Murwillumbah’s 50-year time capsules are on display before they are soon-to-be unearthed

By Sarah Waters

up as it was about the safety of local families and everyone using the intersection.

“I raised this issue in Parliament six times, calling for urgent action to improve the safety of this dangerous intersection.

“As well as the roundabout, I called for the speed zone to be reduced to 60km in the area, and that was also included in the Budget. I note that just before the Budget the zone was reduced to 70k, but the commitment is for 60k and that needs to happen.

“I want to thank the residents of the area for supporting my representations over the years for making the Bruxner Highway safer between Wollongbar and Goonellabah. It has been a long campaign.

Two 50-year-old time capsules buried beneath Murwillumbah Library are available for public viewing before they are retrieved in the coming weeks.

The capsules were buried in 1973 when the Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre, which includes the library, were constructed.

One was placed by Tweed Shire Council and the other by the Murwillumbah branch of community service organisation, Apex.

Apex Life Member Garry Smith, who was present at the sealing of the Apex capsule, said the service club’s capsule contained messages from the NSW Governor, the Tweed Shire President and the community.

“Members of the public were encouraged to add their own messages in specially printed envelopes and add them to the Apex time capsule, creating a mosaic of voices from the era,” Mr Smith said.

“Before commencing the process to retrieve these

South Ballina Beach: fox and wild dog control to protect priority threatened species

The Department of Planning and Environment - Crown Lands is running a targeted Fox-baiting program at South Ballina beach using sodium fuoroacetate products, also known as ‘1080’ baiting. Baiting will be done from Monday 25 September 2023 until Monday 18 December 2023 on Crown land (Lot 7303 DP 1163711 –including the beach and some dunes) between Boundary Creek Road in the south and Richmond River Nature Reserve in the north. Departmental contractors will place 1080 baiting signs at all beach entrances along the beach where baits have been laid.

The program aims to protect the breeding of threatened shorebirds by strategically managing Fox pests – which is a priority action of the NSW Fox Threat Abatement Plan.

Keep dogs and pets safe

During and after 1080 fox baiting, visitors to Crown land between Boundary Creek Road in the south and Richmond River Nature Reserve in the north should keep domestic dogs on a leash and prevent them from eating any unknown items on the ground. Muzzling your dog while in the area can help prevent accidental poisoning. If you suspect your dog has taken a 1080 bait, contact your vet immediately.

For more information, call DPE - Crown Lands on 1300 886 235. LP1473 memoirs of yesteryear, Apex has joined with council to make the capsules available for public viewing while still in their resting place, in the ground under Murwillumbah Library,” he said.

Council’s Director

Sustainable Communities and Environment Naomi Searle said it was important the community had an opportunity to be part of the process.

“Many members in our community have memories or family connections to the time capsules and we want them to be able to see the capsules in place before their removal,” Ms Searle said.

Half a century has passed since the capsules were buried in the dirt below the foundations of Murwillumbah Library, with little protection from the elements.

Major foods happened in 1974 which inundated the library site and others in 1989, 2001, 2008, 2017 and 2022.

Apex representatives will collaborate with council over the coming weeks to retrieve the time capsules from their resting place and undertake investigations to assess the state and preservation of the contents.

The time capsules will be available for viewing in Murwillumbah Library during opening hours for the next several weeks.