Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts will visit Lismore next week, on Wednesday 8 June, as part of a week long program of activities by Fair Trading for the local community.

Mr Roberts said the Lismore Regional Access Program was his first as a new Minister and he was delighted to be visiting the northern rivers region and seeing firsthand the great work done by Fair Trading to educate and inform local consumers and traders.

“Regional access programs bring Fair Trading into local communities en masse,” he said.

“There is a fantastic program of events for local people, from Monday 6 to Thursday 9 June.”

During the week, Fair Trading staff will be doing compliance checks, business inspections and promoting consumer services.

The Minister will attend a Revved Up information session at Lismore High School from 10am on Wednesday. Revved Up teaches young people about how best to invest in a car, what their rights are and who to go to for help when things go wrong.

The Minister will also join Fair Trading officers during an inspection of a local motor dealer, Lismore Nissan, from 10.45 to 11.15am and a local motor vehicle repairer, Lismore Automotive Service, from 11.30am to 12 noon.

He will then open a Real Estate Agent’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminar at Lismore City Hall at 1.30pm, followed by a visit to the Lismore Neighbourhood Centre at 2pm and finish at the Lismore Fair Trading Centre from 2.45 to 3.45pm.

Mr Roberts said the Lismore Neighbourhood Centre administered a No Interest Loans Scheme (NILS) for the local area.

“I encourage anyone experiencing financial problems to visit the centre to find out about how to access interest free loans of up to $1,200 for the purchase of essential goods such as medical expenses, washing machines and refrigerators.”

The Member for Lismore, Thomas George, welcomed the Minister’s visit.

Mr George encouraged people to talk to Fair Trading staff at an information stand at Lismore Square Shopping Centre on Thursday 9 June.

“Fair Trading staff will also deliver Seniors Guides to Lismore Meals on Wheels providers and product safety information to child care centres,” he said.

Fair Trading inspectors will be checking licensing and business name compliance at motor dealers and repairers, travel agents, pawnbrokers, real estate agents and home building sites.

“Compliance checks benefit local consumers, lead to better business practices and promote a strong working relationship between Fair Trading and traders,” Mr Roberts said.

The following information sessions are FREE and open to the public:

ABORIGINAL HOUSING TENANTS information session: 6 June: 10am - 1pm, TAFE NSW, Conway Street, Lismore

INCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS seminars: 7 June: 1-2.30pm and 5.30 -7pm, Lismore Workers Club, 225-231 Keen Street, Lismore (also 10-11.30am, Ballina RSL Club, 240 River Street, Ballina)

REAL ESTATE AGENTS CPD seminar: 8 June: 1.30-4pm, Foundation Room, Lismore City Hall, 1 Bounty Street, Lismore

MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIRERS seminar: 8 June: 5.30-6.30pm, Lismore Workers Club, 225-231 Keen Street, Lismore

MOTOR DEALERS seminar: 8 June: 6.30-7.30pm, Lismore Workers Club, 225-231 Keen Street, Lismore

RETAIL TENANCY CPD seminar: 9 June: 4-5.30pm, Lismore Workers Sports Club, 202 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah

STRATA SCHEMES seminar: 9 June 5.30-7pm, Lismore Workers Sports Club, 202 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah

HOME BUILDING CPD seminar: 9 June 5-8pm Lismore Workers Sports Club, 202 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah

To make a booking for one of these sessions please call the Fair Trading Information Centre on 13 36 79 (option 3).

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