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
Northern NSW man killed in Queensland accident
August 5, 2011
A man has died and another was critically injured after two motorcycles collided with a car about 150km south of Bamaga in northern Queensland yesterday.
Police were notified of the collision which occurred about 1pm on a connection road, to the east of Peninsula Development Road at Heathlands.
Preliminary investigations suggest that two men were riding trail bikes in an easterly direction along a narrow dirt road to Captain Billy’s Landing. Both motorcycles collided head-on with a four wheel drive as they rounded a bend in the track.
A 45-year-old man died at the scene.
A 46-year-old man sustained critical injuries and was air lifted to Cairns Base Hospital.
Both men were from northern New South Wales.
The person driving the car is not reported to be injured.
Police investigations are continuing.
Information night on Hendra virus to be held at Mullumbimby
August 3, 2011
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Northern NSW Local Health District are holding an information night on Hendra virus at Mullumbimby this Thursday for local horse owners and interested members of the public.
The public meeting will be held at Mullumbimby Ex-Servicemen’s Club at 7pm and will be addressed by NSW DPI Regional Veterinary Officer Paul Freeman and North Coast Public Health Unit Assistant Director Greg Bell.
Mr Freeman will provide an update on the single-horse death near Mullumbimby last week and give advice on how horse owners can minimise the risk of their horse contracting the virus.
Mr Bell will outline the human health aspects of Hendra virus and discuss measures people can take to handle their horse safely.
Mullumbimby property quarantined after Hendra virus horse death
July 28, 2011
A fifth horse has died from Hendra virus on the NSW North Coast, this time at a property near Mullumbimby, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) confirmed today.
“The property has been quarantined and movement restrictions are in place for all horses and companion animals, including cats and dogs,” NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said.
“There are eight other horses on the quarantined property of which four are considered at risk. A horse in a separate paddock is showing signs of illness but has been initially tested negative for Hendra. The others are currently showing no signs of illness.
“There are three cats and two dogs on the property – all will be assessed in line with NSW DPI’s policy for companion animals.”
61-year-old man dies in Mullumbimby accident
July 5, 2011
A report will be prepared for the Coroner after the death of a man in a crash on near Mullumbimby yesterday.
About 9.25am, a Ford Laser was travelling south on Coolamon Scenic Drive, Mullumbimby, when it collided head-on with a oncoming tipper truck.
The 61-year-old Mullumbimby man driving the Laser was trapped in the vehicle and died at the scene.
The 26-year-old Mullumbimby man driving the tipper truck escaped uninjured.
Police from Ballina Crash Investigation Unit attended the scene and are conducting an investigation into the crash.
Any witnesses are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
SES members respond to requests from communities
June 13, 2011
As rain continues to fall in northern NSW, the SES has so far responded to more than 250 requests for assistance.
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.
