reinventing a special highway town
Woodburn NSW is a charming riverside town with which is about to embark on a transformation. When the Pacific Highway bypass is completed, it will bring peace to the riverside community. It will also bring challenges for the existing businesses, and opportunity for motivated and creative business owners to recreate their brand. To shift focus of trade from the short term ‘takeaway’, to entice the long term ‘come and stay’.
“It really is going to take the entire town to change the way it’s doing business,” says Daniel Simpson, manager of the Rod N Reel Hotel Motel in the centre of Woodburn. “The town is set up for takeaway, people grab something and keep going. There needs to be a revitalisation.”
Daniel is one of the businesses taking a proactive stance. Currently studying an MBA, the 38-year-old has worked in hospitality for 20 years and also runs the Hotel Illawong in Evans Head. He wants to see Woodburn businesses working together towards life after the bypass.
“It really is going to take the entire town to change the way it’s doing business”
The Rod N Reel is a well-known lunch spot for drivers. With a bistro, bar, gaming area, accommodation and new play area, the complex is popular with families and is a gathering place for locals in the evening. On a Friday night, the bistro will serve about 150 meals while 15 staff work at the pub.
For the last 18 months, Daniel has overseen extensive renovations which will convert the venue from a pit-stop to a destination in itself.
“For us it’s about providing the right environment and making sure we have a really good product and service,” he says, positive about the pub’s “great future”.
The Rod n Reel Hotel has a long tradition of rising to the challenge. In 1954 the Hotel was destroyed by a cyclone, then rebuilt in 1956.
One of the region’s best assets – and something that will help weather the changes ahead – is its close community, Daniel believes.
“People look out for each other, you know everybody in the town. I think a lot of the community is looking forward to the bypass when there’s not 3000 b-doubles driving through the town every day,” he says, adding that the healthy work-life balance has boosted the area’s attraction.
“Ten minutes to the beach, right on the river – Woodburn’s going to be a great place to live.”
Share this story
Read more stories
main street royalty reigns
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Alstonville-quality-meats-image-1.jpg 2000 1333 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Alstonville-quality-meats-image-1.jpgAlstonville Quality Meats
There’s a giggle in the undertone of conversation when Ashley and Tina Thomson share their claim to fame as being the multi-award winning Sausage Kings…
crowd pleasing innovation creates a buzz
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/flow-hive-featured001.jpg 1210 864 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/flow-hive-featured001.jpgBeeInventive
It’s difficult to know where to start with the remarkable story of BeeInventive. Perhaps in the humble shed in Byron Shire bushland…
eclectic food innovator shines
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Peter-at-the-Yamba-bus-stop.-July16.jpg 1030 1030 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Peter-at-the-Yamba-bus-stop.-July16.jpgNicholson Fine Foods
The small coastal town of Yamba is home to the one of the world’s best eating prawns, the Eastern King Prawn. It’s also home to the highest…
fastest growing, remains humble and local
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/tripadeal-byron-bay-002.jpg 1000 667 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/tripadeal-byron-bay-002.jpgTripADeal
For TripADeal, the figures speak for themselves: revenue in excess of $100million for 2017; 75,000 travellers sent to various…
local, seasonal, transformative gem hits town
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/jane.jpg 960 639 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/jane.jpgGateway Fine Foods and Catering
Debbie McQueen has three words of advice for anyone starting a business in Kyogle: flexibility, perseverance and patience. They’re three traits Debbie…
a natural business adventure
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Mount-Warning-Tours-01.jpg 1920 1080 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Mount-Warning-Tours-01.jpgMount Warning Tours
Despite only existing for four years, Mount Warning Tours’ short life has been eventful: from purchasing the ex-Murray River ferry Spirit of Wollumbin…
love, peace and artisan cheese
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nimbin-valley-dairy-003.jpg 666 500 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nimbin-valley-dairy-003.jpgNimbin Valley Dairy
Not every goat in Australia has its own nutritionist and its own vet. But the goats at Nimbin Valley Dairy definitely do. Bill, the nutritionist…
