Strike Force Hyperion comprises detectives from the Drug Squad’s Cannabis Team, with assistance from the NSW Police Air Wing, Police Dog Unit, Radio Electronics Unit and officers from Richmond Local Area Command.

During the past week, Strike Force Hyperion officers targeted more than 60 cannabis crop sites throughout Richmond Local Area Command, including Kippenduff, Rappville, Clearfield, Busby Flat, Mummulgum, Bulldog, Drake, Nimbin, Blue Knob, Kyogle and Tabulam.

A total of 3734 plants were located and seized by police during the operation.

The total estimated potential street value of the plants seized during the past five days is $7.5 million. All plants seized by police have been now been destroyed.

The Cannabis Eradication Program has been running since the mid 1980s, with the NSW Police Force preventing almost $240 million worth of cannabis reaching NSW streets.

As in previous years, the 2011-2012 operation will see police conduct a number of similar raids over the next few months in an ongoing effort to target cannabis cultivation.

Acting Commander of the State Crime Command’s Drug Squad, Detective Acting Superintendent Steve Patton, said the Cannabis Eradication Program aims to disrupt the cannabis supply chain in NSW by targeting the source.

“Illegal cannabis growers choose their growing locations based on the mistaken belief that police won’t find them,” Det Acting Supt Patton said.

“However, as we prove with this program every year, we have the resources to find these crops and put a dent in the cannabis market.”

Dr Reis, attached to the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, was commissioned to do the study by the four councils in which the rally was conducted including Coffs Harbour, Clarence Valley, Bellingen and Nambucca shires.

“Some businesses reported less trading but some reported more,” she said.

“Impacts varied largely between shires, with some reporting significant social benefits, despite more neutral economic impacts.

“Most of the economic benefit was concentrated on the accommodation sector, but that was mostly in Coffs Harbour, which was the base for the Rally.

“There was a degree of disappointment directed towards the organisers of the Rally as many of the businesses did not think the amount of people expected to come eventuated.

“Despite this, the overwhelming majority of businesses, whether they made money or not, want the Rally to return.

“You can put this down to the feeling of pride the region can get by holding such a high profile event.”

The basis of Dr Reis’ findings was on 226 surveys completed by businesses based in the region. According to Dr Reis’ report, approximately an extra $460,000 was recorded as additional revenue by the businesses surveyed and 34 per cent of businesses indicated that they had additional customers compared with the same time the previous year.

Still a considerable proportion of businesses reported losses due to the event, but aggregated data indicates that a net gain was reported by surveyed businesses.

“Although this total is a positive result, it is important to note that significant losses were also reported, which indicates that benefits were not evenly spread within the community,” Dr Reis said.

“In general, the event was considered positive by the business community, particularly if the event returns and some mistakes are avoided. Several respondents mentioned the long-term benefits that may be derived from the positive exposure of the region to other markets, possibly attracting new visitors and trade to the region.”

Dr Reis also found that businesses said they would now know how to better prepare for the event to maximise income after the 2011 race. The councils and businesses expect the Rally to return in 2013, although this is still not confirmed. The Rally previously was held in the Tweed and Kyogle regions.

The WRC round in Coffs Harbour this year was the first time the event had been held on the Mid North Coast.

A full copy of the report is available on request by emailing arianne.reis@scu.edu.au

“The White Paper is a document for the last century, unable to see that the world is investing strongly in renewables and that we will be left behind,” said Tony Gleeson, Ballina Climate Action Network (BCAN) and the 100% Renewable community campaign spokesperson.”

“What Mr Ferguson has released is a gas plan for Australia. Gas is no solution to our long-term energy needs.

“In Australia, gas means coal seam gas. Coal seam gas is a danger to our precious farmland and is no better than coal in terms of emissions.

“Tying ourselves to gas also exposes Australian consumers to high international gas prices at the power point, just the way we are now at the petrol pump.

“A massive investment in renewable energy is essential for Australia.

“If Australia wants low-cost, zero-carbon energy, we need to invest strongly in renewables like solar and wind now to achieve the benefits of technologies that get cheaper the more you build.

“100% Renewable is calling for 2000MW of big solar plants to be built through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation by 2015.

“Big Solar is proven and commercially available in US and ready to build now in Australia, the sunniest continent on earth, but the White Paper is too stuck in the energy sources of the past to see this.

“It’s no surprise that this committee, stacked as it is with fossil fuel interests, would come up with such a narrow document. It’s time we had people deciding our energy future who aren’t there to protect their own interests in coal and gas.

“We call on Australians to tell Mr Ferguson that we expect much better than this.”

Tour Director and event founder Tony Keogh said the Tour truly is Hell on Wheels.

“The ride follows a rigorous 600km route over 8 days and will test mountain bike riders’ endurance,” Tony said.

“However, riders will be in the company of other cyclists out to enjoy themselves and raise money for a worthy cause.”

Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter General Manager Kris Beavis said Yellow Pages are once again on board as sponsors.

“As result of their generous sponsorship, all riders will get to wear a Yellow Rider’s Jersey,” Mr Beavis said.

“It’s not quite the Tour de France Yellow Jersey, but it’s a great memento.

“The event is in its 14th year, and is one of our longest-running and most successful fundraisers, having raised $450,000 over that time.”

For information on how to register or to sponsor a rider visit the Events page on the website, www.helirescue.com.au or phone Krystal on 6627 4444.

PICTURE: A sea of yellow jerseys – riders compete in the 2010 Yellow Pages Hell on Wheels cycle tour.

