Offshore whale towing too hard
By Jonathon Howard
OFFSHORE TOWING of deceased whales from Tweed beaches could remain a last-resort under a proposed Tweed Shire Council policy on the agenda this week.
Council’s assessment matrix found the tow method faces major logistical, safety and operational hurdles in most scenarios.
Council is preparing to place its draft Management and Disposal of Deceased Large Marine Animals Policy on public exhibition, pending a councillor vote this week, as whale strandings become somewhat common along the coast.
The report notes the east coast humpback whale population continues to increase following the end of commercial whaling in 1962, meaning council expects “a corresponding rise in the number of carcasses requiring management”.
While some experts, such as leading marine ecologist Dr Olaf Meynecke, and councillors have previously pushed for whales to be towed offshore and monitored, rather than buried or removed to landfill, council’s proposed decision-making framework suggests offshore towing would rarely be the preferred response.
Under the draft policy, officers would assess each whale carcass using a detailed “Decision Matrix” that scores disposal options against environmental impact, cultural factors, cost, logistics, legal compliance, public safety and time requirements.
In two of the three examples provided in the report, offshore towing recorded the worst score of all disposal methods.
For a 14-metre humpback whale washing ashore near a busy urban beach, offshore towing scored 50, the highest and therefore least suitable result in the matrix.
At a lower visitation beach with difficult access, offshore towing again scored 50, compared with 19 for on-site burial.
The report said offshore disposal methods are “recognised as having considerable operational, safety and environmental limitations in the Tweed context”. It states the option “would only be considered where site conditions, resources and environmental factors align”.
Council’s report indicates the challenges include limited access for machinery, dangerous surf conditions, tight time frames, specialist contractor availability, transport risks and the potential for carcasses to return to shore.
Only one highly specific “ideal scenario” resulted in offshore towing becoming the preferred option.
That example involved a relatively small juvenile whale floating in calm conditions at a low visitation beach, with no swell forecast, rapid contractor availability, tracking specialists on standby, expedited permits and sufficient budget already available.
In that rare example, offshore towing scored 15, the lowest and therefore preferred result.
Council stressed the scenario represented exceptional circumstances.
“Offshore towing scores lowest and is the preferred method. In this rare but ideal scenario … towing is the most appropriate and environmentally preferred option,” the report stated.
Council invited Olaf Meynecke from Griffith University to brief councillors on research into tracking whale carcasses at sea.
According to the report, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service also outlined “practical examples of offshore disposal attempts in NSW, including operational challenges and outcomes”.
Rather than mandating one approach, council’s proposed policy adopts a caseby-case framework.
Read the mayor’s view
Mayor Chris Cherry said disposal of deceased whales is a “complicated and often very emotive issue”.
“Often once an animal gets washed up, it is hard to have a good conversation with the community about what is the best way to deal with it,” she said.
“Putting the policy on exhibition is about getting the community to provide feedback on what they think should go into the decision-making process, so that the next time we have an incident, it can be dealt with in a way everyone understands.
“I would like to see example costings for
each option. For me, towing the animal back out to sea where it can break down naturally and play its part in the ecosystem is always a preferable option to taking it to landfill, so I would like to understand the ratings given to this option in the report a bit better.
“I will be very interested to see where the community sits on this.”
Read from an expert
Dr Meynecke said every situation is different.
“The stranding needs to be assessed based on a number of criteria. Having at least the option considered in the management plan would allow council to also undertake sea burial when feasible,” he said.
“I do hope that this will be the case for a number of future strandings.
“The risks associated with sea burial can be managed and controlled through tracking of the whale remains, prediction of drift and selecting the best release location.
“There are many benefits that come with sea burial. It is the most environmental friendly solution, allows larger scavengers like sharks to be drawn away from the coastline and is a more cost effective method than using landfill.
“It is also an option considered more cultural sensitive than bringing the whale remains to landfill.”
Council’s report states: “no single disposal method is appropriate in all circumstances”. If endorsed, the draft policy will go on public exhibition for 28 days, with 42 days allowed for public submissions before returning to council for final adoption.
Flood warnings need work
By Jo Kennett
LOCAL FARMERS are questioning why minor flood warning were issued, but there were no Bureau of Meteorology alerts for residents on the Oxley River, a major tributary of the Tweed River, when there was moderate and in some cases major flooding on Monday, May 18.
There were also concerns that a Prepare
to Evacuate alert was issued for low-lying parts of Uki on Monday evening, May 18, when the Tweed River rose rapidly, but most residents were unaware of the warning.
The alert was on the NSW Northern Rivers SES site but not on the local SES Facebook pages, where many residents look for updates, although there were plenty of flood warnings up for other areas.
The warning was also on the Hazards Near Me app and the NSW Critical Incidents websites, which is an amalgamation of information from all emergency services.
Eungella farmer Neil Davis said it was concerning, in the wake of the floods of 2017 and 2022, that there were still communication breakdowns in the system.
Continue reading on page 20.
The body of the 9.7m long humpback whale was removed from Kingscliff beach in September 2025
No longer child’s play –knowing good from bad
Last Saturday night May 9, I had just left some friends at Black Rocks and was coming back from the old highway.
I proceeded from Seabreeze Estate first traveling to Black Rocks and there was nothing on the road outside coffee shop at 11pm, then 15 minutes later 11.15pm the whole front fixtures were placed all over the corner establishment in the centre of the road.
Luckily for me, I could find a section close to the gutter to bypass the chairs and debris on the road.
I wasn’t about to get out of the car in case the gang were waiting to pry on motorists. Come on kids have fun and stay out late but you have to know good from bad.
If it happens again and try to get me, just remember cars can be repaired but human bodies feel every inch of an accident and you’ll find victims end up in hospital due to your actions.
M Grand, Kingscliff
We need Nullum House
I applaud Mr Michael Maloney’s report to Tweed Valley Weekly (TVW, May 14, page 6) regarding the closure of Nullum House and eventually closure of on March 26.
It is highlighted the enormous need for a safe house for homeless individuals, individuals with a mental health issue and services such as having clean clothes.
These are fundamental needs in our life that some do not have the privilege to access.
Due to life circumstances, people have often been deprived of their needs being met.
I urge you to reinstate this very needed Nullum House.
Judith Croaker, Mountain View Tax reform gamble
Will Labor’s proposed tax reforms reduce house prices? In the short term yes, because investors hurting under high and rapidly rising interest
rates will sell before July 1, 2027, to take advantage of the current 50 per cent discount to capital gains tax, escalating the current softening in prices.
Does this mean more young people becoming homeowners? Probably not due to high interest rates, cost of living and credit risk, so most cheaper homes will be snapped up by older wealthier investors hoping for a future reversal of Labor’s capital gains tax.
High income young people will have to compete with super funds and other entities permitted to negatively gear the limited supply of more expensive new builds, tightly held to avoid losing negative gearing rights.
Inflation and increasing demand from a rapidly rising population will push prices for new homes higher and hence for all homes eventually. With little incentive to buy used homes to rent, supply won’t meet demand and landlords unable to negatively gear will increase rents to break even, so young people will be even worse off under tax reforms purported to help them.
The legacy of Labor’s tax reforms will be a wider intergenerational divide, distrust of pre-election promises and disillusionment.
D Weston Allen, Cudgen Solutions needed for dangerous behaviour
I am replying to The Weekly’s recent article around dangerous behaviour at on the Tweed Coast of placing object on the road.
I have contacted the police by email yesterday as the same dangerous behaviour is occurring in Pottsville also.
I am waiting for a reply to ask them what can be done to support our community’s to be safe during the evenings.
Obviously, this dangerous behaviour is unacceptable, and urgent action needs to be taken.
Security presence is an option however to be a step ahead of the youth they need to be discreet, observe and
report.
Unfortunately, this still may not be enough and it is difficult for the police to be at the right place at the right time.
It’s so disappointing to know that the Tweed Coast communities are facing this dangerous behaviour and feeling unsafe in the evenings when driving around.
Will keep you informed.
Wendy Pluckrose, Pottsville Community Association Inc president, Pottsville
Feeling the cold this year
Normally I do not feel the cold much and only close up my home in the middle of July. This year I have already started closing up by about 4 pm as I have really been feeling the cold, and Winter has not yet begun. I take this as a sign of extreme cold this Winter, which is almost upon us.
There are a good many homeless people and animals. Spare a thought for them. I am sure death will be stalking their ranks more so than usual in the coming cold.
Perhaps large businesses with large tracts of floorspace, eg, a shopping centre or mall, could offer up some sanctuary with warmth for those homeless from the streets who may normally consider themselves lucky to have a doorway to shelter in from cold winds.
Families living in their cars could perhaps be helped by similar car parking facilities.
The homeless, people and animals, are often made homeless through no fault of their own.
Rising costs and rents force families out of homes and into homelessness. Animals are dumped by the wayside by those too cowardly to simply hand them into a shelter.
Perhaps the powers that be can persuade bigger businesses to gather together with mercy and charitable assistance for these souls who are in need.
by Paddy O’Brien
My mother once said unto me, when I was just a boy, “There are treasures in this life worth more than any toy.” I did not understand her words until I fell in love; it felt as though an angel came and gave my heart a shove. In time I found a faithful mate, the woman I did wed; through joy and sorrow, hand in hand, the path of life we tread. A child was born, yet loss would come, and grief became our share; through misty days we carried on with faith, and whispered prayer. As husband, father, friend and son, I slowly came to see there’s far more meaning found in life than childhood showed to me. And now the words my mother spoke still guide me from above;
It is up to all of us to try to make this a reality, now and into the future.
We can only hope.
Suzanne Voss, Bogangar Lions Mother’s Day Raffle
The annual Mother’s Day Raffle for Lions Medical Research was held recently in Murwillumbah’s main street.
The prize donated each year by Lawrence and Rina Anderson was won by eleven-year-old Leyth Brown with ticket number 2788.
Money raised in this annual raffle will go to the Lions Medical Research Foundation where researchers are currently working on many diseases to aid the community.
I’m proud to be a father now, and grateful for her love. So thank you, mum, for all you taught through all those years gone by; your love helped light our darkest days beneath life’s cloudy sky. And every year on Mother’s Day those memories live again; the love you planted in my heart with me it will remain.
To quote his mother Nicole, Leyth told her he had just bought a raffle ticket hoping for a Mothers Day gift for his mum. Thank you to all those who took part.
Robert Watson, Murwillumbah
Leyth Brown with raffle organiser Merilyn Gilmore
Paddy with the Logan Bush Poetry Legends trophy after taking out the coveted award at the Beenleigh Show in March. Presenting the trophy is Logan Performance Bush Poets Inc president Gerry Mannion, himself an accomplished and award-winning bush poet who has worked tirelessly to promote the art form.
Big onsite meeting
An artist's impression of the proposed Pottsville development
By Jo Kennett
OBJECTORS AND proponents of a proposed $45-million development between Seabreeze and Koala Beach Estates in Pottsville will present their cases to a commissioner of the Land and Environment Court at 10.30am on Friday, May 22.
Local residents are expected to be out in force at the site at 1183 Cudgera Creek Road, opposite the Koala Beach Sports Fields (Tom Merchant Drive) for the conciliation conference.
The commissioner will facilitate the negotiation between the parties with a view to their reaching agreement. However, if an agreement cannot be reached the case will go back to court.
In 2024, Arbus Pottsville Pty Ltd applied to demolish structures and erect a caravan park containing 267 long term sites and 12 short term sites, a clubhouse, outbuildings and associated road.
The Regional Planning Panel refused the application in May, 2025.
Arbus decided to appeal the decision to the Land and Environment Court, which had to be done within six months, in November 2025. With the appeal ongoing, Arbus applied to build a scaled down version of the development, with eight long-term sites and 33 short-term sites, but needed Owners Consent from Council because part of their proposal requires work
be done in a Council road reserve.
Both proposals require the transfer of Johansons Road to Tweed Shire Council and the acquisition by Council of part of the bed of Cudgera Creek at the existing bridge crossing.
On March 19 this year Council recommended the Owners Consent be refused.
Lawyers representing Council and objectors have notified them of a list of speakers who will speak in opposition to the proposal.
Proponents for the development and objectors and residents are permitted to observe the public component of the conciliation conference at the site this Friday..
Consolidated Properties Group Don O’Rorke and Hutchinsons Builders Scott Hutchinson recently lodged a rezoning application for ‘Caldera’ at the proposed Dunloe Park Urban Release Area south west of Pottsville near the old quarry off Pottsville Mooball Road.
Caldera is anticipated to house approximately 4,000 to 6,000 people upon completion with a mix of low-density, medium-density, and residential homes, contributing to a total projected Pottsville population of 10,000–12,000.
YOUR THOUGHTS: The Weekly is interested in your thoughts on these and other projects? Do you believe there’s a possible compromise to be reached on the caravan park proposed site? Send your thoughts and letters via email: editor@ theweekly.net.au
THE LEGAL LIGHT!
Legal battle over who owns animal cruelty video
A legal battle is taking place in court to block animal rights activists from publicly sharing covertly recorded video they made of alleged animal cruelty in an abattoir.
