NPWS Pest Management Officer, Lisa Wellman, said that the survey is being undertaken from until December 16 as part of the Fox Threat Abatement Plan and will provide important data on shorebird numbers and movements to assist with management.

“The survey targets three key threatened species – the pied oystercatcher, beach stone-curlew and little terns – in order to get a snapshot of their abundance,” Ms Wellman said.

“The region is an important habitat for shorebirds and there are many challenges for conservation in managing an area of high population growth like this.

“This is the second year the survey has been undertaken. Last year’s survey found that the Northern Rivers region had about one third of the state’s pied oystercatchers (102) and about half of the beach stone-curlews (9). Little terns were in comparatively small numbers, with only 27 adults found in the region, out of about 1400 across the state.’

“The survey will target beaches and the estuaries of the Clarence, Evans, Brunswick and Tweed Rivers.

“Visitors to the coastal areas may well see NPWS rangers, Marine Park staff and volunteers including the Byron Bird Buddies out and about in boats and on foot with binoculars.

“We are looking forward to seeing how shorebirds are faring in the region, 12 months on.”

Mr Page said that residential parks provide an affordable housing choice for many people, who develop strong, valuable networks of support within their park.

“It is vital that effective laws are in place setting out clear and balanced rights and obligations for residents and park operators,” said Mr Page.

“The discussion paper honours our election commitment to residential park residents to carry out a full review of the Residential Parks Act 1998 and improve the governance of the residential parks industry”.

The paper looks at several ways to help strengthen and grow the residential parks sector, including options for licensing park operators, education for new operators and better ways to resolve disputes about rent increases.

“The NSW Government has listened to concerns at the grassroots level and will make sure the real issues affecting park residents and operators are addressed by this review,” Mr Page said.

The discussion paper is available online at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 32 20. Comments can be lodged directly online, by returning the submission form at the back of the paper, or by sending a submission to NSW Fair Trading.

The deadline for providing comments on the discussion paper is Wednesday, 29 February 2012.

NPWS Richmond River Area Manager Mark Pittavino said that the burn, which is planned for Tuesday and Wednesday this week, will help to reduce risk to property and protect the natural and cultural values of the national park.

“The purpose of the burn is to provide fuel-reduced areas which will help to prevent the spread of wildfire,” Mr Pittavino said.

The burn will be in Bundjalung National Park (West) adjacent to the Pacific Highway, fifteen kilometres south of New Italy, to help reduce the spread of wildfire.

It will take place along a five kilometre stretch of the highway, commencing at Thomsons Road, which is the boundary of the Richmond Valley and Clarence Local Government Areas.

During the burn, roads will remain open but drivers should be aware of the potential for smoke across the Pacific Highway.

The area identified for strategic burning is a result of fire modelling as part of the NPWS fire management planning process.

Burning will commence around midday each day of burning. People should avoid the area where the burns are being conducted and be aware of fire vehicles on the road.

The burn will be conducted by NPWS staff with the assistance of the Rural Fire Service.

Nikon Australia and Surf Life Saving are urging people on the Far North Coast to nominate a local surf lifesaver for a chance to be named the first ever Nikon Clubbie of the Year.

This inaugural people’s choice award gives the community the ability to recognise the vital and selfless commitment Surf Life Saving members make.

Any SLS member can be nominated, from a local hero to the volunteer who has tirelessly hosted the charity sausage sizzle each weekend, to the promising young Nipper!

As part of the ongoing partnership with Surf Life Saving, Nikon developed this award as a way of recognising the huge commitment Clubbies across Australia make all year round.

Nikon has contributed a prize pool of up to $330,000 of cash and credit redeemable for Nikon gear which is designed to help SLS clubs across Australia at a local level.

The cash prizes up for grabs will help fund surf lifesaver training programs, rescue gear and first aid supplies and enabling clubs to continue their vital work.

Matt Thompson, Coastal Safety Services Manager from Surf Life Saving Australia, said: “We want everyone to get behind their local surf lifesaving club and nominate a member to ensure their club has access to this generous prize pool. The additional funds will have a huge impact and make a real difference at a local level.”

