Local News

Yamba eyesore still standing

Published

4 weeks ago

3 April 2024

Liam

Yamba eyesore still standing

By Tim Howard

Ten years after it ceased trading a Yamba icon turned eyesore, Gormans Big Oyster Restaurant, red tape is about the only thing holding the building up.

The latest chapter in the saga to get rid of the rapidly decaying building at the eastern end of Yamba Bay, played out at Clarence Valley Council’s March 26 meeting, where every aspect of the confusion of ownership, native title and land rights received an airing.

Advertisements

Cr Ian Tiley sought to clear up the confusion which has dogged plans for the site since the restaurant sold under the hammer for $2,005,000 in September 2020.

He arrived with a letter from the CEO of the Yamba Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Billy Walker, penned that day, which informed the council the corporation was in discussion with the site owners to arrive at an Indigenous Land Use Agreement.

The letter revealed the corporation and the owners of the site, Swell 77 Pty Ltd, had been meeting for several years and had reached an agreement to move forward with an ILUA for the redevelopment of the site.

“Please advise council that the corporation have already had ILUA discussions with the owner in relation to access for the redevelopment of the Gorman’s old restaurant and have reached an agreement to move forward with an ILUA for the redevelopment of the site,” Cr Tiley said, reading from the letter.

On that basis, Cr Tiley moved an alternative motion: That council note that the Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation have already had Indigenous Land Use Agreement discussions with the owner in relation to access for the redevelopment of the Gormans old restaurant site.

Cr Tiley said an ILUA would solve the problem which has dogged the site since the sale, that the restaurant site is landlocked by the surrounding Hickey Island Reserve, and the owner has no legal access to Harbour Street.

The Hickey Island Reserve is Crown Land owned by the NSW Government, meaning consent from Crown Lands was required to traverse the Hickey Island Reserve to access the land.

The Yaegl People have been granted non-exclusive native title rights and interests by the Federal Court over the Hickey Island Reserve.

The adjoining land parcel to the north of the Gorman’s site is owned by the Birrigan Gargle Local Aboriginal Land Council, and their consent was also required if any part of their land were to be accessed as part of the demolition or redevelopment.

Cr Tiley said the corporation believed council did not need to become involved.

“They’re saying that the officers recommendation is unnecessary and indeed redundant, because they’ve been negotiating and have reached agreement,” he said

“And the bottom line is that the developer can’t do a damn thing until he gets access. And it’s Native Title.”

But some councillors, including Cr Karen Toms, were not convinced.

She said council staff had briefed councillors ahead of the meeting that for the development to proceed, the Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, would need to advocate for the State Government to begin a process to demolish the former restaurant.

The recommendation from the council officers also called for a council to write to the Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper, requesting that the State government engage with the Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC and their legal representatives to agree on a process to resolve the current need to demolish the former Gorman’s Restaurant for public health and safety reasons and to secure long-term legal access for Swell 77 Pty Ltd to access their property.

Cr Toms said the staff view was Crown Lands must be involved in the ILUA process because the Yaegl people and Swell 77 did not have the power to grant access to the site across the surrounding land.

The council’s general manager Laura Black advised the meeting that Crown Land must be involved.

“Certainly that’s the officers recommendation as a means of resolving this matter is that Crown Land does become involved if they are not already involved,” she said.

“They need to be involved for council’s order to demolish to be achieved.”

But Cr Tiley argued this was not the case and the council’s native title officer was mistaken in his views on the need for Crown Land involvement.

There was also confusion among councillors about the orders covering the proposed demolition and new building on the restaurant site.

Cr Tiley mentioned a development application for the site, but Cr Toms, with a point of order, reminded him there was no DA for the work.

Cr Tiley said he was aware of the situation because of the contact he had with the traditional owners.

“The traditional owners commence the ILUA process with the development before the Crown gets involved,” he said.

“The council officer that I referred to earlier is the council’s native title officer who wrote the report before us today.

“And regrettably, he didn’t check to see if any ILUA discussions had commenced with traditional owners. He should have done that.

