
By Jo Kennett





































By Jo Kennett
By Jo Kennett
A STAR of the reality TV show Bondi Rescue, who now calls the Tweed Shire home, is calling for an urgent increase in signage and lifeguards in coastal creeks to prevent drownings, after performing multiple rescues herself at Hastings Point creek.
Jules King said she read the story in last week’s Tweed Valley Weekly about the multiple rescues at Hastings Point and Pottsville estuaries, which prompted her to contact the paper.
“Our family has recently moved to the area and we spent the peak of the Christmas holidays at Hastings,” Jules said.
“The tides and crystal clear water made for perfect morning swims with the kids.
“However, on the change of tide from the high to the low (the outgoing tide) the water rushes so quickly through the river channel, a fun family day can turn pear shaped very quickly.”
Despite having a young family on her hands, Jules went to the rescue of swimmers in trouble at Hastings Point several times over the break.
“I found myself over a period of days doing multiple rescues,” she said.
“I think I clocked close to 18, and at one point I stopped breastfeeding and threw my baby to some onlooking mothers to grab a few kids being swept away.
“I’m really supportive of what Surf Life Saving NSW has in place, however based on my 17 years of lifeguarding experience, there are obvious and imperative improvements that need to occur around the local coastal areas.”
Jules pointed out that the number of campgrounds at Hastings Point (and Pottsville) draw an increasing number of visitors to the area who swim in the estuaries.
“A camping ground has been created at Hastings Point (at the bottom of the headland),” she said.
“This location is less than 80 metres
from the river mouth where the changing tide occurs.
“I’d say to the unbeknownst holidaymaker this is the most dangerous area of the river.
“There are also multiple family-friendly holiday parks and caravan parks all within walking distance to the river.
“So we are asking for crowds? Yes.”
The lifeguard, who paddled a board from Newcastle to Bondi for charity in 2015 and paddled an incredible 1,000 km from Newcastle to Noosa for domestic violence and ocean conservation awareness, is passionate about surf safety and saving lives.
“My view is if you’re providing added amenities and facilities to encourage increased crowds you need to have adequate safety measures and further safety infrastructure in place,” she told The Weekly.
“A simple risk assessment or risk matrix would state more measures need to be in place.
“Signage stating river tide times and what to look out for on the peak of the high tide or switching of tides (especially outgoing) would be a great start.
“There are no current council ordinance signs within the area stating caution about
submerged objects and current or closest patrolled areas.”
Jules believes there needs to be added lifeguard personnel specifically manned at the creek locations, “especially knowing it’s an high risk/incident hotspot.”
“This is a magnificent area, but definitely a high-risk swimming location,” she said.
“I’m down there regularly, so I’m sure I’ll pluck a few more out!”
The comments come after Australian Lifeguard Services Tweed Lifeguard Supervisor Lachlan Field said there had been 43 rescues recorded last week since the start of the NSW school holidays, with the majority of them, about 30, at Duranbah (D’Bah) Beach and most of the others at Pottsville and Hastings Point estuaries.
There have been a number of drownings around the country over summer, prompting warnings from Surf Life Saving NSW. See Float to Survive at www. floattosurvive.au
YOUR THOUGHTS: Have you been rescued from a local creek or have concerns for the safety of swimmers on the Tweed Coast? The Weekly would like to hear your thoughts. Send an email to editor@ theweekly.net.au
By Jonathon Howard
ARE WE prepared for the next big flood?
It’s the question most people are avoiding in 2025 and that many would prefer not to think about.
Despite what you might think, it is extremely important we are flood prepared. Experts are warning that with the increasing frequency and intensity of weather events linked to climate change, and
with the Bureau of Meteorology stating that a La Niña is likely, the Tweed Shire must prioritise flood preparedness to ensure residents are safe and property is protected.
The great rainmaker, La Niña, could be back for the fourth time in five years, increasing the prospect of a soaking February and March.
The Weekly is launching a special series of flood preparedness over the next month
to give readers a greater understanding of whether we are ready for the waters to rise once more and what we can do about it.
Tweed Deputy Mayor Meredith Dennis said many tasks big and small have already been undertaken by Tweed Shire Council to improve Tweed’s flood response, however, she was interested in finding out more via a question on notice with her fellow councillors.
Continue reading on page 6.
After reading your article in the latest paper on creek rescues (TVW, January 8), I have been wondering how to raise the issue of youngsters jumping off the creek bridges at Kingscliff and Hastings Point.
I nearly hit a boy running along the Hastings bridge heading along the road to join his fellow jumpers. This place where a 17-year-old jumped to his death and my son in-law, a police officer, was part of the first responders jumping in to try and rescue him. How traumatic to have to pull a boy out of the water who has died in this way. But still, it seems to give youngsters a thrill to do this, not knowing how deep it is or if there are obstacles in the water below. I just can’t understand why this is allowed. No signs, no barriers preventing access to the bridge ledge. Makes me go cold whenever I see this.
P Stable, Kingscliff
Elrond pods are worth keeping
I have read the article in the Tweed Valley Weekly recently (Dec 26) regarding the decision to remove the Elrond Drive pod village, which outlined the decision by councillors to remove the pods and have it returned to parkland — which was never actually a park, it was roughly slashed weedy swamp fill adjacent to storage sheds and heavy machinery. It was a place where dog owners could sit in their vehicles on their
phones while allowing their animals loose. No one had to stoop to clean up. To create a properly maintained park from this side will only add to council’s future expenditure and workload. Is it then highly likely to be used by the actual troublesome kind of homeless. There was no severe shortage of green space in Kingscliff.
The whole foreshore is park.
There is already a park only a few 100 yards away down Elrond Drive which is never used except by homeless camping there.
The battle that has been going on since the floods three years ago has been about what kind of people live in the pod village and the keeping of promises. There’s also been all kinds of gossip, lies and exaggerations that have been spread via the media as facts stated without apparent authority that were simply not true. I know because I live there. The village does not smell of sewage. We never had free internet. Free food was given by charities in the early days, but that stopped a long while ago. We now pay rent.
There has been no crime or violence or vandalism for well over a year, and we have been a peaceful community of elderly, disabled and families. We are not bad people, but local residents seem terrified of the concept of social housing. We understand that the funding for the continuation of our residence here is ceasing. We are not wanted here and we have to move somewhere else.
The future of the village infrastruc -
ture, which I believe cost $22 million to build, was put to all the residents of the Tweed Shire.
The fact that they have been described as temporary housing might lead people to think that they’ve been built out of cardboard and glue. They were not. They are solid, fully-equipped structures with a lifespan probably longer than 10 years, they already exist, they have been built.
I sit in my pod today and remember how happy I was to be allowed to live here. I imagine leaving it behind me, clean and tidy, and I think of who might come to live here after me. A single mother-of-three who takes a job as a cleaner in the hospital who can finally relax. A secure housing nearby employment in schools for her kids. These people are worth breaking a promise for.
Francis Martin, Kingscliff Pod question needs discussion
The past has delivered an area of public housing that is well built and serviced. The challenge is to focus on what is currently the best use of the sizable investment that has been made at the Kingscliff pod village.
Option 1: Demolish the current village and return the area to its previous status of poor landfill adjacent to temporary storage areas. Fund other housing for the people who are currently housed there.
Option 2: Use the current housing, and with good maintenance and management it can be used for a number of public housing requirements over
many years. Look after these units and they will last a lot longer than the seven more years being stated.
Option 3: Sell the village to a private business that will be required to manage the facility in line with where private ownership of the units can be implemented. Similar to many existing caravan parks/unit buildings and many currently under construction in the Kingscliff area.
I consider Option 3 is the best use of the funds and delivers the best outcomes for the public housing now available. It enhances the public housing in the local council area with better use of the funding already committed.
JDW Wilson, Kingscliff We miss
A question for the Murwillumbah chamber of commerce: why is there no dry cleaning service available in Murwillumbah.
The Wrights business — albeit small but efficient — closed some years ago now. What is preventing a similar service being operated? At least the laundromat is still operating, which is an essential service to many.
DF Ryder, Murwillumbah
Australia Day date should not be changed
I am very disappointed with Tweed Shire Council for holding Australia Day Celebrations on Friday, January 24, instead of Sunday, January 26. The residents of the shire were not asked if they wanted that day and to
not hold it on the 26th of January like we always did in the past.
Australia is one big cultural country now and Australia Day is a great way to reflect, respect, and we all should celebrate it together, and not be divided.
Shirley Gill, Banora Point
Hola amigos, here are the dates for the 2025 Spanish Conversation Group Meetings. All are welcome. Feliz año nuevo a todos. Vamos a empezar el año con una gran fiesta! Our next meeting is this Saturday, January 18. The meeting starts at 6pm and we meet at the Condong Bowling Club. Venga!
Venue details: Condong Bowling Club, 1 McLeod Street, Condong, (02) 6672 2238.
Here are the updated dates for the rest of our meetings for 2025 for your diaries, always now on at 6pm on the third Saturday of the month and the following dates: 15 Feb, 15 Mar, 19 Apr, 17 May, 21 Jun, 19 Jul, 16 Aug, 20 Sep, 18 Oct, 15 Nov and no meeting in December. Hasta pronto! David Taylor, Murwillumbah
Please note the views on the letters page are those of the letter writer and not of the Tweed Valley Weekly. Letters must include a suburb and contact number for verification. Letters may be edited for length or legal reasons. Send your letters to ed itor@theweekly.net.au or phone: (02) 6672 4443
By Jo Kennett
NSW COUNCILS, including Tweed Shire Council, have condemned a new planning body that will fast track developments, stating it’s a “gift to developers” that will do nothing to address housing affordability or land banking and will “continue to keep the Tweed in a stranglehold.”
Expressions of interest have already opened to developers to apply to the new NSW Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) — run by a board of three members announced late last year — to have land rezoned for development.
The HDA is designed to speed up the delivery of homes, with the state government aiming to rezone more land as State Significant Developments (SSD) to address population growth.
Rezoning is to be accelerated by up to 200 days.
Projects in regional NSW must be valued at over $30 million to be eligible and developers will be able to apply for land to be rezoned as part of their submission.
The Minns government said developments must supply “high-yield types of residential accommodation,” that can be “assessed and constructed quickly by focusing on more compliant, major housing proposals that can commence construction quickly.”
“This new assessment pathway will reduce the number of large complex development applications (DA) councils are required to assess each year, freeing up resources for councils to assess less complex DAs faster,” a government spokesperson said.
Mayor Chris Cherry sits on the peak body formed to lobby government over issues affecting NSW regional communi-
ties, Regional Cities NSW, and has led the charge calling for more affordable housing but does not agree with the criteria for SSD projects.
Cr Cherry said that until the state government introduces a way of making developments come to market “they can introduce any incentives they want but they still will have no control over whether it will actually produce more houses.”
“We need real change to the legislation that means that if a developer gets a concession to our planning controls they need to actually be required to deliver housing within a short time frame,” she said.
“Otherwise the land banking will continue and a few developers will continue to keep the Tweed in a stranglehold.
decisions” about their towns.
“Unfortunately for the NSW community...there is nothing in the planning system to compel them to build,” Cr Turley said.
“This toothless aspiration opens the planning system to more land banking by developers in search of even greater profits.
