Tweed Valley Weekly, July 18, 2024 by Tweed Valley Weekly

Tweed Valley

ROUGH SEAS CAUSE CHAOS

By Jo Kennett

SOME SURFERS are calling it the best surf they’ve ever seen, as a trough blocked by a low-pressure system in the Tasman Sea sent swell pumping onto the coast over the weekend of July 13 and 14.

Former world junior champ Robbie Johnson was surfing a Tweed beach break he said

was like backdoor Pipeline, while others compared another beach break to Puerto Escondido in Mexico.

“It was six to eight foot and just beautiful, glassy conditions,” Robbie said.

“The barrels were intense, I got one that spat like Pipe.”

Luke Porter photographed the surf on Saturday morning at Hastings Point

“It was good at Caba late in

the day and Sunday morning it was good again and it was still good Monday,” he said.

“It’s not often you get two days of offshore winds with all that swell.”

Ryder Johnson spent most of the weekend surfing the Tweed Coast but got in a late session at Snapper on Saturday.

“It was the best surf of my life,” he said, with multiple big barrels on each wave.

Josh and Sierra Kerr and a handful of others were towing in to the longest barrels at a Tweed Coast beach break.

Caba Boardriders president Muzz Ryder said from Queensland to Sydney, surfers are calling it “the best it’s been for 20 years.”

“A lot of locals are calling it the best they have ever seen,” he said. “It’s the best I’ve ever seen.”

A good sit down chat is a great way for you to make the

Call today to arrange a time that

Robbie Johnson tucking in

Photo: Luke Porter

Slow down for wildlife

By Jonathon Howard

FINGAL HEAD residents are attempting to protect sensitive local wildlife in their village by imposing a reduced speed limit to aid our furry friends — especially the spikey ones.

Residents have recently posted signage warning drivers to look out for a local icon, friendly echidna, ‘Lucy’, who is often seen crossing the road and enjoys visiting residents’ homes in search of ants.

Fingal Head resident Vilia Hendry said the need to slow down

town, and if you go slow enough you can protect them now and into the future,” she said.

Vilia said the current speed limit was “too fast”, especially given the increasing number of motorists driving at 50km per hour and above through the village.

“The streets are very narrow and lack any walkways, as well as being difficult to see around corners,” she said.

“We are pleading with drivers, both locals and visitors, to slow down to 30km per hour throughout the village.”

Vilia said she’s hoping to get more support from residents to petition Tweed Shire Council to officially change the speed limit in Fingal village to 30km per hour.

“There is simply no need to drive at 50km per hour through these narrow and short streets,” she said.

“We will continue to post signs and encourage drivers to slow down and enjoy the amazing wildlife that frequents this area.”

Residents are eager to keep Lucy safe in the village and are trying to

get as much information as possible online and via The Weekly to warn motorists.

“Please help Fingal Head to preserve and respect our unique and sensitive environment,” Ms Hendry said.

Lucy the echidna frequents Main Road, King Street and Queen Street.

The Weekly is following up with council to determine whether an official reduced speed limit of 30km per hour can be implemented.

YOUR THOUGHTS: Do you think Fingal Head village should become Tweed’s first enforceable 30km per hour zone? Send your thoughts and letters to editor@theweekly.net.au

Motion to aid Men’s Shed

By Jonathon Howard

THE POTTSVILLE & District Men’s Shed has been busy fundraising for its new shed extension, but has hit a snag in the need to raise about $24,000 in developer contribution fees.

Men’s Shed president John Taylor is appealing to council for help to pay the fee on behalf of the shedders, as they continue to focus on the $250,000 needed for the extension.

Tweed Shire Councillor James Owen is backing the idea and will raise a motion during council’s meeting on Thursday, July 18, to foot the bill and assist the Men’s Shed.

“This fee has a huge impact on the Shed when we are trying to raise $250,000 to pay for the much-needed extension,” Mr Taylor told The Weekly, who will personally appeal for help during community access prior to the council meeting.

The Men’s Shed moved to Black Rocks Sports Field in 2018 with around 30 members and is now approaching 100 members.

“They are outgrowing their current shed and have recently had a development application approved to build an extension,” Cr Owen told The Weekly.

“Sadly, if it were up to some of our current councillors and council staff, the Men’s Shed would not be able to build the extension to their facility because they wanted to knock it back.

“Fortunately, there is a group of councillors, Councillor Brinsmead and I included, who support the Shedders and recognise the amazing job that they do for the community and for each other.”

Cr Owen said the Shedders are working hard to raise the $250,000 needed and have already reached around $120,000 in the bank.

“But they still have a long way to go, and we shouldn’t be slugging them with these high fees,” he said.

“Council spent almost $3 million on legal services in 2023/24, so there’s no

reason why we can’t find $23,996.80 — less than one per cent of last year’s legal bill to help this amazing community organisation.”

However, the Men’s Shed could face some challenges in the meeting, as council staff have highlighted that a condition of the development application is that contributions must be paid before a construction certificate can be issued.

Citing a range of council policies, council is recommending rather than paying the fees, that instead the Men’s Shed enters an interest free loan agreement to the value of $23,996.80 for payment of their developer contributions.

“The term of the loan should be five years to mirror Council’s adopted policy,” council’s recommendation reads.

Perched on the banks of the Tweed River in Murwillumbah, resides the award winning bistro, the Tweed River House.

Dine enjoying the panoramic hinterland views from the River Terrace or inside, warmed by the fire under elegant pressed metal ceilings.

and one of them is the echidnas around

Fingal Head residents are taking matters into their own hands and are pushing to become Tweed's first 30km per hour zone.

Pottsville & District Men's Shed has grown from strength to strength over the years, but they need some help

Graffiti a major issue

Graffiti criminals are not just running amok in Murwillumbah but throughout the Tweed Shire.

Our shire is starting to look like a crime-ridden ghetto with out-of-control vandalism everywhere.

Surely the NSW (Tweed) police are aware of the ‘broken window’ theory where unpunished lower-level offending emboldens criminals to move onto higher level crimes?

The Tweed police need to prioritise this kind of offending for enforcement and prosecution.

Zero tolerance for this will pay off in the future with a lower level of other crimes.

Gordon Ramsay, Casuarina Decaying state of Tweed Heads

The long overdue renovation of the bus shelter in front of Tweed Mall has begun! However so has the rain and cold weather

A temporary bus shelter was installed with a flimsy canvas awning which is probably now in the river. This was then replaced with a third world structure giving limited shelter from the elements.

No rubbish bin, of course, so tenants of the shelter have deposited their empty wine and beer bottles, syringes et cetera for passengers to negotiate.

Do our elected federal, state and local politicians ever actually step out of their limousines to walk around Tweed Heads to witness the decaying of a once lovely town? Or are they too busy going to and from the Gold Coast Airport to vote for the next sporting event?

Welcome to the gateway of NSW from Queensland!

Michael Jones, Tweed Heads Need a Singapore-style crackdown on graffiti

To stop graffiti they could install cameras in a bid to identify the vandals, which when caught would be

made to clean up the mess with a toothbrush.

If they are under age, make the parents pay for the clean-up otherwise the civil libertarians will scream child abuse.

They could also ask the Singaporeans for advice, as there is no graffiti or litter there.

Jamie Kusmenko, Banora Point Shock study by 4 Voices in The Weekly

The Weekly’s report (TVW, July 11) that Murwillumbah’s population has grown to 9,501 residents is no surprise.

A lot of migration of city dwellers vacating the big smoke, especially when COVID was so rampart, has put a massive strain on all country towns like Mur’bah that have not caught up with infrastructure/housing as such. It seems it has taken too long for governments to realise the complications and stress on others in moving across the east coast regardless what areas buyers are heading for. The housing industry has collapsed — so what a mess!

Country towns are stuck with migration — you leave a city to create a city.

Pete Lazer, Bilambil Where’s the logic on trees?

A stand of native trees is mooted for removal at Merv Edwards Field in Kingscliff.

Tweed Shire Council are proposing a ‘temporary solution’ to their long-standing problem of not having enough structured open space in the Tweed area.

They plan to widen Merv Edwards sports field to fit an AFL oval for U13s. It is currently only large enough for U11s.

To do this, however, they will remove a stand of semi-mature native shade trees and the elevated mound they sit on.

This will remove a shaded spectator/ picnic area at this sports ground.

It seems odd to me that you fix one

public amenity shortfall by removing another public amenity.

They say that there is a long-term solution in train for a new footy oval at Kings Forest that is two years away. Locals familiar with the Merv Edwards field are very sceptical that the resulting field width could accommodate a full-sized field. So this ‘solution’ only helps a narrow age bracket of footy playing kids.

All ages will be competing at Kings Forest in a couple of years.

This stand of 44 mostly bloodwood trees are at least 15 years old and will grow into striking large trees providing shade for all and habitat for the feathered and furry kind for many decades to come.

I just can’t see the logic.

M Riordan, Farrants Hill Preferred future for Murwillumbah

This week we continue Mr Jenning’s ideas (TVW, July 11, Letters) for a preferred future in Murwillumbah.

Support calls for NSW Transport to approve more regular Kinetic services on Route 605 (to and from Tweed Mall) and Route 609 (to and from the Tweed Valley Hospital and Kingscliff TAFE and Kingscliff generally, especially on weekends.

Support petitioners calling for a pathway and rail on steep sections of Frangela Drive Reserve to improve access and pedestrian safety, Ensure that Murwillumbah Hospital remains viable with an active emergency department, a revived birthing centre and restored surgical functions. Provide support for existing small businesses and start-ups in the local area.

Support inspiring locals like Carmen Stewart who has moved from the successful post-flood community initiative “It Takes a Town” to “Regen 2484“ (exploring safe and regenerative futures amongst young people in the town and district).

Revive the community-building Foodie Fest initiative in the Main

Street.

Lobby for an additional river crossing to alleviate traffic congestion on either side of the bridge.

Lobby council to speed up repairs to the damaged section of Tyalgum Road.

Lobby for a 24/7 police presence in Murwillumbah.

Provide community support for a reopening of the much-loved and culturally important Regent Cinema.

Support the provision of high-quality public and private education in Murwillumbah and District, especially for children with special needs.

Sponsor the training of Indigenous rangers who can then share cultural knowledge as they guide visitors around a reopened Mt Warning Summit Track.

These are just starting points, but with council elections coming up, it would be informative to see which candidates support these community-building proposals.

Neville Jennings, Murwillumbah It’s an election year

Mr Huf’s article in the July 4 edition of The Weekly was a timely reminder that the 2024 council election is not far away and that there will be vigorous debate from a number of sources about the issues facing the council.

Hopefully the NSW Electoral Commission will start to provide clear advice about who is seeking election and how their votes will be/can be distributed and that the The Weekly publishes that information soon.

The Weekly does a good job and the independent approach to providing access to people’s opinions is valued.

DF Ryder, Murwillumbah Farm Safety Week message

This year’s Farm Safety Week theme is ‘In safe hands’. Rural Aid’s mission is to stand with farmers when they need it most.

We’re encouraging farmers to register with Rural Aid, so that our organisation and its passionate donors,

can support farmers’ wellbeing and safety with a hand-up.

Rural Aid’s range of assistance measures help farmers improve their lives and businesses before, during and after disaster events – be it drought, bushfire or flood.

Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing team do a fantastic job of heading on-farm to chat with primary producers, at no cost to the farmer.

Our financial, water and fodder assistance provides urgent relief for farmers in need.

And our Farm Recovery Events supply farmers with a team of volunteers, ready to tackle farming jobs post-disaster.

Rural Aid’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, Myf Pitcher, said it takes strength to reach out for help.

“We want farmers to treat themselves as their most precious business asset and be open to receiving help with their busy workload,” Ms Pitcher said.

“More than 18,000 primary producers are “in safe hands”, already registered with Rural Aid,” Ms Pitcher said.

“Registering with Rural Aid means we can support farmers when they need it, now or in the future, and it helps us support rural communities as well. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to see how we can help.” To register with Rural Aid, visit www.ruralaid.org.au or call 1300 327 624.

John Warlters, Rural Aid CEO Library phone correction

For the launch of Nullarbor Pearl by Sarah Rossetti at 10am on Saturday July 20, the correct number for bookings at the Murwillumbah Library is (02) 6670 2427.

or legal reasons. Send your letters to editor@theweekly.net.au

Save Bray Park homes

By Jonathon Howard

THE NSW Reconstruction Authority is developing new ideas for Tweed Shire homes that are now vacant under the buyback scheme, especially some highly prized properties in Bray Park which are still considered “great homes” by locals. Whilst some homes in Bray Park were identified as being eligible for the buyback scheme, many residents have come forward concerned that these “quality homes” risk being sent to the garbage heap.

For many, however, the 2022 flood was the last straw, and the NSW Reconstruction Authority has come to the rescue by allowing residents to exit and prevent further flood impacts.

