Tweed Valley Weekly, November 17, 2022

Flood hub Christmas appeal

By Yvonne Gardiner

Sandy Gilbert, an advocate for Tweed Residential Parks Homeowners Associa tion (TRPHA), said eight out of 14 car avan parks in the Tweed were inundated in the February/March floods, as well as many residential homes.

“Many of the residents in the parks are known to TRPHA as they have had to be represented in tribunal cases over the 13 years I have been an advocate,” Sandy said.

“Every Christmas, without fail, the res idents took pride and joy in decorating their homes.

“The majority of the residents this year cannot afford to purchase Christmas dec orations.”

It is estimated that around 25 per cent of residents are not yet back in their homes.

“We’re dealing with people not being back in their own homes as they are wait ing for tradesmen, and also not having enough finances behind them to rebuild,” Sandy said.

“There’s about 25 per cent who were insured. Some are still fighting the system to get their insurance money, to be able to rebuild and renovate.

“Most of the residents that were not insured got a grant of $20,000 to rebuild their homes and we know that figure was not enough.

“Everything the residents owned had to be removed. Most of the homes were just

empty shells.

“The majority of the residents flood af fected lost every single thing they owned.”

Close to 1000 of those residents have ap plied for some kind of assistance through the donation hub since the floods.

To check that the requests are genuine, the hub asks people seeking help for proof of address at the time of the flood.

“We’re going to walk the parks and homes next week to seek anyone that has not been able to access the grants and also who are too proud to ask for help,” Sandy said.

“Many residents are very vulnerable and suffering illness.”

The Chinderah Donation Hub is regular ly hosting Service NSW and other groups that deal with health and financial issues.

Eight volunteers have been helping out

since the floods.

“We’ve had the same team from day one, also many more wonderful volunteers on hand who bake for the residents. They too have been with us from the beginning,” Sandy said.

The hub is asking Tweed businesses to consider donating to the Christmas appeal.

Coordinator Kay Redman said the hub would be grateful for vouchers, Christmas lights and anything for Christmas hampers like cakes and puddings.

Donations must be new and boxed, and can be dropped off at the hub at Unit 23, 18 Ozone Street, Chinderah, weekdays 9am to 4pm.

Anyone flood-affected and seeking help can put in a request on the Chinderah Donation Hub Facebook page.

Another coronavirus wave

By Jonathon Howard

A FOURTH wave of COVID-19 is sweep ing across the Tweed Shire with renewed health warnings and new vaccines avail able.

It’s the news that many residents would rather not read prior to the Christmas season, but the numbers do not lie and NSW was rapidly approaching 20,000 new cases per week at the time of print.

Cases on the Northern Rivers are al most 500 cases per week and rising, with hospital staff bracing for more patient admissions.

The Northern NSW Local Health Dis trict is urging residents to recommence the wearing of masks in areas where they cannot socially distance, or public trans port and other crowded spaces.

“The current wave of transmission is being driven by a mix of variants,” a NSW

Health spokesperson said.

“We are closely monitoring S-gene target and sequencing data in relation to BA.2 sub-lineages, including BR.2, a sub-lineage of BA.2.75. We are also monitoring other emerging variants.

“There were 14,089 people diagnosed with COVID-19 this week, an increase of 39.3 per cent since the previous week. PCR testing for COVID-19 has increased by 9.6 per cent compared to the previous week.”

Those needing a third or fourth booster dose can visit a local pharmacy for the Moderna bivalent vaccine, which is a twostrain vaccine.

Mapp & Hession Pharmacy co-owner Paul Hession said the bivalent vaccine is not suitable as a primary or secondary dose, however it is suitable as a third or fourth booster dose.

“This is the time to get your third or

fourth booster shot, if you haven’t had it already,” he said.

“Anyone under 30 is not recommended for this particular strain.

“However, we are recommending any one over 30, in particular our elderly or immunocompromised need to get this shot as soon as possible.

“This new vaccine offers better protec tion and is recommended — I’ ve had it and it was fine for me.”

DONATION Hub coor

are calling on the generosity of locals to give flood-affected residents a helping hand this Christmas.

Coordinators of the Chinderah Donation Hub, Kay Redman (left) and Sandy Gilbert, want to give flood-affected Tweed residents a happy Christmas. Photo: Yvonne Gardiner

CONGRATULATIONS

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Thank you Murwillumbah Hospital

I had quite a serious accident with a power tool on Thursday, Novem ber 10.

I would just like to thank all the staff at Murwillumbah and District Hospital.

Their service was faultless. So many dedicated positive people. We are so lucky to have this excel lent hospital facility in our valley town.

Mic Carter, Murwillumbah Scepticism is integral to science

Again, I agree with Scott Morgan (TVW, Nov 10) that the war and cor porate greed contribute to the cost of energy, driven by demand and supply.

Fiscal stimulus during the pandem ic increased demand while the war reduced Russian supply and climate action restricted the global supply of fossil fuels.

Big-renewables promise cheap ener gy but increase demand for gas-fired backup, then blame big-gas for price hikes.

Clever corporate greed garners complicit climate activists.

If Brian Bycroft is correct “that re newable sources of power are much cheaper than fossil fuel-based sourc es”, why is the world’s major manufacturer of wind turbines and solar panels (China) still building dozens of coal-fired power plants.

Are they stupid or is Bycroft’s “study after study” seriously flawed, failing to factor in the cost of provid ing energy when the wind dies after dark, or when prolonged extensive cloud cover blocks the sun?

China knows it can’t be the world’s manufacturing powerhouse using fickle sunbeams and sea breezes.

With abundant hydroelectricity from dams the Greens opposed, Tas mania exports its surplus in winter and spring but still imports Victorian electricity during dry seasons.

Since tiny ACT imports over ninety per cent of its highly regulated and subsidised “green” electricity, I re main a renewables-only sceptic.

Sorry Scott, but scepticism is as integral to science as belief is to re ligion.

D Weston Allen, Cudgen SES site debate

I refer to the article in the Novem ber TVW regarding a new site for the SES.

It seems that a decision is being made in Sydney — yet again — with little input from those who have to operate from the site.

Kyogle Road at that location was seriously flooded in 2017 and 2022 (and also at other times), which would indicate that access by the SES would be difficult in emergen cy situations.

Why isn’t the SES being housed in the industrial estate?

That is flood free, but if someone argues you can’t access in a flood then neither can you at the water treatment site.

Yes, they need to move, the current location is dodgy.

A broader view of the region’s risks and the need of the SES needs to be taken into account.

DF Ryder, Murwillumbah Show me the due process

In The Weekly, October 27, Mr Clitheroe provided all sorts of totally irrelevant information, in my opinion.

The plain simple truth was that both state and federal government funding for his bike track was condi tional upon there being “strong local community support”. That was never the case.

We know that our council refused to accept NRRL’s signed and dated survey and petition results, because they stated that they could not be trusted.

So go on, show us real honest trust worthy proof, in signed and dated

surveys and petitions that our council conducted to verify that they did have majority support.

And no, I do not want to be told many thousands of people said yes to ripping up the rail lines so that your insignificant minority group could have absolute control of the 30-metre easement when you only required 2.4 metres.

That is pure selfishness. It is about “me” not “we”.

As I have written before, I have my submission already written to pres ent to the National Anti-Corruption Commission as soon as they are in augurated. Hopefully they can search the documentation to verify whether “due procedural process” was hon estly abided by. I do not think so.

Mr Clitheroe whinges it’s a bit late to be complaining now that the lines have been removed. We have com plained from the outset, for years. Perhaps he can tell us just why our council refused to listen to our griev ances? Why was it so important to override the wishes of the majority in the community?

Mike Yarrow, Byangum Compromise needed on climbing Wollumbin

I am writing in broad support of the views expressed by J Jacobs (TVW, 10/11/22) regarding the current ban on entry to Wollumbin Nation al Park.

I agree with the suggestion that a compromise should be reached be tween the National Parks and Wild life Service, Aboriginal custodians of the Mount Warning (Wollumbin) area and local citizens who also have a personal connection with the land.

The compromise that I am sug gesting would see limited groups of visitors being allowed to climb the Summit Track in the company of lo cal elders and also specially trained Indigenous rangers.

This would represent a win-win situation.

Non-Indigenous visitors would have

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an opportunity to learn about the cultural significance of the site while enjoying the outdoors experience.

Sacred sites would be protected due to the presence of elders and/ or rangers in each group.

Rangers would be able to ensure that climbers did not stray from the marked track or near protected sa cred sites.

Non-Indigenous National Parks and Wildlife officers would benefit from the cultural knowledge being imparted.

The initiative would provide oppor tunities for elders and park rangers to train young First Nations people, thereby enhancing Indigenous em ployment opportunities.

Beginning initially on a small scale, the initiative could be subject to a formative evaluation assessing the scheme’s impact.

I believe that this current total ban not only impacts members of the wider community, it prevents local Indigenous people from maintaining a direct spiritual connection with the land.

As a person who actively seeks rec onciliation and respects Indigenous culture, I am currently not able to invite my Indigenous friends to visit a site that is significant to them, and perhaps in a different way to me.

Neville Jennings, Murwillumbah Tweed Heads is too crowded

Tweed Heads is starting to lose its ambience and relaxed atmosphere, in my opinion.

Traffic and access is getting out of control, with a prime example of Minjungbal Drive which has become bumper to bumper every day.

Then head out through Kennedy Drive and face massive delays in the mornings and afternoons. What about a drive up Scenic Drive, which is a disaster waiting to happen.

You see major councils across the east coast are looking at rates money as a windfall, yes, we do need addi

tional housing, but at what cost to a community sitting on top of each other.

When Kings Forest and Cobaki move forward in the future, the in frastructure will not keep pace. It’s like people will leave a city to create a city, country living gone haywire. Not being a pessimist but a real ist, there is going to be congestion around the corner

P Lazer, Terranora

Chamber makes move on Council

In a blatantly political move, in my opinion, the Tweed Chamber of Com merce is flogging an online petition calling for the appointment of an ad ministrator to replace Tweed Shire Council on the confected charge of delays in processing development applications.

They conveniently overlook the fact that development application (DA) recommendations are prepared and processed by departmental staff, not the councillors.

The ploy, I believe, is to rid the current Council of majority inde pendents and replace them with developer-friendly members.

If the Chamber was serious it would call not for an administrator to re place the councillors, but for an in quiry into the Planning Department which continues to drag its heels on halting future residential develop ment of floodplain land, in addition to delayed DA approvals.

But to misquote Paul Keating; “Never let the facts stand between a business chamber and a bucket of money”.

Jeremy Cornford, Kingscliff

Please note the views on the letters page are that of the letter writer and not of the Tweed Valley Weekly. Letters must include a suburb and contact number for verification. Letters may be edited for length or legal reasons. Send your letters to editor@theweekly. net.au.

Residents feel forgotten

By Jo Kennett

RESERVE CREEK Road is unlikely to be fully reopened until mid-2023, ac cording to Tweed Shire Council, who says repairing the road has presented some significant challenges following a major landslide during the February flood.

But a temporary repair could be allowed bringing some relief to residents who feel forgotten.

The schedule will come as bad news to residents who previously used Murwillum bah as their local service centre.

Since the landslide locals have had to detour via Round Mountain Road and Watty Bishop Road, across to Clothiers Creek Road, and many have stopped go ing to Murwillumbah for their shopping.

One Palmvale resident, who preferred not to be named, said they were now “the forgotten people of the Tweed Shire.”

“It used to take 20 minutes for me to get to Murbah and now it takes 50,” the resident told The Weekly.

“All the shop owners in Murwillumbah are missing out because there are around 200 residents here who are now shopping at Caba and Tweed instead because it’s closer.

“Murwillumbah is a friendly town and everyone knows you — the vets, the chem ist, the newsagent — but it’s costing a for tune in fuel and wear and tear on our cars to go there.

“The produce store won’t deliver because it’s so far and takes too long to get here.”

The man said he would like to see some thing done before mid-2023.

“Councils in New Zealand have engi neers who know exactly how to fix slips and landslides,” he said.

“I’ve spent a lot of time there and seen

the work they’ve done with remote-control excavators.

“They should ring engineers in places like Kaikora in NZ; they could come over and show them how to do it.”

The Palmvale resident said they were “cut off and forgotten”.

“It’s ridiculous. We still pay our rates but the only thing we get is a garbage collection,” he said.

“They could give us a rates discount until it’s fixed for the extra fuel.”

Tweed Shire Council’s Manager of In frastructure Delivery Tim Mackney said the landslip at Reserve Creek Road was a priority for Council “and is included in our design and construct bundle of works established for the most significant landslip repairs around the Tweed.”

“The Reserve Creek Road landslip presents a major design and engineering challenge, with the road significantly un dermined by a 15-metre high, near-vertical landslip which occurred during the Feb ruary-March flood,” Mr Mackney said.

“Geotechnical testing of the slip area has been completed and short-listed construc tion contractors are currently working on concept designs with the aim of delivering designs and tender pricing to Council by

mid-December.

“Once concept designs are complete, Council will select the most suitable con tractor to carry out the work as soon as possible.