“TOs (traditional owners) were not advised of this business item, which is regrettable, and were not contacted by the same officer before the report was written. Cr Toms is wrong.”

Put to a vote, council voted 6-3 against Cr Tiley’s motion and proceeded to debate a foreshadowed motion from Cr Toms to accept the officer’s recommendation.
Cr Steve Pickering moved to amend the motion, to include Cr Tiley’s defeated motion, which was was achieved with a third point to note the letter from Mr Walker.

Cr Toms and the motion’s second Cr Alison Whaites, were happy to include the point in their motion.

Cr Toms said her motion would allow the council to move ahead with the demolition of a dangerous building.

Cr Pickering said it had been 10 years since the restaurant closed and the decaying building remained in the middle of the Yamba tourism precinct.

“This dilapidated, dangerous building just sitting there, which council requested was demolished by September last year,” he said.

He said he did not expect the building to come down any time soon.

“I appreciate Billy Walker and the Yaegl traditional owners have been working with Swell 77 Pty Ltd to come up with a solution, but the ILUA may have been agreed to, but it hasn’t been signed,” he said.

“If the ILUA had been signed and Crown Lands had been part of that, this would have been a different debate.

“The building hasn’t been demolished. And I’m expecting it still to be standing there in September this year.”

Cr Debrah Novak said the history of the agreements over the site and the surrounding land suggested to her that Crown Lands must be involved in any decision to move forward.

“It’s important that we have now recognised through a letter given to Cr Tiley that the Yaegl traditional owners have now commenced that pathway for a discussion at Crown Lands,” she said

“It says in black and white that they still need to be at the table for conversation.”

Other councillors were worried the council was not respecting indigenous people and interfering in a process they had already begun.

Cr Greg Clancy described Cr Toms’ motion as “a bit rude”.

“We’re basically interfering in a process that’s already happening,” he said.

“The Yaegl Traditional Owners and Swell 77 would be more than aware that once they sign an ILUA, that that also involves the Crown Lands and if it’s managed by the council, the council.

“So this is in a sense, it’s a non-motion because it’s already happening and I think to have this motion can be seen by the Yaegl traditional owners as being a little bit intrusive or a bit rude when they’re actually doing the very thing that this motion is calling for.”

Cr Bill Day agreed and said the council should show more patience and respect to the Yaegl traditional owners.

The council voted 6-3 for Cr Toms’ motion, with the voting recorded as Crs Johnstone, Novak, Pickering, Smith, Toms, Whaites for. Against: Crs Clancy, Day, Tiley.

For more Yamba news, click here.

Advertisements

Up Next

Yamba chants makes ACA

Don't Miss

Totem poles tell the history of the area

Alstonville News

Anzac Day Services Northern Rivers – Comprehensive Guide for the Region

Published

1 week ago

24 April 2024

Liam

Anzac Day Services Northern Rivers – Comprehensive Guide for the Region

This Thursday April 25, 2024, communities across our region will come together to commemorate Anzac Day with various services and marches. Here’s what’s planned for each area:

Richmond Valley

Casino:

Advertisements

Dawn Service: Assemble at 5:15 AM on Canterbury Street at the Casino RSM Club. The march to the Mafeking Lamp starts at 5:30 AM.
Mid-morning Service: Gather at 10:00 AM in Graham Place for a 10:15 AM march to Casino RSM Club.
Evening Retreat: A brief service at 4:55 PM at the Mafeking Lamp.

Coraki:

Assemble at 10:00 AM at the Coraki Hotel for a 10:30 AM march to the cenotaph in Riverside Park.

Broadwater:

Community Dawn Service at 5:30 AM at Broadwater Community Hall, followed by a community breakfast.

Evans Head:

Dawn Service: Gather at 5:20 AM on Woodburn Street near the bus stop, marching to Memorial Park for a 5:30 AM service. Breakfast at the RSL Club Evans afterward.
Day Service: Assemble at 10:00 AM on Park Street, marching at 10:30 AM to Club Evans in McDonald Place.
Additional Services: A bus departs the RSL at 8:00 AM for services at the memorial aerodrome and war cemetery, with a special flyover by the Amberley Air Force.