The Weekly was invited by a longtime Bray Park resident, who preferred not to be named, and took a tour of some of the properties already purchased by the authority as part of the buyback scheme. Some of the properties are large family homes that have served generations of residents.

It does now, however, beg the question: what do you do with these homes?

“Why can’t the Reconstruction Authority take these amazing homes to other sites and reuse them for housing projects or other projects to aid with the housing crisis,” the Bray Park local said.

“It baffles me why you would even consider demolishing these homes for scrap.

“We have an opportunity to save these homes, and yes, maybe, it will cost a lot of money to lift and move them, but it’s far cheaper than rebuilding them somewhere else at the moment I bet.”

The Weekly took these and other questions to the NSW Reconstruction Author-

ity, who have indicated they are keen to think of innovative solutions.

A spokesperson for the NSW Reconstruction Authority provided The Weekly with a comprehensive update on the buyback scheme for the Tweed specifically.

The spokesperson said the Tweed Shire has had 61 homeowners engaged to raise or retrofit and 18 of these have had a home assessment, with only one raise or retrofit completed.

“As of July 5, 791 buyback offers across the Northern Rivers had been approved, 659 had been accepted,” the spokesperson said.

“In Tweed Shire, 158 buyback offers have been approved and 123 buyback offers accepted.

The spokesperson highlighted that the authority is eager to reduce waste, save or gift properties where possible, but said that demolition of some homes remains a possibility.

“The NSW Reconstruction Authority recently announced its gifting and relocation policy to support the reuse of homes bought back under the $700m Resilient

Homes Program,” the spokesperson said.

“The gifting policy will allow buyback homeowners, from across the Tweed, including Bray Park if applicable, to gift their homes for $0 to a third party if they do not want to relocate the home themselves.

“If homeowners do not wish to relocate their home or transfer it in accordance with the Gifting Policy, the RA will seek to reuse the homes where practical.”

The authority said some properties may need to be deconstructed, demolished and/or recycled.

“Opportunities to deconstruct and recycle materials from homes will be explored, in partnership with local councils, waste management and recycling businesses, and community groups,” the spokesperson told The Weekly.

“Where homes are structurally unsound or contain hazardous materials, properties may need to be demolished.”

YOUR THOUGHTS: Do you believe these homes should be lifted and reused? The Weekly would like to hear your thoughts via editor@theweekly.net.au

A Bray Park resident at one of the many flood-affected homes

Thriving in tough times

By Jo Kennett

A LOCAL business consultant says Tweed business owners need to get creative to prosper during tough times, as the costof-living crisis takes its toll.

Cabarita’s Drift Clothing and Gifts owner Sharyn Brodie said it’s obvious that people are feeling the pinch, despite the Tweed’s increasing popularity.

“At least once or twice a day you are getting in conversations about how tough things are,” Sharyn said.

“Christmas was definitely down by about 25 per cent and people are coming for shorter holidays because they can’t afford to stay longer.

“The locals come in every couple of months instead of every couple of weeks, but the last couple of months have actually been okay because there are a lot more holidaymakers around.”

Sharyn said while there are a lot of visitors from Victoria and Sydney, there are also a lot more international visitors.

“I was talking to a Byron business owner who said they are suffering because they aren’t getting the internationals whereas we are,” she said.

“I think people are trying to find lesser-known places instead of the big places because the well-known places are more expensive and the smaller places aren’t quite so expensive.

“People think prices here are good compared to Byron, Noosa or the Gold Coast, so they are definitely looking at better value for money.”

Sharyn said there were also a lot of Gold Coasters coming down for day trips, but it’s visitors from the UK or Canada “that come with money”, even the younger people.

Pottsville-based business coach Ellie

Corley (pictured below) says Australian consumers are spending less, but they are still spending on products and services that they deem are “urgent needs.”

“Businesses that are in the health and wellness space are surviving well,” Ellie said.

“People are more inclined to look after their health even when tightening their belts. Hospitality-based businesses are suffering, and they have to be very creative, with food pop-ups and one-off ‘specials’ or combined experiences like ‘make your own breakfast set pottery-styled classes’ et cetera to tempt customers in with diverse offers.

“For any business it’s about cash flow and reviewing all their expenses to survive the lessened purses of many Australian consumers.”

Ellie has some tips to help businesses get through challenging economic environments. One is to focus on retention and referrals from current customers. She also believes leveraging word of mouth recommendations gives businesses “a highly efficient, low-cost method of driving engagement and growth.”

“Be incredibly clear about the value your product creates for the customer,”

Ellie said

“Consumers are willing to spend for value in many different areas — products that save them time are often just as valuable as products that save them money, even in a challenging economy.”

Pipit Restaurant manager Chloe Wilson said they have been doing pop-up menus since Covid to bring a different element to their service.

“The pop-up menu originally started during Covid as a way to provide the community with something fun and provide work for our staff,” Chloe said.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

“The Pipit Banh Mi was born and we are still continuing that; it provides something different for those who may be visiting Pipit for the first time.

“We are also collaborating with Australian Bay Lobsters to do pop-ups once a month.

“Pop-ups aren’t necessarily a way to make a quick profit; it’s just fun for us and for the guests to experience, and cheaper than a la carte as it’s less time and financial commitment.

“It’s different from our set menu which everyone loves, but we still have the same standard of food and service.”

Chloe says a lot of cafes are getting creative with their work spaces.

“I think lots of cafes are doing things differently now,” she said.

“Black Drop Cafe does a Black Drop Bistro Pasta Bar in the evening (on Tuesdays, once a fortnight during winter) and other cafes are starting to consider using their spaces in the evening as well as during the day.

“It’s a delicate balance between being agis important and to the values founded

Operational and Non Operational volunteer roles available with training and opportunities to expand your skills

Tweed District Rescue Squad is the Primary Rescue resource for the entire Tweed Shire.

Responsibilities include Road Crash Rescue Industrial and Domestic Rescue Land Search Rescue

Vertical Rescue

Domestic Animal Rescue

Tweed District Rescue Squad is holding an information and come and try night on Wednesday 31st of July. Contact tweeddistrict.secretary@ vrarescue.org or (02) 6674 4875 to register your place

Dredging starts

DREDGING WORK to provide a clearer and safer channel into the Tweed River will get underway this month.

The work is part of the Tweed Sand Bypassing project, a joint government initiative of the New South Wales and Queensland governments.

The project’s twin objectives are to establish and maintain a safe, navigable entrance to the Tweed River, and restore and maintain the coastal sand drift to the beaches on the southern Gold Coast.

“Dredging of the Tweed River entrance supports the longterm viability of the local commercial fishing fleet and assists with safe passage for recreational boaters,” Transport for NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said.

“Over the coming weeks, dredging will remove approximately 140,000 cubic metres of sand.

“Our aim is to keep the Tweed River entrance navigable and deliver a long-term average of 500,000 cubic meters of sand each year to maintain sand supply to the Gold Coast’s southern beaches.”

The project’s sand transport system collects sand from the southern side of the Tweed River entrance at Letitia Spit and pumps it under the river to outlets on the northern side. Sand also naturally accumulates at the Tweed River entrance and this is what will be removed by a dredge vessel and deposited offshore of Bilinga, Duranbah and Fingal beaches.

All of the dredging work is subject to environmental controls and monitoring. Boaters in the area are advised to exercise caution when using the Tweed River entrance during this time. For more information on the project, visit: tweedsandbypass. nsw.gov.au/

Tweed Link

52 new parking spaces for Bogangar

Council is seeking community feedback on plans to build a new ground level car park in Hastings Road at Bogangar, providing an additional 52 parking spaces for the popular Tweed Coast village.

The new car park is proposed to be built on Council-owned land beside the children’s centre in Hastings Road.

The site has long been designated for use as a car park, with initial concept plans for a multi-level car park dating back to 2005.

At the recent Council meeting in May 2024, Councillors agreed to pursue a ground-level option at an estimated cost of up to $400,000, supporting this over the alternative of a 4-level carpark at a cost of more than $11 million.

The proposed ground level car park will provide 52 parking spaces, with key safety features including lighting in the centre bay, a prohibition on overnight

parking, a shared pedestrian zone with clear signage and a maximum speed limit of 10 km/h.

The proposed new car park should help ease parking pressures in the centre.

Council has actively engaged with key stakeholders on this issue including neighbouring property owners, tenants and community stakeholders, including the Cabarita Progressive Business Association, Cabarita Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Lions Club of Cabarita Beach Pottsville Beach Inc, and the Cabarita Beach Bogangar Residents Association Inc.

Bogangar’s future parking needs have been thoroughly assessed by Council’s roads team, ensuring plans align with Developer Contribution Plan No. 23, which funds this initiative.

Visit yoursaytweed.com.au/caba-public-carpark to review the design plan and landscaping overview. Please complete a short survey by Sunday 4 August 2024.

Come along and join us in planting 700 trees at Banora Point

Residents are invited to join us from 8 am on Sunday 28 July for a fun tree planting day at Banora Point as part of celebrations to mark National Tree Day.

A total of 700 trees will be planted in the reserve area accessible from Greenway Drive (northern side of stormwater canal).

Trees and mulch will be provided, however participants are requested to bring their own gloves, gardening tools and buckets for mulching and watering. Sun-smart clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended for safety.

A sausage sizzle and family-friendly activities are also planned for the day.

Pathways in the area are popular for recreation,

exercise and active travel throughout Banora Point. Supported by Council’s Cool Towns Urban Forest Program, the initiative will continue revegetating this Melaleuca Forest, helping to reduce weed growth, while adding shade and amenity for residents to enjoy.

Council is also partnering with 2 local schools for Schools Tree Day on Friday 26 July, where a further 150 trees will be planted along another section of the same path.

Council will also plant more street trees to provide shade along the footpath near Avondale Drive.

• National Tree Day Community Planting Event, Sunday 28 July 2024, 8 am - 12 pm, Greenway Drive, Banora Point (north side of stormwater canal, opposite AFL oval).

In brief ...

Save water, save money

Thinking of interring a loved one’s ashes?

Council Cemeteries will be hosting a free informative talk on ash interment at Tweed Valley Cemetery on Wednesday 31 July from 10-11.30 am. Cemetery staff will cover the process involved when interring ashes for yourself or a loved one – including options that allow loved ones to be eternally together.

The session will cover a range of topics including single and dual ash sites, ash internment into a grave, options at Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah Lawn Cemeteries, reserving an ash site, plaque choices and more.

The event includes morning tea on the chapel balcony where cemetery staff can answer attendees’ questions in an informal, relaxed setting.

Tweed Valley Cemetery is at 813-871 Eviron Rd, Eviron.

The tour will take 30 minutes so wear comfortable shoes.

To book, visit humanitix.com/ash-intermentinformation-session

For more information email cemeteries@tweed.nsw. gov.au or call (02) 6670 2435.

This tour forms part of our Local Government Week 2024 activity roster. Keep an eye on Council's website for the full roster of activities in the coming weeks.

Tweed Valley Cemetery grounds at Eviron.

Good news for Tyalgum Road motorists Trigger levels to automatically shut the gates of the temporary access track at the landslip on Tyalgum Road have been eased following construction of 64 concrete piles along the lower part of the road.

The gates will now only close if the site receives more than 125 mm of rain inside a 24-hour period (up from 100 mm previously or 50 mm over 2 consecutive days), or if monitors detect significant, unexpected underground movement.

This means less disruption for locals while we continue repairing this site.

The amber alert process advising commuters the gates may close will remain in use.

Crabbes Creek Community Hall upgrade enhancing flood resilience and accessibility

Council is seeking community feedback on a draft concept plan to upgrade the Crabbes Creek Community Hall, to serve as a safe and inclusive space for gatherings, events and activities. The upgrade will cost $538,560 and forms part of a $15.5 million funding package from the Australian and NSW governments to help restore and improve community assets that have been storm or flood damaged.

After experiencing flood damage in 2022, Crabbes Creek Community Hall will undergo renovations focusing on implementing flood-resistant materials and design elements to reduce the impact of future flood events.

Residents are invited to find out more and discuss the upgrades with Council staff at

Crabbes Creek Community Hall on Thursday 25 July, from 4.30 to 6 pm.

During the February 2022 flood, the hall suffered damage, leading to significant impacts on both its internal and external features.

The refurbishment will embrace access and inclusion by incorporating features such as ramps, accessible amenities, accessible car park and linking pathways, ensuring the hall remains welcoming to all members of the community. The addition of an accessible public toilet will offer essential amenities for visitors and users of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

The draft concept plan will be on public exhibition until 4 pm on Wednesday 31 July. View the plan and have your say at yoursaytweed.com.au/ crabbescreekhall

Tweed Shire Council wishes to acknowledge the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans, as being the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waters within the Tweed Shire boundaries. Council also acknowledges and respects the Tweed Aboriginal community’s right to speak for its Country and to care for its traditional Country in accordance with its lore, customs and traditions.

