Stranded yacht owner battles looters and the tide to save his home
The owner of a yacht stranded on Flat Rock says thieves have already tried to board the vessel, as authorities race to save it on tonight's high tide.
Three men rescued after kayak swept away off Byron
Three men stranded on an offshore rock near Byron Bay were rescued after their kayak was swept away and worsening weather left them showing signs of hypothermia.
Stolen BYD electric car hits 168km/h during M1 police chase
A stolen electric car allegedly hit 168km/h on the M1 before crashing, with the driver then trying to swim a lagoon to evade capture.
Former Parkway Drive Manager Avoids Jail Over Child Sex Offence
Jed Daniel Gordon, 45, of Byron Bay, was given a three-year community corrections order and 300 hours of community service after pleading guilty to having sexual intercourse with a minor.
Teen charged over Woolies Goonellabah bottle attack
A teenage boy has been charged after a supermarket worker was allegedly struck in the face with a bottle during a suspected shoplifting incident at Goonellabah.
Rate rise approved as Council secures financial future
All ten councillors backed the controversial rate rise despite public opposition. The state's regulator has now approved the increase, securing millions in future Council revenue.
NBN News gutted after WIN takeover
The end of an era for regional television. NBN’s famous one-hour local news bulletin is being cut in half, with weekend local news disappearing altogether.
Lucky escape for two after yacht hits rocks off Skennars Head
Two people escaped safely after a yacht ran aground on Flat Rock off Skennars Head, with calm conditions helping avert a more serious outcome.
We will not give up’: Rail trail supporters vow to keep fighting
Supporters say more than 200,000 people have already used the completed sections and are urging governments to finish the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
One Nation eyes Ballina as three more starters emerge
One Nation is building support in Ballina as the Greens prepare for a three-way pre-selection contest and independent candidates begin circling the race.
Race for Ballina: Nationals yet to find a starter
The NSW Nationals have postponed their Ballina pre-selection after receiving no nominations, as the Greens move through a high-profile contest to replace Tamara Smith.
‘Meanspirited nasty dinosaurs’: Dicker lets fly in council rainforest rant
A motion by the Greens to direct more council resources towards restoring rainforest became heated after council staff advised the move could have negative repercussions.
James sets sail on epic Trans-Tasman crossing
Ballina businessman and sailor James Foster is setting off from New Zealand on one of the Southern Hemisphere's toughest offshore races.
‘Surely he’s not going out there’: The tragic final journey of sailor Matthew Clayton
Exclusive photos taken at Yamba reveal sailor Matthew Clayton’s final known hours before the tragedy that claimed two Ballina Marine Rescue volunteers.
Woman ‘left for dead’ in KFC hit and run issues own plea for help
A Ballina woman remains bedridden with multiple fractures after a dark-coloured ute allegedly struck her and drove away without stopping.
Higher density, higher tensions: Residents battle building boom
Ballina Island residents say higher-density development is eroding privacy, blocking views and leaving homeowners feeling powerless against rapid urban infill.
Classic car convoy honours fallen rescuers
A special convoy of classic cars brought moments of joy and reflection to Ballina as the community honoured its fallen Marine Rescue volunteers.
Five Ballina Women Alleged Victims in Sexual Massage Case
A Ballina Central massage business owner has pleaded not guilty to alleged sexual touching offences involving five local women.
Wanted fugitive fighter spotted in Ballina
A highly trained martial arts fighter wanted over an alleged sexual assault has been spotted camping in carparks at Northern Rivers beaches.
Honouring the lives and legacies of loved ones from Ballina and the Northern Rivers.
Parliamentary tributes for Ballina’s Marine Rescue heroes
Moving tributes to Ballina Marine Rescue volunteers Bill Ewen and Frank Petsch have been delivered in both the Federal and NSW parliaments.
COMMENT: Ballina can’t afford another “invisible” MP
Tamara Smith’s departure has exposed growing frustration over visibility and local representation — and raised serious questions about who should lead Ballina next.
How close I came to giving thousands to a fake bank scammer
A convincing fake ANZ security caller nearly tricked Ballina News Daily editor Rod Bruem into transferring thousands of dollars before one small detail exposed the scam.
Tamara Smith’s statement in full
Tamara Smith has confirmed she will not contest the 2027 NSW election, ending a 12-year run as Ballina’s Greens MP.
COMMENT: The moral case for action on the Richmond River
A call for a single authority to manage the Richmond River, as new research highlights upstream sediment as a major driver of its declining health.
More whales, more tourists: Ballina’s marine tourism sector grows
Ballina’s whale watching sector is growing, with a new local operator preparing to launch as the annual migration begins.
Alstonville’s changing face draws boutique retailer to the Plateau
A new boutique menswear and lifestyle store has opened in Alstonville, with business leaders saying it reflects the growing sophistication of the village retail scene.
Ballina’s historic mullet run hit by tough conditions
Dirty river water, poor weather and fuel prices are making life difficult for Ballina’s mullet fishermen during the annual Richmond River catch.
Alstonville markets suspended as tough times hit community events
The Alstonville Community Market has been suspended after falling stallholder numbers and weaker public support hit the once-booming monthly event.
Hope amid horrifying domestic violence figures as Purple Friday spreads
Six years after Purple Friday began in Ballina, confronting domestic violence figures show the crisis remains severe — but the movement born here is now spreading hope and change across NSW.
Breaking barriers: First regional disability health workshops launch in Ballina
New Ballina workshops aim to give people with disability the tools to manage their own health, with a strong focus on self-advocacy and women’s wellbeing.
Young courage at heart of Ballina’s Our Kids Day Out
A big crowd marked 21 years of Our Kids Day Out in Ballina, with a powerful bravery award reminding families why the charity the annual event celebrates matters so much.
Ballina hosts next generation of Olympic climbers
Hundreds of climbers have arrived for the National Junior Championships - an event that organisers says could us on the map ahead of Brisbane 2032.
Ballina mum to represent Australia on world basketball stage
Ballina basketballer Kellie Coates will represent Australia in Greece this year, earning her first green and gold selection just months before turning 50.