Rappville:

Dawn Service at 5:30 AM at the Anzac Memorial on Nandabah Street.
Day Service: Gather at the Rappville Post Office at 10:30 AM for an 11:00 AM service at the same memorial.

Woodburn:

Assemble at 9:45 AM at the old Woodburn Post Office, marching at 10:00 AM to the memorial in Riverside Park for a service.

Kyogle LGA

Kyogle:

Dawn service at 5:30 AM at the cenotaph.
Assemble at 9:15 AM for a 9:30 AM march through the town center, concluding with a 10:00 AM service at the cenotaph.

Woodenbong:

Dawn service at 5:15 AM at the Woodenbong water tower, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast.
Gather for a 10:40 AM march to the Woodenbong Public Hall for an 11:00 AM Anzac Memorial Service. The day concludes with a wreath-laying at 11:45 AM and a Diggers Luncheon at 12:30 PM at the RSL Hall.

Bonalbo:

Dawn service at 5:30 AM at Patrick McNamee Anzac Memorial Park, followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the Bonalbo Bowling and Recreation Club.
An 11:00 AM service at the Bonalbo Community Hall.

Old Bonalbo:

A 9:30 AM service at Old Bonalbo Soldiers’ Memorial Hall.

Tabulam:

Gather at 10:30 AM on Clarence Street for a march to the Light Horse Memorial, where a service and wreath laying will take place at 11:00 AM, followed by refreshments at noon at the Tabulam Hotel.

Mallanganee:

A service and wreath-laying ceremony at 11:00 AM at Memorial Park.

LISMORE

Returned and Services League of Australia – City of Lismore sub-Branch ANZAC Day Committee wishes to invite the community to Lismore’s ANZAC Day March and Services, commemorating the fallen from Gallipoli and all other subsequent wars and deployments in which Australian Defence personnel have been involved.

At 5am the traditional Dawn Service will be held at the Lismore Cenotaph, following the March from the “Old Post Office Corner” on the corner of Magellan and Molesworth Streets.

The main March will commence at 9am and will depart Browns Creek Carpark, proceeding along Molesworth Street to the Lismore Memorial Baths. Followed by the ANZAC Day commemorative service at the Lismore Cenotaph.

The Lismore City Bowling Club will host a breakfast for veterans, families and community members.

Clarence Vally

Below is information that has been provided to Council by RSL Sub-branches across the Clarence Valley. If you are wishing to lay wreaths, please contact the sub-branch organiser for your area.

RAMORNIE (Sunday, 21 April)

10:45am – Ramornie Cenotaph
Contact: Barry Whalley – 0428 432 014

GRAFTON (ANZAC DAY Thursday, 25 April)

5:50am – Muster at Memorial Park
6:00am – Dawn Service at Memorial Park
6:30am – Gunfire breakfast at GDSC – $10pp (donated to charity)
9:30am – March from Market Square
10:00am – Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph, Memorial Park
Contact: Denis Benfield – 0412 410 474

SOUTH GRAFTON (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

4:50am – March from New School of Arts
5:00am – Dawn Service at the Cenotaph, Lane Boulevard
7:00am – Gunfire breakfast at South Grafton Ex-Servicemen’s Club
10:50am – March from New School of Arts
11:00am – Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph, Lane Boulevard
Contact: Barry Whalley – 0428 432 014

ULMARRA (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

10:40AM – Muster for march at Ulmarra Cenotaph
11:00am – Commemoration Service at Memorial Park
Contact: Robert McFarlane – 0407 415 923

CHATSWORTH ISLAND (ANZAC Day, Thursday 25 April)

5:15am – Dawn service at the Cenotaph
Followed by a sausage sizzle
Contact: John Goodwin – 0419 282 555

COPMANHURST (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

10:45am – Commemoration Service at Copmanhurst Memorial Cenotaph
Contact: Denis Benfield – 0412 410 474

GLENREAGH (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

5:30am – Dawn Service at the Glenreagh School of Arts
Followed by a cooked breakfast in the hall (donation)
Contact: Noel Backman – 0434 197 994