“And despite this new planning pathway allowing proposals to exceed development standards by up to 20 per cent there is no clear mandate for a meaningful contribution to affordable housing, nor that any affordable housing will remain in perpetuity.
“Our kids deserve strong action from the state government on this. They have the power to help.”
Developers need to provide well-located homes, with “enabling infrastructure” and contribute to the affordable housing supply and “complement the State Significant Rezoning Policy by providing a potential pathway for major housing proposals that are seeking concurrent rezoning.
Local Government NSW (LGNSW), the peak body for NSW councils, said the HDA eligibility criteria, “has generously presented developers with the freedom to exceed development standards by up to 20 per cent, giving greater opportunities for profit-driven land banking, and no mandated requirement to meaningfully provide affordable housing.”
LGNSW President, Cr Darriea Turley AM, said while councils support the effort to address the housing shortage, the planning changes will hand “the keys to planning rules over to developers, while local communities will be sidelined in
“Any accelerated process must not compromise infrastructure provision, build quality, environmental considerations, public safety, liveability and other planning outcomes.”
The Weekly has contacted councillor Kimberley Hone, who has been advocating for more housing, for comment. Cr Hone’s views will be printed in a future edition.
Hospital staff, nurses and ambulance workers are facing more pressure than ever, with staffing and bed shortages, attacks and abuse from troubled patients, bullying and increased workloads.
All that has led to a huge increase in health workers submitting compensation claims for psychological and physical injury in the workplace.
One of the most common physical injuries for nurses and paramedics is back pain, mostly caused by being rushed to lift patients or equipment in a high-pressure work environment. This can result in lower back injuries, strain, rotator cuff injuries and tendonitis.
Stacks Law Firm personal injury lawyer Dion Bull says all workers may receive compensation if they sustain a back injury at work. If your back injury prevents you from returning to work, you may also be entitled to a total and permanent disability (TPD) lump sum payment through your superannuation fund.
“Employers are required by law to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to minimise and eliminate the risks associated with manual handling to prevent back injuries,” Mr Bull said.
“Risks for nurses back injury include sustained awkward postures, be it standing or sitting, bending and twisting, duration and frequency of a hazardous task, such as lifting or holding a patient, badly designed work areas and the adequacy and availability of manual handling aids.
“If you have back pain, first see a doctor to identify the cause of your pain. If it can be established that the injury occurred while carrying out your duties as a nurse or health worker, it will be a substantial part of the evidence needed to claim compensation for the injury.
“It would be wise to consult a personal injury lawyer at this point to help guide you through the compensation claim process and identify the evidence you will need, such as when the pain started, what you were doing at the time, witnesses to the incident, and obtaining X-rays, MRI scans and nerve tests.”
Some healthcare providers have adopted a “no lift” system that uses special equipment to move patients. However, nurses may still have to lift patients and heavy equipment in emergency situations.
If it can be established that the employer failed to provide adequate training, or technical or physical assistance needed at the time, or was negligent, then there may be a case to pursue the employer for a work injury damages claim, opening up the possibility of an additional lump sum payout for past and future economic loss.
The workers compensation process is complex and time limits apply. If you want to make a claim it is wise to consult a lawyer experienced in the field.
By Jonathon Howard
Continued from page 3.
“I will raise a question on notice at the next councillor meeting on February 6 to gain a greater understanding from the council staff around our flood preparation and response,” she said.
Cr Dennis said she wanted to encourage residents to have their own personal flood and fire plans in place as a matter of urgency and stressed that the SES are the rescue agency for the Tweed.
“We already know there’s a chance this La Niña could result in a flood across the Northern Rivers, and we’ve already had multiple flash flood events which means the soils are saturated,” she said.
“This could add up to another flood — let’s be serious, it’s likely — we need to know what we’ve improved and what needs improving to act, respond and recover.”
Cr Dennis will also raise the need for updates to road signage, including the introduction of flip signs to close floodprone roads.
The catastrophic floods of 2022 left communities across the shire grappling with the aftermath of rising waters and extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and local businesses.
While recovery efforts are ongoing, the prospect of future floods remains a serious concern. The Weekly spoke with SES Deputy Zone Commander, Superintendent Scott McLennan, to learn more and he provided a comprehensive response.
What is NSW SES doing to prepare for the next flood?
The NSW SES has enhanced its warning and public information systems by adopting the nationwide Australian Warning System, aligning with a consistent national framework for emergency warnings.
All warnings are published on the ‘Hazards Near Me’ app, providing real-time, location-based information on floods, tsunamis, and fires. In the coming months, this will expand to include storm warnings.
The NSW SES State Operations Centre has increased its operational capacity, doubling its staffing to allow for surge capacity for call takers. The Community Capability Teams are proactively working with at-risk local communities to improve flood preparedness and ensure they under-
stand evacuation procedures. The NSW SES will continue to engage with partner agencies and local communities to raise awareness of risks.
How is NSW SES preparing?
•Deploying resources earlier to highrisk locations.
•Arranging early briefings with partner agencies to identify available resources and ensure readiness.
•Training additional incident management personnel.
•Developing pre-prepared templates for flood warnings and orders to reduce issuance time.
•Acquiring new and enhanced assets, including high clearance vehicles, boats, ATVs, and advanced communication technologies across the region.
NSW SES operations are supported by over 11,500 members across NSW, with 1,000 based in the Northern Rivers. The NSW SES continues to run targeted recruitment campaigns to maintain a strong contingent of trained volunteers to meet local operational needs. The agency also collaborates with various community groups to support preparedness, relief, and recovery efforts in secluded and remote communities. Recently, several youth internship programs have been completed, engaging young adults in developing skills in resilience and adaptability.
In 2024, the NSW SES attended over 2,800 incidents across the zone, including flood rescues, storm-related incidents, and land searches. The agency worked collaboratively with all teams to manage these incidents effectively.
The population of the Tweed Shire Council area is estimated at almost 100,000, with can see in excess of 800,000 daily visitors to the region on any day.
The key water bodies and risk areas include the Tweed River, Rous River, Oxley River and Cobaki Creek. The topography and geography of the region can lead to rapid runoff during heavy rainfall events. This runoff quickly channels into the Tweed River and its tributaries causing water levels to rise rapidly.
The region is known for its subtropical climate with significant rainfall especially during summer months. This can lead to intense and sudden downpours, increasing the risk of flash flooding.
The proximity to the coast means that the Tweed Valley can also be affected by storm surges, high tides, which can compound the effects of any riverine flooding and makes the Tweed River tidal.
The region has a history of significant flood events such as March 2017, March 2022 — both serving as benchmarks for flood planning and management.
In 2024 alone, volunteers within the Tweed Valley attended over 516 incidents — the vast majority of these being the hail storm of November in Tweed Heads, but they did also attend 13 flood rescues.
NSW SES works alongside a number of different communities in different ways having our three NSW SES Units — Tweed Heads, Tweed Coast and Murwillumbah. They also work closely with other communities with their Community Action Team model — allowing more locally-focused partnership with specific communities or community types collaborating with communities to build adaptability and resilience.
What can you do to help prepare you, your family, and your property?
• Visit the NSW SES website for detailed guides on planning and preparation.
•Learn what to do during a flood and during a storm.
•Consider volunteering with the NSW SES, either at a local unit or with a Community Action Team. More information can be found here.
•Visit the Tweed Shire Council website and familiarise yourself with the Tweed Shire Flood Plan - Flood Risk Management.
•Have a plan and exercise the plan, including what will you do, where will you go, who will you tell, what do you need? When will you do what you need to do? Who do you need to do it with?
Read more next week to hear from other agencies including Murwillumbah CORE (M|Core) who have been busy in the background preparing for the next major flood, something the M|Core team take extremely seriously.
IT’S THE second week of our new Councillor Catch-up that will give you a great insight into our local leaders and their vision for the Tweed Shire. Each week we will put the same five questions to each councillor to give readers more information about their vision and hopes for the next 12 months. This week we catch up with Tweed Shire Deputy Mayor Meredith Dennis.
1. What’s your vision for the Tweed Shire in 2025?
My vision for the Tweed is of course more safe secure housing and assistance with cost-of-living pressures for our residents, but as a council that is really out of our scope. There is a housing crisis right around Australia and the world and to think we can fix it is unrealistic.
Following the 2022 floods most of our affordable houses were affected and many owners have accessed the buyback scheme. Unfortunately, there is very little suitable affordable land in the Tweed forcing some of those residents out of the shire.
We have many families and individ uals struggling to pay rent and keep up with their weekly bills. There are services helping out and I would encourage anyone really struggling to contact the community centre in Murwillumbah and other commu nity centres close to their homes. There is assistance available.
I would hope that this year people could show more kind ness to their fellow human beings and animals. If we all helped each other out, offered a kind word or a bit of assistance wouldn’t that be amazing.
Human kindness is on display during disasters, wouldn’t it be great if we were like that all the
time. So my vision is more kindness and helping out our fellow man.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges facing the Tweed Shire in 2025?
Biggest challenges are cost of living and lack of affordable housing. As previously mentioned this is a long-term issue.
Working with the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) to have the slip fixed on the river so we can use the old Greenhills nursing home for short-term emergency housing.
Working with council to implement the affordable housing strategy so we can encourage developers to start building houses suited to our community’s needs. Implementing some of the recommendations in the growth management housing strategy that will suit our community. Understanding what council can do and can’t do.
We are all residents of this area and want to see it flourish but we all need to work together. Put any differences aside and work together so our whole community will prosper.
3. What improvements would you like to see for the Tweed Shire in 2025?
I would like to see movement on the basketball facility for our
youth. We have over 500 members of the Tweed Valley Basketball Association and these guys have no home. Not one indoor basketball court in the whole shire except for the ones owned by schools, how has this happened. There also needs to be more free activities for our youth to become involved in. The Tweed Regional Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre are looking for people for their reference group, register for that online and get involved. Everyone needs to look at council’s website and contribute to Your Say Tweed. We need more community involvement, after all we all work for you but need to be informed as to what you want for the shire
4. How do you plan to use your councillorship to address some of the challenges across the Tweed Shire in 2025?
More community consultation, real consultation, but residents really need to get involved. I plan on visiting more community meetings so I can hear first-hand the issues. I will be working more with the hub and the community centre helping the homeless and struggling families and encourage others to help out where needed. We have many organisations crying out for volunteers so I would really like to encourage more people to volunteer. Whether it’s with the homeless or struggling families, wildlife carers or volunteering in op shops, everyone has a responsibility to put their hand up and help
our community, that’s what I will be advocating for. The schools used to volunteer one afternoon a week, I think that needs to be implemented again. Many hands make light work. We have huge issues facing us, but I really do think if we all did a little bit more for our community, we could make a real difference
5. Is there any special news or events you are eager to promote in 2025?
Wedgetail hospice turns 10 this year so that is something to really celebrate. This community have supported Wedgetail, and we are so grateful.
The Kinship Festival later in the year is a great community event so I’m looking forward to that. Anzac Day services in Murwillumbah and our villages are always very special days to remember our soldiers and hope and pray we never see anything like those wars again in our lifetime.
With all the conflict around the world it’s a good opportunity to remember how lucky we are to live in Australia.