The activist group Farm Transparency Project, campaigning against animal exploitation and suffering at farms and abattoirs, had secretly placed video cameras in a halal abattoir that processes goat meat for export.
The Game Meats Company operates legally under licence and has an abattoir in Eurobin, Victoria. In 2023 activists secretly broke into the premises seven times to install video cameras and record the slaughter of goats.
The activists admit they trespassed, but claim the videos recorded animal cruelty. They sent the footage to authorities and a local TV station, and posted some of the footage on their website. Game Meats took successful court action to block the video from being broadcast, arguing it would amount to ongoing trespass.
In 2025 the Full Court of the Federal Court ordered the activists not to publish any of the footage and, in a controversial move, ruled the activists did not have copyright of the footage, but held it in trust for Game Meats. The court ordered the activist group pay Game Meats $130,000 in damages. The matter is now proceeding to the High Court.
Anneka Frayne at Stacks Law Firm says until this decision, the copyright owner was generally held to be the person who created the footage, image, text or invention.
“It is illegal to trespass and take videos or photos of someone on private property. But the question of who owns rights to the footage that was secretly and illegally recorded at the abattoir could have ramifications for copyright in much wider terms,” Ms Frayne said.
“Awarding copyright to Game Meats means the footage alleging animal cruelty is now owned by the company. Does that decision mean any leaked CCTV footage of cruelty, or worse, in prisons or police stations could also be barred from public broadcast, because the owner of the premises could claim copyright?”
Human Rights Law Centre legal director Kieran Pender said the decision broke whistleblower laws and could enable wrongdoers to hide corruption.
“The law should not permit perpetrators of wrongdoing to use copyright law and equity to keep evidence of wrongdoing hidden, nor prevent third parties, including the media, reporting on it,” Mr Pender said.
Game Meats argued authorities regularly inspected the abattoir and found no wrongdoing, and the footage had been acquired illegally through trespass. In their submissions to the High Court, the abattoir’s lawyers argued the repeated trespass infringed its fundamental right to “exclude others from viewing or exposing what occurred therein”.
Tweed Growth Strategy draws strong feedback
By Jonathon Howard
ONE OF the most debated documents in the Tweed Shire’s recent history, the draft Growth Management and Housing Strategy (GMHES), is back on the agenda this week and could be released for public consultation if Tweed Shire councillors vote to release the draft.
The plans include highly anticipated changes to detached dual occupancies and second dwellings on rural land.
The proposal, which has sparked years of discussions amongst residents includes a recent push by Councillor Kimberly Hone to reduce the land size for detached homes from 10 hectares to five hectare and could pave the way for thousands of additional rural dwellings aimed at addressing affordability and housing diversity.
The 36-page council motion includes an interesting summary of the shire that by 2041, the Tweed will be home to between 107,125 and 119,082 people.
The draft strategy outlines major changes to housing policy in support of detached dual occupancies or secondary dwellings on RU1 Primary Production and RU2 Rural Landscape zoned land. Under the proposed draft strategy, second dwellings would be supported on rural lots of 10 hectares or more, although a more recent notice of motion from Cr Hone has pushed for the threshold to be lowered to five hectares.
The report states that the changes are aimed at maintaining “the productivity and long-term viability of Tweed’s rural areas”, while also “providing additional housing flexibility where it can be responsibly accommodated”.
“These proposed rural reforms are aimed at increasing rural housing flexibility,” the report states.
Under the draft strategy, detached dual occupancies or secondary dwellings would only be allowed where strict conditions are met, including maintaining agricultural land, limiting vegetation clearing and ensuring dwellings are located outside major flood and bushfire risk areas.
The draft states second dwellings must be on lots at least 10 hectares in size, share a single driveway and sewerage system, be located within 100 metres of the main dwelling, avoid significant impacts
on scenic amenity and protect “important agricultural land” and preserve “the right to farm”.
Council analysis found about 1,879 rural lots across the Tweed could theoretically qualify for a detached second dwelling under the 10-hectare proposal.
“This represents a substantial theoretical increase in rural housing capacity without altering subdivision patterns or minimum lot sizes,” the report states.
However, debate has intensified after a February 2026 notice of motion sought to reduce the minimum lot size from 10 hectares to five hectares.
“Council analysis indicates that reducing the minimum lot size threshold from 10 hectares to 5 hectares would enable a further 565 lots to become eligible,” council’s report read.
“This would result in a total of approximately 2,444 RU1 and RU2 lots being capable of accommodating a second detached dwelling.
“This option significantly broadens the pool of rural landowners who could benefit from increased housing flexibility.”
However, a NSW parliamentary inquiry
into rural housing reform could significantly expand the number of Tweed rural properties eligible for detached dual occupancies or secondary dwellings under a proposed 8,000-square-metre minimum lot size, with council modelling showing up to 4,375 RU1 and RU2 lots could qualify or almost double and the state government could override council’s strategy. Council’s report said the inquiry found existing rural housing controls were “overly restrictive, inconsistent and heavily reliant on minimum lot size thresholds” and recommended moving toward a “zonebased permissibility framework” instead.
The report warned the lower threshold “would result in significantly more dwellings within the rural landscape” and noted any NSW Government reforms could ultimately override council’s own planning controls.
Meanwhile, council’s draft GMHES also proposes a series of broader rural reforms, including more flexibility for boundary adjustments, expanded rural village opportunities and changes to rural worker dwelling rules.
Continue reading page 8.
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Tweed Growth Strategy
Continued from page 3.
The broader GMHES identifies 19 Development Focus Areas (DFAs) across the Tweed for future housing and employment growth stretching through to 2041.
Council staff said development would need to occur gradually in line with infrastructure capacity.
“It is important to recognise that development will not happen everywhere at once,” the report states.
“Growth needs to be sequenced so different DFAs can come forward at the right time, in line with demand and infrastructure capacity.”
The strategy forecasts enough capacity for about 11,200 new homes to support the Tweed’s housing needs through to 2041, along with employment land capable of supporting more than 10,900 jobs beyond that time frame.
Council staff described the strategy as balancing growth with environmental protection and community character.
“Development celebrates and responds to the amenity and character of the Tweed and positive lifestyle factors which support liveability values,” the report states.
The draft strategy is expected to undergo further debate as councillors weigh housing affordability pressures against concerns about rural character, infrastructure strain and environmental impacts.
If approved for public exhibition by our seven councillors this week, council said the engagement process would include in-person information sessions at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff
and Murwillumbah (plus an online session), where participants can hear directly from the Strategic Planning and Urban Design team, understand local implications and ask questions.
“Feedback will also be invited via the Your Say Tweed project page and online submission tool,” council’s report read.
“Council will present at the REIGR Forum in late July 2026, notify local ratepayers and community groups and business chambers, and promote the exhibition through Council’s website, media, social media and advertising in Tweed Link.”
Read Mayor Chris Cherry’s views on the strategy
“The GMHES document is the most important one I have worked on in my nearly 10 years on Council,”
Mayor Cherry told The Weekly.
“It is an agreement with the community about how and where we will see our Shire grow.
“We don’t really have control over the speed of the growth as that is in the hands of proponents and is dependent on development costs and willingness of proponents to bring land to the market, but we can decide where and how.
“The strategy plans for growth of 27,400 dwellings across the Shire.
There are 19 different development focus areas looking at different areas or strategies to get the right mix of housing for our community.
“One of those is the one on rural housing where we are recommending allowing expansions of the rural villages and secondary dwellings on
“By 2041, the Tweed will be home to between 107,125 and 119,082 people ”
lots of 10 hectares or more.
“This is consistent with the Rural Land Strategy and is a way of allowing nearly 1900 lots across the Shire to have a second home.
“We are also making the rural workers dwellings, which are full-size houses permissible on every rural lot, easier to get approval for, to enable generations of families to stay on the farm.
“Everything we are proposing is consistent with the recommendations made by the Select Committee into Rural Housing.
“We are trying to take a staged approach, allowing this massive increase
in places people can build homes, but not making it open slather.”
Mayor Cherry emphasised that we have a responsibility to try to protect our agricultural lands as the food bowl resource that they are.
“I think we have the balance right, in generating opportunities for affordable housing and ageing in place, while limiting the building of homes in areas that are most vulnerable to flood and bushfire, and at the same time ensuring that we will have agricultural land to sustain our community for generations to come,” she said.
Cr Kimberly Hone to advocate for smallest lots
“I will be advocating for this policy to apply to the smallest land parcels possible while still achieving majority support around the council table,”
Cr Hone said.
“Importantly, the recommendations from the State’s inquiry of 8,000sqm lots, if adopted, would ultimately override Council’s decision-making in this space.
“Either way, this is a reform the community has been calling for, for more than 30 years, and if I deliver this change in my first term on Council, I’ll be extremely proud.”
Cr Hone said these new permissions, of possibly five or 10 hectares, could not come at a better time.
“With the recent Federal Budget focusing tax concessions and incentives only on new home builds, this reform has the potential to give local families more housing options, support intergenerational living, and create new opportunities for people to stay
on the land and remain in the communities they love,” Cr Hone said.
Cr Nola Firth expresses concerns over changes
“I find the proposals in the GMHES for second and secondary housing on rural land extremely concerning,” Cr Firth said.
“With five hectares and above we are looking at more than 2,000 non-rateable extra houses,” she said.
“This will change the rural character, fragment agricultural land needed for food security and reduce our precious biodiversity.
“Each new house footprint risks the three top causes of species extinction: habitat loss (through house pads, bushfire breaks, driveways, fences and septic tanks), weed spread and domestic animal roaming.
“Worse still, the new state fast track low density housing laws now being considered will likely override Council and add further lack of clarity as to how council can actually achieve the ‘net environmental benefit’ promised in the strategy.
“We need to at least pull back on this until the environmental protection issues are resolved, especially as the strategy itself states it already has 15,200 houses more than is needed for 2040!”
YOUR THOUGHTS: Would you support a further change to detached dual occupancy, as proposed by the NSW Government, of 8000-square-metre threshold for RU1 and RU2? The Weekly is interested in your thoughts and letters via email: editor@theweekly.net.au
A Whole New Chapter for Mapp & Hession and for Murwillumbah
Mapp & Hession WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods has opened its doors at 38 Murwillumbah Street, a purpose-built, $1 million flagship that sets a new standard for community healthcare in the Northern Rivers.
The move to the former NAB building marks the end of four decades on King Street, but it is very much the beginning of something new. The all-new site is larger, more accessible, and more comprehensive than anything the town has seen before, bringing prescriptions, whole foods, beauty, natural therapies and allied health services together under one roof.
A VISION 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING
Mapp & Hession has been part of the fabric of Murwillumbah since 1984, when local pharmacist Greg Mapp first opened his doors with a belief that community pharmacy could be so much more than a dispensary. Paul Hession joined in 1994, and together the pair shared a passion for natural therapies and accessible, integrated care. In 1996 they pioneered one of Australia’s first dedicated herbal dispensaries, long before the term “integrative health” entered the mainstream.
That same philosophy now finds its fullest expression yet at 38 Murwillumbah Street. “We wanted to bring something better to the town,” said co-owner Paul Hession. “And that’s why we created Mapp & Hession WholeLife Pharmacy.”
BUILT FOR THE COMMUNITY
Two years in the making, the new site has been designed from the ground up with the Murwillumbah community in mind. It boasts the largest customer car park in the CBD, a lift providing easy access, and purpose-built consultation rooms for sleep apnoea treatment, vaccinations and naturopathic consults.
“The pharmacy sector is coming into a period of optimism,” Mr Hession said, “and it’s exciting to be able to do something new.”
THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING
Since opening, the community response has been everything the team hoped for. “We’ve had a great response and the town’s really excited,” Mr Hession said. “I’d like to encourage residents to come in, have a look, and browse our all-new range.”
Mr Hession was quick to credit the team behind the transformation. “We have such a dedicated team, it’s been amazing. They’ve gone above and beyond to bring this vision to life.” He also paid tribute to his wife Amanda, who has been by his side throughout the journey.
“It’s been a big couple of weeks after so long on King Street. But the town is changing, I’ve lived here for 30 years, and we’re excited to be part of that change.”
WHAT YOU’LL FIND AT 38 MURWILLUMBAH STREET
✛ Full dispensary and prescription services
✛ Extensive whole foods and health foods range
✛ Natural therapies and herbal medicine
✛ Beauty and wellness products
✛ Easy access with lift
✛ Murwillumbah’s largest customer car park
✛ Open 7 days including Sundays 9am – 1pm
THE OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING IS ON 23 MAY. ALL WELCOME.
COME CELEBRATE WITH US
The official grand opening on 23 May is set to be a day to remember, and the whole community is invited to join in. To mark the occasion, the team will be offering 20% off storewide for the day, giving locals the perfect opportunity to explore the new range and stock up on their favourites at a great price. There will be product sampling throughout the store, gift bags to take home, and a showcase of exciting new products that reflect the next chapter of the WholeLife offering. Whether you’re an existing loyal customer or stepping through the doors for the very first time, come in, say hello, and see what all the excitement is about.