“Given likely timeframes for the suc cessful contractor to finalise detailed de signs, gain environmental approvals, and procure teams and materials, the earliest start date on site is likely to be around mid-2023.”

Mr Mackney said Council was encour aging contractors to consider providing temporary access before permanent works are completed “if this can be proven to be safe and feasible.”

“Transport for NSW has confirmed in-principal funding approval to cover the cost of repairs,” he said.

“Council is aware of the issues facing the local community and the significant connectivity impacts associated with the road closure and we are doing everything we can to expedite the repair process.

“Stay up to date with the Tweed’s flood recovery progress through our flood re covery reports published on Council’s homepage, social media and in the Tweed Link each week.”

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RESERVE CREEK ROAD: Residents cut off by a major landslide are desperate for works

Electronic signatures need to be seen when signing

Use of electronic signatures on documents expanded enormously during the Covid lockdowns, but now questions have been raised about how those signatures at the click of a mouse are properly witnessed under law.

Signatures to legal documents such as wills must be witnessed by two adults. But with self-isolation, social distancing and travel restrictions, it was impossible for people to be physically present to witness the signing.

Electronic signatures were made easier under law during the pandemic. That was made permanent in late 2021.

Software such as DocuSign can be used to add a signature to a document electronically at the click of a keyboard key. Alternatively, you can sign a document with a pen, scan the signed document and send it via email.

But as Stacks Law Firm lawyer Mark Shumsky points out, the law requires witnesses actually to see the person signing their name on documents such as wills, enduring powers of attorney, affidavits, statutory declarations and deeds.

“Electronic witnessing has made it easier and more convenient for people to witness signatures when they can’t be present,” Mr Shumsky said. “But there are challenges with the physical distance, including decreasing the possibility of undue influence or coercion, the need to confirm mental capacity and identity verification.

“A Supreme Court case in Victoria recently raised the question of whether a witness can clearly see the testator’s signature being made electronically, and whether the testator clearly sees the electronic signature of each witness.

“It came up in an application for a grant of probate of an electronically signed will. The will was signed electronically during an audio-visual meeting with two witnesses, who signed using DocuSign.

“The court examined whether the witnesses needed to see the signature button pressed on the keyboard. Do witnesses also need to see the screen which contains the document the signatory is electronically signing? Is it adequate to hold the document up to the screen camera and then put it on the desk to sign?

“The court concluded that the witnesses need to do more than just connect via audio-visual link. The witnesses need to have an unobstructed view of the testator as they sign, and clearly see the document they are signing.

“The court said it would be wise, now that lockdowns are over, to re-execute relevant wills, either in the traditional manner of witnessing in person, or by proper compliance with remote signing procedures.

“This was under Victorian law, but the requirements are similar in NSW. Electronic signatures need to be clearly seen by witnesses when signing, just as in face-to-face situations.”

Responsibility for comment is taken by Stacks Law Firm

Local MP kills koala

By Jonathon Howard

IN A major win for the Tweed Shire koa la population, Member for Tweed Geoff Provest has broken ranks and threatened to cross the floor in the NSW Parliament, opting to vote against a controversial koala bill proposed by his party.

Mr Provest was the first Member of Par liament to reject the proposed koala bill, which, if approved, would have stripped local councils of regulating private logging and allow for private forestry approvals to extend from 15 to 30 years.

Mr Provest contacted The Weekly on Monday, November 14, to announce the bill was dead after the National Party opt ed to withdraw it rather than face a vote.

“I’m with our community on this one in opposing this bill and maintaining the bal ance we currently have,” Mr Provest said.

“Koala protection is paramount, and I was the first to tell the government I would not support the proposed Farm Forestry Bill if it was presented to Parliament.

“We love our koalas in the Tweed. We have worked so hard in the Tweed, dou bling protected areas, and building our

first ever koala hospital, we cannot simply let that go.”

Mr Provest said the government’s claim that the law would balance the interests of koalas and the timber industry may have some merit.

“But this is not a balance I or the Tweed wants. We want laws heavily tilted in fa vour of koala protection and we make no apology for that,” he said.

“I remind the government that its own policy is to double the number of koalas in New South Wales by 2050.

“The Farm Forestry Bill is not consistent with that goal, so there is no way I can support it.”

Team Koala president Jenny Hayes said the bill undermined the crucial role councils play in the regulation of private forestry operations.

“It would have had devastating impacts on important native habitats, particularly for our koalas,” Ms Hayes said.

Ms Hayes said Mr Provest’s decision to go against his party’s bill was “extremely brave and shows his heart is in the right place.”

“On behalf of Team Koala, I would like

‘cross

said.

“The controversial bill was scrapped, and we are extremely grateful to Geoff for standing up to his own party over this deplorable ‘kill koala bill 2’ so that future generations may have a chance to see ko alas in the wild. Thank you.”

Your say on flood cameras

By Jonathon Howard

FLOOD PREPARATION is kicking into overdrive at Tweed Shire Council, who are seeking community feedback to allow public access to Council’s flood monitor ing cameras.

The high-definition cameras are installed at six key locations across the Tweed and could provide valuable information to residents preparing for flood impacts.

The cameras, installed over the past year, mostly face flood-prone sections of public roads which Council said could help gather intelligence for the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), Council op erations, and other emergency service organisations during flood events.

For the images to be made publicly avail able, and to manage Council’s legislative obligations including privacy, Council has drafted a Flood Monitoring Camera Policy.

Once the policy is adopted, the still imag es may be published on Council’s website with each image visible for 15 minutes

before it will disappear and is replaced by a new, refreshed image.

Council’s Director of Engineering Da vid Oxenham said the policy was part of Council’s aim to prepare for, mitigate and build resilience to both natural disasters and the impacts of climate change.

“Our flood cameras are positioned in key locations across the Tweed and are a valuable tool in helping to monitor our creeks and rivers during severe weather conditions,” Mr Oxenham said.

“Once the camera footage is broadcast on our website, the community will be able to see for themselves the condition of the roads and bridges at these key lo cations and base their travel decisions accordingly.

“The cameras will also support public safety by reducing the high-risk activity of sightseeing during a flood event.”

The cameras are located at Bilambil Sports Club on the corner of Bilambil and Hogans roads; Boatharbour Bridge on Numinbah Road; Nobbys Creek; By angum Bridge on Kyogle Road, Byang

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um; Murwillumbah Bridge on Wollumbin Street, Murwillumbah; Tweed Valley Way (Oaks Avenue) north of Cudgen Road and Tweed Valley Way intersection; and Chinderah and Piggabeen Road at the cul vert just west of Banksia Waters Village, Tweed Heads West (to be installed soon).

The Draft Flood Monitoring Camera Policy will close on Monday, December 5. Please visit: yoursaytweed.com.au/ draft-flood-camera-monitoring-policy

to congratulate Geoff Provest MP for threatening to

the floor’ on this issue,” she

David Crossan

Lawyer

Member for Tweed Geoff Provest has broken ranks and spoken against a controversial koala bill helping to quash it

An image taken from a flood camera at Boatharbour Bridge on Numinbah Road

Tweed Link

Last

used 162L a day

All about beach foam

Because it can have a strong smell, it’s easy to mistake beach foam as sewage or other pollution.

To help keep the places we live, work and visit safe, Council has commissioned the Tweed Laboratory Centre to test beach foam and rule out sewage and other pollution.

Past samples have contained marine algae and other naturally occurring organic marine matter including proteins, fats and dissolved salts.

While beach foam occurs naturally, sometimes it may be potentially harmful with microbial and chemical contaminants, especially after heavy rain and floods.

Avoid touching and swimming in beach foam and keep your dog away.

Foam floating on sea water can hide underwater rocks from view. Beach foam tends to stay around for several days before gradually breaking down.

Find out more on Council’s website: tweed.nsw.gov.au/coast-waterways

Farm field day reminder

Local graziers are invited to a free field day on Wednesday 30 November to learn more about stock watering systems and sustainable ways to better manage water across the farming landscape.

The series of field days and workshops for farmers held in recent years is one way Council is working together with the community to reduce its impact on the natural environment and adapt to climate change for a sustainable future.

The field day is supported by Tweed Shire Council, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

Community spirit at Tweed Eco Festival

Community members from across the Tweed joined in the fun at the Tweed Eco Festival at Knox Park in Murwillumbah last weekend.

Council’s program leader for climate change and sustainability Debbie Firestone coordinated the event and was pleased to see the benefits people gained from the event.

“It was a beautiful day, with around 500 people joining us throughout the day for music, markets, a chance to gather and an opportunity to share knowledge,” Ms Firestone said.

“We’ve had great feedback from the community so far and were pleased to be able to bring an event like this to the community after a tough year in our region.

“Interestingly, three-quarters of people who filled in the event survey hadn’t attended Council’s previous sustainable living events before so it was great to see new people in the community embarking on a climate-ready journey.

“People were inspired to take action on ideas ranging from being more

grounded and culturally connected to country, looking after themselves for better mental health, being better fire and flood prepared, boosting backyard gardens for veggies, wildlife and bees, planting the right trees for local biodiversity, saving water and using the right bins.

“One comment that summed up the day from an attendee was that they felt stronger from being part of a larger community. Together we’re supporting each other and making a difference.”

“We appreciate our project partners including the NSW State Emergency Services (SES), Australian Red Cross and NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) for supporting the event, as well as the stallholders, speakers and performers who made it a great success.”

The Tweed Eco Festival was a one-off event to help people take action to be ready for natural hazards, reduce their environmental footprint and work together for a sustainable future. The event was made possible by grant funding from the Australian Government.

See images and a video from the event on Council’s Facebook page at facebook.com/tweedshirecouncil

Update on Anchorage Island Harbour boardwalk repair

The first section of work on the Jetties Boardwalk at Anchorage Island Harbour is now complete and work on the remaining sections will re-commence in January 2023.

The timber sub-structure of the jetties has been found to be in worse condition than was anticipated and will require additional materials to be purchased to allow completion.

Work on the Jetties Boardwalk is expected to be completed in March 2023 at which point repairs will commence on the Rotunda Boardwalk, the final stage of the project.

Fencing will be erected to ensure the site is safe and Council asks the community to avoid the area until work is complete.

Further information about the project is on the Your Say Tweed project page at yoursaytweed.com.au/anchorage-islands

Boardwalk.

Tweed takes out top state planning award

Tweed Shire Council’s planning team has taken top honours at the prestigious 2022 NSW Awards for Planning Excellence, receiving the President’s Award and a Commendation in the Planning for Country category.

The awards – announced at the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) gala event in Sydney recently - were received in recognition of the launch earlier this year of Council’s inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Town Planner Development Program.

Inspired by Melbourne-based Indigenous architect Jefa Greenaway, the program was developed in collaboration with Griffith University and the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council and aims to increase the number of First Nations town planners in the Tweed and ultimately, Australia.

Under the program, successful First Nations students studying town planning at Griffith University are awarded a scholarship towards their tuition, as well as paid work experience equivalent to one day a week during their studies in Council’s planning division.

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is the peak national body representing town planning and the planning profession in Australia and represents approximately 5,000 members nationally and internationally.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Town Planner Career Development Program is supported by Griffith University’s GUMURRII Student Success Unit and the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council.

For more information, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/town-planner-program and www.tweed.nsw.gov.au//media-releases

Registrations are essential and places are limited. To find out more or register, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/agriculture-farming

Free family fun day this Saturday

A free family fun day will be held this Saturday 19 November from 10 am to 12 pm at Recreation Ground, corner of Florence and Recreation Streets, Tweed Heads.

The event will include a barbecue, kids’ activities and an opportunity for residents to share their ideas on the proposed design of the new park. Share your feedback on the draft concept plan or register for the free event at yoursaytweed.com.au/recreationground

Park upgrades like these provide the Tweed community with more opportunities to be active and healthy, while building a vibrant community to live in and visit.

Tweed

Many local kids got involved with an interactive mural installation during the Tweed Eco Festival adding their own ideas for creating an even more climate-resilient community.

Substructure and new deck on the first landing section of the Jetties

Council's Planning Director Vince Connell with newly-appointed student town planner Charlize Appo, who is the first recipient of the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Town Planner Development Program.

The field day for Tweed farmers will be hosted at a property at Pumpenbil, part of a larger project to build drought-resilient beef and dairy farms in the Tweed.

Flood recovery update 16 November

Flood Property Assessment team visits Tweed

The NSW Government’s Flood Property Assessment team and Resilience NSW will be visiting Tweed on Thursday.

The team can assist residents, businesses and primary producers with accessing:

• a free property assessment, including an inspection report and repair schedule with estimated costs, • if required, an electrical make safe and structural inspection, • free property demolition if applicable and only with the property owners consent and

• Disaster Relief

Grant

The team will be at the Chinderah Tavern carpark, Chinderah Bay Drive, Chinderah from 9 am – 3:30 pm.

The property assessment program is being delivered by the Johns Lyng Group, a building company specialised in disaster recovery. You can also register for the program by calling 13 77 88 or by visiting: service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/register-flood-property-assessmentprogram

Chinderah Donation Hub

The Chinderah Donation Hub is now open at 23/18 Ozone Street, Chinderah, in the Chinderah Industrial Estate (Behind the BP Service Centre, located between Supaloc and Chinderah Motors. The Hub is open Monday – Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Services available include:

• Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre Recovery Support Service (RSS) are onsite Mondays from 9am

• Social Futures are onsite Tuesday from 10am

• Murwillumbah Community Centre are onsite Wednesdays 2 pm – 4 pm – offering counselling/financial counselling

• Service NSW onsite Thursdays 9-4pm for grant support and applications

• Frozen meals are available Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm

The Hub will accept donations delivered up until 4 pm.

