Spreading Happiness Through Dance: Kyogle’s World Record Attempt

Kyogle is preparing for a world record attempt—the largest Happy Dance gathering. The Guinness Book of World Records will verify the event, and Northern Rivers residents and beyond are encouraged to join. Not only will this be a fun event, but it will also support a meaningful cause.

How It All Began

The idea started with Jeanette Foy, who toured the Northern Rivers on her mobility scooter to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence victims. Mayor Danielle Mulholland helped organise the event. During the tour, she made a promise—if she passed her course, she would post a Happy Dance video online.

“I passed my course, so I danced! Then I thought, why not take it further? A mass Happy Dance? A world record? And all for a good cause.”

She shared the idea with Jeanette and community support facilitator Jade, who immediately supported it. As a result, they registered the event with Guinness World Records, turning it into a major community project.

Dancing for a Cause

This event will raise funds for domestic violence victims, continuing Jeanette’s mission from last year. More importantly, it will bring the community together for a day of joy and connection.

• Dress Code: Wear deep purple, the official colour for domestic violence awareness. Creative outfits are welcome!
• Dance Routine: Participants will perform a choreographed routine to Guy Sebastian’s song “I Like It Like That.” A freestyle dance group will lead in the centre.
• Interactive Display: A surprise installation will offer a new perspective on domestic violence awareness. Furthermore, it will encourage conversations about support and prevention.
• Event Coverage: Drones and professional videographers will capture the event, ensuring it is well-documented.

Get Involved

A committee is working on logistics. Meanwhile, organisers are welcoming sponsors, volunteers, and participants to support and grow the event.

“We are creating something unique—celebrating joy, uniting the community, and standing up for a cause. Let’s make history together!” said Mayor Mulholland.

To stay updated on dance rehearsals, registration, and event details, follow our official event page. Join the movement, and let’s dance for joy, community, and change! 💜🎶

EFTPOS Now Available at Bonalbo & Woodenbong Pools!

By Jeff Gibbs

Great news for pool-goers! Bonalbo and Woodenbong pools now have EFTPOS, making it easier than ever to pay for entry and purchase refreshments at the canteens.

Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland welcomed the upgrade, calling it a positive step forward.

“This brings Bonalbo and Woodenbong pools in line with Kyogle pool, and I’m sure it will be appreciated by both locals and visitors,” Cr Mulholland said.
“Council is committed to promoting equity in our villages by ensuring access to essential services. This move supports those who prefer cashless payments while enjoying our pool facilities.”

Bonalbo-based Councillor Tom Cooper also praised the improvement.

“This is fantastic news for residents west of the range. With fewer people carrying cash these days, having EFTPOS at our local pools means more people can enjoy these facilities without the hassle of finding cash,” Cr Cooper said.

This upgrade ensures greater convenience and accessibility for all pool users. So, next time you visit Bonalbo or Woodenbong pools, just tap, pay, and dive in!

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Have Your Say on the Future of the Kyogle Local Government Area

By Jeff Gibbs

From today, residents, businesses, and community groups across the Kyogle Local Government Area (LGA) are invited to share their priorities and aspirations as part of Kyogle Council’s review of its Community Strategic Plan (CSP).

The CSP is Kyogle Council’s highest-level strategic document, guiding the region’s Delivery Program, Operational Plan, and Long-Term Financial Plan. The current plan was developed in 2022, based on community input at the time. However, with a new Council elected in September 2024, it is now time for a review to ensure the CSP reflects the evolving needs and priorities of the community.

A Commitment to Community Engagement

Kyogle Council Mayor, Cr Danielle Mullholland, emphasised the importance of engaging with local residents to shape the region’s future.

“One of the things my fellow councillors and I are extremely passionate about is opening up the lines of communication between Council and the community,” Cr Mullholland said.

“Our residents, businesses, young people, volunteers, and community organisations are at the heart of what makes the Kyogle LGA so special.

“Listening to their diverse voices is vital to getting the CSP right, but more than that, this consultation is about building relationships and networks that will help us collectively achieve the plan’s goals.”

How to Have Your Say

Kyogle Council is providing multiple ways for the community to get involved:

• Community Survey – Available online until Sunday, 16 March 2025. Paper copies are also available at Council’s administration centre.
• Consultation with Schools & Young People – Engaging local youth to understand their perspectives and ideas.
• Face-to-Face Community Sessions – Meetings will be held across the LGA, including Kyogle, Woodenbong, Bonalbo, and Tabulam.
• Drop-in Information & Feedback Hub – Visit the Kyogle Memorial Institute Hall on Thursday, 6 March 2025 to learn more and share your thoughts in person.