Disability Inclusion Matters Enjoy it while it lasts
By Jo Kennett
AFTER A bit of sunshine last weekend, the system got hit by a trough which moved across from the west, bringing welcome rain to pretty well anyone who doesn’t live around here, because large areas of western NSW, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia have been in drought in recent months, with a dry El Nino winter and spring forecast.
The Tweed copped it again as well, with localised flooding earlier this week.
A group of people were stranded at Crystal Creek, but luckily “the people in Crystal Creek are good hearted country people that are happy to help whenever they can,” according to one local, and managed to accommodate them all for the night.
Watch and Act, Prepare to Isolate, alerts were issued by the NSW SES for many areas following localised flooding in the hinterland which fed into Tweed rivers, causing minor flooding, especially as the high tide pushed in.
Limpinwood received close to 200mm, mostly on Monday, May 18, causing flooding downstream on the Rous River.
Al Davis, resident weatherman at Pottsville recorded 87mm, in the 24 hours to 9am on Tuesday, May 19, with the same being reported from 7am Monday to 7am Tuesday at Bogangar. All these falls came on the tail of days, and weeks of rain, with only a few breaks since the end of April.
Murwillumbah had recorded 75mm from Monday, May 18 to Tuesday, May 19 at 9am, with 173.7 mm of rain to Tuesday, May 19, for the month. That’s well over the May mean of 126.1mm.
106mm were recorded in April, which was below the Murwillumbah April mean of 151.9mm. Most of that rainfall came in the last few days of April.
Tweed Heads had 276.2mm for May up until May 19, well above the mean rainfall of 155.4mm, with 82.4mm falling on Tuesday, May 19.
Kingscliff had around 117mm from Monday, May 18 to Tuesday, May 19.
Scott Paddon measured 357mm of rain at Cudgen from April 26 to May 19, with 118mm recorded on Sunday and Monday, May 17 and 18.
Some farmers had to work through the rain, to meet sales contracts for supermarkets.
The Prichard family own Cudgen Road Farms, Mate and Matt’s and Jane Prichard said they had a tractor towing another tractor which was towing the harvester to continue harvesting sweet potatoes on Monday.
Not ideal, although according to Jane the red soil not only looks amazing, it has great drainage allowing them to get back on the paddock early, unlike black soils out west.
The planting, which continues much of the year, will have to wait for drier weather.
By Jonathon Howard
A MAJOR push to improve disability inclusion and amplify regional voices is heading to the Tweed Shire and Lismore in June, with a series of free community events designed to empower people with limited abilities, carers and service providers.
The Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) is partnering with locally based Disability Advocacy to host networking sessions, workshops and community consultations in Tweed Heads and Lismore on June 3 and 4.
The Disability Inclusion Matters Network event will take place at Twin Towns Services Club on Wednesday, June 3, will bring together people with disability, advocates, carers and local service providers to discuss the biggest issues facing the sector across the Northern Rivers.
The free event will include presentations, workshops and a “Meet and Mingle” lunch aimed at building stronger local support networks and encouraging people to share their lived experiences.
PDCN chief executive Ed Morris said the organisation was committed to ensuring regional communities had a stronger voice in disability advocacy and reform.
“We are committed to travelling across NSW and collaborating with organisations on the ground in regional and remote areas to better engage with, empower and represent the physical disability community in each place,” Mr Morris said.
“Your voice does and will make a difference.”
The events will also include community consultation sessions where people with disability can share their experiences living in the Northern Rivers, with feedback helping shape PDCN’s future advocacy work with local, state and federal governments.
Organisers say the sessions are especially important for regional communities, where access
to disability services and support can often be more limited.
PDCN points to success stories like “Tanya”, a young stroke survivor who was rejected twice by the NDIS before eventually receiving support through the organisation.
After more than two years struggling to access help, Tanya was guided through the process by PDCN peer mentor Adrian O’Malley and was ultimately approved for essential support services.
“Now I can thrive,” Tanya said.
“I wouldn’t have gotten there without the support I now have in place.”
PDCN has also played a leading role in statewide advocacy campaigns, including securing a $15 million NSW Government funding package to improve wheelchair accessible taxis and helping establish the first NSW Disability Health Strategy.
Alongside the Tweed Heads event, a second day of workshops and networking activities will be held in Lismore on Thursday, June 4. The sessions are open to people with disability, parents, informal carers and disability service providers, with organisers hoping the events will strengthen collaboration across the Northern Rivers sector.
To find out more, or register, please email: admin@pdcnsw.org.au or phone: 1800 688 831.
Slippery Crossing near Murwillumbah. Photo by Eleanor Mack
Man and dog rescued
IT’S NATIONAL Volunteer Week and the heavy rain and local flooding kept local SES crews and the Tweed District Rescue Squad (TDRS) VRA on their toes on Monday, May 18.
TDRS VRA were all over the news with a swift-water rescue at Numinbah, in the hinterland near the Queensland border.
A spokesperson for the rescue squad said they received a callout at around 3.56pm, to a causeway on Numbinbah Road near Fogartys Road.
“A gentleman drove his vehicle - I think it was a Jaguar - through a flooded causeway and as a result the vehicle was washed off that causeway approximately 40 metres away (downstream).
“He was stranded and was the only occupant in that vehicle with his dog.
“He was extremely, extremely lucky. When a vehicle gets washed off a causeway it often rolls.
“For some reason this car appears to have stayed on its wheels and stayed upright.
“There’s a drop off at the bridge so the fact that it’s been swept up and washed off 40 metres away just shows how powerful even a little bit of water is.
“Often there is a message here; don’t get deceived by a little bit of water - it can be deadly.”
The rescue crews made their ways across using cross-water techniques, bringing the driver back first, then went back to retrieve the dog and
then the police officer from the Murwillumbah Station that had gone to his aid.
“The Murwillumbah Police were the first on scene,” the spokesperson said.
“We had three swift-water rescue operators in the water and three or four on the bank which is what we call downstream safety.
“These rescues can become very resource-heavy all in the name of safety.
“This operation was carried out in a safe manner which has resulted in no injuries and a very lucky outcome for that driver and his dog.”
The squad were also involved with some other rescues on Monday night which involved drivers who were isolated but hadn’t driven into floodwater.
Alleged violent rampage
A 31-YEAR-OLD man has been charged following a series of alleged assaults and vehicle damage incidents near Tweed City Shopping Centre earlier this month.
Police allege the incidents occurred on May 9, with multiple vehicles damaged and members of the public assaulted during the disturbance.
Officers later located the man and arrested him, allegedly finding drugs in his possession at the time.
The man has been charged with seven offences connected to the incident and had his bail refused. He is due to front Tweed Heads Local Court on May 18.
Assault charges
A 62-YEAR-OLD woman is set to face court after allegedly assaulting ambulance personnel and police officers during a welfare-related incident.
Emergency services attended a residence following concerns for the woman’s wellbeing when the alleged assaults occurred.
The woman was subsequently arrested and charged.
She is due to appear before Murwillumbah Local Court on June 17.
The incident comes amid several other recent matters before local courts, including a case involving a 31-year-old man accused of assaulting members of the public and damaging multiple vehicles near Tweed City Shopping Centre on May 9.
In another matter, a 59-year-old man has been charged over an alleged break-and-enter at a Murwillumbah church, with police alleging CCTV footage linked him to the offence.
Drug and tobacco charges
A BRISBANE man and a Tweed woman are both facing court following separate investigations involving illicit tobacco and prescription medication offences.
In a separate matter, a 42-year-old woman was charged after allegedly altering a prescription issued by her treating doctor in order to obtain additional medication from a pharmacist.
She is scheduled to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court on June 22.
A 61-year-old Brisbane man was charged with two offences relating to illicit tobacco after police stopped his vehicle in Chinderah. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court on June 1.
DV charges drop
EIGHT MEN and three women were charged with fourteen domestic violence-related offences in the week May 5 to 12, a significant reduction from the previous week.
Police laid 35 charges for traffic-related offences, including driving while disqualified, with all four offenders being repeat offenders, driving while suspended (six people), driving under the influence of drugs (13 drivers), and seven people were charged with drink driving.
14 charges were laid for property offences, including one charge for breaking, entering and stealing, one charge for stealing a motor vehicle, three charges for destroying property, four charges for shoplifting, two charges for larceny, and three charges for possessing goods suspected of being stolen.
11 people were charged with drug offences, while one person was charged with a weapons offence.
Tweed District Rescue Squad volunteers rescued a man and his dog at Numinbah
Legacy development debated
By Jonathon Howard
A PROPOSAL to amend coastal wetlands mapping at a large industrial subdivision site in Tweed Heads West is likely to move forward despite concerns over historic clearing of the ecological sites and saltmarsh rehabilitation requirements.
Tweed Shire Council officers are recommending councillors support a planning proposal for land at 60 Tringa Street that would amend the Coastal Wetlands and Littoral Rainforests Area Map under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience and Hazards) 2021.
The proposal, lodged by MAAS Commercial Tringa Pty Ltd, seeks to update wetlands mapping to reflect the current condition of the site after approved industrial subdivision works, clearing and filling activities.
Council previously deferred the matter in April, with Mayor Chris Cherry directed to seek advice from the NSW Department of Planning and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water about whether the planning proposal was an appropriate mechanism given historic clearing on the site and rehabilitation obligations.
However, both state agencies reportedly responded that the matter was not for them to advise on.
In the updated report, council officers said Condition 66A attached to the consent had already been satisfied.
“As such, the original recommendation to proceed to gateway and public exhibition is still the officers’ recommendation for this report,” staff stated.
The report outlines that the site has been zoned for industrial purposes since the Tweed Local Environmental Plan 1987 and was approved for subdivision into 37
industrial lots in 1996.
Importantly, the report notes the original development approval predated wetlands mapping affecting the land.
“The initial approval on November 13, 1996, was granted two days prior to the mapping of the coastal area on a portion of the site,” the report states.
Council officers said the proposal was intended to “ensure the coastal wetlands mapping accurately reflects the current extent of wetlands on the subject site”.
“Portions of the site previously identified as wetlands have since been cleared and modified in accordance with approved development consents,” the report states.
The amendment would remove wetland overlays from parts of the industrial land, reducing future environmental assessment requirements for development applications.
Council said the current mapping unnecessarily triggers designated development pathways requiring a much higher level of environmental assessment.
“Correcting the SEPP mapping will alleviate the unnecessary triggering of Designated Development approval pathways for future industrial development applications on the subject site,” the report states.
Mayor Cherry said the Planning Proposal to remove the designation of state protected Coastal wetland on the development footprint of this new industrial development is a “tricky one”.
“I find it difficult to understand how we can be expected to support a planning proposal that has not in any way included the requirements from the Fisheries permit to protect and rehabilitate coastal wetlands on the site,” she told The Weekly.
“These legacy development consents are often very difficult to work with.
“The clearing that occurred on this site
under the 1996 approval would never be allowed today.
“All we can do is ensure that wherever we can, we ensure the development does not create environmental damage and protecting the saltmarsh in the buffer areas is a part of this.”
The Strategic Planning and Urban Design Unit acknowledged the environmental impacts caused by historic approvals.
“The clearing and subsequent subdivision approvals have resulted in the loss of coastal wetlands and associated vegetation prior to the application of contemporary environmental planning and sustainability standards,” the report states.
“These approvals led to vegetation clearing and landform modification that, in a contemporary planning context, would likely have required a higher level of environmental assessment and protection.”
Despite this, council officers argued the proposal represented “an appropriate and forward-looking response” because it seeks to align mapping with current site conditions while retaining protection over remaining wetland areas.
If councillors support the recommendation, the proposal will proceed to Gateway Determination with the NSW Department of Planning before being publicly exhibited for community feedback.
By Jonathon Howard
ASHTON CIRCUS could return to Jack Evans Boat Harbour (JEBH) in March 2027, for three weeks under a proposal before Tweed Shire councillors this week, with staff recommending in-principle support while a full assessment is undertaken.
The popular circus wants to operate for a longer period at the parklands, following successful shows held at the site in both 2025 and 2026.
Council’s report noted the proposal continues a recent run of events, but says the extended duration requires additional councillor consideration. It states that “circus events have been held at JEBH in the past with success; however the duration warrants further consideration by councillors.” Council officers also advised the proposal “may fall within the SEPP exempt development provisions if all criteria are met,” following recent changes to state planning rules that broaden the range of event activities permitted on public land.
The report describes Ashtons Circus as “a family friendly, all ages show” featuring “acrobatics, comedy and stunt shows,” and confirms that “no animals are used in the performance.”
cillors are being asked to allow the application to proceed to detailed assessment, with staff stressing that any support at this stage is preliminary and not a final approval. The report recommends council, “as land manager, provides its in-principle consent for Ashtons Circus at Jack Evans Boat Harbour,” while making clear that “this in-principle consent does not constitute approval, endorsement or full support for the proposal.”