Due to the amount to limited space available, the hub is only

accepting new small household items, electrical goods and bedding as well as toiletries and non-perishable food items. Due to limited space, no furniture can be accepted.

There are meeting rooms available plus a toilet onsite.

The Hub will close for the Christmas/New Year break with the last day Thursday 22 December. This will also be Service NSW’s last day on site.

The Chinderah Donation Hub will be closed from the Friday 23 December, reopening on Monday, 16 January.

Scenic Drive

Contractor Australian Marine and Civil Pty Ltd (AMC), continues work on the major slip site on Scenic Drive with sections one and two now up to full height.

AMC is currently working on the site B stage 3 footing which included pouring of concrete and the laying of blocks.

The next stage of work, after completing the retaining structure, will involve the construction of pavements, kerb and guttering and then batter works.

On the eastern slip, site A, foundation works have commenced and this will be followed by building the retaining structure.

Once this is completed, work will then commence on pavement works, kerb and guttering, batter works, lighting and the installation of guard rails.

The road is open with a temporary one lane access to all vehicles under traffic control. There is no footpath or pedestrian access.

AMC’s original time schedule is planned for all works to be completed by the end of March 2023.

Given good progress to date, work is highly likely to be finalised earlier (weather permitting).

Council will continue to provide updates as more information comes to hand.

For more information on these and other repairs, visit www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/flood-recovery-works

For other flood recovery progress and news visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/flood-recovery-update

Captain Cook Memorial and Lighthouse upgrade

A $6.1 million project to upgrade the Point Danger lookout precinct and Marine Rescue NSW headquarters is set to start in mid-November.

Captain Cook Memorial and Lighthouse will be closed while Council builds a safer and better space for Marine Rescue NSW and visitors to Point Danger Lookout.

To allow for construction, pedestrian access to the precinct will be restricted throughout the works and here will be fewer parking spaces in the northern car park. However, you can still sit and enjoy the views

from the nearby grassed areas.

Weather permitting, the project remains on track to be completed by the end of September 2023.

This project is jointly funded by Tweed Shire Council, City of Gold Coast and 3 NSW Government funds: Restart NSW Regional Growth –Environment and Tourism Fund, Office of Environment and Heritage and Cross Border Commissioner’s Infrastructure Fund.

Visit yoursaytweed.com.au/captain-cook-memorial for more information.

Weed Biosecurity: what does it mean and how can we all play a part?

In NSW, the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 has been replaced by The Biosecurity Act 2015. Under the Act we all have a shared responsibility to report weed biosecurity threats. Biosecurity risks pose a threat to our economy, community or environment. Weed biosecurity categorizes weeds into levels of risk, such as whether a landowner needs to prevent, eradicate or contain a risk.

Weeds that need to be prevented are weeds that are not yet in the area and have the potential for significant harm. Weeds that need to be eradicated are weeds that are here but still in low enough numbers and through early intervention can be eradicated. The community play an important part in weed biosecurity and can identify and raise biosecurity concerns so that officers can accurately map and gauge the spread of certain weed species.

There are three simple ways everyone can enact their biosecurity responsibility:

1. If you see an unfamiliar weed or have identified a priority weed report it immediately.

2. Think about what is growing in your own backyard. Minimise the risk of weed spread on your property and off. Learn the species that are local to you, and think twice before giving cuttings to a friend. Find out first whether the plant is a weed.

3. Manage biosecurity risks on your land. Set up a 7-day quarantine paddock for livestock or other animals before release. Be mindful of the spread of weed seed through any means (human, animal, machinery).

Rous County Council is your local control authority. Contact us today to report priority weeds. For further information on priority weeds go to rous.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 6623 3800.

Never take the risk with asbestos

As November is National Asbestos Awareness Month, Council is urging the community to think smart and stay safe when it comes to renovating, with dangerous asbestos still found in thousands of homes across the region.

With at least one in three homes built in Australia before 1990 containing asbestos, Council is urging residents to always book a licensed professional to do an asbestos sample test or to consider purchasing an asbestos testing kit before making a start on any renovation works.

Asbestos test kits are available to purchase from the front desk at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre for $53.50.

For more information about asbestos management, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/Asbestos or call (02) 6670 2400. Testing kits are available for purchase at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre.

To get a licence and a list of removalists, please contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or visit safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/asbestos

Proposed naming of roads in subdivision

In accordance with section 162(1) of the Roads Act 1993 , Council gives notice that it proposes to name the roads dedicated in a plan of subdivision of Lot 1 DP601049 & Lot 1 DP1084992 (DA06/0897) in Tanglewood, Tweed Shire as shown below:

• Emerald Mountain View

A period of 15 working days from the date of this notice is allowed for any person to lodge a written objection to the proposed naming. Any objections should state clearly the reasons for such objections. Objections should be addressed to the General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816, Murwillumbah, 2484 or tsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au

Please note that under the provisions of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 , such submissions may be referred to third parties for consideration.

Submissions close: 5pm, 7 December 2022

Council Ref: PN: 102394

Enquiries: Emily Rockliff, Technical Officer - Property, Phone 02 6670 2400 or visit yoursaytweed.com.au

Screenshot of Invasion Curve video - paper people find a weed.

For assistance in identifying a weed or to report a weed go to rous.nsw.gov.au/report-a-weed or call us on 02 6623 3800.

Level 4, 218–232 Molesworth Street, Lismore NSW 2480

PO Box 230, Lismore NSW 2480

T 02 6623 3800

E council@rous.nsw.gov.au

W www.rous.nsw.gov.au

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

DA22/0493 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including first storey addition

Lot 210 DP 1202098, No. 20 Central Park Lane, Casuarina

DA22/0448 - Dwelling with attached garage Lot 21 DP 1129136, No. 71-73 McLeod Street, Condong

DA22/0426 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling

Lot 2 DP 702719, No. 799 Numinbah Road, Crystal Creek

DA22/0243 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including patio roof

Lot 4 DP 716143, No. 355 Reserve Creek Road, Kielvale

DA22/0090 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling Lot 1 DP 597802, No. 12 Secret Lane, Kings Forest

DA22/0429 - Roof over existing deck

Lot 1 SP 15931, Unit 1/No. 28 Gibson Street, Kingscliff

DA21/0851 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including swimming pool and deck

Lot 9 DP 9487, No. 19 Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah

DA22/0597 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling Lot 12 DP 253421, No. 35 Tombonda Road, Murwillumbah

DA22/0136 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including deck and front fence

Lot 15 DP 249208, No. 83 Elanora Avenue, Pottsville

DA22/0150 - Carport

Lot 122 DP 1045822, No. 1 Nowra Street, Pottsville

DA22/0550 - 2.1 m high timber boundary fence

Lot 1DP 1266335, No. 106 Companion Way, Tweed Heads

DA22/0627 - In-ground swimming pool

Lot A DP 394080, No. 6 Brett Street, Tweed Heads

DA22/0559 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling Lot 66 DP 253035, No. 1 Perch Place, 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

Notice of public hearing for Planning Proposal

Council has exhibited a planning proposal (PP21/0003) which seeks to reclassify 6 land parcels from community to operational including: Land acquired for Clarrie Hall Dam raising:

• Lots 2 and 3 DP 1243701, Jacana Lane, Doon Doon

• Lot 4 DP 1243701, 17 Lone Pine Road, Doon Doon

• Lot 2 DP 1257191, Doon Doon Road, Doon Doon

Sunnyside open public carpark: Lot 1 DP 709231 at 5 King Street, Murwillumbah

Public reserve (unformed carpark) in Bogangar: Lot 3 DP842350, 104 Rosewood Ave, Bogangar.

A public hearing is required for any Planning Proposal that reclassifies public land from community to operational land.

Public Hearing 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Wednesday 30 November 2022

Harvard Room, Tweed Shire Council Administration Office 21 Brett Street Tweed Heads NSW 2485.

Registrations essential.

Visit www.yoursaytweed.com.au/6-lots-operational to register. The hearing will be chaired by an independent facilitator.

Road closures

Kingscliff Triathlon – Sunday 20 November 2022

Race starts 6:15 am and finishes 12:30 pm

Roads closed Sunday 20 November – Marine Parade from Moss Street to Seaview Street Roundabout (5 am to 12:30 pm), Marine Parade from Seaview Street roundabout to Wommin Bay Road (5:30 to 11 am), Wommin Bay Road from Marine Parade to Chinderah Bay Drive and along to Chinderah Village Caravan Park (5 to 11 am), Pearl Street southbound from Turnock Street to Seaview Street (6 to 11 am), Moss Street from Marine Parade to Sutherland Point Road (5 am to 12:30 pm), Cudgen Creek Boardwalk from Salt to creek mouth (6 am to 12:30 pm). Visit kingsclifftri.org or contact the team on 02 8507 0796

Current vacancies

View current vacancies at tweed.nsw.gov.au/job-vacancies

Free family fun day this Saturday

A free family fun day will be held this Saturday 19 November from 10 am to 12 pm at Recreation Ground, corner of Florence and Recreation Streets, Tweed Heads.

The event will include a barbecue, kids’ activities and an opportunity for residents to share their ideas on the proposed design of the new park.

Share your feedback on the draft concept plan or register for the free event at yoursaytweed.com.au/recreationground Park upgrades like these provide the Tweed community with more opportunities to be active and healthy, while building a vibrant community to live in and visit.

Modification application for public comment

SECTION 4.55(1A)

The following Section 4.55(1A) application has been received by the Tweed Shire Council and may be viewed on Council’s DA Tracking site located at datracker.tweed.nsw.gov.au for a period of fourteen (14) days from Wednesday 16 November 2022 to Wednesday 30 November 2022. The proposal is not designated development and the Tweed Shire Council is the consent authority.

Applicant Location

Granada Productions Pty Ltd. Part Lot 77 DP 755715; Dungay Creek Road Dungay; Part Lot 74 DP 755715; No. 366 Dungay Creek Road Dungay; Lot 93 DP 755715; No. 486 Dungay Creek Road Dungay.

Proposal File No.

DA02/1983.21

Amendment to Development Consent DA02/1983 for use of property for filming and producing a television program.

Proposed modification

• To modify Condition 1F to permit the use to continue for a further 12 months until 1 June 2024.

• To alter the BBQ room including installation of two new roof beams, and internal wall linings.

Any person may, during the period specified above, make a submission in writing to Council in relation to the Modification Application. Where a submission is in the form of an objection, then the grounds of objection are required to be specified.

In accordance with Clause 117 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021, there is no right of appeal under Section 8.8 of the Act by an objector.

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.

Please note: Requirements regarding Disclosure of Political Gifts and Donations

A disclosure is required to be made in a statement accompanying the relevant development or planning application by a person who makes the application. In addition, a person who makes a written submission either objecting to or supporting a relevant development or planning application must also make a disclosure if the person has made a reportable political donation.

Further information regarding Donations and Gift Disclosure are available on Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/development-applications

Council Meeting agenda – Thursday 17 November 2022

The Council Meeting Agenda for Thursday 17 November 2022 is available on Council's website tweed.nsw.gov.au/council-meetings. The meeting will be held at the Harvard Room, Tweed Heads Administration Building, Brett Street, Tweed Heads commencing at 3 pm.

