Tallowood Ridge first NBN site
March 21, 2012
Mullumbimby’s new community at Tallowood Ridge is the first site in the Northern Rivers to be connected to the Federal Government’s National Broadband Network. The estate, just next to the Mullumbimby Hospital, saw the final “haul in” of the fibre-optic trunk main cable earlier this week, and is now fully connected to the network.
“It’s great news for our residents,” said Christopher Dean, Chair of Tallowood’s Management Committee. “They’re on the edge of town, surrounded by rolling green hills, yet connected to the whole world better than people in major cities.”
Tallowood Ridge and Armidale are the only places on the North Coast and inland region to be connected to the network.
NBN coverage represents superfast broadband speed (up to 100 MBs per second), the ability to access all channels, including those previously only on pay TV, quality and high resolution in picture to an exceptional standard, the ability to have large numbers of phone lines into your home and all of this through one place, rather than dealing with a multitude of service providers.
Business and marketing consultant Roe Ritchie is perhaps best-known as Producer of the wildly successful childrens fairytale The Grimstones. Roe has recently purchased at Tallowood Ridge with her partner Trace.’
“I work remotely, as a lot of my business occurs in Melbourne and Brisbane,” said Roe. “So to have access to really fast internet is invaluable. The NBN coverage makes it possible for us to live in the most beautiful part of Australia and be connected in a fast efficient way to the rest of the world.”
Visionary new community at Mullumbimby
March 11, 2012
Since September 2011 a new collective of local people have immersed themselves in the management of Tallowood Ridge Estate at Mullumbimby. Since that time they have been actively pursuing policies to improve the future liveability of the estate and also protect and enhance the environmental qualities of the area.
One of their first achievements was to finalise a Biodiversity Conservation Management Plan, which was approved by Byron Council in December 2011. That plan will see over 100,000 native trees planted throughout the estate, which was degraded from 50 years of intensive cattle farming.
More recently the team has focused on ensuring that the estate happily coexists with koalas, which in November 2011 were found to occasionally use a small patch of forest on the edge of the estate as a transit lane.
Along with the old growth trees on the ridge, all trees used by koalas for food will be preserved in the area where they transit, and this area will be screened with a special koala-friendly fence.
“When we discovered this path, we immediately took the decision to modify our planning so the whole estate is more koala friendl,y” said Management Team Chair Christopher Dean.
“We have brought experts in and will prepare a Koala Plan of Management before the lodgement of any DAs for future stages. This plan will define strategies to protect and enhance koala habitat. We will also establish a covenant ensuring that households that keep a dog have a fenced area. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy their presence and protect their lifestyle”.
As the community’s first homes go up, the first stage of the children’s park is being built. Community gardens, landscaped walkways and sports facilities will follow.
“The development of Tallowood Ridge is a series of gentle strokes that will form community,” Mr Dean said. “Our planning for biodiversity conservation and koala protection are a first step in this approach.”
Tallowood Ridge is the most affordable new land release in the Byron Shire and the last major land release in Mullumbimby. Land is priced from $195,000 to $294,000, with house and land packages from $384,000.
Tuckeroo Road, Mullumbimby tallowoodridge.com
Angels Beach North residents celebrate
February 9, 2012
Residents of Angels Beach North in East Ballina gathered to celebrate recently for their second community get-together.
“There are a few more of us now so we thought it was time to celebrate,” said resident of the Angels Beach North Mews Precinct Jan Stocks.
The residents, some of whom had not previously met, gathered in one of the parks within the estate for the afternoon.
“It was lovely,” said Jan. “The kids all played and we got to know each other a bit better.”
Elevation releases Stage Three
October 12, 2011
With final sale of all Stage 2 home sites and as a show of confidence in the coastal property market, residential land developer Urbex have announced the release of Stage 3 of their impressive Lennox Head community.
“We are very happy that Elevation has been the most sought-after and successful residential estate in Lennox Head,” said Elevation’s Garth Hudson.
