Clean out your household chemicals for FREE this summer

Advertorial by Newaste

You can take household problem wastes including paint, batteries, oils, gas bottles and fluoro lights to your local Community Recycling Centre all year round, but for 2 days this December you can also safely dispose of household chemicals for free at 2 regional locations.

There’s never been a better time to get rid of unwanted or out-of-date stuff from your shed including pool, garden and hobby chemicals, household cleaners, and even poisons. It’s a free service that will help you prepare your home for the summer season by reducing the risks that hazardous chemicals can present to your family and property, especially in emergencies such as cyclones, floods and fires.

So don’t miss out! Add these Chemical Cleanout event dates to your calendar:

• Saturday 7th December at the Nammooona Waste Facility, Dargaville Drive, Casino
• Sunday 8th December at the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre, 313 Wyrallah Road, East Lismore.

Both events run from 9am to 3pm and are free for all Northern Rivers residents.

You can bring paints – up to 100L (in 20L containers), batteries – up to 10kg, other household problem waste and chemicals – up to 20L or 20kg per waste type.

For more information you can contact Lismore Council ph. 6625 0500 or Richmond Valley Council ph. 6662 6580 or visit here.

This project is proudly funded by the NSW government.

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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.”