Spring wild dog control program to start
September 1, 2010
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is commencing its spring wild dog monitoring and control program across the Northern Rivers Region, conducted in conjunction with the local Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA), NSW Forests and interested private landholders.
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.
Three killed in Tweed crash
August 20, 2010
Police investigating a crash which killed three people last night have determined only two vehicles were involved in the incident, not three as first thought.
The crash happened about 7.50pm on the Tweed Valley Way at Stotts Island, near Tumbulgum, and involved a southbound silver Mitsubishi sedan and a northbound white Nissan Navara tray top utility.
A bicycle found at the crash site had been dislodged from the rear of the utility during the collision.
A 34-year-old woman from Murwillumbah, the driver of the sedan, died at the scene, as did the driver of the utility, a 27-year-old Yamba man.
The passenger of the utility, a 36-year-old man from the Clarence area, was ejected from the vehicle and also died at the scene.
New group will co-ordinate shorebird management
August 18, 2010
As migratory shorebirds make their way south towards our shores, a new group has been formed to co-ordinate shorebird management across the Northern Rivers Region.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Pest Management Officer Lisa Wellman said that the group hopes to improve shorebird management by sharing resources and ideas and developing effective regional strategies.
FNC Neighbourhood Centres plan for Social Inclusion Week
August 18, 2010
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Ursula Stephens, and Federal Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, today met with Neighbourhood Centres across the Far North Coast region to discuss this year’s Social Inclusion Week
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.
Maclean flying-fox management strategy draft released
August 18, 2010
The draft Maclean Flying Fox Management Strategy has been released for public exhibition and the community is encouraged to comment on the draft Strategy.
Following a period of research, review and consultation with affected stakeholders, GeoLINK, on behalf of the Maclean Flying Fox Working Group, has completed a draft Maclean Flying-fox Management Strategy which includes actions to manage the impact of flying-foxes on the Maclean community.
Man charged over vicious assault – South Grafton
August 6, 2010
Detectives have charged a man over a vicious assault at South Grafton last night.
Shortly after 7pm yesterday (Wednesday 4 August), a 22-year-old man allegedly knocked his elderly father to the ground outside a house in Beatson Street, South Grafton, before repeatedly kicking him.
After hearing the disturbance, a 67-year-old man came out of a neighbouring house and called on the man to stop the attack.
The alleged offender chased the man back inside his house before assaulting him, causing serious head wounds, a fractured eye socket and temporary loss of sight.
Man sought after teenager assaulted near Grafton
August 3, 2010
Police are appealing for public assistance after a man allegedly assaulted a teenage girl and tried to force her into a car near Grafton last night.
About 7.45pm the girl was walking along Tindal Road towards Grafton, about 1km from Eatonsville, when a four-wheel-drive stopped alongside her.
The man spoke to the girl before getting out of the vehicle and approaching her.
The girl told police the man grabbed her hair and punched her before dragging her towards the four-wheel-drive and trying to force her into the back.
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.
Four arrested over break-ins – Grafton
July 28, 2010
Police have charged four men over a series of break-ins in Grafton.
About 5pm yesterday, officers from Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command executed simultaneous search warrants on two cabins at a caravan park in South Grafton and a house on nearby Maxwell Avenue.
The raids follows the arrest of a 26-year-old man in Kent Street at Grafton earlier that day and relate to investigations into a series of break-and-enters which have occurred in Grafton and Yamba over the past two months.
During the search warrants, police found mobile telephones, jewellery, credit cards and other items, all of which are alleged to have been stolen.
Bangalow group hosts forum on renewable energy
July 12, 2010
Bangalow Climate Change activist group, Green Coast Catalysts, in conjunction with Don Page, Member for Ballina, will present a public forum focusing on renewable energy options on the morning of Sunday 1 August in the Bangalow A&I Hall.
“Governments the world over continue to procrastinate,” said Chris Sanderson, from Green Coast Catalysts.
“They allow the interests of the fossil fuel industries to take precedence over our energy security. For the same reason, they continue to avoid taking the necessary action that science demands to avoid climate catastrophe.
“As countries now perceive their traditional energy supplies are at risk and prone to serious interruption, so do individuals.
