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Flood news 42
Legal Aid NSW is here to help
Did you know that Legal Aid NSW has a Disaster Response Legal Service?
This service provides free legal help for disaster-affected individuals in NSW with legal issues like:
Tenancy problems
Insurance claims and disputes
Fines and financial hardship
Centrelink
Your rights at work
Replacing important documents
Domestic violence
Other legal problems relating to disasters
Anyone who has been affected by a disaster can get free help by contacting the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW helpline on 1800 801 529 (9am to 5pm weekdays).
For more information and resources visit the Disaster Response Legal Service website at disasterhelp. legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Rates relief to support flood victims
Ballina Shire residents whose properties were damaged in this year's floods will receive rates relief, thanks to a $40 million NSW Government funding package.
Under the NSW Government’s rate relief program, eligible ratepayers will have their land rates, including the base amount, for the 2022-2023 financial year, paid by the NSW Government.
This assistance applies to rates (either residential, business or farmland) and does not include any arrears, waste collection, water consumption, stormwater, water access, and wastewater charges. Service NSW will administer the program, and eligible ratepayers will receive the relief automatically, and do not have to contact Council to apply. The NSW Government will correspond directly with all eligible ratepayers.
The NSW Government rate relief is available to any ratepayer who has made a successful claim through Service NSW or had their property assessed by the SES as directly damaged from the flood and storm events.
For any questions on your eligibility, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88, Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, or visit service.nsw.gov.au/northern-rivers-rates-relief
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE 24/7
Those in flood-affected communities may be feeling anxious, worried or afraid. It’s important to make sure that you check in on yourself, family and friends to see that they are staying well.
There are services available 24/7 to help you if you need support.
Call 1800 011 511 or visit nsw.gov.au/floods/mentalhealth-support for more information.
Keep your dog on itsLead CYCLEWAYSand SHARED PATHSofBALLINA SHIRE RIDINGon theROADAlways obey the road rules, includinghelmet laws Ride in a predictable mannerYou are permitted to ride two abreast,but not more than 1.5 metres apartGive hand signals when changing lanes, turning left, right or stoppingPlan your route using quieter streets,cycleways or shared paths. Visit www.gotogether.transport.nsw.gov.au for more information on sharingroads and cycleways.
Ballina CBD to Sharpes Beach EXERCISE your DOG
Angels Beach Get out and about with the whole family and enjoy walking your four-legged friend in Ballina Shire. Dogs must be on a lead at all times in public places, unless in one of our seven off-leash areas.
DOG FRIENDLY BEACHES Angels Beach, East Ballina (on leash)Sharpes Beach, Skennars Head excluding beach patrol area(on leash)Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Headnorth of surf club (off leash) The Spit, Ballina (off leash)OFFLEASH AREAS Bicentennial Gardens, BallinaCompton Drive, East BallinaGap Road, AlstonvilleSeven Mile Beach north of surf club, Lennox Head Ballina Heights Eastern ReserveHeadlands Drive Drainage Reserve, Skennars Head The Spit, Ballina Please be considerate of other users of these areas. Your dog must always be under effective control. Take note of onsite signage about dog rules. DISMOUNT AREAS
Bike riders must dismount and walk their bikes: on footpaths to use pedestrian crossings at the end of shared paths.
KEEP BALLINA BEAUTIFUL Remember there’s no such thing as the dog poo fairy! Bag the poo, bin it or take it with you. Visit ballina.nsw.gov.au/ExercisingYourDog for more information LOCK IT UP! Avoid theft and secure your bike when unattended. Carry a good bicycle lock and secure the wheels and frame.
BIKE RIDING SAFETY THE PATHis THERE toSHARE
Shared paths are for both pedestrians and bike riders. BIKE RIDERS SHOULD: Give way to pedestriansKeep left unless overtakingRide at low speeds in busy areas when approaching corners and crests Ring your bell and slow down when approaching other path users Where possible, allow onemetre space for pedestriansMove off the path if stopped. EXPERIENCEtheBALLINA COASTand HINTERLANDby BIKE, SCOOTER,ON FOOTand WITHYOUR PET
Dogs are allowed on Angels Beach, Sharpes Beach, Flat Rock and the coastal pathway but they must be on a lead. It’s a good idea to check the signs in public places to see if dogs are allowed in that location as a penalty infringement notice can exceed $330.
Council recognises the importance of exercising your dog and provides seven off-leash areas:
Bicentennial Gardens, Ballina
Compton Drive, East Ballina + dog agility equipment
Gap Road, Alstonville
Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Head north of surf club
Ballina Heights Estate, Cumbalum eastern reserve
Headlands Drive, Skennars Head drainage reserve
The Spit, Ballina These areas are not for the exclusive use of dogs and their owners. Please be considerate of all other users by bagging your dog poo, then bin it or take it with you. Ensure your dog is always under your effective control, responds to your command and remains close to you. Immediately remove your dog if it shows any sign of anti-social behaviour or aggression.
Dog ‘No-Go' Areas:
Shelly Beach, East Ballina
Lighthouse Beach, East Ballina
The Serpentine, East Ballina
Shaws Bay, East Ballina
Chickiba Lake, East Ballina, north/eastern corner surrounding migratory and shorebirds roosting area
Flat Rock reef, Skennars Head
Sharpes Beach, Skennars Head, northern end during surf patrols
Seven Mile Beach (from beach access track located north of the Surf Club to southern end of Seven Mile
Beach)
Lake Ainsworth and surrounding foreshore/reserve
Fire Trail at the end of Camp Drewe Road, Lennox Head The ‘no-go’ areas are in place because of the popularity of some beaches and the presence of migratory and shorebirds. Don’t risk a penalty infringement notice of $330 by taking your dog to a ‘nogo’ area.
North Wall Ballina PEDESTRIANS (includingwalking, jogging, skating, mobility scooters and motorized wheelchairs) SHOULD:Keep to the leftTravel in a predictable mannerListen for the sound of a bell and avoid moving into the path of a bike Supervise young children at all times Keep dogs on short leashesMove off the path if stopped. MOBILITY SCOOTERS SHOULD: Follow the same rules that apply to pedestrians Ride on the footpath or shared path, not the roadNot exceed 10km/hRide at walking speed (2-3 km/h) in busy pedestrian areas Use baskets or racks: overloading may affect balance and controlHealth and medications may affect your ability to use your scooter: check with your doctor or pharmacist. The Cycleways and Shared Paths map includesdog friendly areas the wholefamily can enjoy. Download at ballina.nsw.gov.au/exercisingyourdog or collect from Council orthe Visitor Information Centre
CYCLEWAYS and SHARED PATHS of BALLINA SHIRE When riding, you are required by law to wear an approved bike helmet fitted and fastened on your head
Bike riders must have a workingbrake Ensure you have a fully functioning bell, horn or other warning deviceLights and reflectors increase your visibility. By law, you must have your lights on between sunset and sunrise, and in bad weatherYou should also have a red reflector visible from the rear. Wollongbar Alstonville Ballina
South Ballina
Knockrow Tintenbar Wardell Lennox Head Shaws Bay Loop Walk
Shaws Bay DOG friendly AREAS
Lennox Head to Pat Morton Lookout WANTto KNOW MORE? Ballina Visitor Information Centre Ph: 1800 777 666 discoverballina.com.au ballinacoastandhinterland Ballina Shire Council 40 Cherry Street, Ballina Ph: 1300 864 444 ballina.nsw.gov.au ballinashirecouncil .nsw.gov.au
The three steps to register your pet
reduced registration fees for dogs desexed prior to six months of age and cats desexed prior to four months of age
