New hospital sneak peek

By Jonathon Howard

WORKS ON the Tweed Valley Hospital are storming ahead, according to Member for Tweed Geoff Provest, who said the hospital will be open for patients by November.

Mr Provest took retiring NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on an exclusive tour of the new hospital on Friday, February 17. The duo were joined by a range of executive level health staff including The Tweed Hospital general manager Joe McDonald, executive director of emergency department Dr Rob Davies, The Tweed Hospital Medical Council co-chair Joe Ogg and representatives from Lendlease.

Mr Provest provided The Weekly with some of the first photos inside the new hospital, which he said will take the Tweed Shire’s health care to the next level.

“It was a pleasure to show our Health Minister around what has been one of the biggest new developments in the state over the past two years,” Mr Provest said.

“There are still some fine details to get through before our official opening later this year, but I am excited to say we will soon have some of the most advanced state-of-the-art care in the state, right here on the Tweed.”

Mr Provest hinted at a big announcement for the parking model.

“We are a little to early to announce the parking model, but I think residents will find it very agreeable,” he said.

Free solar - savings up to $600 on electricity bills

The NSW Government is offering a new way to assist people on low incomes with their power bills by installing free solar systems for eligible households in place of their Low Income Household Rebate. This program aims to improve energy affordability by helping households unlock long terms savings on their electricity bills. While this means you will no longer receive the $285 annual rebate on your electricity bill, you could receive up to $600 in savings per year from your new solar system!

The offer is only available to households that live in the specified regions and meet the eligibility criteria. When participating in this program households will receive a free, fully installed 3kW solar system in place of their Low Income Household Rebate.

SAE Group are the approved provider, designing and installing solar systems to eligible homes in your region.

To be eligible you must:

- Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate

- Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years

- Own your own home

- Not already have a solar PV system

- Hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card

- If you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household

A 3kW system is designed to generate an average of 12.6kwh per day, which will deliver electricity savings depending on each household’s energy consumption. Managing Director of SAE Group Glen Ashton comments “We know electricity bills continue to place a lot of pressure on households, and we are pleased to be working with the NSW Government to help ease the pressure on low income households.”

SAE Group are an Australian owned and operated organisation with over ten years’ experience in the solar industry. SAE Group are a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer, and hold accreditations ISO 9001, ISO 45001 for safety and quality systems. Safety is paramount to us, and it our goal to ensure we provide quality solar systems to eligible households that will deliver ongoing savings for many years to come.

Want to find out more?

Visit: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-low-income-households to check your eligibility and apply online or visit www.saegroup.com.au or call us on 02 66 389 439. The Solar for Low Income Household Offer is supported by the NSW Government.

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WHEN YOU use one of The Weekly’s Top Tradies and Services (here and see pages 42-45) you know you are booking a trusted local operator who is qualified, has an outstanding local reputation and can offer competitive quotes.

These days the Internet is flooded with information that can make a simple task of booking a local tradesperson extermely complicated.

By using The Weekly’s Trades and Services you know you are dealing with a tradie that understands the local area, has a track record and solid qualifications.

Remember, local tradespeople provide lasting employment, understand the local conditions and are just around the corner when you need them.

Our local tradies also offer established credentials, licensing and can help to recommend other tradespeople to help with all your home, garden or business needs.

Another reason to use our trusted local tradies is for the ‘buy local’ principal, which provides you stronger ties to the Tweed Shire community and you never know who you might meet with friendships that can last a lifetime.

So, the next time you pick up the phone to call on a tradie, think local and reach for The Weekly.

This way we can all help strengthen our community and our future.

Remember to tell ‘em The Weekly sent you!