Council also notes the application has been assessed against its Commercial Recreation Activities on Public Open Space policy and “complies with all requirements,” with previous circus events at the site described as having “assisted in activating the area” without reported issues. If supported, council officers will undertake a full assessment before any licence is issued, with the report stating that “a comprehensive evaluation of the application has not yet been conducted by staff until council has made its consideration.”
60 Tringa Street at Tweed Heads West in June 2025
Tweed Link
Walking on Country: an invitation to connect
Most people drive through Bogangar, Chinderah and Uki without a second thought. Few know what those cultural names actually mean.
Bogangar means high place. Chinderah means place of the small-leafed tamarind. Uki means place of the bandicoot.
Uncle Franc is a cultural educator and Goori man of the Tweed Bundjalung Nation. He has been sharing this kind of knowledge with schools, community groups and the wider public for around 30 years, and on Sunday 31 May, he will be leading Walk on Country in Kingscliff as part of National Reconciliation Week 2026.
"A lot of people wouldn't know the Aboriginal name for the places they drive through every day," Uncle Franc says. "Even though those names have been there a lot longer than we have."
Walk on Country is a free, family-friendly event hosted by The Family Centre and supported by Tweed Shire Council. It is a guided cultural walk through Kingscliff that invites the whole community, Aboriginal and non-First Nations people alike, to step onto country together and listen.
For Uncle Franc, that invitation is deliberate and open. "It's not just helping non-First Nations people," he says. "It's helping us all."
Understanding Walk on Country starts with understanding what country means, and Uncle Franc is
FABS Art Exhibition weekend –expressions of interest now open
Enjoy a vibrant showcase of local talent at the FABS Art Exhibition, held at Banora Point Community Centre from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 August 2026.
FABS (Fun Activities Banora Seniors) began in 2007 in response to community demand for more social opportunities for seniors in the Banora Point area. Today, the program offers a wide range of hobby and interest groups and is supported by Council and run by a dedicated volunteer committee.
Local artists are invited to exhibit and sell their work, with entries welcomed across a range of mediums including painting, photography, sculpture and ceramics. Both emerging and established Tweed Shire artists are encouraged to apply.
All artwork must be original. Artists are required to manage their own display and attend the exhibition during opening hours, or have a representative present. Expressions of interest close 8 June 2026.
clear that the European concept of land doesn't cover it.
"Country isn't just about the land like Europeans think of it," he says.
"It's about connecting with the environment, the water, the plants, the animals, and each other."
On the walk, participants learn about what Uncle Franc calls cultural resource plants, a term he uses deliberately instead of bush tucker.
"They're not only just bush tucker. They're medicine plants, material plants, calendar plants where you can know the different seasons with our six-season cultural calendar of the Tweed mob. And then we have the ceremonial plants, which we use in smoking ceremonies and other ceremonies."
Knowledge that was never written down is carried in these plants, in the seasons, and in the country itself. Walk on Country exists to share it.
Ask Uncle Franc what reconciliation means to him and he pauses as if it’s something almost impossible to put into words, but he tries anyway.
"It means all of us getting on better together," he says.
On 26 May, communities across Australia acknowledge National Sorry Day, pausing to recognise the Stolen Generations. National Reconciliation Week then runs from 27 May to 3 June 2026. This year's theme is All In
Last week, we each used
This week's question.
On average, how much clothing and textile waste (including clothes, bags, hats and accessories) are Tweed Shire residents diverting from landfill each month through the new textile collection bins?
Think you know the answer? Read next week's edition to find out.
Walk on Country — Kingscliff
Date: Sunday 31 May 2026
Time: 10 am – 12 noon
Start: Ed Rotary Park, Kingscliff (Cudgen Creek)
Finish: Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club
Cost: Free, family-friendly
The morning includes a guided cultural walk, storytelling, cultural performances, live music, children's activities, native plant giveaways and a free barbecue. Visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander for more information.
To apply, email your contact details, a brief artwork description and 2–3 images to fabseventsbpcc@gmail.com For more information, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/fabs Fun
to acknowledge the
and
as being the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waters within the
for its Country and to care for its traditional Country in accordance with its lore,
Tweed Shire Council wishes
Ngandowal
Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans,
Tweed Shire boundaries. Council also acknowledges and respects the Tweed Aboriginal community’s right to speak
customs and traditions.
Members of Biren Dance Group who will be performing at the Walk on Country event.
Activities Banora Seniors art exhibition.
Smoking ceremonies are part of Walk on Country events.
Tweed Sustainable Living Festival, expressions of interest now open
The Tweed Sustainable Living Festival returns in 2026 with a free, family‑friendly day focused on inspiration, creativity and practical action.
Held on Saturday 12 September at Kingscliff High School, the event will feature engaging speakers, live entertainment, interactive workshops and a vibrant mix of stalls.
The 2026 theme, Resilience and repair, highlights practical skills and ideas to help reduce everyday environmental impacts and support a more sustainable future.
The festival has a strong track record. In 2022, more than 500 people attended, with 35 stallholders, 8 speakers and 9 workshops taking place.
Council is now calling for expressions of interest from individuals, businesses and community organisations to help bring the event to life, including:
• speakers
• workshop facilitators
• stallholders
• performers and entertainers.
Taking part is an opportunity to share knowledge and lived experience, showcase products or initiatives, inspire positive change and connect with a broad local audience.
Expressions of interest close Monday 3 August 2026. Visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/sustainable-living to find out more and apply.
Thirty new Return and Earn bin baskets have been installed across the Tweed to help reduce litter and keep recyclable drink containers out of landfill. Placed beside public bins in high-traffic areas, the baskets allow people to leave eligible bottles and cans for others to collect, rather than throwing them away. Residents and community groups can then easily collect the containers and return them to a nearby Return and Earn location to receive the 10-cent refund. The initiative follows a recent trial by Return and Earn scheme coordinator Exchange for Change, which found the bin baskets reduced drink containers going into public bins and landfill by up to 80 per cent.
Bin baskets have been placed in 30 locations including:
• Turnock Park – Chinderah
• Ray Pascoe Park – Tweed Heads
• Jack Evans Boat Harbour – Tweed Heads
• Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre – Murwillumbah
• Knox Park – Murwillumbah
• Burringbar Park – Burringbar
• Fingal Foreshore Park – Fingal Head
• Ambrose Brown Park – Pottsville
There are currently 8 Return and Earn return points across Tweed Shire. To find your nearest location, visit returnandearn.org.au
Bin basket at Ray Pascoe Park.
A free, family‑friendly day focused on inspiration, creativity and practical action.
Tilapia spreading in Tweed’s waterways
Tilapia are considered one of the world’s 100 worst pest species and are a prohibited invasive pest fish in NSW.
They pose a serious threat to native fish and local waterways. Recent detections in the lower Tweed
River catchment show tilapia are spreading in the area. Once established, tilapia breed rapidly, tolerate harsh conditions and are extremely difficult to control. This can lead to long-term damage to waterways and declines in native fish populations.
The spread of tilapia is largely caused by human activity, particularly the illegal movement or release of fish. This includes dumping unwanted aquarium or pond fish, moving live fish between waterways, or releasing fish into creeks, rivers or lakes. Releasing fish is illegal and puts native species and local waterways at risk.
What to do if you see or catch a suspected tilapia
If you see or catch a fish you suspect may betilapia, do not return it to the water. The fish must be humanely killed and disposed of away from waterways, in line with NSW biosecurity requirements. Please report the sighting by taking a photo (if possible) and noting the location. Reports can be made to NSW DPIRD via the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or by emailing aquatic.biosecurity@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Even if you’re unsure, report it every report matters. Find out more at dpi.nsw.gov.au/tilapia
Council meeting agenda – Thursday 21 May 2026
The Council meeting agenda for Thursday 21 May 2026 is available at tweed.nsw.gov.au/councillors-meetings . The meeting will be held at Harvard Room, Tweed Heads Administration Building, Brett Street, Tweed Heads commencing at 11 am. Agenda Reports for consideration
5.1 Confirmation of minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held Thursday 23 April 2026
Community Markets on Public
Planning Proposal for an amendment to Coastal Wetlands and Littoral Rainforests Area Map provided under State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience and Hazards) 2021 for land at Lot 50 DP 1309826 No. 60 Tringa Street, Tweed Heads
Reports from the Director Corporate Services
16.1 Debrief on 2026 Tweed Shire Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony and 2027 Australia Day 16.2 Savour the Tweed Event Sponsorship
16.3 Legal Services Register Report - 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026
16.4 Road Naming for subdivision at 60 Tringa Street, Tweed Heads West (Lot 50 DP130826) (2025-1829)
16.5 PAN000016 Panel of Providers for Labour Hire and Related Services
16.6 RFO2021030 Printing Rates, Water and Sundry Debtor Notices
16.7 Monthly Investment Report for the period ending 30 April 2026
16.8 Quarterly Budget Review - March 2026
Questions with notice
20.1 QWN - Cr Dennis - Creek Dredging
20.2 QWN - Cr Owen - Making Homes Cheaper: Cutting Settlement Delays
20.3 QWN - Cr Brinsmead - Graffiti
Reports from the Director Planning and Regulation in Committee
26.1 Class 1 Appeal - Development Application DA25/0198 for a change of use to establish an alkaline hydrolysis facility (crematorium) and associated works at Lot 1001 DP 1143800 No. 87-95 Quarry Road, South Murwillumbah
26.2 Class 1 Appeal - Development Application DA25/0542 for home industry and use of existing structures and Building Information Certificate BC25/0117 at Lot 427 DP 1001048 No. 99 Wilman Road, Round Mountain
The agenda for this meeting, which may also include any late or supplementary reports, will be updated prior to the date of the meeting and are available on Council’s website. It should be noted that confidential items are considered in closed session, which excludes media and public. Also, the minutes of this meeting will be available as soon as practical following the meeting and are unconfirmed until they are formally adopted at the next Council meeting. Please be aware that meetings are livestreamed, and video recordings will be available on Council’s website following the meeting. A person’s image and/ or voice may be broadcast. Attendance at the meeting is to be taken as consent by a person to their image and/or voice being webcast.
Development proposal for public comment
The following development application has been received by Tweed Shire Council and
proposal is not designated
vacancies Visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/job-vacancies
Development application determinations
Notification of development application determinations for the purposes of Section 4.59 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (as amended). Application details
Approved
DA25/0626 - use alterations and additions to an existing dwelling and proposed rectification works
Lot 25 DP 249248, No. 4 James Cook Drive Banora Point
DA26/0073 - alterations and additions to an existing dwelling comprising the demolition of the existing verandah and construction of a new verandah off the rear of the existing dwelling and staircase leading the backyard and retaining wall to rear yard
Lot 3 DP 236820, No. 36 Summit Drive Banora Point
DA25/0462 - Four lot community title subdivision
Lot 16 DP 856265, No. 225 Terranora Road Banora Point
DA26/0180 - Single storey dwelling with attached garage and swimming pool
Lot 306 DP 1308592, No. 34 Enmore Crescent Kings Forest
DA26/0087 - Construction of a two-storey dwelling with an attached garage
Lot 212 DP 1308590, No. 59 Enmore Crescent Kings Forest
DA26/0131 - Single storey dwelling with attached garage and associated earthworks seeking variations to rear setback and landscape area
Lot 33 DP 1308587, No. 66 Enmore Crescent Kings Forest
DA26/0071 - construction of a two-storey dwelling with an attached garage
Lot 210 DP 1308590, No. 74 Enmore Crescent Kings Forest
DA26/0125 - Two storey dwelling and swimming pool
Lot 207 DP 1308590, No. 80 Enmore Crescent Kings Forest
DA26/0056 - two storey dwelling with attached garage and inground swimming pool
Lot 110 DP 1308587, No. 31 Torrington Street Kings Forest
DA26/0004 - Construction of a dwelling, carport and swimming pool and change of use of the existing dwelling to an outbuilding (home office)
Lot 2 DP 622079, No. 100 Mount Burrell Road Mount Burrell
DA26/0039 - Alterations and additions to existing dwelling including garage, pool and use of existing fence, wall and earthworks
Lot 590 DP 1076975, No. 56 Marsupial Drive Pottsville
DA26/0140 - Demolition of existing dwelling (house removal)
Lot 1 Section 2 DP 5077, No. 409 Tweed Valley Way South Murwillumbah
Refused
DA26/0041 - Use of the existing structure/s constructed without approval for habitable purposes
Lot 3 DP 634973, No. 339 Chilcotts Road Chillingham
person who makes a written submission either objecting to or supporting a relevant development or planning application must also make a disclosure if the person has made a reportable political donation. Further information regarding Donations and Gift Disclosure are available on Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/development-applications
The above development determinations are available for public inspection free of charge at the Planning and Regulation Division, Murwillumbah Civic Centre, during ordinary office hours or viewed on Council’s DA Tracking site located at datracker.tweed.nsw.gov.au
Tilapia are considered one of the world’s 100 worst pest species.
Tilapia breed rapidly, tolerate harsh conditions and are extremely difficult to control.
By Jonathon Howard
TWEED SHIRE Council’s legal bill is on track to remain within budget after spending around $640,000 on legal services in the first three months of 2026.
