to accept, see, and tolerate people far more as we age is the actual blessing and strengthening crux of the aging process.
The essence or spirit of youth is something I’d never want to quell or let go of in myself, it is the most invigorating mindset and perspective to carry through our days. Relatedly, the much-celebrated German author, Thomas Mann once said: “To be young means to be original, to have remained nearer to the sources of life; it means to be able to stand up and shake off the fetters of an outlived civilisation, to dare - where others lack the courage - to plunge again into the elemental.”
TONIA DYNAN
Councillor Patrick Deegan asked Richmond Valley Council at the meeting last week to acknowledge residents in the Mid Richmond and across the Richmond Valley were preparing to refit their homes and to take actions to protect their homes from future flood events such as raising their homes.
Cr Deegan said residents would prefer to raise their homes before refitting, as the process of raising the home has the potential to damage new internal works undertaken.
He said council would complete its Floodplain Risk Management Plan by late 2023 and would not be able to consider a Voluntary House Raising Scheme until this time.
Cr Deegan proposed the council writes to the State Government seeking urgent support to complete the Floodplain Risk Management Plan to bring forward Council’s Voluntary House Raising Scheme.
He also requested that council ask for the State Government to urgently implement its own Voluntary House Raising Scheme for Northern Rivers residents.
“I guess what the residents in particular really need is some form of certainty,” Cr Deegan said.
Cr Robert Hayes asked what the cost would be to finish the Floodplain Risk Management Plan, estimated to be $200,000, and where the money would come from.
He also asked, if other councils were in the same situation, why wasn’t the State Government putting risk plans in place across the entire region?
General Manager Vaughan Macdonald said at this stage, the Floodplain Risk Management Plan wasn’t funded.
“The flood study’s funded and the draft of that has been completed and was all but ready to go out to community consultation when we got hit by the flood events,” Mr Macdonald said.
“Subsequent to that, we have received funding from the Department of Planning to review the model against what occurred, so obviously to learn from those events, test the model, so that’s been funded by the State Government and that’s been provided to other councils.
“Once they’ve done that review, obviously we will continue through the process of the public consultation. Once we have the model and we can assess what the model tells us to put together the Floodplain Risk Management Plan.
“We’ve identified that in the flood response document and we assessed it in that document as needing around $150,000 to do that work. We’ve made that aware to state and federal governments that that’s what we need to get on with that.
“I don’t know the timeframe of getting one of those done. Obviously, the availability of consultants, contractors and technical experts at the moment is a challenge in all areas.”
Mr Macdonald said the response from the State Government at the moment was that they were waiting on the outcomes of the flood inquiry before proceeding.
“They (the flood inquiry) are to report by late June on a number of matters in their terms of reference, and then on the rest of the matters in their terms of reference in September, so the answers we’re getting at the moment is the government is waiting for the first stage of that inquiry and recommendations around house raising, land swaps and the like,” he said.
“The last time I checked in with my team, about a dozen people have indicated an interest (in the house raising scheme) but that was a couple of weeks since I asked for those figures, so there may be more.
“We are very aware that people don’t want to wait, and we get all the reasons why people don’t want to wait, but it is another of a long list of frustrating issues that we are dealing with at the moment.
“Another point to make, is that some of the people who have made inquiries wouldn’t meet the current definition of eligibility for a houseraising scheme because their property is built at the one-in-100 height, where as the houseraising scheme is at the one-in-20, so there’s a big difference there.”
Cr Hayes asked if people who had previously raised their homes would qualify for the new scheme?
“Under the current criteria for the houseraising scheme, which is a State Government (scheme), there are specific guidelines for it, unless that make that change many houses wouldn’t be eligible under the current criteria,” Mr Macdonald said.
Mayor Robert Mustow said he understood the intent of the notice of motion and he noted that at the last council meeting a Voluntary House Raising Scheme had come to council.
“We said we would progress with that, and this it to fasten that up, but in that report we were told that the review of that scheme was only done in February this year by the State Government, so that would need to be reviewed if we are going to get a large number of homes lifted in the Richmond Valley,” Cr Mustow said.