“We have obviously been pleased with the response from locals, who appreciate the cooling sea breezes at the top of the hill, while still enjoying the proximity to the Lennox shops and cafes”.
The Stage 3 release is limited to ten blocks, all of which are elevated and level for easy building. “They are well-sized, being in the range of 600m² to 865m²,” said Garth Hudson.
Lots are priced from $279,000 with a wide selection under $300,000 and one 865m² corner lot at $395,000.
Tweed Coastal Hazards management strategy is on display
March 2, 2011
A new hazard management strategy, to protect future developments from erosion along the Tweed coastline, is on public exhibition.
A draft Coastal Hazards section for Tweed Shire Council’s Development Control Plan (TDCP) will be on exhibition for an extended period of 60 days, so landholders and other interested parties can closely examine the document and make comment.
The exhibition period will include a community workshop on 23 March at Cabarita Beach Sports Club from 4.30pm. It will outline how Section B25 – Coastal Hazards of the TDCP will protect lives, property and the coastline by controlling urban development within three erosion hazard zones.
It outlines restrictions for new buildings and major renovations within an Immediate Hazard Zone, a forecast 2050 Hazard Zone and a recently prescribed 2100 Hazard Zone which incorporates climate change and associated sea level rises.
State Government restricting residential development, says Tweed Shire
July 22, 2010
Tweed Shire Council says the Tweed has lost 6600 new residential lots because the roads required to service three major residential subdivisions cannot be funded under the State Government’s new $20,000 developer contribution cap.
Councillors voted unanimously at Tuesday night’s meeting to tell the NSW Department of Planning that choked access roads will substantially reduce the number of approvals they can issue at Cobaki Lakes near Tweed Heads, Kings Forest near Kingscliff and ‘The Rise’ development at Bilambil Heights.
Mayor of Tweed Councillor Warren Polglase said the planned road infrastructure required to service the three major land releases in the Tweed could not be built due to a projected funding shortfall caused by the new cap.
“The NSW Government has said we can raise annual rates to fund the shortfall. It is morally abhorrent that we should hit up ordinary ratepayers to fund developer’s infrastructure, and we won’t do it,” Councillor Polglase said.
Historic residential tenancies law passes NSW Parliament
June 12, 2010
New laws for residential tenancies unanimously agreed by the NSW Parliament on June 10 will deliver important protections for tenants and property investors, Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said.
Ms Judge said the Residential Tenancies Bill 2010 is the result of a thorough review process and exhaustive consultation with landlords, tenants and representative groups.
“The passage of the Bill through the Parliament paves the way for a package of progressive reforms to take effect later this year,” Ms Judge said.
“The new Act is the biggest change to the State’s residential tenancy laws in more than 20 years.
McGrath Estate Agents extends into Ballina, Byron Bay and Tweed
December 2, 2009
Leading residential real estate group, McGrath Estate Agents, has announced the opening of two new offices in Ballina and Tweed Heads as it extends its premium franchise roll-out along the Far North Coast of New South Wales.
The Ballina office will service the broader Ballina/Byron Bay region while the Tweed Heads office will service the NSW-Queensland border districts.
Input sought on new tenancy laws
November 19, 2009
Local renters and landlords are being invited to comment on the State Government’s proposed new tenancy laws.
The call comes from Lismore Nationals MP Thomas George, who says legislative changes could affect a large number of people in the region.
“The Rees Government doesn’t have a great record on community consultation, but it is seeking comments on its draft Residential Tenancies Bill 2009,” Mr George said.
The proposed reforms in the draft Bill aim to update and streamline the existing tenancy laws, as well as introduce new measures, including: Read more
Development industry elite buy into Broken Head eco hamlet
October 3, 2009
It took seven years of planning and intensive investment in tree planting and biodiversity management, but Broken Ridge has become both an Australian property icon and a dream come true for the seven owners who have already purchased in the coastal eco hamlet.
Located at Broken Head just five minutes south of Byron Bay and 10 minutes north of Lennox Head on The Coast Road, Broken Ridge’s 109 acres represent the ability to co-exist with nature for the 12 owners and their children’s children.
