‘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
Council keeps the door open to talks on land deal for Ballina Central Shopping Centre expansion
A proposal linked to a future expansion of Ballina Central Shopping Centre has been kept alive by Ballina Shire Council, despite some objections.
Help finally coming for older locals stuck waiting for care
Australia’s largest home-care provider opens a new Ballina hub as 2,000 locals wait for support
Mayor gets tick of approval from Minister ahead of crucial rate rise meeting
Minister Ron Hoenig praises Ballina Shire’s leadership as councillors prepare for a final decision on a proposed 26 percent rate rise.
House destroyed in Kerr Street fire, suspected lithium battery blaze
A Kerr Street home has been destroyed in a suspected lithium battery fire, with hazmat teams and traffic controllers called as the road remains closed.
UPDATE: Police arrest man after stabbing in Cumbalum
UPDATED - Officers injured, man critical, second arrested following stabbing at Cumbalum
Councillor warns of “misunderstandings” driving backlash to rate rise
Calls for clarity as Special Rate Variation debate intensifies ahead of December vote.
Landmark report reveals true cost of fires, floods and Cyclone Alfred
A landmark report reveals a $4 billion economic hit to the Northern Rivers and soaring insurance premiums after six years of fires, floods and Cyclone Alfred.
Why the Pirlo Family’s Business is Winning Customers and Awards
In a tough year from small business, Plateau Tyres has become one of the quiet success stories of the region.
Schoolies chaos at Ballina Airport as Jetstar grounds all flights
Flight chaos has hit Ballina Byron Gateway Airport on the first weekend of Schoolies Week after Jetstar cancelled all of its services
Police Reinforcements Deployed as Hunt for Fugitive Intensifies
The search for Ballina’s most wanted has escalated, with TRG officers deployed across South Ballina and Wardell as concerns grow over the fugitive’s safety and community risk.
Six now charged after fatal Goonellabah brawl as police investigation widens
Weapons seized and more arrests expected as detectives probe early-morning violence
Ballina turns purple as more than 500 march in the annual Walk Against Domestic Violence
Rotary’s home-grown campaign draws its largest crowd yet, with Mayor Sharon Cadwallader praising the community’s united stand for respect and change.
Missing Ballina Senior Found Safe After Day Lost in Extreme Heat
Much-loved Ballina resident Ronald “Ron” Grieber has been found safe tonight after a major search effort on day of extreme heat
Ballina’s Magistrate steps out of the courthouse to urge youth to help curb rising DV caseload
Domestic and family violence now makes up almost half of Local Court matters, prompting a rare public appeal to Northern Rivers students at a Rotary youth breakfast.
‘We’re Sitting Ducks’: Fear Grows as Fugitive Keeps Slipping Through Police Net
A Ballina mother of two says she has spent nearly a month sleeping with the lights on, terrified that a man fitting the description of wanted fugitive Ochre Wood will return to her rural property.
Riot Squad Support Call Out as Media Removed from Closed-Door Ballina Crime Meeting
A closed-door crime meeting in Ballina revealed riot squad–trained officers may be deployed as rural thefts and street crime escalate.
