Byron Bay articles of interest.

(From left) engineering works manager Paul Busmanis, Ballina civil services group manager John Truman, Ballina councillor Susan Meehan and Ballina Mayor Phillip Silver (front) at the re-opening of the Coast Rd between Lennox Head and Ballina. Coast Rd’s ‘root-canal’ complete NORTH Coast commuters will breathe a sigh of relief today as the Coast Rd at Lennox Head re-opens almost a month ahead of schedule. The road, which was damaged in a landslide in January, was closed for urgent repairs in October to allow the road foundation to be excavated and rebuilt. The closure of the Coast Rd limited access to one of Australia’s most popular surf beaches and frustrated regular commuters between Lennox Head and Ballina. Local business owners also [...]

West Ballina’s Big Prawn NEVER fear, Big Prawn fans – your favourite crustacean is here to stay. It’s going to cost a lot of money, but Bunnings, the new owner of the prawn site at West Ballina, has decided this is one Australian icon that just can’t be demolished. Instead the hardware giant is planning to give the beloved creature a bit of a makeover. And it will be moved so it has pride of place at the entry to the new store. Managing director John Gillam said the company had recognised the “importance of the Big Prawn to many in the Ballina community”. “At this stage as part of our development we hope to refurbish the existing giant prawn [...]

Jasmin Howard, 23 of Central Coast, returned home on the first flight between the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and Newcastle, cutting hours from her travel time. WHILE Australian commuters faced an agonising day of cancelled Qantas flights yesterday, passengers at Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport were celebrating the addition of an extra destination for Rex services. The first Rex flight from Ballina to Newcastle departed at 3pm yesterday to the delight of Novocastrian traveller Jasmin Howard. The 23-year-old was on the first flight offered by Rex to Newcastle after spending a long weekend holidaying in Byron Bay. “I have to return to work tomorrow after a beautiful long weekend away in Byron,” the childcare worker said. “The direct flight to Newcastle will [...]

FEEDBACK: Hop online and help out with a youth survey for your chance to win. THE Northern Rivers Youth Advisory Council (NRYAC) is carrying out a survey to find out what matters most to young people in the region. Called the Northern Rivers Youth Census, the survey was released through Facebook and sms. “It’s a chance for us to have a say about what’s important to us, so we’d like to see every single young person under 25 complete the survey by 29 October,” said Jacob Fitzroy, the NRYAC chairperson. Jacob will also represent the Northern Rivers at the 2012 Youth Parliament in Canberra. The NRYAC is offering two prizes to help get the word out. First prize is an [...]

Preparing for the boat and fishing show in Ballina.from left to right on top David Nockolds, Jeff Norton, in front of the boat, left to right, Tony Henseley, Duncan Woodhead (all from Marine Rescue), Bill Hession (from Cape Marine). WITH clear skies forecast for most of the weekend, Marine Rescue Ballina is hoping for a good turnout at its second annual boat and leisure show. Co-ordinator Duncan Woodhead said the fine weather should bring thousands of people along to the event at the Seagulls rugby league grounds at Kingsford Smith Park. It will be held from 9am today and tomorrow, with more than 40 exhibitors. These include Ballina Marineland, Tweed Coast Marine, Wild Water Sports, Out of the Blue Tackle, [...]

Ballina Island paddle challenge, organised by Andrew Dougherty, raises money for Ballina surf lifesavers. Mireille Merlet-Shaw What’s on Saturday Ballina Country Music Festival Ballina Boat and Leisure Show at Seagulls Rugby League Ground North Coast Fishing Bonanza – Tweed River to Clarence River Sunday Ballina Island Paddle Challenge at the Sailing Club on River St, 10am Ballina Boat and Leisure Show North Coast Fishing Bonanza Ballina Rotary Duck Race at Fawcett Park, 11am Ballina Country Music Festival Monday Ballina Country Music Festival IT’S one of the most popular events of the Ballina Big Weekend. In fact, people go a bit quackers. It’s the 19th annual Charity Duck Race, conducted by Ballina Rotary Club at 11am on Sunday. First is the [...]

Mark Pate with his barnacle-encrusted bicycle. IF HE wanted to, Mark Pate could literally choose from hundreds of good bicycles to ride aroundByron Bay. But the one he uses is a barn-acle-encrusted model he fished from a metre of water in a Ballina creek a couple of years ago. A quick clean-up and a couple of new tyres and it was ready to go. For Mark, getting the bike ready for the road was easy. As the director of Australian Goodwill Bicycles Abroad Incorporated, it’s something he has done thousands of times. Over nearly 13 years he and his wife Jenny have collected and sent more than 10,000 unwanted bikes to developing countries including East Timor, Solomon Islands, Tonga and [...]

