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

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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 RichmondTweed 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).

 

For more Richmond Valley news, click here.

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Detectives release CCTV appeal following ram raids and arsons of Northern NSW tobacconists

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Detectives release CCTV appeal following ram raids and arsons of Northern NSW tobacconists

PLEASE NOTE: CCTV vision of the ram raids vehicle of interest is available via Hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/RhBnymtkWg

© State of NSW (NSW Police Force). For editorial use only. No sublicensing of any NSW Police Force supplied image or footage allowed on a standalone basis without the express written consent of NSW Police Force. NSW Police Force attribution notice and logo to be retained on all copies of supplied images or footage with the moral rights to no false attribution and of integrity in all its images and footage asserted.

Financial Crime Squad detectives have released CCTV as they appeal for information following the ram raid and arson of two tobacconists in Northern NSW.

About 4.30am on Sunday 22 September 2024, police were called to a tobacconist on Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District arrived to find a Toyota Corolla sedan, believed to have been stolen from Queensland, driven into a tobacconist, before two unknown males entered the business destroying several displays and stealing large amounts of cigarettes.

A crime scene was established, and police commenced an investigation into the incident.

A month later, about 2.40am on Tuesday 22 October, police were called to the same tobacconist, following reports a car had driven into a neighbouring business.

Police arrived to find a MG SUV had driven into the store – as bollards had been placed in front of the tobacconist – before two unknown men poured fuel inside the business and fled without setting it alight.

A crime scene was established, and police commenced an investigation into the incident.

About 3.30am the next day (Wednesday 23 October 2024), emergency services were called to River Street in Ballina, following reports of a building fire.

On arrival, officers attached to Richmond Police District located a silver Mercedes sedan inside the shopfront of a tobacconist, well alight.

Police were told the sedan drove into the business before the vehicle caught fire, with the occupants of the vehicle leaving the scene prior to police arrival.

Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the building was extensively damaged.

Surrounding units were evacuated and two other vehicles were damaged by the blaze.

No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.

A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the incident has commenced.

Following initial investigations linking all three incidents, detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Financial Crime Squad’s Arson Unit commenced Strike Force Albany to investigate the incidents.

As part of investigations, strike force detectives have released CCTV of the two ram raids at the Tweed Heads South tobacconist.

Detectives are also hoping to speak to the driver and passengers of a dark coloured sedan seen leaving the scene of the second ram raid.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents are urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

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NSW SES Reflects on Storm Response and Urges Preparedness

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NSW SES Reflects on Storm Response and Urges Preparedness

As the recent storms impacting the Northern Rivers, Clarence Valley, and Coffs Coast regions briefly subside, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is taking a moment to acknowledge the tireless efforts of its volunteers who have responded to over 159 storm-related incidents since Sunday.

The severe weather, which struck on Sunday through Wednesday evenings, left widespread damage across communities including Federal, Tweed Heads, Grafton, Coorabell, Richmond Hill, and Lismore. The majority of incidents involved fallen trees, blocked roads, and property damage, creating significant safety hazards.

Proactive Storm Preparation Urged

With clear weather providing a temporary reprieve, Superintendent Scott McLennan encourages residents to use this time to prepare for further storms expected today and next week.

“Check your gutters and drains for leaves, branches, or debris that could block water flow and exacerbate flooding during the next storm,” Superintendent McLennan advised.

He stressed the importance of vigilance, noting that saturated catchments could lead to flash flooding even with light rain.

“We are still in a volatile weather pattern, and taking precautions now can significantly reduce risks to homes and properties,” he added.

Motorist Warnings

The SES also issued a stern warning to drivers about the dangers of navigating flooded roads.

“We’ve seen vehicles speeding through flooded causeways, which is not only dangerous but also risks becoming stranded or causing further damage to roads,” Superintendent McLennan said.

Motorists are urged to exercise caution and avoid flooded areas entirely to protect themselves and others.

Stay Prepared

Residents and visitors are reminded to:

  • Clear gutters and drains of debris.
  • Secure outdoor items that could become projectiles in strong winds.
  • Monitor local weather updates and SES warnings.
  • Avoid driving through floodwaters under any circumstances.

The NSW SES remains on alert and ready to assist communities as the region navigates this challenging weather period. For emergency help in floods and storms, call 132 500.

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Coffs Harbour News

Coffs Bypass Team Seeks Feedback from Residents

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Coffs Harbour Bypass Team Invites Community Feedback

The Coffs Harbour Bypass team is once again reaching out to residents, seeking feedback on their community engagement efforts and suggestions for improvement.

Twice a year, the team surveys the community to assess the quality of information, engagement processes, and communication practices. Following feedback from the May 2024 survey, several initiatives were introduced to enhance the project’s accessibility and transparency.

Transport for NSW Regional Director North, Anna Zycki, highlighted the team’s commitment to incorporating community input:

Digital Planning Portal: An innovative tool (soon to be launched) to communicate temporary construction details and final traffic access arrangements.
Online Webinars: Introduced to provide direct access to the project team, explain bypass construction, and update residents on progress.
Take-Home Map: A comprehensive project alignment map featuring design changes, shared paths, and noise walls.
Improved Complaints Management: A refined approach to addressing and resolving community concerns.

“The community provided practical and achievable ideas, and we’re pleased to have implemented many of them,” said Ms. Zycki.
“We now want to hear if further changes are needed to improve our engagement and ensure the best outcomes for the community.”

The current survey is open until midnight, Sunday 1 December, and feedback should focus on the period between July and November 2024.

How to Provide Feedback

Share your views by completing the survey at Coffs Bypass Survey.

For more information about the Coffs Harbour Bypass Project, visit Coffs Harbour Bypass Project.

This project is built for the community, and your input is invaluable in shaping its success.

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