Temporary Road Closures This Thursday and Friday – Byron St and Ross St, Lennox Head

Ballina Shire Council advises of temporary road closures in Lennox Head for essential roadworks this week.

• Thursday, 24 October: Byron St will be closed between Gibbon St and Park Lane from 9am to 3pm for heavy patching and asphalt overlay repairs. Work will begin at 7am, with detours via Lennox Street and Pacific Parade during the closure.
• Friday, 25 October: Ross Street will be closed from 7am to midday for similar repair works.

Traffic control will be in place at both locations, and motorists and pedestrians are asked to follow all safety signs and directions. Local residents will be assisted with access during the closures.

For live traffic updates and scheduled works, visit www.livetraffic.com.au.

Labor’s vaping prohibition is resulting in more crime

Today’s suspected arson attack on a tobacconist in Ballina is exactly why we need a regulated vaping model.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said The Nationals’ introduced a policy more than a year ago, to protect our children and reduce organised crime.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said The Nationals’ introduced a policy more than a year ago, to protect our children and reduce organised crime.

“Labor’s prohibition model continues to expose children to organised crime and continues to see harmful unregulated vapes across our communities,” Mr Hogan said.

“In contrast, our model will stop criminals from exploiting our children, protect our children from vapes, and ensure we know what is in vapes.”

“Illegal activity involving vapes and tobacco is continuing to rise, and people are also inhaling ingredients they have no information about.”

“The Coalition’s strictly regulated model under the TGA will ensure there is controlled licencing to over 18s, whilst keeping it illegal to under 18s, similar to cigarettes. We would also invest $250 million for the policing and law enforcement of vapes.”

“Importantly, by regulating this product, the Government would receive excise revenue which could also be put back into health and education.”

“Prohibition hasn’t worked. Less than 10 per cent of Australians who vape have a prescription and Labor’s announcement will only help the black market continue to grow.”

Registrations Open for Second Hand Saturday

Worried about the cost of living? Join the reuse revolution on Saturday 21 September 2024 as we welcome the North Coast’s largest day of garage sales – Second Hand Saturday!

Since 2005, North East Waste has been organising Second Hand Saturday across the Northern Rivers region as support for community reuse and repair. With over 400 garage sales at last year’s event, 2024 is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

It’s one huge organised day of garage sales with residents across the North Coast taking part to make extra cash on items they no longer need, or find bargains at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

A recent study done by Charitable Reuse Australia in partnership with the NSW EPA, found that households across the state were able to save $423 million just last year by shopping second-hand.

Second Hand Saturday: 21 September 2024

It’s not only good for our wallets though, the study also found that 49,000 tonnes of what could have been waste was diverted from landfill through the second hand market.

You can be a part of Second Hand Saturday by registering to hold your own garage sale, or teaming up with family, friends or neighbours for a coordinated sale. There’s also the opportunity to register a group event as a local community organisation, fundraiser, school or church.

“Participating in Second Hand Saturday as a buyer, seller, or both, is a fantastic way to contribute to the local circular economy. Pre-loved items are often cheaper and more unique than what you find in the shops. This event helps us give goods a new life rather than taking up space in landfill, connect with our local community, and make or save a bit of extra cash- wins all around,” says Justine Rowe, council’s Resource Recovery Education Officer.

Visit secondhandsaturday.com.au for more information and to register a garage sale.

For more local Ballina news, click here.

Ballina mayoral candidates

By Tim Howard

The Northern Rivers Times asked candidates for Mayor in the September 14 Local Government elections in Ballina to explain why they’re running and what they thought of holding a popular vote for the office.

By deadline this week, two had taken up the offer and it remains open for the other three, Sharon Cadwallader, Kevin Loughrey and Kiri Dicker.

Andrew Broadley

Andrew Broadley

I have genuine gratitude for my life here. I wish to return it with service to the community.

I have experienced life as a member of a working family, balancing the cost of providing for a family while encouraging my children and partner to excel at their chosen activities.

I have the shared experience of many, which is commuting to work on the Bruxner Highway, involvement in local sporting clubs, volunteering in cultural and community activities.

I am here to listen and serve the people of our community. I hope to continue advocating for the needs of our community through a more official pathway.

Challenges

The cost of living is the major issue in our area.

This is clearly experienced through the scarcity of affordable housing and energy prices.