And without a doubt the biggest event on the Tweed calendar, the Murwillumbah Show. Over 12,000 people visited the show last year.
It’s a great opportunity to celebrate our wonderful rural community and showcase our local talents.
I would encourage anyone to contact me if they have ideas or suggestions on how to help our community MDennis@tweed.nsw.gov.au
By Jonathon Howard
AUSTRALIA’S BEST-KNOWN environmentalist and former Greens Party leader Bob Brown will speak at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre next month to support Greens candidate Mandy Nolan’s bid to win the federal seat of Richmond at this year’s election.
Ms Nolan is aiming to gain a swing of 1.8 per cent to win the seat of Richmond, and the trip to the Tweed by the ever-popular Mr Brown is hoped will bring a powerful boost to her campaign.
“Mandy would make a magnificent representative for Richmond,” Mr Brown said.
Ms Nolan told The Weekly that Mr Brown is very much looking forward to next month’s visit to Murwillumbah.
“This region is very special to him, with some
The Greens are also pushing for a national ban on native forest logging, which Mr Brown says 80 per cent of Labor voters also want to see.
“School children could tell those in Labor and the Coalition that ending native forest logging is the cheapest and easiest way to help offset both global warming and the biodiversity crisis,” he said.
Responding to attempts to paint him as more moderate than today’s party, Mr Brown declared last week that he fully backed current Greens leader Adam Bandt and his team.
“More and more voters, especially young Australians, want to see governments tackle the growing gap between rich and poor as well as the threats to life on Earth, which this generation is handing to the next,” he said.
Ms Nolan, Mr Brown and state Greens Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith, will appear on Friday, February 21, at the Murwillumbah Civic
By Jo Kennett
TWEED-BYRON Police District Superintendent Dave Roptell says domestic violence (DV) and property crimes will be priorities in 2025 and he’s emphasised that police are aware of the e-vehicle concerns from the community.
The Weekly took some of our top cop’s time this week to update readers on areas Supt Roptell’s team are focusing on with property crime high on the agenda along with DV.
“Our major priority will be continuing to take a firm approach on domestic violence and keeping a lid on crime in general and property-related crime with young offenders with things like stolen motor vehicles,” Supt Roptell told The Weekly.
and e-bikes but people have legitimate fears when they see people driving them recklessly.
“When we do come across that we will deal with that appropriately.
“We have another year ahead of us and we want it to be a successful year.
“We’ve had some challenges in the past with things like floods and COVID-19 but let’s enjoy and work together as a team and make it a happy and safe 2025.”
T he Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) is hosting a free summer self-worth and self-defence workshop for girls aged 12 to 22.
Gain confidence, learn how to make smart choices and trust your instincts, learn how to use your voice to stay safe and fight back when needed.
“I’m absolutely delighted Bob Brown is visiting this community in Canberra, helping bring dental into Medicare, making GP
ing our nurses are paid what they deserve,”
“It’s not too bad at the moment but we want to keep a lid on those sorts of things that could pop up at any time.”
Supt Roptell said resources like patrols will be applied to keep property crimes in check.
He said NSW Police understood the need for more recruits, particularly locals due to the housing crisis.
“In the last month we’ve had ten new recruits start,” he said.
“Not all of them are from Tweed-Byron, but we are still focusing on homegrown police and we encourage anyone local to apply. I can’t guarantee that they will get in, but I will push for it.”
Supt Roptell said NSW Police have come to the area to help address e-bike and e-scooter issues.
“Our focus is to ensure the safety of drivers and people riding them,” he said.
“The message that we want to get out there is that we are aware there are these types of e-bikes and e-scooters around and drivers need to be careful, but we want people riding those items to make sure they are doing that in a safe manner.
“To my recollection, there haven’t been too many accidents involving cars and e-scooters
When: Friday, January 24 at PCYC Tweed Heads from 9:45 am–12:30 pm. Register at: kyupproject.com.au/upcoming-workshop
See sport for information on PCYC Tweed Heads at the World Club Challenge boardriders battle starting this Friday at Snapper Rocks. It’s going to be huge.
By Jo Kennett
CABARITA BEACH Surf Life Saving Club
has a new tractor, inflatable rescue boat and patrol arena thanks to the generous support of some great local businesses and the tireless work of club members.
Club secretary Andy Williams said that vice-president Ken Gordon arranged everything they needed to get the tractor, which he called an “essential piece of equipment.”
“This means we can have all equipment on the beach for patrols, keeping the public safe and being reliable to respond to emergency callout requests,” he said.
“Russell and his team from KC Equipment Sales have been a pleasure to deal with and given us a cracking deal on our new Kubota Tractor.
“Tropical Fruit World have again agreed to sponsor our new tractor and Mike Watson from QPF Finance Group arranged our interest free finance through Ken Spellacy and his team from
Pepper Asset Finance. It’s wonderful that so many businesses support the wonderful work we do as volunteers.”
Andy thanked everyone involved for making it happen.
The club also has a new patrol arena (the trailer that is towed to the beach for every patrol) that launched last September “which means members have a sun safe, organised space with all essential equipment ready to go for every patrol.”
“Finally, we also received delivery of a new boat christened ‘Hamo’ in recognition of our longstanding, extremely committed IRB (inflatable rescue boat) Captain Ian Hamilton,” Andy said.
“He is a tireless member of the club, training new members and being on hand to maintain this essential equipment.
“The new tractor, arena and IRB make patrolling safer, easier and a breeze to set up and put away in all conditions.”
TWEED SHIRE Council is seeking community feedback on proposed upgrades to the Dry Dock Road boat launching facilities, aimed at improving accessibility and accommodating a wider range of watercraft.
Funded by an $800,000 Australian Government grant through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, the project will enhance the site’s social infrastructure and benefit regional communities.
Key upgrades include a new hand-launching ramp for Sailability — a volunteer group that provides sailing opportunities for people of all abilities.
Other improvements involve widening the footpath, resurfacing part of the car park, and installing a new floating pontoon, along with the removal of an old timber jetty.
Additional enhancements will include better fish cleaning facilities, foreshore erosion protection, and landscaping improvements. Council’s Coast and Waterways Team Leader, Tom Alletson, said the project aims to improve the facility for both residents and visitors, noting the boat ramp’s high usage, especially during peak times.
Proposed works at the Dry Dock Road boat ramp include:
• Installation of a new floating pontoon.
• Removal of old timber jetty. This is the upstream of the two jetties, the jetty and pontoon close to the ramp (recently refurbished) will remain as is.
• Installation of a new hand-launch facility for paddle craft and other small vessels.
• Installation of a new and improved fish cleaning table.
• Boat ramp maintenance.
• Foreshore erosion protection.
• P artial car park resurfacing and line marking.
• Footpath and landscaping improvements.
The Draft Concept Plan is open for community feedback until Wednesday, January 29.
To view the plan and provide feedback, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/drydockroad.
For more information about boat ramps and facilities, visit: www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/boat-ramps
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NSW 2484/ Ph: 02 6672 1788 practice@kingstdental.com.au
NSW 2484/ Ph: 02 6672 1788 practice@kingstdental.com.au
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Chris Stoltz to the King Street Dental Practice team!
Following our long-standing commitment to exceptional patient care, a great dental experience, and building trust, Dr. Chris Stoltz is the perfect addition to our practice. Known for his charismatic and gentle approach, Dr. Chris creates a welcoming environment that makes every patient feel comfortable and at ease—even those with dental anxieties.
A graduate of the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Dental Science, Dr. Chris combines his clinical expertise with a passion for advancing his skills to provide cuttingedge care. His special interests include holistic dentistry, preventative care, surgical dentistry, and a wide range of services like endodontics, crowns, cosmetic dentistry, wisdom teeth removal, Invisalign, and teeth whitening.
Whether you’re seeking comprehensive oral care or a brighter smile, Dr. Chris is dedicated to helping you achieve your dental goals with precision, care, and a personal touch.
We invite you to experience the difference at King Street Dental and meet Dr. Chris Stoltz. Call us today on (02) 6672 1788 to book your appointment and let us help you find your reason to smile!
King Street Dental Practice – Tweed Shire’s Trusted Choice for Dental Care. www.kingstdental.com.au – online booking available
By Jonathon Howard
MEMBER FOR Tweed and Shadow Minister for Seniors, Geoff Provest, has come out swinging in 2025 at the NSW Labor Government for what he says is failing to do enough to support the state’s seniors.
“First they cancel the Regional Seniors Travel Card, now the fuel discount program touted as the next best cost-saving measure has been discontinued,” Mr Provest said.
“United Petroleum have stopped accepting the physical discount cards offering 4 cents off per litre in NSW instead needing seniors to download a new loyalty smartphone app which uses QR codes.”
Mr Provest stressed that many Tweed seniors either do not have smartphones or are unable to download apps — and should not be forced to do so.
“This switch to United Petroleum was supported by the NSW Minister for Seniors and now many seniors relying on this saving will be worse off again under Labor,” he said.
In response, NSW Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison responded to Mr Provest’s comments and stressed the state government is committed to support NSW seniors.
“The NSW Government is committed to supporting NSW seniors with the cost-of-living pressures they are facing through the NSW Seniors Card and Seniors Savers Card programs,” Minister Harrison told The Weekly.
On background, Minister Harrison highlighted that Seniors in NSW can still access the 4 cent a litre fuel discount but they will have to do so through the United app on their smartphones.
“The NSW Government had discussions with United Petroleum to continue accepting the physical discount card but United decided to go ahead with its decision to only offer the discount through its app,” she said.
“United Petroleum’s decision to only offer the fuel discount through the app is a commercial
decision that impacts seniors across the country.
“It is deeply disappointing that United Petroleum has decided to stop accepting the original physical and digital United fuel discount cards.
“This is a commercial decision by United Petroleum.
“The NSW Government is working hard to increase the discounts and benefits available and support seniors through these tough economic times.”
Ms Harrison said Seniors Card holders can access a range of discounts and benefits from more than 3,000 businesses across the state, including various retailers, electricity providers, travel and accommodation providers.
She also highlighted the NSW Government offers a range of transport concessions for eligible seniors living in regional or rural areas, all capped at $2.50.
These include: access to the Regional Excursion Daily ticket on local bus services and the Country Pensioner Excursion ticket on prebooked TrainLink services.
YOUR THOUGHTS: Are you a senior and would prefer not to use a smartphone? The Weekly would like to hear your thoughts. Please email your thoughts and letters to: editor@
By Jonathon Howard
JOBSEEKERS IN the Tweed Shire are spoilt for choice in 2025 with Seek.com.au listing around 442 jobs available across a range of sectors.
Jobseekers should firstly check out The Weekly’s classifieds where you will find several outstanding roles on offer. The first is a great role on offer from the Tweed River Agricultural Society who is seeking a new secretary in Murwillumbah (see classifieds page).
Staying in Murwillumbah, McGuiness Funerals is seeking a casual funeral assistant that’s
a great offer and well worth applying (see classifieds page).
There’s also plenty of work on offer in health with around 19 jobs available across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).
The health district is offering multiple nursing roles across local hospitals including at Lismore and Tweed Valley hospitals, for more information check the jobs.health.nsw.gov. au website.
The widest range of jobs are available via Seek.com.au and include a customer service representative role with the NSW Police Force at Kingscliff that’s full-time, or what about a
full-time sales executive role at Victory Ford at Tweed Heads, both with attractive salaries.
