Ballina’s most dedicated workers celebrated
Who is Ballina’s best barista, pharmacy worker or bingo caller? Rotary has recognised seven everyday workers who quietly go above and beyond.
$17.4m rebuild begins to make Ballina Shire roads flood-proof
More than four years after the 2022 floods, work has begun on a $17.4 million program to permanently rebuild and strengthen 11 damaged Ballina Shire road sites.
BOOMING BALLINA: Lennox closes in on Byron as Lismore plays catch-up
Ballina Shire's population is surging, Lennox is closing in on Byron Bay, and traditional rival Lismore now has ambitious growth plans of its own.
Now finish our ramps: PM’s M1 pledge puts Cumbalum back on agenda
The long-running fight to complete Cumbalum's M1 interchange has new momentum after the Prime Minister put fixing motorway interchanges firmly on the agenda.
Ballina Hospital records big improvement in emergency treatment times
Wait times for patients presenting to Ballina Hospital’s Emergency Department have improved significantly, with new figures showing more patients are receiving timely treatment.
‘Vilified’ contractor cleared as Ross Lane tree works resume
A State Government investigation has delivered a significant finding after a bitter Lennox Head tree-clearing dispute erupted in the Council chamber.
FROM TRAGEDY TO GIVING BACK: Citizen of the Year Geoff’s remarkable year
Citizen of the Year Geoff Hutchinson knows what recognition can mean and is encouraging locals to nominate Ballina’s unsung heroes for the 2027 Australia Day Awards.
KEEP POLITICS OUT: Councillor pushes for tighter rules after expo controversy
A Ballina councillor wants clearer rules around political activity at council community events after controversy overshadowed a volunteer expo that attracted more than 70 prospective volunteers.
‘My dad is not a bike thief’: Son speaks out after homeless man loses everything
Marley Mitai has defended his homeless father against online accusations after a fire destroyed the truck he lived in and most of his possessions.
FIVE TIMES OVER THE LIMIT: Woman charged after East Ballina crash
Police allege a 47-year-old woman recorded 0.240 after a Friday morning crash, as hundreds of impaired drivers were detected across NSW.
Council revives fight to unlock airport industrial land expansion
Council is stepping up its investment push, with major opportunities at the airport, Tuckombil Quarry and its vacant Tamar Street offices all back in play.
VICTIM NAMED: Sam Singh, 81, identified after alleged Teven murder
The family of Sam Singh has given police permission to publicly identify and release a photograph of the 81-year-old following his death at Teven.
MURDER CHARGE: Woman charged after 81-year-old found dead in Teven creek
A police investigation at a Teven Road property has escalated dramatically, with a 51-year-old woman now charged with murdering an 81-year-old man.
$5 BILLION WATER PROMISE: Opposition answers councils’ call in Ballina
Regional councils used a major Ballina conference to secure a $5 billion commitment to secure future NSW water supplies — in what's been a big week for water promises from both the Government and Opposition.
BOOTS ON THE GROUND: Community takes over search for missing Ballina woman
An experienced former police rescue operator is rallying volunteers for a major weekend ground search around Mt Nardi as the effort to find Stephanie Cordery continues.
51-year-old woman arrested after 81-year-old found dead in creek
Police responding to a welfare concern made the grim discovery in a creek before arresting a woman at the Teven property.
RSL convention centre could transform rundown River Street block
Ballina RSL has emerged as a potential home for the town's proposed 1200-seat convention centre, with the Mayor saying it could transform a rundown River Street block.
LOCAL WANTED: Richmond River coordinator to get budget and government clout
The search is on for the Richmond River’s first catchment coordinator, with the NSW Government promising a budget, staff coordination and cross-government clout.
RIVER FIX: Government acts on promise to clean up the Richmond
Six months out from the NSW election, the Minns Government is acting on its promise to help “fix” the Richmond River, appointing a dedicated coordinator and funding work at Tuckean Swamp.
ALSTONVILLE TO NEPAL: Local appeal for flood victims
An Alstonville Rotarian is responding to Nepal’s devastating flood tsunami by helping get emergency shelter and supplies into remote mountain communities.
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.
‘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.