Passengers ready to board a flight at Ballina Airport MILLIONS of dollars could be spent upgrading the Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport, with plans to bring more than 500,000 passengers a year into the Northern Rivers regional hub within the next four years. A development application has been lodged for one of the first steps of the ambitious expansion plan – an increase in the size of the airport’s arrivals area. It would include moving the car rental booths to reduce congestion in the arrival-departure hall. Space would also be provided for new bus transport booths and two store rooms. The awning over the set-down and pick-up area would also be extended. Airport manager Neil Weatherson said the proposed changes – which [...]

EcoMart director Effie Ablett (left) with Elke (13), and Eve (9) Howell and their mum Jenny Stonier enjoying the natural benefits of sustainable home-grown food. CAN’T eat all of the pumpkins growing in your backyard? Neither could Alstonville woman Jenny Stonier, so she decided to get involved with EcoMart Northern Rivers Co-op. “This year we planted a pumpkin patch to stop the (creek) bank eroding, and it has produced a huge number of pumpkins,” she said. “We used to give away all of our excess fruit and vegetables. “But now we can sell it through EcoMart.” Her family grows a huge variety of fresh produce on their property, including potatoes, spring onions and pineapples. “We live in a place where [...]

Workers in the Northern Rivers are among the lowest paid in NSW. WHILE residents of ritzy Mosman in Sydney’s North Shore have an average income of $130,000 a year, workers on the Northern Rivers are amongst the lowest paid in NSW. Tenterfield has the lowest total average income in the whole of the state at $27,247. This is closely followed by Kyogle at $29,182, Richmond Valley at $31,224; Byron Bay at $33,438 and Lismore at $34,461. Of all of the local government areas on the Northern Rivers, people in Ballina earned the most, with an average income of $36,844. But that is still about $12,000 less than the state average of $48,755. These new figures from the Australian Bureau of [...]

A MAN is dead after he was stabbed at the Henry Rous Hotel last night. While details remained sketchy as this paper prepared to go to press, Richmond Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Greg Moore confirmed police were called to the popular drinking spot in River Street at about 6.25 last night after reports of an altercation between two men. “Police are following up investigations into an incident involving two males at the Rous Hotel at Ballina,” he said. “One male as a result of an altercation sustained a stab wound to the chest area and was conveyed to Ballina Hospital where he was later pronounced dead,” he said. “A 24-year-old male is currently assisting investigators with the [...]

A 60-DAY moratorium on new exploration licences for coal seam gas mining was announced over the weekend, following months of debate between mining companies, farmers, councils and environmentalists. Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Kyogle councils, Rous Water and Northern Rivers Tourism have all pushed for the moratorium. Just last week Federal Page MP Janelle Saffin also backed the calls, saying the community deserved more information about the “potential damaging effect on the community, environment and agriculture”. She said the 60-day freeze on new exploration licences, announced by NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard on Friday night, was a good step forward. “My approach has been that we need to put the brakes on a bit,” Ms Saffin said. “We need some breathing [...]

Jan Barham RUMOURS of a Coalition policy to force the Byron and Ballina shire councils to merge are just “scare tactics”, according to Ballina MP Don Page. Byron Shire Mayor Jan Barham yesterday said many people in the community had approached her with concerns that the council would be sacked if the Coalition won government at this weekend’s election. “There are a lot of concerns within the community at the moment with a possible change of government,” she said. “People are saying that the council will be sacked, that we’ll be forced to amalgamate. “This is an ongoing issue. “Yes, Byron Shire Council is under extreme pressure. “But I think Mr Page has given his commitment that forced amalgamations will [...]

BYRON Shire residents are being robbed of basic services like road maintenance due to inequities in the State Government’s land tax and grant systems, a local councillor says. Figures obtained by Byron Shire Councillor Patrick Morrisey show the State Government has collected almost $86 million in land taxes from the Byron shire over the past five years – the highest rate in NSW for comparable-sized rural shires – yet received the lowest of amount of Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants per capita for a comparable council in NSW. The state-administered Financial Assistance Grants are an important source of funding for local councils, which spend the money on priorities like local roads, parks and pools, libraries, community centres and waste services. To [...]

Wearing their purple International Women’s Day ribbons at Kadina High School yesterday ahead of today’s celebrations are (front) student Ayana Tanaka, 16, and teacher Kirsten Rowan. Also pictured are (rear, from left) Anna Podgorczyk, 15, teacher Julie Bryant, Isabella Tremayne, 15, Chelsea Jones (holding guitar), 12, Jane Newby, Tamika Kennedy, 15, and Natalie Russell, 15. THE up and coming generation of “powerful” young women will be celebrating their gender at Goonellabah’s Kadina High School today. The students will join thousands of other young women on the Northern Rivers celebrating the 100th International Women’s Day. A select group of the students will decorate their uniform in purple accessories, the colour of femininity. The young women lwill have cake and conversation with [...]