More Information & Contact Details

To learn more and participate in shaping the future of the Kyogle LGA, visit here.

For further inquiries, contact Kyogle Council:

• Email: council@kyogle.nsw.gov.au
• Phone: 6632 1611
• In Person: Council Administration Centre, 1 Stratheden Street, Kyogle

Join the conversation and help shape the future of Kyogle’s towns, villages, and communities!

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Key Milestone to Secure Safe Drinking Water for Tabulam

By Jeff Gibbs

The remote village of Tabulam in the Northern Rivers is on the brink of a transformative milestone, with plans underway for its first-ever drinking water supply network. A $400,000 investment from Kyogle Council and the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Fund will kickstart early planning for the much-anticipated project.

The co-funded initiative will launch the preliminary business case for a three-stage construction project designed to provide a safe, clean, and reliable water supply to the village’s 500 residents, over a quarter of whom are Aboriginal.

Laying the Groundwork

The new funding builds on a 2021 scoping study, funded by the NSW Government, which explored various infrastructure options to identify the most effective solutions.

The early planning work will deliver detailed analysis and designs for the project, including:

• Stage 1: Hydrogeological investigations, bore construction, and land acquisition for a water treatment plant and reservoir.
• Stage 2: Utilisation of Hall Bore as a raw water source, construction of a new reservoir, and connecting the supply network to village homes.
• Stage 3: Expansion of the water supply source to include Clarence River groundwater and upgrading the treatment plant to accommodate future population growth.

A Lifeline for Tabulam

Currently, Tabulam residents rely entirely on rainwater tanks for drinking and household use, leaving the community vulnerable to water scarcity during droughts. This lack of critical infrastructure has hindered economic growth and driven population decline, with the village losing about 20% of its residents since 2011.

The water supply project, alongside plans for a new town sewerage system, aims to reverse these trends by providing essential services and paving the way for long-term community growth and prosperity.

Voices of Support

NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Infrastructure Development, Lisa Hingerty, emphasised the significance of the project:

“Every person in NSW deserves clean and reliable drinking water, whether you’re from Sydney or live in one of our most remote communities. This project is a game changer for the hundreds of people who call Tabulam home. Locals have been crying out for this essential infrastructure for decades, and this funding is a significant step toward making that a reality.”

Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland hailed the project as a landmark achievement:

“This is a landmark project for our community, over 70 years in the making. These early planning works are a big tick for Tabulam, setting the village on the path to its first secure water supply network. The benefits will be enormous, from improving health and wellbeing to supporting economic growth and development.”

Looking Ahead

The preliminary business case is expected to be completed by mid to late 2025, moving the project closer to construction. Once realized, the water supply network will provide a secure, treated drinking water source to Tabulam residents, meeting the village’s needs for decades to come.

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Lions Road Reopens with Two New Bridges Ahead of Christmas

Jeff Gibbs

Motorists have received an early festive gift with the reopening of Lions Road, following the completion of two new, flood-resilient bridges by Kyogle Council.

The new Paddys Flat Bridge

Lions Road had been closed since mid-June to allow for the construction of the new Lamonds Bridge. The upgraded two-lane concrete bridge, built by local contractor Ozwide Bridge Rail and Civil, replaces the previous one-lane wooden structure. Standing 1.5 metres higher, the $2 million project was funded under Round 1 of the State Government’s Fixing Country Bridges program, improving road alignment and flood resilience.

The nearby Paddys Flat Bridge has also been replaced with a raised concrete structure, now one metre higher and two metres longer than the old bridge. This $2 million upgrade was completed in just over four months, funded under Round 2 of the same program with additional support from Kyogle Council.

Kyogle Mayor Danielle Mulholland praised the projects as transformative. “The new bridges are safer, more flood-resilient, and will significantly reduce maintenance costs, allowing Council to invest in other critical projects.”

She highlighted Council’s remarkable achievement of replacing 96 bridges in three years, supported by State and Federal Government funding and advocacy from Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin.

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison celebrated the collaboration with Kyogle Council, noting the upgrades as vital for regional connectivity, tourism, and industries like timber and dairy.

Janelle Saffin MP underscored Lions Road’s value as a scenic tourism route, adding that the works reflect a commitment to sustainability, local economic growth, and safety for residents and visitors alike.

Lions Road is now open, offering safer and more reliable access between New South Wales and Queensland.