The Northern Rivers Times in Casino, New South Wales | Media/news company

The Northern Rivers Times

Locality: Casino, New South Wales

Phone: +61 2 6662 6222

Address: 81 Walker St, Casino NSW 2470, Australia 2470 Casino, NSW, Australia

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24.01.2022 SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA PARTY OPPOSES DUNOON DAM A GROUP calling itself the Sustanable Australia Party says it opposes the proposed 50 gigalitre Dunoon Dam and is calling for an end to growth in the region. The Sustainable Australia Party is an independent community political party promoting the transition to a sustainable society.... In a statement the group, which has formed a Northern Rivers branch, said sustainability meant meeting the community’s own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. That is, operating within our environmental limits, Branch Organiser Thom Kotis said. Sustainable Australia Party campaigns against endless growth and overdevelopment and is therefore calling for alternative solutions to the 50 gigalitre Dunoon Dam proposed by Rous Water. Due to unsustainable growth in human consumption and population, we are now compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The proposed Dunoon Dam is the latest symptom of this unsustainable growth system that leads to overdevelopment of resources. The Dunoon Dam is costly and unnecessary. Other options such as conservation through education and management of water wastage, recycling, efficiency and leak and pressure management would negate the need for a 50 gigalitre dam and create local jobs. This is a line in the sand moment, and opportunity exists for this progressive local community to lead the nation in its approach to planning and development. We can’t grow forever. Mr Kotis went on to say independence in public education and management of water consumption and wastage would create an opportunity for meaningful progress in all facets of environmental and cultural protection. Sustainable Australia Party is committed to more rigorous protection and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture. The proposed Dunoon Dam will flood culturally significant Widjabul sites and artefacts, including burial grounds. Damage to the natural environment caused by the proposed Dunoon Dam including the destruction of remnant Big Scrub rainforest and protected species habitat also compel alternative solutions. Sustainable Australia Party prioritises ecological sustainability, not only for the health and wellbeing of the humans and biodiversity within it, but for its own intrinsic worth, Mr Kotis added. The Sustainable Australia Party which has recently formed what is calls a ‘Northern Rivers Super Branch’ says it will contest next year’s local elections in the region.

24.01.2022 The Northern Rivers Times is now out at Newsagencies and Woolworths Stores from Southport to South Grafton. Please click on the link below to read the online version of The Northern Rivers Times Edition 17 https://issuu.com/heartl//northern_rivers_times_ed17_enews

23.01.2022 GOVERNMENT BLINDSIDES COMMUNITIES WITH SCHOOL CLOSURES AND SELL-OFFS CLAIM THE Shadow Minister for Education Prue Car says the State Government has blindsided the North Coast communities of Murwillumbah and the surrounding suburbs with the closure and sell-off of three public schools. Ms Car said that without warning, the Liberals and Nationals will force Murwillumbah Public School, Murwillumbah East Public School and Wollumbin High School to close and move into a single camp...us at Murwillumbah High School. The Shadow Minister said Department of Education documents obtained through the Upper House revealed that the amalgamation of four schools in 2024 will change the staffing allocation and potentially displace teaching and support staff. The Liberals and Nationals promised an upgrade of Murwillumbah East Public School before the last election,Ms Car said. Instead, they will now abandon their promise and close the school completely. Closing schools is the last thing the Liberals and Nationals should be doing. This is a betrayal of the community. They are robbing future generations of quality public schools in their communities, Ms Car said. This announcement will rob the North Coast of three public school campuses, with a mega-school increasing school travel times for residents and reducing green space. Shadow Minister for the North Coast Adam Searle MLC said It had now become clear why the Premier and the National Party have been stalling on replacing the library and classrooms lost at Murwillumbah East Public School in the floods. Despite all their hollow promises, it seems that yet more privatisation is their true agenda, not delivering for students and families in Murwillumbah, Mr Searle said. This decision has been made without consultation. It has all the signs of a dirty land deal, and is not about improving educational outcomes. State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said she would be seeking a guarantee from the NSW Government that all current teaching and support staff jobs will be retained. This cannot be a cruel cost-cutting exercise, Ms Saffin said. I am also seeking a guarantee that public land stays in public hands and is not flogged off to private developers.

23.01.2022 From tomorrow morning The Northern Rivers Times (Edition 46) will be out and about from your Newsagents and Woolworths Supermarket, this edition has a great Beef Week feature as well as Primex follow up to our last edition and all this from your favorite local newspaper 72 pages full of local news, events, music, motoring, sports, etc

22.01.2022 A SEDITIOUS HEART AND A ROCK FACE ART INSPIRATION IN THE TWEED THIS summer The Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre is hosting new exhibitions by the region's leading artists. Photographer Justin Ealand and embroiderer and sculptor Wendy Powitt have collaborated on an exhibition titled Mary Shelley - A Seditious Heart.... The exhibition is a continuation of the concepts the two artists have explored in an earlier collaboration. The new exhibition will re-create three imaginary rooms from the house of Mary and Percy Shelley that foster radical ideas and communicate the social difficulties of their time. The artists hope to inspire audiences to contemplate today's society. Mary and Percy Shelley were writers and poets of the early 19th century, with Mary writing the legendary gothic tale Frankenstein at the age of 18. Mary and Percy lived a radical, passionate and itinerant life in Europe. This exhibition highlights the difficulty of life when as individuals we are not completely in tune with our community's belief system of acceptable behaviour. The source of inspiration for Gabriela Soelkner's solo exhibition ROCK FACE is much closer to home. Soelkner currently works from her creek studio next to Wollumbin National Park, the source of much of her inspiration. For this exhibition she has drawn on the giant boulders that surround her home and studio, the hidden rocks found when walking remote areas of the forest, and their shape and textured surface. "I am most interested in the permanence of stone and the ephemeral nature of our human relationships both past and present, Soelkner said. "The ability of stone to endure is reassuring as their timescales are beyond our imagining, beyond our limited life cycle. I am delighted to showcase the work of three diverse and talented artists of the region over what is sure to be a busy summer, Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM said. The work of these three artists are great examples of the immense creativity that is abundant in the Northern Rivers. On Sunday 15h November from 10am-4pm artist Gabriela Soelkner will be at the Gallery for an 'Artist at Work' session, where visitors will be inspired to try the mixed media processes demonstrated. Soelkner will also be presenting a virtual Meet the Artist talk which will be available on the Gallery's website from the 13th November. Mary Shelley - A Seditious Heart and ROCK FACE will both be on display at Tweed Regional Gallery from 13th November to 3rd January 2021. Images: Justin Ealand, Spirit, Patience, Gentleness 2020, archival inkjet print on 100% cotton rag, and Gabriela Soelkner at work in her studio next to Wollumbin National Park.