Aerial view of the proposed car park site on a vacant block at Hastings Road, Bogangar.

Provide your feedback on the proposed upgrade of Crabbes Creek Community Hall by 4 pm on 31 July.

Have your say: Draft Affordable Housing Strategy

This draft Strategy is on exhibition up to 7 August 2024. Two community information sessions are planned. Registration is essential.

• 17 July 5 pm – 6 pm Tweed Heads

• 23 July 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm Murwillumbah

Development application determinations

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

DA23/0543 - Use of gazebo and decking associated with a swimming pool

Lot 77 DP 861601, No. 5 Stonehaven Way, Banora Point

DA24/0133 - Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling Lot 306 DP 1071677, No. 85 Botanical Circuit, Banora Point

DA24/0142 - Two storey dwelling and carport Lot 11 NPP 286030, Unit 11/No. 36 Old Ferry Road, Banora Point

DA24/0148 - Verandah extension with roof and stairs

Lot 200 DP 261796, No. 64 Bosun Boulevard, Banora Point

DA24/0174 - Swimming pool forward of the building line

Lot 45 DP 565868, No. 5 Hibiscus Parade, Banora Point

DA24/0227 - Swimming pool

Lot 34 DP 800344, No. 20 Cassidy Crescent, Bogangar

DA24/0151 - Use of fixed window panels fitted to existing rooftop terrace

Lot 66 DP 1030322, No. 15 Cottonwood Lane, Casuarina

DA24/0033 - Retaining wall, tree removal and associated works

Lot 15 DP 262412, No. 134 Bakers Road, Dunbible

DA23/0554 - Use of unauthorised conversion of machinery shed to a workshop, storage and laundry; alterations to an existing shed and a new single dwelling - Share 7

Lot 17 DP 864872, No. 50 Double View Road, Farrants Hill

DA24/0125 - Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling

Lot 23 DP 1145386, No. 77 Cylinders Drive, Kingscliff

DA24/0127 - Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling

Lot 3 DP 839005, No. 5 Quail Place, Kingscliff

DA24/0223 - Use of outbuilding (shed)

Lot 12 DP 1058015, No. 39 Pigeonberry Road, Nobbys Creek

DA24/0164 - Swimming pool

Lot 2 SP 103486, Unit 2/No. 7 Anne Street, Pottsville

DA24/0205 - Inground swimming pool

Lot 180 DP 1034824, No. 60 Border Crescent, Pottsville

DA24/0158 - Swimming pool

Lot 211 DP 249155, No. 7 The Bowsprit, Tweed Heads

DA24/0178 - Carport within the building line and 1.8m high front fence

Lot 47 DP 812023, No. 50 Kiata Parade, Tweed Heads

DA24/0005 - Demolition, new dwelling with attached garage and above-ground swimming pool

Lot 9 DP 1080483, No. 30 Philp Parade, Tweed Heads South

DA24/0128 - Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling including swimming pool

Lot 435 DP 30961, No. 31 Jacaranda Avenue, Tweed Heads West

The above development determinations are available for public inspection free of charge at the Planning and Regulation Division, Murwillumbah Civic Centre, during ordinary office hours or viewed on Council’s DA Tracking site located at datracker.tweed.nsw.gov.au

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Council meeting agenda – Thursday 18 July 2024

The Council Meeting Agenda for Thursday 18 July 2024 is available on Council's website tweed.nsw.gov.au/councillorsmeetings . The meeting will be held at the Council Chambers, Murwillumbah Civic & Cultural Centre, Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah commencing at 3.30pm.

Agenda

Reports for consideration

Confirmation of minutes

5.1. Confirmation of minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held Thursday 20 June 2024

Schedule of outstanding resolutions

8.1. Schedule of Outstanding Resolutions as at 3 July 2024

Mayoral minute

9.1. Mayoral Minute for June 2024. Reciept of petitions

10.1. Receipt of Petitions as at 3 July 2024

Orders of the day

11.1. NOR - Cr Cherry, Cr Dennis, Cr Firth - RFO2023101Expressions of Interest Greenhills Lodge RepurposeContract Termination

11.2. NOM - Cr Cherry - RFO2023101 - Expressions of Interest Greenhills Lodge Repurpose

11.3. NOM - Cr Cherry - Urgent works for Condong Creek

11.4. NOM - Cr Firth - Minor revision: A19 Biodiversity and Habitat Management, Development Control Plan

11.5. NOM - Cr Dennis - Pontoon for Kimberley Lake, Banora Point

11.6. NOM - Cr Brinsmead - Balloon and Single-Use Party Decoration Ban

11.7. NOM - Cr Owen - Funding Pottsville & District Men's Shed Development Contribution

11.8. NOM - Cr Owen - Reinstate Council's Indian Myna Bird Trapping Program

11.9. NOM - Cr Brinsmead - Sugarwood Drive Premier Entrance Statement

Questions on notice

12.1. QON - Cr Brinsmead - Council's Response to Graffiti

12.2. QON - Cr Brinsmead - Plans to Heat the Murwillumbah Outdoor Pool

12.3. QON - Cr Brinsmead - Snap Send Solve Application

12.4. QON - Cr Brinsmead - Current Status of CCTV in Tweed Shire

12.5. QON - Cr Brinsmead - Turnock Street Kingscliff Extension

12.6. QON - Cr Owen - Pottsville Beach Football Club

12.7. QON - Cr Owen - Feasibility Study for Indoor Sporting Facility and 50m Olympic Pool

12.8. QON - Cr Owen - Pearl and Kingscliff Street Reconstructions

12.9. QON - Cr Owen - Backlog of Development Assessments

12.10. QON - Cr Owen - Customer Service

Reports from the General Manager

15.1. Better phone reception in Tweed Shire

Reports from the Director Sustainable Communities and Environment

Request from NSW Reconstruction Authority to extend lease of Council-owned community land at 99 Elrond Drive, Kingscliff NSW 2487 (Lot 36 DP793925, Lot 45 DP830193, Lot 56 DP840688, Lot 68 DP855991 and Lot 76 DP855992)

Acceptance of Grant: Crown Reserve Improvement FundWeed Management Tweed Conservation Zone Review

17.4. Proposed upgrade to facilities at Merv Edwards Field, 7 Wommin Bay Road, Kingscliff (Lot 1 Section 17 DP 758571)

17.5. Tweed Holiday Parks Strategic Plan 2024 -2034

Reports from the Director Engineering

18.1. Essential Energy Easement for underground power lines within Council-owned operational land; 92 Lundberg Drive, South Murwillumbah; Lot 22 in DP1300018

18.2. Proposed Crown Road Closure and Sale - Crown road adjacent to Lot 1 DP304576 (200 Warwick Park Road, Wooyung)

18.3. Classification of Land as Operational - Proposed Lots 4, 5 and 6 in the plan of subdivision of Lots 3 and 4 in Deposited Plan 1298421 (39 and 39A West End Street, Murwillumbah)

18.4. Hastings Point Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance Upgrade Options Assessment

18.5. Request for Owner's Consent to lodge a DA modification to relocate the permanent access for S96/0049 60 Tringa Street, Tweed Heads West (Lot 2 DP569304) across Council-owned operational land at Parkes Drive, Tweed Heads West, located off Sussyer Avenue, Tweed Heads West (Lot 1 DP1011625)

18.6. Adoption of the Tweed Valley Flood Study Update and Expansion 2024

18.7. Dulguigan Road Traffic Survey Report – 2nd Quarter 2024

18.8. Release of Restriction on Use created in DP1084992 (13 Tanglewood Drive, Tanglewood and Clothiers Creek Road, Tanglewood; Lots 1 & 2 in DP1295304)

Reports From The Director Corporate Services

19.1. Council's current funding arrangements for Rescue Agencies operating in Tweed Shire

19.2. Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2024

19.3. Councillor Professional Development 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024

19.4. Draft amendments to Flood Monitoring Camera Policy

19.5. Review of Advisory Committees and Terms of Reference

19.6. Making the Rate 2024/2025

19.7. Monthly Investment Report for the Period ending 30 June 2024

Reports From Sub-Committees/Working Groups

21.1. Minutes of the Tweed Coast Koala Advisory Committee Meeting held Tuesday 4 June 2024

21.2. Minutes of the Tweed Regional Gallery Advisory Committee meeting held Wednesday 12 June 2024

21.3. Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee Meeting held Thursday 13 June 2024

21.4. Minutes of the Floodplain Management Advisory Committee Meeting held Friday 21 June 2024

Reports From The General Manager In Committee

30.1. Industry Central Land Swap - Variation of Land Exchange Agreement with one (1) Successful Applicant

Reports From The Director Engineering In Committee

33.1. Acquisition of land for road widening to rectify flood damage to Kyogle Road. Properties:

- 647 Kyogle Road, Byangum; Lot 28 DP755702

- 753 Kyogle Road, Byangum; part Lot 4 DP878364 & part Lot 7 DP621218

- 1173 Kyogle Road, Uki; part Lot 1 DP608473

33.2. Acquisition of Land for road widening at corner Kyogle Road and Clarrie Hall Dam Road, Uki (part Lot 7006 in DP92894)

33.3. Clarrie Hall Dam - Land Acquisition - 60 Commissioners Creek Road, Doon Doon (part Lot 1 DP877100)

Notification of integrated development application

Development application no. DA24/0196

A development application has been lodged by Sutherland & Associates Planning Pty Ltd seeking development consent for demolition of existing structures and construction of shop-top housing comprising three levels of basement carparking, ground floor retail premises and 72 units, pool and associated vegetation removal (NRPP) at Lot 1 DP 807977; No. 3 River Terrace, Lot 2 DP 807977; No. 5 River Terrace and Lot 5 DP 9056; No. 7 River Terrace TWEED HEADS. The Northern Regional Planning Panel 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 91 of the Water Management Act 2000

Controlled 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 17 July 2024 to Wednesday 14 August 2024.

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 Councils’ website tweed.nsw.gov.au/development-applications

tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au

Tweed River death

By Jo Kennett

A MAN has died and a second man was rescued, after their boat capsized while crossing the Tweed River bar in big swell early on Saturday, July 13.

Emergency services were called to the north wall of the Tweed River around 6am after two people were seen clinging to the upturned hull of a 6.5 metre half-cabin runabout boat.

Footage taken from the Swellnet Surf Camera showed the boat heading across the bar at dawn and under lights, hitting one wave and then a second larger wave which capsized the boat.

A rescue operation was launched involving officers from Tweed-Byron Police District, Tweed Heads Water Police, Marine Rescue, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew, and surf lifesavers.

Police said a man was retrieved from the water by Marine Rescue Point Danger volunteers with the assistance of members of the public and was taken to Tweed Valley Hospital to be checked as a precaution.

A second man was winched from the ocean by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew and taken to Duranbah Beach but was unable to be revived.

Police have been told the men launched the boat from the Kennedy Drive boat ramp a short time earlier and were heading out across the bar when the boat capsized.

Initial inquiries indicate neither man was wearing a lifejacket, but investigations continue and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

At the time of the incident the tide was low and a large swell was breaking across the bar.

Marine Rescue NSW Northern Rivers Inspector John Murray said Marine Rescue NSW encourages all boaters to wear lifejackets and carry the correct safety equipment on board.

“Boaters are urged to log on and log off with Marine Rescue NSW using the free Marine Res-

cue app or VHF channel 16,” Insp Murray said.

“Boaters are urged to approach crossing coastal bars with caution. Boaters looking to cross a bar should standoff, check the conditions and then decide whether it is safe to proceed.

“Each coastal bar has different characteristics, always seek advice from your local Marine Rescue NSW unit on where the best options are going in or out in that particular area and what other navigation aids are available to you.”

There is also advice to check all safety equipment and what to do if you capsize.

“Stay with the vessel and grab a hold of anything floating,” Insp Murray said.

“Try and raise the alarm with either your flares, your mobile phone if it is in a waterproof cover and always carry a marine band radio with you so you will be able to call for assistance on that.”

Reports of a fisherman being swept off the rocks at the Tweed bar on the same day, is believed to have been related to the same incident.

Alleged assault

By Jo Kennett

TWEED POLICE are appealing for assistance to locate two men following an alleged assault at Tweed Heads South on Friday, July 12, which made headlines around the nation after social media comments were jumped on by the press. Tweed police said that at about 3.30pm, emergency services were called to a shopping centre (Tweed City) on Minjungbal Drive following reports of an altercation.

Police officers attended the scene and were told several people were involved in an altercation in which a 25-year-old man was injured. The man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for facial injuries, before he was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital.

A tomahawk was seized by police for forensic examination, however, it is unknown if the tomahawk was used in the assault.

