Far North Coast centres included in NBN roll-out
July 30, 2010
Page MP Janelle Saffin today said local towns and cities in Page were set to join the digital revolution, with internet speeds up to 100 times faster than they are now.
The Gillard Labor Government today released for the first time maps outlining the path for the new network to stretch across Australia under the National Broadband Network (NBN).
The maps:
- Show that every house, school and business in Australia will have access to high-speed broadband under the NBN
- Confirm optical fibre will be extended to 93 per cent of homes and businesses in more than 1000 cities and towns by the end of the roll-out
- Show how communities will be served by next generation wireless and satellite technologies under the NBN.
Ms Saffin said local cities and towns set to be connected to the optical fibre network include Alstonville, Ballina, Casino, Evans Head, Grafton, Iluka, Kyogle, Lismore, Woodburn, Wooloweyah, Woombah and Yamba.
Missing Wollongbar teenager located safe and well
July 26, 2010
A teenage boy who disappeared from Wollongbar a week ago has been located safe and well.
Brandan Parkes, 15, was last seen about 11pm last Monday (19 July) by family members. He was subsequently reported missing to police from Richmond Local Area Command.
Investigating officers made an appeal for public assistance to locate Brandan on Friday (23 July).
They have this morning been advised that Brandan attended his school in the company of his parents.
Police thank the public and media for their assistance in this matter.
Police appeal for information on missing Wollongbar boy
July 23, 2010
Police are appealing for assistance from the public to locate a teenage boy missing from Wollongbar since Monday (19 July 2010).
Brandan Parkes, 15, was last seen about 11pm on Monday by family members. Since that time he has not contacted his family or attended school.
Police are concerned for Brandan’s welfare as it is out of character for him to be away from home and not make contact with family, although he is believed to be in the company of another teenage boy.
Brandan is described as being of Caucasian appearance with a fair complexion, about 152cm tall with a slim build, short brown hair and blue eyes.
Anyone who knows Brandan’s whereabouts is urged to phone Ballina Police Station on 6681 8699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
New incentives to attract and keep doctors in Page
July 1, 2010
Page MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed the new Australian Government initiatives being rolled out from today (July 1) that will attract and keep doctors in the local area.
Ms Saffin said the Government has changed the classification of rural and remote areas and now Lismore, Alstonville, Ballina, Wardell and Wollongbar have been included in the list of areas that can offer incentives to attract and keep GPs.
“I lobbied for these local centres to be included, and worked with local doctor Andrew Binns to push for these changes which have now been delivered,” she said.
“This means that the all of the Page electorate is now eligible to offer incentives to attract and keep GPs.
‘No surprises’ in State Budget for Ballina Electorate
June 9, 2010
Ballina MP Don Page says there are no real surprises in the NSW State Budget, with $115m being allocated by both State and Federal governments for continued work on the Ballina Bypass and $85m for planning and pre-construction of the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale section of the Pacific Highway.
“The Ballina Bypass is budgeted to cost $640m altogether and to be completed by 2012. $471m has already been spent and a further $115m will be spent this year. It’s a joint State/Federal project,” he said.
“Pre-construction for the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade will continue with an allocation of $85m in this budget. The Alstonville Bypass gets a further $24m from the Federal budget to complete construction by the end of this year.
“It was disappointing once again not to see any funds for an upgrade of Ballina Hospitals surgery unit or the proposed new Byron Shire Central Hospital (land for this hospital at Ewingsdale has already been purchased).”
Ballina TAFE receives a further $597,000 to complete the upgrade by 2011.
Page seeks assurance on Alstonville horticultural centre
May 23, 2010
Member for Ballina Don Page has called on the Minister for Primary Industries to confirm that the Alstonville Centre for Tropical Horticulture will be retained.
The threat of closure was first made in NSW Labor Government’s 2008 mini budget.
“In the follow-up to that devastating announcement I lodged a petition containing over 1000 signatures supporting the retention of the important research centre,” Mr Page said.
Mr Page sought reassurance from the Minister for Primary Industries in Parliament last week that the Centre for Tropical Horticulture will not be closed.
Choral and recorder music performances for Alstonville, Mullumbimby
May 23, 2010
A mix of choral and recorder music to soothe the soul on a sunny Sunday winter’s afternoon is scheduled for Alstonville and Mullumbimby next month.
It will be music from the sublime to the ridiculous, from Henry VIII to Bach, Purcell, Mozart and Elgar, and a musical setting of the nonsense words of Edward Lear’s Owl and the Pussy Cat.
Acapelicans, based in Ballina, and Spiritsong, based in Bangalow, are mixed voice choirs under the musical direction of local musician, Warren Whitney.
Both choirs sing a range of secular and sacred items covering 400 years of music and perform throughout the Northern Rivers.
Among other works, they have performed Bach’s Peasant Cantata and Sir Charles Wood’s St Mark’s Passion.
Man arrested with drugs at Ballina restaurant
May 22, 2010
A man has been charged with serious drug offences after a search warrant in Ballina last night.
About 10pm, police from Richmond Local Area Command executed a search warrant at a restaurant in Ballina, arresting a 21-year-old man at the scene.
Police allegedly found a significant amount of pills, believed to be ecstasy, in his possession, as well as an amount of cash.
The Alstonville man was taken to Ballina Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug and deal with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court this morning.
The arrests come as part of the ongoing targeting of drug supply in Richmond Local Area Command.
Man arrested over alleged sexual assaults – Alstonville
March 26, 2010
A man will appear in court next month charged over a number of alleged historical sexual assaults.
The 29-year-old man, who was working as an alternative health practitioner based at Alstonville, was arrested by detectives from Richmond Local Area Command yesterday (Thursday 25 March).
Detectives have been investigating alleged sexual assaults that occurred between 2005 and 2010.
The man was taken to Ballina Police Station and subsequently charged with aggravated sexual assault and two counts of aggravated indecent assault.
He was granted conditional bail and is expected to appear in Ballina Local Court on 15 April 2010.
Inquiries are continuing and Ballina Detectives are appealing for anyone who has information that might assist their investigations to contact them via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Memories sought for oral history of Northern Rivers
January 28, 2010
A Southern Cross University researcher is searching for older people living from Tweed Heads to Kyogle who can share their memories of the region’s early history.
Theresa Mason has embarked on her PhD research project – an oral history of the Northern Rivers – and already has many a fascinating tale to tell, thanks to locals sharing their stories for her earlier Honours project.
Her interest in the region’s history began when she was editing and writing for The Village Journal, a local newspaper based in Rosebank, serving the rural areas between Dunoon, Federal and Bexhill.
“I came across all of these older people who had fascinating stories to tell,” she said. “Many of the stories around people’s experiences during the Great Depression and in times of war were particularly interesting.