The Tour schedule is as follows:

• Day 1 – Saturday October 8 – Depart Lismore Helicopter Base (and return same day)
• Day 2 – Sunday October 9– Depart Kyogle for Urbenville
• Day 3 – Monday October 10 – Depart Urbenville for Tabulam
• Day 4 – Tuesday October 11 – Depart Tabulam for Copmanhurst
• Day 5 – Wednesday October 12 – Depart Copmanhurst for Maclean
• Day 6 – Thursday October 13 – Depart Maclean for Evans Head
• Day 7 – Friday October 14 – Depart Casino for Ballina
• Day 8 – Saturday October 15 – Depart Ballina for Lismore Helibase

About 8.20pm (Sunday 7 August 2011), a red Nissan Navara utility was travelling west on Anzac Parage, Kyogle, when it left the road and slid onto the opposite side of the roadway, before crashing into a power pole.

Police and emergency services attended the scene and released both occupants from the vehicle, and they were taken by helicopter to Lismore Base Hospital.

The 17-year-old male driver suffered facial lacerations and head injuries.

The 17-year-old male passenger suffered facial lacerations and suspected head and spinal injuries.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to contact Kyogle police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Jetstar Titans have opted to grant both players an immediate release from the final month of their respective contracts in order to allow them to commence preparations for their code switches to rugby union.

Walker, a former Kyogle junior, will join the Australian Sevens Squad for training this weekend, while Tomane will join the Brumbies through one of their affiliate clubs, Uni Norths, this weekend.

Walker has played four NRL matches since making his debut for the Titans in 2008 while Tomane has played 14 NRL games since joining the club from the Melbourne Storm in 2010.

Walker said that while he enjoyed his time at the Gold Coast-based NRL club, the idea of playing Rugby Sevens for Australia was an opportunity too good to refuse.

“I really enjoyed my time at the Titans and I learnt a lot but when I looked at Sevens and looked at the opportunities, it provides to tour the world and represent Australia at the Olympics, I couldn’t really turn down the idea,” said Walker.

“The time was right for me to make a decision and I thank the Titans for their support and ARU and the Sevens coaching staff for showing faith in me and giving me an opportunity to prove I deserve a Gold jersey.

“I know there is a lot of hard work ahead, but I am looking forward to the challenge and hopefully realising the dream of securing that Gold jersey and hopefully in 2016 a Gold Medal.”

Tomane, who played rugby at Nudgee College in Brisbane, said he was thankful for the Titans’ understanding in allowing him to return to rugby union.

Ms Saffin said many small businesses in urban centres and rural areas of her electorate were adversely affected by the floods last December and in January this year.

“The Clarence Valley was hit particularly hard by this flooding, as were parts of the Kyogle Shire and Richmond Valley,” Ms Saffin said.

“In addition, across the Northern Rivers, many small businesses in the tourism sector experienced significant loss of income from cancellation of bookings.

“Our community is known for its resilience in the wake of natural disasters, but some businesses may be still struggling and need the right advice to help them recover.

“This is why I encouraged NORBEC and its partner organisations to apply for funding under the Australian Government’s Small Business Advisory Services (SBAS) Natural Disaster Program.”

The Northern Rivers Business Enterprise Centre will provide one-on-one mentoring and workshops to small businesses directly or indirectly affected by natural disasters since October 2010. The workshops will include cash flow management, short-term cost-effective marketing strategies and boosting businesses through online resources.

NORBEC has been serving the region’s business community for more than 20 years, and has advisers in Lismore, Ballina-Byron, the Clarence Valley and Tweed Heads.

Federal Small Business Minister Senator Nick Sherry said 25 not-for-profit business advisory bodies across Australia would share in $2.5 million worth of funding under the SBAS Natural Disaster Program.

For information on SBAS and other small business assistance measures visit www.ausindustry.gov.au, call the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au

Most of the calls have been for leaking roofs and roof damage but there have been five flood rescues completed.

“With more weather on the way, it is really important that people stay out of floodwater.” Incident Controller Scott Hanckel said.

“If people come across a flooded road, we are urging that they turn around and find another route. It just isn’t worth the risk to people and their families.”

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that further rain is predicted in the area and there are still four Flood Warnings, a Severe Weather Warning and a Flood Watch in place.

The Flood Watch has been revised and is now in place for the Brunswick to the Wyong River Valleys.

Local rescue crews are in place in key areas, ready to respond to further requests, and members around the State are on standby to assist affected communities.

Residents are being encouraged to ensure their property is prepared where a flood threat exists- by securing loose items around the home and yard and ensuring that drains are free from blockages.

Motorists travelling through the affected areas should tune into the local radio stations for updates and advice, and check the RTA info line for traffic updates on 131 700.

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the SES on 132 500.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

The girl was last seen at a residence on Arbour Avenue at Robina but is now missing and police hold concerns for her safety.

The car, believed to be driven by a man, is described as being a 2006 silver Holden Viva station wagon with Queensland registration 965JFC and is believed to be in the northern NSW area, near Casino or Kyogle.

Please see Queensland Police facebook site for images.

Ring 131 564 to provide information about this abduction.

Please ring 000 for life threatening information about this abduction.

Police are also investigating the deaths of a man and a woman whose bodies were located in a unit at Robina this morning.

The bodies were discovered in the Arbour Avenue unit around 8am today.

The crash happened shortly before 4.30pm on Hillyards Road, Boorabee Park, when a 2007-model black Mitsubishi Colt sedan left the gravel road and hit a tree, then slid down an embankment, coming to rest in a paddock.

A 15-year-old female passenger was airlifted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to Lismore Base Hospital where she underwent surgery overnight for serious internal injuries. She remains in Intensive Care in a stable condition.

The two other victims were taken by ambulance to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.

The 17-year-old female driver suffered broken ribs, internal bruising and a possible head injury. She remains in hospital in a stable condition. Both younger girls are from Geneva, south-west of Kyogle.

An 18-year-old woman, from the Gold Coast, was treated at hospital for minor injuries and released.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by Kyogle Police.