Monthly Archives: July 2012

New home for Lennox Fireys

STAND AND DELIVER
Henderson Farm gives Lennox Fireys new home

Following a five year search for a suitable new home for the Lennox Head Fire Brigade, the owners at Lennox Head’s Henderson Farm have offered to donate land for the cause.

“I can’t believe this happening for us, they’re awesome” said Brigade Captain Ray Wilston. “There is something really special when somebody in the community can see a need, they are aware of our plight. I can’t tell you how grateful we are that they have thought of us in this way”.

The Brigade’s move across the road in Park Lane to make way for the new Community and Cultural Centre was only ever temporary. “Council was going to put us in Ross Lane as a permanent site, but that was never going to work” said Wilton. “There were a lot of factors working against that site, including its distance from the village, security risks, the fact that it was on a dangerous ‘s’ bend and potential flooding”.

Henderson Farm, which is being rezoned for residential development, was purchased by Ballina Council from local figure Ted Henderson. Council then sold the 185 acre farm to Lennox Developments Pty Ltd in 2002. The land, which has been set aside for residential development in the Lennox Head Structure Plan for decades, contains a 2100 square metre tract which abuts the Coast Road on the western side, between Byron Street and Greenfield Road. It is this tract which has recently been offered to the Lennox Head Fire Brigade.

“We knew of their need for land and thought we owned a site that could potentially be perfect, subject to Council’s approval” said Terry Martin, General Manager of Lennox Developments. “The Fire Brigade does an incredible job, they are integral to the town. They were the first there when the tornado struck, they are always there”.

Following the rezoning process a DA will be put forward for the Fire Brigade relocation. “We know this won’t happen overnight, but we hope to be settled in and operating from our permanent home within two years” said Ray Wilton. “Oh behalf of my Brigade we’re really grateful to the people who are donating the land and to the NSW Rural Fire Service. And Ballina Council have picked up the spirit of what we are trying to achieve and have been really solid gold”.

To volunteer for the Lennox Fire Brigade call Ray on 6686 1906. Women and men who are sixteen years or older, have a community spirit and love Lennox are encouraged to consider volunteering.

 

Experts give free new home ownership workshop

Local real estate dynamo Rose Wanchap is taking the bull by the horns in her quest to assist locals with home ownership.

Not only has she pledged to forgo commission on land sales at Tallowood Ridge so that new home owners receive the payment of around $8,000 instead of herself, she has rallied local professionals and is holding a workshop at the Ewingsdale Hall on August 11th. Entitled “The Great Australian Dream,” the workshop will spell out how new home ownership can be achieved in today’s economic and regulatory climate.

In attendance will be Rose, Gisele Wagner from Northern Rivers Lawyers, Michael Murray from Byron Property Search and other experts in the fields of real estate, finance and government regulation.

“Good things are happening” said Rose. “There is a $15,000 new home grant for first home buyers, stamp duty exemption, new laws allowing granny flats in New South Wales and never before seen real estate product, like the very affordable quality house and land packages at Tallowood Ridge.

“If you combine all these things you can achieve a new home in the Byron shire for under $300,000. There is a leg up of around $30,000 which will not last and by the time you get the key to your front door you will have anything up to $100,000 equity”.

“Regardless of where you buy, if it’s a new home there are never to be repeated offers on the table right now, people just need to get their heads around the complexities of what is on offer”.

Michael Murray will answer questions about home finance and the local property market. “In a difficult lending environment, state and federal governments are supporting construction with stamp duty deductions and increased first home owner grants” he said. “Potential buyers need to be aware of these”.

Long time local Nharyan Feldmann is currently purchasing land with his partner Ayumi at Tallowood Ridge through Rose Wanchap. “We’re fulfilling a twenty year dream of being able to own land and build a home in this area where I grew up and which we love,” he said. “We’ve been waiting for this and the time is right. Prices have finally become realistic and we are just so relieved to get out of the rental market”.

