Saffin’s Commitment to 24/7 Policing in Murwillumbah ‘On Track’

LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin confirms that her key election commitment to ensure 24/7 policing at Murwillumbah Police Station is progressing well and is expected to be achieved within the Minns Labor Government’s first term.

Progress Update

Ms. Saffin recently met with NSW Minister for Police and Counter Terrorism Yasmin Catley to receive a progress briefing on the staged allocation of 15 additional police positions. This increase aims to extend service delivery from the current 20/7 to a full 24/7 by 2026-27.

“The first phase of this transition to 24/7 policing began in November 2023, with Murwillumbah Police Station receiving three additional authorised positions: one sergeant and two constables,” Ms. Saffin reported. Recruitment for two of these positions has been completed, while one position remains advertised. The staffing capacity is set to increase gradually over the next three years to reach the full complement of officers.

Addressing Recruitment Challenges

Ms. Saffin noted that the challenge has been the historically low number of officers due to inadequate recruitment strategies. However, the Minns Labor Government has introduced several measures to boost police recruitment and address the critical shortage of officers, thereby enhancing community safety across the state.

Currently, New South Wales faces over 1,500 police officer vacancies – a situation resulting from years of neglect in police recruitment and retention. However, since the announcement on 31 October 2023 that the Minns Labor Government would pay recruits to study at Goulburn Police Academy, over 1,424 applications have been received – a more than 40% increase compared to the same period last year.

Recruitment Boosts

Evidence of the Government’s successful recruitment strategy includes Class 364, which is set to graduate in December at full capacity, with more than 350 recruits.

Two new programs have been specifically designed to attract more regional recruits and experienced officers to the NSW Police Force:

• Regional Recruitment Scheme: The ‘You Should Be a Cop in Your Hometown’ program ensures that people from regional NSW can serve in or near their hometown after graduating from the Academy. This program allows recruits from regional NSW to request to return to their hometown or nearby community, giving preference to these recruits for filling local vacancies.
• Experienced Officer Recruitment Scheme: The Professional Mobility Program (PMP) incentivizes officers from other Australian states, territories, and New Zealand to join the NSW Police Force while retaining their equivalent rank (up to senior constable level six). Previously, serving officers had to complete eight months of study, including four months in-person at the Academy, starting at the rank of probationary constable. Successful applicants now undergo a three-month course at the Academy focused on NSW policing policies and procedures, with pay equivalent to current student police officers.

Ms. Saffin remains optimistic about achieving the 24/7 policing goal for Murwillumbah and improving overall police presence and community safety in the region.

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Love of nature inspired Murwillumbah artist Elodie Cazes

Murwillumbah artist Elodie Cazes draws inspiration from her deep love of nature. Despite the challenges she faces, Elodie paints by holding the brush in her mouth.

Her artwork “Weeli Wolli Creek” will soon be featured on a greeting card, part of the collection sold across Australia by the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA), an international organisation with 850 members in 84 countries.

“I’m thrilled to have one of my paintings reproduced as a card. This particular piece was inspired by a photograph of Weeli Wolli Creek in Western Australia,” Elodie shared.

Elodie finds immense joy in painting nature, especially the stunning Australian landscapes. Her travels around the world have provided her with a wealth of photographic material to draw from. Flowers and birds also frequently inspire her work.

The mid-year product selection for MFPA is highly competitive, with a panel of European experts choosing the featured artworks. This year, Elodie is the only Australian artist whose work is included.

Originally from France, Elodie spent 15 years in New Zealand with her family. At age 12, she suffered a spinal injury after diving into a shallow pond, resulting in paralysed limbs. During her hospital stay, she began painting with a brush held in her mouth as part of a therapeutic program.

As a child, Elodie always loved drawing, making painting a perfect therapeutic outlet. She was encouraged by several New Zealand members of MFPA, including Kevin Griffiths and Irene Bernie.

After returning to France, Elodie and her family eventually moved to Australia, settling in Murwillumbah. “Northern NSW is an artist’s paradise, with its beautiful nature and peaceful locations. It’s also conveniently close to healthcare facilities,” Elodie added.

The MFPA supports artists like Elodie by selling products featuring their artwork. Initially focusing on Christmas cards, their offerings now include a wide range of items such as special occasion cards, jigsaws, tea sets, address books, calendars, Christmas serviettes, placemats, gift tags, and wrapping paper.

Founded in 1956 by a group of European artists, the MFPA is a self-help organisation that empowers artists with disabilities to achieve their creative ambitions while maintaining financial independence. The Australian branch was established in 1971.

To become a student member, an artist must qualify by painting with a brush held in either their mouth or foot due to the loss of hand function from illness or accident. Student members receive scholarships for art supplies and tuition.

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Contract Awarded for New Animal Pound and Rehoming Centre

By Rob Heyward

The Tweed’s new Animal Pound and Rehoming Centre is set to move forward following the Council’s approval of a contract to design and construct the state-of-the-art facility.

In a unanimous decision at their recent meeting, the Council awarded the design and construction contract to Alder Construction Pty Ltd after a rigorous tender process that saw submissions from six companies. The $6.8 million contract encompasses the design and construction of the main animal rehoming building and car park on Council-owned land at 92 – 102 Lundberg Drive, South Murwillumbah.

Construction will commence once the capping earthworks, currently rehabilitating the former tip site, are completed. The total project is expected to cost $9.1 million, funded by Tweed Shire Council with support from the Australian and NSW governments.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry expressed excitement over the contract award.

“We are thrilled to see progress on this much-anticipated facility for Tweed residents, and pleased to appoint a local builder for the project,” said Cr Cherry.

“The new centre will serve as a comprehensive hub for impounding, sheltering, and rehoming animals, providing veterinary care, impounding vehicles, and housing a new office for our Rangers and administrative centre for Friends of the Pound, our not-for-profit animal rehoming partners.”

Artist impression of the new Animal Pound and Rehoming Centre.

Designed to meet the latest standards in animal care, the facility will offer enhanced services, including an outdoor exercise yard. Construction is expected to begin by mid-to-late 2024, with completion anticipated by late 2025, weather permitting.

The new centre will replace the former pound at Stotts Creek, which closed in 2019 due to flood risks and the need for space in the expansion of the Council’s Resource and Recovery Centre. Currently, impounded animals are cared for by a private operator, with rehoming services supported by Friends of the Pound.

The new centre will operate seven days a week and accommodate up to 80 companion animals—40 dogs and 40 cats—needing new homes. It also includes a designated area for animal enrichment, an essential aspect of the design.

Funding for Stage 1 of the project includes contributions from:

• Australian Government LRCI Phase 3 – COVID-19 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Guidelines – $1,761,562
• Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot’s election commitment – $1 million
• NSW Office of Local Government – Local Government Grants (Floods) – Highly Impacted Councils – Companion Animals Support – $375,000
• Tweed Shire Council – $6 million

For more information on the pound, visit Tweed Shire Council’s website.

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