NPWS Pest Management Officer Lisa Wellman said that prior to the start of each program, which began in 2006, advertisements are placed in local newspapers to advise people that the baiting is commencing.

“The program is undertaken twice a year in spring and autumn and looks for evidence of wild dogs which can then be controlled,” Ms Wellman said. 

“Control programs are based around baiting programs, and monitoring is also undertaken to determine how successful the program has been.

“The reserves to be targeted this spring are Maryland, Toonumbar, Richmond Range, Mebbin, Mt Jerusalem, Bundjalung, Nightcap, Mt Pikapene, Fortis Creek and Goonengerry National Parks, Whian Whian State Conservation Area and Bungabbee and Muckleewee Mountain Nature Reserve.

“In Mount Pikapene National Park, south-west of Casino, the wild dog program is being conducted as a collaborative program with adjacent landholders for the first time. Monitoring will commence next week, with baiting to follow if required.

“About a dozen enthusiastic landholders are already involved in the program and will conduct baiting on their own properties in conjunction with control in the national park. We would like to encourage other landholders to join in.

“Landholders in areas nearby who wish to conduct baiting on their own properties should contact their local Livestock, Health and Pest Authority.

“Our monitoring allows us to target wild dogs in specific areas where they are found and in the past has shown that control has been effective.’
 
“We have received very positive feedback from the community in response to our programs. We encourage park neighbours to report wild dog incidents to the NPWS and the LHPA.”

For information on where wild dog control programs are taking place, contact your local NPWS office: Kyogle Area 6632 0000, Tweed Area 6670 8600, Richmond River Area 6627 0200, Clarence North Area 6641 1500.

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About 8.10am, Sunday 22 August, a 65-year-old man was assisting his neighbour on a rural property on Tatham Ellangowan Road at Ellangowan when the incident occurred.

It is believed the man was riding on the back of a tractor as it travelled into a paddock when the vehicle went over a ridge causing the man to loose his footing.

He was subsequently thrown into the air by the jolt and forced over a rear wheel of the tractor before being run over.

Despite the efforts of the tractor driver and paramedics to resuscitate the man, he died at the scene.

Lismore Detectives and officers from the Crash Investigation Unit attended the property and conducted examinations of the scene, while WorkCover was also notified about the incident.

Investigations into the man’s death are continuing and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

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Officers attached to the Richmond LAC Drug Unit attended a home in Goonellabah at 6.30am and arrested a 44-year-old man. Police later returned to the house and also arrested the man’s 31-year-old female partner.

They were taken to Lismore Police Station and charged with drug-related offences, including knowingly take part in the supply of a prohibited drug and supply prohibited drug.

Officers also attended two homes in Casino and arrested a 32-year-old man and 50-year-old woman.

They were taken to Casino Police Station where they were charged with offences including supply prohibited drug and knowingly take part in the supply of a prohibited drug.

All four people will face court next month.

Today’s arrests are the culmination of a seven-month investigation codenamed Operation Redmahogany, which targeted amphetamine supply in the Richmond LAC.

In May this year Operation Redmahogany investigators arrested a 51-year-old Alstonville woman, a 48-year-old Rosebank man and a 29-year-old Alstonville man.

All three were charged with several drug-related offences including conspiracy to manufacture prohibited drug, supply and possess prohibited drug.

During the course of Operation Redmahogany officers seized a quantity of amphetamines and cannabis, including two kilograms of cannabis and cannabis plants.

Chemicals were also located at a Rosebank property and seized for further forensic analysis.

Operation Redmahogany is the latest of several investigations into drug trafficking conducted by Richmond LAC officers.

In June this year, drug investigation officers established Strike Force Jill to investigate the large commercial supply of cocaine and other prohibited drugs.

On July 21 this year, officers arrested a 28-year-old Israeli national at a Lennox Head Motel and, as a result of a search warrant, located a quantity of cash and 458grams of MDMA which has an estimated street value of $100,000.

Yesterday a 22-year-old Ballina woman was also arrested in connection with Strike Force Jill.

She was charged with 10 counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime after she allegedly transferred almost $74,000 into overseas bank accounts.

On July 25 this year, investigators attached to Strike Force Tonkie arrested a 48-year-old man who had been wanted for failing to appear before Lismore Local Court on charges of supply and possess 4.6 kilograms of cannabis and 90 grams of amphetamine.

Strike Force Tonkie commenced in August 2007 and has resulted in the arrest of 27 people for a total of 65 charges, including 18 offences relating to the supply of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs.

Richmond LAC Crime Manager Detective Inspector Greg Moore said police will continue to target anyone involved in the illicit drug trade.

“Police will not waver in their efforts to protect the community and rid our streets of drug dealers,” Det Insp Moore said.

“Those who continue to peddle drugs should be on notice that their activities will be detected; they will be arrested and will be put before the courts.

“The community and the police will continue to work together in this endeavour.”

Anyone with information on drug trafficking should contact Crime Stoppers on1800 333 000.

