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.
Man charged with murder following death of cyclist – Mullumbimby
January 5, 2012
Police have arrested and charged a man with murder after allegedly running down a cyclist at Mullumbimby earlier in the week.
About 10:30am, Tuesday 3 January 2012, a 60-year-old man was riding his motorised bicycle south along Coolamon Scenic Drive when he was allegedly hit from behind by a white van.
The van driver allegedly failed to stop at the scene and the 60-year-old man was found by a passing surf lifesaver. The injured man was taken to Mullumbimby Hospital where he died.
Detectives from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command and officers from the Ballina Crash Investigation Unit attended the scene and commenced investigations into the incident.
About 10am yesterday (Wednesday 4 January 2012), police attended a house in Nashua where they arrested a 53-year-old man and seized his white Toyota Hiace van for examination.
The man was taken to Byron Bay Police Station where he was charged with murder and dangerous driving occasioning death.
He has been refused bail to appear in Lismore Local Court today (Thursday 5 January 2012).
Police would like to thank members of the public for their assistance with the matter, however, would still like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet spoken to police.
Anyone with information that could assist police with their inquiries is asked to contact Byron Bay Police or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Police appeal following death of cyclist in hit-and-run collision – Mullumbimby
January 3, 2012
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a cyclist following a hit-and-run collision at Mullumbimby this morning.
About 10am, Tuesday, 3 January 2012, police were called to Synotts Road following reports a cyclist had been hit by a vehicle.
A passing Surf Life Saver stopped at the scene and rendered first aid to the man, who had sustained serious head injuries.
Paramedics were called to the scene and the man, believed to be aged in his late 30s, was taken to Mullumbimby Hospital where he died.
A crime scene has been established on Synotts Road, with officers attached to the Ballina Crash Investigation Unit examining the scene.
Missing person located – Mullumbimby
November 30, 2011
A man missing on the near Mullumbimby has been located.
The 22-year-old had been missing from Huonbrook since about midday on Monday.
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, with assistance from the Volunteer Rescue Association, commenced an extensive search for the man.
About 3.20pm on Tuesday 29 November 2011, the man walked into a house on Huonbrook Road, Huonbrook.
He was found suffering minor dehydration but did not require medical treatment. He told police he went for a walk and became disorientated.
Police appeal to locate missing man – Mullumbimby
November 29, 2011
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a man from Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs missing in the state’s far north.
About 9am yesterday (Monday 28 November 2011), two men, aged 22, were resting at a waterhole near Huonbrook Road, Huonbrook, as they travelled from Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs to Pottsville.
The men fell asleep in the car between 12 noon and 12.30pm and shortly after, one of the men woke up to find the other man was not in the car.
After conducting a search of the area, he attended Mullumbimby Police Station to report the other man missing.
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, with the assistance of Volunteer Rescue Association, conducted an extensive search of the area; however, the man was not located.
The missing man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, of medium build and with sandy-blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a t-shirt, shorts and no shoes.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the man should immediately contact Byron Bay Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
P-plater clocked at 205km/h on Pacific Highway – Cudgera Creek
September 4, 2011
A teenager has been stripped of his provisional licence after being clocked travelling at 205km/h on a highway in the state’s far north.
About 12.55pm today (Saturday 3 September 2011), officers attached to Tweed/Byron Highway Patrol observed a green Nissan Bluebird travelling at high speed northbound on the Pacific Highway, Cudgera Creek.
The vehicle’s speed was allegedly checked at 205km/h.
Police stopped the vehicle near the Cudgera Creek overpass, and spoke with the provisional driver, a 17-year-old Mullumbimby boy.
Body of missing woman located – Mullumbimby
August 20, 2011
A report will be prepared for the Coroner following the discovery of the body of a missing woman at Mullumbimby.
About 4.05pm today (Saturday 20 August 2011), the body of the 82-year-old was found in the Mullumbimby River.
The elderly woman went missing from a local retirement facility on Thursday (18 August 2011).