21.01.2022 SHORT TERM RENTAL ACCOMMODATION A TOOTHLESS TIGER SAYS DEPUTY MAYOR - by Halden Boyd NEW laws covering Short Term Rental Accomondation (STRA) have been called nothing more than a toothless tiger and does nothing to ease the accommodation crisis in the region according to Byron Shire Council Deputy Mayor Michael Lyon....Continue reading

21.01.2022 CLARENCE VALLEY COUNCIL PROMOTES ABORIGINAL CULTURAL TOURIST DRIVE PROJECT CLARENCE Valley Council has embarked on a programme to promote significant Aboriginal cultural sites in the Lower Clarence. The Clarence Aboriginal Tourist Site Drive lists 13 sites around Maclean and down the Clarence River to Yamba and Angourie telling the story of these significant places in Yaegl Country....Continue reading

20.01.2022 LISMORE M-P URGES COMMUNITIES TO APPLY FOR BUSHFIRE RECOVERY FUNDING THE State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is urging communities to apply for grants under the $250-million Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund. It is available to bushfire-affected communities in 47 Local Government Areas, including our four in the Lismore Electorate including Lismore City, Kyogle, Tenterfield and Tweed Shires, s Saffin said.... This fund presents a good opportunity to help local communities and our local economies recover. Every little bit helps and this is more than needed in the lead-up to the Christmas season. Goodness knows we need it bushfires, drought, more bushfires, floods and COVID-19, Ms Saffin said. Jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments, the BLER Fund is designed to further support social and economic recovery. Infrastructure such as roads to support further industrial development, environmental projects such as regeneration activities and projects including social, business and environmental education activities are the three themed areas. Tourism is another industry getting attention. Those eligible to apply are Councils, Joint Organisations of Councils, Not-for-Profit groups including business chambers, industry associations and charities, research or academic organisations, Local Aboriginal Councils and State Government corporations. Fund opens applications close at 2pm on the 11th December 2020, and successful applicants will be announced from April 2021. For detailed information go to nsw.gov.au/blerfunD

20.01.2022 Byron Coastal Charity Walk ALL MEDIA are invited to attend the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service’s annual Byron Coastal Charity Walk this Saturday the 22nd of May. The event has seen over 600 entrants register set to take on either the 12km distance from Byron to Broken Head, the 24km distance to Lennox Head or the 36km distance all the way to Ballina. In addition, entrants have fundraised through the support of family and friends nearly $80,000 to help the local Rescue Helic...opter Service to save lives! The event will start at Denning Park in Byron Bay with wave times kicking off from 6am. The best locations for media to capture images throughout the day will be at the start line, or one of the major checkpoints located at Broken Head carpark, Lennox Head Surf Club or the Ballina Surf Club. Walkers will finish at varying times with the final walker expected across the finish line in Ballina at around 4pm. https://events.rescuehelicopter.com.au//coastal-chari/home

20.01.2022 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES - UPDATE 12NOON The Coast Road, Skennars Head As there may be delays, motorists are reminded to allow extra time to their travel time.... The Coast Road, between Pat Morton Lookout carpark and Boulders Beach carpark, will CLOSE FROM 1PM TO 3PM. NSW Police will detour motorists via North Creek Road, Lennox Head and Headlands Drive, Skennars Head.

20.01.2022 The Northern Rivers Times Edition 22 is now online https://issuu.com//do/the_northern_rivers_times_edition_22

19.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/186376344722041/posts/5626057917420496/?d=n

18.01.2022 NEW BANGALOW PARKLANDS PLAYGROUND IN FULL SWING THE swings are in, the turf is down and the carousel is turning and the new playground at Bangalow Parklands is open and children are invited to give it a test run. The new playground features a new set of swings, a two-seat carousel which is perfect for getting giddy and a bird’s nest swing that will allow adults to swing with children.... There’s also a new climbing tower with nets, bridges and play panels including a musical feature that are all designed for stimulating little imaginations and encouraging creative play. The original swings and spring toy were recycled from the old playground which had reached the end of its usable life in relation to safety and maintenance. The new $75,000 playground is designed to meet accessible play guidelines and is the perfect accompaniment to the adventure playground which is just a hop, skip and a jump away. Many thanks to the amazing volunteers in the Bangalow Parklands team for the work they do to keep the area a beautiful community space, Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson, said.

18.01.2022 MULLUMBIMBY HIGH STUDENTS START KOALA TREE PROJECT BYRON Shire Council has joined forces with the Mullumbimby High Student Representative Council (SRC) to launch their Trees for Koalas Connecting Communities project which aims to plant hundreds of koala food trees on private properties across the Byron Shire. The students were concerned about the serious threats to koalas in our region and they approached Council, asking if we could work together to help create more koala ha...bitat, Byron Shire Council’s Biodiversity Officer, Liz Caddick said. As many of the students live on rural properties that are in, or close to, koala habitat, they spotted a great opportunity to invite expressions of interest from students and their families to plant koala food trees at home, and to invite neighbouring properties to do the same, she said. This initiative, which now has backing from DPIE’s Saving our Species programme as well as Council, has the potential to do some serious good for our Koala populations and I commend the students for making it happen, Ms Caddick said. Council will be helping the students to choose suitable locations to plant koala habitat, as well as giving them advice on how to plant and look after the trees. DPIE’s Saving our Species program will be assisting the initiative with trees and materials. Koala conservation initiatives like these each play a role in the NSW Government’s Koala Strategy aiming to conserve and protect koala populations. Mullumbimby High’s SRC will invite expressions of interest from students and their families, and decide where they would like to plant koala food trees and how many they could look after. Students kicked off the project with a planting day at a rural property on the outskirts of Binna Burra where koalas are regularly sighted. This project will create a vital koala corridor, linking koala habitats established by the property owner, the Binkley family, together with Koala mattresses. It is a great way for the students to learn about what’s involved in planting these trees, as well as how to look after earlier koala habitat plantings, so they can see how the seedlings will look on their own properties in a few years’ time. It’s a win-win for Council because it’s a win for the koalas, and it also helps us deliver on our commitment to work with the community to help support wildlife conservation activities on private land a key element of Councils 2020-2030 Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. This is a good time of year to spot koalas in the Byron Shire hinterland, even mums with babies. Please drive extra carefully at night - or ask your parents to do so, as koalas regularly cross our rural roads and they’re too slow to get out of the way of a car, Ms Caddick said.

18.01.2022 AHA NSW said the easing of restrictions announced by the NSW Government today were an early Christmas present for hotels, their loyal patrons and the thousands of people they employ. AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said moving to one person per 2sqm will immediately create more than 9,000 much-needed jobs in pubs across the state just in time for the Christmas season. We’re thrilled the State Government’s announcement will allow NSW hotels to immediately employ 9,000 extra staff a...nd thousands more in the broader hospitality industry. said Mr Whelan.And after eight long months it will be great to be able to stand up and enjoy a Christmas drink with friends in your local pub’s beer garden. NSW hotels are proud to have led the way with QR codes and electronic tracing and have consistently gone above and beyond what is required to keep staff and patrons safe. AHA NSW will continue working closely with the Government to safely ease restrictions on venues where possible as community transmission rates remain low no one wants to risk a second wave of the pandemic in NSW. Mr Whelan said the announcement was a step forward for both hotels and the wider NSW economy. Not only can hotels now employ more chefs, baristas and bar staff, this change will flow on to the hundreds of thousands of people indirectly employed by hotels from the local butcher to maintenance workers, he said. The entire hospitality sector has been hard hit by the COVID-19 crisis with hotels shut down across NSW in March and 94% of our workforce stood down or terminated. Hotels have struggled to survive and this is another step forward in the long road to recovery.

