‘Ballina needs a voice in government’: Byron councillor enters Labor race
Byron Shire councillor Janet Swain has entered Labor's race for Ballina, arguing the electorate deserves a stronger voice inside the NSW Government ahead of the 2027 election.
Ballina athletes dominate North Coast Academy of Sport Awards
Fresh from becoming Australia's youngest Commonwealth Games medallist, Ayla Kowalczyk led a stellar night for Ballina Shire as seven locals were honoured at the North Coast Academy of Sport Awards.
Mayor’s bold vision for region-wide cycle network after Lennox-Byron funding boost
Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader says a connected Northern Rivers network of shared pathways could become the region's next major tourism success, with new funding bringing the Ballina-Byron link a step closer.
Hospitals under pressure and fear the worst is yet to come
Northern NSW hospitals are already under heavy winter pressure, with health authorities warning emergency departments will become even busier in coming weeks.
Ballina’s biggest-ever citizenship ceremony reflects migration boom
A record 78 people became Australian citizens in Ballina's biggest-ever citizenship ceremony, highlighting the region's rapid population growth as Canberra reviews migration settings.
Why Paige chose Ballina for her dream tea house
The day Ballina was labelled Australia's worst place to start a business, entrepreneur Paige Brierley quietly opened the tea house she had spent years dreaming about.
Ballina the worst place to do business? You must be kidding!
A national survey branding Ballina Australia’s worst place to start a business has sparked outrage and a strong response from the local Chamber of Commerce.
NAPLAN success: How one local school is changing the way children learn
What looks like a return to traditional teaching has delivered record NAPLAN results at St Joseph's Alstonville. Now other schools are visiting to learn the secrets behind its success.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter future in doubt after scathing inquiry
A parliamentary inquiry has cast doubt over the future of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, with Ballina's long connection to the organisation giving the story a strong local focus.
Neighbourly spirit: Ballina community asked to help children in PNG
Ballina-on-Richmond Rotary is calling on the community to help fill a second shipping container of donated goods for children, families and hospitals in Papua New Guinea.
Plateau steps out of Ballina’s shadow with bold new brand
Alstonville and Wollongbar have unveiled the Plateau Hinterland brand and a new website, marking the first unified identity for the region as it emerges as one of the Northern Rivers' fastest-growing business communities.
Triple triumph for Ballina Coast High School at NSW Education Awards
Ballina Coast High School has been recognised among NSW's best public schools, with the school winning a top state award and two students receiving prestigious Minister's Awards.
Illegal fishers warned: Tough new powers on the way
New laws before Parliament would give Fisheries Officers stronger powers to target illegal seafood sales, protect marine habitats and crack down on black market fishing.
$50,000 spend on water tower mural put on hold
Ballina Shire Council has deferred a proposed $50,000 mural for the Lennox Head water reservoir after a debate over water rates, public art and cost-of-living pressures.
Wrong house. Wrong street. Wrong family: Ballina couple falsely branded as paedophiles
A Ballina couple say they were left devastated after anonymous signs falsely accused them of being paedophiles, despite having no criminal history or connection to the allegations.
Cooked to perfection: how a 100 year-old building tempted a retired chef to bake again
A century-old building, a chance encounter and a love of old-fashioned baking inspired Cherie Bevan to create HOME, the award-winning Alstonville bakery now attracting visitors from across the region and beyond.
Council’s 14-year biodiversity battle with farmers continues
Ballina Shire Council has ordered another round of public consultation on proposed biodiversity planning controls after rural landowners argued the draft introduced restrictions beyond last year's compromise.
‘We’re checking hives every five days’: Local beekeeper fighting Australia’s biggest threat to bees
A Ballina beekeeper says the varroa mite is forcing many beekeepers out of the industry, with constant hive inspections now needed to protect colonies.
Ballina among NSW’s top communities for organ donor registrations
Ballina has the third-highest organ donor registration rate in NSW, but health authorities say more people are needed to sign up as new registrations continue to decline.
Photographer describes rare humpback whale birth as ‘pretty wild’
Wildlife photographer Alexander Forrest says he "didn't know what he was seeing" when he filmed what experts believe is one of the few recorded humpback whale births off the Australian coast.
Council changes course on proposed $36.5m Ballina-Alstonville shared path
Ballina Shire Council has adopted a new hybrid route for the proposed $36.5 million shared path and will seek government funding for the first stage.
New $5 million drainage program targets flood-hit farms after Cyclone Alfred
Works at Broadwater, Pimlico, Empire Vale and Wardell will restore flood-damaged drains and floodgates, helping farmland recover and improving water flow.
‘Trial by social media’: Tree clearing debate explodes in council chambers
Accusations of defamation and trial by social media dominated a fiery Ballina Council debate as councillors rejected a Greens motion over controversial tree clearing at Lennox Head.
Ballina and Lismore concert bands set for afternoon of music in Alstonville
The Ballina Shire Concert Band and Lismore City Concert Band will join forces for a special afternoon concert at McCarthy Hall in Alstonville on Sunday, August 9
Ballina SES volunteers put rescue skills to the test at state challenge
Ballina SES volunteers were among the state's best rescue teams competing in the NSW Disaster Rescue Challenge, tackling eight demanding emergency scenarios designed to prepare them for real-life disasters.
