Northern Rivers News

The multi-million dollar re-development of Lismore Base Hospital has reached a new height, with the completion of the north tower’s top level. The eight storey building is due to be opened in the second half of next year.  

The long-awaited $45 million North Lismore Plateau development has hit another hurdle, after opponents issued summons to the developer, the planning authority and Lismore City Council. After a 20-year battle to get the development off the ground – the Joint Regional Planning Panel conditionally approved Winten Property Group’s proposal for the new estate off Sexton Road in October last year. But on Monday, the Chairman of the Bundjalung Elders Council Mickey Ryan, commenced legal proceedings to invalidate the development consent for the first stage of the 433-lot project. “All my old people are gone now so I’m standing up for them, there’s burial sites up there, carve trees, there’s waterholes and it’s in the landscape itself,” Mr Ryan said. “If it doesn’t happen this time, we will appeal any decision so it’s just ongoing. I’m never going to give up.” …

A mosquito expert has arrived in Ballina, to study the impact of the blood-sucking insects on people living and visiting the area. The information he gathers will assist Council with its mosquito management plan.

A man has been flown to hospital following an accident between a motorbike and a car in the state’s north. The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Murwillumbah just after 7 o’clock on Monday night, following reports of a crash. The motorbike rider was treated for head and limb injuries, before he was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital. He was reported to be in a stable condition.

Lifeguards had a busy weekend for their first patrol on the notorious Tyagarah Beach. However, one Byron Shire councillor says the $25,000 spent is a waste of rate payer dollars and is calling on the State Government to intervene.  

A 7-year-old boy has been left with a broken leg, after a motorbike accident in the state’s north. The child was on a bike at Wardell south of Ballina, late on Sunday afternoon when he fell. He also sustained a head injury in the fall, and was airlifted to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane. He was reported to be in a stable condition.

The skies over Evans Head were abuzz as the coastal town was transformed into an aviation paradise. Thousands descended on the aerodrome for the ‘Great Eastern Fly-In’ to watch jaw-dropping aerial stunts.  

Richmond Valley residents are the latest to be hit with water restrictions. Level 1 restrictions will come into effect from next Wednesday, with Council putting it down to low rainfall and falling river levels. Residents are banned from using sprinklers and fixed hoses between 8am and 4pm, with some minor exemptions. Council is reminding everyone to be water-wise during the dry period. (VISION ONLY)

They say size doesn’t matter, but at the annual Summerland Giant Pumpkin competition, it’s the bigger the better. But it’s not only the vegetables growing in size; entries are up, as well as crowd numbers.

The Rural Fire Service has serious concerns about the potential for dangerous bushfires in the Northern Rivers, suspending fire permits for at least the next 10 days. Conditions are so bad, it’ll take at least 150 millimetres of rain to restore moisture in the soil.