To nominate yourself or your local Clubbie, visit www.nikonclubbieoftheyear.com.au to register your details by answering three simple questions and uploading a photo. Entries are open until Sunday 4 September 2011. Voting starts Monday 8 September.

During the public voting stage, every vote a Clubbie receives through the Nikon Clubbie of the Year Award earns their club Nikon gear credits and gives them a better chance at being the 2011 Nikon ‘Clubbie of the Year’ and the $5,000 cash prize for them and $5,000 for their club.

For more information about the competition and full terms and conditions, visit www.nikonclubbieoftheyear.com.au

Tour Director and event founder Tony Keogh said the Tour truly is Hell on Wheels.

“The ride follows a rigorous 600km route over 8 days and will test mountain bike riders’ endurance,” Tony said.

“However, riders will be in the company of other cyclists out to enjoy themselves and raise money for a worthy cause.”

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter General Manager Kris Beavis said Yellow Pages are once again on board as sponsors.

“As result of their generous sponsorship, all riders will get to wear a Yellow Rider’s Jersey,” Mr Beavis said.

“It’s not quite the Tour de France Yellow Jersey, but it’s a great memento.

“The event is in its 14th year, and is one of our longest-running and most successful fundraisers, having raised $450,000 over that time.”

For information on how to register or to sponsor a rider visit the Events page on the website, www.helirescue.com.au or phone Krystal on 6627 4444.

PICTURE: A sea of yellow jerseys – riders compete in the 2010 Yellow Pages Hell on Wheels cycle tour.

The Tour schedule is as follows:

• Day 1 – Saturday October 8 – Depart Lismore Helicopter Base (and return same day)
• Day 2 – Sunday October 9– Depart Kyogle for Urbenville
• Day 3 – Monday October 10 – Depart Urbenville for Tabulam
• Day 4 – Tuesday October 11 – Depart Tabulam for Copmanhurst
• Day 5 – Wednesday October 12 – Depart Copmanhurst for Maclean
• Day 6 – Thursday October 13 – Depart Maclean for Evans Head
• Day 7 – Friday October 14 – Depart Casino for Ballina
• Day 8 – Saturday October 15 – Depart Ballina for Lismore Helibase

NPWS Pest Management Officer, Lisa Wellman, said bitou bush control is undertaken in accordance with the Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan, which outlines Statewide priorities, based on protecting endangered species and ecological communities such as grassy headlands and littoral rainforests.

“NPWS uses an integrated approach to the control of bitou bush and other weeds,” Ms Wellman said.

“This involves removing weeds in order to encourage the native plant community to regenerate. Techniques used include ground-based control, bush regeneration and aerial spraying.

“Infestations of bitou bush will be controlled in Brunswick Heads, Billinudgel and Wooyung nature reserves and Broadwater and Bundjalung national parks using aerial spraying this June and July.

“Aerial spraying is a cost-effective and efficient tool that enables us to control bitou bush over large areas which would otherwise be extremely difficult and time consuming.

“Monitoring is ongoing in these reserves and has been used to assess the recovery of native species biodiversity as well as the future requirements for bitou bush control.

“Monitoring results from the 2009 and 2010 control programs in northern Brunswick Heads and Billinudgel nature reserves have shown that it was highly effective, with 90% of bitou bush killed and no negative impacts on native species. Monitoring of these sites has also found that native plants increased in size, number and variety on the fore-dune.

“Follow-up control programs are essential to ensure that native plant communities recover from the impacts of bitou bush.

“Temporary closures of areas to be treated will occur between Monday the 20th June and Friday the 8th of July, 2011.”

Indicative closure dates are as follows:

• Brunswick Heads (north), Billinudgel and Wooyung nature reserves – 20th June, 2011.
• Bundjalung and Broadwater national parks – 27th June, 2011.

“These closure dates are only indicative, as operations are very weather-dependant. Aerial operations may occur on any day from the 20th June until the 8th of July, however, further notifications will be provided closer to the date,” Ms Wellman said.

“Brunswick Heads (north of the river), Wooyung and Billinudgel nature reserves will be closed at the commencement of each scheduled day until the work is completed. The reserves will be reopened daily if conditions are not suitable.

