Kingscliff luxury resort in to open in 2025

By Samantha Elley

Luxury in the form of Kai Kingscliff is coming to the beach and potential buyers have the opportunity to view and purchase into this resort of 14 apartments, with the first one now on the market.

Located on Dreamtime Beach, Murphys Road, Kingscliff, Apartment One is one of three premium ground-floor beach homes designed by award-winning Tim Stewart Architects.

Size ranges from 268m2 to 447m2 and the apartment is part of a first of its kind in Kingscliff.

Director of Witheriff Group, Nick Witheriff, said Apartment One represents the pinnacle of beachfront living in Northern NSW.

“Every aspect of this residence has been carefully crafted to deliver an unprecedented living experience,” he said.

Kai Kingscliff

“The seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, combined with its enviable position just steps from Dreamtime Beach, creates a unique offering that we believe sets a new standard for luxury coastal living.

“This is the only 447m² of beachfront land with a luxury apartment on the Tweed Coast, a great alternative to a house only offered here at Kai Kingscliff.”

Apartment One is the last remaining ground-floor residence with direct beach access.

Boasting 380sqm of total living space, including 187sqm of internal area and 193sqm of outdoor spaces, this single-level residence features three ensuite bedrooms, each connecting to private terraces.

The gourmet kitchen features a walk-in pantry with a natural stone island as its centrepiece.

Additional luxuries include a private pool and courtyard, a separate study, full laundry, and ducted air-conditioning throughout.

Kai Kingscliff

Offering the seclusion of a littoral rainforest setting with direct beach access, the apartment provides secure side-by-side parking with storage.

“The northeastern position is complemented by premium amenities including an outdoor shower, dedicated surf and bike storage, plus a resort-style pool and BBQ entertaining area – creating the perfect transition from beach to home,” said Nick.

Kai Kingscliff also welcomes pets and offers residents and their four-legged companions direct access to one of Australia’s most pristine off-leash dog beaches.

Kai features an advanced green roof system for rainwater harvesting and a powerful 20-KW solar installation, significantly reducing the building’s environmental footprint

With every parking space pre-configured for EV charging installation, Kai Kingscliff is future-proofed for residents’ sustainable transport requirements.

Kai Kingscliff is estimated to be completed by December 2025.

Apartment One, Kai Kingscliff – $3,875,000 (NE ground floor)

Listing links: www.realestate.com.au and www.domain.com.au

Kai Kingscliff

Beachfront site on Murphys Rd, Kingscliff

14 x luxurious/large beachfront residences

Priced: $3.35m – $5m

“Australian lightweight champion from lil ol’ Swan Bay”

By Samantha Elley

Maddog boxing’s Sunny McLean has been going from strength to strength this past year, grabbing titles from each of the events he has been fighting in.

Sunny McLean and his coach, Scott Smith, who runs Maddox Boxing, were recently picked to represent Queensland as the fighter and coach team to compete in the national titles in Gosford.

Sunny won all his elimination bouts and beat the NSW champion in the gold medal fight, to become the newly crowned Australian champion in the lightweight division.

They were surprised with a visit from Jason and Andrew Moloney, world champion professional boxers.

“Every state in Australia was there with all the best fighters and the (Moloney brothers) came to support us, so we felt so special,” said Scott.

“They came to help me prepare Sunny for his last two fights in this event.”

Sunny was competing for Queensland as he already holds the title of QLD/NSW interstate champion.

“His first opponent, the referee stopped the fight in the 3rd round,” said Scott.

“His second opponent was the favourite from Tasmania and Sunny won that fight to go through for the gold medal against the NSW champion.

“Andy (co-trainer) and I worked out a plan to beat him and Sunny did exactly what he was asked and never last control of the situation.

“He is now the Australian lightweight champion from lil ol Swan Bay.”

For more local news, click here.

Kingscliff’s New Ambulance Station Officially Opens

By Jeff Gibbs

The Northern Rivers region is set to benefit from a major enhancement in emergency care services with the official opening of the new Kingscliff Ambulance Station.