18.01.2022 Appeal find children missing from Northern NSW Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a boy and a girl missing from the state’s Northern Rivers region. Reginald Ayling and Laura Stephens, both aged 13, were last seen about 12pm yesterday (Monday 17 May 2021), outside a school on Cawley Close, Alstonville.... Officers attached to Richmond Police District were alerted when the children could not be located and an investigation into their whereabouts began. There are concerns for their welfare due to the age of the children Reginald was last seen wearing a blue hoodie, shorts and carrying a black backpack. He is described as Caucasian appearance, dark brown curly hair, 170cm tall and thin build Laura was last seen wearing a black hoodie, grey trackpants, boots and carrying a shoulder bag. She is described as Caucasian appearance, light brown hair, 160cm tall and thin build. Police urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of Reginald and Laura to contact Ballina Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

17.01.2022 FIRST SEVERE THUNDERSTORM ADVICE ISSUED FOR OUR REGION THE Northern Rivers and the Northern Tablelands has been issued a Severe Thunderstorm Advice from the Weather Bureau. It comes after hail was reported to The Northern Rivers Times from our reporter Rebecca from Lowanna between Dorrigo and Glenreagh which was immediately reported to the BOM which issued the advice.... If you have any reports of severe weather including hail let us know so we can let everyone know through the Waeather Bureau. The Northern Rivers Times KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY INFORMED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Thunderstorm Warning for DAMAGING WINDS, LARGE HAILSTONES and HEAVY RAINFALL For people in Metropolitan, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands and parts of Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter, South Coast, Central Tablelands, South West Slopes and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts. Issued at 2:24 pm Tuesday, 5 January 2021. Plan Image Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra and Goulburn. 10c piece (about 2cm) hail reported at Lowanna on the Mid North Coast at 2:20pm The State Emergency Service advises that people should: * Move your car under cover or away from trees. * Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony. * Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences. * Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill. * Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall. * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. * Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water. * If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue. * Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. * After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides. * Unplug computers and appliances. * Avoid using the phone during the storm. * Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well. * Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires. * For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500. The next warning is due to be issued by 5:25 pm.

17.01.2022 BALLINA SHADE SAILS TO BE FRESHENED UP BALLINA Shire Council will be cleaning the overhead sail structures in the Riverwalk Arcade and on the northern side of River Street outside the Wigmore Arcade in coming days. Cleaning will be carried out over three evenings from Monday 2nd to Wednesday 4th November between the hours of 7pm and 1am.... These days and times have been programmed to limit the impact to business operations. The works will require the use of a hoist lift and pressure cleaners and will require the closure of the Riverwalk Arcade, limited access to pedestrians and vehicles, and interruption of the pedestrian traffic lights during these hours. Traffic detours will also be in place during the cleaning works.

17.01.2022 The Northern Rivers Times is the northern rivers largest independent newspaper covering from Grafton to Tweed Heads with local staff, advertisements are designed in-house, local journalists covering what’s happening in your communities and most importantly owned by a local couple Sharon and Jeff that listen to the needs of our readers and love everything about our community The Northern Rivers Times is committed and employing more locals as we grow. All Sports clubs of an...y type and location from Tweed to Grafton are welcome to send their stories, photos and logo to us each Monday after their weekend event. Our Sports pages are growing weekly and we want to continue increasing our coverage. Also we are here to promote your club and if you need Sponsorshop let us know Deadline for your Sports Articles is Monday 11am Send results and Sponsorship enquiries to co-owner Jeff Gibbs email: [email protected]

16.01.2022 MAN PINNED UNDER CAR AT LAWRENCE THE Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked on Saturday 17th October to a property at Lawrence southwest of Maclean, after report of a man pinned underneath his car after the car he was working on fell off the jacks. NSW Ambulance Paramedics and the Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team treated and stabilised the male for chest injuries and airlifted him to Lismore Base Hospital in a stable condition for further treatment.... Photos by George Beotich

16.01.2022 RETRO AIRSHOW COMING TO EVANS HEAD TO BEAT COVID - Exclusive story by Halden Boyd AN AIRSHOW with a difference is coming to Evans Head over the 2021 New Years Day Long Weekend with plans well underway to ensure it is totally Covid-19 safe.... It has been organised by Paul Bennet Airshows and is being called The Evans Head Drive In Airshow, and it will be the first of its kind in the world at the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome, an historically listed airport because of its significance as a WW2 RAAF Station, and which is now owned by the Evans Head Air Park Consortium developing the site as an Australian aviation hub. The format will be similar to Drive In Movies in days gone by, where people attending will be allocated a car parking space ‘bubble’ keeping social distancing rules. There will be strict social distancing with marshalls, and talks have already been held with a number of authorities including the local Richmond Valley Council to make sure we get this right, Evans Head Airpark Director Craig Dale said. People will be able to tune in on their car radios to listen to the commentaries just like they used to do at old movie drive ins by hanging a speaker on their window. Also people will be able to get out of their cars to watch the action as long as they stay in their bubble. Already an impressive line up of aircraft including World War Two vintage planes will be attending. As well here will be a Vietnam component with a simulated ground attack routine planned as a special display. There will also be thrilling aerobatic displays. We are well into the planning stages and further details will be released shortly. The Coronavirus pandemic recently led to the normal annual Evans Head Great Eastern Fly In 2021 event being cancelled after it started back in 1992 to save the historic Evans Head Aerodrome from being closed. The replacement event as well as being the first Drive In Airshow ever held also is a first in a number of other ways. It will be the very first Airshow event held on the 2021 Australia aviation calendar, and also the first Airshow held in the World. More details of the Evans Head Drive In Airshow can be found on the Paul Bennet Airshow Facebook page.

16.01.2022 COMING SOON IN THE NORTHERN RIVERS TIMES.....THE KNOCK ON EFFECT....AND HOW WE CAN HELP PREVENT IT RECENTLY, as sadly reported in The Northern Rivers, we lost two teenagers in the local Rugby Fraternity in two separate horrific road accidents. NSWRL Abassadors Greg Alexander and Brad Fittler will be visiting Lismore on Friday to talk privately with young players about their own experiences with road accidents which changed their lives forever.... The Northern Rivers Times will be at this event to speak with Greg and Brad, and about their own personal experiences and their ongoing lifelong campaign to make everyone aware of choice young people can take to help avoid things such as road trauma. This very touching Youtube Video explains just one story, and how it has impacted on a family, a Team, and a community... https://youtu.be/Wh5d0WXJD7I

15.01.2022 Flat Rock Carpark, East Ballina Temporary Closure Ballina Shire Council wish to advise that vehicle and pedestrian access at Flat Rock beach carpark will be restricted for filming purposes on Monday 19 October 2020 from 12pm until 4pm. This temporary closure for filming is approved by the Local Traffic Committee under the conditions of a Traffic Control Plan and as required by the NSW Filming Protocol 2009.... Council encourages members of the community to avoid the film location to enable access for residents and the film crew. Traffic detours will be in place. For updates on road closures visit myroadinfo.com.au or telephone Ballina Shire Council on 1300 864 444.

15.01.2022 WETTER WEATHER NOT TOO FAR AWAY THE LATEST MODELS SAY - by Halden Boyd AS HAS been talked about for many weeks and months showing out in various data sets and modelling, we are now on the cusp of some of the data playing it out in reality.... There is a modest rainfall event crossing over southern Australia over the coming few days that will trigger some nice rainfall totals. The storm potential is fairly decent over the coming days, so some locally heavy falls are possible with storms which might form, especially in the Northern Rivers starting on late Sunday an into Monday and potentially lingering through to at least Thursday as an onshore moist airflow establishes. This system will bring the best chance of rain for SEcQueenaland and the Northern Rivers so far this spring on current prognostics, but again more refining is required, especially once we get this initial system off the board and see how the atmosphere is by Monday. November is looking to be wet too, with multiple rain events likely and the storm season usually ramping up over NSW and Queensland over this period. Main composite image: Rainfall for the next 16 days according GFS models. FOOTNOTE: Our Senior Journalist has been an accredited BOM Severe Storm Spotter and Weather Analyst with the BOM for 40 years.

