After years of community campaigning, the small town of Bonalbo finally has the keys to a state-of-the-art hospital and aged care facility. The doors officially opened today, but the real challenge will be attracting and retaining healthcare workers west of the range.

Big swell didn’t stop the fun at this year’s Byron Bay Disabled Surfing Association event. Volunteers numbers were up, which meant everybody got the chance to catch a wave, despite the treacherous conditions.

Byron Shire residents say some councillors, aren’t taking their concerns about sexual harassment at Tyagarah’s clothing-optional beach, seriously. Labor is now promising to overrule council and revoke its clothing optional status, if it wins the state election next year.

It seemed as if Soli Bailey’s hopes of a world tour card had washed away, barrelled out in the semi-finals at the Vans World Cup in Hawaii. But by the time other results unfolded, the north coast local had locked in his place on the dream tour.

Richmond Valley Council says it’s been ripped-off hundreds of thousands of dollars by a multi-national insurance provider. Seven councils in New South Wales have teamed up to launch a class action against Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Ltd, alleging they’ve been slogged with excessive premiums. Richmond Valley Council’s General Manager Vaughan Macdonald says in the year since council parted ways with the insurance provider, taxpayers have saved $300,000. He’s hoping the class action will see JLT return millions-of-dollars he says it made in profit. (VISION ONLY)

When it comes to recycling at Christmas, it’s not just Santa who wants to know if you’ve been naughty or nice. Lismore City Council says waste production jumps by 30% during the month of December and is encouraging residents to think before they buy. For more information, follow the link: https://www.northernriverswaste.com.au/cp_themes/default/home.asp

After an epic journey through Australia’s sun-kissed country side, a solar-powered tuk tuk has rolled into Byron Bay. A team of engineers has built the electric-powered vehicle, talking with local school students about reducing transport emissions.

Encouraging children to be adventurous during play-time is the idea behind a new purpose-built space at Clunes Community Preschool. The multi-tiered playground encourages children to learn new skills, develop their physicality and trust their bodies in a variety of settings. The director of the preschool says significant research supports the idea of positive ‘risk-taking.’ “The teachers work with the children to weigh up the risks and to decide for themselves about what risks that their happy to take and to encourage them gently to take more risks.” Since the instalment of the new equipment, both teachers and parents say they’ve noticed a change for the better, in the children’s behaviour. (AUDIO IN PARTS)

A collection of short films showcasing the bold and unapologetic lives of seniors is going viral in the Northern Rivers. Among these aging heroes, an 86-year-old Dutch World War 2 survivor, who can truly call himself fearless. For more information, visit: https://www.feroscare.com.au/fearlessfilms

Richmond Valley residents are being to asked to have their say on a proposed rate rise, after council applied for a special variation. Community consultation starts next week, but councillors say the time of year makes it especially difficult to get feedback.