Troy Cassar Daley will be the feature act of the Ballina Coastal Music Festival. BALLINA has joined the ranks of regional towns that recognise the cultural and community value of holding a music festival. The organising committee of the inaugural Coastal Country Music Festival has announced funding from Ballina Shire Council for an October festival, with Australian country music legend, singer/songwriter Troy Cassar-Daley, confirmed as the headline act. Ballina Shire Council has allocated $20,000 for the festival, and agreed to a street closure and central stage area at the end of Fawcett Park. The park will serve as the focal point for the planned free community and family entertainment planned to run over the long weekend between October 1 and [...]

Valued residents vie for top prize – Australia Day Awards WHILE Australia Day is famed for the announcement of the Australian of the Year, Northern Rivers residents who have gone above and beyond for their communities will be also recognised tomorrow. In the Richmond Valley Council, seven residents are up for Citizen of the Year. Casino’s Dr Jurriaan Beek, the late Dorothy Robson, and Owen Crawford have been nominated, as have Lillian Colless and ‘Boydie’ Arthur Collyer from Evans Head, Coraki’s Barbara Hicks and Woodburn’s Mervyn Morgan. In Ballina Shire, Sheila Aveling, Dawn Sword, Elizabeth Griffiths, Damien Watson and Beatrice Gray are all in the running for the Citizen of the Year award. In Lismore, 14 people have been nominated [...]

Swamped: A grader begins to clear mud from a section of the Pacific Highway near the Harwood Bridge. THOUSANDS of residents have emerged from isolation as floodwaters receded on the NSW north coast. About 6000 residents in Yamba, Iluka and Maclean cut off by the Clarence River flooding were reached by State Emergency Services (SES) volunteers on Sunday. The SES had been in constant contact with residents, resupplying the area with essential items by air and boat. Just a handful of rural properties remain in isolation, SES Spokesman Dave Webber said on Monday. On Sunday, 650 residents of Boggabilla and Toomelah, near the Queensland border. were allowed to return to their homes after the area was declared safe. The towns [...]

Running low: Carl Van Engelen, owner of Bonanza Fruit and Vegetables in Ballina, says the floods in Queensland have impacted on the price of produce and the range of fruit and vegetables available. RICE may become a staple carbohydrate on the plates of Northern Rivers locals over the next few days due to a lack of potatoes. It’s not only potatoes, but tomatoes, apples, mangoes and a wide variety of other fresh fruit and vegetables are becoming scarce on the shelves of supermarkets and small fruit and vegetable shops, thanks to the Queensland floods. Fruit shop owner Carl Van Engelen, who has been in the business for 25 years and owns Bonanza Fruit and Vegetables in Ballina and another shop [...]

Salvation Army commanding officer Major Lindsay Reeves with Woolworths Lismore Central store manager Wayne McInerney at a fundraising lamington table. “SHOCK and disbelief” were the words used by Lismore Salvation Army commanding officer, Major Lindsay Reeves, when describing the horror of the Queensland floods. “It’s just unbelievable what has happened,” he said. “That’s why we’re right on board with the Salvation Army’s national appeal. “We want to raise as much money as we can. That’s what’s really going to be most effective right now – monetary donations. “At this point in time, goods can’t get to the affected areas. Those sorts of donations will have to wait.” Major Reeves said people on the Northern Rivers could donate to the Salvation [...]

Ballina’s Lighthouse Beach lifeguard Carl Virtue will be keeping a close eye on the surf conditions on the weekend. JUST as blue skies are starting to peak through the grey storm clouds, beachgoers have been warned of dangerous surf conditions expected this weekend. Large waves of up to three metres, strong currents and numerous rips are expected to hit exposed beaches from today due to cyclone conditions off New Caledonia. Surf Life Saving Far North Coast branch duty officer Jimmy Keough said tourists not used to the conditions were particularly at risk. “Fair weather conditions and school holidays mean people may be keen to head to the beach this weekend,” he said. “However, we are asking that only experienced surfers [...]

