Letter of the Week
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LL Y O W N
LOCAL NEWS
Thursday May 7, 2015
5
New supermarket has local flavour
The ribbon is cut to open the new store by IGA Qld GM John Maclaren, Justine Elliot, Phil Youngblutt, Brett Bugg, Leanne Bugg, Troy Green and Thomas George DAILY SHOPPING options in the suppliers on board and this is only the tip Lismore Thomas George said he was said the store is already an important part of the local business community. Tweed Valley have increased again of the iceberg, we really want to hear from impressed with the design of the store. “It’s obvious real care was taken in all of “The creation of 75 new jobs in our with the opening of a new grocery people who are interested in going into the store. the design decisions, they have created a community is a remarkable achievement, store on Tweed Valley Way near “As a locally owned, family business we very friendly market feel with the way they especially for those young people who will Murwillumbah. are also excited about the number of jobs are displaying goods,” said Mr George. The opening of the IGA supermarket we have created with a staff of 75, about Dave Ford from the Norco Dairy Co- have the benefit of training and working follows the opening of a Woolworths half of whom are young people in their first operative said their own partnership with for a business of this standard,” said Ms at Cabarita last year and comes as jobs.” the store, which was built on the site of Zuschke. First day shopper Marian Ostrenger said construction gets underway on a new A number of VIPs were on hand for the the old Norco Butter Factory, will provide Coles at Casuarina, while new stores are opening including Member for Richmond significant benefits for the community. she will definitely be coming back again. also in the pipeline for Murwillumbah and Justine Elliot who said she will be a regular “The store has set up a self-serve coffee “I walked in the door and was immediately Pottsville. customer. machine for a gold coin donation which will impressed with how light it is and how Brett Bugg, who owns the new IGA along “I’m quite impressed by the efforts they go towards a designated local charity every beautifully things are laid out,’ said Ms with his wife Leanne, said they are seeking have gone to in order to source local week,” said Mr Ford. Ostrenger. to differentiate themselves by focusing on products and create employment in the “Norco have agreed to donate all of “It was obvious by the number of people local products and producers. area,” said Ms Elliot. the milk for the machine and hopefully “We are excited about providing an “It is great to see someone showing shoppers will take advantage and help walking around with smiles on their faces that there were many others who felt the alternative shopping experience with a big confidence in this area and I wish them all raise funds for the community.” range of fresh options,” said Mr Bugg. the best.” The President of the Murwillumbah same and I will definitely be shopping here “We already have more than 120 local The recently re-elected Member for Chamber of Commerce, Toni Zuschke, from now on.”
Pottsville Family Practice & Skin Cancer Clinic www.tweedvalleyweekly.net.au
71302
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LOCAL NEWS
Thursday May 7, 2015
9
Rental affordability getting worse AN INDEPENDENT report wage, who had 14 of the 75 listed into rental affordability on the North Coast has shown an already bad situation is getting much worse for those on limited incomes. The Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot is a measure of rental affordability compiled nationwide based on advertised rental properties and gauging their affordability to households receiving the minimum wage or trying to get by on benefits, with affordability measured at one third of income. The study showed that across the North Coast there was not a single property considered to be affordable on the entire North Coast – an area from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads – for a single person on Newstart or Youth Allowance. Of the 75 properties listed in Tweed Heads - the only Tweed area specifically targeted - not a single one was considered affordable for a couple with two children on Newstart, a single parent with one or two children on Parenting Payments, a single person on disability or aged pension, a single person with two children earning the minimum wage and family tax benefit A and B or a single person with no children earning the minimum wage. The only category with any access to affordable housing was a couple with two children where both parents earn the minimum
properties to choose from. The CEO of Anglicare North Coast, Estelle Graham, said the finding that no affordable homes were available to young, single people on Newstart or Youth Allowance had been consistent for all four years the study had been conducted. “Access to safe and affordable housing is a basic human need; it is essential in order for people to function and be able to lead what most of us would consider to be a ‘normal’ life,” said Ms Graham. “Those without affordable accommodation are likely to experience ‘flow-on’ effects, such as homelessness, financial difficulties, severe stress and even family breakdown. “These findings confirm what we have long experienced in our work throughout the region. “Unfortunately the problem is increasing and is further exacerbated in regional areas by the lack of employment and training opportunities and lack of public transport and other infrastructure. “We remain extremely concerned about the lack of affordable housing across the North Coast of NSW for those on all types of government benefits and those who earn minimum wages. “We continue to urge our governments, both state and federal, to implement solutions that will result in a real difference to some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable members of our community.”
