Work on Ballina’s Harvey Norman Homemaker Centre to start soon
August 30, 2010
Construction of the Harvey Norman Homemaker Centre in Ballina is due to begin soon.
Ballina Shire Council said tenders had been called and the successful contractor had been appointed.
“The development has encountered many months of delays due to legal action taken against Ballina Shire Council which has since been settled in council’s favour,” the council said.
“Earthworks on the site and the Boeing Avenue extension are well-advanced and the successful builder is expected to take possession of the site mid-September.
“The tenders, which included submissions from local builders, were very competitive and whilst prices were very close, the time for construction was the determining factor. Harvey Norman has selected Mainbrace Constructions as the successful contractor and they will move on site mid-September.”
Michael Shay, principal of LJ Hooker Ballina, assisting with the local leasing of the project, said: “The Harvey Norman-anchored development will provide for both national and local retailers.
Ballina Byron Airport welcomes five more weekly Jetstar services
August 29, 2010
Jetstar has added an extra five weekly flights from Sydney to the Ballina-Byron route.
Neil Weatherson, Ballina Byron Airport manager, was delighted to receive a phone call from Jetstar last Friday afternoon announcing the five additional weekly services.
“What a great way to end the week. We’re elated to have even more flights to offer our passengers and it also demonstrates Jetstar’s future confidence in the growth of the Sydney to Ballina-Byron route,” Mr Weatherson said.
“These additional flights coupled with the recently installed self check-in kiosks offer more flexibility and convenience for our customers.”
Pinevale Villas hosts Seniors Expo
August 18, 2010
Pinevale Villas, at 1 Star Avenue, Goonellabah, will host its second Seniors Expo on Thursday 16th September, from 10am to 2pm.
The Expo theme this year is’Ageing Well’ and will feature a monster book sale organised by Pinevale residents and staff, with the proceeds from the sale of all pre-loved books going to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
‘Ageing Well’ is all about showcasing some of the opportunities that now exist for older people and their families, who want access to information and services that help in continuing to enjoy a good quality of life.
More than 40 community organisations, private businesses and health promotion practitioners have booked in for the event, together with entertainers.
Jetstar introduces self-service check-ins at Ballina aiport
July 30, 2010
Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport is moving forward to another level of service with Jetstar introducing self-service check-in kiosks for the benefit of flyers.
The technologically advanced check-in solution, where Jetstar has partnered with IBM Global Business Services, will see three installed self-service kiosks to supplement existing customer check-in processes for the first time at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport.
Airport Manager Neil Weatherson said the new self-service kiosks would further enhance the overall travelling experience at the airport, bringing it in line with major Australian airports which host this popular technology.
“This new facility at the airport takes us to next level of service. Jetstar passengers, whether regular or infrequent flyers, will have the choice to self-check themselves onto their flight, avoid queues and then relax in the terminal prior to travel,” Mr Weatherson said.
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A night of Tuscan tales: dinner with Victoria Cosford at The Byron at Byron
July 14, 2010
Victoria Cosford, a 20-something Australian language student in Florence, meets and falls for the charismatic and volatile Italian chef Gianfranco, who teaches her to cook.
So begins a love affair with Italy and Italian food that stretches over 30 years and several visits as Victoria is tugged repeatedly from her Sydney life back to Gianfranco’s restaurants.
It is an addiction fraught with challenges and difficult to shake.
“Amore and Amaretti”, Victoria’s first book, is a disarmingly vulnerable autobiographical account of growing through love’s seasons.
4WD Caravan Camping & Marine Show starts Friday, July 9
July 7, 2010
The biggest show of its kind in regional NSW starts this Friday at Lismore Showground.
The Yellow Pages 4WD Caravan Camping & Marine Show provides people with an opportunity to view hundreds of the latest industry products at the one venue.
Byron Happy Hour launched
July 6, 2010
The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa closed its doors in June to replace roofs damaged in the hail storm in 2008, undergo a maintenance program and refresh the resort.
The resort reopens its doors on July 7. To celebrate, The Byron at Byron Resort is launching year-round happy hour from 4:30 – 6:00pm every Sunday to Thursday (excluding Christmas holidays), a share plate menu from Head Chef Gavin Hughes from midday to 6:00pm, a new signature Spa menu and a new rainforest meditation walk.
“These are big changes for us,” said John Parché, General Manager of The Byron at Byron.
New incentives to attract and keep doctors in Page
July 1, 2010
Page MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed the new Australian Government initiatives being rolled out from today (July 1) that will attract and keep doctors in the local area.
Ms Saffin said the Government has changed the classification of rural and remote areas and now Lismore, Alstonville, Ballina, Wardell and Wollongbar have been included in the list of areas that can offer incentives to attract and keep GPs.
“I lobbied for these local centres to be included, and worked with local doctor Andrew Binns to push for these changes which have now been delivered,” she said.
“This means that the all of the Page electorate is now eligible to offer incentives to attract and keep GPs.
Tweed Valley Services gets $50,000 in dementia funding
April 21, 2010
Richmond MP and Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot has announced that Tweed Valley Services Inc will receive $50,000 as part of $3.5 million in grants to fund community projects to provide support and raise awareness for people with dementia and their families.
It is estimated that more than 245,000 Australians have dementia, and nearly one million family members and friends help care for them.
“The $50,000 funding for the North Coast will support people with dementia, their families and carers,” Mrs Elliot said.
Tweed Valley Services Inc will receive $50,000 for the Living Life Well pilot project.
Lismore Base Hospital gets $9.1m cancer-care boost
April 13, 2010
The Rudd Government will invest $9.1 million to enhance cancer services at Lismore Base Hospital as part of a North Coast Cancer Institute Regional Cancer Service.
With some cancers, patients from rural areas are up to three times more likely to die within five years of diagnosis than their counterparts in urban areas.
The $9.1 million investment in Lismore will work towards improving the services and care for the more than 32,000 NSW residents diagnosed with cancer each year.
The Government will provide $6.5 million to commission a second linear accelerator and a Positron Emissions Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scanner at Lismore Base Hospital.
