Designer Natalie Wilkin picks up award for Tommy’s Tavern work
July 30, 2009
Lismore’s Natalie Wilkin of NW Design has been awarded Regional Subcontractor of the Year at the 2009 Master Builders Association Building Awards for her interior design and building design of Tommy’s Tavern. John Larkin construction also won best hospitality venue for Tommy’s Tavern at the awards.
Held at the Ballina RSL last Saturday night, the Awards recognised ‘diversity of design and excellence in crafstmanship’ on the North Coast.
Twenty-seven year old Natalie was solely responsible for both the interior design and fitout and building design of the iconic tavern.
Other refurbishments she has completed recently include the Lismore greyhound track, Café Wa in Maclean and Bangalow Hairdressing, as well as numerous residential extensions, renovations and new house designs.
No upfront payment needed for home insulation after July 1
March 4, 2009
Home owners do not need to pay upfront for the Rudd Government’s Homeowner Insulation Program, if they wait until July 1.
“The Homeowners Insulation Program is a key part of the Rudd Government’s Energy Efficient Homes Package which aims to improve the energy rating of Australian homes and help home owners save on their electricity bills,” Member for Page Janelle Saffin said.
“The program offers free insulation worth up to $1600 to eligible Australian home owner-occupiers of currently uninsulated homes.
“From the first of July eligible home owners will gain access to a free-call booking and installation service which will arrange for a qualified installer to visit the home and install free ceiling insulation (up to $1600). The homeowner can then avoid upfront costs.
“Because of the huge interest in the Homeowners Insulation Program, the Government has announced details of a program for early installation, for eligible homeowners who install ceiling insulation between February 3 and July 1, 2009.
“Under the early installation program, eligible applicants will be able to seek reimbursement up to a maximum amount of $1600 if they arrange for an authorised installer to install ceiling insulation between February 3, and July 1, 2009 and meet the application requirements.
“People wanting to take advantage of the early installation program need to ring the hotline on 1800 808 571 and they will be sent an information package and application forms. They can return the forms after installation and will be reimbursed within eight weeks.”
More information is available on the website at www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency or by ringing the hotline 1800 808 57.
Free ceiling insulation plan now in operation
February 26, 2009
Page MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed today’s announcement that homeowners can start applying for free ceiling insulation immediately.
Ms Saffin said: “I have had so many inquiries from people right across Page who are keen to take advantage of the free insulation. I can now let them know they can apply from today.
“Many local businesses which supply and install ceiling insulation will have to prepare for a boom in business, going by the level of interest in this program.”
Through the Government’s $3.9 billion Energy Efficient Homes package, households can now apply for one of the following upgrades:
Recycle Right during National Recycling Week
November 8, 2008
The North East Waste Forum and local councils are encouraging people to Recycle Right, to conserve resources, to reduce contamination, to save water, and to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions during National Recycling Week, November 10 to 16.
Recycling was one thing that residents could do to help address climate change, said co-ordinator of the North East Waste Forum, Gordon Fraser-Quick.
Mr Fraser-Quick said the more we recycled, the greater the environmental benefit was because we were not only minimising the output of carbon dioxide – which was the biggest contributor to climate change – but we’re also conserving valuable resources and saving vast amounts of water and energy.
“Last financial year more than 17,000 tonnes of recyclable household waste was recycled in the NEWF region of Byron Shire, Tweed Shire, Ballina Shire, Clarence Valley, Richmond Valley and Kyogle Council areas,” he said.
Evan finds a great new home at Elevation
October 13, 2008
Elevation at Lennox Head has just released their best land yet.
The release of Stage Two of the celebrated community by joint venture partners Indigo and Urbex has stirred the development industry both locally and interstate.
But it’s the local buyers who are jumping up and down about this new hilltop release.
Local vet Evan Kosack (pictured) is sitting pretty with his purchase at Elevation.
Forums will give the lowdown on buying moveable dwellings
October 13, 2008
Forums will be held in early November to provide free legal information and advice for people who are thinking of buying into or selling out of moveable dwellings in a caravan park.
There will be two forums – one in Ballina on Tuesday 4 November 2008, and the other in Tweed Heads on Wednesday 5 November 2008.
Generation Y delaying home purchases: SCU study
October 9, 2008
A new study looking at housing affordability and Generation Y has found that young people are prepared to delay buying their first home for five years or more to ensure they can afford something that meets their expectations.
Melanie Thomas (pictured), an Honours student at Southern Cross University’s School of Commerce and Management, took a group of 18- to 28-year-olds from the Gold Coast and northern NSW to two display homes and then surveyed their opinions in an in-depth study to determine attitudes towards home ownership.
“The indication is that this demographic is prepared to significantly extend the amount of time before they buy a house rather than compromise their expectations,” said Melanie.
“For example, having an area to entertain friends rated as one of the most important considerations for this demographic when buying property, and most plan to wait until they are able to afford something that meets this need, rather than settle for second best.”
Councils, companies urged to apply for Housing Affordability grants
September 17, 2008
Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin is urging local councils and private companies to apply for grants under the Federal Government’s $512 million Housing Affordability Fund.
Applications are now open for the half billion dollar fund, which will reduce the cost charged by developers for new homes around the country.
The Housing Affordability Fund invests $512 million over five years to reduce some of the planning red tape and infrastructure costs paid by developers.
The Rudd Government has allocated $30 million of the fund to fast-track the national roll-out of an electronic assessment system (eDA) to improve planning efficiency.
Woman’s relocation hassles spark new business venture
June 6, 2008
A Ballina woman’s hassles in relocating from Brisbane has led to a new business, Swift Packing Service, a pre-removal packing service for residential and commercial customers.
“It came about by my own relocations,” said business owner Olivia Hughes.
“After much research I discovered there was no such service in the Northern Rivers area available to me.
“On speaking to removalists, I discovered that they could pack my belongings. However, the common comment was that it was quite a steep charge because mainly they had to pack for the elderly and it was a complete hassle for them.