“In Bundjalung National Park the temporary closures will affect Ten Mile beach from Goanna (Snapper) Headland to Shark Bay and Woody Head to Iluka Bluff. This will include access to Ten Mile Beach at Black Rocks and Shark Bay. Woody Head and Black Rocks camping area and Iluka Bluff are not within the treatment area and will remain open.

“In Broadwater National Park program will take place from the southern boundary of the national park and extend north to Hind Dune trail, approximately two kilometres north of Salty Creek mouth.”

For further information please contact area offices as follows: Tweed Area 6670 8600, Richmond River Area 6627 0200, Clarence North Area 6641 1500 or www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

This operation was undertaken with the support of the Crown Lands Division of the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

Four-wheel drive club member and clean-up leader, Max Willoughby, said that the club was keen to help out with the rubbish clean-up as it was important for beach users to contribute to conserving the environment which they enjoy.

“Responsible beach users have a role to play and the club was happy to help out to clean up South Ballina Beach,” Mr Willoughby said.   

NPWS Ranger, Liz Dargin, said that almost one-and-a-half tonnes of rubbish were removed from the beach with the help of 23 hard-working members of the club who also enjoyed a picnic lunch.

“The main type of rubbish removed was plastic bottles and ocean debris,” Ms Dargin said.

“With the recent floods a lot of material has been washed down the rivers and onto the beaches. 

“The stretch of beach between South Ballina and Evans Head is an important habitat for nesting shorebirds such as endangered Pied Oystercatchers, Little Terns and Beach Stone-curlews. Green and Loggerhead turtles have also been known to nest in this area.

“Rubbish forms a danger to native wildlife as they can eat or become trapped in it. It is also unsightly for people who want to enjoy this beautiful stretch of beach.

“The combined effort of the Tweed Valley Four-wheel Drive Club members, NPWS staff and NSW DPI working together resulted in a cleaner beach for our threatened species and beach users.”

The event has been hugely successful over the last two years for the small South West Rocks club and community, generating an estimated $5million within the local economy.

Overall Pointscore

1st Byron Bay 807 pts
2nd Warilla-Barrack Point 575
3rd Lennox-Head Alstonville 459 
4th Cudgen Headland 410
5th Coffs Harbour 394 
6th Tacking Point 327
7th Port Macquarie 297.5
8th Sawtell 295
9th Shellharbour 268.5
10th Wauchope-BH 200
11th South West Rocks 168
12th Woolgoolga  103

