Little Stray opens in Woodburn

By Samantha Elley

If you have tasted the coffee from Stray café in Evans Head and loved it, you are going to be delighted to hear that owners, Damo Robertson and Jessica Grace, have opened Little Stray in Woodburn.

In the premises of the old Rich River Café, they have set up their espresso bar where people can grab a coffee and bagel or any of the dessert delights with gluten free options on offer.

“I started in the coffee business 15 years ago in West End Brisbane as a way of getting out of being a bartender,” he said.

“(I was) sick of the night life.

“When I moved back down to this area, I started the coffee cart in a converted horse trailer at Evans Head Fish Co-op.”

Damo had the cart for 18 months before the flood damaged the co-op, so then he found the old Evans to Betsy site, where he had worked as a barista before starting the cart.

“The owners asked me if I’d like to take on the coffee shop,” he said.

“I didn’t have anything at all, I put the coffee machine from the cart at the front door as the shop was empty.”

With Stray now established as an eat-in café and thriving with a good local following, the couple and their family of two young girls bought a house in Woodburn.

“This opportunity came up to open here (in Woodburn),” he said.

“I always wanted to own a couple of coffee shops that supports us.

“I now have 10 staff (at Evans Head) and I’ve employed someone for Woodburn but I am looking for more staff.”

Little Stray opened on Saturday, November 16 and despite there being a number of coffee shops on River Street, he hopes that he will bring more people to Woodburn.

“We will offer freshly squeezed cold pressed juice, toasted bagels and gluten free pastries,” he said.

“We use Old Quarter coffee, all hand-picked, nothing mass produced.”

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Kylie Maunder – Richmond Valley meet your candidates

By Tim Howard

The Northern Rivers Times has asked all of the candidates for the September 14 local government elections to introduce themselves to voters identify the issues they want to address and policies they would pursue if elected.

A number of candidates did not meet the deadline for publication but are welcome to send in copy for coming editions of The Northern Rivers Times before the election date.

Kylie Maunder

Yamandhu marang, my name is Kylie Maunder and I’m a proud Wiradjuri woman, blessed to be living breathing and learning on Bundjalung country for most of my life.

I grew up in a small village outside of Casino and have experienced first-hand the lack of supports and infrastructure for regional communities.

My background has been in leadership in community services, disability, family support, aboriginal engagement, reconciliation and aboriginal leadership.

My goals and passions are educating and inspiring the broader community through culture, closing the gap on education, health, and support healing through connection.

For more 2024 Local Elections News, click here.

Benvenuta a Governor Beazley to New Italy

By Samantha Elley

The Northern Rivers was graced with the presence of Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales and her husband, Mr Dennis Wilson, last week when they visited Casino, Lismore, Kyogle, Evans Head and Woodburn.

Meeting with local dignitaries.

While the governor presented awards at the Casino Show and visited various community organisations and agricultural pursuits, The Northern Rivers Times caught up with her at the historic New Italy Museum.

In the gift shop with New Italy Museum president Gail Williams

She was shown around by New Italy president Gail Williams and volunteer Leonie Lane, showing her the monuments and the ongoing project of the $250,000 renovation of the Italian Pavilion.

Meeting with the volunteers of the New Italy Museum

The governor and Mr Wilson were also greeted and welcomed by local dignitaries Clarence MP Richie Williamson and newly re-elected mayor Robert Mustow.

A group of New Italy Museum volunteers were on hand to have a cup of tea and cake with the governor and share their experiences.

Admiring the ongoing renovation of the Italian Pavilion

The governor commented that while she has been told she is important, there is no doubting the incredible value that the volunteers provide to keep such an important place as the museum, the pavilion and the associated gift shop running.

The four-day tour concluded on Saturday.

Richmond Wilson Combined Water Users Association Welcomes Extension of Metering Compliance Deadline

The NSW Government has recommended extending the metering compliance deadline until December 2026 for coastal water users.

Richmond Wilson Combined Water Users Association chairman Chris Magner, said the association has been advocating on behalf of water users in the North Coast for the past year, with this extension recognising the unique nature of coastal farming operations.

“This extension follows a long campaign by RWCWUA, which included numerous meetings and submissions to the government’s final report,” Mr Magner said.