Labor Spokesperson for Tweed, Emily Suvaal, MLC, joined NSW Ambulance paramedics, local families, and community members to mark this important milestone.

Situated on the new Tweed Valley Hospital campus, the state-of-the-art, two-level ambulance station replaces the 65-year-old facility on Marine Parade, Kingscliff. The modern station boasts eight internal parking bays, including an internal wash bay, administrative and office areas, staff rest facilities, a gym, logistics and storage areas, and on-site parking.

This station is a key part of the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program, which is delivering 54 new or upgraded ambulance stations. This initiative represents the largest infrastructure investment in NSW Ambulance’s nearly 130-year history.

Along with the new $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital, the station is a cornerstone in the expansive growth of health services designed to meet the needs of the Tweed-Byron region’s growing and ageing population.

Tweed residents are further supported by the Tweed Urgent Care Service, currently available five days a week, from 8am to 4pm, providing scheduled visits to residential aged care facilities. The service is set to expand to seven days a week, offering care to people of all ages in the near future.

Extended Care Paramedics, as part of the multidisciplinary urgent care team, deliver critical support to residents with urgent but non-life-threatening medical conditions in the comfort of their homes.

Quotes:

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
“Kingscliff’s new ambulance station offers our local paramedics a top-tier base with the latest facilities and equipment, ensuring they can meet the community’s emergency care needs now and in the future. The NSW Government remains committed to investing in health infrastructure to improve health outcomes for rural and regional communities.”

Labor Spokesperson for Tweed, Emily Suvaal, MLC:
“This new station is a testament to the NSW Government’s dedication to providing first-class emergency services in regional NSW. It ensures our local paramedics are well-equipped to meet the growing demand for emergency care in this region.”

NSW Ambulance Chief Executive, Dr. Dominic Morgan:
“The Kingscliff Ambulance Station is a cutting-edge facility that equips our highly skilled paramedics with the resources they need. This new station will continue to deliver high-quality emergency care to the Northern Rivers communities, now and in the future. We are thrilled to have this station operational for our local crews and the communities they serve.”

For more local Kingscliff news, click here.

TAFE NSW Enhances Farm Vehicle Safety Program with Green-Skilling Initiative for Future Farmers

By Jeff Gibbs
As National Skills Week highlights the growing demand for skilled workers in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing, with more than 13,400 new jobs projected between 2023 and 2028, TAFE NSW is at the forefront of preparing future farmers with essential skills. Australia’s largest registered training organization is expanding its Farm Vehicle Safety Program (FVSP) to include electric vehicle (side by side) safety training, aligning with the industry’s shift towards energy-efficient practices.

TAFE NSW has invested in three electric vehicles to supplement its FVSP, which has been equipping students with practical farm vehicle operation skills since 2019. The program is designed for students aged 16 and older, allowing them to gain confidence in operating various farm vehicles, including two-wheel motorbikes, quad bikes, farm bikes, side by side utility vehicles, and now electric vehicles. Training takes place on dedicated circuits or working farms, providing students with real-world experience to excel in their agricultural careers.
The inclusion of electric vehicles in the program is timely, as more farmers are considering them as a sustainable option. TAFE NSW Executive Director of Education and Skills North, Jason Darney, announced that these electric vehicles would be deployed across select North Coast campuses, with approximately 159 students expected to be trained on them during the 2024-2025 period. “TAFE NSW welcomes electric vehicles to its farm vehicle fleet as a valuable addition. Several training programs using the vehicles have been successfully conducted over the past few months as part of our farm safety delivery option,” Darney said.

TAFE NSW Enhances Farm Vehicle Safety Program with Green-Skilling Initiative for Future Farmers

Since its inception, the FVSP has seen substantial growth. In the 2018-2019 financial year, 300 students participated, and this number has more than doubled, with 615 students registering for the current financial year. The program is available in TAFE NSW’s North, South, and West regions, with participating students receiving a Statement of Attainment to acknowledge the specific farm vehicle skills they have acquired.

