Saffin speaks out on expenses as Ballina’s biggest bridge project begins
MP Janelle Saffin says she was “mortified” by the expenses controversy as she officiated at an event in Ballina marking the start of the $85 million Twin Bridges project.
Flood buyback homes offered for community housing
Another 50 flood buyback homes will be made available for housing and community use across the Northern Rivers, with relocation funding also on offer.
60 e-bikes stored in garage as fire tears through Northern Rivers home
Four residents escaped a fierce South Murwillumbah fire after a smoke alarm sounded, with about 60 e-bikes and batteries stored in the garage.
Minister Saffin apologises over Sydney hotel stay during Mardi Gras
Janelle Saffin has ordered a rapid review after a $4400 Sydney hotel stay during the Mardi Gras period was charged to the wrong taxpayer-funded account.
Alstonville grant to help shape new healing service for women and children
Alstonville’s Namatjira Haven has secured $20,000 for an Aboriginal women’s cultural camp helping shape a new women and children’s healing service.
‘GET OFF ME’: Knife seized in dramatic Ballina airport arrest
Another knife-related incident has unfolded in Ballina, with a man arrested at the busy airport after police allegedly seized a knife and saw.
REVEALED: The next big-name retailers coming to Ballina
Harvey Norman and Harris Scarfe are now trading — and three more big-name retailers are preparing to join Ballina’s rapidly expanding Homemakers Centre.
Homeless man’s camp torched as Ballina wrestles with rough sleeping crisis
A homeless man escaped unharmed after his Canal Road camp was destroyed by fire, days after Ballina Council debated its response to rough sleeping.
A broken spine, an uncertain future — and the life Anders Halvorsen built anyway
A devastating accident took away the future Anders Halvorsen expected. Faith, determination and love helped him build an extraordinary one instead.
As serious knife crime comes to Ballina, CCTV rollout begins
Work has begun on Ballina’s long-awaited CCTV network, just days after two knife-related incidents raised fresh concerns about serious crime in the town.
‘FORGOTTEN’: Family questions police search for missing Ballina woman
The family of missing Ballina woman Stephanie Cordery has questioned search resources after learning as few as six people were sometimes looking for her.
Ross Lane to close for nine weeks as Council backs cheaper flood fix
Ross Lane will close for about nine weeks after Ballina Shire Council backed a cheaper flood resilience upgrade expected to save up to $800,000.
Fire crews battle intense blaze in Tamar Street units
Thick smoke swept across eastern Ballina as four fire crews battled an intense blaze at a Tamar Street unit complex this morning.
Mayor refuses to give up on 350-home Ballina Marina vision
Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader is continuing to push the State Government to unlock the West Ballina marina site for up to 350 homes and waterfront renewal.
Almost two weeks missing: Family desperate for answers about Stephanie
Stephanie Cordery’s mother has issued a heartfelt plea for help as the police search winds down, urging residents around Mt Nardi and Nimbin to check properties.
$50,000 spend on water tower mural put on hold
Ballina Shire Council has deferred a proposed $50,000 mural for the Lennox Head water reservoir after a debate over water rates, public art and cost-of-living pressures.
Wrong house. Wrong street. Wrong family: Ballina couple falsely branded as paedophiles
A Ballina couple say they were left devastated after anonymous signs falsely accused them of being paedophiles, despite having no criminal history or connection to the allegations.
Former Xavier student killed while serving as combat medic in Ukraine
Former Xavier Catholic College student Samuel Pedrazzini has been honoured by his former school and Ukraine's ambassador after being killed while serving as a volunteer combat medic in Ukraine
Could Ballina’s worst flood have been cut in half? CSIRO explains
CSIRO hydrologist Dr Jai Vaze explains how proposed flood engineering works could have cut Ballina's 2022 flood levels by 73 centimetres and prevented flooding in about half the affected properties.
Honouring the lives and legacies of loved ones from Ballina and the Northern Rivers.
A day of grief, gratitude and ‘Amazing Grace’
Under half-mast flags, Ballina remembered Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch in a moving service that became a powerful tribute to volunteering and community.
COMMENT: Give them somewhere safe to sleep — but don’t make residents pay the price
Ballina needs properly managed places for people sleeping rough — funded by the NSW Government, not ratepayers or residents living beside public parks.
COMMENT: A $50,000 mural ratepayers could do without
The proposed $50,000 mural for the Lennox Head water reservoir raises broader questions about council priorities, public spending and whether ratepayers deserve better value for money.
COMMENT: This is exactly why justice belongs in the courts, not on the street
When accusations, intimidation or violence as are substituted for due legal process, it's only a matter of time before innocent people suffer.
COMMENT: NBN’s weekend farewell was decades in the making
NBN has aired its final local weekend bulletin after decades on air. Ballina News Daily editor Rod Bruem reflects on the long decline of regional television.
More competition brings greater taxi choice to Ballina
A year after launching his own taxi business, Jesse Pamment has won approval to work local ranks and says Ballina passengers are embracing the extra choice.
Why Paige chose Ballina for her dream tea house
The day Ballina was labelled Australia's worst place to start a business, entrepreneur Paige Brierley quietly opened the tea house she had spent years dreaming about.
Plateau steps out of Ballina’s shadow with bold new brand
Alstonville and Wollongbar have unveiled the Plateau Hinterland brand and a new website, marking the first unified identity for the region as it emerges as one of the Northern Rivers' fastest-growing business communities.
Cooked to perfection: how a 100 year-old building tempted a retired chef to bake again
A century-old building, a chance encounter and a love of old-fashioned baking inspired Cherie Bevan to create HOME, the award-winning Alstonville bakery now attracting visitors from across the region and beyond.
Big hair, big laughs as Ballina Players heads back to the ’80s
Ballina Players has a hit on its hands, with The Wedding Singer about 95 per cent sold and delivering plenty of laughs, colour and ’80s nostalgia.
Neighbourly spirit: Ballina community asked to help children in PNG
Ballina-on-Richmond Rotary is calling on the community to help fill a second shipping container of donated goods for children, families and hospitals in Papua New Guinea.
Ballina chorus claims second place at national convention
The Headliners Chorus has achieved one of its best results, finishing second in its division at the Sweet Adelines International Convention in Hobart
Oceania Cup back at full strength in Alstonville
Hundreds of players and supporters from across the east coast are heading to Alstonville for three days of female football at the Oceania Cup.
Ballina trainer flexes his muscle with triple bodybuilding win at 50
Ballina personal trainer Michael Bosman has won three Classic Physique bodybuilding titles at age 50, just two years after taking up the sport competitively.