FAR NORTH COAST RESULTS

OPENS

Male
Open Male Surf Race  1. Hayden Thomas (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 2. Jarrod Cain (Cudgen Headland); 3. Nathan Gray (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 19 Men`s Surf Race  1. Hayden Thomas (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 3. Nathan Gray (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 17 Men`s Surf Race  2. Callum Smith (Cudgen Headland);   Under 15 Men`s Surf Race  1. Lorne GREENLAW (Byron Bay); 2. Josh BROWN (Byron Bay); 3. Murray Thomas (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Open Male Rescue Tube Rescue  3. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A);   Under 19 Male Rescue Tube Rescue  1. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A);   Under 17 Male Rescue Tube  1. Callum Smith (Cudgen Headland);   Under 15 Male Rescue Tube  1. Murray Thomas (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Open Mens Single Ski Race  2. Rohan Small (Cudgen Headland); 3. Tom BURNS (Byron Bay);   Under 19 Men`s Single Ski Race  1. Torri CALLAN (Byron Bay); 2. Tom BURNS (Byron Bay); 3. Alex BURNS (Byron Bay);   Under 17 Male Single Ski Race  2. Brendan IRWIN (Byron Bay); 3. Cameron GREEN (Byron Bay);   Open Male Single Ski Relay Race  1. Cudgen Headland (A); 2. Byron Bay (B);   Under 19 Male Single Ski Relay Race  1. Byron Bay (B); 2. Byron Bay (G);   Under 17 Male Ski Relay  3. Byron Bay (A);   Open Men`s Double Ski Race  1. Byron Bay (A); 2. Byron Bay (B); 3. Byron Bay (D);   U19 Male Double Ski  1. Byron Bay (A); 2. Byron Bay (B);   Under 17 Male Beach Flags  1. Nathan Sharp (Cudgen Headland);   Under 15 Male Beach Flags  1. Bindhi GAZE (Byron Bay); 3. James BRODIN (Byron Bay);   Open Male 2km Beach Run  2. Ben CONDIE (Byron Bay);   Under 19 Male 2km Beach Run  2. Torri CALLAN (Byron Bay);   Under 17 Male 2km Beach Run  3. Connor Patterson (Cudgen Headland);   Under 15 Male 2km Beach Run    Open Male Beach Sprint  1. Nathan Sharp (Cudgen Headland);   Under 19 Male Beach Sprint  1. Ben MARTIN (Byron Bay);   Under 17 Male Beach Sprint  1. Nathan Sharp (Cudgen Headland);   Under 15 Male Beach Sprint  2. James BRODIN (Byron Bay);   Open Male Beach Relay  2. Cudgen Headland (A);   Under 19 Male Beach Relay  Official results not yet available  Under 17 Male Beach Relay  1. Cudgen Headland (A);   Under 15 Male Beach Relay  1. Cudgen Headland (A);   Open Male Beach Flags  3. Nathan Sharp (Cudgen Headland);   Under 19 Male Beach Flags    Open Men`s Surf Board Riding    Under 19 Men`s Surf Board Riding  1. Alex Power (Byron Bay);   Under 17 Men`s Surf Board Riding    Under 15 Men`s Surf Board Riding    Open Men`s Surf Board Race  1. Scott McCartney (Cudgen Headland); 3. Nathan Gray (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 19 Men`s Surf Board Race  1. Nathan Gray (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 17 Men`s Surf Board Race  2. Callum Smith (Cudgen Headland);   Under 15 Men`s Surf Board Race  1. Jacob McGoldrick (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 2. Josh BROWN (Byron Bay); 3. Murray Thomas (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Open Men’s Surf Board Relay  1. Cudgen Headland (A);   Under 19 Men`s Surf Board Relay  2. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A); 3. Byron Bay (A);   Under 17 Men`s Surf Board Relay  3. Cudgen Headland (A);   Under 15 Men`s Surf Board Relay  1. Byron Bay (A); 3. Lennox Head-Alstonville (X);   Open Iron Man  2. Jarrod Cain (Cudgen Headland); 3. Rohan Small (Cudgen Headland);   Under 19 Iron Man  3. Hayden Thomas (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 17 Iron Man  3. Callum Smith (Cudgen Headland);   Under 15 Iron Man  1. Lorne GREENLAW (Byron Bay); 2. Murray Thomas (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 3. Josh BROWN (Byron Bay);   Open Men`s Surf Board Rescue  1. Cudgen Headland (C); 2. Cudgen Headland (A);   Under 19 Men`s Surf Board Rescue  2. Byron Bay (A);   Under 17 Men`s Surf Board Rescue  Official results not yet available  Under 15 Men`s Surf Board Rescue  Official results not yet available  Open Men`s Taplin Relay  1. Cudgen Headland (A);   Under 19 Men`s Taplin Relay  1. Byron Bay (A); 2. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A);   Under 17 Men`s Taplin Relay  3. Cudgen Headland (A);   Under 15 Men`s Cameron Relay  1. Byron Bay (A); 2. Lennox Head-Alstonville (X);   Open Male Surf Boat Race    Under 23 Male Surf Boat   