“This outcome is a prime example of how important this group is; our members can focus on their farms and businesses producing food and fibre, while we engage with decision makers to achieve productive and sustainable policy outcomes.

“We support the Government’s decision to extend the coastal compliance deadline to 1 December 2026 and to remove pre-existing approval conditions that required early compliance. These changes will give water users breathing room to understand the updated metering rules and plan their next steps, while other compliance barriers are addressed.

“Given the Government has come to the table and granted this extension, we encourage water users to stay informed about metering rules and continue taking steps towards compliance. We are here to help water users who would like assistance navigating what can be a very technical and complicated space.”

RWCWUA will continue to work closely with the Government to resolve remaining issues of concern such as affordability, compliance requirements for wells, and how the proposed rules will apply to multiple water sources on the same landholding.

The report recommends:

1. For water users with surface water pumps of size equal to or greater than 500mm: No change, these works must comply now.
2. For water users with works nominated by 100 ML or more in entitlements, unless otherwise exempt under the size-based threshold: The new coastal compliance deadline is 1 December 2026.
3. For water users with works nominated by total entitlement of more than 15 ML and less than 100 ML: Pattern-approved meters can be installed, with DQP validation no longer required. LID/telemetry remains optional, and compliance has been extended to 1 December 2027. Recording and reporting of use are mandatory.
4. For water users with works nominated by total entitlements of 15 ML or less: Meters are not mandated, but recording and reporting of use are still required.
5. For water users with pumps and bores below the size-based thresholds (bores less than 200mm and pumps less than 100mm): Meters are not mandated, but recording and reporting of use are still required.

“The extra time is a significant relief for farmers in our coastal regions who have been struggling to navigate the cost and complexities of metering regulations,” Mr Magner said.

“RWCWUA is very welcoming of new members and we would greatly appreciate the support of those people who are not yet signed up. We can achieve great things for water users along the Richmond River when we present as a united front.

“If any water user would like to find out more about how we can support you please contact the NSW Irrigators’ Council head office on 9264 3848 or nswic@nswic.org.au and they can help you sign up.”

Richmond-Tweed Families Buckling Under Cost-of-Living Pressures: New NCOSS Research

A new report from the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) has revealed that nearly two-thirds (64%) of low-income households in the Richmond–Tweed region are struggling with housing stress due to escalating cost-of-living pressures. The report, titled Impossible Choices: Decisions NSW communities shouldn’t have to make, was conducted by the University of Technology Sydney and surveyed over 1,080 low-income residents across NSW.

Key Findings in Richmond-Tweed:

• 64% of households are in housing stress, spending over 30% of their income on housing.
• 61% have no money saved for emergencies.
• 51% went without prescribed medication or healthcare.
• 38% could not afford essential travel, such as for work or education.
• 38% went without meals due to financial shortages.
• 35% used buy-now-pay-later services to afford essential goods like food and transport.

NCOSS CEO Cara Varian emphasised the devastating impact these financial pressures are having on families in Richmond-Tweed. “Families should not have to choose between paying for food or medication,” she said. “These impossible choices set up intergenerational disadvantage, and we must do better.”

Statewide Trends

Across NSW, the report revealed that single parents are among the hardest hit, with 90% going without essentials over the past year. NSW children are also disproportionately affected, as three in four households (74%) cut back on spending for their children, and 52% sacrificed spending on health and wellbeing essentials.

The ripple effects of these sacrifices are far-reaching, negatively impacting mental health, relationships, and child development.

Recommendations to Ease the Pressure

NCOSS has put forward a series of recommendations to the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to alleviate these pressures, including:

• Lifting Commonwealth income support for Jobseeker, Youth Allowance, and Parenting Payments.
• Increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance rates.
• Providing universal early childcare.
• Ensuring 10% of NSW housing is social and affordable.
• Implementing fair and reasonable rental increases and legislating against no-grounds evictions and rental bidding.
• Introducing a universal school food program in NSW.
• Expanding public transport concessions and improving regional bus networks.

The report underscores the urgency of addressing the financial strain on low-income households and highlights the government’s potential to drive meaningful change.

For the full report, visit here.

Definitions:

• Below the poverty line: Households earning less than 50% of the median NSW income after tax and housing costs (below $560 per week).
• Low-income households: Households earning 50-80% of the median NSW income after tax and housing costs ($560–$896 per week).

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