The Pacific Highway closed south of Ballina. FLOODING has closed the Pacific Highway in several locations, with traffic heading south out of Ballina being directed on to the Bruxner Highway. It is creating traffic chaos in the normally quiet village of Alstonville, which was this morning queued up with cars. Traffic is then being sent through Lismore and on to Casino to travel south on the Summerland Way. The Summerland Way is closed northbound between Grevillia and the Queensland border. Both lanes of the Pacific Highway are closed at Ulmarra, with floodwaters over the road, and the northbound lane of the highway at the Mororo Bridge, north of Chatsworth, is also closed. The Pacific Highway is also closed at Halfway [...]

THE WORST highway in the State runs through the region, so it is no surprise the North Coast has the highest crash casualty rate outside Sydney. Statistics from the Road and Traffic Authority, show 656 people were killed or injured in car accidents in the Northern Rivers (Byron, Ballina, Richmond Valley, Kyogle and Lismore local government areas) in 2009. That is almost 15 per cent of the statewide toll. Byron Shire had the highest road toll for the region: Five fatalities. The remaining LGAs each had four, except for Kyogle which had none. Half of the region’s road deaths occurred on the State’s worst road – the Pacific Highway. Tweed Shire saw 279 people killed or injured in accidents, the [...]

HEAVY rain will trigger major flooding across the Northern Rivers isolating properties and communities from Coraki to Kyogle to Main Arm from tomorrow, the SES has warned. SES Richmond-Tweed division controller Darren Winkler yesterday said a 200mm downpour wasexpected between tomorrow and Tuesday. That forecast is a significant easing of Thursday’s warnings by the Bureau of Meteorology of a 400mm deluge. However, Mr Winkler said, coming after months of rain and another flood only a fortnight ago, a 200mm downpour would still have a major impact because the ground was so wet. “The bureau said it now only takes half the amount of rain to reach a certain flood height,” Mr Winkler said. “It’s so wet that it’s all run-off.” [...]

A ‘Road Closed’ sign is placed on Bonalbo-Urbenville Rd to warn motorist of the closed road. Photo taken about 25 km’s outside of Urbenville. LISMORE, Byron Bay, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield and Tweed local government areas have been declared natural disaster areas by the NSW Government today. The announcement means the councils as well as farmers and businesses in those areas will be eligible for special funding including special one-off category c grants worth up to $15,000 from the Federal Government. They will join other Northern Rivers councils Kyogle and Ballina as natural disaster areas declared since flooding last week. A total of 59 LGAs NSW-wide have been declared disaster areas since December. “The rain and flooding in these areas significantly [...]

Simon Baker is back in his old stomping ground THE Northern Rivers still has it all. With a reputation as a celebrity hot spot, particularly in Byron Bay, the region is again proving popular this summer, with several famous faces already being spotted around the region. Governor General Quentin Bryce has been seen in Byron Bay. It is understood she is staying at an upmarket property in Lighthouse Road. Although The Northern Star cannot quite imagine Ms Bryce learning to surf at The Pass, we are sure she would enjoy the many fine restaurants on offer. Hawaiian-born singer-songwriter Jack Johnson has a strong affinity with the area and even owns a property in Lennox Head. He has been seen on [...]

Rain, rain go away: A sightseer keeps a close eye on rising water in the Wilsons River at the Rowing Club car park in Lismore on Christmas Day. THE Northern Rivers is bracing itself for a major flood following a weekend of heavy rain and warnings of more to come. The swollen Wilsons River peaked at 4.91m yesterday morning and the Brunswick, Richmond and Tweed catchments have reached capacity. A minor flood is declared once the Wilsons River rises above 4.2m and a moderate to major flood is more than 7.2 and 9.7m. A flood warning was issued yesterday followed by a severe weather warning, which warned of flash flooding across the Northern Rivers today. The heaviest rainfall was predicted [...]

PARENTS are being urged to keep a close watch on their children, with police expressing concern about the numbers of youths on the streets at night. The weekend’s Operation Unite has bee targetign alcohol-related crime and violence. Crime manager for the Richmond LAC, Detective Inspector Greg Moore, said a ‘significant number’ of minors were found drunk or drinking alcohol in public places at Lismore and Ballina. “There is an ongoing concern regarding risk to vulnerable minors wandering the streets late at night,” he said. “It is a timely reminder for parents to ensure they exercise appropriate responsibility and awareness regarding the movements of their children at night.” Results from Operation Unite included: Twenty-four people charged with 34 charges including assault, [...]

A severe storm front bears down on the Tweed Heads/Coolangatta area, dropping large hailstones on some communities. NORTHERN RIVERS residents planning outdoor events this weekend will need to keep a sharp eye on the weather. After wild weather swept across the region yesterday, The Weather Channel’s senior meteorologist Dick Whitaker said more severe storms were forecast. While Lismore, Ballina, Casino and Byron Bay missed out on most of the wild weather, Burringbar, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads South yesterday experienced hail the size of five-cent pieces. One person died and two others were injured by a lightning strike on a golf course at Hawks Nest in NSW. South-East Queensland experienced storms for the second day running, with hail and strong winds [...]