Female
Open Women`s Surf Race  3. Jeda GREENLAW (Byron Bay);   Under 19 Women`s Surf Race  2. Shannon HULBERT-GREEN (Byron Bay);   Under 17 Women`s Surf Race  1. Zoe HEINIGER (Byron Bay); 2. Kelly TEMPLEMAN (Byron Bay);   Under 15 Women`s Surf Race    Open Female Rescue Tube Rescue  1. Byron Bay (A); 3. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A);   Under 19 Female Rescue Tube Rescue  1. Byron Bay (G); 2. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A);   Under 17 Female Rescue Tube  Official results not yet available  Under 15 Female Rescue Tube  3. Conor Moriarty (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Women`s Single Ski Race  1. Ellie Leaver (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 2. Kim CHAPPEL (Byron Bay); 3. Brooke YOPP (Byron Bay);   Under 19 Women`s Single Ski Race  1. Shannon HULBERT-GREEN (Byron Bay); 2. Brooke YOPP (Byron Bay);   Under 17 Female Single Ski Race  2. Yasmin NELSON-CHAPMAN (Byron Bay);   Open Female Ski Realy  1. Byron Bay (A); 2. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A); 3. Byron Bay (C);   Under 19 Female Ski Relay  1. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A); 2. Byron Bay (B);   Under 17 Female Ski Relay  1. Byron Bay (A); 3. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A);   Open Female Double Ski Race  1. Byron Bay (A); 2. Byron Bay (B);   Under 17 Female Beach Flags    Under 15 Female Beach Flags    Open Female 2km Beach Run  3. Jeda GREENLAW (Byron Bay);   Under 19 Female 2km Beach Run  2. Bridget BARNES (Byron Bay); 3. Zahli Lowe (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 17 Female 2km Beach Run  2. Zoe HEINIGER (Byron Bay);   Under 15 Female 2km Beach Run  1. Ainslie Bakker (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Open Female Beach Sprint    Under 19 Female Beach Sprint    Under 17 Female Beach Sprint    Under 15 Female Beach Sprint    Open Female Beach Relay    Under 19 Female Beach Relay  Official results not yet available  Under 17 Female Beach Relay  3. Byron Bay (A);   Under 15 Female Beach Relay  3. Byron Bay (A);   Open Female Beach Flags    Under 19 Female Beach Flags  2. Zahli Lowe (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Open Women`s Surf Board Riding  2. chris Outteridge (Yamba);   Under 19 Women`s Surf Board Riding  Official results not yet available  Under 17 Women`s Surf Board Riding    Under 15 Women`s Surf Board Riding  Official results not yet available  Open Women`s Surf Board Race  1. Madison Blue Bekerleg (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 19 Women`s Surf Board Race  3. Shannon HULBERT-GREEN (Byron Bay);   Under 17 Women`s Surf Board Race  2. Madison Blue Bekerleg (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 15 Women`s Surf Board Race    Open Women`s Surf Board Relay  2. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A); 3. Byron Bay (A);   Under 19 Women`s Surf Board Relay  1. Byron Bay (A); 3. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A);   Under 17 Women`s Surf Board Relay  1. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A); 3. Byron Bay (A);   Under 15 Women`s Surf Board Relay    Open Iron Woman  Official results not yet available  Under 19 Iron Woman  Official results not yet available  Under 17 Iron Woman  3. Mikayla Gray (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 15 Iron Woman    Open Women`s Surf Board Rescue  1. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A); 2. Byron Bay (A); 3. Byron Bay (B);   Under 19 Women`s Surf Board Rescue  3. Lennox Head-Alstonville (C);   Under 17 Women`s Surf Board Rescue  Official results not yet available  Under 15 Women`s Surf Board Rescue  Official results not yet available  Open Women`s Taplin Relay  1. Byron Bay (A); 3. Byron Bay (H);   Under 19 Women`s Taplin Relay  1. Byron Bay (A); 2. Byron Bay (B);   Under 17 Women`s Taplin Relay  2. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A);   Under 15 Women`s Cameron Relay    Open Female Surf Boat Race    Under 23 Female Surf Boat   

Open
Open Surf Teams  1. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A); 2. Cudgen Headland (A);   Under 19 Surf Teams  1. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A);   Under 17 Surf Teams  3. Cudgen Headland (A);   Under 15 Surf Teams  1. Byron Bay (A); 3. Lennox Head-Alstonville (Y);   Open 5 Person R&R  Official results not yet available  All Age Surf Teams  1. Cudgen Headland (A); 2. Lennox Head-Alstonville (A); 3. Byron Bay (A);   Under 17 5 Person R&R Championship  Official results not yet available  Open Mixed Double Ski Race  1. Byron Bay (A); 2. Byron Bay (C); 3. Byron Bay (B);   U19 Double Ski Race  Official results not yet available  Open March Past Championship    Reserve Grade Surf Boat Race  1. Evans Head-Casino (evans Reserves); 2. Byron Bay (Georges team);   Under 19 Surf Boat Race  3. Evans Head-Casino (Evans Squeakers);  

