NSW holiday road toll rises after driver killed in petrol tanker crash – Ballina
December 31, 2010
The NSW holiday road toll has risen to four after a petrol tanker driver was killed in a crash on the north coast near Ballina today.
About 12pm the tanker was travelling south on the Pacific Highway at Tintenbar, approximately 10km north of Ballina, when it lost control.
The tanker then rolled before exploding and bursting into flames, with the driver, believed to be a male, trapped inside the vehicle and dying at the scene.
Police attended the scene and an exclusion zone was put in place while NSW Fire Brigades fought the blaze.
Investigations to confirm the driver’s identity are continuing and police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.
Truck crash closes Pacific Highway near Ballina
December 31, 2010
The Pacific Highway will be closed for a number of hours after a truck crash on the Far North Coast this afternoon near Tintenbar.
About 12pm, a petrol tanker rolled and exploded on the Pacific Highway, Cumbalum, about 10km north of Ballina. Police are unable to confirm the condition of the driver at this stage.
NSW SES Flood Update for Tuesday Afternoon, December 28
December 28, 2010
Flood conditions continue to ease on the north-east coast of NSW.
The State Emergency Service says that all previous evacuation orders that were current across NSW have since been cancelled and All Clears issued. SES volunteers continue to monitor the situation across NSW as floodwater peaks move downstream. No further river rises are expected.
An ALL CLEAR was issued for the Kyogle Flats area at 11:30 Tuesday morning. The Richmond River at Kyogle peaked at 15.94m around 4am Tuesday morning and has since fallen. Kyogle is no longer isolated. No further river rises are expected.
The Wilsons River at Lismore is expected to peak near 7 metres around 3pm this afternoon with minor to moderate flooding.
All clear given to residents in the Kyogle Flats area
December 28, 2010
The Richmond River at Kyogle peaked at 15.94m around 4am Tuesday and is slowly falling. No further river rises are expected, according to the SES.
The SES has conducted reconnaissance has given the all clear for residents of the area known as ‘The Flats’ at Kyogle as of 11:30 am today.
Residents should continue to monitor the situation and listen for further broadcasts.
SES Advice:
Keep an active watch on the situation
Stay out of the floodwaters
Keep in contact with your neighbours
Stay tuned to a local radio station for updates and further warnings
Follow the instructions of emergency services
If you need emergency assistance as a result of flooding, contact your local State Emergency Service Unit by calling 132 500. The SES is monitoring the situation.
Minor to moderate flood peak expected in Lismore
December 28, 2010
The Richmond River at Kyogle peaked at 15.94 metres around 4am Tuesday morning, causing moderate to major flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology says this was slightly less than predicted and downstream forecasts along the the Richmond River have been adjusted to reflect this.
A minor to moderate flood peak is expected at Lismore on Tuesday afternoon.
Combined flows from the Richmond and Wilsons Rivers will cause moderate flooding along the lower Richmond River.
Predicted River Heights/Flows:
Man charged following serious assault on Stephanie Gilmore
December 28, 2010
A man will face court today charged over the serious assault of a woman in Tweed Heads overnight. Media reports have identified the victim as women’s world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore.
About 9.30pm a 22-year-old woman was walking to a set of stairs leading to her unit on Hill Street when she was attacked by a man wielding a metal pole.
The man struck the woman twice with the pole before fleeing the area on a pushbike.
The woman received a laceration to the back of the head, a fractured wrist and lacerations to her hand. She was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital for treatment.
SES Flood Update Monday 1:30pm
December 27, 2010
Heavy rain in the north-east is likely to result in the isolation of the villages of Urbenville and Bonalbo.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a trough over south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales continues deepening with a low recently formed near the Gold Coast. Rain is now focused in the north-east of the state with heavy falls likely for the remainder of Monday, with rain generally easing on Tuesday.
Rainfall overnight on the north-east coast of NSW has been less than predicted but rain rates have increased in the past few hours.
The villages of Bonalbo and Urbenville are likely to become isolated later today for 12-36 hours depending upon the amount of rain that falls.
Access to Tabulam is only available from Tenterfield. Campers in low-set areas near Tabulam have been evacuated.
Meanwhile, further heavy rain has occurred in the Wilsons Valley this morning [27/12/10] resulting in renewed river rises. Minor flooding is expected at Lismore later this afternoon [27/12/10].
The Bureau of Meteorology says it is not possible to predict the peak until rain has eased and upstream peaks are recorded.
Lismore – reach minor flood level (4.2 metres AHD) this afternoon.
FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.nsw.gov.au
For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.
For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.
Revitalised Jack Evans Boat Harbour opened in time for Christmas
December 23, 2010
A jewel of the Tweed, Jack Evans Boat Harbour, is set to become a hub for celebrations this Christmas, after the first section of a multi-million upgrade was opened to the public yesterday.
Tweed Shire Council opened the southern precinct of the revitalised Jack Evans Boat Harbour, to enable the community to use the facility during the holiday period.
Kevin Geaghan Funerals ‘not accused of stealing from the deceased’
December 23, 2010
Kevin Geaghan Funerals would like to formally state that it is not the Ballina funeral home accused of stealing jewellery from the deceased.
Media coverage to date has not identified the funeral director or funeral home involved, and as the largest funeral director in Ballina, Kevin Geaghan Funerals has been receiving a significant volume of inquiries about the issue.
“As a member of the Australian Funeral Directors Association, Kevin Geaghan Funerals is bound by a strict code of ethics and practices,” said Scott Steenson, Regional Manager for Kevin Geaghan Funerals, part of the InvoCare Group.
“Our funeral directors pride themselves on their excellent customer service and dedication to serving the families who entrust us with the care of their loved ones.
“Although we cannot comment on this case as we have no specific knowledge about the allegations, we encourage families to ensure that their chosen funeral director is a member of the Australian Funeral Directors Association and thus bound to provide them with a professional service.”
Charges laid over theft from funeral home corpses – Ballina
December 23, 2010
A funeral home director has been charged with the theft of jewellery from corpses in Ballina.
In September this year, police were handed a large amount of jewellery which was allegedly taken from a number of corpses before their burial service at a funeral home in Ballina.
Police conducted a search of the funeral home and seized a number of files pertaining to funerals conducted at the home.
It is unknown exactly how long the thefts had been allegedly taking place.