It’s
our 10th anniversary
This one’s on us! Bring in this voucher to receive 6 FREE Traditional Rolls.
Thank you to the Murwillumbah community for supporting us over the 10 years that we’ve been owners of Bakers Delight. Here’s to another delightful decade! Greg, Carrie and family
Only available at Bakers Delight Murwillumbah. Offer valid until 21/05/15. Subject to availability. One offer per person, per day. Not to be redeemed for cash and cannot be used with any other offers. Must surrender voucher for redemption. ‘Traditional’ refers to White, Wholemeal, Wholemeal Country Grain and Country Grain only.
www.tweedvalleyweekly.net.au
71243
Murwillumbah, Sunnyside Mall, 52-56 Wollumbin St
LOCAL NEWS
Thursday May 7, 2015
Young director making her mark
11
ALLANAH POUSTIE is a honed her skills on several MTC At just 20, Allanah is set to become the youngest person ever to direct a production for the Murwillumbah Theatre Company in its 30 year history, as she takes on the director’s chair for the Australian psychodrama Wolf Lullaby. It’s the culmination of eight years of dedication to the theatrical arts for Allanah, who started out with involvement in Double Mask youth theatre from 20072012, drama classes at Mount St Patrick College, progressing to Murwillumbah Theatre Company three years ago. “Taking on the director’s role is a whole new ball game as there’s a lot of organisation – you have to think ahead,” said Ms Poustie. “I hope it shows people that I can handle the responsibility. “I’ve studied the play from front to back – but it’s still a challenge to present. “Wolf Lullaby is going to be quite confronting, due to the disturbing subject of children who kill and the fine line between innocence and amorality.” During her schooling Allanah won the JJ Richards award for acting in 2012 at the Murwillumbah Festival of the Performing Arts. She has also since successfully completed a Certificate 4 in Live Production and Events and a Diploma in Events Management at TAFE. Along the way she has learned skills in acting, stage management, set design and lighting, and has
productions, including The Vicar of Dibley and Up Pompeii, and as assistant director with Alice’s Adventures in 2014. Wolf Lullaby is an award-winning Australian drama by Hilary Bell about a nine year-old girl who throws a small Tasmanian community into turmoil when she is accused of killing a younger child. The play is an additional text in the school drama curriculum and one that Allanah knows well. MTC Artistic Director Bryanne Jardine said Allanah always showed promise and had immersed herself in earlier MTC productions. “As director, you must have the confidence to take a production from page to stage - Allanah’s doing a good job,” said Ms Jardine. Wolf Lullaby will be presented as theatre-in-the-round at the Canvas and Kettle function room at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre opening on Fri May 22 and continuing on Fri May 29 and June 6 and Saturday, May 23, 30 and June 7 with all performances at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 and are available on-line at www. murwillumbahtheatrecompany. com, from Murwillumbah Music shop on 6672 5404, or at the door. Seating is limited in this venue, so bookings are recommended. Due to adult themes and inferred violence, the play is not recommended for children under 16.
Allanah Poustie
71419
young woman in a hurry.
www.tweedvalleyweekly.net.au
71250
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Arkinstall Park Regional Sports Centre GRAND OPENING
“I’m proud that as part of the Federal Labor Government we were able to provide almost $5 million to help build the new Arkinstall Park Regional Sports Centre here in Tweed Heads South. I would like to publicly acknowledge Tweed Shire Council, Tennis Australia and the Tweed Netball Association who contributed substantially towards completing construction of this great local asset.”
Justine Elliot MP
Auth Au thor th o iissed or e by J E Elllil ot o 107 0 Min nju jung ng gba ball Dr Driv ivve Tw Twee eed ee d He H ad adss So S utth
Cr Gary Bagnall Tweed Mayor
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I’m very proud to work with our community and represent your local concerns in the Federal Parliament. This has seen more than $1.5 billion in federal funding delivered for our region with me as your local MP. This includes; • $7m for the South Tweed GP Superclinic • $5m for the Arkinstall Park Sports Centre • $1.5m for the Murwillumbah Community Centre • $349m for the Sexton Hill Highway upgrade • $1.8m for the Jack Evans Boat Harbour • $1m to build the Margaret Olley Centre • $3.3m for the upgrade of Kennedy Drive
Justine Elliot Member for Richmond
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71249
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