“I’m just concerned, I don’t want to give people out there false hope that if we write this letter something’s going to happen in the next couple of months because there’s a lot of work to be done, as the general manager said, with these other studies, so I’ll be supporting it to try to quicken it up, but I have concerns some people might think it’s going to happen in the next few months.
“I can’t see that happening as we still have to wait for that
Councillor seeks action RICHMOND VALLEY COUNCIL BRIEFS
on home raising scheme Superannuation Councillors voted to start superannuation payments to the flood inquiry to come Mayor and councillors and then the government equivalent to the will then have to work out how they are going superannuation guarantee payment. This has an estimated to do it.” cost for the next Dr Richard Gates spoke on the matter before the of $20,346. The council meeting. payments will start “I am disturbed by the from July 1.note that council will not complete its Floodplain Capital works Risk Management Plan The draft budget for until 2023, a year and 2022/2023 includes half away, and council’s a sizeable capital website indicates that works program of the Richmond Valley $45.6 million and flood study is expected whilst the assessment to be completed by late 2021 and will guide infrastructure the future of floodplain continues, these management actions in projects have not been Richmond Valley,” Dr included in the draft Gates said. budget. “Are they one and The major projects same thing? Whatever include: happened to that study • MR145 Woodburnwhich I understand has Coraki Road Major been with council since Upgrade $7m February of this year? • Crawford Why has that study not Square Playground been made available for Redevelopment $398k public scrutiny? • Casino “Yes, I have read Showground and Richmond Valley Racecourse Upgrade Council’s flood 2022 $5.99m report which was given • Casino Memorial to the Premier where it’s indicated that there Pool $1.085m • Northern Rivers Rail Trail (Casino to will be a revision of Bentley) $6.8m this draft report, but the reason that I raise this question is that we Following the should see what mistakes Ordinary Council were made in that meeting in March, report so that they can Council introduced be corrected for future rating relief across reports, and that would the LGA in response be useful feedback from to the unprecedented the public. “I wrote about the by waiving interest deficiencies of the draft on all overdue rates Evans Head Flood (rates and water/ Study in 2014 and was sewer charges) for promised a response the remainder of the from the consultant, but a response was never year. forthcoming. Those Councillors voted to deficiencies included continue to advocate incorrect catchment for a rate relief boundaries which left scheme, funded by the out several large areas NSW Government; which were not included and extend the interest in the final plan, and free period on overdue which have a substantial rates charges by an bearing on what happens additional 6 months, at the Iron Gates at until 31 December Evans Head and for other 2022. areas where houses were The rate relief will badly flooded this time have an estimated along the Woodburn- impact of $59,000 on Evans Head Road.” council’s budget.
Flood clean-up tops 100,000 tonnes
The clean-up effort in the Northern Rivers region is nearing completion, with almost 22,000 truckloads of waste cleared communities and 940 cubic metres of debris removed from beaches and waterways. Deputy Premier Paul progress is thanks to the combined effort of emergency crews, local councils, NSW Government agencies and many others working in the clean-up process. “Around 105,000 tonnes of waste has been removed from deposited at facilities in Alstonville and Coraki. That’s equivalent to over 135 Olympic swimming pools,” Mr Toole said. waste is being cleared from the temporary waste transfer facilities across these local government areas, and as waste collection transitions back into local council waste facilities, the temporary waste transfer facilities in Alstonville, Coraki and Lismore will be stood down.” Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the clean-up has been an emotional affected communities. “Kerbside piles of debris, including personal possessions destroyed by constant reminder of the devastation,” Ms Cooke said. “Residents who have can also access a free property assessment. “They will be provided with a scope of repair works and, if a property is deemed unsafe or beyond economical repair, the owner can have the demolition and removal of waste services undertaken at zero cost.” Minister for Environment James shoreline clean-up being managed by the NSW Environment Protection Authority is assisting with the removal of waste from waterways in these impacted areas. “Debris is being collected from rivers, estuaries and beaches in impacted areas using boats, cranes, barges and hand picking,” Mr “Since the beginning of March, a total of 4,340 cubic metres of debris has been removed from impacted waterways across all of NSW.