Agenda

Reports for consideration

5.1 Confirmation of Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meetings held Thursday 27 October 2022 and Thursday 3 November 2022

8.1 Schedule of Outstanding Resolutions at 7 November 2022

9.1 Mayoral Minute for October 2022

10.1 Receipt of Petitions as at 7 November 2022

11 Orders of the day

11.1 NOR - Cr Brinsmead, Cr Owen and Cr Polglase - Development Application DA22/0325 for a change of use to dual use (Serviced Apartments and Shop Top Housing) of units 215 - 218, 333, 334, 335 & 338 at Lot 14 SP 69243; No. 14/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 15 SP 69243; No. 15/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 16 SP 69243; No. 16/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 17 SP 69243; No. 17/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 32 SP 69243; No. 32/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 33 SP 69243; No. 33/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 34 SP 69243; No. 34/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 37 SP 69243; No. 37/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; SP 69243; No. 78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff

11.2 NOM - Cr Owen - Development Application DA22/0325 for a change of use to dual use (Serviced Apartments and Shop Top Housing) of units 215 - 218, 333, 334, 335 & 338 at Lot 14 SP 69243; No. 14/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 15 SP 69243; No. 15/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 16 SP 69243; No. 16/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 17 SP 69243; No. 17/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 32 SP 69243; No. 32/7880 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 33 SP 69243; No. 33/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 34 SP 69243; No. 34/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; Lot 37 SP 69243; No. 37/78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff; SP 69243; No. 78-80 Marine Parade Kingscliff

11.3 NOM - Cr Firth - Extension of Climate Change Action Plan

15 Reports from the General Manager

15.1 Tweed Kenya Mentoring Program 2022 Annual Report

16 Reports from the Director Planning and Regulation

16.1 Development Application DA21/0071 for alterations and additions to an existing club (Cudgen Leagues Club refurbishment) at Lot 11 DP 830660, Lot 3 DP 591720 No. 7 Bradshaw Place, Kingscliff; Lot 12 LP 1143311 Wommin Bay Road, Kingscliff 17 Reports from the Director Sustainable Communities and Environment 17.1 Report on the potential for establishment of a funding mechanism for large scale regenerative landscape management 17.2 Acceptance of Grants: Tweed and Kyogle Community on Feral Deer Alert 18 Reports from the Director Engineering 18.1 Proposed Classification of Land - Lots 11-16 Section 14 DP2974 (91-95 River Street, South Murwillumbah) 18.2 Section 7.11 Contribution Plan No. 32 – Heavy Haulage (CP32)Adoption 19 Reports from the Director Corporate Services 19.1 Quarterly Budget Review - September 2022 19.2 2021/2022 Annual Report 19.3 Annual Financial Statements as at 30 June 2022 19.4 Special Rate Variation Application 2023/24 19.5 Draft Tweed Regional Economic Development Strategy - Review 19.6 Tweed Tourism Company (DR Tourism Pty Ltd) - June 2022 Quarterly Report 19.7 Compliments and Complaints Analysis Report for period 1 July30 September 2022 19.8 Council Policy Review 19.9 Monthly Investment Report for Period ending 31 October 2022 21 Reports from

Share your thoughts about a proposed design for an upgrade of Recreation Ground, Tweed Heads.

Jewellery store ram raid

By Jo Kennett

THE SEARCH is on by Tweed Police to catch a pair of thieves who ram raided a popular Tweed Heads South shopping centre on Sun day, November 13, and took off with jewellery.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward from about 5am on Sunday, November 13, when a grey Hyundai Santa Fe drove to the top floor of Tweed City Shopping Centre on Minjungbal Drive.

CCTV footage showed a male and female exiting the car and smashing the windows of the shopping centre entrance.

The pair returned to the vehicle and drove through glass sliding doors into the centre.

Tweed-Byron Police Detective Chief Inspector Brendon Cullen said that police were called to the centre in response to reports of a break-in.

“On arrival the centre doors had been smashed in and a store within the centre had been broken into,” Ch Insp Cullen told The Weekly.

“It appears they used the car to break into the store.

“They took a quantity of jewellery, but we don’t know the value of that.”

Police established a crime scene at the centre

which was forensically examined.

“It was a male and female and we believe the vehicle they were driving, a grey Hyundai Sante Fe registration 124 WVU,” Ch Insp Cullen said.

“It had been stolen earlier in the evening from Waterford in Queensland (a suburb of Logan city) and had stolen plates put on it.

“That Santa Fe was found burnt out at Tam borine Mountain the same morning, at the intersection of Beaudesert Beenleigh Road and Waterford Tamborine Road

“They could have been picked up there.”

Ch Insp Cullen said they are looking for a male who was wearing a high visibility shirt and a dark hoodie at the time of the ram raid and a female who was wearing a grey hoodie and a face covering.

“We are appealing to anyone who has seen them prior to, during or after the incident,” he said.

“Queensland Police are investigating as well.”

The Weekly contacted Tweed City Shopping Centre management for a response but hadn’t heard back before the print deadline.

Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information on the incident to come forward and contact Tweed Heads Police or Crime Stop pers on 1800 333 000.

Vehicle hits power pole

TWEED POLICE are appealing to the public for information and dash cam footage of an accident at Tweed Heads on November 8.

Police said at about 12.30pm that Tuesday, an unknown vehicle, which police suspect to be a larger vehicle, collided with a power pole on the eastern side of Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, between Kirkwood Road and Blundell Boulevard.

The vehicle failed to stop and continued south. If anyone in the community has information, dash cam or CCTV footage of the incident, please contact Tweed Heads Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The police report event number is E91807956.

Accommodation support after storms and floods

If your home has been damaged in the floods you may be able to live in a caravan on your property.

The NSW Government at-home caravan program will provide you with a temporary caravan.

This means you can live on-site while your home is repaired and will help you stay connected to your neighbours and community.

To find out if you’re eligible for the at-home caravan program and start the application process today. Visit nsw.gov.au/caravan

Did you witness this accident? Tell police

Tweed Police have released footage of the thieves entering the store

Petition to bypass Council

By Jo Kennett

A PETITION has been launched to try to take development application (DA) approvals out of the hands of Tweed Shire Council and onto a state “planning admin istrator” to speed up DA determinations — however mystery surrounds its instigator.

The petition was launched on November 9 by “Distressed Citizen” and had 133 signatures by November 15 with many citing the stress of rising costs and interest rates as they wait for DAs to be completed as their reason for signing.

The petitioner requests the NSW gov ernment: “Enter into mediation with the Tweed Shire Councillors on a collaborative approach to the DA approval backlog and ongoing DA process; and ‘Appoint a “planning administrator”, with the intent to remove the approval process out of the hands of the current sitting Councillors, to expedite and streamline the current DA process.”

The petition was shared and ‘boosted’ on social media by the Tweed Chamber of Commerce, which is chaired by Tweed Shire Councillor Warren Polglase. The Weekly spoke to Cr Polglase who said he stepped out of the meeting discussing the petition because of his role with Council.

Secretary of the Tweed Chamber of Commerce Peter Sibilant said he did not know who started the petition but said local businesses were suffering over the delays.

“We were only made aware of it when we saw it had been out for a week and didn’t have much impact,” Mr Sibilant said.

“It may be someone with a DA in and a lot of it is frustration but after a lot of noise it has made very little impact.”

Mr Sibilant said the board of the cham

ber voted to pay to boost the petition on social media so it would reach more viewers.

“The ultimate goal is to have the process streamlined whether it’s Planning NSW or Council,” Mr Sibilant said.

“Applications were getting sent back for minor changes and that has been part of the problem, particularly with inexperi enced town planners.

“Apparently it has something to do with NSW Planning and it’s affecting a lot of Council’s around NSW.

“It’s also a lack of builders and building materials and with interest rates going up it’s made it really hard for people.”

Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry told The Weekly that she was “extremely dis appointed that the Tweed Chamber of Commerce thought this was an appro priate petition to share.”

“People across our Shire are very pas sionate about wanting to ensure their voice is heard and represented as our Shire grows and the suggestion to bring in an Administrator to deal with planning deci sions, right at a time of increased growth would take away any power the commu nity has to locally control how we grow into the future,” she told The Weekly.

“I don’t think that is what our commu nity wants.

“I hope that the Chamber will reconsider their support for the petition.

“People need to recognise that Coun cillors actually only deal with less than 2.5 per cent of planning determinations.

“The ones we get handed to us are the grey ones. The ones where there can be merit argued either side and a merit judge ment needs to be made.

“They are often the controversial ones where we have received a lot of submis

sions against it, or ones that may set a precedent into the future.

“I, and all my fellow Councillors, ago nise long and hard about these decisions because we have to look at both sides of the decision and weigh up the implications for our community into the future.”

The Director Planning and Regulation Vince Connell said there had been a jump of about 20 per cent in DA numbers from pre-COVID, mostly because of govern ment policies “to maintain the construc tion industry as the primary economic driver through the COVID period.”

He also cited climate disasters, COVID disruption and building industry problems as contributing to delays “across all sec tors, not just local councils.”

Mr Connell said prior to COVID Tweed Shire Council was well below the state average (around 60-80 days) but currently has an average DA determination time of 151 days, which is less than Ballina (158), Byron (176) and many other large metro councils.

He said Council was prioritising “the resolution of longstanding DAs in the system” and has been working to speed up DA determinations, seeking a more immediate response to outstanding in formation from applicants of major DAs, “and in some cases providing the option to either withdraw the application or face a refusal.”

“This approach has had some success in clearing out a number of problematic and deficient applications,” he said.

Mr Connell said new systems have been implemented to speed up single dwelling DA approvals and assist flood victims, and a new DA supervisor has been appointed to focus on streamlining the process.

Second Hand Saturday is on

OVER THE next two weekends on Saturday, November 19 and Saturday, November 26, the Tweed Shire garage sale scene will be buzzing for the return of Second Hand Saturday.

There are already 94 garage sales registered across the Tweed with items ranging from camping gear, furniture, antiques and pre-loved children’s treasures right up to vehicle sales.

Jeanette from Chinderah will host two Second Hand Satur day garage sales on November 19 and 26, with one-of-a-kind treasures. She’s going ahead come rain or shine with everything set up undercover.

“I’m 88 years old and have been an avid collector of antiques all my life, however it’s time to move some of my treasures on to others who are looking for something special or who collect antiques themselves,” she said.

“I have beautiful antique figurines, china and lots of furniture, and for those musical collectors, an antique instrument.”

This year, there are also plenty of joint garage sales listed, with more than 60 per cent of the sales involving friends, neighbours and family getting together to sell their wares and promote reuse.

Use the Second Hand Saturday phone application for free via Second Hand Saturday on your device.

Alternatively, check the Second Hand Saturday Facebook page @mysecondhandsaturday and website secondhandsatur day.com.au.

Registrations for the second Saturday (November 26) will remain open until Friday, November 18.

The weather forecast, at the time of print, is for clear condi tions this weekend.

Chinderah resident Jeanette getting ready for the big event

Dog owners fined

By Jo Kennett

MORE THAN 50 fines have been issued in the past two weeks by Tweed Shire Council rangers, for people walking their dogs off leash as part of a behavioural change program.

Fines have been issued at various locations where dogs should be on-leash at Fingal Head, Kingscliff, Casuarina, Hastings Point, Pottsville and Wooyung.

Rangers also found that a large number of dog owners had out-of-date registration.

Council announced the Take the Lead pro gram last month, saying they had run trials about what kind of things would encourage people to keep their dogs on leads, particularly in high conservation areas with vulnerable spe cies like Tweed Coast beaches and bushlands.

Project Officer for Wildlife Protection at Tweed Shire Council, Emily Clarke, said that their trials showed people were more likely to keep their dog on a lead if they think they will get fined.

The fine for each dog found off-leash in an on-leash only area is $330 per dog.

“So if there are three you could be fined $990,” Council coastal ranger Wayne Haayer said at the time the program was announced.

“That money is better off in your pocket than Council’s.”

The trial also showed that people needed more information about where off-leash beaches were located.

Council introduced a QR code on our ‘dog gy hubs’ to take people straight to the online

mapping so they can see exactly where the off-leash areas are.

Find out where these are use Council’s inter active map: https://fal.cn/3td8y

To update your information such as changes of address, transfer of ownership, or to register your pooch, visit https://fal.cn/3td8z

EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to clean up after vandals tipped oil all over playground equipment at East Banora on Saturday, No vember 12.

Banora Point firefighters responded to reports of ‘malicious damage’ at the Wilson Park play ground during the early afternoon.

Fire and Rescue Banora Point Deputy Captain Jamie Bowe said a “substantial amount of used motor oil” had been poured over playground equipment “and throughout the vicinity”.

“It looked like it was vandalism but it was just everywhere,” Jamie told The Weekly.

“I’d estimate about 20 litres of oil was spread around.

“Police received a report about it during the day and there were no witnesses.”

Tweed Police cordoned off the area while firefighters used absorbent material to soak up the spilled oil.

Tweed Shire Council were notified of the in cident so the park could be properly cleaned and reopened.

If you have used oil that needs disposing of, this can be done at Stotts Creek Resource Re covery Centre.

Up to 20 litres can be disposed of for free.

Housing relief fund a major win after flood

By Jonathon Howard

A COLLECTIVE sigh of relief has been felt by dozens of flood-impacted residents across the Tweed Shire as the Resilient Homes Fund was announced earlier this month.

The fund unlocks millions of dollars in buy back and retrofitting funds expected to be paid out over the next 12 months or more.

Dozens of residents gathered at the Murwil lumbah Services Club on Tuesday, November 8, to hear from members of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Commission (NRRC) around how the program will be enacted.

The relief is expected to roll out slowly and the NRRC were reluctant to put any specific dates on payments and stressed that a thorough process was their top priority.

The Weekly put several questions to the NRRC post meeting, including when the first homeowner is expected to receive a payout, and whether the government will provide an update on the completed payments as they are processed?

A spokesperson for the NRRC said about 6,000 Northern Rivers homeowners are eligible to receive assistance from the Resilient Homes Program, “which will offer home retrofitting, home raising and home buy-backs”.

“Of the 6,000 eligible homeowners, approxi mately 2,000 homeowners will be eligible for a home buy-back,” the NRRC spokesperson said.

“The others will either be eligible for retrofit ting or home raising.

“The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Cor poration will start contacting registered home owners this week (November 9) and case man agers will progressively reach out to registered homeowners, prioritising homes in highest flood risk areas and speaking with the most

severely impacted homeowners first.

“Resilient Homes Program information ses sion schedules and booking details are available at www.nsw.gov.au/NRRC.”

NRRC said it will assign a case manager to each eligible homeowner and case managers will reach out to eligible homeowners from November onwards.

