22.6 C
Byron Shire
June 19, 2026

Difficult times

Latest News

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Other News

Speaking and listening

All of a sudden Council’s supposed experts condemn the Wilsons Creek weir water quality during rain events, which would...

Marine Rescue volunteers assist disabled dive boat

Volunteers and two vessels from Marine Rescue Point Danger safely assisted thirteen people to shore on Saturday afternoon after a commercial dive vessel experienced engine issues and was unable to safely cross the Tweed Bar.

A bit of fun to raise some funds

Bobby Conn and Molly O’Neil, from Drover (either end) Paul Tansley from Stone & Wood (back) with Damian Farrell from Fletcher St Cottage pulling out his best Ray Charles moves. Join them and plenty of other performers at the 12th Festival of The Stone on Saturday, 20 June

How to stop the erosion of our human rights

Let’s celebrate Refugee Week, 15–21 June, which was initiated in Australia 40 years ago and now observed worldwide.

Remembering Pete Woolnough with song

It is with great sadness that the community heard the news of the death of Peter Woolnough.

AI roll-out

My dad bought a quarter-acre block overlooking Sydney’s Northern Beaches for 400 pounds. That was about eight week’s salary. Mum...

We live in difficult times: so it’s good to know some things are certain; the sun will rise in the east, human stupidity endures, and our Labor federal member Justine Elliot will have a full-page colour ad in our region’s print media.

One ponders who is paying for this? If from her own pocket then good luck to her.

If, however, by taxpayer-funded allowance then I suggest there are far better and more deserving ways to allocate those dollars.

The Australian Government Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority reports that Justine’s spend; solely on printing and communication – for the year April 2024 to March 2025 was $327,162.73 or $6,291.59 per week, for the year April 2025 to March 2026 was $297,448.04 or $5,720.15 per week.

One wonders how (or if) Mrs Elliot evaluates the success/merit of this substantial expenditure, and whether she, or someone on her staff, actively looks for better spend options?

Richard Adams, Kingscliff

 

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Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.

Community housing industry call for major expansion in upcoming NSW budget

The community housing industry are calling on the NSW government to use next week's State Budget to unlock a major expansion of community housing.