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.

“The size and range of tenants in the development when added to the many support traders already in the precinct will make this the dominant bulky goods precinct on this section of the coast.”

Ballina Shire Mayor Cr Phillip Silver said: “Council was pleased that all the barriers to the development have now been removed. Harvey Norman has been patient throughout this process and now the project can move forward.

“The development will establish Ballina’s position in the retail hierarchy and on completion will provide around 110 direct positions, both full-time and part-time. When the downstream jobs are taken into account it will inject around $5 million in wages into the community, giving a measurable boost to our local economy.

“The establishment of this precinct will attract expenditure currently escaping the area and is consistent with the Far North Coast Regional Strategy which identifies Ballina as an emerging regional centre.”

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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.”

Simon Westaway, Jetstar’s Head of Corporate Relations, said: “Jetstar has reverted to its strongest market position in the Sydney to Ballina Byron market with this announcement.

“The additional flights will be a new Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday morning service.

“Jetstar will grow its Sydney to Ballina Byron operations by a further 92,000 seats on an annual basis.

“From 2 December, ahead of the busy Christmas and January school holiday period, Jetstar will revert to a double daily return A320 service by permanently raising our flight schedule.

“The Sydney-Ballina route continues to perform ahead of expectation and this capacity growth is clearly warranted. We believe the introduction of these flights are well-timed ahead of the summer peak season and then to provide a consistent twice daily return service with convenient morning and afternoon departure times from both Sydney and Ballina Byron Airport.”

Flight and fare information is available at www.Jetstar.com

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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. 

As well as being able to provide specific information about ageing – perhaps trying out mobility aids, or having a remedial massage or having your blood pressure checked – the expo this year will have a definite spring flavour with a plant display, a fashion parade, homewares, gifts and accessories, lots of live music and good food.   

Organisers can still take some bookings from community groups and businesses who have a focus on the older population and would like to be involved in this informative and fun event.

Stalls sites are in the grounds of Pinevale and are outside, under cover. Pinevale can help with shades and chairs. 

Entry is by gold coin donation for those attending and stalls are free, however, organisers do ask for a small gift to the resident fund-raising commitee. 

Funds raised from entry into the expo will go to Pinevale Resident’s Fundraising Committee.

For further information phone Anna, Jan or Sonia on 6624 5010.

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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.
 
“I congratulate Jetstar on listening to their customers and introducing this easy-to-use technology here at the local airport.”

J”etstar’s fitout of self-service kiosks at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport will suit all customers with the investment supportive of any projected growth in future flights by better leveraging existing terminal infrastructure.”

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said its self-service kiosks at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport were part of Jetstar’s initiative to deliver a future 100 per cent customer self-service experience incorporating web check-in, processing via kiosk or future use of SMS Boarding Pass technology via people’s mobile phones.

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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.

Structured as a diary spanning 22 years, the book is interspersed with humour, heartbreak and mouth-watering regional recipes – the signature dishes of Gianfranco’s restaurants.

Amore and Amaretti will be launched at the Byron Bay Writers Festival.

An intimate dinner with Victoria Cosford will be held at 6:45pm on Tuesday August 31 at The Byron at Byron Resort, where Head Chef Gavin Hughes will cook recipes from Victoria’s book and guests will hear first-hand of her Tuscan adventures.

Two courses and a glass of Italian wine will be $45 and reservations can be made by telephoning 6687 5674 or emailing caroline@carolinedesmond.com.au

“It is very exciting and tremendously relieving to have finally managed to get my story out, which I have so wanted to tell, into book form,” said Victoria Cosford.

“Most of the recipes are fairly simple and I do hope that they bring some pleasure.”

“Victoria’s marvellous descriptions of restaurant life take us behind the scenes to a Tuscany rarely seen by tourists and travellers,” said Joanna Savill, Director of the Sydney International Food Festival. “She’s an immensely talented writer and cook”.

Outside of cooking in Tuscan restaurants, Victoria’s adventures and achievements to date include achieving a BA in languages at ANU in Canberra, many years selling advertising space for publications such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Italian newspaper ‘La Fiamma’, teaching Italian cooking at community colleges for 20 years and working extensively in the hospitality industry in Sydney including three years’ co-running a cafe on the Northern Beaches.

She has lived in Byron Bay for the past 10 years, working at The Byron Shire Echo for the past eight.

Victoria is currently leader of the Byron Bay convivium of the Slow Food Movement and for the last few years has worked as a reviewer for the annual Sydney Morning Herald ‘Good Food Guide’.

Amore and Amaretti is available now at Mary Ryans book stores for $24.95.

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And, with more than 350,000 registered caravans and recreational vehicles in Australia today, this industry is among the fastest growing tourism sectors in Australia.

The show is in its 13th year and last year broke two significant records – more exhibitors and more attendees than ever before.

In addition to the hundreds of exhibitors, the show will feature entertainment, including motorcycle sensations the Freestyle Trial Team who continue to thrill their fans with their dazzling motorcycle feats.

There will also be a race-car simulator for race-car fans, and helicopter winching displays.

And those who like Aussie bush entertainment should make their way over to the Country Energy entertainment stage to hear balladeer, Errol Gray, perform.

For fishing fans, the Yamaha Fishing Tank will be there again this year, along with a fishing simulator which will excite the experienced and not-so-experienced fisher.

For the kids, there will be rides, face-painting, stilt walkers, and even a visit from Big Dog to ensure the little ones are entertained.

The show also offers a lucky-door prize. Every paying visitor to the show will have a chance to win a three-metre Quintrex tinny and motor valued at $2100, courtesy of Watson’s Trimming and Marine.