HARWOOD (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

5:15am – Muster at Harwood Hall
5:30am – Dawn Service at Harwood Cenotaph in River Street
Followed by Gunfire breakfast in the Harwood Hall (donation)
Contact: Helen Briscoe – 0431 677 110
Barry Smith – 0427 469 495

ILUKA (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

5:30am – Commemoration service
BBQ provided after service – outside hall (donation)
10:30am – March from Iluka Public School
10:45am – Commemoration Service and wreath laying
Followed by free morning tea
Contact: Phil Bradmore – 0448 465 269

LAWRENCE (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

5:45am – Muster at Lawrence Hall for march to Memorial Park
6:00am – Dawn Service at Memorial Park
9:45am – Muster at Lawrence Hall for march to memorial park
10:00am – Commemoration Service at Memorial Park
Contact: Bryan Whalan – 0417 232 809

LOWER SOUTHGATE (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

3:00pm – Commemoration Service at Lower Southgate War Memorial, Doust Park
Contact: Pauline Glasser – 0419 986 554

MACLEAN (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

5:30am – Dawn Service at Cenotaph
10:40am – March from Esplanade
11:00am – Commemoration Service at Cenotaph
Followed by lunch at Maclean Bowling Club (members only)
Contact: Trevor Plymin – 0415 400 658

TULLYMORGAN (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

5:15am – Muster for march at Tullymorgan School
5:20am – Dawn Service at the Tullymorgan School
Followed by gunfire breakfast (gold coin donation)
Contact: Sue Searles – 0408 408 749

WOOLI (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

5:30am – Dawn Service at the Cenotaph
6:00am – Breakfast for those attending the Dawn Service at Wooli Bowling & Recreation Club (gold coin donation)
10:45 am – Assemble at Wooli Bowling & Recreation Club for march
11:00am – Commemoration Service at the Cenotaph
Lunch for ex-service personnel and partners at the Wooli Bowling & Recreation Club
Contact: Brian Frederiksen – 0421 077 718

YAMBA (ANZAC Day Thursday, 25 April)

5:45am – Dawn Service at the Cenotaph
9:30am – Assemble for a 9.30am march in Clarence Street opposite Stella Motel, Clarence Street, for march to Cenotaph
9:35am – Commemoration Service to commence at completion of the march
Followed by morning tea at Yamba RSL Hall
Contact: Donna Ford – 0498 330 024

CHATSWORTH ISLAND (ANZAC Day, Thursday 25 April)

5:15am – Dawn service at the Cenotaph
Followed by a sausage sizzle
Contact: John Goodwin – 0419 282 555

Byron Shire

Thursday, 25 April 2024 04:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Services will be held across the Byron Shire to commemorate ANZAC Day.

Bangalow

10:30am – March from the Bangalow Hotel to the Cenotaph

Brunswick Heads

4:30am – March from the RSL Hall to the Cenotaph

Byron Bay

5:30am – Meet at the memorial Gates in Tennyson Street
10:30am – Meet at the memorial Gates in Tennyson Street

Mullumbimby

4:30am – Meet at the Cenotaph in Dalley Street
11:00am – March from Railway Station to the Cenotaph in Dalley Street.

Ballina Shire

5:30 AM – Dawn Service

Join us at the RSL Memorial Park Cenotaph for the first commemorative event of ANZAC Day. This service marks the time men of the ANZAC approached the Gallipoli beach and honors the traditional ‘stand-to’ ritual.

6:00 AM – Poppy Collection / Ballina RSL Breakfast

After the Dawn Service, collect your poppies from the ANZAC structure and enjoy a “In The Trenches Breakfast” at the Ballina RSL club for just $5. Open to the public – no bookings!

10:30 AM – ANZAC March

The ANZAC Day March will start at the far end of River Street, near Woolworths, moving towards the RSL and Memorial Park.

10:55 AM – ANZAC Day Service

The main service will be held at RSL Memorial Park adjacent to the Ballina RSL Club.