The legal costings for council will be discussed by councillors during their monthly meeting this Thursday, May 21, and detail ongoing court matters, planning disputes and compliance actions.
Mayor Chris Cherry has previously defended the legal spend as one of council’s only ways to enforce compliance and prevent illegal development in the shire.
The Legal Services Register Report for January 1 to March 31, 2026, shows total legal expenditure of $640,038, bringing the year-to-date legal spend (to 31 March 2026) to $2,274,368 against a full-year budget of $3,045,834.
The report outlines a wide array of matters, with the largest costs again driven by planning and environmental litigation, particularly developer appeals and enforce ment action.
In fact, planning and environmental action accounted for $634,930 of the quarterly total, including $421,331 spent defending applicant-initiated appeals and $203,701 on compliance enforcement.
One of the most significant indi vidual matters was a Class 1 appeal relating to development at Terranora, which cost council $250,721 during the reporting period alone.
Other notable legal costs included compli ance action at Chinderah ($26,473), Kunghur ($19,944), and Round Mountain ($18,156), alongside multiple smaller matters across rural and coastal properties.
The report confirms Council continues to rely heavily on legal panel providers and barristers,
with costs covering “legal instructions for the current or recently completed matters which have been issued to legal panel providers.”
Mayor Cherry said council’s legal costs are all about “defending the planning controls we have in place”.
“Whether it is about protecting the amenity of neighbours, trying to prevent environmental damage or making sure homes are not built in the way of floods or bushfire, it is an investment in the safety and amenity of future residents and a cost of being in this decision-making role,” she told The Weekly.
“The legal bill often does not reflect the money that we get awarded back in costs during legal cases.
“Currently I think we are pursuing about $800,000 in those across a number of cases.
“This occurs either when council wins a case and the judge awards costs or when an applicant changes their application during the court case, rendering a lot of the work our expert advisors have done as unusable.
“That’s why the legal report does not always tell the full story as costs often come in a year or so after the case.” Council states the figures include payments for “barristers and legal consultants where applicable,” reflecting the breadth of legal work required across planning, enforcement, property and governance functions. The report will be received by councillors as part of routine financial reporting, with legal expenditure continuing to be monitored against the adopted annual budget.
Warnings
By Jo Kennett
Continued from page 3.
“I was talking with Chris Cherry and Janelle Saffin last night at 8.30pm,” Neil said.
“I raised my concerns, and I had other people ask the same thing, why are the BOM flood warnings only talking about the Tweed and the Rous rivers?
“It concerns the hell out of me with so many new people in the Tweed.
“It was anything but minor; it was a moderate flood at 4.98 metres at the Eungella gauge (on the Oxley River) at 5.15pm Monday afternoon.
“There are a few camping areas upstream where people had to be rescued from floods in January and five metres would be putting some of their sites at risk.
“I was talking to someone else on the Oxley River and he said, ‘I’ve been concerned about there being no mention of the Oxley on the flood warning for years.’
“The question is, why isn’t it there? It’s a major tributary of the Tweed River and there is no excuse why the Oxley wasn’t included on any
flood warnings.”
The river gauge on the Oxley River at Chillingham briefly reached 13.2 metres, “a big flood” according to Neil, on Monday night.
“That’s enough to kill people,” Neil said.
“They are the ones that are brief but it only takes 30 seconds to drown.
“The question is, how can a system be developed to ensure people are alerted, that there could be heavy rain. They are only issuing minor flood warnings.
“If they had that downpour spread further south into the Limpinwood catchment, and I daresay it did because one of my contacts there said they had 180mm in the afternoon, and if they had that shared equally between Chillingham and the Rous - and I was expecting it to come up to 7 metres - there would have been a hell of a lot of people wondering what was going on.
“I’ve talked with Janelle Saffin this morning and she is going to make some inquiries.
“We dodged a bullet but it’s only a matter of time.”
Local farmer Neil Baker (pictured inset) took the above image of the Oxley River rising rapidly on Monday this week, but has questioned why the area is not included in the flood warning systems
Financial Advice
Market policy changes
By Jonathon Howard
SWEEPING CHANGES to how Tweed’s community markets operate on public land are set to be discussed and voted on by Tweed Shire councillors this week.
The newly proposed rules are aimed at streamlining approvals, increasing support for local stallholders and pushing markets toward becoming plastic free.
The revised Community Markets on Public Land Policy was on publicly exhibited during March to April this year following changes to NSW planning legislation that remove the need for a development application for some markets held on public land.
Instead, markets will now operate through site-specific conditions and approvals issued under Section 68 of the Local Government Act.
Council officers say the changes will reduce unnecessary red tape while maintaining oversight of safety, waste management and environmental standards.
“The Guidelines permit up to approximately 202 regular market occurrences per year across approved public land market sites,” council’s report read.
One of the biggest changes will see market operators charged a percentage of their income rather than paying a flat fee to use Council-managed land.
“The proposed amendments also revise the fee structure so that markets operating on Council land pay a percentage of income rather than a flat fee,” council’s report read.
“A percentage-based rental fee ensures market contributions are proportionate to operator
success.”
Council also plans to increase the required proportion of local stallholders from 75 per cent to 80 per cent in a move aimed at supporting local makers and reducing the presence of imported products.
The draft policy and accompanying Market Management Plan Guidelines, attracting five submissions, 578 visits to the Your Say Tweed page and participation from all current market operators at an information session.
As part of the amendments, Council officers have recommended increasing the number of approved market days at Salt Central Park from six to 12 daytime events each year, while retaining four approved night markets.
The guidelines will also require market operators to make “reasonable efforts” toward plastic-free operations, although Council noted the plastic-free policy is not yet mandatory.
Council officers said market managers would remain responsible for all waste generated during events, including recycling and site clean-up.
The report notes community markets play an important role in activating public spaces, supporting local artisans and fostering community connection.
Councillors have two options by which they can chose to vote which are to adopt the plan and guidelines, or to defer the matter pending further questions.
Option one, to adopt the plan, is recommended. YOUR THOUGHTS: Are you a regular market visitor or operator, what would you like to see more or less at the markets? Send your thoughts and letters via email: editor@theweekly.net.au
Help shape Burringbar
By Jonathon Howard
A REVISED plan to protect the character of Burringbar without imposing a heritage conservation area is set to go on public exhibition, with Tweed Shire councillors being asked to endorse a new draft village character statement for community feedback.
A masterplan for Burringbar is set for public exhibition and excludes making the town heritage listed
The proposed amendment to the Tweed Development Control Plan (DCP) would introduce the Draft Burringbar Village Centre Character Statement, aimed at guiding future development in the village centre and Station Street precinct while preserving the small village feel valued by residents.
According to Council’s report, the initiative grew from the Burringbar Village Community Plan endorsed in 2023, which called for “clear guidance to protect the village’s distinctive character while allowing appropriate change”.
An earlier draft character statement proposed creating a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA), however strong community opposition led Council to abandon that approach.
The report noted that feedback during public exhibition “rejected the recommendation of establishing an HCA as being too restrictive and that many of the buildings within the proposed HCA not being of heritage value”.
Council said the aim is to “manage change rather than prevent it”, while ensuring development remains “incremental, respectful and aligned with Burringbar’s established character”.
A major feature of the revised strategy is a proposal to reduce the maximum building height in the village’s RU5 zone from 13.6 metres to nine metres.
The report said the current 13.6 metre limit “could accommodate up to a four-storey building, which would be significantly out of character”.
Council officers noted that community consultation consistently showed residents preferred a two-storey village scale.
Council said the revised document instead focuses on “a bespoke suite of design guidelines” tailored specifically to Broadway and Station Street.
“The revised draft Character Statement no longer includes a recommendation to pursue an HCA pathway,” the report stated.
The revised statement outlines a “desired future character” for the village, stating Broadway and Station Street “should remain true to their historical character as small-scale, fine-grained streets defined by built forms fronting the rail corridor”.
“Building styles and new development are encouraged to complement, rather than detract from, the existing character of the Burringbar Village Centre,” the report said.
The statement includes controls on building scale, landscaping, façade design and streetscape presentation, supported by visual diagrams showing preferred and non-preferred development outcomes.
“In recognition of the prevailing single and two storey built form character across the study area, it is proposed to initiate a planning proposal to amend the Tweed Local Environmental Plan 2014 to reduce the current building height from 13.6m to 9.0m,” the report stated.
The character statement will also remain flexible to future planning changes linked to the NSW Reconstruction Authority buyback program and possible rural village expansion under the draft Growth Management, Housing and Employment Strategy.
Council said future updates may be needed depending on land use outcomes from planned community workshops on flood buyback land. The report stated the Character Statement “will remain a dynamic and responsive planning tool that adapts to protect the identified character”. If endorsed, the revised statement will go on public exhibition for 42 days, with Council staff to host a community information session in Burringbar during the consultation period.
A further report summarising submissions and recommending any final changes will then return to Council later this year.
Seas The Day is on in June
By Jonathon Howard
THE WORLD’S largest women’s surfing festival is returning to Kingscliff next month with assistance from the NSW Government putting up $110,000 in funding.
Seas The Day Women’s Surf Festival, sponsored by NRMA Insurance, will take place at Kingscliff Beach on June 20-21 weekend, drawing thousands of competitors and spectators to the Tweed Coast to celebrate women in surfing, wellness and the ocean lifestyle.
Now in its fourth year, the festival has become a major event on the surfing calendar, featuring a pressure-free surf competition, live music, film screenings, workshops and the return of the crowd-favourite Celebrity Surf Challenge.
More than 15,000 people attended the festival in 2025, while a record 314 women competed in the surfing events.
NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the event was helping more women and girls get involved in sport.
“Seas The Day is a fantastic opportunity for female surfers of all ages and abilities to compete or give surfing a go in a supportive, non-judgemental environment,” Mr Kamper said.
“I encourage all female surfers, and anyone interested in surfing and wellness, to seize the day and be part of the world’s largest surfing event.”
NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said the festival continued to grow as an inclusive and welcoming event.
“The Minns Government is proud to support the wonderful Seas the Day festival as it goes from strength to strength in encouraging women and girls to participate in surfing,” Ms Harrison said.
“The festival plays an important role
in providing a welcoming, pressure-free opportunity for women and girls of all ages to grab a board and enjoy the waves.”
NSW Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said the event would also deliver a valuable economic boost for the region.
“The North Coast is the heart of Australian surfing, and I am thrilled to see
“Seize the day and be part of the world’s largest surfing event.”
Kingscliff once again take centre stage for the world’s largest women’s surfing festival,” Ms Saffin said.
“Events like Seas The Day bring our community together while showcasing our world-class breaks to thousands of visitors who provide a vital boost to our local businesses and regional economy.”
Surfing Australia chief executive Chris
Symington said the event had become a key fixture for women’s surfing in Australia.
“It is a privilege to see the NRMA Insurance Seas The Day return to Kingscliff Beach for its fourth consecutive year,” Mr Symington said.
“The event has become a key moment on the surfing calendar, reflecting the continued growth, strength and professionalism of women’s surfing in Australia.”
Eight-time World Champion and Tweed Shire local Stephanie Gilmore praised the incredible community this event has created.
“What I love is seeing women from all walks of life getting into surfing, from age five to well into their sixties,” she said.
“It’s such a great community. Events like this are so important because they celebrate every kind of female surfer, whether they’re competing, running a small surf brand, or just out there having a go.
“I’m stoked it’s all happening right here in Kingscliff.”
To get involved or compete, please visit the website: seasthedaysurffestival.com
Tree to for Origin 1
Inset is Brent Kite, a former star NRL prop and NSW Blues player, who will do the honours of switching the tree blue on Sunday
EVERYONE’S INVITED to come together this Sunday evening for a free, family-friendly event marking the countdown to NRL State of Origin Game 1, as the iconic Norfolk Pine at Rowan Robinson Park is switched to blue for the NSW Blues.
Former NSW Blues and Manly Sea Eagles prop Brent Kite will perform the switch-on ceremony at 5:45pm on Sunday, May 24, just days before the Blues take the field for Game 1 at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday, May 27.
The event, organised by Business Kingscliff in partnership with Tweed Shire Council, will bring together the Tweed community, with players, juniors and families all welcome.
James Owen, president of Business Kingscliff and Tweed Shire Councillor, said the Norfolk Pine has become a genuine focal point for our community since the lights were installed in April.
“This is exactly the kind of moment we imagined when we set out on that project,” James said.
“Turning it blue for State of Origin, with a local legend like Brent Kite here to do the honours, is a great way to bring the community together. It’s free, it’s fun and everyone’s welcome. Go the Blues!”
The permanent decorative lighting on the Norfolk Pine has already been used to mark Anzac Day, with a growing calendar of community activations planned throughout the year.
“The whole Tweed Shire community is welcome to attend - players, juniors, families and supporters alike,” James said.
