Assistant nurse charged over alleged sexual assault of elderly patient in Maclean
An assistant nurse has been charged after allegedly sexually assaulting an elderly patient at a care facility in Maclean
Stop work order issued over alleged vegetation clearing at Lennox Head
Residents have raised concerns over alleged vegetation clearing at a Lennox Head property, with the NSW Environment Department issuing a 40-day stop work order while it investigates claims the clearing has impacted important native wildlife habitat.
Tree lopper airlifted to hospital after workplace accident near Grafton
A man in his 30s has been airlifted to Lismore Base Hospital after suffering multiple injuries in a tree lopping accident near Grafton.
Ballina Shire property market remains resilient as million-dollar sales continue
Ballina Shire's property market continues to show strength, with million-dollar sales across coastal and hinterland suburbs highlighting ongoing demand for quality homes despite higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty.
Northern Rivers disaster expert supporting global response to Venezuela earthquake crisis
Rous resident and ShelterBox Australia CEO Mike Greenslade is supporting a global humanitarian response after earthquakes in Venezuela left thousands of people without shelter, drawing on more than 20 international disaster deployments.
Innovation shines at Ballina Business Excellence Awards
ENV Solutions claimed six awards, including Ballina Shire Business of the Year, as innovation, leadership and outstanding employees were recognised at the 2026 Ballina Business Excellence Awards.
Oz Grom result fuels Curtis’ dream despite quarter-final exit
Lennox Head's Ocea Curtis reflects on her quarter-final finish at the Soundboks Oz Grom Open as Australia's top junior surfers compete at Seven Mile Beach
Ballina man released on bail following alleged window smashing spree
A 29-year-old Ballina man has been granted bail after allegedly smashing windows at the Ballina courthouse and a nearby law firm before approaching police with a bat.
Northern Rivers man charged over violent extremist material
A 20-year-old Northern Rivers man has been refused bail after being charged over alleged violent extremist material linked to online posts.
Ballina students take on Asia-Pacific’s best in robotics challenge
Seven Ballina students have turned months of designing, building and programming into a place at an international robotics championship in Sydney.
Ballina pair in custody over serious gun, weapon and drug allegations
One accused was refused bail after a judge cited “total ruthlessness and inability to obey the law”, while his co-accused faces a separate string of charges.
Bitou bush project helps restore Lake Ainsworth’s coastal environment
A major weed control project at Lake Ainsworth is helping restore native vegetation and improve biodiversity after the successful removal of one of Australia's most aggressive coastal weeds.
Council backs next stage of new private school campus for Skennars Head
A proposed outdoor education hub at Skennars Head for up to 200 students has won in-principle support from Ballina Shire Council.
East Coraki man, Ballina woman face serious child abuse charges
A 50-year-old East Coraki man and a 52-year-old Ballina woman have both been refused bail after being charged following a Child Abuse Squad investigation in the Northern Rivers.
Ballina wildlife rescuers urge vigilance after NSW’s first H5 bird flu case
Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue is urging people to stay alert after New South Wales recorded its first case of H5 bird flu in a migratory seabird.
Ballina beaches secure extra drone shark patrols in time for school holidays
The NSW shark drone program now provides year-round, frequent surveillance at Ballina's Sharpes, Shelly, and Lighthouse beaches, along with Lennox Head's Main Beach
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.
Teen couple assaulted in daylight Cumbalum street attack
Two teenagers were allegedly assaulted while walking along The Ridgeway at Cumbalum, with witnesses urged to contact Ballina Police or Crime Stoppers.
Alstonville’s famed quilt exhibition celebrates 20 years of airing
Alstonville’s historic 116-year-old Crawford House is hosting its traditional Airing of the Quilts exhibition this weekend, featuring exceptional stitch work from 27 regional quilting groups spanning from Tweed to Yamba.
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.
Country mayors vow to claw back cuts to emergency funding
NSW country mayors have come together in Ballina, vowing to fight federal government plans to scale back disaster recovery funding to the states.
Ballina cold cases examined at Unsolved Murders Inquiry
Family of victims with links to Ballina gave vital testimony at parliamentary inquiry focusing on unsolved murders and unexplained disappearances.
Mandy Nolan named as Greens candidate for Ballina
Mullumbimby comedian and writer Mandy Nolan has been preselected as the Greens candidate for the NSW state seat of Ballina, following the retirement announcement of long-serving MP Tamara Smith.
Governments fund another $3m flood study after CSIRO releases final report
Another flood study on the way after CSIRO recommends opening Boundary Creek, upgrading Baggotville barrage and Tuckean Swamp, and creating multiple upper catchment detention basins.
More fishing line bins on way to protect Ballina’s wildlife after hundreds of animals snared
A fishing tackle bin program is being expanded following a successful trial that collected 2,500 metres of discarded line.