building a good reputation
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/brett_harley_building_002.jpg 1000 667 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/brett_harley_building_002.jpgBrett Harley
When the only pub in town burns to the ground, it’s a big responsibility being the one chosen to rebuild it. The success of Uki’s new Mt Warning…
old-fashioned approach reaps rewards
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/kyogle_country_Store_002.jpg 1000 667 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/kyogle_country_Store_002.jpgKyogle Country Store
It feels like a brave decision, buying a hardware and rural supplies store in the age of the corporate superstores. Though it was a challenge…
home is where the heart is
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/edmonds-conveyancing-ballina-001.jpg 1920 847 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/edmonds-conveyancing-ballina-001.jpgEdmonds Conveyancing
The legal aspects of buying and selling a property are not normally associated with having a laugh and even singing, but the Edmonds Conveyancing…
revving up the community engine
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/oatten-and-hoffman-kyogle-002.jpg 1000 667 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/oatten-and-hoffman-kyogle-002.jpgOaten and Hoffman
In 2015 Tim Hoffman was riding the high on business success, and had no clue about the blow that was awaiting him….
community keeps on carrying on
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/OConnors-carriers-tweed-001-1.jpg 1920 1288 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/OConnors-carriers-tweed-001-1.jpgO’Connors Carrying Service
Friday 30 March 2017 is a day Paul and Sue O’Connor won’t forget. The owners of O’Connors Carrying Service left their depot in Murwillumbah…
simply better for you
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/simply-clean-lismore-001.jpg 1600 533 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/simply-clean-lismore-001.jpgSimply Clean
It’s probably no surprise that it was a cleaning company that was the most well organised of all the businesses Huw and Becky Jones found for sale…
flying high, with a helicopter view
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/air-tg-ballina-helicpoters-002.jpg 800 531 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/air-tg-ballina-helicpoters-002.jpgAir T&G
Northern Rivers is well known for its breathtaking natural beauty, and imagine if your day at the office involved enjoying these views from the air…
not just a business, a community partner
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stone-and-wood-001.jpg 960 761 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/stone-and-wood-001.jpgStone & Wood
“That’s like asking parents to name which of their children they prefer,” says Jamie Cook, Stone & Wood co-founder. He has been asked which of the…
building bridges with water
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Yaru-bottles.jpg 1600 1067 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Yaru-bottles.jpgYaru Water
“This unique partnership between an Indigenous family and a non-Indigenous family enabled Yaru Water to start changing the way the procurement…
let there be light
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/northern_lights-_ballina_northern_rivers_001.jpg 2000 1333 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/northern_lights-_ballina_northern_rivers_001.jpgNorthern Light
“I eat a pot of honey every day and I’ve been stung more than 70,000 times,” says Jeffrey Gibbs, founder of Northern Light, an organic beeswax…
world class creatives
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/meme-productions-featured-image.jpg 1000 750 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/meme-productions-featured-image.jpgMememe Productions
The piece of advice that dirtgirlworld creator, Cate McQuillen, likes to share with other creative entrepreneurs in the region tells much about her story…
collaboration and cooperative capital
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/NCMC-workers.jpeg 1600 1066 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/NCMC-workers.jpegNorthern Cooperative Meat Company
It comes as little surprise that one of the largest employers on the Northern Rivers is a co-operative, and with Casino being the beef capital of…
riding the wave of success
https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/glass-lab-tweed-heads-002.jpg 1000 661 In Good Company | Northern Rivers In Good Company | Northern Rivers https://ingoodcompanynorthernrivers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/glass-lab-tweed-heads-002.jpgThe Glass Lab
Adam Wessel may have worked in surfboard factories since the age of 16, but it was a stint in the luxury yachting industry that sowed the…