Biggest Morning Tea
Surfing NSW CEO Lucas Townsend, Minister for Women Jodie Harrison, Surfing Australia CEO Chris Symington, 1993 World Champion Pauline Menczer, Surfing Australia Chief of Sport Luke Madden, Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin, President of Bondi Boardriders Victoria Austin. Image by Glenn Duffus Photography
MOTORING IN THE TWEED
Tweed Valley 4WD Club Milestone
By Jonathon Howard
FOR 35 YEARS, the Tweed Valley 4WD Club has been putting local drivers on the road less travelled, building a tight-knit community of adventurers united by a shared love of four-wheel driving, camping and exploring Australia’s vast and rugged landscapes.
Founded on May 4, 1991, at the Murwillumbah Services Club, the group holds the distinction of being the first four-wheel-drive club established in the Tweed Shire. More than three decades on, it remains a fixture of the region’s outdoor culture, with around 38 active members continuing to meet, plan and head bush together
started, and now the club is 35 years old as well,”Jeff said with a laugh.
“We are a group of like-minded friends with an interest in four-wheeldriving, camping and the great outdoors.
“We are young-at-heart, mature-age and family orientated, with singles, couples and a handful of children involved.”
That spirit of camaraderie was on full display during a recent four-day anniversary camp-out on private property at Drake, where members celebrated the milestone with scenic drives through nearby State Forests and the historic goldfields of the Upper Clarence region.
many members now being retired, the club’s appetite for adventure shows no signs of slowing. Upcoming trips include Birdsville and Western Qld, Qld Artesian Hot Bores and the Gulf of Carpentaria, while past expeditions have tackled the iconic Simpson Desert crossing and the Canning Stock Route.
Jeff said the appeal of the club has always been about more than just travel.
“We love getting out there and seeing the country, and spending money in those smaller towns along the way,” he said.
A key focus of the club is ensuring newer drivers gain confidence and knowledge before tackling challenging
than willing to pass that knowledge on to those new to 4WDing.
That mentoring approach has helped attract a diverse membership over the years, with members ranging from doctors and teachers to truck drivers and tradespeople — all united by a shared enthusiasm for the outdoors.
The club now meets at the South Tweed Sports Club on the first Wednesday of each month, and is affiliated with the Queensland Four Wheel Drive Association. Its outings range from relaxed local day trips, Weekends away to extended expeditions across Australia, including the Simpson Desert, Cape York Peninsula and the Victorian High Country.
While camping setups vary from tents and camper trailers to caravans and off-road rigs, the club emphasises that experience level is no barrier to joining. Importantly, the Tweed Valley 4WD Club continues to balance adventure with responsibility, promoting safe, sustainable four-wheel driving and respect for the environment.
For Jeff and many long-time members, however, the greatest reward remains the same as it was in 1991 — the friendships formed along the way.
“We’ve made lifelong friends through the club,” he said.
“It’s not just about the four-wheeldriving — it’s about the people and the experiences you share together.”
More information is available via tweedvalley4wdclub.com.au or tweedvalley4wdclub@gmail.com.
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Biting the bullet on fuel
By Jo Kennett
EVERYBODY SEEMS to be buying hybrids lately with many deciding they might as well bite the bullet amid the uncertainties in the Middle East.
Fuel prices have been relatively stable over the past month, despite all the unpredictability in far away lands, with Unleaded 91 sitting around the $1.70 to $1.80 mark for most Tweed service stations.
The American president is, as usual, all over the shop like a sugared-up kid at a birthday party. One minute he’s going to punch Iran in the nose — the next he’s bringing them chocolates.
Those trying to predict the market have pretty well put their hands in the air and surrendered, which has led to a strange calm.
Lost in all the headlines and mad all night
Truth Social rants, are the almost 20,000 merchant seamen currently trapped aboard 1,600 vessels around the Persian Gulf since February, unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing blockades.
These crews are from poor countries like India, the Philippines and our lovely neighbours Indonesia, and are just trying to earn a decent living to support their families back home.
Not only are they suffering the stress of not knowing if they will be hit by a missile or debris
or see their loved ones again, wondering how their families back home are surviving, they are also facing critical shortages of food, fuel, and water.
Imagine if they were from Britain! They would be rioting in the streets.
Who knows why Trump decided he would blockade the strait, just when it looked like he could find an easy and far cheaper exit out of the whole mess. It was a dumb move.
Last week he decided he was going to blast Iran off the face of the earth, then, to no one’s surprise, changed his mind. People have almost given up caring.
Government’s around the world, and the ship crews in the Gulf, are desperately hoping the war will end and the oil will flow once again.
The Australian treasurer has cut the fuel excise by 26.3 cents per litre but that is due to end on June 30, in less than six weeks, which will send the price of fuel spiralling back over the $2 mark and more for diesel, which is already up around the $2.30 mark.
That’s not good for anyone and if diesel heads back up towards $2.60 we are going to have huge problems, not just here but all over the country.
On the upside, electric vehicle sales have jumped 157 per cent year-on-year, with consumers now all in.
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MAGIC ROUND is so good. I love the concept and I love the entertainment and theatre it brings.
Brisbane comes alive and Caxton Street is a hive of activity. PVL has locked it in for six more years which is a massive coup for the river city and will coincide nicely with the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
The Dogs are in disarray and that performance was actually concerning. The only positive for them was the debut of Jack Underhill and his story that went viral after his game in regards to the passing of his mother, well done young man.
I was impressed with the Dolphins but the Rabbits were underwhelming and are proving to be inconsistent as opposed to Manly who are going from strength to strength playing ‘Fozball’.
The best game of the weekend was the Cows and Roosters with the Cowboys outlasting the chooks in a cracker.
Melbourne have also gone back to back but will struggle next week without their Origin stars (they do play the Doggies though!).
The Titans are starting to get desperate for a win as former coach Holbrook sat with a pretty wry grin in the coach’s box Sunday afternoon.
The form team is currently the Warriors who dismantled the Broncos with precision putting on a decent score.
Shattering vision and news for Tanah Boyd with the ACL injury ending his season but his replacement Te Maire Martin was sublime after fighting his way back from a severe illness of
his own a few years ago.
The Origin teams have been picked and obviously plenty of smoko banter about who is in and out.
I find it hard to fathom Jackson Ford has missed out and it’s a big call from Slater to leave out Walsh the game breaker considering a couple of those on the extended bench’s form so far in 2026.
I’m happy for Sam Walker, it’s a great reward for him and also good to see some new faces like AFB and Victor Radley after the eligibility rule changes.
Well done to the NSW Blues ladies who secured the trophy going 2-0 up against Qld in a game that went down to the wire.
Congrats to the lads who represented the Northern Rivers in the City Country games on the weekend. Although no results went our way it would have been a great experience for sure.
Wet weather played havoc with the local games on the weekend so hopefully we all get on the field this week, especially at Murwillumbah Saturday for Mustangs v Mullumbimby in the Cookie Cup.
See you at the footy. Quinny
GEMS OF CHINA
GCCO’s German Giants
By Madeleine Murray
GOLD COAST CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
will present an exciting program called German Giants at Bond University on Saturday, May 30.
German Giants explores the richness and drama of the German-Austrian tradition through three towering masterpieces. The program opens with Mozart’s Oboe Quartet, featuring oboist Nicholas Donnelly with Alison Fletcher, Nigel Bardsley, and Katherine Hopkins in a display of elegant, lyrical brilliance.
This is followed by Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 2, performed by Ayesha Gough, violinist Hugh Won, and cellist Katherine Hopkins, a work of striking intensity and fiery passion.
The Weekly caught up with pianist Ayesha Gough, a young, beautiful artist who plays the piano with immense drama, passion, and nuance.
“The Mendelssohn is very exciting - a real audience favourite!” she said.
“Mendelssohn was an exceptional pianist and you can see it in the piano part: lots of flurries up and down the keyboard and cat and mouse interaction with the violin and cello.
“Mendelssohn’s Trio encapsulates the glittering development of concerts and recitals at the time as showiness and flair became the dominant appetite for audiences particularly with the influence of Liszt.”
The afternoon culminates in Brahms’s monumental Piano Quintet, uniting the full ensemble for a finale of symphonic depth and sweeping emotional scale. Together, these works highlight the extraordinary beauty of chamber music at its most intimate and grand.
“Compared to the Mendelssohn, the Brahms is monumental and noble,” Ayesha continued.
“The five of us interweave melodic passages into some quite surprising harmonies, and you really feel that each of us has a vital role in the structure of the Quintet. The two pieces represent almost opposing facets of the Romantic
Period spectrum.
“Brahms represents the Romantic pursuit of the internal world: one’s relationship with oneself, one’s relationship with the natural world, and one’s relationship with the universe and God.”
Any performance by Ayesha Gough is a thrilling experience. The charismatic artist spoke to The Weekly about life as a pianist. “Preparing for a chamber music concert is wonderful for a pianist!” she said.
“We are lonely souls, always trapped in one practice room or another, so to collaborate musically with others is vital.
“It is wonderful to be a team onstage. Something electric and spiritual happens when all minds join as one and music becomes the guide.”
German Giants is at 4pm, on Saturday, May 30 at the University Club, Bond University, 14 University Drive, Robina QLD. For tickets, go to try booking.com
Ayesha Gough plays with passion and nuance.
German Giants will feature oboe, violins, cello and piano
Tyalgum theatre powerhouse rises
By Jonathon Howard
FROM A small regional venture in the Tweed Valley to a nationally recognised independent theatre company, Shepherd’s Purse Theatre Company has quietly become one of New South Wales’ most celebrated regional theatre success stories.
Founded in 2015, the company began with modest productions staged in the intimate local setting of Flutterbies Cottage Cafe, but quickly developed a reputation for bold, immersive storytelling that has inspired and entertained local audiences.
What started as community theatre has, over the past decade, evolved into a consistently award-winning company attracting attention far beyond Tyalgum.
Today, Shepherd’s Purse stands as a benchmark for regional theatre excellence, with its work described by national publication Stage Whispers as “one of the great theatre treasures of Australia” and productions that “would stand proudly on any professional theatre stage in any capital city.”
That recognition reflects an extraordinary track record of awards and critical acclaim, including multiple regional, state and international honours that place the company in rare territory for an independent arts organisation.
Its most recent success came in 2025 with All The World’s A Stage, which won four BroadwayWorld Australia Regional Awards for Best Play, Best Director, Best Ensemble and Best Costumes.
The company’s hallmark has become its immersive performance style, often transforming unconventional venues into fully realised theatrical worlds.
That approach continues this July, when Shepherd’s Purse returns to Flutterbies Cottage Cafe in Tyalgum with Shake -
speare’s The Comedy of Errors.
The 2026 season marks the company’s most ambitious staging yet, extending to five performances for the first time in its eleven-year history following a run of soldout seasons.
In fact, tickets are selling fast and closing night is already sold out, with other dates selling rapidly.
Audiences will once again be drawn into an experience that extends beyond the stage, moving through the grounds and dining spaces of Flutterbies before settling into the company’s outdoor Elizabethan-style theatre.
The production includes a banquet dinner, mulled wine on arrival, and a fully immersive performance environment that has become a signature of the company’s work.
Shepherd’s Purse director Solar Chapel told The Weekly that The Comedy of Errors was a “natural fit for the company’s style”.
“It has everything, mistaken identity, mistaken twins and relentless laughter, it is a play that doesn’t receive the attention it deserves, in the magical space of Flutterbies, it promises to be a night of pure delight and wonderment,” he said.
The production continues Shepherd’s Purse tradition of combining professional performers from the Tweed Shire, Gold Coast and Brisbane, supported by extensive community involvement.
“Shepherd’s Purse is a not-for-profit theatre company run and managed by volunteers who are the lifeblood of the company and community,” Solar said.
Costumes are once again led by local award-winning designer Dian Johansson, while music development has been undertaken in consultation with Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
Friends Garden club has closed
Behind the scenes, local volunteers, tradespeople and small businesses continue to play a central role, reinforcing the company’s reputation as both an artistic leader and a deeply community-driven organisation.
This is your chance to experience one of the Australia’s best theatre companies right here in the beautiful community of Tyalgum.
Solar said there was a big announcement for Shepherd’s Purse later this year.
“We are so excited to present another immersive production this year, and we have some very big news in the next few months,” he said.
Tickets for remaining performances are priced at $135, which includes a two-course banquet and mulled wine, with bookings available via heartsaflameproductions.com. au or by phoning: 0488 713 241.
AFTER nearly three decades of advocacy and planning, the dream of establishing a regional botanic garden in the Tweed has officially come to an end, as the Friends of Tweed Regional Botanic Garden announced the organisation’s closure this week.
In a statement to The Weekly, secretary Julia Hancock said the decision was made with “profound sorrow” after years of unsuccessful efforts to secure suitable land for the long-envisioned project.
The idea for a Tweed botanic garden was first proposed in 1997 by former Tweed mayor Max Boyd (AM) and councillors, with land at Eviron earmarked for a multi-stage development.
Ms Hancock said the cemetery at Eviron became stage one of the project, however the remaining land set aside for stages two and three had since been rendered unsuitable.
“Since that time the land earmarked for stages two and three has been rendered unfit for purpose due to the creation of a waste dump, quarries and the highway on or near the site,” she said.
She added that Tweed Shire Council was unable to provide an alternative parcel of land suitable for the project.