The incident made headlines around the nation after the press seized on social media comments, including reports that it was an axe attack.

Police have released images of two men who they say might be able to assist with inquiries.

The first man is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, aged in his 20s, with short dark hair, medium build, wearing a black jacket, grey pants and green Nike shoes.

The second man is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, aged in his 20s, with long dark hair, medium build, wearing a multi-coloured football shirt with the number 10 on it, the Aboriginal flag and cream pants.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.

The boat washed up on Duranbah Beach and (inset) the rescue chopper. Photos by 7NEWS

Lighthouse stands ready

THE HERITAGE-LISTED lighthouse at Point Danger is now completed and stands ready to serve as a beacon to mariners for decades to come following an extensive $6.5 million upgrade to the ageing structure.

First opened in April 1971 as a joint project between the City of Gold Coast, Tweed Shire Council, and the Australian Government to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Captain James Cook, the building was extended in 1990 to accommodate the volunteer Marine Rescue NSW service.

The upgrade was funded via a split agreement with the NSW Government fronting around $3 million, City of Gold Coast footing almost $2 million and Tweed Shire Council investing $1.5 million.

The upgraded facility boasts state-of-theart facilities for Marine Rescue NSW’s Point Danger Unit, which from January 2023 to June 2024 logged and monitored 27,763 crossings of the Tweed River bar and undertook 176 rescues, saving the lives of 318 people on the water.

The site holds significant cultural heritage for the First Nations people of the region, with renowned local Bundjalung/ Yugambeh artist Christine Slabb engaged to create Indigenous storyboards and artworks to tell the tale of Ngagambi — Black Dingo, the traditional name of Point Danger.

Aptly named Black Dingo in a nod to the Bundjalung story — a new cafe opened in May and is already proving popular with tourists with its spectacular views overlooking the Tweed River to the south and Gold Coast skyline to the north. It is open daily from 6am to 3.30pm.

Black Dingo owners Marcondes Almeida and Venessa Stival have already hired

more than 20 new staff members and are reporting solid sales via the cafe.

NSW Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the lighthouse is a great example of NSW and Queensland working together to deliver a significant result that nods to the history and important cultural significance of this site for the border community.

“As well as playing a vital role to keep our communities safe, the site’s accessibility upgrades have ensured that even more people can explore this iconic lighthouse at Point Danger and behold the beautiful view over both sides of the border,” she said.

Member for Tweed Geoff Provest attended alongside Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry and Gold Coast Deputy Mayor

Donna Gates.

Mr Provest said the lighthouse is a popular tourism drawcard for the Tweed Heads-Coolangatta area and it is “fantastic to see this upgrade completed and once again bustling with visitors”.

“The project has delivered substantial economic benefits, with more than 100 jobs created during the design and construction phase and more than 20 local residents already employed by the new Black Dingo Cafe,” Mr Provest said.

Mayor Cherry said it was “exciting to see this project completed and the lighthouse ready to stand the test of time for decades to come”.

“Thank you to everyone who worked on this project to deliver this crucial facility,” Mayor Cherry said.

Police hunt

By Jo Kennett

TWEED POLICE are on the hunt for a couple alleged to be involved in a break in and fire at a shopping complex in Tweed Heads South on Thursday, July 11.

The couple fled the scene and crashed a stolen car, with the male escaping on foot, while the female, who had suffered serious burns from the fire, was arrested but later fled hospital.

A Tweed police investigator told The Weekly that the incident happened at around 5am, when the two alleged offenders attended a small shopping complex on Minjungbal Drive, near the corner of Kirkwood Road.

The offenders attempted to break in to one of the businesses, but they were confronted by the owner.

The owner was assaulted by one of the offenders before the offenders stole property from the store.

The alleged offenders then set fire to an adjoining premises.

A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW said the call to the fire came in at 5.11am.

“The fire was in a vacant shop next to a tobacconist,” the spokesperson said.

“Two fire trucks attended with eight firefighters and it took about five minutes to extinguish before the scene was handed over to police.”

The spokesperson said they had no information on how the fire started but police investigators were on scene that morning.

The offenders fled in a stolen vehicle which collided with another vehicle in Tweed Heads.

A male offender, aged in his mid-20s, fled on foot.

The female offender, aged in her early-30s, was arrested by police suffering serious burns.

The female was transported to hospital where she later fled on foot while receiving treatment.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

The all-new Point Danger lighthouse was officially opened this week and it's worth a look

The incident happened at a Minjungbal Drive shopping centre

Say Goodbye to Septic Woes

Denture Problems?

THERE ARE many problems that people encounter when wearing (or learning to wear) a denture – sore spots, looseness and damaged or missing denture teeth to name a few. The good news is there is no need to endure through pain or problems with your denture. In most cases, your dental prosthetist can help.

Sore spots are the most common problem faced by denture wearers. A sore spot occurs when the denture moves and rubs on the gum, causing a small amount of swelling leading to the denture rubbing more. Left untreated, the rubbing continues until the skin on the gum breaks causing a painful ulceration. This is something that can quickly be ﬁxed by your dental prosthetist. By identifying where the denture is rubbing on the gum, and adjusting the denture accordingly, relief should be instantaneous. The trick is treating the sore spot when it is a small problem, before it becomes a painful ulceration.

A number of different factors can cause a denture to feel ‘loose’. If it is a partial denture, perhaps it is a simple matter of having the clasps tightened, or if it is a full denture, you may need a reline. When you have a natural tooth extracted, your gums shrink and are continually changing shape. Whilst this change slows down over time, it never completely stops, meaning that your denture is only a ‘good fit’ for a certain period of time. A reline replaces the fitting surface of your denture to suit the shape your gums are now, not the shape they were when the denture was made. A reline usually takes one day to complete and, in most cases, fixes a perceived

Fingal store approved

By Jonathon Howard

AFTER HEATED debates and failed amendments over soft-closing doors and the finer points of live music versus amplified live music, a majority of Tweed Shire councillors voted on Tuesday, July 9, to approve the amended plans for the Fingal General Store.

The store’s owners, who are the former owners of Cubby Bakehouse, can now push ahead with plans to reopen the store and a new restaurant in what will herald a new era for the venue.

Cr Nola Firth, Cr Meredith Dennis and Mayor Chris Cherry raised and supported several amendments calling for reduced hours of operation, a soft-closing door system to reduce noise and no live amplified music at the store— which has been closed for three years.

However, all of these amendments were lost via majority votes and the original development application was approved for the general store to open from 7am to 7pm and a restaurant with trading hours until 10pm, seven days a week.

Cr James Owen and Cr Rhiannon Brinsmead along with Cr Warren Polglase and Cr Reece Byrnes voted against the amendments.

Cr Owen labelled a move by Cr Firth to ban powered amplified live music at the venue as the “fun police” and said he saw no issue with the venue having live music.

Cr Dennis spoke in response and said it was not about being the ‘fun police’.

“This is a residential area and there are residents who do not want to be disturbed,” she said, emphasising council is supportive of live entertainment in the Tweed.

However, it was later clarified by council staff that under the noise level impact assessment (condition 73) no live music is permitted at the business anyway.

Cr Owen expressed his disappointment with his fellow councillors during the motion.

“What we’ve witnessed here is why the com-

looseness issue. In some cases, especially with a complete lower denture, implants may be required to stop the denture from moving around. A consultation with a dental prosthetist is the safest way to determine the best course of action for your speciﬁc situation.

Missing or damaged denture teeth is something that can aﬀect daily life. Being embarrassed to smile or speak to people can seriously impact one’s self esteem. Denture teeth as well as other denture components (clasping, ‘gum’ area etc) can be replaced or repaired. A denture repair is generally fairly straight forward and happens inhouse over a couple of hours depending on the repair.

Whether you are experiencing sore spots, denture looseness, need a denture repair, or your denture simply needs a clean, Bromley’s Denture Clinic can help. We are your family owned local denture clinic with over 20 years combined experience, and whatever your denture problem may be, we are here to listen and help where ever we can. Life is too short to endure denture ‘teething problems’.

To ﬁnd out more visit 54 Kirkwood Road, Tweed Heads South, or phone (07) 5523 2555.

munity is losing faith in this council,” he said. One of the store’s owners Ursula Watts attended the meeting and spoke during community access.

Ursula was apologetic in her speech for the construction of the unapproved bakery, which she stressed has now been removed with no early starts.

Ms Watts said her business was eager to serve the community and had not intended to cause distress to the community.

She also outlined the need for ambient music inside the venue but not loud music.

Fingal resident John Hendry spoke at community access against the application and made an impassioned plea for councillors to refuse the motion.

Mr Hendry referred to the application as a “zombie DA” in that the previous development application had allowed the venue to remain open until late.

The final vote to approve the general store and restaurant was carried by Cr Owen, Cr Brinsmead, Cr Polglase, Cr Byrnes and Mayor Cherry, with Cr Firth and Cr Dennis voting against.

Formerly known as the 'Fingal Trading Post' the general store in Fingal Heads has been missed by residents for three years

Calls to curb pest bird

By Jonathon Howard

THE SCOURGE of the Indian myna bird is increasing again across the Tweed Shire, according to a motion before Tweed Shire Council this week, driving out native birds and concerning residents.

Councillor James Owen will lead a motion during council’s meeting this week to relaunch council’s Indian myna bird trapping and community engagement program.

Cr Owen said he was approached by a resident concerned that council had “dropped the ball” by not continuing the Indian myna bird trapping program and the provision of free traps to the community.

“Common or Indian myna birds are listed amongst the world’s worst invasive species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature,” Cr Owen said.

“They threaten native biodiversity because they defend their territory aggressively during the breeding season (August to March) which evicts native bird species from nesting boxes or tree hollows and can kill native eggs and chicks.

“They also carry diseases and can cause se rious damage to ripening fruit.

“They are also very noisy, as you would know if you have ever had one nesting or roosting near your home — they are as bad, if not worse, than cane toads, rabbits and feral cats and dogs.

“This is a simple program that has a positive impact on our native flora and fauna and yet, like many council programs, has fallen by the wayside.”

However, council staff stressed that they are constrained in resourcing this particular pro gram and community Indian myna trapping programs are typically run by community groups.

“Tweed is one of the few councils that pro vide the service as a courtesy to the com

munity,” council’s report reads.

“There is a high level of staff support required for this program in trap maintenance, training, trapper support including euthanasia and chasing up on the return of traps.

“At this time of year, the pest animal program is focused on higher priority pest animal control programs such as foxes, wild dogs, feral cats, and cane toads.”

Council’s report said it does not support the motion and recommends “acknowledging the importance of the Indian myna bird trapping program”.

“Notes that due to limited trapping resources, the program will be reintroduced in full to align with the next breeding season, and as the supply of equipment allows,” the report reads.

Cr Owen said he was concerned that the small issues were being overlooked by council staff.

“This is another example of the ‘little things’ that can make a big difference to our community which council is neglecting,” Cr Owen said.

YOUR THOUGHTS: Have you seen an increase in Indian myna birds across the Tweed? Or do you trap these birds regularly? The Weekly

Yellow feet indicate a Indian myna bird which is growing in numbers

Graffiti and entry update

By Jonathon Howard

AS TWEED residents continue to call for authorities to clamp down on illegal graffiti this month, Councillor Rhiannon Brinsmead will seek an urgent graffiti update from council staff as well as raising a motion to clean up the entry to the Tweed from the Gold Coast Highway.

Cr Brinsmead has this year lead a push to clean up the Tweed Heads entryway from Queensland and address rising residents’ concerns over street crime, graffiti, waste, street maintenance and excessive shopping trolleys.

Cr Brinsmead spoke to The Weekly about the rise in graffiti and said action is needed to make the Tweed’s many entryways a positive experience.

“Graffiti is a key matter that is raised with me by residents from all over the Tweed Shire,” she said.

“When I raised my Tweed CBD motion in February this year, I requested staff to further work with Tweed police to address the graffiti issues in and around the Tweed CBD.”

Cr Brinsmead said in March this year, and in response to the increasing levels of graffiti occurring on private and public assets, Cr Reece Byrnes raised a motion to allocate $70,000 in the March 2024 budget to employ two maximum term employees for a period of six months to form a ‘Graffiti Management and Maintenance Crew’.

“This was done to increase council’s capability of service to respond to graffiti on public assets — serving as an education and prevention measure,” she said.

“Noting the March motion titled ‘Increasing the Anti-Graffiti Response Budget’, I’m raising my question on notice this week to ask what the progress on council’s response to graffiti has been since then.”

Cr Brinsmead’s question is set to be discussed during council’s meeting this week.

“It’s important that we communicate these types of updates to the community so that they are aware of the actions being taken,” she said.

“It is often the communication element where Tweed Shire Council falls short.

“The community is overwhelmingly telling Cr Owen and I, that, what might be deemed as the ‘small things’ by some, such as graffiti, are important to them and that they are being overlooked.”

