From fast-paced soccer to funky moves there is plenty to get you active on Saturday, 20 May at Lismore Active Fest in Goonellabah. 

The free day of activities runs from 8.30am to 2.30pm at the Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre featuringn an array of free sport workshop activities for participants aged between 5 and 17-years-old.

The workshops include:

• Fitness Games (5-10yo) conducted by FitnessKidz, one of Lismores top junior fitness instructors
• Try Pickleball (10yo+), the fastest growing sport in the world that combines tennis, badminton and tables tennis. Its easy to learn and a lot of fun!
• Futsal workshop (6-12yo), the fast-paced indoor soccer sport that is fun for all ages.
• Into to AcroJazz (5-12yo), kids will have a wonderful time doing cartwheels, tumbles and lots of funky moves in this fun and creative class conducted by North Coast Dance Academy.
• Skateboard Workshop (8yo+), get tips from some of the regions top skate instructors from Truckstop Sk8 and learn how to navigate the skate park in a fun, safe way!
• Swimsations Swim Carnival, featuring fun competitions and novelty events in the 25m pool for ages 8yo and up!

All events are FREE and registrations are encouraged. For more information call GSAC on 6625 5300 or email gsac@lismore.nsw.gov.au for full program information.

The post Active Fest free sports and activities in Goo...

Over recent weeks property owners have been receiving the notice of valuation on their properties from the NSW Valuer General. These are the unimproved land valuations. For many, it has raised concerns that the valuations, taken during the covid property spike, are overinflated and will increase their rates. 

The NSW Valuer General provides independent land values every three years. The NSW Valuer General said that the total land value for the region increased by 35.9 per cent in the 12 months to July last year. According to the Valuer General, the significant increase was driven by residential values, which climbed by 36.8 per cent over the period.

Impact on rates

Local councils do use these land valuations to help determine rates. However, it is only a part of the rates that this land value notice is used to set. 

Only part of your rates is linked to your land value. This is known as the Ad Valorem component which includes a minimum rate, explained a spokesperson for Tweed Shire Council (TSC). 

Council uses the minimum rate to ensure a fair contribution from all ratepayers.

The other parts of your rates such as water access, sewerage access and garbage collection are not linked to your land value.

An increase in land value does not necessarily mean an increase in rates.

You can object

The land value is based on factors such as recent sales evidence, land use, zoning restrictions and nearby amenities. It does not include the value of a house or other property improvements.

Landholders who disagree with their land valuation can lodge an objection with the Valuer General at: valuergeneral.nsw.gov.au within 60 days.

No increase of money for councils

While the Valuer Generals notice may impact your rates it does not mean that your local Council will receive more rates overall. 

Local councils receive rates as set by the I...

Australia seems to have a bit of a thing for Big Things from the Big Prawn and the Big Pineapple to the Big Merino and now Casino is about to give you the opportunity to get up close with some pretty big trucks. The 2023 Casino Truck Show will be held in the Casino CBD on Saturday 5 August.

Celebrating its tenth year the Casino Truck Show is now considered the greatest truck show in the southern hemisphere according to a spokesperson from the Richmond Valley Council (RVC).

Last years Casino Truck Show was the biggest yet with an estimated 8,000 people attending, and the expectation is more entries and more people would attend this year, said  Angela Jones, Richmond Valley Councils Director Service Delivery.

There are two ways to deal with the Tweed Shire Councils (TSC) $1.6 million looming budget shortfall for in the 2023/24: raise rates or reduce services. The council are currently asking ratepayers which option they would prefer the council to pursue. 

In February this year, TSC applied for the option of a  2.35 per cent Special Rate Variation (SRV) that would be on top of the 4 per cent pegged rate rise already approved for the Tweed by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). All councils will receive at rise from between 3.76.8 per cent depending on population. If the TSC pursues the SRV then that will see a rate increase for Tweed Shire ratepayers of 6.35 per cent.

As part of this process, Council has called for community input on whether they support the SRV or would prefer to see Council find the additional funds required by reducing service levels.

Mary Creighton has lived on the corner of Poinciana and Prince Streets in Mullumbimby for the last 80 years and their allotment had never flooded. 

