Vote Counting Underway for Tweed Shire Council Election

Vote counting for the Tweed Shire Council election is in progress after residents cast their votes on Saturday. The final results are expected to be declared between 1 and 3 October, with postal votes still being accepted until 6 pm on Friday, 27 September.

The NSW Electoral Commission, which manages elections for most councils across the state, will continue the counting process over the next several days. Progressive tallies can be accessed on the Commission’s website.

Tweed Shire Council General Manager Troy Green expressed gratitude to the community for their participation in the election. “We’re pleased the election process has run smoothly and look forward to working with the newly elected Councillors,” Mr. Green said. He also thanked all candidates and their supporters for their efforts throughout the campaign.

A total of 45 candidates contested the 7 Councillor positions in the Tweed Shire. Once the results are declared, an Extraordinary Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 10 October, where the new Councillors will take their oath or affirmation of office and elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The Councillors will also undertake an induction program to prepare them for their 4-year term.

For more information, visit the NSW Electoral Commission website or contact 1300 135 736.

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Tweed Community Groups Invited to Apply for Australia Day Event Funding

By Ian Rogers

Community organisations across the Tweed are encouraged to apply for financial assistance from Tweed Shire Council to host Australia Day events in 2025. This funding is available for small-scale events held within three days of Australia Day, offering groups an opportunity to celebrate the occasion in ways that reflect their local identity.

Mathew Greenwood, Council’s Acting Manager of Corporate Governance, highlighted the importance of these events in fostering community connection. “With this funding, we’re enabling groups to celebrate Australia Day in a manner that reflects their unique local character,” Mr Greenwood said. “Local Australia Day gatherings bring our diverse communities together in a meaningful way, and we’re excited to see the events our community groups have in store.”

Funding Levels

The amount of funding provided is based on the expected attendance, with the following three categories of support:

• Category 1: $300 for events with up to 149 participants
• Category 2: $400 for events expecting 150–249 participants
• Category 3: $500 for events with 250 or more participants

Community organisations applying for the first time will automatically be placed in Category 1.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for funding, organisations must:

• Be located within the Tweed region and provide an outline of the planned event
• Be an incorporated body with public liability insurance
• Ensure the event is open to the public, not limited to members or private businesses

In addition, successful applicants must:

• List their event on Council’s calendar of events at whatsontweed.com.au
• Acknowledge Council’s support in all promotional materials and on the event day

For events held on Council-managed land, such as parks or beaches, all necessary permits and approvals must be obtained.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed by the Tweed Shire Australia Day Awards Selection Panel in late October 2024.

To apply, complete the application form available on Council’s Australia Day webpage and submit it by midnight on Friday 11 October 2024.

This initiative provides community groups with the chance to contribute to the celebration of Australia Day while fostering unity and pride across the Tweed region.

For more Tweed Shire news, click here.

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).

For more Richmond Valley news, click here.