The NRRC case manager will offer one of the three streams to an eligible homeowner: home retrofitting, home raising and home buybacks.

“The offers are based on property assess ments, which consider a property’s future flood risk, safety risks and measures that can improve resilience and recovery when future floods occur,” NRRC said in a media statement.

“Case managers will discuss individual cir cumstances with each eligible homeowner.”

YOUR THOUGHTS: Are you part of the buy back scheme? The Weekly would love to hear your thoughts. Please send an email to the editor via: editor@theweekly.net.au, or phone 0447 300 258.

Kathryn

Funding relief was announced earlier this month

call McKenzie home.

and

our residents enjoy, you’ll want to call McKenzie home.

By Brad Nardi

NOVEMBER IS traditionally a slow er month for many tourism destina tions, in what can be described a lull before the summer (and Christmas) trading commences. As destination managers, we continually look to support targeted strategies in these lower periods.

In the past month our team has had several important projects come to fruition including being the desti nation partner for Australia’s first Wellness Tourism Summit, and the convention and gala awards host partner for Australia’s peak body of travel writing professionals.

Not only have these projects provid ed a direct injection into our econ omy, but each has attracted grant funding from state and federal gov ernment agencies, and they addition ally have both had a wider tourism benefit, positioning the region for future prosperity.

In the past week, it has been the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) annual convention that we have hosted.

Founded in 1975, the ASTW is a

not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting eth ical and honest travel writing, with members predominantly including travel editors, travel journalists, and digital pub lishers.

This has been an aware ness-generating publicity project two years in the making, with our team first pitching for and winning the right to host this respected group in 2020.

Following cancellations in 2021 due to Omicron, the anticipation had been building for some time.

Over 120 respected travel industry figures experienced a welcome event at Husk Distillery, a media appoint ment marketplace, the conference program itself and a gala awards evening all here in the Tweed. There were immersion zones every step of the way to showcase local business es and experiences, including at the welcome event, during convention breaks and also at morning wellness activities to provide that Tweed spark.

If all of that wasn’t enough, we host ed a familiarisation tour program for 65 travel media in 10 separate groups, each with their own bespoke itinerary created to a defined theme (country characters, coastal flavours, family fun, etc).

The comprehensive famils program

bookended the convention, creating a full week of touring, experiencing, and immersing in the Tweed, taking our travel media guests to every cor ner of our region — and they loved it (I’m also loving getting inundated by ‘thank you’ letters).

I’m incredibly proud of our team here at TTC and our region.

We’re thrilled that we’ve been able to put so many local businesses front and centre with this important co hort, and we couldn’t have done it without the generosity of our local businesses. They have hosted, fed, ac commodated and brought the Tweed experience to life.

A massive thank you to you all in volved for supporting the initiative, and thanks also goes to both Desti nation NSW and Tourism Australia for supporting the event with grant assistance.

From this positive base, we’re look ing ahead to the school holiday and summer trading seasons and hopeful ly all local businesses will have cause for much optimism this November and beyond.

Recruitment Day

dedicated skin cancer doctors

Some of Australia's best travel writers converged on the Tweed Shire recently

Nativity Tableau

By Jonathon Howard

FAMILIES ARE being invited back for the first public viewing in three years of the iconic Christmas Carnival and Nativity Tableau at Mt Saint Patrick Primary School in conjunc tion with Sacred Heart Church on Saturday, November 26.

This year is expected to be extra special with staff and students putting the finishing touches on the birth of Jesus story, which will include narration, choir, a band, glow candles and carols.

Year 6 primary school students (pictured be low) will take to the stage as the tableau actors and there will be a combined choir and band

for the music.

The Mt St Patrick College carnival and nativ ity play has been held since 1961 to celebrate the start of the Advent season and share the story of Jesus’ birth in a tableau format.

Students from three schools — Mt St Patrick Primary, St Josephs Primary and Mt St Patrick College — are all involved in the presentation of the story of Jesus’ birth.

The Christmas Carnival, held in conjunction with the tableau, is a fete with a variety of stalls and food and drinks available.

The Christmas Carnival stalls and activities will open from 4pm and the Nativity Tableau will commence onstage at approximately 7pm.

Lincoln Weaver (Herod), Will Grant (blue king), Willow Seamer (Mary), Lucia Calvino (red king), Caitlin O'Grady (yellow king), Golda Biles (angel), Darcy Bush (Joseph), Tim Wellm (inn keeper)

Kingscliff to host biggest triathlon

By Yvonne Gardiner

MORE THAN 1,500 athletes are training to take part in the biggest Kingscliff Triathlon post-COVID.

The triathlon takes place this Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20.

The event grew significantly from its inaugural event in 2010 until November 2019, hosting state championships and world qualifier events. Then it had to be postponed twice due to COVID and three times during the recent flooding disaster in the Tweed.

Race director Kevin Pready says Kingscliff has long been a sought-after triathlon destination, with athletes travelling from across Queensland and New South Wales to compete.

There’s an opportunity for all ages and abil ities to compete.

Along with an Olympic Distance event, en trants have a number of choices like the Sprint, Tempta, Pinky, Aquabike, kids’ or teams’ race.

“With a sold-out event, our athletes are look ing forward to coming back and supporting the local community after what we know has been a tough year,” Kevin said.

“Spectators are welcome, with great viewing points to enjoy with your morning coffee at the cafes along Marine Parade.”

Twin Towns Triathlon Club offers a perpetual trophy to the winner of the Kingscliff Triathlon Olympic distance event, in memory of former member Nev Salmon.

Club president Chris Watt said Nev was fa tally injured in a traffic accident in 2010 while riding his bike.

He was involved in the Kingscliff Chamber of Commerce and the local RSL and surf club.

“Nev was passionate about bike safety and always looked for ways to make triathlon safer for the participants,” Chris said.

This weekend will be a community affair, with more than 200 local workers and community groups banding together to put on the event.

Kevin said the event was expected to raise funds in excess of $9350 for local community groups.

These groups include the Kingscliff Rotary Club, Pottsville and District Men’s Shed, Rotary Club of Banora-Tweed, Gold Coast Dragons, Tweed Coast Dragons, Cudgen Surf Life Saving Club, and Tweed Valley Triathletes.

“Event organisers thank local residents and businesses for working with the event despite any inconvenience caused by road closures,” Kevin said.

For more details, visit www.kingsclifftri.org

RUN, RIDE, SWIM: It's Kingy Tri time!

Industry giant calls time

By Jonathon Howard

NEWLY-APPOINTED Tweed River

Jockey Club Chairman Damien Quinn is standing on the shoulders of a giant. His appointment comes after his father and local legend Bernie Quinn (OAM) announced his retirement as chairman after more than five decades.

Bernie is Australia’s longest serving chairman of any racing club, spanning 52 years of shaping the Tweed River Jockey Club (TRJC) into the thriving organisa tion we know and love today.

A special farewell luncheon took place at the TRJC on Saturday, November 12, attracting more than 200 guests from across the country and racing industry, along with family and friends.

All were eager to shower the great man in high praise, as well as recount a few cheeky stories from the past, many from his long career in car sales.

“When I took over in the ‘70s we had three races at the (Tweed River) Jockey Club,” Bernie said.

“Then at one point we grew this up to 33 races in a calendar year — a massive workload.”

Bernie recounted some of his fondest memories during his tenure, but it was his wife Margaret that received the high est praise.

“I have to acknowledge the extraordinary strength and commitment of my loving wife Margaret, who has worked behind the scenes for many years to make it to this point,” he said.

“I owe her a lot and she is deserving of the highest praise for putting up with me.”

While Damien enters the role with some trepidation, he will not be alone in what is expected to be a slow transition phase

as Bernie is eager to stay close to home.

“I’ll still be around — don’t you worry,” Bernie said with a smile.

“I plan on making sure the ship remains steady and expect to see me at the race meets.”

Damien brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the chair role and received a unanimous vote of support from the TRJC board.

He has also been on the board for the past nine years and believes his wealth of racing knowledge and mentorship from Bernie will aid in the transition.

“It’s a bit like following Bradman out to bat,” Damien told The Weekly.

“Dad leaves an amazing legacy and I’m proud to follow in his footsteps.

“It’s not going to be an easy task, but I’m up for the challenge and eager to get started.”

Messages of tribute have since been flow ing following Bernie’s retirement with many local business owners and individ uals wishing him well in retirement after a “job well done”.

Bernie wanted to pay tribute to the for mer chairman Pat Quan, who was TRJC chair for 27 years prior to his role as chair.

Bernie also wanted to thank the TRJC board, TRJC general manager Tim Booth, TRJC staff, owners, trainers and TRJC members.

“I’ve had some amazing staff over the decades including Brian Charman and Denise Banner,” he said.

“I just want everyone to know how thankful I am for their support and efforts in helping make the Tweed River Jockey Club what it is today.

“I’m sure under Damien’s chairmanship the board are in good hands.”

Tick antiserum in short supply

By Madeleine Murray

A MASSIVE increase in tick cases this year has caused a crit ical shortage of tick anti-toxin around the country and Tweed.

“The situation is very serious,” Dr Arjuna of Murwillumbah Veterinary Clinic told The Weekly.

“The demand is currently so high that we may run out com pletely in a few weeks.”

“Invest in tick prevention. Spot-ons and sprays are especially reliable.”

Pet owners have been advised to do everything possible to prevent their pet getting a tick bite.

Check pets daily for ticks, particularly after they have been outside.

“There is a misunderstanding that after you remove a tick, you can just sit and wait to see the effect,” Dr Arjuna said.

“You should treat a tick bite like a snake bite, and get the animal to a vet as soon as possible.

“Tick paralysis is only part of the problem. Ticks also cause respiratory issues.”

Dr Arjuna said there is no way of knowing when there would be enough serum again because it depends on the demand.

The wet weather has caused an explosion in tick cases.

Other ways to prevent ticks are to reduce tick habitat in the yard by mowing the lawn often and reducing leaf litter. Get rid of old mattresses, furniture and trash where ticks can hide. Keep your pet clipped.

QUINN FAMILY PHOTO: The mighty Bernie Quinn (OAM) has called time on a career that will not soon be forgotten. Inset is the TRJC life members (absent was Lang Lehfeldt and Les Polglase who sent their apologies)

Paralysis ticks are bad news says Dr Arjuna, but prevention is best

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Beltone Rely

AFTER AN unusually cool and very wet spring, North ern Rivers Cane Growers are making the most of the recent dry weather.

Most farms are behind sched ule, and we are very busy try ing to catch up.

Much of the recently plant ed cane has been very slow to germinate and there have been some crop losses due to frequent inundation and wa terlogging during September and October.

Ratoon crops are very slow as well. We believe the cane crop is still being affected by the major flooding events

earlier this year and has lost much of its root system’s nor mal vigour.

Large amounts of flood de bris are still being ‘discovered’ by harvester crews, sometimes too late to avoid damage to the harvester. This makes tedious work for all involved.

The harvest is now 80 per cent completed, with an ex pected finish at the start of De cember, weather permitting.

The final tonnage of Con dong’s crop should be around 350,000 tonnes of cane.

However, an additional 30,000 tonnes of cane were processed from the Richmond

River earlier in the season and a few thousand tonnes of cane may come from Rocky Point area in Queensland, because of that mill’s very late start due to severe power generation problems.

Small amounts of cane start ed coming from Rocky Point last week, but transport avail ability is a major constraint in carting cane from Rocky Point to Condong.

All NSW canegrowers will be glad to see the end of this very difficult year and we look for ward to a better year in 2023 — maybe.

After 140 years of operation, Condong Mill and the Tweed Sugar Industry under Sunshine Sugar will keep on keeping on. This is what Aussie farmers do.

Bye for now and all the best to Tweed Valley Weekly read ers. Rob Hawken

Early Christmas cheer!

By Jonathon Howard

TWEED HEADS resident Mark Perkins has recently helped a Tweed identity to deck out his tricycle with his favourite brand Castrol Racing.

Mr Perkins said he put in a few calls to Cas trol’s head office in Australia and the company was eager to oblige.

“I’ve seen Daniel Kidd cruising around Tweed Heads for many years and wanted to find a way to brighten up his bike with some new merchandise,” he said.

“Daniel is a great bloke and spends most of his day riding the tricycle with the flag hanging out the back.

“You will find him every morning parked at the traffic lights in front of the Tweed Heads Fire Station and down at the Dry Dock Road boat ramp.”

Mr Perkins noticed Daniel’s admiration for the Castrol Racing brand and wanted to see if the company could swing him a supporter’s pack.

“I spoke with Castrol about Daniel’s story and his tricycle,” he said.

“The head office was delighted with the story and happy to help with a free merchandise pack for him.”

Mr Perkins sprung the surprise as an early Christmas gift on Daniel last week and con tacted The Weekly to report the story.

“Daniel was blown away!” Mr Perkins said.

“He was delighted with the gift and fitted to his bike straight away.

“It’s great to make a local bloke’s day in the lead up to Christmas and thank you to Castrol for their prompt assistance.”

EARLY CHRISTMAS: Daniel Kidd picked up an early Christmas gift thanks to a

Castrol

Kingy school art show

By

IF YOU are looking for something great to do on Friday night, why not head down to the Kingscliff Community Hall at Rowan Atkinson Park and take in some of the amazing art by local school children.