As Mayor I will work tirelessly to manage the costs of delivering Council services so that there is no additional burden placed on families in these difficult times.

I will use my vote on council to ensure that council resources are managed prudently to provide continuity of service to the community.

It is critical that the decisions of Ballina Council do not undermine the measures that our Federal Government has put in place, such as income tax cuts and cheaper medicines.

All levels of government must address the cost of living in a substantial way.

The health of the Richmond River has been neglected for too long. Multiple reports have been tabled, the recommendations ignored. Ballina Council must commission regular water quality testing and publish the results.

In 2019 a report to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment recommended the establishment of a Richmond River Coordinator.

An employee who would work with all stakeholders to coordinate on ground works, arrange funding for repairs and plan for the restoration of the river.

It is imperative that this happens quickly.

Popular vote for Mayor?

The outcome of popular votes tends to favour the incumbent candidate.

As a challenger, it is logical for me to confirm that I would prefer a different way of choosing the Mayor.

Phil Meehan

Phil Meehan

It’s time for change. Simple as that. This is why I am running for Mayor in Ballina Shire.

1. One of my key principles in local government is ‘social justice’. It is my belief that during this last term of Council, this principle has on too many occasions gone missing. We have had a small group of residents being able to ‘choose their own land zone’. A right not given to all. We have had another group of residents not being allowed to apply to manage a community facility. We have had councillors denigrating others because of political affiliations.  We simply need a change, and I believe I have the integrity, experience, and social conscience to provide the positive leadership required.
2. The major challenge In Ballina Shire, like all others, is to maintain a sustainable financial position while not putting pressure on residents through extra rate or charge rises. I have a strong view that Council should examine its own structures and operations to identify where savings can be made while maintaining service levels.
3. The election of Mayor by popular vote has a strength in that the people have the say, they elect the Mayor. Election of mayor by councillors inherently involves factionalism and political deals being done. The downside of the popular election is that the voters do not necessarily know the real capacities of the candidates.

For more local elections news, click here.

Ballina Branch of CWA Advocates for Continued Action on Violence Against Women in NSW and ACT Communities

In response to the alarming rise in the number of Australian women losing their lives to intimate partner violence this year, the Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW is using its annual Awareness Week campaign to emphasise the urgent need for sustained action against gender-based violence and violence against women across NSW and the ACT.

CWA of NSW Awareness Week will take place from September 1 to 7, focusing on the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence, including domestic and family violence, as well as violence against women by men who are not their intimate partners. This marks the second time in five years that the association has dedicated its Awareness Week to this critical issue, having previously highlighted domestic and family violence in 2020.

Lyn Davidson of the Ballina CWA Branch stressed the importance of revisiting this issue during Awareness Week, noting that the problem persists and requires renewed attention.

“We represent 8,000 women across NSW and the ACT, and we believe it’s crucial to keep applying pressure on policymakers to improve support and protections for victims of gender-based violence,” Lyn said.

During this year’s Awareness Week, the CWA of NSW is advocating for several key measures, including:

• Further reforms to bail laws to enhance the protection of victims, especially in rural and regional areas.
• Sustainable funding models for frontline victim support services, as well as services targeting perpetrator risk factors.
• The establishment of a real-time system to record, track, and share information on perpetrators across systems and jurisdictions.
• Additional resources for women facing violence in rural and regional communities, where isolation and limited services can make seeking support even more challenging.

The CWA of NSW is also committed to involving men in this year’s campaign, reinforcing the message that everyone must contribute to changing societal and cultural factors that lead to violence.

“It’s up to all of us to take action against violence when we see it, speak up against violent or oppressive language, and challenge the myths that perpetuate these behaviours. When we stand together, we can start to see meaningful change,” Lyn said.

This year, the CWA of NSW is partnering with Domestic Violence NSW, the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services in NSW, and The Men’s Table, an Australian non-profit organisation that promotes healthy masculinity and provides men with opportunities to discuss personal issues in a supportive environment.

“These organizations are making significant strides in creating positive changes in our society that can ultimately lead to a reduction in incidents of senseless violence,” Lyn added. “With their support during Awareness Week, we aim to continue the conversation around gender-based violence, acknowledging its complexities, and remain fully committed to finding the resources and strategies needed to reverse these devastating statistics.”

For more local Ballina news, click here.