11:18 AM – RAAF Fly Past
11:30 AM – Ballina RSL Lunch

Conclude the morning’s commemorations with lunch at the Ballina RSL Club.

2:00 PM – Brownie & Friends’ Two-Up

Join us for a game of two-up at Brownie’s. Learn the rules and participate in this traditional ANZAC Day betting game. Open to all of legal gambling age.

Additional Information: Open to the public. All are welcome to join in remembrance and honor of our veterans.

Tweed Heads & Coolangatta

Dawn Service 5.45am

Held at Chris Cunningham Park, Wharf Street, Tweed Heads

Anzac Day Service 10.55am – 11.45am

Held at Chris Cunningham Park, Wharf Street, Tweed Heads

Burringbar – Old Bakery at 0845hrs for the march to the Memorial. Service to commence at 0900hrs. Refreshments and Bowls at the Sports Club after the service.

Cudgen – Assemble at Crescent Street at 0410 hrs. March to service at Collier Street Cenotaph at 0428hrs.

Kingscliff dawn – Assemble at Turnock Street at 0555hrs. Service at Kingscliff War Memorial. Breakfast at the Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club at 0700hrs.

Kingscliff main – Assemble at 1000hrs. March commencing at 1020hrs. Service at the Memorial at 1100hrs. Cars available for non-marchers.

Murwillumbah dawn – Assemble at War Memorial at 0520hrs. Breakfast in the Services Club at 0615hrs. Veterans and children under 12 free, others $5.

Murwillumbah main – Marchers assemble in Brisbane Street. Schools and other organisations assemble Main Street, opposite the Post Office at 1010hrs. March off at 1030hrs for Cenotaph Service at 1045hrs. Transport available for non-marchers at the assembly area.

Pottsville – Assemble at 0730hrs at Pottsville Beach Chemist. March off 0745hrs for the service at 0800hrs at the Cenotaph ANZAC Park. Breakfast at Pottsville Beach Sports Club after the service.

Tumbulgum – Memorial Gates 0430hrs. Breakfast in the hotel after the service.

Tweed Heads – Assemble on pathway behind Chris Cunningham Park at 0545hrs. Short wreath laying service at Chris Cunningham Park at 0630hrs.

🎖 Tweed Heads – Assemble in Boundary Street at 1000hrs, march off at 1030hrs down Boundary Street, left into Wharf Street and left to the Memorial in Chris Cunningham Park. Service of Remembrance from 1100hrs.

Tyalgum – Memorial 0515hrs. Breakfast in the hotel after the service.

Uki – War Memorial 0420hrs. Breakfast in the hall after the service.

These services offer a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our armed forces and provide an opportunity for community members of all ages to come together in remembrance.

For more local news, click here.

Advertisements

2022 Floods

Jewellery Design Centre Launches “Tell Our Stories” to Celebrate Lismore’s History

Published

1 week ago

24 April 2024

Liam

Jewellery Design Centre Launches “Tell Our Stories” to Celebrate Lismore’s History

Advertorial by Daniel Pinkerton

The Lismore Jewel Centre, a beloved fixture in the community, has reopened its doors in the Starcourt Arcade under a new name: Jewellery Design Centre. To celebrate they are launching a heartwarming initiative to commemorate the history and cherished memories of Lismore and the old store.

“Since reopening, we’ve had so many come and tell us how happy they are we’re back and share their fond memories of the old Jewel Centre” says owners Gary and Mariska Pinkerton.

Advertisements

“We love it, and so we want to invite more people to share their stories with us!”

The old Lismore Jewel Centre now known as Jewellery Design Centre now launches Launches "Tell Our Stories"

The old Lismore Jewel Centre. It will be missed dearly.

The ‘Tell Our Stories’ campaign invites locals to share their personal stories of connection, community and the special jewellery that has played an important role in their lives.

“The stories have played a special role in our lives too,” says Mariska.

“While we were closed after the flood, we did house calls and had customers come visit us at home which put a whole new light on the jewellery experience. All of a sudden the glitz was gone and our appointments were stripped back to just us and our customers. In this setting people naturally began to share their heart felt experiences with us, and we got to know them in a whole new way.”

