Hardard reduction burn-offs near Evans Head
September 1, 2010
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is putting the final preparations in place for three fuel reduction burns over the next few weeks to increase fire protection for assets adjacent to and within Bundjalung and Broadwater National Parks, near Evans Head.
NPWS Richmond River Area Manager Mark Pittavino said that the burns will help to reduce risk to property and protect the natural and cultural values of the national parks.
“The purpose of the burns is to provide fuel-reduced areas which will help to prevent the spread of wildfire,” Mr Pittavino said.
The burns are as follows:
- Twenty hectares in the Evans Head Defence Air Weapons Range in Bundjalung National Park to help stop the spread of fire from military activities and protect assets.
- Seven hectares in Broadwater National Park off Wallum Drive, near Evans Head to protect properties.
- Five hundred hectares in Bundjalung National Park (West) adjacent to the Pacific Highway, fifteen kilometres south of New Italy, in order to provide a hazard reduced area to reduce the spread of wildfire across the landscape.
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.
Fluke Matcher uncovers a world of knowledge about whales
August 30, 2010
Southern Cross University has launched a powerful new software program that will enable researchers from around the world to collate humpback whale photographic catalogues and gain new understanding of the marine mammal’s biology, ecology and behaviour.
Fluke Matcher was developed by a team of researchers including Daniel Burns and Professor Peter Harrison, from Southern Cross University’s Marine Ecology Research Centre, and Dr Eric Kniest, from the University of Newcastle and was funded by the Australian Government.
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.
Eli Cook wins a NSW Sport and Recreation Indigenous Scholarship
July 26, 2010
A love of sports spurred Eli Cook into studying for a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science degree at Southern Cross University.
Now in his second year and ‘loving it’, Eli has won a NSW Sport and Recreation Indigenous Scholarship worth $10,000 over two years. The scholarship is part of the Rising Stars Scholarships program.
“This is going to make a huge difference to my financial situation,” Eli said.
“I study pretty well full-time doing four units, as well as working part-time as the assistant manager at Farmer Charlie’s Fruit Barn in Evans Head, but when you are living away from home, money is always tight.
Whale watchers’ photographs can help research project
July 21, 2010
Whale watch tour operators and passengers will have the chance to contribute to a Southern Cross University research project which aims to provide valuable new data on the migration of humpback whales along Australia’s east coast.
Peta Beeman, who is completing a Master of Marine Science and Management and is part of the University’s Marine Ecology Research Centre, is aiming to bring together photographs of individual whales from Victoria north to the Whitsunday Islands.
Emus at risk
July 5, 2010
A new brochure, funded by the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, aims to raise community awareness and support for the endangered NSW North Coast population of the coastal emu.
National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) Ranger Holly North said that as recently as the 1980s, emus were widespread in coastal NSW from Port Stephens to Evans Head.
Fox baiting program is aimed at helping Pied Oystercatcher
June 16, 2010
The annual fox baiting program is about to begin on the North Coast from South Wall at Ballina to approximately 6.5km south of the Black Rocks Camping Area in Bundjalung National Park.
The program, a joint initiative of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA) and North Coast Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA), has been successful in increasing fledgling numbers of one of the most significant bird populations in the area, the Pied Oystercatcher.
Major storm hits Lennox Head this morning
June 3, 2010
A major storm has hit Lennox Head this morning.
A number of homes have been destroyed, power lines are down and a number of caravans have been overturned at the Lennox Head Caravan Park.
The storm hit the township of Lennox Head around 7.30am today (Thursday 3 June).
Police urge all local residents to stay inside their homes and to contact the State Emergency Service should they require assistance on 132 500. In the case of emergencies call Triple Zero (000).
Pacific Parade, Lennox Head, has been closed to traffic and residents are asked to stay away from this area as power lines are down and are considered dangerous.
Further details with respect to evacuation centres will be supplied in due course.
The SES reports that, according to the Bureau of Meteorololgy, a trough lying off the New South Wales North Coast has deepened overnight, leading to the development off a low pressure centre off the coast.
Widespread showers and rain are expected over the north-east of the state during this time, with the chance of local thunderstorms.
Later today and on Friday the low is forecast to move slowly south, before moving away to the Tasman Sea on Saturday.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, very heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Intense waterspouts near these thunderstorms may also produce destructives winds. Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Lennox Head, Byron Bay, Ballina, Brunswick Heads, and Evans Head.
New brand for Pacific Coast Touring Route
June 1, 2010
The Pacific Coast Touring Route has been rebranded The Legendary Pacific Coast through a new tourism initiative to promote the popular touring route along the Pacific Highway, between Sydney to Brisbane.
Collaboration between the tourism industry and four NSW regional tourism organisations, including Northern Rivers Tourism, along with $500,000 received through the Australian Government’s TQUAL Grants program, has provided the opportunity to develop the new brand and create new marketing opportunities.
“The brand repositions the section of the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane as a place where personal memories and legendary experiences are waiting to be created by today’s travellers. The Legendary Pacific Coast represents a touring destination that embraces the open road, the freedom and both the magnificent beaches and hinterland that lie to either side,” said the CEO of Northern Rivers Tourism, Russell Mills.