Cr Brinsmead also flagged Sugarwood Drive (pictured) — the stretch from the NSWQueensland border to the M1 — as a key entry point to the Tweed Shire.

“It is currently in a dilapidated state including, but not limited to, the road surface, roadside infrastructure, signage, and roadside vegetation,” she said.

“Cr Owen and I receive a high volume of correspondence on this stretch of road, and its current state, and although we’ve raised it consistently with staff over many months, only recently were we advised that it’s under Transport for NSW control.

“I’m asking that key stakeholders develop a plan that includes feasibility options, costings, timing, prioritisation, and potential funding for a premier entrance statement for the Tweed Shire along the noted stretch of Sugarwood Drive.

“When people turn right at the lights at the airport and head to the Tweed Shire along Sugarwood Drive, I want them to say ‘wow’ not ‘woah’.”

YOUR THOUGHTS:

Do you think the Tweed Heads entryways, including Sugarwood Drive, need urgent works? Send your thoughts and letters via email: editor@theweekly.net.au

Travelling in Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Information session

Date: Wednesday 31 July, 2024

Time: 11am to 11:45am

Location: Twin Towns Services Club, 2 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, 2485

Do you, or someone you know, travel in a wheelchair accessible taxi or vehicle? The Point to Point Transport Commissioner is working to ensure safe journeys for all, and invites passengers, carers, nursing homes, medical centres and anyone involved in booking wheelchair accessible taxi services, to a free session where you will learn more about how to stay safe while travelling with a wheelchair. Take home information packs and light refreshments will be available for all attendees.

Drop ins welcome.

Shopping centre drop-in

In addition to this session, we will have an information stand in Tweed Mall Shopping Centre. Staff will be available from 10am to 3pm to answer any questions you may have. Drop in anytime.

To secure a spot, visit pointtopoint.nsw.gov.au/events

Tweed flood study ready

By Jonathon Howard

ONE OF the longest running and most comprehensive flood studies in the shire’s history is finally ready for Tweed Shire councillors to consider during their monthly meeting this week.

Council’s flooding and stormwater engineer Leon McLean said the study started in 2020 but had faced a range of delays such as Covid, the 2022 flood and massive data collection.

“The 2022 flood impacts and Covid resulted in major setbacks to the study,” he said.

“The big flood also meant we needed to make some significant changes to the study and basically start again.

“Council also undertook its own LiDAR scanning of the entire Tweed Valley, which generated a digital model of the terrain and took time to complete.”

Mr McLean said he backs this study as the most comprehensive and detailed flood study ever undertaken in the Tweed Valley.

“Whilst we would welcome the CSIRO to undertake its own study in the Tweed Valley, similar to Richmond Valley, and the council has made requests for the CSIRO to do so, we are not going to do nothing and wait. Council will push forward with this flood study, and others, to then proceed to projects that can alleviate flood impacts on the local community,” he said.

“The Tweed Valley Flood Study is not about what we do to mitigate flood impacts in the future. The current flood study only aims to quantify and map flood risk

“Considering what we do to mitigate future flood impacts is the next step — a

risk management study. This future study will evaluate management options such as levees, flood gates, bypass floodways, buybacks, house raising, warning systems, evacuation routes, et cetera.

“It will also consider future flood risk matters such as planning and development.”

Mayor Chris Cherry praised staff for their efforts on the flood study and highlighted that it includes data from the 2022 flood event in appendixes E, F and G, as suggested by local landholders and Tweed River operators.

“The models were calibrated using the 1989, 2017, 2020 and 2022 events as they represent different size floods and you need to know that the model works at each level of impact,” Mayor Cherry said.

“It is very clear from the submissions that there was a lot of misunderstanding in the community about what a flood study does (i.e. modelling) and what a flood risk management study does (i.e. look at what risks are present from flooding and what we are going to do about it).

“As soon as we can adopt this flood study we can move on to examining the risks to our residents and businesses from different size floods and propose ways of mitigating or managing them.

“This will be the place where many of the submissions will come into focus and the community will have another opportunity to let us know what options they think we should pursue to best protect our community from future flooding impacts.”

Mayor Cherry said it was “incredibly frustrating” that the consultant’s review of the Tweed Valley Flood Study that the community commissioned was done on the version that did not have the figures attached — due to a problem when the

study was first placed on exhibition but was changed within the first few days of the six-week exhibition period.

“This allowed a lot of scepticism in the community where much of what the consultants review says is very positive and confirms that we are indeed using the best industry practice in the modelling by including hydrological and hydrodynamic modelling of a range of our flood events including the largest experienced in 2017 and 2022,” she said.

“I saw from community submissions that there is also some confusion between different types of flooding.

“This study is all about riverine flooding but sometimes people will be locally affected by stormwater flooding that does not come into this modelling.

“We have drainage studies that cover stormwater flooding impacts and I have asked the report to include explanations of this and how people can access this information also.”

Mayor Cherry said she is supportive of the council’s Tweed Valley Flood Study and believes it goes a long way in addressing residents’ concerns.

“With all the changes that have been made, and the incorporation of the 2023 LiDAR data, I think that we have a flood model that is based on best industry practice and will be a solid basis for assessing ways to help protect our community into the future,” she said.

The study is recommended for approval and will be discussed during council’s meeting on Thursday, July 18.

An example image of LiDAR collection

BACKYARD FURNITURE

New baby warmer

NEW EQUIPMENT to help provide urgent medical care for sick babies and infants has arrived at the Tweed Valley Hospital this month, thanks to a generous donation to Our Kids from Tweed Community Clubs.

The Tweed Community Clubs, a collaboration of ten local clubs, donated $32,000 to Our Kids to purchase the PANDA Warmer Resuscitaire, which has been donated to the Emergency Department at the new hospital.

Clinical Nurse Consultant Melinda Johnson from the Tweed Valley Hospital Emergency Department welcomed the donation, which will support medical teams in providing the best possible care for the littlest patients.

“At Tweed Valley Hospital Emergency Department, we love the new PANDA Resuscitaire,” Ms Johnson said.

“It is a simple-to-use and vital piece of equipment for providing emergency care for newborns and infants. The device allows us to examine, monitor and treat babies on an

integrated weigh scale on an examination bed, with everything we may need all in one spot.”

Kingscliff Beach Bowling Club general manager Phil Kelly said they were proud to join with Tweed Community Clubs to donate this vital piece of equipment.

“We are delighted to support Our Kids to purchase the PANDA for Tweed Valley Hospital through our Club Grants program,” Mr Kelly said.

“Tweed Community Clubs is dedicated to supporting community welfare and development initiatives across the Tweed region. This contribution underscores Tweed Community Clubs’ ongoing dedication to promoting health and wellbeing, and reflects our commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those who need it most.”

If you would like to know more about Our Kids, or to help out, please contact Rebekka Battista at info@ourkids.org.au or phone (02) 6620 2705.

Tweed Community Clubs and Tweed Valley Hospital emergency staff with the new baby warmer

Sweet Talk with Robert Hawken Sweet Talk with Robert Hawken

Rain delays harvest

THE CONDONG area cane harvest was delayed by wet weather from Wednesday, July 3, until Sunday, July 14.

Up to 120mm of rain was recorded in some coastal areas making very soft ground conditions and causing harvesting difficulties.

Hopefully fine weather will prevail in coming weeks, and with better field conditions and good mill performance, the harvest might finish in early December this year.

To date, less than 20 per cent of the crop has been harvested and indications are that the original estimate of 475,000 tonnes will be achievable.

Commercial cane sugar (CCS) levels have been quite good for this time of year and the crop appears to be ripening well as growth of the cane plant has slowed significantly since late June.

In the month of July, the annual conference of the NSW Farmers’ Association (NSWFA) takes place in Sydney.

Delegates from branches throughout NSW and representatives from all agricultural industries, including NSW Canegrowers Association, attend, along with many senior staff members from government departments, ministers and shadow ministers who address the audience.

The annual conference is a forum where key issues are discussed and debated, and it provides an excellent avenue of contact between farmers and politicians of all parties.

This year our local Far North Coast Branch of NSWFA will be sending five delegates to represent farmers from the Tweed and Byron shires.

All the best, and until next time, Rob Hawken

92046

Cane crews across the Tweed Shire are eager to get back in the fields for harvest after some heavy rain

Greens, Liberals to team up to delay another Labor housing policy 27 June 2024

BLOCKED

Greens Party blocked Labor’s $10 billion social and affordable housing package (HAFF)

(Greens Party voted with Peter Dutton’s Liberals and Nationals)

Greens Party still blocking Labor’s package to help renters buy a home (Help to Buy)

(Greens Party voted with Peter Dutton’s Liberals and Nationals)

BLOCKED

Greens Party now blocking Labor’s package to help build more rentals (Build to Rent)

(Greens Party voted with Peter Dutton’s Liberals and Nationals)

On every issue, the Greens are too extreme.

Authorised J Elliot, ALP, Tweed Heads South

MOTORING IN THE TWEED

Victory renovations storm ahead

By Jonathon Howard

VICTORY ORGANISATION Group

at Tweed Heads is storming ahead with its renovation plans as stage one nears completion.

The all-new LDV, MG and Isuzu showroom and service centre will provide a dedicated location for servicing and sales.

Victory Organisation Group general manager Jason Mannix said the project has been about 18 years in the making and is finally coming to fruition.

“It’s such an exciting chapter to enter with the staff and our community,” Jason said.

“Around 18 years ago Tweed Heads was totally different, we didn’t even have the Tugun tunnel.”

Upon completion later this year, Jason said the site will become a state-of-the-art showroom and workshop.

“Stage two, which will commence very

shortly, is our all-new dedicated Ford showroom and workshop, which will herald a new phase for one of Australia’s most popular car brands,” he said.

“Once the Ford showroom is completed, we’re eager to continue to support new job opportunities in the Tweed.”

In the meantime, Jason said the MG brand has recently launched the all-new MG3, which has a full hybrid option or a petrol version.

“It’s already sold out on our first allocation,” he said.

“The reviews have been outstanding for this new car,

which is a sporty hatch with plenty of modern technology and is well worth a test drive.”

Jason said he wanted to urge residents to come down to the lot at 10-18 Minjungbal Drive at Tweed Heads South and talk about their next new car purchase.

“Come and check out the new renovations and give our new car across four top ten brands: Ford, Isuzu, LDV and MG, a look,” he said.

“If anyone’s interested in a car come and talk to one of great team members, there’s always a victory to be had, great people and great cars.”

To find out more, or book a test drive, phone Victory Organisation Group on: 1300 484 286.

Nickel battery blues

WHILE ELECTRIC vehicles (EVs) are being pumped out to combat climate change and fossil fuel dependency, the current battery technology requires mining lithium, cobalt and nickel, which aren’t necessarily helping the problem.

Days ago, BHP announced it was shutting down production of its Western Australian nickel mining operations, mainly due to a glut coming from huge new nickel mines in Indonesia which have seen prices plunge.

Mining companies have opened up massive nickel mines on what were once pristine and remote Indonesian islands with catastrophic results for local communities.

Thousands of hectares have been cleared, including at the huge Weda Bay Nickel run by a Chinese consortium in the Halmahera province of North Maluku, which is powered by five coal-fired power stations with another seven to be built.

According to a report from Climate Rights International, “Across the country, massive nickel industrial parks are being built” as “demand has skyrocketed in recent years due to increasing use in renewable energy technologies, including in electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

“Rampant deforestation, air and water pollution, and habitat destruction from nickel mining and smelting activities are seriously harming the environment.

“Nickel mining and smelting operations are threatening local residents’ right to safe, clean drinking water, as industrial activities and deforestation are polluting the waterways on which local communities depend for their basic needs.

“Community members are also concerned that increasingly common flooding events are linked to deforestation by nickel mining companies.”

MURWILLUMBAH TYRE SERVICE

The all new 2024 MG3 hybrid is a hot new hatch!

The Indonesian Weda Bay Industrial Park. Photo by CRI

Victory Organisation Group GM Jason Mannix says the renovations are going great

BUSTED! Tweed man blows 0.314 behind wheel

By Jo Kennett

A MAN has been charged with high-range drink-driving after being stopped by police at Tweed Heads West and allegedly blowing more than six times the legal limit.

Tweed police said that at about 3.50pm on Saturday, July 13, Highway Patrol officers were patrolling Lakes Drive, Tweed Heads West, when they stopped a vehicle driving at a slow speed.

The driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, allegedly returned a positive roadside breath test. He was placed under arrest and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station.

He underwent a breath analysis which returned an alleged reading of 0.314.

The 51-year-old man was issued a court attendance notice for a high-range prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA), and his licence was suspended.

He is due to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday, August 12.

A high-range PCA is above 0.15, and attracts a minimum disqualification period of 12 months for first-time offenders and two years for second or more.

