Saffin seeks assurance on future of Coraki’s Campbell Hospital
February 2, 2012
Page MP Janelle Saffin is calling on the Northern New South Wales Local Health District to give a public reassurance about the status of Campbell Hospital in Coraki.
Ms Saffin said it is not fair to leave the Coraki community in limbo about when the hospital will reopen.
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Call for anglers to join mangrove jack study
February 1, 2012
Recreational anglers are being invited to help Southern Cross University researchers learn more about the habits of the iconic mangrove jack.
PhD student Toby Piddocke from the University’s National Marine Science Centre based at Coffs Harbour is using acoustic telemetry to follow the movements of mangrove jack in northern New South Wales. Anglers are being offered a gift voucher to the value of $50 for each of the first 20 live specimens donated to the study.
Man dies attempting to cross flooded road – Coutts Crossing
February 1, 2012
A man has died attempting to cross a flood-affected road at Coutts Crossing, just south of Grafton.
About 9.50pm yesterday (Tuesday 31 January 2012), a 66-year-old man from Coutts Crossing was driving towards Grafton and tried to drive across a low-lying flood-affected road.
The car he was driving has become immersed in water and stopped. It appears the man got out the car and entered the water which was approximately 160cm deep and was swept into a culvert and washed underneath the roadway. A passing motorist has seen the car in the water, stopped and commenced to search for the driver.
Police attended the scene and discovered the owner of the car was a local man. They commenced a search and located the body of the man about five metres from the car and attempted to revive him without success.
Police are now preparing a report for the Coroner.
Tweed Shire Australia Day Awards and citizenship ceremony to held on Saturday
February 1, 2012
The Tweed Shire Australia Day Awards for 2011 and Citizenship Ceremony will be held on Saturday 4 February from 2pm-3.30pm (NSW) at the auditorium at the Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre.
The event had been scheduled for Australia Day last Thursday at Tyalgum, however, the event was postponed due to heavy rains and flooded roads.
The recipients of the Tweed Shire Australia Day Awards will be:
- Doreen Welsh (Citizen of the Year)
- Rosie Kahl (Young Achiever)
- Pottsville Beach Public School musical (Arts and Cultural Achievement Award)
- Kane Townsend (Sporting Achievement Award Individual)
- Kingscliff High School’s 17-19 years male 4 x 50 metre freestyle relay team (Sporting Achievement for Team)
- Tweed Valley Equestrian Group – Power of Pink Dressage (Community Event of the Year)
- Claire Chauvier and Georgina Harbottle (Academic Achievement Award)
- John Lee (Volunteer of the Year).
The Tweed Shire Awards will be presented by the Mayor of Tweed Councillor Barry Longland and the Chair of the community-based Tweed Shire Australia Day Committee, Don Beck.
Meanwhile, 40 Tweed residents are set to become Australia Citizens on Saturday, originating from 16 nations across the globe.
Two men rescued after trawler capsizes – Tweed Heads
January 31, 2012
Two men had a lucky escape when their trawler capsized at the entrance of the Tweed River on Monday evening.
Emergency services were called to Duranbah Beach shortly after 5pm responding to reports that five flares had been activated from the 54ft timber trawler.
Police arrived to find two crewmen, aged 29 and 33, still on board but with the boat smashing against the rock wall.
The men jumped into the water and were assisted to shore by local surfers before being checked by NSW Ambulance Paramedics.
The younger man was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital with chest and shoulder injuries.
The vessel was unable to be retrieved.
Water supply restored to Tweed Shire
January 28, 2012
The Tweed’s water supply was restored at 9pm last night (27 January) with one pump now distributing water throughout the system.
While a ban on outdoor water usage has been lifted, Council encourages residents across the Tweed to continue to minimise water use as much as possible today to allow the system to recover.
Fatal crash – Broadwater
January 26, 2012
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following a fatal single-vehicle crash at Broadwater, in the State’s north.
About 10am (Wednesday 25 January 2012), emergency services were called to the intersection of Evans Head Road and Broadwater Road after a Land Rover 4WD collided with a tree.
A 66-year-old woman, who was the front seat passenger, died at the scene.
The 37-year-old male driver was removed from the wreckage before being taken to Ballina Hospital for treatment. He was later transferred to Lismore Base Hospital where he is currently in a stable condition.
Officers attached to Richmond Local Area Command attended and are attempting to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or the events leading up to it, should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Public Information and Inquiry Centre open as a result of flooding
January 25, 2012
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre has been activated in support of the NSW State Emergency Service following severe weather and flooding on the State’s Far North Coast.
Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch, Deputy State Emergency Operations Controller, said the centre is staffed by emergency service workers and volunteers and is available to provide information to affected communities.
Tweed Shire Council services and roads affected by extreme weather
January 25, 2012
Extreme weather has forced the postponement of Tweed Shire Council’s official Australia Day ceremony at Tyalgum tomorrow, with a second citizenship ceremony planned for Tweed Heads also called off.
The majority of community events at towns and villages across the Tweed have been cancelled or postponed because of the rain and flooded roads.
Mayor of Tweed Councillor Barry Longland said it was unfortunate that events would not go ahead as planned tomorrow, but the safety of residents was paramount.
“It’s a great disappointment for all the volunteers from a variety of community organisations, including the Tweed Shire Australia Day Committee, who have worked tirelessly to organise these events,” Councillor Longland said.
Weather Situation Update for North Coast NSW
January 25, 2012
The State Emergency Service says that heavy rainfall is predicted to continue in the northern half of the Norther Rivers area over the next 24-48 hours.
With rainfalls of up to 200mm overnight, flooding continues across the area. Rainfall averaging 80-100mm is expected, with the potential for very heavy, localised falls up to 250mm in the Tweed area.
There is a high potential for flash flooding in the area and the Bureau of Meteorology has a Severe Weather Warning in place.
There are also eight Flood Warnings, a Flood Watch and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in place. People in the affected areas are advised to check the Bureau of Meteorology’s website for updates on the warnings.