14.01.2022 SHARP CONTRASTS IN DROUGHT FOR NORTHERN RIVERS - by Halden Boyd WHILE parts of the Northern Rivers have received reasonable rainfall there is still a sharp contrast in drought areas across the region.... Latest Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Drought Maps show while many areas of NSW are getting plenty of rain the North Coast, apart from along the seaboard, is still gripped by drought, and it is much worse on The Tabelands. However the Bureau Of Meterorology is painting a better rainfall picture ahead. The Weather Bureau’s Seconal Outlooks are indicating a wet Summer ahead between December to February.

14.01.2022 Night work on Old Kempsey Bridge at Kempsey Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions next week on Lord Street at Kempsey to carry out repair work on the Old Kempsey Bridge. The bridge will be closed intermittently over three consecutive nights while repairs are carried out to steel joints on the bridge deck, to reduce road noise and provide a smoother ride for motorists. Closures will be for no longer than 10 minutes and access from Rudder Street will also be close...d while work is carried out. To minimise impact to motorists, work will be carried out over three nights from Tuesday 8 December from 7pm to 5am, finishing at 5am on Friday 11 December. Traffic control, lane closures and a reduced speed limit will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time.

13.01.2022 LOCAL MEMBER REMINDS BUSH AFFECTED AREAS HOLIDAY CAMPS AVAILABLE TO LOCAL KIDS THE State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin says places are still available for special holiday camps for young people who were affected by the 2019-2020 bushfires. Summer Break offers three-day holiday camps free of charge to people living in parts of regional NSW impacted by bushfires, COVID-19 border closures and the effects of drought.... Children in the Lismore Electorate are eligible, however, limited places are available for the camps from January 11th to 13th. It is a wonderful chance for local kids to have a break at Lake Ainsworth at Lennox Head and also Lake Keepit near Gunnedah, and there will be busses out of Kyogle for the Lake Ainsworth camp, and also from Tenterfield for the Lake Keepit adventure, Ms Saffin said. It is a great opportunity for young people who still have bushfire memories in our region to take a break and get together with others who were faced with the same in the electorate, Janelle said. For more information and to confirm you child's eligibility please visit: https://www.sport.nsw.gov.au/events/school-holiday-program

13.01.2022 FEEDBACK WANTED ON LISMORE LANEWAYS CONCEPT DESIGN LISMORE City Council has released a final concept design for the Lismore Laneways Project and is now seeking community feedback. The concept design has been developed by urban designers Vee Designs using ideas and input gathered through two community workshops with the registered Lismore Laneways Working Group.... This group was made up of local businesses and community members who provided ideas about Lismore’s identity and a vision for how Council could make the laneways a place to spend time, dine, experience art, and participate in community activities. It was really fantastic to hear local community groups, traders and residents say they want to roll up their sleeves and help activate our inner-city spaces, and that will be key to making this project a success, Mayor Isaac Smith said. This is a fully grant-funded project that is all about transforming our streets into shared spaces to promote community participation and drive economic activity. Our CBD and the way we use it needs to change in order to attract more pedestrians and shoppers. Transforming urban areas into community spaces is happening in regional cities and urban areas throughout the world with great success. This project will help to kick-start a new way of interacting with the city centre and create a central hub that is vibrant and full of activity and life. The Lismore Laneways project is funded through a $510,000 NSW Government grant and aims to build on the success of the Back Alley Gallery and the rich street art already located in the laneways. The project includes improvements such as lighting, greenery, seating and new artworks. Original designs also canvassed the idea of a Carrington Street closure and community responses ranged from very supportive to uncertain. Council will undertake four-week trial closure of Carrington Street between Eggins Lane and County Lane in April/May 2021 to explore how the city centre can be used for events, dining and community activities. Access to Eggins Lane, County Lane, Larkin Lane and other sections of Carrington Street will be maintained at all times. We want to test this idea and see if a pedestrian-friendly space will help breathe new life into the heart of the city, Mayor Smith said. We envisage the space being used for community activities anything from music and dining to yoga and busking. We will be doing a call out later this year asking for people to get involved and help bring this space to life. Mayor Smith urged local businesses and community members to get online, view the concept design and provide feedback. The concept design and feedback survey can be accessed at Council’s Your Say Lismore community engagement hub at yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au Feedback is due by Friday 4th December 2020. The final Lismore Laneways Project will be rolled out from February to June 2021.

12.01.2022 COMMUNITY WARNED OF POLICE IMPERSONATION SCAM - by Halden Boyd POLICE in the Richmond District are warning the community about new impersonation scam involving people claiming to be police officers.... The warning comes after a 23 year old North Coast woman received a phone call from scammers impersonating Service NSW employees and NSW Police officers. The scammers informed the victim she was under investigation for tax fraud, and there was a warrant out for her arrest. The tricky thing here is the phone number that came up on her mobile phone screen was that of Ballina Police Station, a Police spokesman said. After the initial call, the victim was contacted through Whats App messaging. It's the same old story, the scammers convince the victim that if she follows a few simple steps, with them saying the matter would be resolved without prosecution. The scammers convinced the victim to transfer a large amount of money into a ‘safe keeping account' as well as purchasing thousands of dollars worth of Google Play vouchers. All the codes for the vouchers were forwarded to the scammers. As obvious as this may seem to some as being a scam, it's not always so because often scammers have some information about you to begin with, and are continually improving their skills of trickery, and they can now display NSW Police Station phone numbers on your incoming calls screen. One thing you can be certain of is that Police will not ask you to transfer money into an account or to purchase vouchers and Itunes cards. Warrant matters can only be resolved by handing yourself in, and in this case, hanging up and calling the Station back would have confirmed it was a scam. Police are again stressing that community members be vigilant. They say if anyone receives similar calls they should immediately contact their local police station for advice. For more information about scams, please visit www.scamwatch.gov.au

11.01.2022 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING ISSUED FOR NORTH COAST Severe Thunderstorm Warning for LARGE HAILSTONES, DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL For people in Northern Rivers, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Northern Tablelands and parts of Mid North Coast, Hunter, Central Tablelands, South West Slopes, Riverina and Lower Western Forecast Districts.... Issued at 2:55pm Wednesday, 28 October 2020. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Armidale, Orange, Tamworth, Moree and Dubbo. The State Emergency Service advises that people should: * Move your car under cover or away from trees. * Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony. * Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences. * Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill. * Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall. * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. * Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water. * If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue. * Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. * After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides. * Unplug computers and appliances. * Avoid using the phone during the storm. * Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well. * Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires. * For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

11.01.2022 JODIE’S INSPIRATION DONATES $100K HELP OUR NORTHERN RIVERS CANCER PATIENTS - by Halden Boyd THE Jodie’s Inspiration Foundation has donated $100,000 to the Northern NSW Local Health District and St Vincent’s Private Hospital to help cancer patients have a dignified and smoother journey during their treatment....Continue reading

11.01.2022 MOTORCYCLIST CRITICALLY INJURED IN BLUE KNOB ACCIDENT THE Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked just before 5pm on Friday afternoon 27th November to reports of a serious motorbike accident on the outskirts of Nimbin at Blue Knob with the rider suffering serious injuries. NSW Ambulance Paramedics and the Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team treated and stabilised the male rider who came off his bike after he collided with a rock wall and was thrown some distance.... He was placed in a medical induced coma and airlifted directly to the Gold Coast University Hospital with multiple injuries in a critical condition for further treatment.

