Man’s body located near Brunswick Heads
January 28, 2010
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the discovery of a man’s body at Ocean Shores.
About 8am today (Thursday 28 January 2010), a co-ordinated search utilising a specialised police dog commenced in bushland.
About 12.55pm, human remains and a number of personal items were located near Oola Place.
The body has not been positively identified and investigations are continuing.
Since Wednesday 20 January, police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command have conducted a series of searches for a 70-year-old man.
Kevin Kirk was last seen walking his dog through the Ferry Reserve Caravan Park at Brunswick Heads at 9.30am on Monday 18 January.
Memories sought for oral history of Northern Rivers
January 28, 2010
A Southern Cross University researcher is searching for older people living from Tweed Heads to Kyogle who can share their memories of the region’s early history.
Theresa Mason has embarked on her PhD research project – an oral history of the Northern Rivers – and already has many a fascinating tale to tell, thanks to locals sharing their stories for her earlier Honours project.
Her interest in the region’s history began when she was editing and writing for The Village Journal, a local newspaper based in Rosebank, serving the rural areas between Dunoon, Federal and Bexhill.
“I came across all of these older people who had fascinating stories to tell,” she said. “Many of the stories around people’s experiences during the Great Depression and in times of war were particularly interesting.
Search continues for missing man at Brunswick Heads
January 25, 2010
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command have renewed their appeal for any information regarding the disappearance of 70-year-old Kevin Kirk.
Mr Kirk was last seen on the morning of Friday 15 January this year, when he left his home at Brunswick Heads to walk a friend’s brown Staffordshire dog.
The dog was located by a member of the public on Friday 22 January in the area of Divines Hill but it was not wearing a distinctive pink leash used by Mr Kirk.
An extensive search of Brunswick Heads, Ocean Shores and surrounding areas has been conducted by police, members of the SES, local surf lifesaving clubs and the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter but failed to find any trace of Mr Kirk.
Byron Shire councillors don’t ‘live it up’
January 14, 2010
An article in the Daily Telegraph on councils ‘living it up’ does not apply to Byron Shire Council, the council’s general manager, Graeme Faulkner, said.
He said the Byron Shire’s councillors are a hard-working group of individuals dedicated to the community.
“They are paid less than $15,000 each per year, with an additional Mayoral allowance of $33,000,” he said.
The Daily Telegraph news article reported a figure of up to $47,000 spent on ’sustenance’ within Byron Shire for the period 2008-09.
Ocean Shores man dies after Yelgun crash
December 7, 2009
Police will prepare a report for the coroner after a man died in collision at Yelgun on Friday.
About 1.20pm (4 December) police and emergency services were called to the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Brunswick Valley Way, Yelgun following reports of a collision.
Upon arrival, a 67-year-old Ocean Shores man who was the driver, and only occupant, of a Toyota Camry was located trapped. He was released after a short time and conveyed to Tweed Heads District Hospital in a serious condition, where he later died.
It appears the man was attempting to turn right onto Brunswick Valley Way from Tweed Valley Way and collided with a Ford Falcon.
The occupants of the Ford Falcon, an 80-year-old Crabbes Creek man and his wife, were not seriously injured.
Ballina Crash Investigation Unit attended and a crime scene was established.
Illegal dumping of garden waste: campaign launched in Byron Shire
November 23, 2009
The NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) and Byron Shire Council have launched a campaign targeting the problem of illegal dumping of garden waste.
Operation Palm is an innovative campaign to reduce the problem, and involves DECCW and Byron Shire Council.
DECCW Manager Waste Management Section, Mark Gorta, said that illegal dumping of garden waste is a highly visible and costly environmental problem.
“Problems caused include threats to native bushland from environmental weeds and disease, and reduced habitat for native animals and birds,” he said.
Byron Arts Classic entry forms are now available
November 19, 2009
Entry forms are available from the Byron Community Centre for the Byron Arts Classic.
The planning is going ahead full steam for the exhibition.
There are four categories: painting, works on paper, photography and sculpture.
First prize in these categories is $1000, with $200 for second prize.
Byron Shire Council and the Mayor’s Fund are sponsoring a $2000 acquisition prize.
Ocean Shores celebrates its 40th birthday
November 18, 2009
Ocean Shores, the only town built in Byron Shire in the 20th century, is turning 40.
Ocean Shores, which began in 1969, was developed by an American international resort-style company, Wendell West Company Pty Ltd.
Severe thunderstorms, hail forecast
November 17, 2009
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours.
The Bureau of Meteorology says locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Yamba and Maclean.
Prior to 4pm, 2-4cm hail was reported in the Murwillumbah area.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
Warnings are also available through TV and radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 218.
Tourism symposium hailed as a success
October 21, 2009
The first symposium for the tourism industry in the Northern Rivers has been an outstanding success, according to organisers.
“We had 115 people attend and the feedback on the quality of speakers, information and learning has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Northern Rivers Tourism CEO Russell Mills.