That is, until the February 2022 floods that devastated the town of Mullumbimby. 

Married at 17 she and her husband Col built their house on the allotment where she grew up with her parents from the age of six. 

While there have been innumerable floods during her life it never flooded the house. It would come up around the mail box but that was all youd see, she said. 

The 2022 flood was different. 

My daughter called me and told me to look out the window. I said, this is wrong. Im like, what is going on, we dont get water up here. There has never been water at the steps of the house. Something has gone wrong. 

When they were rescued they had to wade through water that was midway up Marys chest. 

The water went into the house and garage leaving behind a mess of mud and destroying the fridge, couche...

Councils Business and Industry Committee looks set to continue without any representation from the business community, after the response to entice the business community to its meetings was poor.

Additionally, Council staff have declined to name the community business member/s who attended the March 30 workshop that followed the committee meeting.

The committee, led by Mayor Michael Lyon, Crs Alan Hunter and Asren Pugh, is one of 16 that councillors and staff hold with members of the community. All are voluntary positions, and advise Council around planning, environmental, heritage, arts, and traffic matters, for example.    

Mystery biz members

The Echo asked Council staff for more details around the last Business and Industry Committee meeting held, after the minutes did not disclose what member/s of the community were invited.

The March 30 minutes say at the end of the councillor/staff meeting: At this stage, invited business representatives joined the committee to participate in a workshop to discuss the Business, Industry and Visitor Economy Strategy.

The Echo asked for the name/s of those business reps, and Why isnt an agenda published on what they discuss with councillors and staff?

Director Sustainable Environment and Economy, Shannon Burt, told The Echo, The committee was traditionally only councillors, then, at the last meeting in 2022, it was agreed to include some business representatives via an Expression of Interest (EOI) and to update the constitution. The response to the EOI was poor, with only one nomination received, but the constitution was changed.

At its last meeting, the committee decided to go back to its previous model (councillors only) and to invite business representatives to attend workshops on the development of current key projects; currently the Business, Industry and Visitor Economy Strategy. 

Constitution 

This was in keeping with the change to the constitution which states: To achieve this [committees purpose and objectives], different formats for each meeting will be used such as field days and workshops with guest speakers and industry leaders; and the Committee Councillors and staff set the theme and invite the leading business people, relevant speakers, exper...

Ballina residents worried about whats happening with their beloved, internationally famous Big Prawn will be pleased to hear that the restoration process is going very well behind the mysterious scaffolding.

This week The Echo caught up with twin sisters Rachel and Rebecca Neill who are hard at work re-painting the giant crustacacean, which stands beside the Bunnings car park in West Ballina, and has been looking a bit the worse for wear in recent months.

CraftWORK Project Management looks after the Big Prawn on behalf of Bunnings, and has subcontracted the Neills business Set For Art to do the restoration work.

Can Assist has opened a new branch in Tweed Shire to support cancer patients access funds to help pay for things like fuel, accommodation for when they need to travel for treatment, food, utility bills, and insurances. 

Can Assist has been helping people living in rural and regional NSW access cancer treatment and care since 1955, says Daniel Ashton, Can Assist Tweeds President.

The community-based, volunteer run network provides practical and financial support to cancer patients via fuel and food vouchers, and paying for utility bills, accommodation, medication and vehicle expenses like registration and insurances. 

All the little things that you dont realise are part of the cancer journey, says Daniel. 

We are here to take some of the stress away from the patient and ensure they feel respected, supported and understood while they go through the cancer journey.

The new Tweed branch is the fifty-sixth branch opened by Can Assist and Daniel says the funds from greenslips.com.a...

Three-day NSW fishing licence from the Evans Head Visitor Information Centre, located at 17 Kirkland Court and need to be acquired for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. 

Anyone over the age of 18 needs to pay a recreational fishing fee and carry the receipt showing proof of payment in order to legally fish in either freshwater or saltwater, said a spokesperson for Richmond Valley Council (RVC). 

This applies even if youre just spearfishing, collecting bait or hand lining, as it is still considered recreational fishing. It doesnt matter whether you are a professional angler or an amateur; everyone who fishes recreationally must have a valid licence.