The Kingscliff Public School Art Show is a collaboration between teachers, students and the Parents and Citizens Association (P&C).

The fundraising art show is being held on Friday, November 18, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Every student will have an artwork displayed and these will then be offered for pre-sale (via the Qkr! App) or on the evening of the show.

All artworks are priced at $10, with all mon ey going back to the school and students so donations to the P&C are welcome.

There will be artworks for sale by local Bund jalung artist Steven Bekue and there will be at least one collective artwork for sale.

These are large-scale artworks that have been produced by a class which will be put to a silent auction with the winner announced at 7pm on the night.

The Kingscliff Public School P&C co-presi dent Asha Lambert Patel said all the children have worked really hard on their pieces, “and they are just buzzing with excitement.”

“The art show is a fundraising and community event, this is a wonderful opportunity to bring the school and broader community together and

to celebrate the children, we are encouraging everyone to bring a picnic and spend time with the Kingscliff Primary School community,” co-president Angela Watson said.

The Kingscliff Public School Art Show is on at Kingscliff Community Hall, 81 Marine Parade, Kingscliff, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Friday, November 18.

Students to star in Schools Spectacular

The students will be performing with a group of regional students from across the state in a piece called ‘Creating the Magic’.

The very talented dancers will be attending the Schools Spectacular from November 23 to 26, at the Quodos Bank Arena, (formerly the Olympic Stadium), at Sydney Olympic Park. This year’s theme is You are not Magic. Students from year 8 to year 12 successfully auditioned for a spot in the combined dance ensemble.

Year 12 student Savannah Shepherd Juniel told The Weekly, “Schools Spectacular is an amazing opportunity and we are so excited we have been chosen to represent our school in Sydney. It’s such a great way to end a chal lenging year.”

The girls have attended two days of combined rehearsals with students from the Northern Rivers and have learned the finale via video link and remote rehearsals.

“Our girls are thrilled to be a part of this in credible celebration of dance, song and talent from across our state,” teacher Deirdre Roworth told The Weekly.

“This opportunity has given them a chance to engage in group work with students from other schools and has given them something to really look forward to, following a challenging few years.

“We can’t wait to watch them take to the stage in a few weeks time!”

EIGHT STUDENTS from Murwillumbah High School will be performing in the Secondary Combined Dance Ensemble this year.

Jo Kennett

By Madeleine Murray

Students working on their art to show at the Kingscliff Community Hall on Friday

Back row: Eva Tiffen, Felicity Gamble, Alice Cupitt, Ray Clark. Front row: Olivia Munro, Ellie Edwards, Lucinda Lacy and Savannah Shepherd Juniel.

Potty Party a roaring success

By Jo Kennett

THE BIG Potty Party was a massive success with crowds of people enjoying all the fun and games at the Pottsville Beach Sports Club to raise funds for the Levy family.

Skyler Levy has a brain injury acquired from cancer treatment and family friends

Jade Baratta and Jaclyn Ritchie organised the fundraiser with the help of the local com munity and businesses, who donated some amazing prizes including a ski trip to Japan.

Pro surfer Nathan Hedge was there to auc tion off Mick Fanning’s donated surfboard. Mick said if they didn’t get $3,500 for it, he would donate that himself, but with the Hog’s

help they got $3,750.

Skyler’s mum Gemma said the turnout was ‘amazing’.

“It’s such a beautiful community here; it’s mind-blowing,” she said.

“We are driving to Brisbane a lot for medical appointments and we have to get accommo dation and we can’t work. We’ve had nearly two years of not working and that’s been really hard so this will really help.

“Jac and Jade are such incredible people. They have three kids each so where do you find the time? It just shows how much they have put into it.

“It’s beautiful and we are very lucky.”

Locals had a blast at Potty Sports

Local surfing legend Mick Fanning was unable to make the event but donated one of his signature boards to help the cause

Local family and friends were eager to show their support

The auction ran hot for Mick's board raising $3,750

There was plenty of fun for the kids

Mt St Patrick Students Graduate in Style

MT ST Paatrick College graduates stepped out in style on Friday, November 11. Around 108 studnets from year 12 graduated this year.

College's Gilby Centre after the cruise.

The Weekly was there to catch all the excitement of the annual event.

Plea to give our planet a future

By Yvonne Gardiner

PRACTICAL, EFFECTIVE and amazing ways to be climate-ready were showcased at the Tweed Eco Fest in Murwillumbah on Sunday (November 13).

Citizens Climate Richmond NSW group or ganiser Ian Hunter said groups and individuals came together to “give our planet a future”.

“An attractive and engaging list of diverse entertainers, speakers and workshops provided an ideal background for us to listen, discuss and share thoughts and responses to our proposal to put a price on carbon and share a dividend equally with every Australian — the Australian Climate Dividend,” Ian said.

“The more of these events we go to, the more the opportunity to build community with oth ers taking a stand with and for people and the environment.

“We are seeing a developing consensus coming through from diverse angles where the common thread is the need for greater climate action and leadership from all levels of government.

“The Eco Fest has enabled this consensus and

community to continue building momentum.

“The more we share, the more hope and ev idence we have for growing local political will for a liveable world.”

Event coordinator Debbie Firestone, program leader for climate change and sustainability at Tweed Shire Council, said it was a beautiful day with about 500 people attending for mu sic, markets, a chance to gather and to share knowledge.

“We had great feedback from the community. Three-quarters of the people who filled in our event survey hadn’t attended council’s previous Sustainable Living events before,” Debbie said.

“The ideas people were inspired to take ac tion on ranged from being more grounded and culturally connected to country, looking after ourselves for better mental health, being better fire and flood-prepared, boosting backyard gardens for vegies, wildlife and bees, planting the right trees for local biodiversity, saving water and using the right bins.

“One comment that really summed up the day was, ‘feeling stronger from being part of a larger community. Together we’re supporting each other and making a difference’.”

Jarmbi Miles performs the smoking ceremony at the Tweed Eco Festival

Stallholder Cheryl Watson lights up the Tweed Eco Fest

Tracey Dallaway, with son Beau, takes a break during the Eco Fest at Murwillumbah

Tweed Landcare volunteers Beverley Fairley and Chris Roberts

Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers members (from left) Wendy Litchfield, Ron Potter and Susie Hearder

Tweed Water Alliance volunteers Pamela Veness (left) and Denise White

Murwillumbah SES crew (from left) Jared De Lyon, Jacob Moore and Jim Kelly

Leila Stead, with daughter Ever and pup Murphy

Remembrance Day 2022 Remembrance Day 2022

HUNDREDS OF residents gathered at cenotaphs across the Tweed Shire on Friday, November 11, to mark Remembrance Day.

Murwillumbah Services Club RSL Sub-Branch hosted a touching tribute with local students returning to help remember our fallen soldiers.

A small gathering also took place at the Cabarita Beach cenotaph which marked Remembrance Day by laying a wreath in memory of the fallen.

Organiser Rocky Hannon, recently

inducted as a legatee, is the son of Len, a Lancaster Bomber pilot who flew 37 missions over Germany and lived to the age of 83.

The Kiwi trained with Aussie troops in Calgary, Canada, where he met Rocky's mother.

Rocky wants to make youth aware of the sacrifices made for our free dom and independence.

Other Remembrance Services took place at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff, Pottsville, Burringbar and surrounds.

Lest we forget

NRSO conductor in focus

moved from Italy in 2020 as the pandemic took hold. How are you spending your time here as a local now?

1) You grew up in Italy and studied the violin. Can you please tell us what made you want to be a conductor and what was your journey like to become one?

I grew up in Milan where my mother, an Australian soprano, worked in the Teatro Alla Scala. My paternal uncle is a renowned violinist in the north of Italy and he toured the world with his trio 'Trio Di Como'. These were my first experiences with music as a young boy and helped to solidify my love for music. Very early on, I wanted to become a conductor. I was naturally attracted to that role and inspired by Riccardo Muti who was principal conductor at La Scala.

I studied violin, composition, conducting, and singing while I was in Milan. I played in orchestras, sang as a soloist, and had my conducting debut there in Puccini's La Bohème. I then completed a Masters and Fellowship at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England, and by then I was conducting professional ensembles, choirs, and orchestras.

The journey as a musician offers a wide range of experiences and knowledge gained, especially in my case, in various countries. You have to follow the music to wherever it takes you!

2)

fortunate to have you with us in the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra, having

I moved to the Gold Coast from Manchester at the beginning of the pandemic. I had already been coming to the Gold Coast all my life because my grandparents owned a unit at Coolangatta, and I would visit them with my Mum and Dad during the holidays. I always loved the place and the lifestyle; I find it very inspiring and beautiful and I now enjoy surfing. I'm also very happy to have made some beautiful music with the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra, the Coolamon Singers, and the Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra.

3) In this concert we are delighted to be joined by the Coolamon Singers, which you also conduct. Can you please tell us a bit about the Coolamon Singers?

I have always enjoyed conducting and working with voices. Being a trained singer myself, I find I know how to make people enjoy singing. I received an offer from the Coolamon Singers during the pandemic to take over the position of Music Director from the delightful Leith Rogers who was retiring from the position. The choir has over 30 years of history; I am delighted by their enthusiasm, motivation and skills and very glad to be working with them on a weekly basis. Our repertoire spans from classical to well-known favourites from opera and musical theatre. I like the fact there is a touch of Italy in the programme since we will be performing Vivaldi's wonderful Gloria RV589.

Christmas Festival 2022 will be held on Sunday 4 December 2022, 2.30pm NSW time at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Tweed Heads. For tickets please visit nrso.com.au

Choir

Orchestra

Coolamon Singers and

Conducted by Marco Bellasi

We interview Marco Bellasi, our current Conductor-in-Residence for the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra. Whilst his talent in orchestral conducting is well recognised, few of us know Marco is also a bass-baritone singer, and the regular conductor for the Coolamon Singers. Here he tells us a little bit about himself.

We are very

Brian Martyn, Drydee and Rocky Hannon at the Cabarita memorial

Rocky laying a wreath at Cabarita

Uki Remembrance Day Service

Remembrance Day at Uki with Gary Wall playing the Last Post

Laying a wreath at Murwillumbah Services Club

Students and staff joined in the service this year

By Jonathon Howard

MEMBERS ONLY

Prison teacher has first book launch

By Madeleine Murray

FIRST-TIME NOVELIST Paul MacNamara saw and heard some bizarre things during seven years as a prison teacher.

The Criminal Class — Memoir of a Prison Teacher is based on his true-life experiences as an everyday teacher who made the precarious career transition to an education officer in the prison system.

On Thursday, November 17, at 6pm, Paul will be In Conversation with John Morris at Boardwalk Books, Kingscliff, to talk about The Criminal Class, which he wrote after years as an educator at some of Australia’s toughest correctional centres, including Sydney’s Sil verwater Jail and the notorious Grafton Jail.

Paul was inspired to write the book when he realised from telling a few yarns in social settings that people were captivated by his line of work.

He observed that for inmates, being in jail is a bizarre experience, a whole other existence.

“In this strangeness you encounter things that make you shake your head, shake your fist, cry your heart out, laugh your head off and blow your mind,” Paul told The Weekly. “And I felt compelled to write it down, to capture its unreality.”

In an excerpt from the book, Paul wrote, “The only door in the room was now closed and sitting before me was a murderer, a rapist, an armed robber, and a guy serving six years for grievous bodily harm. Each of them had a sharpened pencil in their hands, a potential

weapon.”

Paul MacNamara lives in Northern New South Wales with his wife and two daughters. He grew up as the fifth of six children in a working-class Irish-Australian Catholic family.

He knew very little of the workings of a jail when he started working as an educator in some of Australia’s toughest correctional centres.

Paul will be In Conversation at Boardwalk Books, 88 Marine Parade in Kingscliff, on Thursday, November 17, from 6pm (doors open at 5.45pm). To register, please contact Maryann Kirk on (02) 6674 5777 or maryann@broad walkbooks.com.au.

New digs for MTC

MURWILLUMBAH THEATRE Company (MTC) will celebrate the official opening of its Kite Crescent home base on Sunday, November 20, at 2pm.

Patron Margot Anthony will join other digni taries, MTC members, friends and the commu nity for the first public viewing of the Theatre Company’s engine room.

The building was purchased in 2020 but needed a fit-out of mezzanine, shelving and set-building workshop.

The massive move from Doug Anthony’s old piggery site to Kite Crescent saw dozens of

helpers in a convoy of vehicles lending a hand.

The MTC was unable to put on any shows during 2020 and 2021 due COVID so they concentrated their efforts on the building.

Rehearsals, set-building, costumes, makeup, props, meetings and storage — the facility has multiple uses.

Members of the public are welcome to come along for afternoon tea and witness the official opening from 2pm.

The site is 23/9 Kite Crescent, South Mur willumbah, just up the road from the Stone & Wood brewery and opposite Singh’s buses.

