Greens MP questions Rally Australia’s financial impact
March 11, 2010
Greens MP Ian Cohen today asked the Minister for State and Regional Development, Ian Macdonald, about the ‘negligible impact’ the Repco Rally had on the coffers of the Tweed Shire.
Mr Cohen said that according to figures provided by Tweed Tourism, in September 2009 – the month of the Repco Rally – there was an increase in visitor nights by only 867 compared with September of 2008 and an increase in takings from all accommodation by only $850,000 compared with the previous year.
“In the house today I asked the Minister whether he would agree that the Rally’s Socio-Economic Impact Assessment was grossly overstated. The Rally’s SEIA claimed the event ‘is estimated to increase tourist visitor nights by up to 92,000′ and would bring $30 million to the area,” Mr Cohen said.
“I also asked whether the Minister would agree that, comparing visitor numbers recorded by Tweed Tourism in September 2008 and September 2009 – an increase of only 626 people across the whole month – is a negligible impact unlikely to generate the touted $30 million in revenue for the area.
Tweed Shire projects give green light
March 7, 2010
Four local infrastructure projects have been given the green light after Tweed Shire Council was successful in Round Two of the Australian Government’s Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Grants.
Mayor of Tweed Councillor Warren Polglase recognised the commitment to the Tweed from the Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot.
“The four projects are important to improving our community infrastructure and without this funding, these are activities that council would otherwise not be in a financial position to complete,” Councillor Polglase said.
The projects are:
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.
Cohen pushes Minister to ensure ‘proper’ Repco Rally review
February 25, 2010
Minister for State Development, Ian Macdonald, today conceded to pressure from the Greens’ Ian Cohen and committed in the House to a ‘proper economic review’ of the Repco Rally – in compliance with the Motor Sports (World Rally Championship) Act – with a statement in the Parliament today.
“My office was alarmed to hear that Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), the company contracted to review the Repco Rally, was not going to be undertaking an economic cost benefit analysis. Mike Cahill, the managing director of IMC, confirmed this in correspondence with a resident in the Rally area,” says Ian Cohen.
“I asked the Minister in Question Time today why IMC was not doing an economic analysis and how IMC could possibly recommend the continuation of the Rally to the Minister if such an analysis has not been done.
“The Minister’s initial response was his usual bluster about what a great event it was and how local businesses did such good trade over that weekend.
Wild dog control program to begin
February 24, 2010
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is commencing its annual autumn wild dog monitoring and control program across the Northern Rivers Region conducted in conjunction with the local Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) and NSW Forests and interested private landholders.
NPWS Pest Management Officer, Lisa Wellman, said prior to the start of each program, which began in 2006, advertisements are placed in local newspapers advising people.
“The program is undertaken twice a year in autumn and spring and looks for evidence of wild dogs, which can then be controlled,” Ms Wellman said.
“Control programs are based around baiting programs, and monitoring is also undertaken after control to determine how successful the program has been.
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?’
Murwillumbah Living Library meets for the first time on 26 February
February 15, 2010
Books will come to life next Friday when Murwillumbah’s Living Library meets for the first time at the Coolamon Centre in Tumbulgum Road.
Locals with interesting tales to tell will act as ‘books’ to be ‘read’ by borrowers.
The Living Books have chosen a title for themselves, then tell their story to another person – called a book ‘Borrower’ – sharing their experiences in a safe environment in an informal one-on-one 30-minute session.
The Living Books are simply asked to be themselves.
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.”
Police seize around $5m in cannabis during drug squad raids
February 7, 2010
Police have seized cannabis valued around $5m during a major drug squad operation on the State’s Far North Coast.
Strike Force Farrelly comprised detectives from the State Crime Command Drug Squad, the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, the NSW Police Air Wing, the Dog Squad and the Radio Electronics Unit.
The Cannabis Eradication Program (CEP) targeted the areas of Burringbar, Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby, Uki and surrounding national parks over five days last week.
A total of 2446 plants, ranging from one to five metres in height, were located.
Tweed water working group considers options
January 25, 2010
The Tweed District Water Supply Water Augmentation Community Working Group (CWG) met for the second time last week (Monday 18 January) to consider four shortlisted options to boost the Tweed’s
water supply capacity to cater for population growth.
The CWG has been established to assist Tweed Shire Council select a preferred option from four shortlisted water supply augmentation options.
Council’s Director Community and Natural Resources David Oxenham said the meeting allowed the Community Working Group to progress past the preliminary and introductory phase of the process
and gave members the opportunity to delve into the issues of most importance to them regarding the water supply options.
“The Community Working Group was briefed on how a Multi-Criteria Analysis can be used to assist in the assessment and ranking of complex topics that cross environmental, social, economical and
governance issues such as those posed by the water supply options,” Mr Oxenham said.
