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.”

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) candidate Herbert Hermens (pictured) has begun research to understand the influence of the retail giants, such as Bunnings Warehouse, on the purchasing behaviour of the average DIY enthusiast – and is finding that they wield more power than most of us would imagine.

“The rise of large retailers has had a significant effect on home improvement purchasing,” said Mr Hermens.

“Confidence in the retailer is such that it can change a consumer’s brand of preference – even if that brand has high recognition and is a leader in its field.

“Thirty years ago a consumer would chase down the tools of a certain brand, but these days they are more likely to just go to large retailer like Bunnings and choose from their selection.

“Consumers feel reassured that they can take products back to exchange them if they are not happy and they are increasingly empowered to take on home improvement jobs they wouldn’t normally have tackled.

“This research aims to examine the reasons behind these shifts in behaviour and look at what it means for the home improvement market in the future.”

Mr Hermens is one of 90 doctoral candidates and academic staff attending the Graduate College of Management’s bi-annual Doctoral Symposium at SCU Riverside at Tweed Heads beginning this Friday, May 22.

Acting director of the Doctor of Business Administration Program Professor Philip Neck said the symposium emphasised the practical applications of the research.

“Southern Cross University has the largest doctoral program in Australia by far – almost 300 students have already graduated from the program and there are nearly 200 currently in preparation for their Doctor of Business Administration through SCU,” said Professor Neck.

“Each of the research projects conducted by these candidates is significant not only because of their theoretical academic importance, but also because they have direct applications for policy measures and professional practice in industry and society in general.

“The symposium is enormously important because it allows candidates from right around the world to meet face-to-face to exchange ideas and look at how they can best disseminate and apply their new ideas to the real world.”

Mr Hermens said he expected his research would be of use to manufacturers and retailers alike.

“The research will have direct implications for manufacturers, who may need to decide if they can produce home brands for the retailer,” said Mr Hermens.

“And of course, it will inform the business strategies of our big name retailers.”

Target Australia

On the Far North Coast, Target has stores in Ballina, Casino, Goonellabah, Lismore, Grafton, Yamba, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads. Target says that nationally, it hands out 100 million plastic bags a year.

Launa Inman, Target’s Managing Director, said the decision to go national was made following the successful implementation of a similar change in its South Australian stores in December, which had a positive response from customers and staff members.

“We all have a role to play in reducing our impact on the environment. One way is to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags in our business,” she said.

“Target stores currently issue over 100 million plastic shopping bags each year to customers and from 1 June this will stop.

“Target has been actively involved for some time in programs to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags, such as the National Packaging Covenant and ‘Say no to plastic bags’ campaign.

“However, we still hand out far too many. So for Target it wasn’t a matter of if we stop issuing plastic shopping bags, it was a matter of when, and the when for Target is now.

“Our customers will have a choice from 1 June. They can choose not to use a bag, they can choose to bring their own shopping bag or if they wish to purchase one, we will have a range available including reusable bags from $1 and compostable bags from 10 cents.

“Staff members at the checkouts, supported by in-store customer signage and a dedicated education campaign, will be encouraging customers to make a choice – don’t use a bag, bring your own bag or if you need one we have a range available.”

Leading environmental campaigner on plastic bags, Jon Dee, has welcomed Target’s announcement.

“This is a major breakthrough in the push to reduce Australia’s reliance on single-use plastic shopping bags,” said Mr Dee, Do Something Chairman and Founder of The National Plastic Bag Campaign.

“It’s wonderful to see a major national retailer taking the lead by removing plastic shopping bags from its stores.”

The key component of Target’s bag range is the reusable ‘Red Bag’ that comes in three sizes, with all profits from the sale of these bags going to Target’s national community partner, The Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

For full details on Target’s environmental policy visit www.target.com.au

The message comes as three dangerous children’s toys were recalled following a survey of toys purchased from 40 online traders by the consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

“Sadly toys can cause serious injury or death,” Mr Bowen said.

“We are fortunate that there have been very few deaths in Australia associated with toys, though I understand that there were 18 toy-related deaths last year in the United States.

“Packaging should indicate which toys are suitable for children under three but parents and carers will need to ensure that young children do not have access to older children’s toys.

“Tiny, powerful magnets that are frequently used to attach parts of children’s toys can be a serious safety hazard.

“If swallowed, the magnets can lock together through the walls of the intestine, causing perforations. Children have sustained stomach injuries from ingesting these magnets, and a child in the US died of injuries.

“Swinging on unstable basketball rings, for example, has led to serious injury and death of children in Australia – basketball rings and backboards are required to carry warnings.”

Parents and carers are also able to minimise risks by being alert to the following:

• Avoid giving toys with small balls or parts to children under 3 years of age. Small parts can cause choking. 
• Check that magnets in toys are not loose. This is particularly important in toys that are not new and may have deteriorated with use.
• Check and adhere to any warnings.
• Remove discarded plastic wrappings and uninflated or broken balloons as these can cause young children to suffocate.
• Check whether toys are subject to a recall.

“Compliance activity, which increases in relation to toys at Christmas time, can lead to toys that have been sold being recalled,” Mr Bowen said.

“Australian safety recalls are listed on the ACCC recall website. 

“I encourage everyone to regularly check the website, especially at Christmas.” 

The website can be found at: www.recalls.gov.au

Fair trading offices across Australia, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, actively survey the marketplace and ensure that unsafe toys are removed. 

The results of the recent ACCC survey of online toy purchases can be seen at www.accc.gov.au

“As technology improves and develops, criminals are presented with opportunities to commit fraud,” he said.

“In relation to Internet auction sites, buyers have little opportunity to inspect goods and should be particularly cautious if certain indicators are present.”

These indicators include:

• If the seller gives excuses for not allowing inspection, such as being overseas and the goods are locally-based. This is particularly relevant to motor vehicles.
• If the seller has poor, or no feedback history.
• If the seller wants an unusual method of payment, such as through a money-transmitter.
• If the photographs of the goods appear to have been taken from the manufacturer’s internet site or do not appear to be actual goods.
• Be cautious if given a ‘second chance offer’ directly from the seller by email.

Police across New South Wales and around Australia receive reports from members of the public who are allegedly conned.

“However, internet auction sites post information and advice to buyers and sellers on ways to reduce their risk of being a victim of fraud,” Detective Sergeant Clark said.

“Most importantly, our advice to anyone purchasing items through internet auction sites is if you are in any doubt, don’t buy it.

“Richmond Local Area Command receives numerous reports of such transactions that have resulted in buyers sending the money and not receiving the goods. Statistically these matters reported to Police don’t result in the funds being returned..

“Police continue to encourage the reporting of all crime. However, of all crime, it is important for members of the public to guard themselves against being victims and being out of pocket.”