Bee stings and hot pies: a yummy combination
SAMANTHA ELLEY
Good news for Casino residents who love their fresh bread and hot pies. Dave’s Bakehouse has taken over from Casino Bakeries in the Casino Plaza and has been serving up their yummy delights since last Wednesday. While the owners of Casino Bakeries, Mark and Mescal have moved on after 32 years of the business in the Chivers family, Dave and Jo Sudiro have taken up the reigns. When the Sudiros opened up their bakery in Kyogle 11 years ago, little did they know how much a part of the community they would become. “When we first opened in Kyogle we were doing wholesale to Casino, sending products to businesses down there,” said Jo. “We received an enormous amount of support from the Casino people. “As our business changed, we had to let the wholesale go but thought we’d love to have a shop there to continue to support them, especially as some customers drive up here to Kyogle to support us.” Despite looking at a few shops, the right opportunity didn’t present itself to the Sudiros until the owner of Casino Bakeries got in touch and advised them he was selling up and his shop in Casino Plaza was available. “I could see the look on Dave’s face and knew that’s where we were going,” laughed Jo. “We’ve kept all the staff from Casino Bakeries and it looks like we may need to employ more people as well.” Over the years, Jo said the Bee Sting (sweet yeast bread layers filled with vanilla custard) has been a favourite in Kyogle. “In the two and a bit days we’ve been (in Casino) our pies are popular,” said Jo. “And that’s any pie, we can’t keep up with the demand at the moment.” The bakery also sells sandwiches, coffee, pies, bread rolls and hot cinnamon donuts. “We also make cakes to order for birthdays and all celebrations,” said Jo. “I just want people to know that, I know we have taken over from a business that has been there a long time with loyal staff and products and we want to continue that tradition and be part of the community. “So many people have welcomed us.” Dave and Jo’s daughter Sophie is running the shop in Casino Plaza, so make sure you pop in and say ‘hi’ while you get your coffee and pie.
Boots on the ground a welcome service for our community
Lismore MP Janelle for Resilience NSW’s Mobile Recovery Street Teams to be deployed on the ground to doorknock of South, North and central Lismore have been heeded by the NSW Government. “I know they were needed weeks, even months ago, but they are here now. I welcome the services on the ground with our community where they are needed,” “This is so much better than dealing with a call centre,” the MP said of the Government’s weekend announcement of the outreach work and of Resilience NSW establishing a presence at The Koori Mail in the Central Business District; in Goonellabah; and at the old railway station in South Lismore. “I have made repeated calls for a local presence on the ground; for boots on the ground with their notebooks, for Government Agency representatives to come to local people who need their help the most and to offer face-to-face, practical and compassionate assistance. “I again raised this issue strongly in Parliament last week during a meeting with NSW Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke and in representations to NSW Premier Dominic “This door-to-door will be very much welcomed by local residents, including South Lismore icon John Habib JP, who is also from the local SES.” The Government earlier announced that Resilience NSW’s door knocking program had begun in South Lismore. Mobile Recovery Street Teams will affected residents with information on a range of and accommodation support on offer, and how to access it. They will also be providing immediate assistance in the form of food hampers. To complement the door knocking program, Mobile Recovery Points will be set up at the following locations: • The Koori Mail – weekly • Goonellabah – fortnightly from 19 May. • Former South Lismore Train Station – weekly
Mango Myrtle
Native Essential Oil developed in Byron Bay
LARA LEAHY
In the native coastal rainforests of Byron Bay grows a wild native plant called the Blue Lilly Pilly. This month, in a world first, after being cultivated, tested and bottled, the essential oil is now available commercially.
“It’s fresh, fruity, summery and lends itself well to perfumes, cosmetics, body lotions and home use. It has been found to be high in monoterpenes, which are considered to have relaxing, anti-depressant and insect-repelling properties,” reports Greg Trevena, the person behind the oils development.
Mango Myrtle Essential Oil is derived from the leaves of the native Lilly Pilly - Syzygium oleosum. It is commonly found in the coastal rainforests of Australia, particularly in the Byron Bay region.