There’s also plenty of jobs available for retail staff including a Balance Mobility role available for a full-time retail sales assistant, and a part-time sales assistant role with Priceline at Tweed Heads.
There’s also plenty of work on the go for tradespeople with around 30 jobs available in the Tweed Shire and southern Gold Coast.
Among the trade roles include a multi-purpose yard hand role available at Aqua Pontoons who are offering a strong hourly rate for labour-
ing, or a cleaning attendant role at GJK Facility Services with training and uniform provided.
Or what about a role with SAE Group, who are seeking a solar electrician with competitive pay and a good work life balance on offer.
For those year 12 graduates who did not secure a traditional university degree placement this year, do not despair, apprenticeships and traineeships are proving to be an attractive alternative.
In fact, data shows that 95.6 per cent of trade apprentices secure full-time employment after completing their training, with apprentice-qualified workers surpassing their university-educated peers in terms of average weekly earnings by the age of 25.
Apprentice Support Australia (ASA) national general manager Peter Gilchrist said he could not emphasis enough the value of apprenticeships and traineeships for young jobseekers.
“Apprenticeships and traineeships are an excellent way for individuals to gain practical skills, secure employment, and jump-start a suc cessful career,” Mr Gilchrist told The Weekly.
“There’s a huge range of opportunities across different industries, from business services and health-
care to construction trades.
“Jobseekers in the Tweed Shire should definitely consider these pathways as a way to build their future.”
Networking and leveraging both print and online platforms like Tweed Valley Weekly and digital profiles such as LinkedIn and Seek are also
for job seekers looking to connect with potential employers. Whether you’re interested in a trade, pursuing a career in
or
work options, 2025 offers an abundance of opportunities for jobseekers in the Tweed Shire.
If you use the creeks, beaches and sea around Pottsville, Hastings Point, and Bogangar/Cabarita, please sign our petition to keep them clean.
WHY?
The Hastings Point sewerage plant is in need of an upgrade. Critical issues regarding the ageing Hastings Point sewerage plant:
1. Ageing infrastructure: The plant, over 40 years old, is failing.
2. Environmental impact: During heavy rainfall, partially treated waste is discharged into Christie’s Creek and Cudgera Creek.
3. Failing disposal system: The effluent disposal system via soakage pits in dunes at Maggies Beach, Hastings Point, is failing and will remain inadequate even after Tweed Shire Council’s proposed upgrade.
4. Beach contamination: Effluent is surfacing from the soakage pits, contaminating the beach and sea.
5. Public health risk: Local residents avoid the area due to high contamination levels.
6. Ecological damage: Trees near the waste discharge zones are dying due to contamination.
7. Sewage stench from the plant and pump stations, noise issues, and eyesore created by the plant’s premises, have all been ignored in council’s proposal.
Tweed Shire Council plans a $40 million refit of the sewerage plant, but this proposal fails to address core problems. WE CALL ON TWEED
The Hastings Point sewerage plant must be upgraded to the best modern standards to provide clean, recyclable waste. Join our community associations to advocate for a sustainable and efficient solution to protect our beautiful environment and community health.
Look out for our petition in local businesses. Signatories must be residents or ratepayers of Tweed Shire.
Our water.
Traffic delays on Tweed Valley Way Road resealing will take place on Tweed Valley Way, between Quarry Road and Cane Road, on Friday 17 January and Sunday 19 January, from 7 am to 4 pm.
There may be traffic delays of up to 15 minutes due to lane closures. Please use an alternative route if possible or allow extra time for your journey.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is offering around 30 selected buyback homes in the Lismore and Murwillumbah areas for sale through an Expression Of Interest (EOI) process.
The Relocatable Homes EOI is open until 5 pm on 14 February 2025.
RA has appointed local real estate agent PRD Northern Rivers to market the homes and manage the sale process.
A range of homes are on offer, from charming old timber homes to those needing more work to bring them back to their former glory.
Many homes feature front verandas, high ceilings, and traditional features. From quaint to grand, this first release offers homes in a variety of sizes and styles and are ready to be relocated to a safer location.
Please direct any queries about the homes available and the EOI submission process to PRD Northern
Rivers:
• Phone: 02 6624 7700
• Email: NR.relocationhomes@prd.com.au
• Web: prd.com.au/northernrivers/relocation-homes
The EOI submissions will be assessed by an evaluation panel. This process will be overseen by an Independent Probity Advisor. All eligible EOIs will be assessed against the following weighted criteria: buyer type (40% weighting), buyer readiness (40%) and financial offer (20%). The highest ranked EOI submission for each home will be invited to enter contract negotiations with RA to purchase the home. Nearly 30 homes have been purchased under the buyback stream of the $880 million NSW and Commonwealth Governments' Resilient Homes Program (RHP).
Information on the process can be found on the NSW Reconstruction Authority website nsw.gov.au/relocatable-homes-eoi
Share your thoughts on the upgrades for Dry Dock Road boat ramp
Dry Dock Road boat ramp is set to undergo an upgrade in 2025, making it safer and welcoming
plans and complete the survey by 29 January 2025. Visit yoursaytweed.com.au/drydockroad
Share your thoughts on the draft Volunteer Management Policy
The Policy explains how Tweed Shire Council manages its volunteers. Provide feedback on the draft Volunteer Management Policy by 10 February 2025. Visit yoursaytweed.com.au/volunteer-management-policy
Learn more, submit your feedback and get involved by visiting yoursaytweed.com.au
Or mail your submission to Your Say Tweed, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816 Murwillumbah, NSW 2484 Council confidentiality policy: On request, any submission including identifying particulars will be made public. Council will
the ‘Public Interest’ and requests for confidentiality however, the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 may require confidential submissions to be released to an applicant.
Safety is our priority – please do not drive or walk on the road while work is underway without approval from onsite crews.
Resealing the road before it gets damaged helps keep it in good condition for longer and saves money by avoiding costly repairs. For more details on why we reseal roads, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/road-reseals
We need your input. The Coastal Creeks Flood Study and Risk Management Plan is gathering community insights to better understand flood risks in our area.
You have until this weekend to share your past flood experiences – whether it's photos, stories or data.
Complete the survey at yoursaytweed.com.au/coastalcreeks by Sunday 19 January 2025.
Your feedback is crucial in developing accurate flood models and effective strategies to reduce flood impacts and improve community resilience.
Tap water across the Tweed remains safe to drink and bathe in despite Tweed Shire Council raising the blue-green algae alert to amber for Clarrie Hall Dam.
Council Manager Water and Wastewater Operations
Brie Jowett said the amber alert meant blue-green algae are multiplying in the dam and the affected dam water might have a green tinge and a musty or organic odour.
“Our water treatment processes are very robust — we remove blue-green algae from the water when blooms occur, so our tap water remains perfectly safe,” Mrs Jowett said.
Council always takes a precautionary approach, advising caution whenever blue-green algae has been detected.
“While this alert is active, don’t eat fish or shellfish from the dam and avoid recreational activities that involve contact with the water, such as kayaking on the dam.
“Never drink untreated water from any river, creek or dam at any time. Water in the dam and its upstream and downstream tributaries potentially could be unsafe to livestock, keep animals away and do not water livestock with untreated water.
“If you come into contact with the algae, rinse it off with fresh water and seek medical advice if symptoms appear,” she said.
A blue-green algae alert has been in place for Clarrie Hall Dam since December 2024, when Council issued a green alert.
Council is monitoring the situation, increasing testing at Clarrie Hall Dam to twice a week.
Monitoring at other sites will continue weekly.
Warning signs remain in place at public access points to the dam to inform the public of the presence of blue-green algae and any potential risk.
Keep up with blue-green algae alerts at tweed.nsw. gov.au/recreational-blue-green-algae-alerts.
For more information on blue-green algae, visit waternsw.com.au/algae
Notification of development application determinations for the purposes of Section 4.59 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (as amended).
Application details
Approved
DA24/0431 - Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling including dwelling extension, new patio roof, 1.8m high fence, and separate bathroom
Lot 522 DP 857005, No. 47 Avondale Drive, Banora Point
DA24/0077 - Use of alterations and additions to an existing dwelling, construction of new alterations and additions to an existing dwelling including swimming pool and associated decking
Lot 37 DP 1266201, No. 88 McAllisters Road, Bilambil Heights
DA24/0469 - Swimming pool and deck
Lot 144 DP 852450, No. 20 Sierra Vista Boulevard Bilambil Heights
DA24/0478 - Dwelling with attached garage, swimming pool and outbuilding
Lot 78 DP 1305738, No. 6 Bowen Loop, Cudgen
DA24/0502 - Use of spa and associated decking on 57A Loders Road
Lot 10 DP 542254, No. 57 Loders Road, Duranbah
DA24/0451 - Swimming pool, deck, pergola and front fence including use of existing deck
Lot 1 SP 99903, Unit 1/No. 34 Sand Street, Kingscliff
DA24/0522 - Two storey dwelling with attached garage and inground swimming pool
Lot 3 DP 1302899, No. 3B Kingscliff Street, Kingscliff
DA24/0463 - alterations and additions to an existing dwelling including house raise
Lot 7 section 1 DP 20361, No. 7 William Street, Murwillumbah
DA24/0263 - Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling including swimming pool and detached garage
Lot 2 DP 1045116, No. 75 Overall Drive, Pottsville
DA24/0446 - Swimming pool
Lot 575 DP 1076975, No. 33 Marsupial Drive, Pottsville
DA24/0543 - Demolition of retaining wall built without consent and construction of new retaining wall
Lot 463 DP 1144944, No. 10 Australia Drive, Terranora
DA24/0408 - Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling including carport forward of the building line
Lot 2 DP 1131733, No. 40 Parkes Drive, Tweed Heads
DA24/0539 - Use of carport within the front building line and shed Lot 23 DP 1011993, No. 4 Tern Court, Tweed Heads West
DA24/0481 - Dwelling with attached garage and associated earthworks
Lot 3 DP 831871, No. 1659 Kyogle Road, Uki
DA24/0384 - Use of pool and deck
Lot 4 DP 1066459, No. 1262 Urliup Road, Urliup
DA23/0225 - Construction of a part three (3) part four (4) storey mixed use development comprising two (2) commercial tenancies, two (2) serviced apartments and six (6) residential units (shop top housing) above part basement car parking and associated works including earthworks and landscaping
Lot 1 DP 842350, No. 25 Tweed Coast Road, Bogangar
DA23/0650 - Alterations and additions to existing detached dual occupancy and swimming pool
Lot 2 SP 54662, Lot 1 SP 54662, No. 117 Cabarita Road, Bogangar
DA24/0425 - Attached dual occupancy and two lot strata subdivision Lot 87 DP 1264557, No. 46 Black Wattle Circuit, Casuarina
DA23/0605 - Demolition of existing structures, removal of non-indigenous vegetation, construction of a new residential flat building comprising seven (7) units over four (4) levels, basement car parking and associated works
Lot 2 Section 7 DP 758571, No. 246 Marine Parade, Kingscliff
DA24/0089 - 15 lot subdivision, creation of new public road and associated works
Lot 930 DP 1079118, Lot 169 DP 1075495, No. 4-8 Bells Boulevard, Kingscliff
DA24/0449 - Two (2) into eight (8) lot subdivision Lot 66 DP 1145386, Lot 67 DP 1145386, Lot 224 DP 1232815, Cylinders Drive, Kingscliff
DA24/0160 - Staged development for construction of new dwelling and shed, demolition/removal of existing sheds/ structures and decommission of existing dwelling (stage 1), and construction of new dwelling and swimming pool and decommission of dwelling constructed in stage 1 (stage 2)
Lot 6 DP 787970, No. 48 Doon Doon Road, Kunghur
DA24/0028 - Garden centre and signage
Lot 11 DP 1169038, No. 5915 Tweed Valley Way, Mooball
DA24/0351 - Construction of an accessible toilet block to existing place of public worship
Lot 3 DP 615412, No. 16 Wollumbin Street, Murwillumbah
DA23/0655 - Signage
Lot 10 DP 1084319, No. 1 Wollemi Place, Tweed Heads West
The following Development Application has been received by the Tweed Shire Council and may be viewed on Council’s DA Tracking site located at datracker.tweed.nsw.gov.au for a period of 14 days from Wednesday 15 January 2025 to Wednesday 29 January 2025
The proposal is not designated development and the Tweed Shire Council is the consent authority.
