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.
$180,000 designer clothing theft at Bangalow
December 5, 2009
Police are seeking the public’s help following the theft of more than $180,000 of designer brand clothing at Bangalow.
Sometime between 6.30pm on Thursday 3 December and 7am the next day, thieves have forced their way inside a clothing store on Byron Street at Bangalow.
The thieves gained access by cutting a security mesh window at the rear of the property.
Once inside, they stole a large number of designer jeans, shorts, jackets and other assorted clothing items.
A sacred place to relax in pre-Christmas
December 3, 2009
Churches with their high-pitched roofs, solid stone walls and lots of softer timber fittings have wonderful acoustics, especially for voices.
Spiritsong, a Bangalow-based choir directed by local organist Warren Whitney, and the Nouveaux Singers, a choir from Lismore, led by Bruce McNicoll, are combining to present a Christmas concert for you to relax to.
Extra funding for film and jokes
December 3, 2009
Two Northern Rivers festivals have been successful in gaining funding from the Tourism NSW Regional Flagship Events Program for 2010 – the Byron Bay International Film Festival and the Big Joke Comedy Festival in Bangalow.
Each will receive $10,000 towards organisational and promotion costs.
The Byron Bay Film Festival celebrates the spirit of Byron Bay and the North Coast through the universal medium of independent film. It will be held over nine days from 5-13 March.
Its director, J’aimee Skippon-Volke, said the funding represents genuine recognition of the commitment to grow the event so that it becomes an annual icon on the Australian calendar.
Illegal dumping of garden waste: campaign launched in Byron Shire
November 23, 2009
The NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) and Byron Shire Council have launched a campaign targeting the problem of illegal dumping of garden waste.
Operation Palm is an innovative campaign to reduce the problem, and involves DECCW and Byron Shire Council.
DECCW Manager Waste Management Section, Mark Gorta, said that illegal dumping of garden waste is a highly visible and costly environmental problem.
“Problems caused include threats to native bushland from environmental weeds and disease, and reduced habitat for native animals and birds,” he said.