11.01.2022 It’s ‘cars out, people in’ for Byron’s Bay Lane Byron Bay’s Bay Lane which runs behind the Beach Hotel will be car-free every night from 5pm to 5am starting Saturday 5 December, thanks to the installation of automated bollards this week.... The aim of the Bay Lane project is to make the small street, which is lined with restaurants, a much safer area for people to enjoy in the evenings. The bollards will remain hidden during the day, allowing vehicles to use Bay Lane, but they will be automated to rise out of the road from 5pm every evening. Business and property owners have been notified. Council has also been liaising with them for a number of years about this project which is designed to make the short, but busy laneway safer for all users. Once the bollards are in place and have been tested the only traffic allowed into Bay Lane at night will be foot traffic.

10.01.2022 LABOR SAYS GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN, JOHN BARILARO, AND SARAH MITCHELL MUST COME OUT OF HIDING ON FORCED SCHOOL CLOSURES THE Labor Party says Liberals and Nationals have refused to front up to the Murwillumbah community and halt their forced school closures. Labor claims Gladys Berejiklian, John Barilaro and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell have been in what they claim is ‘witness protection’ since their bombshell announcement to force four Murwillumbah schools to close in favour...Continue reading

10.01.2022 POLICE WARN OF IMPERSONATION SCAMS INVOLVING GIFT CARDS SCAMMERS impersonating police officers are targeting unsuspecting members of the public in the Northern Rivers police have warned. Several people have reported the scam, in which victims are urged to withdraw large amounts of cash or face arrest to New South Wales police.... The scam operates with the perpetrator phoning a person and pretending to be an officer from a particular police station. The caller ID displays the number of that station, police said. The scammer then informs the person that their bank account has been used for fraudulent activity and they will possibly be arrested or face criminal charges if this is not fixed. The victim is told to withdraw cash and put it in a different account, or to go to the supermarket and buy high value gift cards. The scammer then calls them back, asks for the gift card barcodes, and tells the victim to let the police know they have followed instructions so as to avoid arrest. These calls are not from local or New South Wales or any other law enforcement agency, police said. Anyone who lost money to such a scam is encouraged to contact their local police station. People can also report scams at scamwatch.gov.au

10.01.2022 The Northern Rivers Times Edition 20 is now live and online. Free to read online or get your edition in print for only $2 from your local Newsagents - 72 pages of up to date information on our beautiful northern rivers. https://issuu.com//do/the_northern_rivers_times_edition_20

10.01.2022 We are very proud of our association with The Green Innovation Awards Northern Rivers https://www.facebook.com/366381843815762/posts/1146040919183180/?d=n

09.01.2022 Appeal for assistance after critically-injured woman dies Far North Coast Thursday, 19 November 2020 10:01:20 AM Police are appealing for public assistance following the death of a woman on the state’s Far North Coast last month.... About 6pm on Saturday 10 October 2020, officers from Tweed/Byron Police District were called to a unit on Elfran Avenue, Pottsville, after a family member found 44-year-old Elizabeth Britton with serious head injuries. She was treated at the scene and taken to Tweed Heads District Hospital, before being transferred to the Gold Coast University Hospital where she died on Saturday 24 October 2020. Tweed/Byron detectives commenced an investigation under Strike Force Sardonyx into the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine how and where Ms Britton sustained her injuries. Tweed/Byron PD Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Brendon Cullen, said he believed there are people who know how Ms Britton came to be injured that day. Ms Britton was in an extremely distressed state when she was located by family members that day. There are people who know how Liz came to be critically injured and how she sustained her injuries, Det Ch Insp Cullen said. Liz’s father, Colin Britton, said he simply wants to know what happened. Anyone who spoke with her that Saturday a friend, a passerby, a neighbour anyone that can piece together her movements and who she was with, please come forward to police. As investigations continue, strike force investigators are appealing for anyone who may have seen or heard any suspicious activity in the nearby area in the hours leading up the discovery of the injured woman to contact Tweed Heads detectives or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

08.01.2022 BYRON BAY RAILWAY PARK WINS NATIONAL AWARD BYRON Bay’s Railway Park has won the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects’ National Award of Excellence for Play Spaces. The announcement was made with judges describing the Railway Park play space as a sensitive and purposeful collaboration between the Council, the local community and the region’s Aboriginal community, the Arakwal People.... To receive national recognition for the Railway Park project is absolutely terrific news for Council and Dan Plummer, the talented local landscape architect who was engaged to design this project, Byron Shire Mayor, Simon Richardson, said. The revitalisation of Railway Park was an important project on so many levels and I am thrilled because it recognises many, many months of hard work and collaboration with Councillors, staff, Dan, the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan Group, the Arakwal, and the community, Mayor Richardson said. It’s been almost 12 months since we celebrated the opening of the new Railway Park with hundreds of locals turning out for an afternoon of music, catching up and to celebrate a project that was designed to breath new life into the old park which had been a gathering place for decades, he said. Key to the redesign of the park was to protect the cottonwood trees which children had been climbing for years. With the trees as the centrepiece, a bespoke playground with a bird’s nest and a big slide were just the thing to engage children’s imaginations, offset by thoughtful seating and grassed areas for people to watch and relax. 'Obviously it is wonderful for everyone involved to have the project receiving such recognition. But the bigger pleasure for us is to see the value and joy that the park provides the community every day, Dan Plummer, landscape architect, said. One of the most exciting things was working with young Arakwal artists who designed magnificent images that were blasted into the paths weaving around Railway Park, Mayor Richardson said. This was the first project to be realised from the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan and it’s wonderful to see it used every day by people of all ages, he said.

08.01.2022 PERMANENT TRAFFIC CHANGE TO MOTORWAY SOUTH OF WOODBURN PERMANENT traffic changes are set to take place on the Pacific Highway between Devils Pulpit and New Italy. As part of building the upgrade between Devils Pulpit and New Italy, traffic will be moved onto about 12 kilometres of dual carriageway, one lane in each direction, from early November, weather permitting.... At this time local road access will become left in and left out only, with u-turn bays provided at regular distances for north and southbound motorists and the temporary bus stop on Swan Bay New Italy Road will move to the new permanent bus stop location at the front of the New Italy Museum complex. Temporary signage will be in place to assist with wayfinding and local residents affected by these changes will be provided with more detailed information and mapping. Motorists will be kept informed about dates for this traffic change through electronic message signs and on livetraffic.com.au WORK HOURS In areas where residents live more than 200 metres from the work, extended work hours will take place between 6am and 7am and 6pm and 7pm from Monday to Friday. This work will include asphalting, paving, line marking, barrier relocation and signage installation between 6pm and 7am for up to twelve nights at various locations in October and November, weather permitting. Building next to, over and on existing roads means traffic may be stopped or reduced to one lane while work is carried out. By working at night NSW Roads says delays are minimised and journey times for motorists are less affected. It says to manage queuing and safety, there will be some temporary traffic changes and lane closures that may affect travel times.