National Skills Week, running from 19 to 25 August 2024, marks its 14th year in raising awareness of vocational learning and its potential to provide attractive career opportunities. With the average Australian changing employers every 3.3 years, vocational education and training are becoming increasingly vital in preparing individuals for evolving job markets and helping to address significant skills gaps across various industries, strengthening both communities and the economy.

TAFE NSW offers various Statements of Attainment in farm vehicle operation, reflecting the diverse skillsets needed in modern agriculture. Participants in the FVSP can achieve one or more of the following in the North, South, and West regions:

• North Region:
o Statement of Attainment in Quad Bike Operation
o Statement of Attainment in Side by Side Operation
o Statement of Attainment in Quad and Side by Side Vehicle Operation

• South Region:
o Statement of Attainment in Operate Two Wheel Motorbikes
o Statement of Attainment in Quad Bike Operation
o Statement of Attainment in Side by Side Operation
o Statement of Attainment in Quad and Two Wheel Motor Bike Operation
o Statement of Attainment in Operate Two Wheel Motorbikes and Side by Side Utility Vehicles
o Statement of Attainment in Quad and Side by Side Vehicle Operation
o Statement of Attainment in Farm Bikes and Utility Vehicles

• West Region:
o Statement of Attainment in Operate Two Wheel Motorbikes
o Statement of Attainment in Quad Bike Operation
o Statement of Attainment in Side by Side Operation
o Statement of Attainment in Quad and Two Wheel Motor Bike Operation
o Statement of Attainment in Operate Two Wheel Motorbikes and Side by Side Utility Vehicles
o Statement of Attainment in Quad and Side by Side Vehicle Operation
o Statement of Attainment in Farm Bikes and Utility Vehicles

With these initiatives, TAFE NSW continues to lead the way in preparing the next generation of farmers, ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed to operate safely and sustainably in the evolving agricultural landscape.

Pet Project: Hi-Tech Dog Mannequin Enhances Training for TAFE NSW Kingscliff Students

A cutting-edge and eerily lifelike canine mannequin is providing aspiring veterinary nurses at TAFE NSW Kingscliff with invaluable hands-on experience. The newly arrived mannequin, imported from the US and affectionately named Barbara, is helping animal studies and veterinary nursing students practice essential clinical skills such as intubation, intravenous catheterization, venipuncture, CPR, bandaging, and ear cleaning.

TAFE NSW Dog Mannequin Barabara

Gemma Holland, an animal studies teacher at TAFE NSW Kingscliff and a local veterinarian, highlighted the benefits of using the mannequin in training. “Veterinary simulation mannequins like Barbara allow students to practice and refine their skills without the pressure and risk of working on live animals. This is especially useful in TAFE NSW Animal Care courses, including the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, where students must demonstrate practical skills,” Ms. Holland said. “Simulators provide a realistic model for students to familiarize themselves with processes and procedures before they undertake these tasks on real animals during work placements.”

Barbara is equipped with features such as veins, imitation blood, earwax, and feedback monitors that indicate proper technique. For example, a green light signals that students are performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) correctly. “Students are rarely involved in emergencies during work placements, so this training allows them to practice first aid and CPR in a controlled environment before facing real-life emergencies,” Ms. Holland added.

The arrival of the mannequin comes at a crucial time for veterinary nursing students. With more pets than people in Australia and a growing demand for veterinary services, Jobs and Skills Australia predicts that the number of vet nursing jobs will surge to 17,800 by 2026.

Phoebe Viscardi, a 38-year-old student at TAFE NSW Kingscliff, recently transitioned from a career in aged care to veterinary nursing. She balances her studies in the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing with working as a veterinary nurse. Phoebe emphasized the value of the practical training she has received, saying, “Practicing on a canine mannequin closely mimics working on a real animal. You simply can’t gain the same skills working on a stuffed animal. Barbara is lifelike and even has joints that anatomically resemble a real dog. I enjoy how hands-on the course is, and the equipment at TAFE NSW Kingscliff is world-class.”

This innovative training tool is helping to prepare students for the demands of the veterinary profession, ensuring they are confident and capable in their newfound careers.