The Yellow Pages 4WD Caravan Camping & Marine Show is a major fundraiser for Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, but also provides a major boost to the Northern Rivers economy.

The first 12 years of the Show has raised more than $800,000 for the rescue helicopter and last year injected approximately $2 million into the local economy, providing spin-offs to local accommodation providers, hotels and restaurants.

The Yellow Pages 4WD Caravan Camping & Marine Show will be held at Lismore Showground this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Gates open at 9am each day and close at 4pm.

For all the details visit the official show website www.lismore4wdshow.com.au

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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.

“We’ve been here for five years now so we needed to refresh the resort. We really wanted to open up more to locals, to be a place where people come every week rather than every month or three.

“Happy hour should be a lot of fun. The new share plate menu offers dining flexibility and the locals card is about acknowledging and welcoming our local community.”

Restaurateur James Lancaster, who ran the highly regarded Johnson Street eatery Olivo for eight years, joins the resort team as Food and Beverage Co-ordinator this month.

No bookings are required for Happy Hour, which will offer a selection of $10 cocktails, $6 wines and $5 beers.

Voted #2 Spa in Australia by the Luxury Travel Gold List Awards 2010, The Spa and Wellness Centre at The Byron at Byron Resort launches a range of new journeys for the body and soul in July.

The Spa offers result oriented facials and signature treatments such as the Rainforest Body Ritual and Native Flora Journey, using 100% natural hand made products from the iKOU eco spa range as well as continuing to work with Pevonia Botanical spa range.

Conceptualised by Spa and Wellness Centre Manager Naomi Quarrell, the new menu takes inspiration from the surrounding rainforest.

For restaurant or spa bookings or to receive your complimentary 10% discount locals card, telephone 1300 554 362 or email info@thebyronatbyron.com.au

PICTURE: James Lancaster with head chef Gavin Hughes.

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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.

“The changed classification was long overdue as the previous government based the incentive system on population figures from 1991.

“The Australian Government is investing is a total of $134.4 million to encourage doctors to relocate and stay in rural areas as part of the Rural Health Workforce Strategy.”

Significant changes include:

• The incentives apply to fully-trained GPs, where previously it was only registrars
• Relocation grants of $15,000 to $30,000 for city doctors to move to our area
• Retention grants that increase for every year the doctor stays in the area
• HECS reimbursement scheme
• Incentives to attract overseas-trained doctors.

Under the Rural Health Workforce Strategy, the incentives are scaled to provide the greatest rewards to those doctors willing to work in the most remote locations.

An important part of the Rural Health Workforce Strategy is the locum program of incentives and training packages to support city doctors doing locums for doctors in country areas, so country doctors can have adequate rest and professional development.

Ms Saffin said these incentives benefit all residents of Page by encouraging more doctors to move here, as well as keeping local GPs in the area.

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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.

This project involves the development of Creative Life Story Albums to acknowledge the issues faced by people in the early stages of dementia and their carers and families.

“Australia has one of the longest life expectancies in the English-speaking world and with increased longevity comes the greater possibility of dementia and other chronic diseases and complex health conditions,” Mrs Elliot said.

“Communities throughout Australia will benefit from the grants which fund innovative projects to support and provide services for people with dementia, their families and carers.

“Local communities are the key to improving awareness about dementia and helping families and carers provide support and care.”

In the last two years the Rudd Government has provided nearly $225 million to the Dementia Initiative and more than $384 million to the National Respite for Carers Program to provide support and assistance to people with dementia, their families and carers.

“The Rudd Government is providing ongoing support to the Dementia Initiative, including early intervention programs, training for aged and community care workers to improve care for people with dementia, and funds for research,” Mrs Elliot said.

Further details of the grant recipients are available at www.health.gov.au/dementia

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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.

A further $2.6 million will be invested in a 20-unit cancer patient and carer accommodation facility, ‘Our House’, to be built adjacent to the new cancer care centre at the Lismore Base Hospital.

The investment means people across the North Coast will no longer have to travel to Brisbane or Sydney to receive treatment, and can get care closer to home and with the support of their family.

The additional infrastructure will also underpin planning for future expansion of radiotherapy services in this region.

‘Our House’ will provide a home base for carers and cancer patients who need accommodation when they come to Lismore to receive their treatment.

Member for Page Janelle Saffin said this was a wonderful announcement and will mean vastly improved cancer care for patients on the North Coast, as well as a place to stay for their carers.

“There were many local submissions for this, and I lobbied hard to see these facilities become a reality on the North Coast, and I am delighted that the cancer care services the Northern Rivers community have asked for will be delivered,” she said.

“I am very excited by this announcement and I want to thank the community and particularly Dr Chris Ingall and Dr Adam Boyce for their hard work on these cancer care initiatives.”
 
The North Coast Cancer Institute Regional Cancer Service forms part of the Rudd Government’s $560 million investment in regional and rural cancer centres to ensure all Australians can get care closer to home and their community.

It builds on the Rudd Government’s other investment for Lismore Base Hospital:

$7 million to fast-track the building of the integrated cancer centre at the Lismore Base Hospital bringing the total Commonwealth contribution to $15 million. The new building is due to be completed and operational by 31 May 2010;
$8.3 million to expand the Emergency Department through an additional eight beds; $600,000 for Elective Surgery equipment.

Today’s announcement also shows the benefit of the Federal Government stepping up to the plate and providing funding for health services across Australia.

Under the National Health and Hospitals Network, the Rudd Government would provide 60 per cent of the funding for capital upgrades for public hospitals.  

The Rudd Government’s plan will see health services funded nationally and run locally through local hospital networks to deliver better outcomes for local communities.

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