Open
30+ Female Board Rescue   
JUNIORS
Male
Under 14 Male Beach Sprint  2. Sebastian Fahey (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 3. Nicholas Meaney (Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore);   Under 13 Male Beach Sprint    Under 12 Male Beach Sprint  2. Billy Porter (Yamba); 3. Tom McEvoy (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 11 Male Beach Sprint  1. Liam Foster (Yamba); 3. Jack Alder (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 10 Male Beach Sprint    Under 9 Male Beach Sprint  3. Blake Kernaghan (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 8 Male Beach Sprint  3. Ben Simmonds (Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore);   Under 14 Male Beach Flags  1. Nicholas Meaney (Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore); 2. Daniel Boardman (Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore); 3. Ty-Michael Henrisson-Lopez (Cabarita Beach);   Under 13 Male Beach Flags    Under 12 Male Beach Flags  3. Tom McEvoy (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 11 Male Beach Flags    Under 10 Male Beach Flags    Under 9 Male Beach Flags  3. TOM SWIFT (Cudgen Headland);   Under 8 Male Beach Flags    Under 14 Iron Man  1. JOSH BROWN (Byron Bay);   Under 13 Iron Man  1. CONNOR SMITH (Cudgen Headland); 3. DEAN TEMPLEMAN (Byron Bay);   Under 12 Iron Man  3. Stephen Moore (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 11 Iron Man    Under 14 Male Boardriding  2. Tahj Carter (Brunswick); 3. Nicholas Frazier (Brunswick);   Under 13 Male Boardriding    Under 14 Male Board  1. JOSH BROWN (Byron Bay);   Under 13 Male Board  1. LUKE CHAFFER (Cudgen Headland); 2. DEAN TEMPLEMAN (Byron Bay); 3. CONNOR SMITH (Cudgen Headland);   Under 12 Male Board  1. Stephen Moore (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 11 Male Board  3. Luke Mounic (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 10 Male Board  3. Patrick Jago (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 9 Male Board  1. TOM SWIFT (Cudgen Headland); 3. RORY MACPHAIL (Cudgen Headland);   Under 14 Male Surf Race  1. JOSH BROWN (Byron Bay);   Under 13 Male Surf Race  1. CONNOR SMITH (Cudgen Headland); 3. LUKE CHAFFER (Cudgen Headland);   Under 12 Male Surf Race    Under 11 Male Surf Race    Under 10 Male Surf Race  3. MOBY MCMULLEN (Byron Bay);   Under 9 Male Surf Race  2. Nicholas Mounic (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 8 Male Wade  2. Beau Carter (Brunswick);  

Female
Under 14 Female Beach Sprint    Under 13 Female Beach Sprint    Under 12 Female Beach Sprint  1. Scarlett Fahey (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 11 Female Beach Sprint  2. Saskia Dyer (Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore);   Under 10 Female Beach Sprint  2. ELLA FITZPATRICK (Cudgen Headland);   Under 9 Female Beach Sprint  2. Lucy Walkom (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 3. HAYLEY SMITH (Byron Bay);   Under 8 Female Beach Sprint    Under 14 Female Beach Flags    Under 13 Female Beach Flags    Under 12 Female Beach Flags  3. TARA FITZPATRICK (Cudgen Headland);   Under 11 Female Beach Flags  3. Layla Oxborrow (Yamba);   Under 10 Female Beach Flags  2. ELLA FITZPATRICK (Cudgen Headland); 3. Brianna McFarlane (Yamba);   Under 9 Female Beach Flags  3. Lucy Walkom (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 8 Female Beach Flags    Under 14 Iron Woman  1. Ela Heiniger (Brunswick);   Under 13 Iron Woman  3. Samantha Corbett (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 12 Iron Woman  1. Scarlett Fahey (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 2. Hannah Sculley (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 3. India Brown (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 11 Iron Woman  2. EMILY HURT (Cudgen Headland); 3. AVA BUCKLEY (Byron Bay);   Under 14 Female Boardriding  2. GRACE PATTISON (Byron Bay); 3. Angela Hill (Brunswick);   Under 13 Female Boardriding  1. Alana Frazier (Brunswick); 2. Tillini Carter (Brunswick);   Under 14 Female Board  2. Conor Moriarty (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 3. Ainslie Bakker (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 13 Female Board  2. Eliza Armstrong (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 12 Female Board  1. Hannah Sculley (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 2. India Brown (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 11 Female Board  1. EMILY HURT (Cudgen Headland); 2. ISABELLE MCMULLEN (Byron Bay);   Under 10 Female Board  1. Zoe Hughes (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 2. ELLA FITZPATRICK (Cudgen Headland); 3. SOFIE BOYD (Cudgen Headland);   Under 9 Female Board  1. HAYLEY SMITH (Byron Bay);   Under 14 Female Surf Race  1. Ela Heiniger (Brunswick);   Under 13 Female Surf Race    Under 12 Female Surf Race  1. Scarlett Fahey (Lennox Head-Alstonville); 3. Hannah Sculley (Lennox Head-Alstonville);   Under 11 Female Surf Race  2. EMILY HURT (Cudgen Headland);   Under 10 Female Surf Race  3. ANTHEA WARNE (Cudgen Headland);   Under 9 Female Surf Race  1. HAYLEY SMITH (Byron Bay);   Under 8 Female Wade  2. SAVANNA SILLARS (Cudgen Headland); 3. Samantha Hughes (Lennox Head-Alstonville);  

