⏱️ The 72nd edition of our newsletter is a seven-minute read.

🙋‍♀️ Hello, it’s Ellie – reporter for the Mid North Coaster.

🎉 We now have 15,340+ subscribers! A warm welcome to new readers and thank you for your support. I hope you’re enjoying the content, and if you ever want to get in touch, just reply to this email.

📢Before we dive into the top stories of the day, please be prepared for high risk fire weather today. Strong winds are forecast, together with temperatures of mid to high 30s across the region.

🌡️According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Wauchope could reach 34 degrees, 32 in Kempsey, 37 in Taree, and 31 in Port Macquarie.

🔥 Please have a fire plan, be prepared and stay safe.

🗞️Speaking of community safety, today’s newsletter looks at what can happen when the public speaks up about local issues and advocates for their areas.

• A roundabout has finally been promised for Valla Beach Rd and Giinagay Way intersection, and Kempsey Shire Council is investigating improved pedestrian access outside Kempsey Adventist School.

🪵We’ll also hear from David Waite – the owner of the iconic Timbertown – who is ready to sell up after 16 years.

👀 Want to see the intersection for yourself? Watch the video version…

🚸 Footpath, refuge island or zebra crossing: How can this Kempsey school improve safety for students?

A lack of pedestrian access outside Kempsey Adventist School (KAS), located on a main road with a 70km/h speed limit, has sparked safety concerns from parents and students. 

Kempsey Shire Council is currently looking into improving the situation, and is taking suggestions from locals.

📢 What happened: In August, KAS student representatives presented their concerns to council, pointing out a dangerous narrow bridge nearby across Rudders Lagoon which did not have a footpath.

• Their solutions included a dedicated path, a bike lane, and refuge island.

➡️ If you missed that story, you can read it on our website here.

🧐 Council investigating options: In response to the community concerns, the council is investigating safer options and seeking assistance from residents. 

• The public are being encouraged to submit particular issues, together with suggestions on the type and location of pedestrian improvement works.

• According to the council, initial investigations have identified the need for an “off road” footpath with road crossing facilities, like a marked zebra crossing or refuge island. 

✏️What next? Council has proposed to present preferred improvement works to the Local Traffic Committee meeting in November. The advice will then be reported for council consideration.

🗣️How to have your say: Submit your ideas to council by October 31.

Email: [email protected]
In person or by letter: 22 Tozer Street, West Kempsey
Phone: 6566 3200

🚂 Is this the end of Timbertown? Historic park listed for sale

I have fond memories of visiting Timbertown as a kid. It’s on the list with Fantasy Glades, Peppermint Park, The Big Banana and The Clog Barn.

When I saw Timbertown was for sale, I had to know more, so I picked up the phone and call the owner. Here’s what I know…

🏷️ What’s happening: Wauchope’s Tourist attraction Timbertown is up for sale, with Expressions of Interest now open until November 25.

🗝️ Why is this happening? Owners David and Alison Waite are ready to hand over the keys.

🗣️ “After 16 years of owning it, the wife and I have decided that it's time for us to retire and spend more time with our new grandchildren and family,” Waite told the Mid North Coaster.

🔮What does this mean? The future of Timbertown is uncertain as the couple explore expressions of interest. 

🗣️ “I’m not sure if someone out there is committed enough to do what we did 16 years ago and keep Timbertown going – or if it may be better suited for an alternate use,” Waite said, who admits he’d like to see Timbertown live on.

 “But that decision will rest on whoever wishes to buy it.”

🎟️ What’s on offer: The attraction is a recreation of an 1880 -1910 working timber settlement, with about 40 buildings making up the heritage theme park.

When the Waite family took over in 2010, at the top of the list was restoring the steam train that sat idle for 18 months. It was back in operation that same year, and continues a two-and-a-half-kilometre journey through nearby forest.

• The park has paddle boats, carriage rides, a steam sawmill, and a gold-panning stream “very popular with the children”. Timbertown also includes a winery.

💭 Looking back: The Waites packed up their lives in Sydney over a decade ago to purchase Timbertown, leaving behind a home, a business, and taking their three children out of primary school.

• “I’ve always had a passion for collecting steam items mainly, and heritage vintage machinery and vehicles,” Waite said. “I was going to do a smaller scale museum on our property near Windsor in Sydney, and then I got a phone call one day in 2009 from a local fella… he said, ‘Timbertown’s going to close down forever’”.

  📍One of the last heritage-themed parks: Waite said Timbertown is the oldest heritage-themed park left in New South Wales, and probably one of the last.

🗣️“All these heritage parks that were built in the '60s and '70s have gone, and I believe Timbertown is one of the last heritage parks where there's working attractions,” said Waite.

➡️ What now? Waite says he and his wife have given Timbertown “110 percent" for the past 16 years. “We've given it our best shot. And I think that's all you can do in life,” he said.

• “We've got two new beautiful grandchildren now, and it's just time for us to take a new direction and see what else exists out there in the big wide world.”

• “I'm not the sort of person to slow down, but I can assure you my bucket list is extremely long of things that I'd like to tick off and achieve in life – most would involve heritage in one form or another, that's just what I wish to pursue.”

📢 Call out for November events

I’ll be posting the monthly “what’s on” content next week, so if you know of any community, kid-friendly, and live music events you’d like to see included, please reply to this email with the details.

Thanks for reading! I’ll be back in your inbox on Friday morning.
Until then, you can keep up to date on our Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, or check the website.

👋 Ellie