“The Great Australian Dream” workshop will be held at the Ewingsdale Hall, 2:00 – 4:00pm Saturday 11th August. Free of charge. For enquiries contact Rose Wanchap on 6680 9505 or rose@redroserealty.com

Byron business using Community Engine to give

63 not-for-profit groups across the Northern Rivers have signed up to raise money through Community Engine’s $100,000 giveaway. 43 businesses are also on board raising money for their favourite groups.

Byron’s premier tourism portal byronbay.com is getting behind the Byron Community Centre, directing their ample traffic to the giveaway campaign.

“Our year to date traffic is up 14%, which means an extra 78,000 visitors and 456,000 pageviews for Byron businesses so far this year” said byronbay.com’s Rick Slater. “It’s also the one year anniversary of our website redesign this week, so we are celebrating by pushing this campaign and raising much needed cash for the Community Centre”.

“We are excited to be onboard” said the Byron Community Centre’s Amanda Gorr. “It’s a fantastic initiative by Community Engine and we’re grateful for byronbay.com’s support. Please help us help our community by going to Community Engine and following byronbay.com and the Community Centre”.

This year Community Engine launched a pilot for their social commerce website. The pilot has been successful and now the company is expanding its reach. To say thanks for hosting the pilot program and to help launch the community building tool nationally, Community Engine is giving $100,000.00 to Northern Rivers not-for-profit groups.

“Any new followers of Northern Rivers organisations on the engine attract $1 each” said Dean Power, who heads up Community Engine’s Northern Rivers branch. “So we encourage groups to claim your profile and ask people to follow you. It’s all free and takes no time at all. If you’re a not-for-profit group you keep the money, if you’re a business you can donate the money you raise to your favourite group.

“It’s been a joy connecting locals, as so many had previously felt that e-commerce or even having a web presence were beyond their reach”.

communityengine.com.au is a website to help small businesses and community organisations find new customers and members, stay in touch and sell online. For everyone else it’s a personal guide to information, products and services.

“Byron Bay was chosen as the place to start the engine because people here have held onto their village values” said Dean Power. “We are about putting business into the community and putting community back into business”.

Not-for-profit groups signed up so far include BayFM, Byron Youth Service, Mullumbimby Community Gardens, Byron Community Centre, Byron Visitor Centre, Ocean Shores Community Association, Northern Rivers Community Foundation and Sunshine Coach Mullumimby.

The tool is free to use with only a small fee for processing payments (4.5% for community groups, 6.5% for business).

To raise money go to communityengine.com.au/giveaway or call 1300 266686 or email hello@communityengine.com.au or drop in to the office at 1 Byron Street Byron Bay.

Downloadable images:
Photo 1 – byronbay.com’s Rick Slater
Photo 2 – Community Engine’s Dean Power with client David Styles
Photo 3 – Community Engine’s Koby Hagenfelds

 

BYRON ON SALE

Byron Bay’s premier tourism portal byronbay.com has released a huge range of hot winter specials for the hip coastal town. From beach shacks to apartments, luxury homes and five star resorts. Activities and restaurants are also on sale.

Deals like

$239 for two nights in the heart of Byron for two people at Apartments Inn.

$900 for seven nights at Cocos Cottage, a charming private escape for two. The cottage is serviced daily, the wood is chopped and the fire is lit.

90 minute massage for the price of 60 at The Byron at Byron Spa and Wellness Centre.

All valid until September 20. Conditions apply.

www.byronbay.com/specials

“Winter in Byron is great” said byronbay.com’s Rick Slater. “Everybody is relaxed, you don’t have to book your favourite restaurant and there are more opportunities to get involved with what’s going on locally”.

Byronbay.com turns 15 in October, which makes them older than google, youtube and facebook. “15 years is a long time online” said Rick Slater. The website enjoyed 1.1 million visitors over the past twelve months, representing 204 different countries. The site does not take any commission on bookings.

“Byronbay.com is consistently our leading referring website” said Kerry Gunther, Sales and Marketing Manager at The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa.

Downloadable images:
Photo 1 – Cocos Cottage
Photo 2 – Cocos Cottage – interior
Photo 3 – The Byron at Byron Spa and Wellness Centre
Photo 4 – The Byron at Byron Spa and Wellness Centre massage