08.01.2022 NORTHERN NSW LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT DATE: 5 January 2021 SUBJECT: COVID-19 update... Please attribute to Lynne Weir, Acting Chief Executive, Northern NSW Local Health District There have been no new confirmed cases of locally acquired COVID-19 reported in Northern NSW Local Health District residents since 25 July, 165 days ago. Two new case have been recorded in Lismore City Council area residents on 3 January who acquired their infection overseas. These two people are currently in hotel quarantine and will be released from isolation once health staff confirm that it is safe to do so. Thank you to people who have continued to present for testing over the holiday period. It’s vital that we have a high level of testing so we can pick up any new cases in the local region. More than 4,300 new tests have been reported in residents of the Northern NSW LHD in the 14 day period ending 8pm 3 January 2021. Byron Shire has had the highest testing rate per 1,000 population amongst the 12 Local Government Areas along the NSW north coast for the past three weeks, and for testing overall during 2020. In addition to local residents being tested, there has been a high level of testing amongst visitors to the north coast since mid-December, with over 30 per cent of the more than 12,500 tests analysed by state-funded laboratories on the north coast in that period being for people from other parts of NSW or interstate. Anyone with even the mildest symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat or runny nose, is asked to come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until they receive a negative result. NNSWLHD cases by likely source of infection: Source Total Overseas or interstate acquired 61 Locally acquired linked to known case or cluster 4 Locally acquired no links to known case or cluster 1 Under investigation 0 Total 66 To help stop the spread of COVID-19: - If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away don’t delay. Remain isolated until you receive your test result. - Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out. - Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others. - Wear a mask when using public transport, rideshares and taxis, and in shops, places of worship and other places where you can’t physically distance. When taking taxis or rideshares, commuters should sit in the back. To find your nearest testing clinic visit https://www.nsw.gov.au//how-to-protect-yourself-an/clinics or contact your GP.

07.01.2022 MAN CHARGED WITH ARMED ROBBERY AT LISMORE A MAN has been charged after allegedly robbing a service station at Lismore. AT around 2.50am on Saturday 17 October 2020police were called to a service station on Ballina Road following reports of an armed robbery.... A man allegedly entered the store, produced a firearm and threatened staff, before ordering a 19-year-old employee to hand over money. The man fled the scene on foot with an amount of cash. Officers from Richmond Police District attended and commenced inquiries. A short time later police were patrolling Brewster Street at Lismore when they recognised a man fitting the description entering a taxi. Officers made further inquiries before arresting a 27-year-old. He was taken to Lismore Police Station, where he was charged with robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon and robbery while armed with an offensive weapon.

07.01.2022 The Northern Rivers Times Edition 22 is out today. 72 pages of Local News, Breaking News and Media Releases Dedicated health, rural, motoring, garden, entertainment, TV Guide, Classifieds pages, community pages and Local Sports. All this for only $ 2 and available from your newsagent, general store and Woolworths.... Enjoy!

07.01.2022 LISTENING TOUR OF NORTH COAST PRESCHOOLS The Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Learning, Jodie Harrison, will visit preschools on the Far North Coast this week as part of a listening tour. On Friday, Ms Harrison will be meeting with representatives of the Northern Rivers Preschool Alliance to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and to hear their experiences as early childhood educators and teachers who have worked through this pandemic. ... The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the complex and problematic way preschools in NSW are funded and structured, Jodie Harrison said. This pandemic has placed enormous strain on many community preschools who, without nearly enough support or guidance from the Berejiklian Government, have continued to front up to ensure that the children of NSW get those vital early learning experiences in the years before school. Labor called for free preschool to help families get back to work and ease the financial burden this economic recession has caused. I’m visiting preschools on the Far North Coast to listen to educators and teachers in order to hear their experience and suggestions about how the sector could be improved. . DATE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 10AM, ALSTONVILLE PRESCHOOL, 1A FREEBORN PLACE, ALSTONVILLE MEDIA CONTACT: MELINDA MCMILLAN 0400 546 56 JODIE HARRISON SHADOW MINISTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING

07.01.2022 CHANGED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND NIGHT WORK CONTINUE ON THE WOOLGOOLGA TO BALLINA PACIFIC HIGHWAY UPGRADE MOTORISTS are again being advised of changed traffic conditions and night work on the Pacific Highway from Monday 19th to Sunday 25th October for the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade, weather permitting. From Monday there will be six days of work between Woodburn and New Italy to allow access to site, install traffic safety barriers and fauna connectivity poles, and carry out ...Continue reading

07.01.2022 TWEED URGED TO ‘GET READY’ FOR SUMMER Prepare your bushfire survival plan, don’t drive through floodwater, swim between the flags, and make sure your home is fire safe this summer these are some of the safety tips NSW emergency service agencies have shared ahead of the 2020 summer season. I urge you to use the start of summer as a start of a conversation with your friends and families about being prepared for seasonal hazards. Especially this year, as experts warn of a La ...Niña summer. Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said summer is a particularly busy time of year for all emergency services and everyone is urged to put safety first. Our community is well protected by our emergency services, but we can assist them by taking the time to get prepared, Mr Provest said. Being aware and prepared is everyone’s responsibility, whether you’re at home, at work or away on holidays.

06.01.2022 NEW ROUND OF VET SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN IN CLARENCE VALLEY YOUNG Australians in the Clarence Valley can now apply for a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications scholarship. Round 3 of the Commonwealth Scholarships Programme for Young Australians is open, offering up to $5,000 a year to undertake an approved course of study.... The Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the scholarships offered a life-changing opportunity to study a VET qualification and complete an internship. We know that our youth have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, Mr Hogan said. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring young Australians can upskill and reskill to secure a job. Scholarship winners will receive industry-based workplace learning and gain qualifications in growth industries. The Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians is part of the Australian Government’s $585 million Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow package. It will award around 400 young Australians from 10 regional locations with high youth unemployment up to $5,000 a year to study a qualification and an additional $3,000 to complete an internship. Applications are sought from people who are not in full-time work, who are aged 15 to 24 years or people who have left the Australian Defence Force in the past two years. For more information and eligibility requirements please visit: https://www.employment.gov.au/commonwealth-scholarships-pro PHOTO: The Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan at Yamba Welding & Engineering.

06.01.2022 OFFSITE WATER DISCHARGE COSTS CONCRETE COMPANY $15K THE NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined Hy-Tec Industries Pty Ltd $15,000 following the discharge of polluted water into a tributary of the Tweed River in the North Coast. The discharged water had a low pH, meaning it was acidic and may impact on the water quality of the Tweed River and potentially harm plants and animals living in the river.... Following heavy rain in February 2020, EPA officers made a pre-arranged site inspection at Hy-Tec’s Reedy Creek Quarries at Dulguigan near Tumbulgum. Officers saw water discharging offsite into Dulguigan Creek coming from a sediment basin which is not permitted under Hy-Tec’s Environment Protection Licence. EPA Acting Director Regional Operations Brett Nudd said the sediment basin wall had failed allowing the water to flow offsite from the quarry without treatment. This incident was preventable and had the potential to cause environmental harm to a tributary of the Rous River and Tweed River catchment. It was also potentially harmful to the plants and animals which rely on the clean river water to live, Mr Nudd said. Hy-Tec had been made aware of deficiencies in the site’s water management infrastructure well in advance of this un-authorised discharge. These deficiencies had the potential to have an environmental impact on surrounding waterways and that’s exactly what our officers identified on the day of their inspection. In consideration of the circumstances of the incident a Penalty Notice for $15,000 has been issued to Hy-Tec for an alleged breach of an EPA licence condition for the licensed activities not being carried out in a competent manner. Penalty notices are one of a number of tools the EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance including formal warnings, official cautions, licence conditions, notices and directions and prosecutions.

06.01.2022 BYRON COUNCIL TAKES OUT MAJOR AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE BYRON Shire Council has beeen announced the overall winner of the Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards for its Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2020-2030 called ‘Innovation in Planning, Policies and Decision Making'. The Byron Shire Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2020-2030 is a plan of action for Council and the community, to protect and enhance the natural environment.... The Strategy describes some of the region’s unique biodiversity values, why they are under threat, and howthe Council and the community can help to manage these threats. Photo: Biodiversity and Agricultural Projects Officer Pete Boyd, Biodiversity Officer Liz Caddick and Project Officer Karen Love, staff who were instrumental in the development of the strategy.