NSW Police, assisted by the SES, Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and a Westpac Lifesaver helicopter, have been conducting an extensive search of nearby bushland and surrounding areas since the woman was reported missing.
Search continues for missing elderly woman – Mullumbimby
August 20, 2011
Police will today continue their search in bushland at Mullumbimby after an elderly woman went missing from a local retirement facility on Thursday (18 August 2011).
Audrey Woods, who is 82 years of age, went missing from the Azalea Street villa about 3.15pm and has not been seen since.
Police have been searching nearby bushland since the woman went missing, with the assistance of the SES, Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) and a Westpac Lifesaver helicopter.
Audrey is described as being Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall with brown shoulder-length hair. She was last seen wearing a long floral skirt and a cream cardigan.
Police and family hold fears for Audrey’s welfare and safety as she left the villa without warm clothing and is not believed to have taken any money.
They are appealing to residents to assist them by looking in their own back yards and under their homes, as well as ensuring their neighbours are home and are searching their own back yards, in case Audrey has taken refuge from inclement weather.
Anyone who has information concerning the whereabouts of Audrey is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police search for missing woman in Mullumbimby
August 19, 2011
Police have released this image of a woman who has been missing from an aged care facility since yesterday afternoon at Mullumbimby.
Audrey Woods, 82 years old, was last seen by staff at the Azalea Street villa about 3.15pm yesterday (Thursday 18 August).
New Hendra cases confirmed at South Ballina and Mullumbimby
August 18, 2011
Two new properties at South Ballina and Mullumbimby have been infected with the Hendra virus, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) confirmed today, August 18.
“Two horses have died on a South Ballina property and one horse has died on a Mullumbimby property,” NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said.
“The dead horses on the South Ballina property were reported by a neighbour and sampled by a LHPA district vet. The precise time of death for these two horses is currently unknown.
“The horse on the Mullumbimby property was reportedly behaving oddly and died suddenly. A private veterinarian took blood and swab samples from the dead horse.
“All samples were sent to NSW DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute for laboratory analysis – results confirmed the Hendra virus last night for both properties.
“Both properties have been quarantined and movement restrictions are in place for all remaining horses.
“Four remaining horses on the South Ballina property and one horse at the Mullumbimby property are currently showing no signs of illness and will be monitored twice daily.
“Following an initial test, further laboratory testing will be carried out 16 and 32 days following the last contact with the infected horses.”
Dr Roth said seven properties in NSW have now been affected by Hendra virus, with nine horses now dead from the virus.
“Hendra virus can spread from flying foxes to horses and, rarely, from horses to people, and just once in Queensland from horses to a dog,” he said.
“It’s critical horse owners maintain vigilance against this virus.
“People should keep horses away from fruiting and flowering trees that might attract fruit bats or other areas where bats are known to congregate.
“NSW DPI and the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities are working with private veterinarians to undertake extensive property checks across NSW and manage the five quarantined properties.”
Hendra in NSW snapshot (since 30/6/2011):
- 7 properties have been confirmed positive for the Hendra virus – Wollongbar, Macksville, Lismore, Ballina, South Ballina and two properties at Mullumbimby.
- 9 horse deaths.
- 153 properties have been confirmed as negative for the Hendra virus, with further confirmatory antibody testing still under way on some properties.
- 5 properties are currently quarantined. Following extensive testing and decontamination, quarantine measures have been lifted at the Wollongbar and Macksville properties.
NSW DPI advises horse owners to take precautions in areas with flying foxes – to reduce the risk of their horses becoming infected:
- Place feed and water containers under cover.
- Do not place feed and water under trees, especially trees with fruit.
- Do not use feed that could attract flying foxes, such as apples, carrots, or molasses.
- Remove horses from paddocks where fruiting or flowering trees have temporarily attracted flying foxes.
- If it is not possible to remove the horse from the paddock, tape off the area under the tree.
More information on the Hendra virus is available at: www.agriculture.nsw.gov.au/info/hendra
