Four arrested over alleged amphetamine trafficking
August 18, 2010
Four more people have been arrested following a seven-month investigation into the alleged trafficking of amphetamines in the Richmond Local Area Command.
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.
Tourist drive concept a great idea, says Page
July 5, 2010
The Member for Ballina, Don Page, has welcomed the concept of a new tourist drive between Ross Lane near Lennox Head and Ewingsdale near Byron Bay.
The proposed name of the tourist drive is The Hinterland Way and early plans show it will take the route of what will be the old Pacific Highway when the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade of the Pacific Motorway is completed.
“I think this is an exciting tourism concept that will make the most of existing infrastructure when the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale upgrade of the highway is completed,” Mr Page said.
“Much of that stretch of what will be the old highway has spectacular views of the coast and hinterland and this lends itself to being promoted as a tourist drive.
Bitumen bandits may be active in Bangalow, Lennox Head
June 12, 2010
Fair Trading Deputy Commissioner Steve Griffin is warning consumers on the NSW Far North Coast to beware of bitumen bandits offering to lay asphalt on driveways at cheap rates.
Mr Griffin said Fair Trading was investigating reports of itinerant traders attempting to scam locals at Bangalow and possibly Lennox Head with cheap bitumen laying offers.
“Fair Trading has operational people in the field tracking the movements of these shonks,” he said.
“Bitumen bandits generally target older, vulnerable people in rural and regional areas and have been subject to ongoing Fair Trading investigations.”
Lennox Head asbestos clean-up progresses, says council
June 7, 2010
Ballina Shire council says Lennox Head residents can be assured that the asbestos clean-up is in hand.
Not only were many homes damaged, but some home owners had asbestos hazardous material blown into their properties from the tornado that ripped through parts of Lennox Head last Thursday morning, 3 June.
Mayor Phillip Silver said today: “We have received advice that the NSW State Government is going to offer assistance in the handling and disposal of the asbestos for properties that did not receive building damage but have been affected by asbestos being blown into their properties.”
Financial assistance announced for tornado-affected areas
June 4, 2010
Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced that the Commonwealth Government will provide financial assistance to communities affected by the tornado and severe weather in Lennox Head yesterday.
Commonwealth assistance is being provided to New South Wales through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) and will apply to the natural disaster declared areas of Ballina and Byron shires.
Funding will include assistance for the restoration of essential public infrastructure and relief operations, including:
- Personal hardship and distress (PHD) grants to low-income earners whose principal residence has been damaged. Enquiries should be directed to the NSW Department of Community Services on 1800 018 444.
- Concessional loans of up to $130,000 for affected small businesses and primary producers. Enquiries should be directed to the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593;
- Concessional loans of up to $25,000 for voluntary and non-profit organisations. Enquiries should be directed to NSW Treasury on (02) 9228 5198;
- Road and rail freight subsidies of up to $15,000 to assist primary producers for the carriage of livestock and fodder. Enquiries should be directed to the NSW Industry and Investment office on 1800 814 647.
Mr McClelland said the Commonwealth, through Emergency Management Australia, will continue to work closely with New South Wales authorities, local government and community organisations to ensure that affected communities have all the support they need during this difficult period.
Lennox Head Update – Public Health Warning
June 3, 2010
Residents of the affected area at Lennox Head are being advised that as a result of today’s tornado, some damaged properties may contain asbestos material.
The clean-up of the debris on public property will be undertaken by Ballina Council in the morning.
Any resident who has material on their property should contact their household insurer to arrange its safe removal.
Residents should remain mindful of the issues associated with asbestos.
Lennox Head tornado had winds exceeding 150km/h
June 3, 2010
The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed that a tornado, with winds in excess of 150km/h, has impacted the town of Lennox Head between 7:30 and 8am this morning.
The SES said the tornado has cut a swathe of damage through parts of Lennox Head close to the beach with streets affected including Pacific Pde, Stewart St, Gibbon St and Ian Ave.
The SES has received in total 78 requests for assistance from Lennox Head of which most remain outstanding. Assistance is being provided to the SES by the Rural Fire Service and the NSW Fire Brigades and the NSW Police.
Approximately 12 properties have suffered very significant damage. These properties may be uninhabitable and may require engineering assessments.
Evacuation centre set up after Lennox Head storm
June 3, 2010
An evacuation centre has been set up at the Sports and Recreation Club, Lennox Head, for residents requiring temporary accommodation, following the major storm which hit the township around 7.30am today (Thursday 3 June).
There have been a number of persons injured and they are being treated by NSW Ambulance personnel.
Police ask all residents to stay away from the area as it is considered dangerous due to loose debris and power lines across roadways.
Police ask residents in northern NSW to take precautions and follow all storm warnings in the region.
Residents are asked 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).
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.
North Coast Student Sustainability Forum
May 24, 2010
Ninety high school students and teachers will gather on Jali country for the third Students Using Sustainable Strategies (SUSS) Forum from the 26th to 28th May.
The event, which will draw 15 high schools from across the Northern Rivers, focuses on building environmental leadership and management in schools.
With key involvement from five high school students on the organising committee, including the YEC (Youth Environment Council), this year’s Forum is set to be the best yet.
There will be more workshops on leadership, finding funds and networking and an increase in student-facilitated workshops.
