Weather Situation Update for North Coast NSW
January 25, 2012
The State Emergency Service says that heavy rainfall is predicted to continue in the northern half of the Norther Rivers area over the next 24-48 hours.
With rainfalls of up to 200mm overnight, flooding continues across the area. Rainfall averaging 80-100mm is expected, with the potential for very heavy, localised falls up to 250mm in the Tweed area.
There is a high potential for flash flooding in the area and the Bureau of Meteorology has a Severe Weather Warning in place.
There are also eight Flood Warnings, a Flood Watch and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning in place. People in the affected areas are advised to check the Bureau of Meteorology’s website for updates on the warnings.
Lismore, Grafton regional galleries to host touring exhibitions
January 22, 2012
Page MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed news that the Australian Government’s national touring program, Visions of Australia, and the Contemporary Touring Initiative is supporting exhibitions at Grafton and Lismore regional art galleries.
A tribute to Australia’s first expedition to Antarctica is just one of the arts and cultural exhibitions that will soon tour the Northern Rivers thanks to almost $1.7million in Australian Government funding announced by Arts Minister Simon Crean.
“As we commemorate 100 years since Sir Douglas Mawson’s expedition to Antarctica, we are fortunate that the Grafton Regional Gallery will be one of a select few Australia-wide to host Traversing Antarctica: The Australian Experience,” Ms Saffin said.
The exhibition is a collaboration between the National Archives and the Australian Antarctic Division, exploring 100 years of the Australian experience in Antarctica. The exhibition is scheduled to be presented in Grafton in June 2014.
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Police seize $7.5m worth of cannabis during Eradication Program
January 21, 2012
Police have seized $7.5 million worth of cannabis in Richmond Local Area Command during the second group of raids in the 2011-2012 Cannabis Eradication Program.
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.
Police officer charged with alleged indecent assault – Goonellabah
January 5, 2012
A male police officer has been charged following an alleged indecent assault in Goonellabah last year.
The constable, who is a serving officer attached to Northern Region, was served with a future court attendance notice today (Thursday 5 January 2012), charged with assault with act of indecency and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The charges relate to the alleged indecent assault of a woman at her home in Goonellabah on Saturday 5 November 2011.
He is due to appear in Lismore Local Court on Thursday 16 February 2012.
The officer’s duty status is under review.
Energy White Paper ‘a document for the last century’
December 15, 2011
The 100% Renewable Community Campaign has strongly condemned the Energy White Paper, released on Tuesday by Energy and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson, as a backward-looking document that ignores the benefits of renewable energy and locks Australia into a future of ever continuing power price rises.
“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.”
Three charged and more than $600,000 worth of drugs seized – Corndale
November 11, 2011
Police have charged two men and a woman and seized more than $630,000 worth of drugs following a search warrant in the State’s north yesterday.
About 9.30am (Thursday 10 November 2011), police from Richmond Local Area Command executed a search warrant at a property on Rosebank Road, Corndale.
Police allegedly located an elaborate hydroponic set-up in a shed on the property.
Police allegedly seized 296 cannabis plants, almost 8kg of cannabis leaf, more than 400 grams of cannabis resin, three grams of methylamphetamine, a 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition and fireworks.
The estimated street value of the drugs seized is estimated to be in excess of $630,000.
Boy, 13, charged over serious assault – Lismore
November 10, 2011
A 13-year-old boy will appear in court after he allegedly assaulted a man in the State’s north last month.
About 10.20pm on Friday 28 October 2011, a 19-year-old man was walking along Uralba Street, Lismore, when he began to be followed by a group of five youths.
The man began to run from the group, however, they chased him, catching him at the intersection of Hunter Street.
The group allegedly threatened the man before assaulting him.
It is alleged the 13-year-old boy picked up a large rock and threw it at the man’s head, causing a large wound above his left eye.
Discussion paper on residential parks
November 9, 2011
Member for Ballina Don Page has welcomed the release of a discussion paper on ways to improve the governance of residential parks by the Minister for Fair Trading Anthony Roberts.
Mr Page said that residential parks provide an affordable housing choice for many people, who develop strong, valuable networks of support within their park.
“It is vital that effective laws are in place setting out clear and balanced rights and obligations for residents and park operators,” said Mr Page.
“The discussion paper honours our election commitment to residential park residents to carry out a full review of the Residential Parks Act 1998 and improve the governance of the residential parks industry”.
The paper looks at several ways to help strengthen and grow the residential parks sector, including options for licensing park operators, education for new operators and better ways to resolve disputes about rent increases.
Spiritsong to perform Vivaldi in Ballina, Lismore
November 7, 2011
The choir Spiritsong, under the direction of Warren Whitney, will present a collection of choral classics including the complete Gloria RV589, by Vivaldi.
Originally composed [1716] for the girls in the orphanage where Vivaldi was priest, it remained relatively unknown until 1939.
Since this performance in Siena, it has become a firm favourite with choirs and audiences for its theatrical quality and rich contrasts of texture and expression.
Also on the program will be a selection of settings of Ave Maria, of which many have been written but only four will be performed.
And the celebration? It is 400 years since the death of Tamas Luigi de Victoria, possibly one of Spain’s best composers and a master of intricate choral writing, often with the pipe organ as soloist, from the late Renaissance. His music has great intensity and emotional appeal that belies its era.
TWILIGHT PERFORMANCE:
Wednesday, 30 November, 2011 @ 6.00pm, St Mary’s Anglican Church, Ballina.
EVENING PERFORMANCE:
Thursday, 1 December, 2011 @ 7.30pm, St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore.
Tickets at the door, adult $12, concession $10, enquiries 0429 185 361.
Police appeal for information after man injured in hospital – Lismore
November 7, 2011
Police have appealed for information after a man sustained significant abdominal injuries at a hospital in the state’s Northern Region.
The 36-year-old man sustained the injuries on Saturday (5 November 2011) and he is currently in serious but stable condition in Lismore Base Hospital.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Lismore LAC or Crime Stoppers on 1 800 333 000.