The Friends group thanked council staff, Tweed residents, committee members and the wider community for their support over the years.
Ms Hancock also confirmed that the organisation’s remaining funds would not go to waste, with the balance split equally between Murwillumbah Community Gardens and Friends of Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens.
She said the funding boost will allow both organisations to progress several outstanding projects.
A behind the scenes look at the process
Friends of Tweed Regional Botanic Garden present Murwillumbah Community Garden with a donation for their flood mitigation project
Colour In Your Life
By Rada Campbell
A CABARITA filmmaker is rebuilding an internationally recognised television series from the Northern Rivers, proving creative ideas born in small communities can reach a global audience.
Sophia Stacey, the producer behind Colour In Your Life, is relaunching the art documentary series after the passing of its founder Graeme Stevenson in 2022, determined to carry forward what she calls both a promise and a legacy.
“What drives me now is keeping Graeme’s legacy alive and honouring the promise I made to him,” Sophia told The Weekly.
“I love what I do, and every day I feel grateful to work with artists and help bring their stories to life.”
Filmed in studios across Australia and around the world, Colour In Your Life has featured nearly 300 artists and reached audiences in more than 50 countries, building a vast archive of creative practice and personal storytelling.
But for Sophia, the real impact happens behind the scenes.
“Every time I film an artist, I’m invited into their private world,” she said.
“In a single day, you can go from strangers to feeling like family… there’s always a deeply meaningful story behind the work.”
Originally working behind the camera, Sophia stepped into the role of host as the series evolved - a transition she describes as natural, shaped by a lifelong connection to performance and storytelling.
“I bring my own voice to the role, while staying true to the heart of the show - celebrating artists and their creative journeys,” she said.
Now based in Cabarita, Sophia is rebuild -
ing the series independently, while also expanding into a new project, Life Stories, which captures personal histories on film.
“Legacy, to me, is about preserving the essence of who we are - our stories, our voices, and the moments that shape our lives,” she said.
“There’s something incredibly powerful about hearing someone’s voice again once they’re gone… but to actually see them creates a whole other level of connection.”
With a new office being established at M|Arts Precinct and international filming tours already in planning, Sophia’s work continues to grow from a distinctly local foundation.
“I think what’s really important for people in the Tweed to understand is how special we are to live here,” she said.
“Colour In Your Life started right here in Murwillumbah, and through vision and belief has grown to reach millions across the world.”
For Sophia, the message is simple - creativity is not reserved for the few.
“You don’t have to be famous for your story to matter,” she said.
“And you never know how your story may inspire others.”
To learn more or get involved, visit colourinyourlife.com.au or contact Sophia on 0428 176 918.
Frustration into fuel
By Rada Campbell
A MURWILLUMBAH born scientist is using music as both an outlet and a call to action in a world he says often feels stacked against young people.
At just 27, Sudi Harrison has completed a Masters of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne, following a Bachelor of Chemical Sciences majoring in nanoscience and materials. It is the kind of academic pathway that once promised stability, but like many in his generation, Sudi has found that pathway far less certain than expected.
Despite years of study, he has not yet secured work in his field. That reality drives the intensity of his music as a member of punk band Arborists, where frustration, observation and lived experience collide.
For Sudi, music is not separate from science, but a continuation of it.
“Science is a little more about what’s there on the ground, and music is the emotional part of it,” he told The Weekly.
His studies, particularly in atmospheric chemistry, have shaped a confronting understanding of climate change and the systems driving it.
“If you ever want to be scared about climate change, do a course on environmental science. It’s so much worse than you read in the paper,” he said.
That knowledge feeds directly into Arborists’ work, which takes aim at everything from environmental collapse to economic pressure and inequality. The band’s sound is chaotic, sharp and often humorous, using satire to cut through complex issues.
“Making it funny means it sticks in your head more,” he said.
While the tone can be abrasive, the intention is to spark awareness and, at times, action.
“I know a lot of people who were pretty moderate, then got into hardcore punk… and it activates them,” he said.
Sudi’s worldview has also been shaped by leaving the Tweed and connecting with broader communities, particularly during his time in Brisbane and Melbourne.
“I met a ton of amazing people who are
queer… it’s good to just be free and be yourself,” he said.
That exposure, combined with the energy of Melbourne’s punk scene, pushed Arborists to go “heavier, harder” and lean further into their message.
At its core, Sudi’s work reflects a generation grappling with rising costs, climate anxiety and uncertain futures, even after doing everything expected of them.
Yet despite his critiques, there is a thread of optimism running through it all.
“It’s fundamentally broken,” he said.
“But we’ve got a line in one of our songs… ‘we cannot get out of here, so we must make it better’.”
For Sudi, that idea is not just a lyric. It is a direction.
For more on Arborists, visit arborists.bandcamp.com or follow @arborists.band online.
Sophia Stacey has relaunched Colour In Your Life
Murwillumbah born musician and chemistry graduate Sudi Harrison front with fellow Arborists band members in Melbourne Photo Lucy Howell
Tweed’s painter of place
By Rada Campbell
CEDAR CREEK ARTIST Hobie Porter
is steadily building a body of work that is turning heads across the country — yet his focus remains firmly grounded in the Tweed.
Working from his rainforest studio on Bundjalung Country, Porter has spent decades painting the landscapes many locals pass every day. But his intention is not to replicate what we already see.
“I’m trying to present a fresh perspective of something people are familiar with, but haven’t really seen,” he told The Weekly.
It is this tension – between recognition and rediscovery – that defines his work.
Porter describes the Tweed as a place that has shaped him since childhood.
“I remember as a kid thinking this area is so special, you’d be mad to move away,” he said.
That instinct stayed with him, even after time spent in New York, where he experienced the global art world firsthand. The contrast only reinforced his decision to live and work regionally.
“You don’t feel like a number here,” he said. “You can think your own ideas without pressure.”
Rather than chasing trends or curators, Porter has built his practice on independence, trusting that authenticity resonates more than conformity.
“People are looking for a spark of genuine authenticity,” he said. His paintings reflect that philosophy.
Vast escarpments, shifting light and layered perspectives draw viewers into a landscape that feels both real and slightly out of reach. Using elevated viewpoints and subtle distortions of space, Porter creates what he describes as a “transcendent” reading of place.
“I want people to rethink the landscape,” he said.
For local audiences, that of ten means recognising home in a new way. For audiences further afield, it becomes something else entirely.
“Locals see familiarity - some thing they know but refreshed,” he said. “Further away, people read it through broader ideas like en vironment or philosophy.”
Despite growing national recog nition, Porter remains character istically grounded, quick to credit the community around him.
“The local community has played a key role in my trajectory,” he said. “That support gave me the confidence to take the work further.”
One of his defining bodies of work, Dry Rain, emerged during the drought years between 2007 and 2009, marking a shift in his practice. Floating leaves, altered perspectives and environmental tension became recurring elements - a language he continues to develop today.
than admiration. It invites reflection - and perhaps a renewed sense of why people choose to live here at all.
“I hope it revives a sense of purpose for being in the area,” he said. Please visit: www.hobieporter.com.au Hobie is exhibiting nationally, including upcoming works at Sydney Contemporary Art Fair (September) and Tweed Regional Gallery (March).
Stealing Thunder
MUSIC LOVERS are in for a treat later this month when “Stealing Thunder” takes to the stage at the Tweed Valley Jazz Club on May 29.
The dynamic five-piece ensemble is made up of members from the acclaimed Sweet Thunder Jazz Orchestra, stepping away from the structure of big band arrangements to explore a freer, more spontaneous style of performance.
Featuring Scott Browne on trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals, Dave Cox on saxophones, Rodney Ford on drums and vocals, John Conley on bass, and Graham Lockwood on piano, organ and vocals, the talented line-up promises an afternoon of high-energy musicianship and improvisation.
While Sweet Thunder Jazz Orchestra is known for its polished big band sound, Stealing Thunder offers audiences something more intimate and unpredictable, with each musician given space to stretch out musically and showcase their individual flair. The concert is expected to feature a mix of jazz standards, crowd favourites and spontaneous improvisation, appealing to both dedicated jazz fans and newcomers alike.
Music fans are encouraged to book early for what promises to be a lively and entertaining afternoon of world-class jazz at the club’s next event.
Hobie Porter's work captures the Tweed's familiar beauty
(11) 81 More simple (6)
Fish eggs (3)
Explosives (1,1,1)
1 Chirp, trill (7) 2 An institution for children without parents (9) 3 Moment (coll) (3) 4 Catch (coll) (3) 5 To go fast (5) 6 Russian writer (7) 7 Instrument for crushing material into small pieces (7) 8 Canvas support (5) 9 Stake (3) 10 Psychiatry manual (1,1,1) 11 Cutlet (9) 12 Scale of degrees that measure temperature (7)
17 Too busy, as in a workplace (11)
19 Containing spirits (9)
23 Toilet attachment (5)
25 Tobacco cylinder (5)
28 Beam (5)
29 Retail worker (11)
30 Deadly sin (5)
31 Attraction to both men and women (11)
32 Nectar (5)
34 End (9)
38 Fanciful (9)
39 Shorten (7)
40 Scabbed (7)
43 Distress signal (1,1,1)
46 Shakespeare's Much - About Nothing (3)
48 Speaking only one language (11)
50 Frequently (5)
51 Ring-shaped roll (5)
52 Get up (5)
54 Silliness (9)
57 Theatre piece (5)
58 Carb-heavy food (5)
60 Usual state of affairs (9)
63 Unending (9)
64 French castle (7)
65 Spanish wine bar (7)
N
Who established the first butter factory in Murwillumbah in
What is the name of the island near the Palm Lake Resort
River? 4. In what year did passenger services commence at the Gold Coast Airpor t? A) 1939 B) 1945 or C) 1949
5. What month does the Tweed's sugar cane harvest usually finish?
Nunderi, North Tumbulgum, Numinbah, North Arm, 2. Tweed Butter
JUNIO
Tweed Valley
FEATURED BUSINESS
MADE RUSTIC Designs are experts in creating customised landscapes that are driven by their client’s vision.
The business owner, Ben Clark, has more than two decades of experience and is passionate about taking his client’s vision and translating that into stunning garden designs.
“Put simply, we love to create spaces that our clients love to come home to,” he said.
“This may include a garden redesign, changing the shape of gardens, plants and increasing the flow through your garden.”
Ben is joined by his trusty sidekick and equally passionate landscaper
Barbara Leone, who is from the Faroe Islands in Denmark and has lived on the Gold Coast for more than 12 years. Together, the dynamic duo have the motivation and creativity to make your landscaping dreams come true.
TRADES AND SERVICES
MADE RUSTIC DESIGNS
0401 504 223
“One thing I have learnt time and time again is that the best results come from a collaborative approach between the client and us. Learning what clients love and don’t love is crucial,” Ben said.
“From there we add our thoughts based on what we have seen work/ not work.
“Usually there is a ‘click’ moment, where both us and the client are excited to start. This is key before beginning any project.”
Whilst only relatively new to the Tweed Shire, the pair have already made a great name for themselves.
“One testimonial which I think highlights the above collaborative
process was working with a client and her family heirloom – a beautiful Japanese Toro, which is a a traditional Japanese lantern,” Ben said.
“In one of our initial meetings, we were able to understand what type of garden the client wanted and it was then that the client remembered she had access to the Toro.
“This was the ‘click’ moment we search for before starting a garden design. It became the centre piece of the design and provided that initial excitement to start.”
Testimonial:
“Just marvelling in the complexity of the simplicity. Positioning of everything, use of different sized stones, placement of greenery…You’ve nailed it!” said the happy customer.
To find out more, give Made Rustic Designs a call on 0401 504 223.
Public Notice
Wild Dog Baiting Notification
This notification is to advise all landholders within 1 kilometre of the properties at • 520-522 Bakers Road, Byangum • 44-68 Sharps Road, Eungella that 1080 wild dog baits will be laid on the above-mentioned properties from 18/05/2026 to 10/08/2026.
WARNING: Pets and working dogs may be affected. Property owners are recommended to restrain their pets and working dogs and to ensure that they do not enter the baiting location during and after the poisoning operation. In the event of an accidental poisoning seek immediate veterinary assistance. 1080 poisoned baits will be laid in accordance with the current Pesticide Control Order under Section 38 Pesticides Act 1999.
Additional requirements may be imposed by NCLLS.
For further information contact: Neil Baker 0412 503 503 Steve Elmsly, Senior Biosecurity Officer, North Coast Local Land
Breakthrough podium for Rusty
By Jo Kennett
YOUNG MOTOCROSS rider Rusty Killick has achieved his best-ever result at state level, finishing third overall at Round 3 of the NSW Motocross State Titles at the Dubbo Dirt Bike Club.
The Cabarita Beach teen was competing in the highly competitive 125cc 2-Stroke 13/U15 Years class. He delivered a consistent performance across the day, taking third place in the opening moto and backing it up with a fourth place finish in moto two, securing his spot on the podium overall.