Offenders are also subject to an alcohol interlock order. All mid, high-range PCA offenders and repeat offenders are subject to a mandatory interlock order and have to complete a breath test on the interlock.

If alcohol is detected, the vehicle won’t start. The court can also impose a maximum fine of up to $3,300 for first-time offenders.

New meet-up event

By Jonathon Howard

AN EXCITING new partnership between Women’s Giving Circle and Northern Rivers Business Networking has launched monthly meetings at Husk Distillery on the third Thursday of every month.

The social and business meet-up for men and women is inviting new members, and curator Leina Broughton has carefully developed the events to be less about “traditional swapping of business cards” and more about “forming genuine connections”.

“The aim is to foster a vibrant community where attendees exchange insights, collaborate and support one another’s growth,” Leina said.

“By bringing together like-minded professionals from this beautiful region, we unlock limitless opportunities for everyone involved.”

That belief is part of the reason why Leina donates $10 from every networking event ticket to the Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF), where she is a member of the Women’s Giving Circle.

The Women’s Giving Circle supports grassroots projects via grants that empower and support local women and girls.

Last week, Leina made the first contribution of $1,000 raised from networking event ticket sales.

“What I love about the Women’s Giving Circle is not only does it bring us all together, we’re also tapping into the local expertise of the NRCF which has its finger on the pulse of what’s happening at grassroots level in our region,” she said.

Members of the Women’s Giving Circle donate $20 a week, $85 a month or $1,000 a year.

“Each of our contributions adds up when you’re part of a collective like a giving circle,” Leina said.

“I think that as a society, if we were all able to give a little bit, we’re turning our beliefs into

action and making things better.”

Women’s Giving Circle coordinator Amy Colli said being part of the Giving Circle is a chance to amplify the impact of individual contributions and make a difference locally.

“The need to support women and girls in our region is very real,” she said.

“There were more than 1,300 domestic violence-related assaults reported to police in 2023 and more than 2,300 women in the Northern Rivers sought help from a homelessness service.

“As a collective, we can contribute to the wellbeing, safety and empowerment of women and girls across our community with far more impact than giving alone.

“Our community is very special and when we give together, we are a force.”

This year, 123 local women have joined the Women’s Giving Circle ensuring more than $100,000 will be available for grassroots projects that empower women and girls in the Northern Rivers.

“Please join us this Thursday, July 18, at Husk, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, for our next meeting,” Amy said.

Residents are invited to join the Women’s Giving Circle by visiting the website NRCF.org.au or phone: 0429 804 890.

Young chef a rising star

By Jonathon Howard

IN LATE May, talented rising chef Abbey Kuhnell (pictured above) embarked on an exciting journey to Melbourne to compete in a WorldSkills cooking competition.

The event pitted her against skilled chefs from Brazil, China, Singapore and Taiwan in a fourday culinary showdown.

The competition served as a simulation of what Abbey will face in the upcoming WorldSkills global competition event in Lyon, France, later this year.

Abbey described the experience as “amazing” highlighting the opportunity to learn new skills and exchange knowledge with international competitors.

“It was great to see and learn from the new skills gained from the experience and to also meet and learn from the other international competitors,” she said.

This enriching experience has bolstered her training efforts, providing her with invaluable insights and boosting her confidence as she prepares to represent Australia on the world stage.

In an impressive performance, Abbey secured third place, earning a bronze medal — a remarkable achievement for the young chef.

Upon returning home, Abbey has intensified her training regime.

She dedicates two days each week to being trained and mentored at her local TAFE. Additionally, she has pursued specialised training

in Brisbane, focusing on pâté and terrines, and plans to work with an expert pastry chef in patisserie during an upcoming trip to Sydney.

In June, Abbey hosted an intimate four-course Lyonnaise dinner at her parents’ restaurant, House of Gabriel in Tumbulgum.

The success of this menu has led to its integration into the restaurant’s offerings for July and August, with funds raised supporting Abbey’s ongoing training.

The dishes, all French with a strong link to Lyon, pay homage to the culinary capital of France. Abbey said, “I want to respect the beautiful food from Lyon.”

The menu includes French onion soup with truffle and conte cheese crouton, coq au vin — braised young chicken in red wine, mushroom, smoked pork with roast potatoes, and tart praline — candied almond and crème fraîche tart, local strawberries, and cream chantilly.

To experience these exquisite dishes, patrons can make a booking through the House of Gabriel website or by calling Chef Lee and the House of Gabriel team.

For those interested in following Abbey’s journey, Chef Lee will be posting updates on the House of Gabriel Facebook and Instagram pages. The Weekly will also provide regular updates on her progress.

Support Abbey as she strives to do Australia proud in Lyon by enjoying the special Lyon-inspired menu at House of Gabriel.

(L-R) Lela Diaz (WGC recipient from Northern Rivers Networking), Sam Henderson (CEO, NRCF), Dr Dave Riordan (Northern Rivers Networking guest speaker) and Leina Broughton (Northern Rivers Networking coordinator)

YOUR GOOD FOOD GUIDE

BAR & GRILL in Murwillumbah is conveniently located at 91 Murwillumbah Street. The

Bar offers an amazing range of burgers and more from a licensed venue with outdoor seating and deserts. Phone: (02) 6672 2126.

CRYSTAL CREEK CAFÉ is set in the stunning rural landscape of the Tweed Valley hinterland, a short 10-minute drive from Murwillumbah to 1004 Numinbah Rd. The cafe offers a beautiful venue and setting with great food and drinks. Phone: (02) 6679 1060.

FRANKIE MAE’S is a family run, friendly brunch and smokey American flavoured burgers and bevies’ venue. This popular burger joint is a must visit at Shop 9, 24 Scenic Drive, Tweed Heads West.

Sunnyside TAKE A BREAK CAFÉ is often rated as one of the best local cafés located at 40 Wollumbin Street inside Sunnyside Mall. Chefs Tanya and Jason work alongside their local team to offer an outstanding menu, home-cooked items and service with a smile. Plus, the best news is the outstanding prices. Try their homemade sausage rolls and pies! Phone: (02) 5602 2955.

LUCID PURE VEGETARIAN is a must visit location at Shop 27A, Sunnyside Mall, 42 Wollumbin Street in Murwillumbah. You can dine in or takeaway and it’s well worth trying their range of vegetarian burgers. Phone: (02) 5613 6845.

The famous IMPERIAL ‘pink’ HOTEL is an historic local pub, hotel, restaurant and drive-through bottle shop, in the heart of Murwillumbah’s CBD, at 115 Murwillumbah Street. Give the delicious chicken parmy a try. Phone: (02) 6672 7000.

JT’S KITCHEN at Condong Bowling Club can feed the whole family with a great range of delicious food and family specials. Kids eat free on Thursdays and a special two pizzas for $30 on Saturdays and chef’s special on Fridays. Check them out at Lot 1 McLeod Street. Phone: 0499 910 603.

Perfectly placed on the banks of the Tweed River in South Murwillumbah, RIVERVIEW HOTEL is one of the best places for a brew with a view. This amazing local venue at 267 Tweed Valley Way, offers amazing food, drinks and live music. Visitors can enjoy $13 schnitzels on Tuesdays and Wednesdays special is $13 pasta night. If you haven’t visited ‘The Riv’ yet do yourself

The iconic TYALGUM HOTEL is a must-see destination in the Tweed Valley offering one of the best settings in Australia at 39 Coolman Street. The food and drinks are divine and there’s plenty of special member’s offers including $25 steak night on Thursdays, member’s roast on Fridays and more. Try the English Breakfast Buffer on Saturday and Sunday. Phone: (02) 6679 3994.

atthe Footy

WE HAVE an Origin winner! Who is it? How did they win it? What are the talking points? And everyone has an opinion.

One thing I do know is that a decider at Suncorp is what everyone wants to see. Every man and his dog was chasing tickets as soon as game two was over and the atmosphere at the Cauldron and surrounding areas Wednesday night will be insane. Queensland were miles

other thing I know is that it is the best of the best and there is nothing better than an Origin series on the line.

The split round once again had some interesting results and the backing up of Origin stars with 8 rounds to go will be crucial for many teams desperate for a mid season two points. Probably the main talking point out of last week was Brisbane going 0/6 and being in real danger of missing the 8 if things don’t improve.

The attack isn’t so much the issue but scoring 26 points and still losing the defensive side of the game is causing them some real issues. You would have to think teams down to 15 being the Rabbits on 18 points only four points out of the eight are still a realistic chance to make the semis but gee it’s a long hard road for the next two months and everything needs to go right.

We have some great games this week that could be determined by Origin availability in 1 v 3, 2

Australian Carnival last week for the U18s boys and girls competitions and what a week it was.

NSWCCC went back to back after dominating the carnival last year. After a slow start against Queensland, the Catholics came back from 2612 down with nine minutes to go to beat the Maroons and followed it up with a 38-0 victory over the Combined Affiliate States.

The Semi final was a close match with CCC getting home against CIS by 26-12 and Queensland surrendering an 18-0 lead against CHS to go down 26-24.

This set up an all NSW final but CCC were far too strong led by David Fafita look alike Jake Halangahau and NRL star in waiting Cody Hopwood winning 40-12 and being rewarded with seven players in the Australian side to take on France later in the year on the Gold Coast and PNG in Port Moresby.

Local star Sam Stephenson capped an awesome 2024 with his selection in the Australian side. The girls competition was dominated by Queensland and CHS and they met in a quality final with Queensland running out winners 16-0.

Local weapon Phoenix Raine-Hippi was selected in the team and was unreal all week. There will be many NRL and NRLW stars coming out of this tournament for sure.

See you at the footy.

Quinny

Big Country Radio

Variety of exhibitions

By Madeleine Murray

THREE SIGNIFICANT, diverse exhibitions are currently on at the Tweed Regional Gallery.

The touring exhibition from the National Gallery, Know My Name: Australian Women Artists, focuses on moments in which women created new forms of Australian art and cultural commentary.

“One hundred years ago, art museums were seen as sanctified spaces for art from the past, repositories of recognised greatness,” show curator Julie Ewington said. “That recognition was almost entirely gender-specific: the great artists of the past were male, or so went conventional wisdom.”

This comprehensive touring exhibition celebrates Australian women artists through their art and stories.

Two solos shows by Northern Rivers artist Anthony J Walker and Gold Coast-based artist Anna Carey round out the winter program.

Anthony J Walker (pictured), award-winning artist from the Yiman, Ghungalu and Gooreng Gooreng people of Central Queensland, draws inspiration from the landscape and coastlines

my deep appreciation for the environment and my firsthand experiences of caring for Country, particularly Saltwater Country,” Anthony said. “I’ve chosen to paint in a style that purposefully appropriates colonial impressionist landscape painting techniques. By doing so, I’m claiming space in an arena – contemporary Australian figurative landscape painting – and contributing to the diversity of perspectives shared through this genre.”

Anthony’s work includes themes of sharing, respect, collaboration, communication, and protection. Although subtle, the pattern work in his paintings is inextricable from the view –a covertly political acknowledgement of First Nations inherent sovereignty.

Gold-Coast based artist Anna Carey is known for her photographs of miniature architectural models. Her exhibition Madam Mystery explores notions of escapism and memory. Her constructed mis-en-scenes were started during a boom in fortune-telling businesses during the 2020 Covid-lockdown in Los Angeles where she was based at the time.

Know My Name: Australian Women Artists will be on display from until Sunday August 25. Saltwater Currents: First Nations tefacts from Saltwater Country by tery by Anna Carey both end on

stacks Midday is still at the TRG until

Mojo’s

the genre that he invests with his own personality and style. This multi-instrumental band never fails to deliver the goods with their naturally captivating stage presence.

Photo @natmccomasa

Sublime Classics Sublime Classics

Rail Trail a top attraction

THE NORTHERN Rivers Rail Trail has earned Tripadvisor’s coveted Travelers’ Choice Award ranking it in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.

The award celebrates attractions that have consistently received great traveller reviews on the global travel review website, Tripadvisor, over the past 12 months.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry acknowledged the great achievement which has put the Rail Trail on the world stage.

“It’s absolutely thrilling to see our Northern Rivers Rail Trail recognised among the world’s top attractions. It highlights how the Rail Trail has become a major visitor attraction for the Northern Rivers,” Cr Cherry said.

“It has certainly become part of our region’s allure and now with the Richmond Valley section open, it is likely to bring even more visitation and economic benefit to the region.”

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is a shared recreation and nature trail, and the newest ‘must do’ experience in the region. It is free and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

The first 24 km section opened in the Tweed

on 1 March 2023 (stretching from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek). Since opening, the Tweed section of the Rail Trail has welcomed more than 146,000 users including locals, domestic and international visitors.