ApplicantLocation Proposal Application
Zone Planning NSW Pty Ltd Lot 21 DP 1254463; No. 1091 Clothiers Creek Road, Clothiers Creek Use of existing machinery shed and bulk earthworks for access road and retaining wall
Any person may, during the period specified above, make a submission in writing to Council in relation to the Development Application. Where a submission is in the form of an objection, then the grounds of objection are required to be specified. Any person may,
make a written submission to the General Manager of Council. It should also be noted that Council has adopted a policy whereby, on request, any submission including identifying particulars will be made public. Council will give consideration to the ‘Public Interest’ and requests for confidentiality by submitters in determining access to submission letters. However, the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 – GIPAA may result in confidential submissions being released to an applicant.
Please note – requirements regarding Disclosure of Political Gifts and Donations
A disclosure is required to be made in a statement accompanying the relevant development or planning application by a person who makes the application. In addition, a person who makes a written submission either objecting to or supporting a relevant development or planning application must also make a disclosure if the person has made a reportable political donation. Further information regarding Donations and Gift Disclosure are available on Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/development-applications
Notification of integrated development application
Development Application No. DA24/0586
A development application has been lodged by Brencorp Terranora Pty Ltd & Intrapac Terranora Pty Ltd seeking development consent for staged subdivision of 154 residential lots, 1 public reserve, 1 residue lot, associated civil works and demolition of existing structures at Lot 2 DP 785420; No. 412 Terranora Road, Terranora; Lot 1 DP 1212374 & Lot 4 DP 1138338; No. 512 Terranora Road, Terranora; Lot 753 DP 1291069; No. 93 Parkes Lane, Terranora . Tweed Shire Council is the consent authority for the application.
The proposed development constitutes “Integrated Development” pursuant to Section 4.46(1) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979. The following approvals are required in this regard:Provision Approval Authority
Section 100B of the Rural Fires Act 1997 General Approval Rural Fire Service
Sections 89, 90 & 91 of the Water Management Act 2000 Water use approval, water management work approval or activity approval under Part 3 of Chapter 3 Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
The development application and the documents accompanying it may be viewed on Council’s DA Tracking site located at datracker.tweed.nsw.gov.au
The documents will be available for a period of 28 days from Wednesday 15 January 2025 to Wednesday 12 February 2025.
Any person may, during the above period, make a written submission to the General Manager of Council. It should also be noted that Council has adopted a policy whereby, on request, any submission including identifying particulars will be made public. Council will give consideration to the ‘Public Interest’ and requests for confidentiality by submitters in determining access to submission letters. However, the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 – GIPAA may result in confidential submissions being released to an applicant.
Any submission objecting to the proposed development must state the ground upon which such objection is made.
Please note – requirements regarding Disclosure of Political Gifts and Donations
A disclosure is required to be made in a statement accompanying the relevant development or planning application by a person who makes the application. In addition, a person who makes a written submission either objecting to or supporting a relevant development or planning application must also make a disclosure if the person has made a reportable political donation. Further information regarding Donations and Gift Disclosure are available on Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/development-applications
DA24/0370 - Part change of use of an existing mixed use development (M’Arts) to include retail and office tenancies, and a beauty salon
Lot 1 DP 439512, Lot 3 DP 772263, Lot 4 DP 772263, Lot 1 DP 123065, Lot 1 DP 202712, No. 1 Brisbane Street, Murwillumbah
DA22/0195 - Use of the land for the purposes of intensive livestock agriculture
Lot 5 DP 1121836, No. 492 Nobbys Creek Road, Nobbys Creek
DA24/0186 - Change of use from primary dwelling and secondary dwelling to detached dual occupancy and two (2) lot strata subdivision (integrated) & construction of carport and outbuilding
Lot 57 DP 263729, No. 23 Royal Drive, Pottsville
DA24/0612 - Use of mezzanine and internal fit-out of commercial kitchen as-constructed, construction of remaining works associated with commercial kitchen fit-out and use of premises for food production
Lot 10 SP 105588, Unit 11/No. 7 Thornbill Drive, South Murwillumbah
DA24/0214 - Construction of secondary dwelling (detached), single carport and removal of two (2) native trees
Lot 6 DP 261183, No. 14 Tanglewood Drive, Tanglewood
DA23/0663 - Construction of a detached structure for use as a recreation facility (outdoor) comprising of massage room, sauna, reception area and change room together with a cabana, swimming pool, spa pool and amenities
Lot 57 DP 1092504, No. 38 Sunnycrest Drive, Terranora
DA24/0195 - Alterations and additions to existing club (Club Tweed)
Lot 12 DP 803451, No. 22-38 Florence Street, Tweed Heads
DA24/0288 - Use of existing community facility as tourist and visitor information centre and new restaurant/cafe
Lot 1 DP 1150839, Lot 2 DP 1150839, No. 6 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads
Current vacancies
Visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/job-vacancies to view current vacancies. Subscribe to receive Job Vacancy Alerts via email at tweed.nsw.gov.au/subscribe
WATER WEEK 2 Check when your water meter is read at tweed.nsw.gov.au/meter-reading
tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au
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the
DA22/0794 - Residential flat building (9 units) including a swimming pool, demolition and strata subdivision
Lot 91 DP 237806, No. 3 Ivory Crescent, Tweed Heads
DA23/0444 - Residential flat building consisting of 36 units over four storeys and at grade carparking, signage and earthworks
Lot 2 DP 559208, No. 7-9 Shallow Bay Drive, Tweed Heads South
DA17/0554 - Vegetation removal, re-routing part of the drain, general drainage works, filling the site (hydraulic transport from an approved source) and restoring and re-vegetating the land
Lot 11 DP 871753, Lot 12 DP 871753, Lot 13 DP 871753, Quigan Street, Kingscliff
DA23/0577 - Three (3) lot torrens title subdivision
Lot 540 DP 755740, No. 22 Sexton Hill Drive, Banora Point
DA24/0445 - Use of general industrial units and installation of signage
Lot 216 DP 1122768, No. 8-12 Honeyeater Circuit, South Murwillumbah
DA24/0476 - Use of unauthorised building alterations and additions and change of use to include glassing of surfboards
Lot 3 SP 77153, Unit 3/No. 64-66 Ourimbah Road, Tweed Heads
DA24/0354 - Use of 1.8m front fence and shade sail forward of building line Lot 177 DP 846146, No. 6 Deakin Drive, Terranora
Be one of the first to see all the latest news from Tweed Shire Council each week.
Subscribers to Tweed Link receive it by email each week on Wednesday mornings, in addition to it appearing in print in the Tweed Valley Weekly on Thursdays.
But that’s not all – you can also subscribe to Council job alerts, media releases and a range of e-newsletters and Council facility program alerts.
Sign up at tweed.nsw.gov.au/subscribe
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By Jo Kennett
SUBMISSIONS TO the Coastal Creeks Flood Risk Management Study and Plan Update close on Sunday, January 19, with local flood mitigation groups calling on locals to share their experiences.
Tweed Shire Council said hearing from locals about their experience during floods is crucial in shaping the flood study and ensuring their plans meet community needs.
According to council, historical flood data, including rainfall, water levels and survey marks, along with community experiences, will be used to calibrate and verify computer flood models to ensure they can accurately simulate historical and potential future flood events.
The updated flood study will also include the tributaries within the catchment areas of Cudgen, Cudgera, Mooball and Marshalls creeks.
Funded by the NSW Government’s Floodplain Management Program, council has engaged flood specialists WMAwater to update the Tweed-Byron Coastal Creeks Flood Study including the flood maps addendum, the Tweed Coastal Creeks Floodplain Risk Management Study and the Tweed Coastal Creeks Floodplain Risk Management Plan.
Bogangar and Pottsville experienced unprecedented flooding in 2022 which destroyed hundreds of homes, with many saying development, particularly in Bogangar, had impacted water movement. The new study could see planning controls changed.
The flood mitigation sub-committee of the Cabarita Beach Bogangar Residents Association has called on concerned locals to put in their submission to council.
“We are really relieved to have got this commitment to a full study, risk assessment and plan for flood mitigation,” committee member
Andy Williams said.
“However, we really need community support now so that local knowledge, information and history is recorded.
“This will mean a really accurate model so potential mitigation strategies can be tested and approved to improve flood outcomes for our Tweed Coast.
“Your story matters — please can you go to this site and share any information from the flood that is relevant (including any issues that you think have not been addressed) and historical data or information.
“If you prefer to fill out a paper copy, they are being held at the Cabarita Beach Surf Club office.”
Andy will be taking any paper copies to council by the due date, 19 January. Visit: yoursaytweed. com.au/coastal-creeks
By Jonathon Howard
MEMBER FOR Lismore Janelle Saffin is encouraging residents of the Tweed Shire to celebrate the positive role seniors play in the community by submitting a nomination for the 2025 NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards.
“If you know a senior who helps make our community diverse, inspiring and active, then I encourage you to nominate them for acknowledgement of their contribution,” Ms Saffin told The Weekly.
“The annual NSW Seniors Festival is about celebrating the positive impact of older people in our families and society.
“Nominations are now open for the awards
program, one of many initiatives the NSW Government promotes to support the state’s seniors living happy, healthy, and active lives.” Winners of the Local Achievement Awards will be announced during the NSW Seniors Festival which runs from March 3–16. By highlighting seniors’ continued efforts in helping the Lismore electorate thrive, we are continuing to challenge ageism and empower seniors to overcome social stigmas.
For more information about NSW Seniors Festival and the Local Achievement Awards, visit seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au.
Nomination forms available from the Lismore Electorate Office at 55 Carrington Street, or by emailing lismore@parliament.nsw.gov.au Nominations close 5pm Friday, February 21.
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THE FEW weeks of fine, hot weather before and after Christmas and New Year were welcome for Condong’s cane growers.
However, another significant rain event was recently experienced, disrupting farming programs.
The sugar cane crop prospects for the 2025 harvest are well below the district’s five-year average due to the very difficult harvesting conditions of the 2024 season and its very late finish and resulting late ratoons.
Plant cane in many fields is seriously struggling because of waterlogging and significant areas have been replanted.
