Tintenbar, New South Wales

Tintenbar is a village located on the Far North Coast of New South Wales (in Australia).

Administratively it is part of the Ballina Shire. It is located about 12 km or a 9 minutes car drive north-west from Ballina along the Pacific Highway. Sydney, the state capital, is located approximately 750 km or 8.5 hours car drive south from Tintenbar.

Over the past two decades the population of Tintenbar has increased dramatically. This has principally been the result of three large estates being constructed (Norfolk Park Estate, Oatley Park Estate, and Phoenix Park Estate). It has grown to 775 usual residents in an area of 21.7 kilometres2 - giving an average population density of 36 people per square kilometre.

Demographics
In the 2011 Census of Population and Housing, Tintenbar is represented as a State suburb (SSC 19067).

In 2011 there were 775 usual residents living in Tintenbar. This was higher than the 587 population in the 2006 Census of Population and Housing. Of this count, 412 were males and 363 were females. The median age for persons living in Tintenbar was 44 years. By age, 19% of the population were under 15 years old, 65% were between 15 and 65, and 16% were over 65 years old.

Most people living in Tintenbar were born in Australia (83%).

Economy
According to the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median invididual income was $454 per week (equal to approximately $23,673 per year). The median family income in 2006 was $1,114 per week (equal to approximately $58,087 per year); and, the median household income in 2006 was $1,096 per week (equal to approximately $57,148 per year).

There were 301 people employed in 2006 (to give an employment to working age population ratio of 0.79), and 17 people unemployed. The most common occupations were Managers (26%), Professionals (16%), and Technicians and Trades Workers (15%). The top 5 industries for employment were Fruit and Tree Nut Growing (5.0%), School Education (4.7%), Hospitals (4.0%), Residential Care Services (3.7%) and Residential Building Construction (2.7%).

Housing
In the 2006 Census of Population and Housing, the median housing loan repayment was $1,413 per month, equating to approximately 30% of median household income. The median rent in 2006 was $160 per week, equating to approximately 15% of median household income.

The average household size was 3.0 persons.

Commerce
Tintenbar has one general store (Tintenbar store), a restaurant (Che bon), a pharmacy (Tintenbar pharmacy), an art studio (David Lane's Studio), and a medical centre.

Environment
Tintenbar is a rural area that has many environmental features. It is surrounded by the localities of Knockrow to the north, Fernleigh and Brooklet to the north-west, Teven to the South-West, Cumbalum to the South, and Lennox Head to the East.

There are several creeks that flow through Tintenbar. The major one is called Emigrant creek. This flows into Killen Falls which is a waterfall that is a popular tourist destination.

In February 2013 after a local survey of the community, Tintenbar declared itself Coal Seam Gas Free.

Culture
Tintenbar has a multi-purpose hall located just off the old Pacific Highway.

On the second Sunday of every month a market is held at the Tintenbar Oval.

Transport
Tintenbar has a major highway that crosses through it, called the Pacific Highway. This is a major road that links Sydney to Brisbane. It has a large volume of traffic, especially over Easter.

The Tintenbar-end of the Pacific Highway upgrade was completed in early 2011. An entrance and exit is now provided near the old Ross Lane entrance. The upgrade means the highway is now further east than the old highway (now renamed Tamarind Drive), is much straigher, and is dual-carriageway with bicycle lanes on either side. The Highway was upgraded due to sharp corners which led to several traffic accidents, particularly around Tintenbar Hill.

Previously the Pacific Highway ran along Bangalow Road to Tintenbar along Emigrant Creek. But this was changed in 1939

There is no public transport in Tintenbar. There are some bus routes that are run to transport children to primary and high schools.

Sport and sporting amenities
Tintenbar has an oval and tennis courts. These are for hire from the General Store.

Tintenbar is a catchment area for the Tintenbar East Ballina Cricket Club

Education
There is one primary school in Tintenbar. It is named the Teven-Tintenbar public school. The school is located in Fredricks lane near the boundary with the village of Teven.

Teven-Tintenbar public school was created in 1988 and is the result of an amalgamation of the Tintenbar and the Teven public schools.

There are no high schools or higher education facilities in Tintenbar. The nearest high school is Ballina High School, and the closest university is the Southern Cross University.

Communications
Tintenbar has a relatively good communications system. Almost every dwelling has access to the copper wire land-line network. Recently Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) was made available to the area by the upgrade of the Titnenbar exchange (located on the Pacific Highway). DSL plans are offered by Telstra.

The Telstra Next-G network has a very good signal near the Pacific Highway. Internet is typically faster than DSL but is generally more expensive per GigaByte downloaded.

History of Tintenbar Public School
The Tintenbar public school had a long history stretching back over 100 years. Initially the school was located near the centre of the village. In February 1884 that the school was opened, Miss Ellen Duffy being the first teacher. It was in the vicinity of a Church of England, a cooper's store, a hotel (Royal Hotel), and a blacksmith's shop.

Opals
In 1901 Opals were first discovered at Tintenbar (Opals down under).

Mining for opals was conducted between 1919 to 1920.

Cemetery
A cemetery at Tintenbar is the resting place of many people. If you are unable to visit the cemetery, records can be accessed at the Richmond River Historical society for a fee.

Information on Tintenbar Cemetery can also be found at http://www.australiancemeteries.com/nsw/ballina/tintenbarhs.htm

Famous and Notable Residents
Joe McGuire (Maguire) - First person to build a hut at Tintenbar

William Gillies (Australian politician) - Former Premier of Queensland

Susie Olive Kaylock - Local government official and community worker

Julie Davis - Red Cross Honoured Local Volunteer

Lemuel Snow - Teacher-in-Charge at Tintenbar Public School

Agnes Margaret Gillies (1874–1920) - Postmistress at Tintenbar, editor of the Atherton Examiner

Nathaniel Ross Gray - Acting Sergeant during World War I.  Enlisted at the age of 21, occupation was a Farmer

Samuel Theodore Jarrett - Private during World War I. Enlisted at the age of 18, occupation was a Labourer

Charles James Ross - Acting Corporal during World War I. Enlisted at age of 21, prior occupation was a Farmer

James Thomas Stoker - Trooper during World War I. Enlisted at age of 19, prior occupation was a Farmer