Tweed Border Mail Wednesday 30 October
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Who is our ‘Star’ this week?
Star is a seven-year-old mini foxie. She would make the perfect companion, as she is extremely affectionate and loyal. She loves nothing more than following you everywhere, and relaxing inside. To adopt a pet, call the Tweed Shire Council Pound on
(02) 6676 6060 from 10am until 4pm seven days week or visit www.tweed.nsw.gov.au All pets are desexed and vaccinated. Use your smartphone to scan the QR Code (right).
Check out the Pound’s QR Code and see what other pets are available. Just scan the code to go to the Pound page.
Healthy Ageing info
In order to better plan for the large and growing aged population, Tweed Shire Council is in the process of preparing a ‘Healthy/Positive Ageing Strategy’. The community and local business can also benefit from adapting their operations to cater for the aged population. NSW Council on the Ageing (COTA) liveable communities’ project identifies key features which help make the environment age-friendly. These features relate to footpaths, seating, lighting, way finding, toilets and parking.
Australian Age Friendly Cities and Communities Conference Last week, Council’s Healthy Ageing Project Officer, Kristen Forster, attended the inaugural ‘Australian Age Friendly Cities and Communities Conference’ in Canberra. Some of the ideas shared at the conference included the Victorian Department of Health, Age-friendly Partners Program identifying the following reasons for retailers to make their businesses more ‘age-friendly’:
• Seniors shop for themselves and others in their lives.
• They are the fastest growing market.
• Seniors are more likely to frequent local services.
• They reward local business with loyalty.
• Seniors are less likely to shop online.
Another business opportunity improving liveability and social connectedness for seniors came out of the ‘Linking Neighbours’ Program in the City of Port Philip, Victoria where local coffee shops held seniors’
morning teas. These were organised on a particular time and day each week (eg.10am Tuesday mornings). Seniors get discount beverage and food and are seated together at one table. At first only a few seniors were involved but after 18 months, the morning teas have become an important part of the local seniors’ social calendar. This project decreased isolation while also creating a greater sense of community and connectedness for all involved. For participating cafes, business increased as a result. For more information contact Kristen Forster Healthy Ageing Project Officer on (02) 6670 2527 (Mon and Tues) Email: [email protected] Age Friendly Communities
Residents aged 65 and over make up 22.9 per cent of the Tweed Shire’s population compared to the Australian rate of 13 per cent. Council and the community will benefit from creating an environment that is age-friendly.
Feedback sought on possible Tyalgum Transfer Station closure
Following falling usage at the Tyalgum Waste Transfer station over the past four years Council is investigating the closure of the facility.
Should the site be closed, consideration is also being given to post closure options for the site including the possible establishment of a lookout at the site.
It is believed that provision of household bin services and the bi-annual cleanup has reduced the need for this facility, with this reflected in a continual decline in customers using the site.
Prior to finalising this decision Council is seeking feedback from the community on both the decision to close the Tyalgum Transfer Station and on the establishment of a scenic lookout.
Submissions are open from Tuesday 22 October to close of business Tuesday 5 November, 2013.
Please send submissions by email to [email protected] or in writing to: General Manager, Tweed Shire Council, PO Box 816 Murwillumbah NSW 2484.
The metal recycling pile near the entry gate of the Tyalgum Transfer Station framing the views of the ranges behind.
From front page
Council has also gone social with the establishment of a Company Page on LinkedIN, its own YouTube Channel and the recent launch of Council’s revitalised Smartphone application, providing a range of services at your fingertips.
In addition, two of Council’s major cultural facilities - the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre (artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au), and the Tweed Regional Museum (museum.tweed.nsw.gov.au), have also unveiled their new and improved websites. Stay tuned for more information in next week’s Tweed Link. Council’s new website was built entirely in-house and integrates with Council’s key customer service systems providing a seamless customer service experience. It has been a long awaited project that complements Council’s Community Engagement Strategy and Customer Service Charter.
Council’s new website online this week
Council will prepare and lodge a new Part 5 assessment for a public pontoon on the bank of the Tweed River at Chinderah, after considering community feedback about its size and location.
At last Thursday’s Council meeting, it was decided to move forward with a 30-metre structure proposal - rather than the original 40 metres - to be located 45 metres downstream from the first location, adjacent to the bus stop.
The decision follows a public information session and meeting at Chinderah on 15 October, which was attended by around 100 people.
A pontoon to properly service the needs of the boating fraternity and for recreational use was first proposed by the Chinderah Districts Residents Association, who wanted a 45-metre structure with gangways to the shore at either end.
A new assessment is required due to the change in the location of the proposed pontoon and consideration of concerns raised through community feedback.
The Part 5 assessment will be advertised in the Tweed Link for public comment.