Several growers have been planting soybeans during the past few weeks and a lot more will be planted in the next month if good weather returns.
Unfortunately for many farmers in our area, the opportunity for them to sell the straw from cane harvested green is no longer an option.
The cane straw garden mulch industry, along with other agricultural industries such as hay and turf, has been constrained by the quarantine restrictions imposed following imported red fire ant infestations in the Tweed Shire and south east Queensland.
Much of the cane that would have been cut green for mulch is now being burnt. However, a small amount of cane cut green is being baled and sold locally.
The NSW Sugar Industry has commissioned a professional team to review the cane transport system.
The object of this review is to find and increase
efficiencies with the prospect of achieving and maintaining the optimal crushing rate at each of the three NSW sugar mills.
This is vital to sustaining the industry viability. Cane growers and millers are hopeful that this review will identify ways to make the cane transport system more efficient.
I wish everyone associated with the NSW sugar industry all the best for 2025, and best wishes to Tweed Valley Weekly readers. Bye for now, Rob Hawken
Transport
By Jonathon Howard
KINGSCLIFF TWEED Coast Taxi is making the leap into the fast-moving electric vehicle (EV) market, introducing a Tesla Model 3 as part of its fleet.
The new addition is a toe in the water for the popular local taxi company, according to director Murray Spence, who said he was impressed by the Tesla so far and is eager to put the vehicle to work.
Murray shared his excitement about the shift towards EVs, noting how quickly local shops, including Tweed City, have been installing electric charging stations.
“It’s incredible how fast the infrastructure is developing,” he said.
“It gives us a lot of confidence in making the move towards electric vehicles.”
However, Murray emphasised that while the Tesla is a significant step
forward, the company’s fleet of maxi taxis will remain a key part of its operations for the foreseeable future.
“The maxi taxis will definitely stay with us for a long time,” he said.
“But we’re eager to see how the electric Tesla performs in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
“This is a test to gauge the potential for future growth in this area.”
Murray was quick to point out the company has been running the hybrid
Toyota Camry, which he described as “amazing”.
“The hybrid Camry will be hard to beat,” he said.
“They’re a great part of our fleet already and the hybrid model is already helping to reduce running costs and I expect the Camry to play a key role in taking the business to the next level.”
With the introduction of the Tesla and the ongoing success of the hybrid Camry, Kingscliff Tweed Coast Taxis is positioned to contribute to offering a reliable and efficient transport to locals and visitors alike.
Are you interested in earning extra cash....
Why not drive a taxi?
The taxi service is an independently owned local business that’s been operating for more than 60 years.
Murray said the business has undergone expansion across the Tweed Valley and the Tweed Coast.
“We purchased the Kingscliff Tweed Coast Taxis in 2014 and the business has a strong presence across both the valley and coast, which means there’s vehicles available across all areas of the Tweed Shire,” he said.
“I’d like to encourage locals to give us a call and try out our new Tesla today.”
To book your next ride, ensure you think local and book Kingscliff Tweed Coast Taxis 1300 992 487.
• We currently require casual drivers for night work and weekend work.
•You can do 1 shift or 5 shifts a week, we are flexible.
• We will help you to apply for your taxi licence, train you and provide a uniform
We would like to take this opportunity to explain how driving a taxi works:
Firstly, you will need to apply for a separate taxi licence to drive a taxi. is involves also applying for an industry code to be added to your normal drivers licence. is is done in person at a Services NSW centre. Once this has been completed our taxi o ce will assist you with an application at a cost of $130.00. You will need 100 points of identi cation before it can be uploaded to our NSW Taxi Council who will process all the checks ...including a Police Crime Check. Once this has been approved, we will train you in all areas of the Taxi side of driving.
to the Company to cover fuel and running expenses.
e great aspect of driving a taxi is that you can choose to do one shi or 5 shi s a week. We will try to nd you the right shi s to suit your lifestyle.
Because you are collecting GST on taxi fares you will be required to apply for your own ABN number as you will be responsible for paying the GST component of the 45% earnings to the tax department.
For those who are reading this, we will gladly explain any further questions you may have on the positions we currently have and will assist you where we can. is is a great way to earn money with a exible roster that can work around any other commitments that you
We are currently looking for DAY/NIGHT/WEEKEND AND CASUAL Drivers.
Kingscliff Tweed
Taxi Service leading the
By Jonathon Howard
THE MURWILLUMBAH Sporting Car Club is inviting car enthusiasts to join them for a Membership Sign-On Day and Show ‘n’ Shine event at the Condong Bowling Club on Sunday, February 16.
The event will take place from 10am until 1pm and all local vehicle lovers are encouraged to join this strong and thriving local car club.
The event will also serve as a catalyst to engage new and old members in taking on committee roles.
This exciting event offers an opportunity for local car lovers to connect with the club, learn more about its activities, and sign up as new members.
“The Show ‘n’ Shine will feature a stunning array of vehicles, showcasing everything from classic cars to modern performance machines,” founding member Barry Wearing said.
“Whether you’re a passionate collector or just a fan of beautiful automobiles, there will be something for everyone.”
The event promises a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with plenty of opportunities to
mingle with fellow enthusiasts and a free sausage sizzle barbecue.
The Murwillumbah Sporting Car Club encourages anyone interested in cars and motorsport to come along and discover what the club has to offer.
To find out more or to sign up by phone: 0412 767 922.
By Jonathon Howard
IT’S TIME to dob in a pesky pothole, after increasing rain events have exacerbated road conditions.
The Weekly hit the road this week to get a firsthand look at the state of local streets, where potholes continue to be a growing issue for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike.
Some of the worst were located at Tweed Heads, including this doozy (pictured) at Recreation Street, which you would describe as a “cluster” of potholes near the corner of Recreation Street and Park Street.
One local resident, who preferred not to be named, who commutes daily from Murwillumbah to Tweed Heads, noted: “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to swerve around
holes, especially after heavy rain”.
“It’s not just an inconvenience, it’s a serious safety issue,” she said.
“I would urge everyone to report the potholes after rain events to council.”
Residents can easily report potholes to Tweed Shire Council through its website, where council can assess and address the problem as quickly as possible.
Potholes can be difficult to repair in wet conditions and it can take time for conditions to improve, residents are being asked to please be patient.
For more details on how to report a pothole, visit the Tweed Shire Council’s website (tweed. nsw.gov.au/community/roads-transport/roads/ potholes).
By Jo Kennett
FUEL PRICES have been up over the holidays, which is no surprise to anyone, after falling by about 13.7 cents per litre to an average of 182.8 cents per litre between June and September, 2024.
The National Roads and Motorists’ Association (NRMA), aka the Oracle of Delphi, predicted the rise, with fuel now up around two bucks everywhere except Murbah, Uki, Mooball and Freedom Fuels Terranora.
The good news is that there is nothing to stop them going back down once the rugrats are back at school, except pure, unadulterated greed, so there are no guarantees there.
Brent crude oil is still sitting around the $80 mark after dropping into the low $70s when local companies started the Christmas fleecing spree.
Last year when it was at $80 we were paying between $1.60 (for the luckier ones) and $1.80, so that pretty well says it all.
Trump has vowed to impose tariffs of over 60 per cent on Chinese imports, although he is already walking that back, which is a lot higher than tariffs he imposed during his first term.
A lot of Americans think that China pays for the tariffs on goods and will be a little shocked
to find it’s them, American consumers, who will pay for it in increased prices of imported goods.
Analysts say that the second Trump/China trade war will see demand for oil and prices drop as they did during the last one by triggering another economic downturn in China, which already has its back against the wall.
The incoming president plans to increase oil and gas production at home to drive down energy costs, inflation and cost of living, (although his tariffs will have the opposite effect) but no one is going to “drill baby drill”, whatever Trump says, if there is no profit in it. There is already a huge glut of oil globally and most American oil producers are cutting production.
Combined with the electric car revolution, oil producers globally are bracing for a downturn. Sucked in I say. We’ve been getting ripped off at the bowser for years.
For Aussie consumers, the renewal of Trump’s trade war could mean we can go driving all over the country with gay abandon, which is not only good for our economy but will feed our spirits as well.
Either way, anything could happen under the capricious president-elect, who makes Nick Kyrgios look positively sensible, so buckle up for the ride and let’s hope we make it safely out the other side.
GAIN AN ENTRY FOR EACH PURCHASE OF A MEMBERS MEAL DEAL OR MAIN MEAL
By Madeleine Murray
HOW TO DRAW A DINOSAUR at the Tweed Regional Museum is a brilliant fusion of science and art that will captivate the whole family.
This exhibit is full of interactive games, scientific information, dinosaur skeletons, and much more. The activities range from high-tech such as interactive projections to low-tech such as a dinosaur heads made out of cardboard boxes.
In one activity you draw the outline of a dinosaur, write your name on that shape and then hold it over a light box. The result is the dinosaur with your name on it swimming with a group of other dinosaurs on the wall in front of you.
You can play a survivability game by giving a swimming dinosaur different qualities for its head and body, then watching to see if it survives.
Dinosaur toys and books sit on low shelves with beanbags conveniently placed for children to sit and read or play.
This is definitely an exhibition that children of all ages will adore.
A replica skeleton of Mosasaur dinosaur spans the whole length of the top floor.
Museum Director Molly Green said the team had worked tirelessly to ensure that How to
Draw a Dinosaur is not just another dinosaur display, but an invitation to explore the fascinating interplay between scientific discovery and artistic expression.
“The fossil record has provided invaluable clues about the structure and biology of dinosaurs, but much of their appearance such as colours, patterns, and textures remains a mystery, leaving space for artistic interpretation,” Molly said.
“Through interactive exhibits, visitors of all ages are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild, envisioning and creating their own interpretations of these majestic creatures.”
Artist Craig Walsh has produced an outdoor projection installation, which can be viewed in the Tweed River from the Murwillumbah Bridge every evening from late January.
Get ready for another great street party on Friday, January 24. The Museum Up Late: Dino Party will feature activities, face painting, arts and craft, a trivia hunt, a fossil dig and lots of dinosaur fun.
How to Draw a Dinosaur is on until May 24. The Museum Up Late: Dino Party is from 5pm–8pm on Friday, January 24, at the museum on 2 Queensland Rd, Murwillumbah. For more info go to museum.tweed.nsw.gov.au
By Madeleine Murray
M|ARTS CAFÉ & BAR has undergone an exciting transformation, now under the passionate leadership of local entrepreneur Troy Stanley. With a vision for creativity, connection, and celebration, Troy has taken the reins of the café and bar to turn it into a welcoming hub for families, artists and the wider 2484 community.
The 41-year-old father-of-four was drawn to Murwillumbah’s creative energy and close-knit community, and made the tree change after years in Brisbane’s corporate world, mainly at JB Hi-Fi.
“I was blown away by the opportunity to take over this space,” Troy told The Weekly.
“After seeing the creativity and community connection, I re -
Troy is going to feature a wide range of local talent, including musicians, poets, comedians, choirs, life drawing groups, and drag bingo.
The fabulous, versatile M|Arts
a family-friendly, multi-purpose, af fordable venue: a café by day serving great local food, such as Ammazza pizza and Old Quarter coffee, and an entertainment hub by night complete with craft beers and mouth-watering cocktails. With an expanded focus on the arts,
sausage and truffle pizza. I met up with some old friends and made new ones. It all felt very relaxed, stimulating and unlike any other venue.