Explosive off the start, Rusty impressed early in both races, leading into the opening sections after launching strongly from the challenging concrete start platform, an area where many riders struggled for traction and precision. His fast reactions and clean exe -
cution saw him gain valuable track position from the outset.
Heading into Round 3, Rusty was sitting fourth in the championship standings, making this podium result a significant step forward in his campaign.
The result reflects a period of focused preparation, with Rusty committing to a structured program including gym training, chiropractic care, nutrition, weekly coaching sessions, and regular club racing. His form was already building, coming off a recent race win at Gold Coast Motocross Club Championship in the lead-up to the event.
“it’s a huge step toward his long-term goal of becoming a professional motocross rider”
and more than 25 hours re turning to support Rusty’s campaign.
“This is his best result at a state championship to date, and it’s a huge step toward his long-term goal of becom ing a professional motocross rider in Australia,” a family member said.
With two rounds remaining in the championship series, Killick is building momentum at the right time and will be looking to continue his climb up the standings.
Before Rusty started racing moto cross bikes, he had a lot of success riding BMX.
Rusty Killick is proudly supported by Dowling Metal Products (Mur willumbah), MXstore, Forth, Fist Handwear, Dirt Bike Kids, Movie Sense, and Jolex.
The effort behind the result extended beyond the track, with the Killick family of six travelling over 1,600km
Rusty Killick came third in the state
Rusty in action at the state titles in Dubbo
In
loving memory
Virginia Frances Spence ‘Ginny’
Late of Dunbible
Passed away peacefully on Saturday 16th May 2026
Aged 75 years
Dearly loved Wife of Warren Loved Mother and Mother-in-law of Bryn & Kylie and Andrew & Kathy
Cherished Nan of Morgan, Bronte, Bailey and Ashley
Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Ginny’s Funeral Service to be held at Tweed Valley Lawn Chapel, Eviron Road, Eviron on Monday 25th May 2026 at 10:30am.
Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks for the kindness, love and support you have shown during this dif�icult time.
Your comforting presence, thoughtful words, and acts of generosity have brought us strength and solace as we honor the memory of David.
We are truly grateful to have such wonderful friends and family by our side.
The family of DAVID ANDREW WALSH
September 2 , 1964 - April 12 , 2026
In loving memory
Suzette Jane Toms
née Miller
Late of Murwillumbah
Passed away peacefully on Saturday 16th May 2026
Aged 78 years
Dearly loved Wife of Frank Loved Mother and Mother-in-law of Richard (Ricky, dec’d), Laurie & Melissa and David & Melissa
Cherished Nan of Benjamin, Alexander, Emma, Darcy, Charlie and Grace Loved Sister of Pamela (dec’d), Dianne, John and Gary (dec’d)
Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Suzette’s Funeral Service to be held at Tweed Valley Lawn Chapel and Crematorium, Eviron Tuesday 26th May 2026 at 10:30am.
In Loving Memory
Kevin (Stumper) Walsh
06.06.1936 - 25.05.2008
Sadly, missed along life’s way Quietly remembered every day No longer in our life to share But in our hearts You’ll always be there.
Your loving wife Dot and children Geo rey, Karen, David (dec), Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren
Raymond Anthony 13/05/2026
Dolphin Funerals 1300 678 443 HOLT Thomas Mark (Tom) 15/05/2026
RYAN John Alfred 15/05/2026
WALKER Angela Summa 16/05/2026
HUGHES Raymond John 17/05/2026
Real Estate
FROM COAST TO COUNTRY
Introducing Elders Tweed Coastal Hot property
By Jo Kennett
THERE HAS been a big move in local real estate as Elders Tweed Valley branch out with a Tweed Coast agency.
Elders Tweed Coastal is based in the popular seaside town of Kingscliff, in the centre of the Tweed Coast which has some of the loveliest property in the country.
The new agency sees a well known local couple, who built a highly successful agency in the valley, join forces with another local with a love for the Tweed Coast.
This week we meet the delightful Rob Yette and discover more about his latest venture with the Elders team.
Where did Elders Tweed Coastal come from?
Since 2018, locals Craig and Rebecca Dudgeon have built Elders Tweed Valley into one of the strongest agencies in the region.
As more of our clients move between the valley and the coastal strip, opening a coastal office was the
obvious move. Working with Rob was a simple choice given our past business dealings together. His connection, knowledge and passion are obvious from the moment you meet him.
Who is Rob Yette?
Local. Straight up. Invested.
I moved to Kingscliff 16 years ago, built and ran local businesses and backed local sporting clubs.
I have plenty of experience buying, renovating and selling homes and a personal love for all the Tweed has given my family . Real estate was a natural progression.
I understand that a house sale is so much more than just a transaction. Give me a call, you’ll soon see.
What’s actually happening in the market right now?
Buyers are absolutely still in the market, they’re just a bit sharper about how they go about it.
Well presented homes,
Open Homes
Saturday, May 23
Raine & Horne Jet
• Panorama Estate: 2981 Kyogle Road, Kunghur, 9–12.30
• 8404 Tweed Valley Way, Eviron, 9.30–10am
• 629 Tumbulgum Road, Tyagarah, 10.30–11am
• 837 Nobbys Creek Road, Nobbys Creek, 12–1pm
• 3221 Kyogle Road, Mount Burrell, 1–1.30pm
priced in line with today’s market conditions, are still attracting strong interest from very decisive buyers.
The difference now is that the right strategy from day one really matters. What do you plan to bring to the Tweed Coast market?
Craig and I have both lived and worked here in the Tweed, Craig for his whole life, me for over 20 years in various roles.
We want to offer another genuine option to the coastal market. We have a lot of dominant agents in the area
Tate Brownlee Real Estate
• 9 Banora Blvd, Banora Point, 9–9.30am
• 4/33 Martinelli Ave, Banora Point, 9–9.30am
• 25 Franklin St, Banora Point, 10–10.30am
• 3 Elm Pl, Banora Point, 10–10.30am
• 59 Banora Blvd, Banora Point, 11–11.30am
• 17 Ossa Boulevard, Terranora, 12–12.30pm
• 17 Townsend Cres, Terranora, 12–12.30pm
• 37 The Hermitage, Tweed Heads South, 12–12.30pm
• 78 Hillcrest Ave, Tweed Heads South, 1–1.30pm
• 14 Valleyview, Terranora, 1–1.30pm
and my point of difference is our history, including small business history, in the area.
Having bought and sold many properties ourselves we know what people are looking for in an agent and what a good agent is. We want to bring a more downto-earth feeling to what we are doing.
I think people are just looking for good, straightforward honest guidance whether they are looking at buying or selling, and that’s what I hope to bring to Elders Tweed Coastal.
Find out more and meet Rob today: 0458 896 379
• 13 Clifford Crescent, Banora Point, 2–2.30pm First National Murwillumbah
• 10 Thompson St, (units) Murwillumbah 9–9.30am
• 7 Central Parade, Murwillumbah 9.30–10am
• 5 Thomas St, Murwillumbah 9.45–10.15am
• 30 Riverbend Way, Murwillumbah 9.45–10.15am
• 145 Smiths Creek Road, Uki 11–11.30am
• 192 Stokers Road, Stokers Siding 11.45am–12.15pm
• 1501 Kyogle Rd, Uki 11.45am–12.15pm
THIS WEEK’S Hot Property is a spacious and homely townhouse offering privacy, comfort and lowmaintenance living in the heart of Kingscliff.
Tucked away in a boutique complex of just four, 3/3 Lorien Way delivers the perfect blend of space, convenience and lifestyle appeal, all within walking distance to the beach and vibrant village centre.
Filled with natural light, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence has been thoughtfully designed for flexible living.
A standout feature is the generous groundfloor bedroom with ensuite, ideal for downsizers, guests or multi-generational families seeking the ease of downstairs living. Upstairs, two oversized bedrooms with fulllength built-in robes are complemented by an impressively large bathroom rarely found in modern townhouses.
The bright open-plan living, dining and kitchen area flows seamlessly to a sunny north-facing courtyard, creating the perfect space for entertaining or relaxing with a pet. Additional features include reverse-cycle air conditioning, a lock-up garage with internal access, excellent storage throughout and low body corporate fees of just $40.38 per week. Close to cafes, restaurants, schools, shopping and the new Tweed Valley Hospital, this lovely home offers easy coastal living with everything at your doorstep.
This property is for sale with Paul McCarthy at Real Estate 2487 for $1,175,000 with inspections this Friday, May 22, at 4.30pm.
DJ Stringer
• 18 Seaview Dr, Banora Point, 9–9.30am
• 6/2 Surf St, Bilinga, 9.30–10am
• 6/241 Golden Four Dr, Bilinga, 9.30–10am
• 7/20 Dutton St, Coolangatta, 10–10.30am
• 2/21 Caloola Dr, Tweed Heads, 10.30–11am
• 1/13 Parkland Pl, Banora Point, 10.30–11am
• 2/38 Garrick St, Coolangatta, 11–12pm
• 236/1 Mariners Drive West, Tweed Heads, 11.30–12pm
• 33/5 Island Dr, Tweed Heads, 11.30–12pm
LJ Hooker
• 4-6 Frangela Dve, Murwillumbah, 10–10.30am
Caillon Place
6 Ivory Crescent, Tweed Heads
Luxury Living. Prime Position. Limited Opportunity.
A rare opportunity has arrived in the heart of Central Tweed Heads.
6 IVORY is the only brand-new apartment development currently available in central Tweed — and with completion due next month, now is the time to secure your place before it’s too late.
Demand is already strong and apartments are selling quickly, with no other major new unit developments expected to be completed in Tweed Heads over the next 12–18 months.
Featuring just 14 spacious two-bedroom residences, these architecturally designed apartments combine quality construction, premium fixtures and fittings, and stunning views in one unbeatable location.
Perfectly positioned only minutes from the beach, airport, shopping, dining and everything central Tweed has to offer.
• Completion due next month — move into a brand-new apartment sooner
• Spacious 2-bedroom residences with modern openplan living
• Premium fit-out featuring quality fixtures, finishes and appliances
• Elevated outlooks with stunning views from selected apartments
• Walk to beaches, cafes, restaurants, shopping and local conveniences
• Only minutes to Gold Coast Airport and major transport connections
• An outstanding opportunity for both owner occupiers and investors
• Secure your apartment in Tweed Heads only new development available now.
Open for inspection
Saturday 23rd May at 9:00 - 9:30am Wednesday 27th May at 10:00 - 10:30am
Toby Sandell 0408 764 931 tobysandell@theagency.com.au Jacinta Greentree 0474 556 231 jacintagreentree@theagency.com.au
An Exceptional Northern Rivers Equestrian Estate
Offered for the first time in 22 years, this remarkable Nobbys Creek property combines breathtaking rural beauty with outstanding equestrian infrastructure. Positioned against the stunning backdrop of Wollumbin and Mount Warning, the property features a spacious 4 bedroom Queenslander
home, Olympic-size dressage arena, stables, round yards, fenced paddocks, river frontage and dam. A rare lifestyle opportunity designed for horse lovers, trainers, entertainers and families alike, only minutes to Murwillumbah, Tweed River Jockey Club and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
$1,550,000
2/38 Garrick Street Coolangatta
• Tiled open plan living /kitchen
• Covered outdoor Balcony and BBQ area
• Good size modern bathroom /toilet
• Double automatic garage with internal entry, plus storage /additional carpark on common property
• Northeast facing balcony with small pockets of ocean views
• Fully renovated open plan tiled air-conditioned living w/ plantation shutters
• Large hostess kitchen with dishwasher
Deborah Bingle 0403 727 548 deborah@djstringer.com.au
6/2 Surf Street Bilinga
• Open plan air-conditioned living
• Easy care flooring throughout
• Well-appointed stylish kitchen
• Side facing balcony w/ ocean views
• Master bedroom w/ walk through robe, ensuite & Juliette balcony
• Large stylish main bathroom & separate laundry
• Double side by side lock up garage
The Anchorage Islands
33/5 Island Drive 'Coral Gate', Tweed Heads
• Spacious air-conditioned open plan living & dining
• Front grassy courtyard (maintained by Body Corporate)
• Stylish kitchen with integrated fridge, Fisher & Paykel double dish draws, Stainless Neff oven with separate steamer, wine cabinet & outdoor servery
• Stunning bathroom & ensuite, fully tiled with stylish tap ware & accessories Buyer Guide
11:30-12:00pm
David Stringer 0418 150 731 david@djstringer.com.au
9:30-10:00am
Stringer 0418 150 731 david@djstringer.com.au
236/1 Mariners Dr West 'Discovery Cove', Tweed Heads
• Formal and informal tiled living & dining
• Stylish kitchen w/ stone benches, 2-pac cabinetry & dishwasher, encompassing family room
• Main bedroom w/ ensuite, mirrored robes & separate air-conditioning unit
• Ducted air-conditioning & heating
• Indoor / outdoor atrium
• Fabulous covered outdoor entertaining area
• Large private common area garden w/ mature planting (maintained by B/Corporate)
Saturday 11:30-12:00pm
David Stringer 0418 150 731 david@djstringer.com.au
