Tourism Australia Global PR Team visits Byron
February 27, 2010
Tourism Australia is holding their annual Global Public Relations Conference at The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa this week.
The public relations representatives, who arrived in Byron Bay this week (25 February), work to promote Australia as a tourism destination internationally and domestically. They are making the most of their first visit to Byron by undertaking a famil of Byron and the broader Northern Rivers region.
New website lists road closure information
February 24, 2010
Motorists travelling in the Northern Rivers area now have ready, reliable access to roads information with the launch of a new website called RoadInfo www.myroadinfo.com.au
“This is especially important in times of emergency,” said Cr Jenny Dowell, president of the Northern Rivers Regional Organisation of Councils (NOROC).
“Although the new system will show roadworks and scheduled road closures on an everyday basis, it will come into its own during a flood or in other emergency event.
“It is the experience of most councils that the information people request most is ‘what roads are closed?’ and ‘how can I travel from A to B?’
NRMA Insurance Community Grants program taking applications in March
February 13, 2010
Applications for the 2010 NRMA Insurance Community Grants program will be open on 1st March, Member for Ballina Don Page said.
The program offers grants of between $500 and $5000 to groups undertaking projects in areas of crime prevention, road safety, emergency readiness and the environment.
“The program started in 2003 and has so far provided $4 million in funding to over 1100 community projects Australia-wide,” Mr Page said.
Last year the Bangalow Community Children’s Centre was successful in obtaining funding for a road safety awareness campaign.
Murwillumbah Street shows the way in Sustainable Street program
February 10, 2010
The Mayor of Tweed Shire Council has congratulated residents of a Murwillumbah street who have broken down barriers and improved community life through a groundbreaking project to improve sustainability at the grassroots level.
“The Sustainable Street program is a joint initiative of Tweed and Byron shire councils which aims to bring neighbours together for local environmental improvements,” Councillor Warren Polglase said.
“This project has been so successful that Tweed and Byron shire councils are now seeking more streets to take part.
“Tweed and Byron councils are pleased to announce that we have secured State Government funding through the Tweed-Byron Bush Futures Program to deliver the Sustainable Streets package to two streets in each shire in 2010.”
Planning approval given for Tintenbar-Ewingsdale Pacific Highway upgrade
January 29, 2010
Ballina MP and Shadow Minister for North Coast Don Page has welcomed the announcement today of planning approval and construction funding for the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade of the Pacific Highway.
He especially welcomed the announcement of construction money at the same time as planning approval was given, as quite often this is not the case.
“Usually planning approval is given and it can be years before construction money becomes available,” Mr Page said.
These delays occurred for both the Ballina bypass and Alstonville bypass projects.
Clandestine drug lab uncovered at Bangalow; two men arrested
January 28, 2010
Two men have been arrested today following a joint interagency operation at Byron Bay after police uncovered the first ever clandestine laboratory manufacturing safrole oil, used in the production of MDMA.
Strike Force Barsden comprises investigators from the State Crime Command’s Drug Squad, Tweed/Byron Local Area Command and Queensland Police.
The Strike Force was established in June 2009 to investigate the supply of cocaine, as well as the manufacture of safrole oil, which can be used as a precursor in the production of MDMA.
Two men have been arrested by police today including a 23-year-old man at Bangalow and a 24-year-old man at Mullumbimby. Both men were taken to Byron Bay Police Station.
Memories sought for oral history of Northern Rivers
January 28, 2010
A Southern Cross University researcher is searching for older people living from Tweed Heads to Kyogle who can share their memories of the region’s early history.
Theresa Mason has embarked on her PhD research project – an oral history of the Northern Rivers – and already has many a fascinating tale to tell, thanks to locals sharing their stories for her earlier Honours project.
Her interest in the region’s history began when she was editing and writing for The Village Journal, a local newspaper based in Rosebank, serving the rural areas between Dunoon, Federal and Bexhill.
“I came across all of these older people who had fascinating stories to tell,” she said. “Many of the stories around people’s experiences during the Great Depression and in times of war were particularly interesting.
Byron Shire councillors don’t ‘live it up’
January 14, 2010
An article in the Daily Telegraph on councils ‘living it up’ does not apply to Byron Shire Council, the council’s general manager, Graeme Faulkner, said.
He said the Byron Shire’s councillors are a hard-working group of individuals dedicated to the community.
“They are paid less than $15,000 each per year, with an additional Mayoral allowance of $33,000,” he said.
The Daily Telegraph news article reported a figure of up to $47,000 spent on ’sustenance’ within Byron Shire for the period 2008-09.
Ballina Electorate grants total $398,950
December 17, 2009
Member for Ballina Don Page today announced the successful applicants for the Community Building Partnership Program, totalling $398,950.
Mr Page said there were a large number of applications for the program, which was designed to stimulate the local economy and provide jobs.
The successful recipients were:
Richmond electorate volunteer grants announced
December 10, 2009
Member for Richmond MP Justine Elliot has announced that 75 volunteer organisations in the electorate will receive funding from the Rudd Government’s Volunteer Grants 2009 initiative.
“Under this initiative, grants of between $1000 and $5000 are provided to non-profit organisations to support their volunteers and encourage volunteering,” she said.
Volunteer organisations in the Richmond electorate will benefit from volunteer grants totalling $236,834.
“Every day volunteers are out in our local community doing what they do best – helping those in need, nurturing our environment and fostering our nation’s sporting and cultural life,” Ms Elliot said.