It was this experience, they explain, that inspired the new Jewellery Design Centre in Lismore’s Starcourt Arcade.

“It’s smaller and not as ritzy as the old Jewel Centre was,” says Gary of the new store, “But for us it captures that feeling we felt when we would sit around dining tables with our customers.”

Jewellery Design Centre Launches "Tell Our Stories"

Just like home- a picture of the new interior’s cosy setting.

Gary and Mariska are now inviting community members to visit the store and share their own memories and experiences, with the chance to win exciting prizes.

Each person who shares their story online or in-store will be entered into a draw to win a $500 voucher, while those who have a piece repaired, remade, or custom-designed during the campaign period will have the opportunity to win a pair of $1,500 diamond earrings.

“We especially want to hear stories about the rich history of Lismore, memories of the old Jewel Centre or touching moments where jewellery has played a special part in your life.”

“More than the prizes, this is about celebrating the stories of the Northern Rivers and the memories that bind us together,” says Mariska.

Entries are open until May 24. For more information about the “Tell Our Stories” giveaway and how to participate, visit the Jewellery Design Centre in the Starcourt Arcade or follow the QR codes below to their social media channels.

For more business news, click here.

Advertisements

Lismore News

Lifeline Opens Northern Rivers Warehouse and Shop in Goonellabah

Published

1 week ago

24 April 2024

Liam

Lifeline Goonellabah - Ruth, Murray, Julien

Lifeline Opens Northern Rivers Warehouse and Shop in Goonellabah

Lifeline, a leading provider of suicide prevention and support services, is proud to announce the opening of its new Northern Rivers warehouse and Lifeline shop in Goonellabah NSW. The store will showcase antiques, vintage, quirky and collectible goods, quality furniture and homewares, offering a unique shopping experience for customers while supporting vital suicide prevention services in the local community.

Opening its doors to the public on 7 days a week, the Lifeline Shop in Goonellabah will provide customers with the opportunity to browse and purchase a diverse selection of affordable pre-loved goods. Proceeds from sales at the store will directly fund Lifeline’s local suicide prevention initiatives and crisis support in the Northern NSW region.

Ruth Marshall, Area Manager, commented that this was a milestone moment post-floods to have a warehouse to service the Northern NSW shops once again, stating, “The warehouse provides an easy central and convenient point for the drop-off of donations 7 days a week, which we will then distribute to Lifeline shops across the region”.

Advertisements

“With the rising cost of living, Lifeline is excited to offer another option for used furniture and pre-loved goods, complementing the recently expanded shop in Magellan St, Lismore, as well as retail outlets in Casino, Ballina and Byron Bay. By shopping at Lifeline, customers not only gain access to quality products at great prices but also contribute to life-saving services in their community”.

Ms Marshall highlighted the importance of community support in meeting the growing demand for Lifeline’s services, encouraging individuals to also consider volunteering at any of new Goonellabah warehouse or one of the five shops in the region. “Volunteering is a meaningful way to give back and support Lifeline’s mission,” said Ms Marshall. “Whether it’s assisting customers, organising displays, or working in the warehouse sorting donations and driving trucks, every contribution makes a difference in saving lives.”

With the Goonellabah store marking Lifeline’s fifth op shop in the Northern NSW region, the organisation continues to expand its reach and impact in the community. Residents are encouraged to visit any Lifeline Shop to shop, donate, or volunteer, knowing that their involvement supports the provision of Lifeline’s crisis support telephone, SMS and webchat services.

For those interested in visiting the Goonellabah shop, it is located at 29 Lancaster Drive Goonellabah, and is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, Saturday from 9am to 4pm, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Donations and volunteering inquiries can be made in-store or by calling 1300 152 854. Additionally, a furniture pick-up service is available by calling 6621 8516.

As suicide remains a significant public health concern, Lifeline remains committed to providing support and hope to those in need. Nine Australians die every day by suicide and more than 65,000 Australians make a suicide attempt each year. For local information visit here.

For more local Lismore news, click here.

Advertisements