Cash boost arrives as wildlife hospital faces summer surge in rescues
A $2 million funding boost for wildlife rescue comes as the Lennox Head 'base' hospital deals with a surge in summer casualties, including heat-stressed bats, injured birds of prey and a baby bandicoot.
Sewing a warm welcome for refugees
Alstonville volunteers are preparing to welcome the town’s first refugee arrivals - a young Afghan couple starting a new life in the Northern Rivers.
Crime rising, cameras delayed: Ballina still facing long wait for CCTV
Shoplifting is surging in Ballina, but long-promised CCTV cameras for CBDs may still be more than a year away.
Remembering Ballina’s New Year tragedy: four lives and a fishing trawler lost without trace
The year 1964 started in Ballina with the community rocked by the disappearance of the fishing trawler 'Weona' - lost without a trace and four lives lost
Christmas comes early as Mark Ross gets to play Santa for those in need
Hundreds of donated Christmas gifts will be shared from a Ballina home on Sunday, as a community appeal backed by Ballina Fair supports families doing it tough.
How the Bondi massacre dragged two of Ballina’s best back to the worst of days
The Bondi massacre reopened painful memories for two prominent Ballina locals who were in the firing line at the Port Arthur and Martin Place tragedies. They share how trauma lingers, and how healing and new beginnings can still take shape
Horror start to holiday season on local roads
Police are appealing for information after a deadly 24 hours on Northern Rivers roads, including a fatal crash and a separate head-on collision involving a family with young children.
Bondi tragedy ignites political clash over gun law reform
The national debate after Bondi is playing out locally as Nationals and Greens MPs take starkly different positions on the sudden call for tighter gun controls.
‘This is an Australian problem’: local Jewish voices respond to Bondi tragedy
Ballina’s Shai Chason and Vikki Bembridge say the Bondi attack has devastated their community, and call for stronger national action to stop rising hate.
‘Hatred must stop’: Ballina Mayor urges national leadership after Bondi attack
Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader has called for national leadership, saying the Prime Minister should have acted sooner to confront rising hatred, following the deadly Bondi shooting.
Two New Officers Join Ballina as Former Cops Warn of Critical Policing Gaps
New Probationary Constables arrive this week, while former police officers say more needs to be done to address policing shortfall
Man’s Best Friend Lost — And Found After Two Years
A Ballina man has been reunited with his long-lost Labrador, Arty, who vanished two years ago but has now been found safe and well.
Introducing the 2026 Ballina Shire Australia Day Award nominees
Ballina Shire Council has announced the finalists for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, recognising volunteers, leaders and community champions.
Another nail in the coffin for Ballina’s prawning industry
Ballina fishermen say an extension of white spot restrictions is the worst news - wiping out chances of reviving the river prawn industry.
Ballina Tobacconist Shut Down For Illegal Sales
The Tamar Street store has been closed for 90 days after NSW Health alleged ongoing illegal tobacco and vape sales.
Council Unites Behind Rate Rise Despite Public Opposition
All councillors spoke, but none were willing to oppose the rate rise, saying the Shire had no choice if it wanted to keep services running into the future.
‘A community without a heart’ – Cumbalum residents call for long-delayed shopping centre
Cumbalum residents say 20 years of waiting for the North Ballina shopping centre has left the suburb without a true meeting place, as delays and contribution disputes continue.
UPDATED – Ochre Wood Arrested in West Ballina
Ochre Wood, the man widely spoken about as “Ballina’s most wanted,” is in custody after being arrested in West Ballina yesterday afternoon.
New social housing for Alstonville part of state construction boost
Sixteen new social homes have been completed in Alstonville, with more coming next year as the 2022 flood rebuild gathers pace
Is Ross Lane open? Council signs off on plan to cut flood closures
Ross Lane could soon stay open far more often, after councillors backed a long-awaited plan to raise the road and build a new bridge at Deadmans Creek.
Better off going to Byron? Ballina scores lowest ED result of the region’s smaller hospitals
New data shows Ballina trailing well behind neighbouring Byron Central Hospital, renewing long-running community pressure for a full hospital upgrade.
Brave truckie brings dangerous police chase to an end on the Bruxner Highway
Residents describe terrifying near-misses as a damaged vehicle sped through Alstonville and Wollongbar before being stopped by a quick-thinking truck driver.
NSW boosts beach safety with expanded shark drone patrols
New statewide shark monitoring measures coincide with an alert at Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head.
New million-dollar pump track declared ‘officially unofficially’ open
Locals jump the gun at Kingsford Smith Reserve as Ballina’s new competition-grade pump track nears its formal opening.
BREAKING: Police name man wanted over East Ballina chemist ram raid
Popular East Ballina pharmacy back in business after robbery causes major damage and a day of lost trade