Greg, a lover of plants from Byron Bay, specialises in researching Australian native species with beautiful aromas and turning them into unique essential oils. “This is the first steam distilled mango-scented essential oil in the world. It has never been seen before and I’m incredibly proud to be officially announcing its discovery and launch in Byron Bay,” said Greg.
Greg consulted with Delta Kay, a local Arakwal Bunjalung woman in Byron Bay. Delta shared her local knowledge and the Arakwal Bunjalung people’s cultural history and use of the Blue Lilly Pilly with Greg.
Delta said, “The Blue Lilly Pilly grows throughout our traditional homelands of Byron Bay and Bundjalung Country. Our people enjoy this juicy, crisp berry straight from the tree.”
Greg found the plant is particularly abundant in places like Tallows Beach, Baywood Chase and along the pathway leading up to Byron Bay’s iconic lighthouse.
Delta went on to explain the benefits of the fruit.
“This purple-blue fruit is one of the nicest Lilly Pillys to eat fresh or used to flavour water or other foods. Its flavour can vary but often is similar to the common mango. We consider it high in vitamin c and antioxidants for good health and treating colds. The leaves can also be rubbed on the skin, for a nice, fruity, perfume effect. Inhaling the fruity, fresh scent, is uplifting, refreshing and calming.”
Greg initially saw the tree on private property in 2016 and was amazed by its scent.
“Mango Myrtle smells just like green mango,” hence its name. Greg propagated the plant, and after success in 2017, grew over 2,500 trees on his property in Byron’s hinterland. The first harvest was reaped late in 2021, then the oil was produced and finally tested at Southern Cross University for its health-giving properties.
Mango Myrtle Essential Oil is now available from Essentially Australia. Visit www.essentiallyaustralia.com.au
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North Coast XPT service back on track
Customers travelling on North Coast XPT services between Sydney and Brisbane are once again able to enjoy the entire journey by train, after months of weatherrelated disruptions.
As well as damage to the track in NSW, Queensland Rail’s completion of the Brisbane Cross River Delivery Authority project, meaning passenger trains were not able to run into Roma Street Station.
Infrastructure repairs have now been completed, so coaches will no longer be needed to replace trains on the XPT service between Casino and Brisbane.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said it was great news for customers and the north coast region as it
“I thank NSW TrainLink regional customers for their patience over recent months of disrupted journeys due to and severe weather,” Mr Farraway said.
“The north coast route between Sydney and Brisbane is NSW TrainLink’s longest XPT service, covering 1,012 kilometres over 15 hours and stopping at 24 locations.
“It’s also one of the most popular regional train trips in the country, with a total number of passenger trips in both directions of around 100,000 a year, preCOVID.
“NSW TrainLink crews are delighted to be once again back on the tracks the entire distance between Sydney and Brisbane, serving customers on the North Coast XPTs.
“This service is so important in connecting people across state borders, including those travelling for school, medical appointments or to see family.”
Customers can book a trip on the North Coast XPT or any NSW TrainLink regional service by calling 13 22 32 or online at transportnsw.info/ regional-bookings
Listen to the call
Citizen scientists are once
seasons has been collected
show we have an active
observations were recorded
Call observations are
Two council-owned sites at Brunswick Heads have NSW Government as locations for temporary housing for people who had their homes
Council is now working with Resilience NSW lease arrangements which would allow for temporary housing to be erected on a smaller site at Excelsior Circuit in Bayside next to Lilly Pilly Preschool and at 125 Tweed Street on the remediated former STP housing in the Byron Shire will be managed by Resilience NSW in conjunction with local community housing providers.
“I don’t think anyone would dispute the critical need we have right now for safe and secure housing for people who are rebuilding and recovering from the need this housing now,” Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon said.
Mayor Lyon said Council supported the development of the sites for short-term residential accommodation as resolved at the Council Meeting on 12 May.
“This project sits with Resilience NSW and Service NSW who will be engaging directly with people to determine their level of need and support,” he said.
The two sites are included in the $350 million modular housing packing for the Northern Rivers, announced by the NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, on Sunday 17 April 2022.