FUNDING has ceased for a service helping youth in at-risk situations on Friday and Saturday nights in Ballina. The Ballina District Community Services Association (BDCSA), which has been operating the Street Beat program for 12 years, is appealing for community support to get the Street Beat service back on the road. BDCSA executive officer, Dianna Howell, said State Government funding for the service stopped in September because of a change in funding criteria. The BDCSA then funded the service for another month. “Despite four separate applications for State and private funding, none of which has yet been successful, BDCSA lacks the financial resources to support the program on an on-going basis,” Ms Howell said. The BDCSA has requested State funding [...]

Oksana Waterfall, of Mullumbimby, won the Artfelt Art Prize for her drawings of her son, titled My True Self. DESCRIBED as tender and vulnerable, Oksana Waterfall’s drawings of her son took out first place in the Artfelt Art Prize at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery on Friday night. The Mullumbimby-based artist did the drawings, titled My True Self, as part of her TAFE diploma. “They didn’t take me very long,” she said. “They’re about my love for my son – he’s 17. “It’s about watching my children, their trials of being teenagers.” Second place went to Wendy Andrews for her ‘powerful’ film, while third was awarded to Michelle King for her photograph, Reverse. The Artfelt Art Prize and Exhibition was [...]

THE NSW government has declared a natural disaster zone at Lennox Head. It means the northern NSW coastal town and the wider Ballina and Byron shires will qualify for financial assistance following Thursday’s tornado. The money will be used to repair public infrastructure damaged during the incident. “Two people required hospital treatment but we remain thankful that no one lost their lives or was more seriously injured when this tornado hit Lennox Head coastline yesterday morning,” NSW Premier Kristina Keneally said in a statement on Friday. “The State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service, NSW Fire Brigades and NSW Police, along with Ballina Shire Council staff and Country Energy crews have made us proud with their efforts.” The northern NSW region [...]

Houses have been destroyed, up to 2000 homes are without power and two injured people have been taken to hospital after a powerful storm tore through Lennox Head on the NSW north coast Buildings have had their roofs ripped off by the storm and power lines brought down, while police say more people may have been hurt when what has been described as a mini-tornado hit the town about 7.30am (AEST) today. NSW Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan says 12 homes have been demolished by wind and hail. He said another storm front is approaching the area, potentially causing major problems for those whose homes have already been damaged. “Up to 2000 homes are currently without power and the power company [...]

THE average cost of renting a home on the Northern Rivers has skyrocketed over the past year, with Lismore tenants copping the biggest increases. Figures for the March quarter were released by Housing NSW this week. They reveal that a three-bedroom property in Lismore will now cost you $295 a week, which is an increase of 5.4 per cent compared with last year, and 1.7pc more than the previous quarter. The cost of renting a one-bedroom property in Ballina has jumped by 11pc to $200 a week. For two bedrooms, renters are paying $280 a week, which is 5.7pc more than last year. In Byron Bay, rents for one and three-bedroom homes have stayed steady at $230 and $420 a [...]

Ballina Palms Motor Inn is located at Ballina just south of Byron Bay. Ballina Palms Motor Inn is a modern owner operated motel with spacious ground floor motel accommodation. BBQ area Guest Laundry Breakfast to units Salt water pool Disabled access Put a toe in the crystal clear waters of North Creek Play a round of golf at Tevan Take a cruise down the Richmond River and listen to a little of the history of the area Walk to the top of Mount Warning Visit the Naval Museum, Read a book under the palm trees beside the salt water pool Explore the Northern Rivers and its hinterland Ballina Palms Motor Inn offers a range of motel accommodation including: Room Types: [...]

Markets in the Northern Rivers Area Ballina Market Entertainment Area Canal Road Ballina Ph/Fax: (02) 6672 2874 Bruce Williams Art and craft stalls, local home grown produce and a variety of activities. Market held on 3rd Sun of month. Bangalow Market Showgrounds Bangalow NSW 2479 Ph: (02) 6687 1911 Stalls, arts & crafts & performances. 4th Sun of month. Brunswick Heads Riverside Markets Memorial Park Brunswick Heads NSW 2483 Ph: (02) 6684 4437 Gordon Wright Riverside Markets at Memorial Park held from 7.30am to 3.00pm on the first Sat each month. Easter Market held on Easter. Annual Twilight Market held from 4pm to 9pm on the last Wed before Christmas. Byron Bay Community Market Byron Bay Community Market, Butler Street [...]