The second section from Casino to Bentley in the Richmond Valley is 13.4 km and opened in March 2024 while construction of the 16.3 km section from Lismore to Bentley is moving ahead and working towards opening later this year.

Eventually the Rail Trail will connect with Byron and Lismore and will be 132 km long.

The Rail Trail is free to use and provides a safe environment for walkers, cyclists and people of all abilities to explore the beautiful Northern Rivers region.

The establishment of the Rail Trail is part of Tweed Shire Council’s commitment to providing our community with opportunities to be active and healthy, while also making the Tweed a great place to live and visit.

For more information, visit northernriversrailtrail.com.au or to find out more about the Traveller’s Choice Award recipients, visit Tripadvisor.

Youth band to play China

By Madeleine Murray

YOUTH MUSIC VENTURE (YMV) has been chosen to perform at the Annual Sister Cities International Youth Music Festival in Chengdu, China in July 2024.

YMV was originally founded by Ian Grace in 2009 to help guide young musicians in the right direction in life, building their self-esteem and confidence by teaching them how to play in a band, for free.

Started in Palm Beach, YMV now works right across the Gold Coast, putting 11-17-year-olds into bands, readying them for all things musical before they perform on stage at the finale concert for each program. The youth music initiative run by volunteers for the local community has enriched the lives of over 600 kids.

A few years ago, Tweed Shire Council asked Ian if it were possible to launch the program in Tweed as well. YMV has just completed its third-year program here with massive support from Tweed Seagulls Club, not just financially but also building two rehearsal rooms for them.

Sixteen-year-old Kingscliff drummer Ace Hurman is one of the seven YMV band members going to the Chengdu International Youth Music Festival at the end of this month. It is the first

time a YMV band has participated at the festival.

“I think it’s fantastic to be able to go to China and play songs they like such as Hotel California and Country Roads. It will good fun and such a great experience,” Ace told The Weekly.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for the Youth Music Venture charity to be selected to represent the Tweed, Gold Coast and Queensland exclusively, with just one other band from Perth representing the whole of Australia,” YMV founder Ian Grace told The Weekly.

“Eighteen countries in total will be performing on behalf of their respective Sister City which means people from 18 countries will be watching the amazing talent that comes from Australia and in particular from the Gold Coast and Tweed!

“Ace knows I’m looking for some great drum solos from him during our three performances.”

But this honour does come at a price.

After Chengdu’s contribution for accommodation and meals for seven of the group, the rest of the expenses including airfares amounts to $27,000, so any sponsorship or donations would be gratefully appreciated.

Just go to youthmusicventure.com.au and hit the ‘Donate’ button, or email: amazing@iangrace.com.au

Date: Sunday 21st July 2024

Conductor - Carlos Del Cueto Soloist - Nathaniel Smor�

YMV band are all ready to go to Chengdu

Search for new leaders

By Madeleine Murray

MURWILLUMBAH COMMUNITY CENTRE’S Mission Possible project is looking for 15 young people aged 14-18 living in the Tweed Shire who want to make a difference.

“We are calling out for young people who want to develop leadership skills, may have an interest in climate change and disaster recovery, and would like to be involved in projects that give back to their community,” Mission Possible Project Coordinator Marlena Basser told The Weekly.

“Participating young people will walk away with social and community connections, leadership and project skills, great experiences, an improved resume and vouchers for their efforts.”

The intention of Mission Possible is to create projects that help build resilience in our local communities pre and post disaster. Projects could be a sports event, an art exhibition, an emergency kit for families, a social media awareness campaign, or other ideas.

“All project ideas will come from the young people who sign up for the program,” youth worker Christina Bennett told The Weekly. “We will work to implement the projects with the support of the young people, our team and

appropriate community mentors.”

The Mission Possible program will provide workshops that support young people to develop skills and knowledge. There will be guest speakers, games and team building, hands-on activities, great conversations and fun.

While the project is for all young people aged 14-18, it is particularly targeting young people from any of the following groups: neuro diverse; gender diverse; the LGBTQI+ community; disengaged from school.

“These diverse groups often feel left out of mainstream programs and so we want to make sure that the Mission Possible program is an inclusive and safe space for all young people,” Marlena said.

This project was made possible through the Social Futures Resilient Kids program. The Resilient Kids program is funded by Healthy North Coast through a grant provided by the Australian Government.

The program will run in September. Interested young people who want to do the program, and community members who would like to be project mentors can contact Marlena Basser for more information on 0404 486 712 or at marlena@mccentre.org.au Applications close on August 5.

Christina Bennett (L) Youth Worker and Marlena Basser Project Coordinator of the Mission Possible program

Record Naidoc Week ma Record Naidoc Week ma Record NAIDO C Week ma

By Jonathon Howard

IT WAS record crowd for the Tweed and Coolangatta NAIDOC Week march and corroboree at Tweed Heads on Friday, July 12.

Residents came from near and far to gather in the sacred place at Jack Evans Boat Harbour with the thoughts of: “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud” which was the theme for

The event included a range of outstand-

walks of life.

A chant in unison was heard across Tweed Heads: “mighty mighty Tweed mob!”, as residents marched towards the NSQ/Qld border. This year’s theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voic es that have long been silenced.

The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indig enous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced.

(3)

After 12pm (9)

Weird (5)

Japanese noodles (5)

Supernatural viscous substance (9) 34 Fizzle out (4,5)

Lock openers (4)

Common dog name (4)

Crustacean (4)

Leave out (4)

Japanese capital (5)

Cleave lengthwise (5)

Cross-trainer (10)

Static (5)

Shire?

3. What is the name of the Tweed’s biggest coastal town

4. Which three Tweed Shire headland locations are best known as popular spots for whale and dolphin watching?

5. What is the name of the protected marine island off the Tweed Coast that is popular for snorkeling and diving?

Head and Cabarita Headland, 5. Cook Island Aquatic Reserve

3. Kingscliff, 4. Hastings

Tweed River, 2. Mount Warning

Bilambil, Burringbar, Byangum, Carool, Casuarina, Condong Eviron, Kielvale, Kingscliff, Kunghur, Limpinwood, Mooball, Terranora, Tomewin, Tyalgum Uki Urliup

(Wollumbin),

Point, Fingal

TRADES AND SERVICES

BUSINESS

CABARITA BUSINESS Seaside Interiors

& Upholstery has been servicing the Tweed Coast for more than three years and bring a fresh new approach to upholstery.

Owner/upholster Phil Cox and his team members Danielle Loxton, social media/ interiors, and Lisa Young, sales and in-home stylist, work together to create their customer’s visions.

With more than 40-years’ experience in upholstery, Phil focuses on repairing and recovering furniture from daybeds, statement chairs, dining chairs, ottomans, cushions, window seats, caravan cushions and custom upholstery.

“We have a range of fabrics in store to choose from or we can source what you are looking for from our Australian fabric houses or overseas,” he said.

INTERIORS & UPHOLSTERY

“We believe quality furniture has a far greater life span than cheap imports.”

Phil said investing in a quality piece of furniture will serve you better including family heirlooms. “They don’t make furniture like they used to,” he said.

“Lisa is our home stylist and is in store, or she can visit clients to help create their visions with more than 20 years’ experience in the fashion and interior styling industries.”

Seaside Interiors & Upholstery oﬀer a free pick-up and delivery service from within the Gold Coast and Tweed Coast areas.

Visit the friendly team at 2/84 Hastings Road, Cabarita, call 0435 116 897 for a free quote or visit the website: www. seasideinteriors.com.au to make an appointment.

Tweed Valley

Car for Sale

FORD FESTIVA TRIO 2 Door

Hatchback, 1995, 5 speed, Rego till, Oct 2024, Located Murwillumbah, $1,000. Ph: 0402 077 767

‘02 HYUNDAI SONATA for Sale Automatic. Air Conditioner. Rego DE58UP. Only 211.500 kms. Very clean car $4.500. 5 Prospero Street, Murwillumbah. Taylor Made Cars Dealer Number -16862 Ph: (02) 6672 5454

2008 Toyota Hiace hi top van. Manual. Petrol. 4 new tyres. New rear shocks. Just serviced. 429,00km. $13,000 0433 831 726

2012 Holden Colorado 4 x 4 Dual Cab. 125,940km, NSW Rego till Feb 2025, set up for camping, Roof top tent, bulbar, winch etc., lots of extras. For more information phone 0439 477 261. $30,000 ONO

For Sale

King’s rack for ute $150/Roof-top tent

Darche $325/Paddle boards $150 ea/Double kayak $225 incl seats and paddles/Grand tourer tent with side poles & centre pole $125. Will negotiate. 0417 202 871

Jayco Freedom Pop Top, 17 foot, 2001, Anniversary model. Twin beds, 3-way fridge, microwave, Gas stove, TV. Plenty of storage. Full annex, Rego till Nov 2024. $11,900 ono. Phone 0408 053 303

For Sale Yamaha B35N Organ Excellent Condition. Fully serviced. Including stool, music, headphones. $685 - Ph: 0434 588 225

For Sale

INTERNATIONAL ACCO. TIPPER with 7.2m tray and removable sides, new twin U/body hoists. 6 spare tyres plus straps and chains. Good condition. Ph: 0416 194 498 or (02) 6679 5064 $50,000

2001 Coromal 17ft 6 Pop-top Caravan. Dual Batteries, Solar Panel, lots of extras, good condition. NSW Rego till April 2025. $12,000 phone 0428

genuine offer or ONO. Phone 0423 204 486 or 0755 239 252

Homestead Holiday Park Chinderah (Flood Free) 1 or 2 Bedroom with ensuite; new kitchen - dining area; ramp for wheel chair; sunny northern aspect; large carport and garden shed. Close to pool and boat ramp in park. Park is not pet friendly. Private sale $155,000 NEG Phone Ray 0408 752 976

Silver and Turquoise watch. Late husbands. Sentimental value. $300 reward. No questions asked. Phone 0438 703 233

Massage

Original Thai massage only. Located Tweed Heads, Phone or text Yaha – 0477 594 800

Massage

Massage & Waxing Tweed Heads South

Please send a text to 0479 171 398 www.tweedheadsmassage.com.au

Scrap Metal Removal PICK ME UP SCRAP

Ph: 0428 523 423

Tweed Valley

Olive Irene Smith

Passed away peacefully on 12th July 2024 at Tweed Valley Hospital, late of Aveo Ocean View.

Aged 100 years.

Wife of Dr Richard Paterson and Lex Smith (both deceased).

Much loved mum and mother-in-law of Rick and Elaine, Dell and Wayne (deceased), Craig and Lidia, proud and loving Nan to all her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

A private family service for Olive will be held. Tweed

née Nelson

In loving memory of Patricia Ann Rendall

Passed away peacefully on Wednesday 10th July 2024.

Aged 74 Years.

Dearly loved Wife of Darrel.

Loved Mother of Stacey, Sherrie and Matthew. Cherished Grandmother of 7.

Loving Great-grandmother of 7.

Loved Sister.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend

Trish’s Funeral Service to be held at McGuiness Funerals Chapel, Murwillumbah on Friday, 26th July 2024 at 11:00am.

Followed by a Private Cremation.

Gladys

Emily Glasby

13/08/1938 - 15/07/2019

Just a prayer from the family who loved you

Just a memory fond and true

In our hearts you’ll live forever

Because we thought the world of you.

Your loving husband Bernie, daughters and son-in-law’s Joy and Glen, Colleen, Alan and Jennifer. Grandchildren Natasha, Georgie, Elyse, Cassandra, Samantha, Kirstie, Montana and Cash, their partners and 19 great grandchildren.

Forever in our hearts.

Les Gallard, Husband of the late Margarite Gallard would like to express his gratitude for the condolences, cooking and owers.

anks to Family, Friends and sta at Heritage Lodge Murwillumbah.

A special thanks to the Ferguson family.

Please accept this as my personal ank You to you all.

In loving memory of

Gloria Emily Martin

née Simes

Passed away peacefully on Wednesday 10th July 2024. Aged 86 Years.

Dearly loved Wife of Billy Martin.

Loved Mother of Paul, Sharon and Michelle.

Cherished Grandmother of Jared, Zac, Ethan, Riley, Lillian, Shalisa and James.

Loved Sister of Margaret and Gavin.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Gloria’s Graveside Service to be held at Murwillumbah Lawn Cemetery, Tree Street Murwillumbah on Monday 22nd July 2024 at 11:00am.

In loving memory Joan Colleen Robinson

Passed away peacefully on Saturday 6th July 2024. Aged 84 Years.

Dearly loved Wife of Barry (dec’d) Loved Mother of Shari and Troy. Sister of Kathleen, Betty, Jack and Frank (all dec’d) Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Joan’s Funeral Service to be held at the McGuiness Funerals Chapel, Wollumbin street, Murwillumbah on Friday 19th July at 11a.m.

Followed by a Private Cremation.