06.01.2022 North Wall Path closure for line marking Following on from recent maintenance works, a section of the North Wall shared path will be closed on Thursday 20 May from 10am to 2pm for line marking. The path will be temporarily closed between Shaws Bay and the Ballina Marine Rescue Tower for this short period.... Access to the Shaws Bay carpark alongside the Shaws Bay Holiday Park and Gawandii Beach will not be affected. Access to the eastern section of the North Wall from the Marine Rescue Tower to the Richmond River entrance will not be affected. The public are encouraged to use the pathway along Compton and Fenwick Drives and Pop Denison Park as an alternate route to access the eastern section of North Wall, starting from the Marine Rescue Tower. Council thanks the community for their patience and apologises for any inconvenience.

06.01.2022 ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR BYRON BIODIVERSITY WITH the ink barely dry on the Local Government NSW Award that Byron Shire Council recently won for its Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2020-2030, it’s full steam ahead for the staff who are implementing it. Council’s Biodiversity Officer, Liz Caddick, said the hard work of staff and Council’s Biodiversity Panel, chaired by Cr Sarah Ndiaye, is already being seen.... It’s terrific for the Panel to see things happening so fast because its members worked very hard on making sure that the strategy was not just a great document, but that it would actually be able to be implemented, Ms Caddick said. It’s a huge honour to receive this award, Cr Sarah Ndiaye, Chair of Council’s Biodiversity Panel, said. The biodiversity in this region is what makes it such a wonderful place to be and we need to do what we can to support it. The panel approached this a little differently and we were lucky to have so many highly skilled experts willing to contribute and help shape the strategy. It recognises the incredible work being done by so many, but also provides a pathway to a better future, Cr Ndiaye said. With a focus on working with the community staff have identified approximately 15 hectares of sites on private land that are suitable for koala habitat planting and restoration. One of the key elements of the strategy is to make sure we conserve biodiversity across the landscape, not just isolated sites that are managed by Council, and we are fortunate to have some land owners who are keen to work with us to protect and enhance the biodiversity on their properties, Ms Caddick said. We are also putting a lot of effort into public education through social media, promoting messages relating to dogs around wildlife, nesting shorebirds, rescuing koalas, the illegal dumping of green waste and wildlife-friendly fencing. Our residents are realising how committed Council is to protecting our native animals and plants and we responded to 80 public enquiries in the July-September quarter, she said. Council’s Development Control Plan is also being updated to include a Biodiversity, Vegetation and Habitat Management chapter which is currently on public exhibition. For more information about the Byron Shire Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2020-2030 go to Council’s website. Council’s Biodiversity Panel is made up of Cr Sarah Ndiaye, Cr Cate Coorey, Cr Jeanette Martin, Peter Westeimer, Margaret Greenway, Luke McConell and Greg Shanahan.

06.01.2022 ENDANGERED LITTLE GREEN FROG SAVED FROM POSSIBLE EXTINCTION AT BYRON BAY Exclusive story by Halden Boyd SIGNIFICANT ground has been made to save one of the last pieces of significant historical railway memorabilia at Byron Bay as the NSW state government has funded plans to have a small locomotive which used the Far North Coast rail line almost a century ago put in the middle of a roundabout in the seaside town....Continue reading

05.01.2022 YOUNG ARCHIE PRIZE OPEN FOR ARTISTS BUDDING artists between the ages of five and 18 are encouraged to brush up on their portrait skills and submit an entry to the Young Archie competition, with finalists to be exhibited at the Tweed Regional Gallery. The Young Archie competition is part of the 2020 Archibald Prize Regional Tour that will be on display at Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre from Friday 22nd January until Sunday 7th March 2021. ... Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM said the Young Archie competition is open to residents of the Tweed, Ballina, Byron and Kyogle shires, Lismore City and the Gold Coast. "This is an amazing opportunity for young artists to be involved in a prestigious prize and showcase the talent we have in our region. The portrait should be of someone who is known to them and plays a significant role in their lives," she said. "The competition will be judged based on merit and originality by renowned artist Victoria Reichelt, who will also have a solo exhibition at the Gallery at the time of the 2020 Archibald Prize Regional Tour. "The finalists from each category will have the honour of being exhibited at Tweed Regional Gallery." There are four age categories for the Young Archie competition ranging from 5-8 years old up to 16-18 years old and entry is free of charge. One winner will be chosen in each category and will receive prizes provided by the exhibition sponsor ANZ Bank and Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre. Entries close on Friday 4 December 2020. Entry forms can be downloaded at: www.artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/YoungArchie All enquiries can be emailed to [email protected] or people can telephone 02 6670 2712. Photo: The winning entry in the 2016 Young Archie (16-18 years old category) by Kalyani Mumtaz, 18, from Byangum.

05.01.2022 LISMORE COUNCIL ASKS THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE THEIR SAY IN A RURAL TOURISM SURVEY - by Halden Boyd LISMORE City Council is asking local residents, landholders and community members to complete a Rural Tourism Survey before the 16th November 2020.... We are keen to hear the community's views, particularly from those living in rural areas, about the future of rural tourism and how this can fit into our regional landscape the Council said. Recent consultation undertaken by Council it says suggests the community would like to see more opportunities for tourism and other activities in the region’s rural areas. The Council says it has received numerous enquiries about developing facilities for weddings, health spas, yoga retreats, micro-breweries and distilleries in rural areas, all of which are currently prohibited by Lismore's planning controls for areas zoned for Primary Production (RU1). Before Council considers changes to its planning controls in the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP), it says it would like to gather community feedback about a number of issues. These include what activities should be permitted with consent, where they should they be allowed, and what other controls or considerations should be put in place to manage the size of activities and potential impacts from traffic, noise and any impacts on agricultural land and the natural environment. We would like to hear your ideas on tourism and related activities in our rural areas and your suggestions on how Council can manage these opportunities in a sustainable way the Council said. People can complete the Rural Tourism Survey before the 16th November 2020. For further information people can phone Strategic Planning Project Officer Andy Parks on 1300 87 83 87. The o live survey can be accessed here: https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au//s/rural-tourism-survey

05.01.2022 CWA OF NSW FAR NORTH COAST GROUP CWA REPRESENTS AT PRIMEX 2021 The CWA of NSW Far North Coast Group will be out in force this weekend at PRIMEX 2021, feeding the community their famous BBQ breakfast and lunch each day, and raising money for their Education Grants.... Located in Pavilion One, the CWA will be providing a dining area, delicious food, and baby change facilities. Breastfeeding mothers are welcome. On sale will be bacon and egg rolls, steak or sausage sandwiches, homemade scones, cakes, and slices, fresh sandwiches, tea and coffee, and cold drinks, all well priced for families. All proceeds raised at Primex are used to provide grants to local school children moving from primary to high school, from year 10 in year 11, and from high school into university. These grants are provided to help parents with the added costs of moving between stages of schooling, for items like books, shoes, and uniforms. The CWA uses local suppliers where possible, and this year we have purchased our steaks from The Casino Food Co-op, sausages by Kyogle Quality Meats, eggs were donated by Corndale Grove Eggs and tea was provided by Madura. We thank them all for their help in serving delicious food to the PRIMEX punters. We couldn’t proceed without the generous support of Lemos, and Coles Casino. Special thanks to Bruce Wright and PRIMEX for their support. The CWA and PRIMEX go together like tea and scones. Photograph: CWA members from across the Far North Coast in setting up for PRIMEX in Casino