GOOD READ: Paul MacNamara with his novel

Murwillumbah Theatre Company is celebrating a new home base

With less than 6 weeks ‘til Christmas, the energy is ramping up, with the end of the year materializing at seemingly supersonic speed! We are currently conjuring a fantastically funky NYE party – stay tuned! I’ve just finished programming December and through the January Summer holidays, so my mind has already leapt into 2023. Further forward than I’ve ever planned, we’ve now locked in William Crighton & Liz Stringer for March 31st next year! Tickets are available from tomorrow, (Friday the 18th) winning the award of my longest presale period yet! The Regent has blossomed into a proper venue, establishing itself on the touring artist circuit, as well as managing to showcase a delectable selection of films on one single screen, with the high quality of live artists coming through lighting my soul afire. World-class Tibetan artist, Tenzin Choegyal will be incredible tonight (Thursday), for this year’s final presentation by the Sacred Sound Temple. I’m superexcited for Hussy Hicks this Saturday – last time they ROCKED!!!! - with Áine Tyrrell as Special Guest, and Elena B. Williams,

with Rachel Heaton, playing on the balcony beforehand. Some of my favourite musical souls on the planet, this is a potent potage of powerfully talented women, promising to make this a truly special night. Let’s show our appreciation, and pack the house out for them!! These flood-afflicted ladies are courageously out there, consistently bringing the joy, and truly deserve our enthusiastic support. Then, after another working week flies by, suddenly it’ll be the end of November, as the Grigoryan Brothers return to The Regent with an exciting new project, in conjunction with the Australian Museum. I find this concept inception fascinating…the composition of musical pieces inspired by artefacts of Australian history, curated from the Museum’s vast collection, as “This is Us” relates the tales of our Nation’s past, through symphony. This will be the fourth visit by the Grigoryan Brothers to The Regent, and each time has been an utter delight! It’s a great sign that all the aforementioned artists have chosen to revisit The Regent, to be applauded by you…their appreciative audience.

Sacred Sound Temple

By Sacred Sound Temple

EVERY THIRD Thursday of the month the Sacred Sound Temple at The Regent presents local and national spiritually flavoured groups or individuals to share their music with the murwillumbah community.

This month we present House of Bliss & Hearts on Fire, a non-sectarian community chanting collective established in Mullumbimby in 2013, which itself evolved out of the long standing kirtan group Lucknow Sankirtan. It features an ever changing line-up of musi cians and chant leaders dedicated to inspiring the collective practice of mantra and devotion, often combining traditional and modern sounds and arrangements. We look forward to chanting with you.

Opening the night will be our local mantra group called GaiaTree lead by Elias Harmony and Zarn Karjana.

Kirtan is a dynamic and transformational form of meditation, combining mantra together with music and singing, that is shared in com munity — aka an intentional bunch of humans who share this practice together.

The leader will sing the sanskrit mantra, and the room will sing it back. We go back and forth this way for some time, the live music is our vehicle for the journey. It is a journey of the self, through the self to the self.

Throughout the night, much arises and falls away. Doubt and fear are transformed into clear-seeing and hope. So many traditional cultures through time have come together to

sing, pray and express their devotion to the sacred. It is something that is immensely re storing for our humanity.

All of this together in the iconic Regent The atre. A vegan meal and chai is available to make this a complete night out.

Bookings can be made online at: trybooking. com/CBJMK — or cash at the door $25.

Awesome chicks, HUSSY HICKS, are here this Saturday night to launch their EP, Same Boat, with Special Guest, Áine Tyrrell. They rocked The Regent last year, and are back again for a “Whole Lotta Goodness”! Come early and enjoy Elena B. Williams & Rachel Heaton on our Balcony from 6pm. MRS HARRIS GOES TO PARIS begins this weekend, along with Kiwi Indy film, MILLIE LIES LOW.

FINALS: THE WOMAN KING + SEE HOW THEY RUN + GOLIATH

Next week, Friday night, multi-instrumentalist, Shivam Rath, launches his album, Soul Sangeet, with a traditional Indian classical music concert, including his amazing crystal slides, tabla, and more.

Another new face on our Balcony for the Sunset Soirée, Saturday 26 th is Maddi O’Briene (6-8pm)

Then on Sunday arvo, the acclaimed duo, The Grigoryan Brothers present THIS IS US, an incredible project of musical compositions inspired by the collection of artefacts from the Australian Museum. New film to watch is another Kiwi title, WHINA, the true tale of a magnificent Maori matriarch. And THE VELVET QUEEN (PANTHÉRES DES NIEGE) follows two Frenchmen trying to capture a glimpse of the elusive Snow Leopard.

DECEMBER:

New photo exhibit

By Madeleine Murray

THE 13TH International Head On Annual Photo Fes tival showcasing works of 500 photographers across 107 ex hibitions will include Murwil lumbah on its list of venues for the first time.

Local photographer Chelle Wallace will be exhibiting her long-form photographic proj ect The Good Room as part of the November festival.

“This project is very personal to me,” Chelle told The Week ly. “It celebrates not only my mum but all the homemakers of her era.

“It was a time of stifled bril liance for many women of that generation, and so their homes especially became a channel

for that expression.”

Through still life photogra phy Chelle recreates the mag nificently curated pockets of her mother’s home across her 26 years of parenting.

“Various vices pepper the im ages and infuse some humour but also some honesty about the hardness of the enforced rigidity of gender roles experi enced by women at that time,” Chelle said.

Chelle has been a finalist with her photography in mul tiple awards, including last year’s Olive Cotton photo graphic portrait prize, a ma jor exhibition at the Tweed Regional Art Gallery.

The Good Room opens Fri day, November 18 at 5.30pm at Jo Norton’s OneB Ceram

ic Studio at M|Arts where Chelle’s work will be the first of many guest shows.

The show will run until De cember 9. Chelle has a studio at M|Arts and can be found at www.chellewallace.com

Enjoy Sacred Sound Temple tonight

Lively, perky (6)

Character (11)

Dress (5)

Furniture stuffing; crowd (5)

Lobe jewellery (7)

Struggled (10)

Sanguine (10)

Skewered meat (5)

Friendly (9)

A state of being held against will (9)

Banister (4)

Skin rash (6)

News summary (8) 33 Fibster (4) 37 Goodbye (8) 38 Permanent feature (7) 39 Making a deceptive movement (while fighting) (8) 40 Magnanimity (10) 41 Pretend (10) 44 Cruel (8) 46 Natural (7) 47 Realisation (8) 50 Speak imperfectly (4) 52 Band used to constrict a vessel (8)

53 Paradise (6) 54 Stringed instrument from ancient Greece (4) 55 Mirthful (9) 58 Declaration of policy (9) 60 Answer (5) 61 An acrobatic movement (10) 63 Trivial (10) 64 Accord (7) 65 Unfixed (5) 66 Soft creamy candy (5) 67 Vegetarian (11) 68 Single-celled animal (6) 69 Upset (6)

18 In high spirits (6) 20 Heavenly body (6) 24 Choux pastry filled with cream (11) 25 Ninth zodiac sign, the Archer (11) 26 Weaken (5) 27 Playfully provocative (11) 28 Hermits; oldfashioned people (11) 30 Waters (9) 34 Travel plan (9) 35 Glimmer (7) 36 Blue (7) 42 Blatantly (10) 43 Thin biscuit (5) 45 Curved sword (8) 48 Guide (6) 49 Search for food (6) 51 Crush (9) 54 Weariness, lethargy (9) 55 Delinquent (7) 56 New player (7)

57

59 Accommodates (7) 62 Prickle

Synthetic material used to make stockings (5)

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

SOLUTIONS

FEATURED BUSINESS

KB’s TROPHIES and Engraving have been creating and personalising trophies for all types of events and competitions around the Tweed Shire and have a proud history of helping sporting and community organisations with their trophy needs. They have a proven track record of producing quality trophies on time for events around the community.

Local family Geoff and Jillian Wotherspoon have been the owners of KB’s Trophies and Engraving for 22 years. Geoff has lived in Murwillumbah his entire life while Jillian has lived in Murwillumbah for over

40 years.

KB’s Trophies & Engraving was previously owned by local Ken Baldwin (KB) before Jillian and Geoff purchased the business from the late KB who was well known in the community.

“We have four children that went through school and grew up and were part of the local community here,” Jillian told The Weekly. “We were heavily involved with our local hockey association and enjoyed following our children around the country

watching their hockey achievements”.

“We offer a wide range of trophies and engraving ranging from, but not limited to; indoor and outdoor plaques, one-off trophies, club trophies, school trophies, social competition trophies, end of season/year trophies, medals, medallions, name badges, clocks, glassware and drink bottles”.

If you are involved with a Sporting, School and community organization, reach out to us about trophies and engraving for your next occasion – you can have confidence we can deliver on time for your big event.

Car for Sale

Snake Catcher

2007

2015

HOLDEN STATION WAGON

Suit young mechanical project. Reasonable offers only. Ph: 0448 521 470

TOYOTA HILUX Dual cab, Auto Ute. 12mths blue slip Rego, Rego number DF11EG. 96, 290,000km, air con, P steer, tow bar, roof racks, logbooks etc. Total mechanical overhaul and service, ready to go, Tweed Heads $11.250 ono. Phone 0409 158 962

NISSAN PATROL 2001 6 Cyl/4.8 L Petrol (4 x 4) GU 111 5-Speed Auto Model Y6103A All the features of

Social Group

SOCIAL GROUP OVER 50, Men and ladies, Singles, Organized outings, Get togethers, Nice people and Friendship. Phone 0428 523 423. Genuine people

To Let

TO LET Immaculate small, neat 1 person bed sit. Totally self contained. Five min walk to Murbah CBD. Out of flood. References, lease, bond etc talk to agent. $200 p/w inc. power & water. Tegan (02) 6672 7828

COOLANGATTA room to rent 200 metres from the beach, Club, shops, fully furnished, cooking facilities, No lease and No bond. Over 50’s from $225-$250 per week. (07) 5599 1089

ROOM TO RENT 2 weeks bond, $260 per week, free wifi , boarding house, full size kitchen. Well presented, big backyard. Tweed Heads, good location - contact Robert 0401 172 656

Positions Vacant

New Cafe in Murwillumbah is looking for dynamic, capable and reliable people, who must have at least 3 years experience in hospitality operations.

Positions Available

Head Chef - Qualified minimum 5 years exp Cooks - minimum 3 years experience

Cafe shift managers - minimum 3 years experience in a managerial role Baristas - minimum 3 years experience

Front of House - minimum 2 years experience

Desirable but not essential, certificate 2 or 3 in hospitality operations, Above award wages for the successful applicants. Please send resume to starbirdcafe2484@gmail.com

Wellness

Strata Plus is known for their professional and personal approach and being an employer of choice offers a fantastic workplace culture. We are looking for a strata manager to join our Tweed, NSW team who has drive and a demonstrated history of client service excellence, that wishes to work within a company that has incredible mentors in a variety of disciplines, sound attractive? then this could be the role for you.

You Need:

To embrace change, enjoy resolving client matters to build strong client relationships.

You Enjoy: Getting stuff done to make us all better. You thrive on learning and sharing.

Providing outstanding client support, following established processes to ensure compliance and minimal risk exposure in your allocated portfolio.

You Expect: A place where people are good at listening and great at taking action. Technology and systems that assist you in successfully managing your workload. A friendly, enjoyable place to work where individuals challenge each other to succeed.

We Like People Who: Take pride in their work, support their clients, and enjoy working in an inclusive environment. Want a long-term career in strata with ongoing professional development. Like setting themselves goals and achieving them.

Create a lasting impression with owners, committee members and tradespersons

We Expect:

People who demonstrate initiative and take responsibility Individuals to prioritise and multitask and deliver outcomes in demanding position. Prompt follow up and resolution of issues.

We Need a strata manager with the following experience and qualifications:

Experience: Individuals who aspire to further develop their 3+

Gunhild Engstrom© in fraudalent debased Dog-Latin, GLOSSA.

An educational program designed to inspire and uplift you. Connecting into our hearts.

Date: 11/12/22

Venue: Autumn Club Hall 16 Tumbulgum Rd Murwillumbah

Time: 10am–2pm $65.00

Lisa Clark 0404 089 485 happyheartz@live.com

Death Notices

CATTELL Harold 5/11/2022

White Lady Funerals 07 5536 5300

MILWARD Robert 5/11/2022

White Lady Funerals 07 5536 5300

KITCHING Angela 10/11/2022

White Lady Funerals 07 5536 5300

ROBINSON Geoffrey 3/11/2022

White Lady Funerals 07 5536 5300

RICH Robyn Gai 05/11/2022

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

TEMPLETON Robert George 08/11/2022

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

WHITFORD Gloria Yvonne 08/11/2022

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

HANSON Robert Gordon 10/11/2022

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

McDONALD Donald Graeme 10/11/2022

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

TABOR Christine Veronica 10/11/2022

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

BELL Robert James 11/11/2022

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

GOLDSMITH Ross William 12/11/2022

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

NAZER Robin Cyril 14/11/2022

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

NIELSEN Susan 14/11/2022

Dolphin Funerals 0427 743 817

Phyllis Irene Harvey

10/04/1928 – 03/11/2022

Family and friends are invited To attend Phyllis’s Funeral Service

On Friday 25th November 2022

11:00am Simplicity Twin Towns Chapel 17 Florence Street Tweed Heads NSW 2485

Late simplicityfunerals.com.au

CORFIELD, Susanne Jean

24th May 1944 – 10th November 2022

Beloved wife of Grahame (deceased) Dearly loved mother of Fraser, Gordon and their families. Loving sister of Jan (deceased) and her family.