10/12/1933–22/7/2023

Those we love don’t go away they walk beside us every day unseen. unheard but always near still loved, still missed and very dear.

Dearly loved, sadly missed, always remembered

Patricia Ann WHITE Aged 65

McGuiness Funerals 02 6680 3084

Neil Jim THOMSON 12/07/2024

McGuiness Funerals 02 6672 2144

John WHITEMAN 14/7/24

Paperbark Deathcare 0466 526 156

Ellen Mary SIFFLEET 9/7/2024

White Lady Funerals 07 5536 5300

Dennis William GRIFFIN

06/07/2024

Dolphin Funerals

1300 678 443

Gordon Stanley BUTT 10/07/2024

Dolphin Funerals

1300 678 443

Kathleen (Kathy) GRAHAM 10/07/2024

Dolphin Funerals

1300 678 443

Michael George GRAY 11/07/2024

Dolphin Funerals

1300 678 443

Alan Edward WYATT 11/07/2024

Dolphin Funerals

1300 678 443

Heather Kathryn FOSTER 14/07/2024

Dolphin Funerals

1300 678 443

GLEESON Francis ‘Conrad’ 12/07/2024

Simplicity Funerals

ANTHONY VINCENT

(TONY) FORMICA

05/04/1967 – 29/06/2024

Our family is truly thankful for the love, support and kind wishes provided by so many family, friends and professional colleagues of our dearly beloved husband, father, son and brother - Tony.

Your presence, condolences, and shared memories have brought comfort and solace during this challenging period. Lyn, omas, Vince, Narelle and Neil Formica

1300 556 222

In Loving Memory of Kevin Kane “Jack”

PATRICIA ANN RENDALL

Tweed’s Olympic surfing boss

By Jo Kennett

POTTSVILLE

RESIDENT Kate (Skarratt)

Wilcomes is the Surfing Australia High Performance director and head of delegations (HOD) for Australia’s surfing team at this year’s Paris Olympics and is off to Teahupo’o in Tahiti this week.

She not only has experience taking the Australian Surfing team to the Olympics in Tokyo, she also won the 1999 Tahiti Pro winner (along with Occy), and is famous for charging heavy surf. Kate says that Tyler Wright, Molly Picklum, Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing are medal chances at what is considered one of the heaviest breaks in the world.

“We have managed to bring the athletes chosen coaches to the Olympics which is great,” Kate said.

“All four surfers have a coach or local specialist they have identified as a support for the Games and they will be staying with the team.”

There are six training days from July 21 to July 26, with the schedule released the night before (July 20) which will mean surfers have allotted times each day.

Training for most days will begin at 6am and end at 4.30pm, except on days five and six when there are morning rehearsals/or for the opening ceremony.

Kate said sorting out accommodation for the team “was possibly the trickiest to navigate initially as we weren’t sure if there was going to be a village or a boat for quite a while.”

“Everyone has been working hard on all the logistics for over two years now to make it work,” she said.

“It’s also super important to be respectful that island time and our time are very different.

“We have been very lucky to have great local support on the ground. Simon Thorton and Tereva David (nephew of Vetea David) have been our main points of contact throughout the last few years, and both supported us with the

logistics, especially accommodation and water support. “We’re very grateful for their help.”

Kate thinks the Tahiti Olympic experience will be very different to Tokyo, surfed in super messy beach break conditions.

“There will be no COVID restrictions to the level of Tokyo, a very different cultural location, which is much more remote and a very different wave profile,” she said.

There will be a lot of new faces that haven’t ever competed on the World Championship Tour and some who haven’t been on the Challenger Series, particularly in the women’s draw.

“All our surfers attended the ISA World Surfing Games and saw the majority of the other surfers at this event and they know how most perform and compete, though we also do our own performance analysis that we provide to coaches and athletes separately.”

Kate said the whole team is “very excited.”

“They are first time Olympians and are very proud to represent their communities and nation,” she said.

“We are in it to win and come home with medals that is for sure. All the four surfers are capable and will give it their best.”

Join the pickleball fun

By Jonathon Howard

IN JUST eight short months, the Tweed Heads Pickleball Club, a not-for-profit community organisation based out of Arkinstall Park, has become a local hub for fitness and fun.

The club has already attracted 90 members and continues to grow as it is at the forefront of promoting pickleball in the Tweed - the fastest-growing sport in Australia and possibly the world.

The club, boasting an average member age of 60, has a mission to expand its reach to all age groups.

The club’s secretary Simon Hood contacted The Weekly to drum up some more media and call on locals to give pickle ball a try.

“Our recent session featured three generations playing together which underscores pickleball’s unique ability to bring together people of all ages,” Simon told The Weekly.

“We don’t know how many sports can do this.

“It’s a wonderful sight to see grandparents, parents, and children all enjoying the game together.”

In addition to fostering intergenerational play, the club has also partnered with local schools, including the Clontarf indigenous group at Tweed River High School.

“These collaborations highlight the club’s commitment to community engagement and inclusivity,” he said.

“We are very keen to continue developing our club and are eager to use The Weekly to spread the word.

“We believe your paper is a great medium for that.”

As the club looks to the future, they are enthusiastic about welcoming new members from all walks of life.

“Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the sport, the Tweed Heads Pickleball Club offers a supportive and vibrant community,” Simon said.

For more information on how to join or support the club, please visit Arkinstall Park or contact Simon Hood directly please phone: 0408 346 521.

Old Boys Day celebrates 25 years of the Mustangs

By Jo Kennett

IT’S BEEN a big couple of weeks in the NRRRL with some major upsets from the Raiders, but it’s Cudgen and Bilambil in the top six with only four rounds to go before the finals start and Murwillumbah still an outside chance.

This weekend, which was a bye for Splendour, will see the Round 1 washouts played, with Round 5 games to be played after Round 16.

Murwillumbah Mustangs had a 12-12 draw against Marist Brothers in Round 12, had Kyogle begging for mercy in Round 13 with a 40-6 victory

and drew 12 all again with Ballina on a huge Mustangs Old Boys Day. After a slow start the Mustangs have clawed their way into eighth place and need to get some more wins on the board. They have two make-up rounds (Round 1 this weekend against Cudgen and Round 5 v Lower Clarence) to play as well as the final two rounds so the Cudgen game and the clash against Northern (in seventh spot) will be crucial.

In Round 12 Cudgen lost to Byron Bay 30-18, but then took down Evans Head 32-12, with a bye in Round 14. The Hornets are sitting pretty and

primed for the finals as defending champions in second place, however with four games to go anything can happen.

In Round 12 the Tweed Coast Raiders had a massive 26-26 away victory against Ballina, who are currently leading the comp. They followed that up with a 30-26 loss to Mullumbimby after being in front for much of the game, who were in tenth spot at the time to Raiders 11th. In Round 14 the Raiders had another big 20-10 upset against Byron, who had been at the top of the ladder and now sit in third place.

Bilambil sit in fourth place after taking down Mullumbimby 22-16 in Round 12, Byron 28-12 in Round 13 but they went down 46-4 to Marist Brothers in Lismore last weekend. The Jets had four players out injured and played a man down in the second half but Marist Brothers, “were very physical and played well” according to Tom Rowles. In this weekend’s local derbies the Raiders host the Jets and the Mustangs host Cudgen.

The Tweed's oldest Old Boy Howard Maher at 100, with local icons and sponsors Barry and Diane Harding

Colts Sponsor Lindsay Rural

Enjoying the footy with grandad

Group event for Bucks party at Old Boys Day

The groom Daniel Troy Pillar with his dad at the start of the Bucks party

Pottsville's Kate (Skarratt) Wilcomes. Photo Surfing Australia

Some of the iconic Old Boys players who have made local footy great over the years

Real Estate Estate

Valley property boom shows no sign of slowing

By Jo Kennett

REAL ESTATE in the Tweed Valley has been on the march with many buyers either priced out of coastal properties and looking for a bargain or cashing in on high prices near the beach and escaping the crowds to go west.

Murwillumbah was cheap as chips for years, which is strange since it’s so picturesque with the river, the mountain, the cane fields and the old mill still crushing all that sugar cane.

Suddenly people cottoned on to the fact that there were bargains aplenty and prices have since risen

quite a lot.

Pre-Covid the median house price in Murwillumbah was $500,000, which jumped to $830,000 by early 2022. It’s now settled back down to $800,000 for houses but is up 1.8 per cent over the last year.

Units went from $133,000 (geez what were we thinking people, we should have been jumping on these bargains) to $625,000 earlier this year. They have now settled to $600,00 which is a 3 per cent compound growth rate over the past 12 months.

Last month Murwillumbah had 15 properties available for rent and 35 properties for sale, with 25 up for

Open Homes

Saturday, July 20

Tweed Coolangatta Real Estate

• 3 Terrace Street, Chinderah 11-11:30am

• 3/100 Dry Dock, Tweed Heads South 11-11:30am

• 4/1 Limosa Road Tweed Heads West 12-12:30pm

DJ Stringer Property Services

• 2/3-5 Barrett Street, Tweed Heads West 9:00 -9:30am

• 51/7 Island Drive, Tweed Heads 10:00 -10:30am

• 20 Eliza Fraser Court, Terranora 10:00 -10:30am

grabs right now.

Murwillumbah houses rent out for $650 per week with an annual rental yield of 4.2 per cent and units rent for $420 with a rental yield of 4.2 per cent.

But it’s not all about Murbah is it.

Dotted around this rural centre are some very lovely villages including Uki, a haven for creative types with a friendly community and some very lovely, character-filled homes.

Last month Uki had three properties available for rent and seven properties for sale, but right now there are ten up for sale.

The median house price over the last year was $970,000, well above

Murwillumbah’s median which shows how popular this village is. Uki homes rent out for $680 per week, with an annual rental yield of 3.4 per cent.

Uki has seen an annual compound growth rate of 2.6 per cent for houses.

Tyalgum is tucked a little further away, but is also an artistic and picturesque little neck of the woods.

Last month Tyalgum had one property available for rent and eight properties for sale, right now there are 11 on the market. The median price over the last year is $860,000 for houses, up a big 23.3 per cent.

The median time on the market is

• 504/1 Lord Street, Coolangatta 11:00-11:30am

• 4/3 Island Drive, Tweed Heads 11:15-11:45am

• 9/4 Clancy Court, Tugun 12:00-12:30pm

Tate Brownlee

• 2/21 Beach Street, Kingscliff, 9 -9:30am

• 11 Fraser Drive, Tweed Heads South, 10-10:30am

• 16/291 Darlington Drive, Banora Point, 10 -10:30am

• 70 Honeymyrtle Dr, Banora Point, 11-11:30am

• 4 James Cook Drive, Banora Point, 11 -11:30am

• 518 Terranora Road, Terranora, 12 -12:30pm

• 14 Market Parade, Terranora, 12 -12:30pm

• 11 Trutes Terrace, Terranora, 1-1:30pm

• 45 Shamrock Avenue, Banora Point, 2- 2:30pm

McGrath

80 days, which was the same for Murwillumbah.

There are also eleven lovely homes available for sale at Tumbulgum, although there isn’t any sales data for the village.

The days of the absolute bargains in the valley may be long gone but it’s still more affordable than a lot of places in the shire and seriously beautiful. It’s not much use waiting for prices to go down either because that’s not likely to happen anytime soon and if interest rates do drop, it is only expected to send prices higher.

• 1/6 Tupia Avenue, Tweed Heads, 9.30- 10am

• 16/13-17 Beach Street, Kingscliff, 9.30- 10am

• 6/48 Main Road, Fingal Head, 10-10.30am

• 7 Spoonbill Lane, Kingscliff, 10- 10.30am

• 3/1 Pacific Street, Kingscliff, 10- 10.30am

• 187/1 Mariners Drive West, Tweed Heads, 10.3011am

• 27 Viking Street, Kingscliff, 11- 11.30am

• 17 Drift Court, Kingscliff, 11- 11.30am

• 255 Darlington Drive, Banora Point, 11.30- 12pm

• 1 Lambent Ave, Casuarina, 12- 1pm

• 5 Donegal Court, Banora Point, 12.30- 1pm

Schmith Estate Agents

• 18/14 Lorikeet Drive, Tweed Heads South, 10-10.30

17 Wollumbin Street, Tyalgum is for sale with Northern Rivers Property Group

239 Rowlands Creek Road, Uki is for sale with Elders Tweed Valley30 Larkins Road, Tyalgum is for sale with Ray White Murwillumbah

Guiding you home

Tweed Broadwater - Tweed Heads South

Banksia Waters - Tweed Heads West

Tweed Shores – Chinderah

The Palms Village - Tweed Heads South

Tweed Broadwater - Tweed Heads South

Tweed Shores - Chinderah

Tweed Broadwater - Tweed Heads South

Bilambil Creek Village - Bilambil