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Subscriber only After shutting its Ballina factory last year and putting more than 30 people out of work, Thursday Plantation is about to cut its final ties with the Northern Rivers. The property on Gallans Rd is now up for sale, marking the end of an era for this iconic local company. It was founded in the 1970s by Eric White. He was fascinated by the antibacterial power of tea tree oil, and decided to establish a plantation in Ballina. After four years of painstaking research and lobbying, a crown lease was granted, the Thursday Plantation website explains. It arrived via the once-a-week mail, on a Thursday in 1976, and Thursday Plantation was born.
The abattoir currently supplies about 20 tonnes of retail ready product every week. Once the new facility is ready, they will be able to supply 100 tonnes per week. It will also create at least 20 new jobs while supporting the ongoing employment of 800 meatworks staff and local contractors and suppliers. Richmond Valley councillors voted on the plans at this week s council meeting. The Casino meatworks new $5 million retail facility will help deliver more local products to Coles, Woolworths and Aldi. Mayor Robert Mustow said being able to value-add to the products coming out of the meatworks was a positive move. It will make the business more sustainable and profitable, he said.
Natasha Fair enjoying a moment s break from her business, Ayusa. Photo: NellyleComte Photography
Business 17th Feb 2021 10:00 AM First, there were sea-changers and tree-changers. Now, there are VESPAs. An acronym for Virus Escapees Seeking Provincial Australia, VESPA was coined by the demographer, Bernard Salt, as a celebration of the reversal of traditional flow of talent from regional Australia to the cities. Natasha Fair relocated from Melbourne to Byron Bay to start her business, Ayusa, which offers guayusa tea sustainably grown in the Amazon. Ms Fair spent months in Ecuador researching and forming relationships with farmers. I didn t want to return to the rat race, she said.
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Subscriber only The Mercato on Byron shopping centre and an adjacent development site is being offered for sale. Mercato on Byron Pty Ltd is seeking expressions of interest for the two properties, at 98-116 Jonson St. Being marketed by JLL in Sydney, the listing includes 1.1 hectares of land in central Byron Bay. JLL is pleased to present a rare opportunity to acquire a trophy real estate holding in one of Australia s most famous destinations - Byron Bay, the agency said in its listing. The Mercato shopping centre on Jonson St in Byron Bay. Mercato on Byron, a prime neighbourhood shopping centre, and the adjoining development site are located in the geographical centre of the Byron Bay CBD and offers an unprecedented 1.1-hectare (combined) site.