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Neighbourhood Centre leaders from Lismore, South Grafton, Casino, Nimbin, Mullumbimby and Pottsville gathered with Senator Stephens and Ms Saffin to discuss their plans for celebrating Social Inclusion Week 2010.

The first Social Inclusion Week was held last year and was the brainchild of Jonathan Welch, best known for establishing the Choir of Hope and Inspiration (formerly the Choir of Hard Knocks).

The Australian Government and the Brotherhood of St Laurence were major sponsors of the inaugural Social Inclusion Week.

The objective of the Week is to bring about more inclusive communities through taking practical steps to fight loneliness and isolation by bringing people together.

Last year’s week was a great success, with a wide diversity of events held across Australia – from sausage sizzles to jazz sessions, from cricket matches to market stalls, and even roller-skating displays.

The focus of each event was on bringing people together, particularly those who are traditionally isolated from the rest of the community such as people suffering a mental illness, those who are homeless and people with a disability.

“Neighbourhood Centres are a touchstone for finding out about local services and getting involved in the community,” said Senator Stephens.

“From the ideas that the Centre leaders have been discussing today, it’s clear that Social Inclusion 2010 is going to be even better than last year.”

Ms Saffin acknowledged the invaluable role that Neighbourhood Centres play in the Far North Coast and hinterland region and congratulated them on their proactive role in preparing for Social Inclusion Week 2010.

“Social Inclusion Week is a great time for showcasing the strong community spirit that we have here in the Far North Coast and hinterland,” she said.

“I’ve told the centres that I’m happy to help out with their celebrations in any way, and I encourage all local community members to get involved too – whether it be through participating in an event or running one.”

For more information about Social Inclusion Week 2010, go to http://socialinclusionweek.ning.com/

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The girl was last seen about 3.30pm on Wednesday, 14 July, by her grandmother at Zadoc Street, Lismore.

Police from Richmond Local Area Command investigated her disappearance and she was located on the weekend in Casino.

Police would like to thank the public and the media for their assistance.

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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.

“The NBN will offer speeds of 100 megabits per second – 100 times faster than many people experience today,” she said.

“And NBN Co will also deliver next generation wireless and satellite services with speeds of 12 megabits per second to local centres including Coutts Crossing, Lawrence, Urbenville and Woodenbong. This would provide average data rates more than 20 times higher than most users experience today.

“Today’s release of the maps follows the news earlier this month that Coffs Harbour would be one of the next roll-out sites for the NBN and the nerve centre for the roll-out to the North Coast corridor.”

Details of the NBN mapping is available at: http://www.alp.org.au/agenda/nbn/

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Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan said: “Trevor Rose has commenced duties in his new role. He replaces Bill Hoffman, who retired this year.

“He will undergo six months in service training before taking on the role of providing beef producers with information on production, marketing and natural resource management.

“Our livestock officers across the state work hard to provide producers with up-to-date and relevant information that will assist our livestock industries be sustainable and profitable.”

Mr Whan said that Mr Rose’s 20 years experience in the rural sector will be a great asset to North Coast beef producers.

“Trevor has had a long association with the agricultural industry and has a sound background in the beef and dairy industries,” he said.

“He has a strong knowledge of North Coast pasture systems through his previous role with Industry & Investment NSW as a Projects Manager in the Pastures Unit.

“He has experience working in a range of North Coast farming systems and has a good knowledge of their production limitations.

“Trevor’s past experience managing projects with the Department has given him an excellent understanding of natural resource management issues and the importance of working closely with producers to solve both natural resource and production challenges.”

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Just after 2pm, the 21-foot motorboat was heading across Ballina Bar when it appears to have been swamped by a large wave and overturned.

Four men were thrown into the water.

A jet ski and another passing boat managed to rescue two of the men while the other two were picked up by a surf rescue boat.

One of the men, a 63-year-old from Casino, was not breathing and although rescuers attempted to resuscitate him he could not be revived.

The three other men, aged 72, 62 and 43, were all conveyed to Ballina Hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

Police from the Richmond Local Area Command attended the location and commenced an investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Anyone who witnessed the incident and has not yet spoken to police is urged to contact Ballina Police on (02) 6626 0599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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About 11.15am yesterday (Sunday 4 July 2010), a 68-year-old woman and an 84-year-old man were allegedly tied up after being confronted inside their Jasmine Street house.

It will be alleged three youths stole several items before driving from the scene in the couple’s car.

The woman managed to free herself and call police. Neither of them was injured.

Police established a crime scene and searched the area for the three males and the stolen car.

Investigators arrested three teenage boys earlier today at Ocean Shores and took them to Byron Bay Police Station for questioning.

A 16-year-old male from North Parramatta, a 14-year-old from Tweed Heads and a 13-year-old boy from Merrylands have been charged with Aggravated Break and enter, Aggravated Kidnapping, and Take and Drive Conveyance.

They will appear in Lismore Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 6 July 2010).

The 16-year-old and 13-year-old have also been charged in relation to the alleged robbery, kidnapping and car-jacking of a 70-year-old man at North Parramatta on 29 June 2010.

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