From Thursday to Sunday,
strengths of the 2484 — its people, stories, and creativity,” Troy said.
Fridays will be DJ Nights — a fun, upbeat way to kick off the weekend.
On Saturdays, live music and entertainment will showcase local bands and performers. Sundays will be open
mic nights, a chance for aspiring poets, singers, and comedians to take the stage. M|Arts Café & Bar is in the M|Arts Precinct, corner Brisbane and Wollumbin Street, Murwillumbah. For more info go to @m.arts. cafebar and @m.arts.precinct
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29TH WEDNESDAY JANUARY
4.
64 Provoke (7)
Hackneyed (5) 66 Greens (5) 67 Roman Christianity (11) 68 Vegetable with a long fibrous stalk (6) 69 English author,Waugh (6)
2 Take from (7) 3 Banded marsupial (9)
behaviour (11) 25 Reporters (11)
26 Thin biscuit (5)
27 Religious follower who exalts Ahura Mazda, deity of wisdom (11)
28 In a very difficult situation (11)
30 Cloud (9) 34 Country inn or club (9)
35 Large palm seed (7) 36 B12 and C are examples (7)
At first (10)
(5)
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Type of sheep (6)
Prize for Olympic third (6)
Enchant (9)
Spread for toast (9)
Trickery, unscrupulous
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PCYC TWEED HEADS
Beginners Tap Dancing Class
Every Wednesday, 9:30am - 10:45am Intermediate/Advanced Tap Dancing Class
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Cost: $7 per class Ph: (07) 5599 1714 tweedheads@pcycnsw.org.au www.pcycnsw.org.au/tweed-heads
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Tweed River Agricultural Society is looking for a secretary to join their passionate team. This is a fabulous opportunity with flexible working hours and an office overlooking the stunning local rural landscape and Murwillumbah Showground. Applicants with the following skills will be considered favourably:
• Experience working in a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to use social media and computer technologies including Facebook, Instagram, Excel, Word
• Effective office management including record keeping, maintaining diaries, preparing meeting agendas, taking minutes and monitoring actions from meetings.
Please send an updated resume including the names of two referees to treasurer@murwillumbahshow.com no later than 10:00am, Monday 20 January 2025.
We’re excited to welcome our new secretary onto our team.
Position: Casual Funeral Assistant
Department: McGuiness Funerals — Murwillumbah and Billinudgel
Purpose:
We are seeking a Casual Funeral Directors Assistant (FDA) to ensure our Funeral Services run smoothly, professionally and to a high standard.
Responsibilities:
To Assist our Funeral Directors in preparing and setting up for services and being competent in the operation of equipment such as photo tributes and music.
Hours:
Needs to be flexible in their availability and work hours.
Qualifications:
The person we are seeking must be compassionate, caring and composed under pressure. Must have strong communication skills and be professional in their appearance and have a good work ethic.
Must be tech-savvy with the ability to adapt new technologies.
How to Apply: Submit resume and cover letter to info@mcguinessfunerals. com.au
About the role: This role is an integral port of our business and your care, dignity for the deceased and attention to detail is paramount. Funeral assistant work is carried out on an as needed basis and during business hours.
The roles includes:
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• Warmly greeting and welcoming all family members and funeral mourners at a funeral service
• Transferring deceased into our care from nursing homes, hospitals etc
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We are seeking highly motivated candidates to become funeral assistants
Late of Mooball NSW
Passed away peacefully at home on 16th December 2024 aged 92 years
Husband of Shirley
Father of Deidre, Leanne, Petria and Leon Grandfather of 9 and Great Grandfather of 18
Brother of Kingsley (twin) and Noela Eric was much loved and will be greatly missed A memorial service was held on 3rd January 2025 at Cabarita Baptist Church
02/01/39 – 12/01/25
Late of Bogangar, aged 86
Dealy loved wife of John(dec)
Loved Mother of Malcolm (dec), Judith and Susan. Grandmother to Kathy, Aaron, Stacey, Jason (dec), Lorinda, Shane. Great Grandmother to Lily, Cooper, Toby, Nate, Ben, Hunter, Taylor, Lauchlan, Bailey, Charlotte, Chayse and Reece. Will be Greatly Missed
In loving Memory of Daniel Allen Fletcher
29/06/1985 - 24/11/2024
Passed away suddenly and tragically. Son of Allen and Jayne Fletcher Brother/Brother-in-law of Matthew, Linda and Nathan Uncle of Lana and Zeb
Family and Friends are warmly invited to honor and celebrate the life of Daniel. Friday 24th January 2025 at the Tweed Memorial Gardens Chapel. 176 Kirkwood Rd, Tweed Heads South NSW 2486 at 10.00am NSW time.
Tweed Heads (07) 5599 1800
We are locally owned and operated 0416 389 587
29/12/1929 -9/8/2021
Late of Crabbes Creek and formally Ono Degno Italy.
Passed away peacefully at home 9th August 2021. Aged 91 years.
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By Jo Kennett
LOCAL BOARDRIDERS clubs will be representing the Tweed at the Usher Cup World Club Challenge 2025 featuring surf stars from around the globe, from this Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 19 at Snapper Rocks.
The crew from the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) Tweed Heads will be there in force running all sorts of fun sporting activities and cheering on their ambassador, Duranbah Boardriders’ Jimmi Hill.
Australia’s best boardriders clubs will be joined by teams from the United States, Portugal, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Hawaii.
Four former world champions including Joel Parkinson, Layne Beachley and Americans CJ Hobgood and Kelly Slater are registered to compete.
In a first for the Usher Cup, there’ll be no individual surfers category this year, with the focus on teams and clubs going head-to-head. There is a lifeline for losing teams, with each team receiving a second chance, and the opportunity to battle their way through to the decider.
“The World Club Challenge isn’t just a surfing competition; it’s a celebration of the global surf community,” event co-founder Rabbit Bartholomew said.
“This event connects us all, from local boardriders to international legends, united by our shared love of the waves.”
The Cabarita Boardriders charge will be led by Sebastian Bungate, Kenta Fogarty, Maddi Parker and
Kyan Falvey.
Juraki surf will also have a team in, hopefully with young Fingal charger Lungi Slabb, off the back of his showing at the invite-only Vans Pipe Masters Pro. Lungi absolutely rips at Snapper.
We’ve been trying, unsuccessfully, to find out if Kingy, with surfers like Dane Henry, Mitch James, Micah Margieson and the dynamic Arghyros duo, will be there.
Representing Duranbah Boardriders, Freya Pruma will join Nic Vasicek, Nathan Cook and Jimmi Hill, the Youth Sports Excellence Ambassador of the PCYC Tweed Heads,
where he trains.
PCYC at the event
PCYC Tweed Heads will be hosting some of the fun at the World Club Challenge 2025.
“We’ve been tasked to run the sports at the Youth Hub,” club manager Corey Oliver said.
“We have our basketball rings up, our NRL passing target, obstacle courses and beach soccer.
“On Friday at midday we have Jaime Chapman running an NRL clinic. She plays for the Titans, the Blues State of Origin and Australia.”
The PCYC is one of the official
By Jo Kennett
THE CUDGEN Hornets have beaten their LJ Hooker League rivals Marist Brothers before going down in Round 10 to Pottsville at Cudgen in a shock start to 2025.
The upset saw Marist Brothers jump to just three points behind the Hornets, 58 to 55, and well within striking distance. The Tweed Banora Colts are in sixth place on 43 points, Murwillumbah is in 9th on 23 and Pottsville is in 10th spot on 19 points.
“It was a day-night game too so we were playing in the night and it was pretty cold and wet and awful; probably not for Pottsville because they won so it was a bit of an upset,” Cudgen captain Alec Williams said, with most the other games abandoned.
“They batted well; they got 162 and they did well to get up to that so credit to them.
“It was reduced to a 30-overs game so 162 off 30 overs is a pretty good score.”
Pottsville’s Mitchell Tripp got 60 and Jamie Tripp scored 38 not out.
“It was probably our worst bowling of the year,” Alec said.
“We were terrible batting as well.
“The highest score was 26 (Alec) so it wasn’t much to write home about.
“We had four players out, Harry Kershler who was playing for Manly in Sydney, Connor Ziebell, Jamie Wilson and Pat Rosser.”
Alec said their round nine win against Marist Brothers was “a strange game of cricket.”
“We were six for 37 at one stage and then Pat Rosser got 62 and Connor Ziebell got 49 so they saved us,” he said.
“We ended up getting about 190 but they were still in a winning position so we bowled well in the end to restrict them.
“At one stage they were 5/124 and they looked on track to get it but we ended up bowling quite well at the end and managed to get up by about 30 runs.
Cudgen were 10/196 with Marist Brothers on 10/171.
Marist brothers Brendon Mitchell got three wickets and Harrison Gillet got four.
“They are probably two of the best bowlers in the competition, that’s the strength of their team, those two opening bowlers,” he said.
“They are the best bowling side in the competition and they had us in trouble early.
“That was the biggest win of the year for us because they were within 12 points of us.”
They are now just three points behind Marist Brothers.
Before grabbing that momentous victory over Cudgen, Pottsville was disqualified in Round 9. We tried unsuccessfully to contact the club to get a comment on their win over Cudgen and disqualification but it may be because two of their Sydney grade players played, which is apparently against competition rules.
charities of the event, each getting $5,000.
“We got $10,000 last year which we used to update our boxing and training area for kids and this year it will go into a youth hub in our reception area,” Corey said.
“All our kids will be down there and we are really excited.”
They will be picking up all the international teams at the airport in the PCYC bus and taking them to the Greenmount Hotel.
“Jimmi Hill, who is 16 and is in Duranbah Boardriders, is our youth ambassador and so we will be cheering him on,” Corey said.
“It’s been really good for us with Jimmi. He trains here and all the other young kids follow him. He’s a really good kid.
“All of the competitors across the weekend have access to the club for training. We’ve just had the Santa Cruz team come in, Kelly Slater is surfing in the event, CJ Hobgood, Joel Parkinson for Snapper, Layne Beachley.”
Get down and check out all action at the 2025 World Club Challenge at Snapper Rocks from Friday January 17 to 19.
MEMBER FOR Richmond Justine Elliot has announced this week that the Albanese Labor Government will fund the upgrade of Australia’s remaining national fibre-to-the node (FTTN) network through an injection of up to $3 billion.
“The Albanese Labor Government will deliver this upgrade and guarantee the NBN stays in public ownership, ensuring prices for high speed internet remain affordable for all Australians including North Coast locals.
“While we’re working to complete the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout, Peter Dutton’s Liberals and Nationals want to strand Australians on ageing copper connections and privatise the NBN.
“Fast, reliable, affordable internet is an essential building block of any modern economy. Better connectivity boosts productivity, enables innovation, and creates jobs.
“The new FTTN upgrades will deliver access to higher internet speeds for around 622,000 additional premises, with the upgrades delivered by 2030.
“This landmark investment builds on the Alba-
nese Labor Government’s $2.4 billion funding for FTTN upgrades.
“We’ve provided access to faster and more reliable broadband for 1.5 million premises across Australia, including 660,000 in rural and regional communities. The upgrades are being delivered on time and budget.