Open
March Past  3. Byron Bay (RED);   Under 14 Beach Relay  1. Cudgen Headland (BLUE);   Under 13 Beach Relay    Under 12 Beach Relay  3. Lennox Head-Alstonville (X);   Under 11 Beach Relay  1. Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore (A);   Under 10 Beach Relay    Under 9 Beach Relay  2. Lennox Head-Alstonville (X);   Under 8 Beach Relay  3. Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore (A);   All Age Relay  3. Cudgen Headland (RED);   5 Person R&R  Official results not yet available  2 Person R&R    Senior Board Rescue  2. Byron Bay (GOLD); 3. Cudgen Headland (BLUE);   Junior Board Rescue  Official results not yet available  Senior Cameron Relay  2. Byron Bay (RED);   Junior Cameron Relay  2. Byron Bay (RED);   Buchanan Relay  2. Cudgen Headland (RED);   Under 14 Board Relay  2. Byron Bay (BLUE); 3. Byron Bay (RED);   Under 13 Board Relay  2. Cudgen Headland (RED); 3. Cudgen Headland (BLUE);   Under 12 Board Relay  1. Lennox Head-Alstonville (X); 3. Byron Bay (RED);   Under 11 Board Relay  1. Cudgen Headland (RED);   Under 10 Board Relay  Official results not yet available  Under 9 Board Relay  2. Cudgen Headland (RED); 3. Lennox Head-Alstonville (Y);   Under 14 Surf Teams  2. Byron Bay (RED); 3. Lennox Head-Alstonville (X);   Under 13 Surf Teams  2. Cudgen Headland (RED);   Under 12 Surf Teams  1. Lennox Head-Alstonville (X);   Under 11 Surf Teams  3. Cudgen Headland (RED);   Under 10 Surf Teams  2. Cudgen Headland (BLUE);   Under 9 Surf Teams  1. Lennox Head-Alstonville (X); 3. Cudgen Headland (RED);   Under 8 Wade Relay  1. Lennox Head-Alstonville (X); 2. Cudgen Headland (RED); 3. Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore (A).

For full results, visit the website: http://www.surflifesaving.com.au/www/463/1001127/displayarticle/1007159.html

To be eligible, applicants need to show that 51 per cent of their income is derived from production – based on copies of their latest personal and business taxation returns – as well as satisfying other criteria.

A package of one-off “Category C Grants” – worth up to $15,000 – is available under the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) provided jointly by the Federal and NSW governments.

Category C assistance will help primary producers with general clean-up costs including the removal of debris and dead livestock, purchase of fodder, replacement trading stock, repairs to damaged equipment and property access – without which production and viability could be disrupted beyond the next season. It will help small businesses affected by flooding to conduct repairs and resume trading as soon as possible.

Category C assistance does not compensate for income losses and is not intended to replace insurance. It does not cover damage to dwellings, damages covered by insurance and cost of using own labour, existing staff or own equipment.