Similar temporary housing is being set up on various sites in neighbouring shires and potentially other sites in Byron Shire that are not owned by Council.
More information about on the Service NSW website.
Lobby secures $30,000 for falls awareness campaign
Lismore MP Janelle secure $30,000 in NSW
for seniors will be common reason for
Educator receives national recognition
Bangalow Road widening progresses
Works under construction
Community Building Partnership Program
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said applications are open for the 2022 Community Building Partnership program, unlocking $37.2 million for community infrastructure projects across NSW.
Mr Singh said $400,000 is available for projects in each NSW electorate, including Coffs Harbour. He urges local councils to apply for the funds they need to deliver projects with social, environmental and recreational outcomes.
“Local sports clubs, charities, schools and museums are just some from this program,” Mr Singh said.
“If your organisation or club needs extra funding for infrastructure, such as playgrounds, accessible features, equipment or refurbishment, then I’d strongly encourage you to apply.”
The Community Building Partnership program has awarded more than $399 million to over 18,000 projects since it commenced in 2009.
“This program means that you can support your community group to improve the places you meet, train or play,” Mr Singh said.
“Take the time to prepare and submit your application so your community group doesn’t miss out on a share of $400,000.”
Applications close at 5pm, Friday 10 June 2022. Applicants must read the program guidelines to ensure their club or organisation and proposed project are eligible.
For more information, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/ cbp
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin hosts former Landcom CEO John Brogden during a site visit in Cynthia Wilson Drive, East Lismore last December. They are briefed by Lismore City Council’s Director Partnerships, Planning and Engagement Eber Butron and Acting Strategic Planning Coordinator Andy Parks.
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has made a special request to the NSW Government for $7.5 million to enable two townhouse developments in East Lismore and Goonellabah, adding 66 flood-free, affordable units to the city’s housing stock.
Ms Saffin confirmed she had asked NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet to bankroll the fully costed, detailed proposals developed by Landcom and already sent to Government.
“We are now seeing the fruits of a regional roundtable and site inspections organised by me for Landcom’s former CEO John Brogden late last year,” Ms Saffin said.
“A $7.5-million Government investment would give the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation two immediate housing projects to drive as we start rebuilding from July 1, providing real hope to the people of Lismore in particular.
“Landcom has briefed me on a planning and risk assessment package they have done on the two townhouse development sites identified by Lismore City Council – in Cynthia Wilson Drive, East Lismore, and in Bristol Circuit, Goonellabah.
“I’ve been working strategically with others to address the housing affordability crisis we face here in Lismore and across the region. The floods make it much more dire.
“This is a golden opportunity to build mainly affordable housing and some social housing out of the floodplain, with an indicative completion date of the end of 2024.
“I’ve also asked the Premier to give strong consideration to including Landcom in the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Taskforce and then as a partner with the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation as part of our rebuild.”
Landcom -- the NSW Government’s land and property development organisation -- has been consulting with Lismore City, Byron Shire and Tweed Shire councils on potential affordable and social housing projects.
Know a community organisation that could use $5k?
Community organisations around the Byron Shire are invited to apply for grants of up to $5,000 as part of Council’s annual Community Initiatives funding program for 2022/2023.
The funding program opened today and grants are on offer for projects need, build a sense of community and align with Council’s priorities. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2022.
“Last year we had nine groups putting this funding to excellent use for everything from continuation of Spaghetti Circus’ class scholarships for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, to supporting community events at the Byron Community Centre,” Council’s Acting Manager Social and Cultural Planning, Dr Claire Baker said.
“Our community groups know what their local communities need and we want to support them with some funding to either get things started, enhance community facilities, or to continue on with their great ideas and work,” Dr Baker said. “Our application process has been improved so there is no longer a need for a matching contribution from our community organisations and the assessment criteria have recovery will be a feature of applications this year, along with projects that creatively address the need for social and cultural connection and inspiration. We particularly encourage any event or enhancement that improves access and inclusion in our community,” Dr Baker said.
Find out more about the Community Initiatives program, how to apply and all the projects currently funded from Council’s website.
You need to be an incorporated not-for organisation or a community group auspiced by an incorporated organisation to apply.