“The Albanese Labor Government wants to ensure that every Australian, no matter where they live, has access to the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, including access to the highest quality broadband.
“Labor built the NBN, meanwhile Peter Dutton’s Liberals and Nationals want to dismantle it, just like he wants to undermine Medicare and other services Australians rely on.
“Rolling out faster and more reliable internet is a key priority of the Albanese Labor Government, it’s good for our economy, it’s better for business, and helps to deliver stronger, more connected communities here on the North Coast,” Justine said.
By Jo Kennett
THERE ARE some incredible commercial properties for sale in the Tweed Valley, including the iconic Mavis’s Kitchen, loved by so many not least for its stunning rural setting in the foothills of Wollumbin (Mount Warning) surrounded by World Heritage rainforests.
The restaurant, an old favourite among locals and visitors alike, is now only open for private functions, but the 25-acre former dairy farm with its eco-friendly bed and breakfast cabin accommodation has become highly sought-after as a weddings and events venue.
This magnificent property could be
used as a private home with space for large family groups, an ecoresort, yoga and meditation retreats, workshops and team building, or could continue as one of Australia’s most spectacular culinary and accommodation destinations.
64 Mount Warning Road, Mount Warning has five self-contained and private cabins including the gorgeous four-bedroom Queenslander farmhouse, as well as barn, shed, outbuildings and parking for up to 60 cars.
The lush, tropical grounds include an organic vegetable and bush tucker garden, orchards, lawns, a dam and regenerated rainforest as well as a creek with natural swimming holes and a resident platypus. It’s impossible not to fall in love with what must be one of the most beautiful properties in the Tweed.
Currently run as a licensed short-term tourist accommodation with liquor license and the iconic restaurant for up to 120 guests, the property features a fully equipped kitchen and bar upstairs and another bar and terrace at garden level. The restaurant could be renovated into another residence (subject to
All times are DST unless specified.
Saturday, January 18
JET Real Estate
• 103 Commercial Rd, Murwillumbah, 10-10.30am
• 303 Crabbes Creek Rd, Crabbes Creek, 1.30-2.30pm
DJ Stringer Property Services
• 41/1-33 Harrier St, Tweed Heads South, 9 – 9.30am
• 1/14 Warrawong St, Coolangatta, 9 – 9.30am QLD Time
• 27 Oakland Dr, Banora Point, 10 – 10.30am
• 1/305 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 10– 10.30am QLD Time
• 5/28 Dutton St, Coolangatta, 10 – 10.30am QLD Time
council approval), maintained as a thriving dining destination or leased out for a great monthly income stream.
Mavis’s is on the market for $2,995,000 to $3,275,000 with Anne and John Besgrove at First National Real Estate Murwillumbah.
Another lovely property for sale is this thriving wedding and resort venue at 252 Midginbil Road, Midginbil, in the lush Tweed Valley. Nestled on 92 hectares of prime land with beautiful grounds, the resort generates a net profit of $838,684 and accommodates up to 170 guests.
It’s nearly fully booked for the next year and with significant infrastructure in place and potential for expansion, this resort presents a fantastic investment as well as an idyllic lifestyle opportunity.
The resort is on the market with ResortBrokers for $7.5 million.
This much-loved motel in South Murwillumbah is on the market for the first time in 19 years. Recently renovated, this freehold going concern motel at 453 Tweed
Valley Way features ten spacious rooms over two levels.
The manager’s residence is a threebedroom, two bathroom standalone partly renovated home, with a new kitchen and spacious living area down stairs and bedrooms and a second living space upstairs.
This motel is a very consistent performer and already has a net profit of $258,854 which could be increased with some fresh marketing. The motel is only 500 metres from the stunning Tweed Regional Art Gallery and Margaret Olley Art
• 2124/14-22 Stuart St, Tweed Heads, 10 – 10.30am
• 155 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 11 – 11.30am QLD Time
• 20 Eliza Fraser Ct, Terranora, 11- 12pm
• 2/98 McLean St, Coolangatta, 11.30 -12pm QLD Time
• 2/12 Mugga Way, Tweed Heads, 12 – 12.30pm
• 5 Pimpala Ct, Tugun, 12.30 – 1pm QLD Time
• 35 Navigators Way, Tweed Heads, 1 – 1:30pm
• 3/4B Chitticks Lane, Fingal, 1 – 1.30pm
Tate Brownlee Real Estate
• 7 Tweed Coast Road, Hastings Point, 9-9.30am
• 21 Point Break Circuit, Kingscliff, 10-10.30am
• 38 Terranora Road, Banora Point, 10-10.30am
• 19 Nandina Terrace, Banora Point, 11-11.30am
• 44 Lakeview Parade, Tweed Heads South, 11-11.30am
• 38 The Hermitage, Tweed Heads South, 12-12.30pm
• 3 Flemington Street, Banora Point, 12-12.30pm
Centre and close to the start of the Rail Trail in beautiful Murwillumbah. It’s on the market for $2,495,000. Industrial units available Elders Real Estate Tweed Valley has a couple of big new flood-free industrial units for sale in South Murwillumbah in the new Industry Central Industrial Estate.
12/7 Thornbill Drive is a recently constructed tilt slab industrial 139 square metre unit with a 31 square metre mezzanine with three offices, a kitchenette and two bathrooms.
• 10 Seafarer Place, Banora Point, 1-1.30pm
• 78 Glen Ayr Drive, Banora Point, 1-1.30pm
• 56 Charles Street, Tweed Heads, 2-2.30pm
• 3/12 Lord Street, Coolangatta, 3-3.30pm
McGrath
• 8 Callistemon Ave, Casuarina, 10-10.30am
• 3 Longboard Cres, Kingscliff, 11-11.30am
• 13/25 Salt Water Cres, Kingscliff, 12-12.30pm
• 7/261-263 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 12.15-12.45pm
• 16/13-17 Beach St Kingscliff, 12-12.30pm
• 35 Ossa Boulevard, Terranora, 12-12.30pm
Schmith Real Estate
• 1 Norlyn Avenue, Ballina, 10-10.30am
• 6 Grey Gum Street, Pottsville, 10-10.30am
• 131 Phoenix Drive, Tintenbar, 11-11.30am
• 1201/120 Marine Parade, Coolangatta, 12-12.30pm QLD time
Sound too easy?
Let’s chat.
41/1-33 Harrier Street
COASTAL TOWN HOME – Oasis views'
Experience low maintenance convenient living from this modernised (3) bedroom town home, within a well-cared for gated community establishment.
• To assist prospective purchasers during this time a Pest & Building Report is available upon request.
Buyer Guide
$795K
Open
Saturday 9:00-9:30am (NSW)
David Stringer 0418 150 731
david@djstringer.com.au
2/12 Mugga Way
Tweed Heads
WATERFRONT LIVING AT ITS FINEST
Immerse yourself into an idyllic lifestyle with this modernised (2) bedroom ground level unit, just one of (4) only, within 1km to Coolangatta & Kirra Beach. With its own sandy beach & offering an abundance of water activities, this is the place to be!
2 2 1
Buyer Guide
$795K
Open Saturday 12:00-12:30pm (NSW)
David Stringer 0418 150 731
david@djstringer.com.au
2124/14-22 Stuart Street
Tweed Heads
POSTCARD VIEWS - over Jack Evans
Boat Harbour
FABULOUS FAMILY ENTERTAINERshare the good times'
Experience the pleasures of family unity from this spacious (4) bedroom low set private residence, filled with options and framed within a 1036m2 elevated allotment.
Buyer Guide
$1.350M-$1.4M
Open
For Sale Contact Agent
Entertain family and friends from your stylish (2) bedroom apartment located on the (12th) level, offering a superb terrace style balcony commanding breathtaking water views over the Harbour, seaway and beyond to the Pacific Ocean.
(07) 5599 5222
Open Saturday 10:00-10:30am (NSW)
20 Eliza Fraser Court Terranora
IMPRESSIVE FAMILY HOME – with dual living'
A fabulous entertainer that is easy to maintain and boasts generous open plan living, enhanced with hinterland scenery and a lower-level that flows seamlessly out onto a large deck to entertain family & friends.
Saturday 10:00-10:30am (NSW)
David Stringer 0418 150 731
david@djstringer.com.au
For Sale Contact Agent
Open
Deborah Bingle 0403 727 548
deborah@djstringer.com.au 4 2 3
Deborah Bingle 0403 727 548 deborah@djstringer.com.au 2 2 1
76 Griffith Street Coolangatta | Open 7 Days | www.djstringer.com.au
Saturday 11:00-12:00am (NSW)
35 Navigators Way Tweed Heads
WATERFRONT LIVINGAnchorage Islands precinct'
Tweed Heads South 93071
Immerse yourself into an idyllic lifestyle from this beautiful (3) bedroom low set residence that commands hypnotising views of the inlet and the gentle sway of a small flotilla of boats within the harbour.
3 2 2
Buyer Guide $2.4M - $2.5M
Open Saturday 1:00-1:30pm (NSW)
David Stringer 0418 150 731 david@djstringer.com.au
EXPANSIVE FAMILY ENTERTAINERrelax and enjoy'
Elevated at the far end of a quiet cul-de-sac, you will enjoy the privacy and tranquility from this dual level (5) bedroom residence nestled amongst native surrounds & perched on 1211m2 allotment.
For Sale Offers over $1.7M Open Saturday 12:30-1:00pm (QLD)
Deborah Bingle 0403 727 548
deborah@djstringer.com.au
COASTAL LIVING - on Goodwin Park
Experience total convenience and an abundance of lifestyle options from this immaculate, first level, coastal inspired (2) bedroom residence, just one of (8) only and within a moment's notice to the beach & CBD.
2 2 2
For Sale Interest Over $995K Open
Saturday 10:00-10:30am (QLD)
David Stringer 0418 150 731 david@djstringer.com.au
ABSOLUTE OCEANFRONT LIVINGwhen you deserve the very best'
Discover the charm of this superb, elevated twobedroom ground-level oceanfront apartment within Casa Del Rey'.
Buyer Guide $1.8M Open Saturday 10:00-10:30am (QLD)
David Stringer 0418 150 731 david@djstringer.com.au
GROUND LEVEL LIVING - on Goodwin Park
Meticulously modernised ground level (2) bedroom unit, just one of (4) only, with direct access through to Goodwin Park & moments to Coolangatta's CBD.
For Sale Interest Over $895K Open Saturday 9:00-9:30am (QLD)
David Stringer 0418 150 731
david@djstringer.com.au
RIVERDALE - picture yourself on the water' Step into the refined charm of 'Riverdale' a tastefully modernised 3-bedroom high set residence aloft a 594m2 waterfront allotment, commanding stunning views over the Tweed River.
Buyer Guide Interest Over $850K Open Friday 12:00-12:30pm (NSW)
David Stringer 0418 150 731
david@djstringer.com.au 3 2 2
CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF DREAMTIME BEACH
Nestled within an exclusive seaside enclave, you will enjoy solace from this (3) bedroom coastal inspired town home (just one of 3 only) within 250m to access Fingal Head Beach & the beautiful Dreamtime Beach.
Buyer Guide $1.650M - $1.7M
Open Saturday 1:00-1:30pm (NSW)
David Stringer 0418 150 731
david@djstringer.com.au
3 2 2 93071