“A lot of producers and businesses in the region have been doing it extremely tough as a result of flooding,” Ms Saffin said.

“For producers and farmers, crops have been destroyed and livestock has been lost.

“It’s clear that many small businesses have also suffered significant disruption to their businesses.

“This additional assistance is about helping farmers and businesses get back on their feet.

“These one-off grants will help minimise the economic impact of the floods in the affected communities and help people get back to business as quickly as possible.

“The Gillard Labor Government would continue to work with the NSW Government to provide as much support to NSW communities as we can as the recovery process continues.”

The new assistance for small business owners and primary producers is in addition to other joint Commonwealth/NSW government assistance being provided under the NDRRA across affected Local Government Areas.

That includes concessional loans of up to $130,000 for small businesses and primary producers; concessional loans of up to $25,000 for voluntary, non-profit organisations; road and rail freight subsidies of up to $15,000 to assist primary producers for the carriage of livestock and fodder; personal hardship and distress assistance; restoration of public infrastructure; and certain counter disaster operations.

Applications for assistance must be lodged to the NSW Rural Assistance Authority by Thursday 30 June, 2011.

For further information, or to apply for assistance under the Natural Disaster Community Recovery Package, call the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Beaches on the Far North Coast will be patrolled from Yamba right up to Fingal Head on the Queensland and NSW border.

Surf Life Saving NSW, in partnership with local councils, will provide safe flagged swimming areas, undertake rescues, first aid treatment and provide surf and beach safety advice, as well as provide an after hours emergency response service, during the holiday season.

Lifeguards contracted to local councils and a support operations fleet of Rescue Jet Skis, Duty Officers, Communication Centres (Surfcom) and the Ballina Jet Rescue Boat will join volunteers from Far North Coast clubs in protecting beaches from Duranbah through to Yamba.

“Our lifesaving services play an important part in ensuring the northern NSW coast remains one of Australia’s top summer holiday destinations,” said Michael Gibbs, SLSFNC Marketing and Public Relations Liaison.

“We’re looking forward to a busy summer and the community can assist us in ensuring they enjoy our beaches in safety. Make sure that you only swim at patrolled beaches. Stay between the red and yellow flags which mark the safe swimming locations.

“Surf lifesavers and lifeguards are there to make sure you stay safe during the festive season, but it so important that people share the responsibility by not taking silly unnecessary risks.”

Each beach on the Far North Coast has varying surf conditions that can sometimes be dangerous to those who are unfamiliar with a particular beach or break. By following some common sense rules, beachgoers can avert a tragedy.

Emergency Services Co-ordinator for the Far North Coast, Jimmy Keough, believes many incidents could be prevented if swimmers knew more about rip currents and most importantly how to avoid them in the first place.

“People should always swim at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags – this is the best way to avoid a rip current, but statistics show some people are flaunting this message and drowning as a result,” said Mr Keough. 

Surf Life Saving is focusing on this problem by making patrol information easier to find through the website www.beachsafe.org.au and a new iPhone application.

You can survive a rip current, by knowing your best options:

• To avoid rip currents, always swim between the red and yellow flags.
• For assistance stay calm, float and raise an arm to attract attention.
• To escape a rip current, swim parallel to the beach.
• Conserve your energy; waves can assist you back to the beach.

“Surf Life Saving’s key safety message remains – always swim between the red and yellow flags,” said Mr Keough. To find patrolled beaches in NSW please visit www.beachsafe.org.au or download the free ‘Beachsafe’ iPhone application.

Weekend beach patrols will continue through the summer season and until the end of the Autumn school holidays next year, with all clubs and lifeguards patrolling beaches from Yamba to Fingal Head.

With the Tweed Coast and Byron Bay now becoming a popular destination, and an alternative to the crowded Gold Coast beaches, this summer is expected to be very busy.

Throughout the season lifesavers get enquiries from members of the public about how to become a Surf Life Saver or a lifeguard, and they definitely are always on the lookout for new members, and now is a great time to join up.

Most surf lifesavers start their training with the Bronze Medallion which enables them to patrol the Beach. If you are interested in joining simply speak to your beach patrol these holidays.

Always remember “swim between the flags” and if you require emergency assistance always call 000.