Family and friends of Susanne are invited to a celebration of her life, to be held at the Tweed Valley Cemetery Chapel, Eviron Road, Duranbah on Wednesday 23rd November 2022 at 2.30pm NSW Time. (1.30pm QLD Time)

Tweed Heads Ph: (07) 5599 1500

Richard John Toms (Ricky)

24/11/1967 – 08/11/2021

God Looked around his garden and he found an empty place. And then he looked down upon the earth and saw a tired face.

He put his arms around you, And lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. Deeply missed by Mum & Dad, Laurie, David.

Family and Friends.

Funeral Director

Are you looking to further your career within strata management with an innovative forward-thinking company?

Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac in the popular Flametree Park Estate, this substantial low set residence was built approximately 20 years ago by the highly regarded Golden Edge Homes. The unique position on the estate fronts a wide nature reserve that surrounds Trutes Bay. The owners treat the parkland as their own backyard and as a reward, get to enjoy the bushland outlook and the abundant wildlife. The functional, open plan design has casual, formal and alfresco zones and flows smoothly from space to space, providing numerous options for entertaining family and friends, but also areas to sneak away for a bit of quiet time.

• Immaculate presentation.

• Three generous bedrooms plus study.

• Large, centrally located kitchen with gas cooktop.

• Fully enclosed, low maintenance gardens and grounds with plenty of room for the boat and caravan.

• Short stroll to Banora Central shops where the tenancies include Coles, a medical centre and pharmacy.

• Flat walk to Juniors Twin Towns, sports fields and primary & secondary schools.

• Many, many extras - solar panels & hot water, air conditioning, vacuum maid system, external sensor lighting, oodles of storage spaces plus lots, lots more.

• Top shelf, well established neighbourhood.

• The easy care and minimal maintenance of this home will suit busy families seeking more quality time together and will also appeal to grey nomads looking to lock it up, hook up the van and hit the road!

The dual key apartments, which feature a one bedroom unit plus an adjoining studio, provide two separate, self contained letting entities within the one property. Being offered fully furnished and enjoying very high occupancy rates and strong rental income in Mantra’s onsite letting pool, the spotless unit should have keen appeal to astute investors seeking a much better return on capital than the banks are currently offering. Alternately, lock one up and use it as a weekender or holiday love nest and rent the other to cover the expenses.

• 24 hour reception and plenty of undercover parking

• Resort facilities include indoor + outdoor pools & spas, tennis courts, conference rooms, BBQ, games room, gym and mini golf.

• Fully furnished & equipped and income producing from day one!

• Direct, internal access to Twin Towns Services Club and all its dining and entertainment options.

• Easy stroll to popular Greenmount and Rainbow Bay beaches as well as the world famous Snapper Rocks surf break

• 5 minute cab

Set on the 14th floor, unit 1440 + 1441 in Harbour Tower, Twin Towns Resort takes full advantage of the high position to showcase the expansive views on offer. From the Tweed Heads CBD to the Border Ranges & Wollumbin, around to Fingal Headland & Cook Island and back to the river and Jack Evans Boat Harbour, put simply, exceptional!

Real Estate

FROM COAST TO COUNTRY

Unique property with a Chinese influence

By Madeleine Murray

A STUNNING property is for sale outside Uki, on the road to Mt Jerusalem National Park.

Occupying a beautiful elevated position on 72.5 acres, this wonderfully private, bushland property sits in perfect harmony with its natural surroundings and is complemented by magnificent views of Mt Warning.

Well-known local owners Ken Rippin and Maria Barbieri lived in China for more than 25 years, and the Oriental influence shows in the ambience and the massive 19th century timber and iron front gates imported from China.

Ken worked as a civil engineer in China, where he built roads, water projects and many of the IKEA stores.

He has done a spectacular job of creating landscape and water features at 327 Rowlands Creek Road.

“After having spent most of my life in large cities, living here has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to connect with the

stunning natural environment and wildlife within and around our property,” Ken told The Weekly.

From the verandah on the raised house, there are sweeping views of Wollumbin, over the forest and above the four large beautiful ponds that flow into one another, designed by Ken. One pond has an island for waterfowl.

The ponds give the landscape the quality of an ancient Chinese painting, and have already attracted wildlife, including flocks of plumed whistling ducks, native turtles and even an elusive platypus.

Tawny frogmouths nest each year in the massive eucalyptus tree near the verandah.

With a team of bush regenerators working over 10 years, Ken has created a 90acre protected rainforest under permanent trust on the eastern boundary.

The new owners would have access to this magnificent forest walk, with over 80 bird species recorded during several visits by Birdlife Australia.

Open Homes

Saturday, November 19

JET Real Estate

1/34 Beryl Street Tweed Heads, 11-11.30am 32 Ewing Street Murwillumbah, 9.30-10am

DJ Stringer

Maria, who is Italian, has added her chic, European touch with the interior decoration.

“Being here has felt like living all-year round in a resort,” Maria told The Weekly.

The modern timber home, with architect-designed extensions, has three bedrooms (or alternatively two bedrooms plus a large office area), and two bathrooms.

The living room is filled with natural light and features large windows, high vaulted timber ceilings, a wood heater, airconditioning, exposed timber beams and teak floors that extend out to generous, deep verandahs overlooking the water features, private forest and distant views.

The stunning saltwater wet-edge swimming pool features a large covered patio area and is set among lawns and gardens with breath-taking views of Wollumbin/ Mt Warning. This is one of the very few infinity pools in the Northern Rivers with a perfect view of Wollumbin.

The property priced at $2.2 million also features a fully self-

(QLD Time)

MANA Real Estate 5 Terrara Court, Ocean Shores, 9-9.30am 1/3 Miram Place, Ocean Shores, 9.45-10.15am 36 Mullumbimbi Street, Brunswick Heads, 10.30-11am 1D Short Street, New Brighton, 12-12.30pm

1/3 Halyard Court, Ocean Shores, 12-12.30pm 1/10 Narooma Drive, Ocean Shores, 1-1.30pm 20 Wirruna Avenue, Ocean Shores, 1-1.30pm 4/2 Nunyar Court, Ocean Shores, 1.45-2.15pm Auction 36 Mullumbimbi Street, Brunswick Heads, 11am

First National 10 Fawcett Street, Tumbulgum, 9- 9:30am 48 Wardrop Street, South Murwillumbah, 9- 9:30am

2/21 McPherson Crt, Murwillumbah, 9-9:30 am

4 Ted Brown Cl, Kunghur, 9 -9:30am 109 Bonnydoon Rd, Uki, 10-10.30

9 Mooball St, Murwillumbah, 10-10:30am

5 Kintyre Crescent, Banora Point, 10-10:30am

148 Bakers Road, Dunbible, 10-10:30am

141 Glenock Road, Dum Dum, 10-10:30am

4 Smiths Creek Rd, Uki, 11-11.30

105 Commercial Rd, Murwillumbah,11 -11.30am

10 Oakbank Terrace, Murwillumbah, 11- 11:30am

32 Meadow Place, Uki, 11-11:30am

We’re here to connect the property dots

contained guest studio, a large workshop area and storeroom.

The charming, friendly village of Uki is three kilometres, while the road to Mt Jerusalem National

Park is six kilometres away.

For more information on 327 Rowlands Creek Road, Uki, contact Matt Armstrong at Elders on 0400 162 283.

2043 Kyogle Rd, Terragon, 12- 12.30pm

396 Pinnacle Road, Pumpenbil, 12:30 to 1pm

33 Kookaburra Crt, Stokers Siding, 1-1:30pm

7 Kirbys Road, Limpinwood, 1-1:30pm

279 Smarts Rd, Wardrop Valley, 2-2.30pm

42 Meadow Place Uki, 2-2.30pm

289 South Pumpenbil Rd, South Pumpenbil, 3.15 – 3.45pm

16 Sylvan St, Bray Park, 4.30 – 5pm

Tate Brownlee Real Estate

14 Point Lookout Chase, Murwillumbah, 8:30-9am 9am

AUCTION

5 Westray Avenue, Banora Point, 9-9:30am

1/85 Henry Lawson Drive, Terranora, 10-10:30am

21 Piggabeen Road, Tweed Heads West, 10-10:30am

10:30am AUCTION – 96 + 94 McAllisters Rd

39/3-19 Amaroo Drive, Banora Point, 11-11:30am

16/22 Marine Parade, Coolangatta, 11:30-12pm

12 Ribbonwood Pl, Terranora, 12:30-1pm

37 Illawong Crescent, Terranora, 1-1:30pm

1 Admiralty Place, Banora Point, 1-1:30pm 1:30pm AUCTION

20 Bosun Boulevard, Banora Point, 1-1:30pm

Belinda Franks

135 McAuleys Road, Terranora, 9-10am

439 Tweed Valley Way, South Murwillumbah, 11-11.30am

973 Reserve Creek Road, Reserve Creek, 12.30-1.30pm

31 Yalambee Avenue, Cudgera Creek, 2-2.45pm

Photo credit: Open2view

NOOK

& CRANNY

686 Clothiers Creek Road, Clothiers Creek

Situated in lovely Clothiers Creek less than ten minutes drive from the beach and shops at Cabarita as well as Murwillumbah, this little sanctuary is a lifestyle gem.

Spring fed Nook & Cranny Creek bisects the property and attracts an amazing variety of wildlife including over 30 species of birds.

There’s an elevated hill with big valley views suitable for up to 12 bedrooms of “farm stay” accommodation (planning advice available) and the balance of the property is easy care creek flats, established gardens and slightly elevated homesite. The old farmhouse (circ 1919) has been greatly expanded over the century. Privacy was the priority and lifestyle the goal. From tennis court to pool, from the massive high clearance

shed (12mx12m) to the original horse stable, everything is set up to enjoy rural life.

The home is fully air conditioned, offers total quality all Miele kitchen and the outdoor entertaining areas are just some of the features. There’s even an 8kVA key start back-up generator in case there’s a blackout…….can’t miss your favourite show!

If you like what you see, give me a call or drop me an email. My wife Alison and I would love to show you around. After all, this is our home and we know Nook & Cranny better than anyone!

See you soon……..

Contact Mark Cochrane on 0416 142 663 or email markc@ nclp.com.au for further details. Agent Declares Interest.

81-83 Burringbar Street, Mullumbimby NSW 2482 ABN: 34 068 287 427

88907

www.nclp.com.au P: 02 6684 2615 E: sales@nclp.com.au

Scenic Coastal Acreage with Magnificent Island & Ocean Views

Under instructions from Transport for NSW, this property will be offered for sale

Consisting of approximately 1047 acres (426ha), large properties such as this, so close to everything are a rare find.

Near to the coastal villages of Wooli and Minnie Water with views to the Solitary Island Marine Park from the escarpment, a 25 minute drive to Grafton and 10 minutes to the new Pacific Highway, this huge holding of undisturbed freehold hinterland begs to be explored.

Due to its natural significance the acreage has been selected for the Biodiversity Stewardship program where state funding has been allocated for conservation purposes. Approx. $1,400,000 is held in trust in perpetuity. Funding covers maintenance of tracks, weed control, fire management and much more.

There are a number of zones excluded from the biodiversity areas which allow a range of possibilities.

Home site and entry trail approx. 5ha (12.35ac) Blackbutt timber plantation approx. 12.5ha (30ac) 10 campsite areas of 2,500m2 each Central exclusion area 1.75ha (4.32ac)

Escarpment viewing area/campsite 5ha (12.35ac) Suitable for a simple lifestyle of living in the bush and appreciating some of the best nature has to offer or perfect for a small scale eco tourism venture (STCA) where hikers, campers and mountain bikers can enjoy the great outdoors.

A fabulous opportunity to secure a natural wonderland. This property will be sold at Auction, Register now!

by Auction, at our Maclean office.

Highly productive cane farm, maintained & managed at the highest level by meticulous owner/operator. Consistent yields over 10,000 tonnes annually, offered on WIWO basis with extensive list of Plant & Equipment, all immaculately maintained & serviced. 2 fully renovated homes, substantial shedding. Multiple titles, two street frontage. Retiring owners welcome all genuine enquiries. Contact Belinda Franks for information.

Beautifully presented, large 4 bedroom home has 5 separate living spaces providing ample room for a large family. Brand new pool house & separate studio. Great location, quiet area, 12km to the beach, M1 to commute north/south. 8.15 lush usable acres with spring-fed stream, ideal for kids, pets, golf or livestock. This home is a rare opportunity in the coastal rural market to get so much value in a property, ready to move into and enjoy. Genuine seller is committed elsewhere and requires immediate sale.

This solid, original cottage taking in a majestic view to Wollumbin (Mt Warning) and the Caldera has a DA approval in place for full width extension at rear & ensuite/walk-in robe to main. Completely above flood risk, the home is ready to be transformed. New roof, solid hardwood construction/concrete & timber stumps, 10ft ceilings, original floors & windows. Secure this great position, close to the Gallery & 2km to town.