04.01.2022 MONEY FOR OLD BONALBO FACILITIES OLD BONALBO residents will benefit from funding announced to upgrade car parking, improve the pathway to the localtennis courts and other improvements. This comes from a grant of $160,000.... These projects were chosen by Kyogle Council with grant money given by the Federal Government. Was a good time to be there as new chairs for the hall were been delivered. Kyogle Council Earle Grundy

04.01.2022 Blue-green algae warning in Casino’s Richmond River RICHMOND Valley Council has increased its water treatment processes and issued a warning to recreational users, after blue-green algae was detected in the Richmond River near Jabour Weir this week. Council’s General Manager Vaughan Macdonald said hot, dry conditions had contributed to the problem.... The algal bloom is a serious concern, because Casino draws its water supply from the river, Mr Macdonald said. We have been working closely with NSW Health to monitor the situation and ensure the town’s drinking water is safe. This includes additional water treatment processes, such as dosing with powdered activated carbon to remove the blue-green algae from the water and ensure it is safe to drink. While customers may notice some discolouration, this is due to manganese, which is the major cause of discoloured water. In a separate process, we treat manganese with potassium permanganate in order to filter it out. The important thing is to address the algae issue and the potential health risk it can present. Mr Macdonald said following advice from NSW Health, Council had issued a serious warning to residents not to swim in the river or have other direct contact with the river water. It was also important to prevent pets from swimming in, or drinking, the untreated water. This is the highest level warning red alert so we need to take it seriously and listen to the advice from health experts, he said. Children and people with pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma, are most at risk, but everyone should avoid swimming in the river water, as contact with the algae can lead to skin, eye and ear irritations. Dogs are also susceptible as they can ingest algae by licking their coats after swimming. People who fish in the river should be careful to thoroughly wash the fish they catch in clean, treated water. Blue-green algae has also been known to cause serious illness in livestock, so owners should carefully check stock water supplies for signs of the algae and remove stock from waterways where surface scum is visible, or blue-green algae is suspected. Mr Macdonald said Council had erected warning signs at a number of locations along the river and would continue to test the water regularly to monitor algae levels. We are hoping that predicted rain will help to ease the situation, but at the moment river levels are low, high temperatures are increasing algal growth and we need to take precautions, he said. If there is any change in the situation, we will let the community know through local and social media updates. Meanwhile, Mr Macdonald said Council was also considering the need for water restrictions if river levels continued to drop. Hopefully, we will receive some rain soon, he said. But in the meantime Council is strongly encouraging residents to be mindful of their water usage and help reduce the strain on the town’s water supply.

04.01.2022 BROADWATER PLAYGROUND UPGRADES START MONDAY BROADWATER Memorial Park is set to have two exciting new play spaces installed from this coming Monday. In May Richmond Valley Council received $107,315 from the NSW Government through round three of the Stronger Country Communities Fund for the new playground features.... One of the new play spaces is a six metre high rope climbing net, to be installed on the west side of the park next to the old Pacific Highway. The second play space, located between the existing playground and large picnic shelter, will include a blazer (see photo), rope hammock and net twister, with hard rubber wearpads under the high impact areas. The project is one of the final elements of the Broadwater Rileys Hill Community Hall and Memorial Park Redevelopment Plan which also included the construction of a new skate park and basketball half court, which opened in 2019. Installation of the new play spaces will begin this Monday 19th October.

04.01.2022 JOIN THE NEWASTE FOOD SMART PROGRAMME THIS holiday season will be different for many of us for so many reasons, and the North East Waste (NEWASTE) organisation is calling on the community to sign up to help reduce food waster during the Festive Season. Many of us will be considering how to make the most of the food we have,... how to save money with entertaining, and ensuring we don’t waste food. The average Australian household spends $250 on Christmas lunch, and a fifth of it ends up in the bin! You can waste less food this silly season with these three tips: Work out how many people will be there on Christmas Day and shop accordingly Share the load and reduce over catering by designating a dish for each guest to bring Try a festive BBQ with local seafood and salad instead of a traditional roast that may go to waste on a hot summer day For more tips on how to reduce food waste, sign up to the free online Food Smart program. Over two weeks you’ll get handy tips on food storage, recipes, meal plan ideas and smart shopping solutions. If you sign up and finish the program by 31 January you’ll go in the draw to win a new freezer. Sign up at www.newaste.org.au/foodsmart/ There has never been a better time to join our Food Smart programme, and learn valuable techniques for reducing food waste. All you have to do is sign up, complete the before and after surveys in the 2-week email programme and go in the running to win an upright freezer, worth $750. ENTER HERE: http://eepurl.com/dD156f TO BE ELIGIBLE One entry per household Must sign up and complete the Food Smart programme (including the short surveys) Your place of primary residence must be located within our member Council areas of Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley, Lismore City, Richmond Valley, Kyogle OR Tweed Shire. Approve NE Waste and/or our member Council contacting you for the purposes of Food Smart and the prize giveaway. The freezer is a Hisense 173L upright freezer model no. HRVF170 550 Width (mm) x 1434 Product Height (mm) valued at $750. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Entries close at midnight 31st January 2021. Winners will be notified by email on 1st February 2021 and announced on Facebook and Instagram. The winner will be selected using a randomiser for eligible entries. *The NEWASTE promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook

03.01.2022 Introducing Hotondo Homes Tweed Heads & Byron Shires! Builders stunning residences across Tweed Heads, Byron Bay. Kingscliff, Crabbes Creek and Brunswick Heads,... Jesse Devine, Sam Clark, and Brendan Chitts bring more than 40 cumulative years of experience to residential construction, and are the perfect team to help you build your new home, offering a strong background in carpentry and a deep understanding of the northern NSW property scene. Get in touch with the team at https://hotondo.com.au/home-b/tweed-heads-and-byron-shires/ today.

02.01.2022 Missing woman located Nambucca Heads A woman missing from the state’s mid north coast has been located safe and well. A 76-year-old woman was last seen leaving her home on Giinagay Way at Nambucca Heads, about 5pm last Friday (23 October 2020).... Following extensive inquiries, the woman was located at a Glen Innes home safe and well yesterday (Tuesday 27 October 2020). Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.

01.01.2022 MORE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AHEAD FOR PACIFIC HIGHWAY AT HERONS CREEK Motorists on the Pacific Highway will soon enjoy safer journeys between the Bago and Port Macquarie interchanges as work starts to rebuild the median and install a safety barrier. Transport for NSW Director Region North Anna Zycki said the $3.3 million package of works at Herons Creek has been funded by the NSW Government’s Safer Roads Program.... Stage one of this project was completed in May this year, brought forward by stimulus funding from the NSW Government’s $2.3 billion COVID-19 package announced in March, Ms Zycki said. This involved installing audio tactile line marking along this length of the Pacific Highway, while stage two will involve shoulder widening and installing wire rope in the median. Ms Zycki said speeding and fatigue are both major causes of crashes at this 15 kilometre section of the Pacific Highway. The installation of audio tactile line marking, (otherwise known as rumble strips), and wire rope in the median have been proven to reduce crash risk and severity, Ms Zycki said. This work will not only keep road users safer but will also support 15 local jobs and eight local suppliers and contractors. Work will start on Monday 23 November and is expected to take six months to complete, weather permitting. Work will be carried out on weekdays from 7am to 5pm and will require the fast lanes of the highway to be closed in both directions at the work site. Motorists should plan their trip, allow extra travel time and follow the directions of all signs, including reduced speed limits. Transport for NSW thanks the community and road users for their patience while work is carried out.

01.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/640617996044426/posts/3299534513486081/?d=n