Recreational fishing licences issued by other states, territories or countries are not valid for fishing in NSW waters. All visitors must pay the NSW fee. Fishing without a licence could result in an on-the-spot fine of $200 or a maximum fine of $2,200.

Nimbin Mardi Grass, set to roll from Friday, 5 May, is once again calling for the legalisation of cannabis and law reform. The five members of the Legalise Cannabis Party in parliament will be on hand to discuss the issues over the weekend as locals and visitors enjoy an extensive weekend program of events, talks and the famous HEMP Olympix with Sorrensen and Glover.

We missed the May MardiGrass last year because of the floods, so were very happy to be back on the calendar for the harvest season protest again, says HEMP Embassy president Michael Balderstone. 

The Bangalow Arts precinct, located opposite the A&I Hall at 6-10 Station Street, is slated for a complete overhaul, with a DA now on exhibition from developer CADRE.

Extensive DA documents available on Councils website propose mixed use development, comprising of commercial premises and hotel or motel accommodation [26 hotel apartments], on three levels, with two levels of basement car parking.

According to the quantity surveyors report, the $14.1M proposal would have a building footprint of 2,117.4m².

One of the affected businesses is the artist collective, Hammer & Hand. 

Bruce Pringle from the collective told The Echo he personally was supportive of the redevelopment, and that consultation with developer Chris Tyas was positive. 

Pringles main concerns were whether they will be able to afford to rent after the redevelopment, the disruption to his collective, and finding an interim shopfront/workshop. 

He added he knew of others not so supportive of the redevelopment.   

Engagement report

According to the developers community engagement report, a pre-lodgement engagement process was instigated, by far in excess of Councils pre-lodgement engagement requirements.

Design feedback has been incorporated, says the report, and Instead of 7 townhouses, 26 hotel rooms are now proposed.

Other public feedback included a call to increase access to sunlight, activation of the rail corridor, maintaining a focus on artists, and more parking.

Melbourne-based CADRE, have significant property interests in the Ballina and Byron Shires,  says the report, with the founding director [Chris Tyas] spending much of his time in the Byron Shire.

A website for the development is at https://6-10stationstreet.com.au and the DA is available on Councils website DA tracker.

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Motorists are advised of out-of-hours work and changed traffic conditions on Colemans Bridge at Lismore from Saturday, 29 April to approximately 8 May to carry out essential maintenance. 

We will be working from 9.30am to 2.30pm weekdays and from 6.30am to 4pm on weekends and expect to complete the work in about ten days, weather permitting, said a spokesperson for Transport for NSW.

Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place Monday to Saturday during work hours for the safety of workers and road users.

Bridge closure

On Sunday, 30 April and 7 May the bridge will be closed to all traffic, with detours in place from 6.30am to 4pm while we remove the gantry scaffolding system, weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers.

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

The post Colemans Bridge, Lismore changed traffic conditions  appeared first on The Echo.

Byron Councils plan to build affordable housing units above a public car park in Mullumbimby has hit a snag, with no community housing providers willing to accept its offer of a 49-year lease to run the project.

But Mayor Michael Lyon says he remains 100 per cent committed to the scheme.

Council has been working with the government-owned development corporation, Landcom, on the plan that would see 32 one-and-two-bedroom units built at 57 Station Street; land that is currently in use as a busy car park in the centre of town.

In August last year, Council and Landcom undertook a tender process in a bid to find a community housing provider (CHP) to deliver the project, offering potential applicants a 49-year lease on the property.

However, a report on the matter contained in the agenda to this weeks Council meeting shows that neither of the two CHPs that responded to the tender process were willing to accept this key condition.

Non-conforming tenders

Inst...

A large crowd braved intermittent showers and squally winds to commemorate Anzac Day in Ballina yesterday.

Shortly before the march, an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail (modified large passenger jet) flew very low over Ballina, surprising some who were grappling with their umbrellas.

At the ceremony, MC Anna Dicker introduced Darin Preston, also from the Ballina RSL sub-branch, who said he was very happy to see such an excellent turnout for both Ballina services in 2023, commemorating the Anzac landings at Gallipoli in 1916.