Ballina Bypass northern section opens on Tuesday, March 1
February 28, 2011
The newly completed northern section of the Ballina Bypass on the Pacific Highway will tomorrow – Tuesday, 1 March 2011 – open to traffic for the first time.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said this opening is occurring many months earlier than originally scheduled ‘thanks to the Federal Labor Government’s decision to bring forward $100 million in our very first budget’.
Work under way on $5 million Grafton GP Super Clinic
February 25, 2011
Clarence Valley residents will soon be able to visit doctors, nurses and a range of allied health professionals in the one convenient location after Page MP Janelle Saffin today turned the first sod for the Grafton GP Super Clinic.
Ms Saffin said she was delighted that one of her major election commitments from the 2007 election – Ochre Health Group’s $5 million GP Super Clinic on the corner of Clarence and Fitzroy streets – was under way.
“The Grafton GP Super Clinic will house general practitioners and allied health professionals, plus offer integrated chronic disease management services and provide training and education for future health professionals,” Ms Saffin said.
“Preventative services will also be available from the clinic to address conditions including obesity, respiratory disease, circulatory disease, mental health conditions and musculoskeletal disease. Pharmacy and pathology services will also be available.”
Two men charged over assault – Byron Bay
February 25, 2011
Police have charged two men following an alleged violent altercation at a Byron Bay unit yesterday morning.
About 4:30am, a 20-year-old man was allegedly confronted by a number of men after answering a knock at the front door of his Shirley Street unit.
It will be alleged the man was punched to the face by a 19-year-old man before other males entered the flat and assaulted two other men, aged 20 and 21.
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command were contacted and quickly attended the scene where they arrested four men.
The injured 20-year-old man was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital for treatment of a suspected fractured jaw.
Man charged with manslaughter after fatal crash – Tabbimoble
February 25, 2011
Police have arrested and charged a man with manslaughter over a fatal crash on the state’s north coast almost three weeks ago.
A 43-year-old man was driving a silver-coloured Ford Falcon XR6 sedan at speed along the Pacific Highway, Tabbimoble, about 6.15am on Wednesday 5 February, when it careered off the roadway and into trees.
A 16-year-old boy, who was the front seat passenger, sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
A 14-year-old girl, who was a rear seat passenger, sustained serious pelvic and leg fractures.
Fatal crash closes Summerland Way – Grafton
February 24, 2011
The Summerland Way north of Grafton is closed following a fatal crash this afternoon.
About 1.30pm, a Holden Commodore and a semi-trailer carrying sawdust collided head-on near the township of Whiporie.
The driver of the Commodore died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.
The truck driver, a man aged in his 60s from Casino, was trapped in his rig. He was released and flown to Lismore Hospital in a stable condition.
The Summerland Way is closed in both directions while the scene is examined by officers from the Ballina Crash Investigation Unit.
“Diversions are expected to be in place for at least the next hour,” Police Media said in a press release issued at 4.15pm, Thursday.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Four teenagers arrested over violent altercation – Byron Bay
February 24, 2011
Police on the State’s Far North Coast are questioning four teenagers over a violent altercation at a Byron Bay unit.
About 4.30am today, a 20-year-old man was confronted by a number of males after answering a knock at the front door of his Shirley Street unit.
The man was punched to the head by one of the males, while the others entered the flat and assaulted two other men, aged 20 and 21.
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command were alerted to the incident and responded quickly, taking four teenagers into custody at the scene.
The men, aged 18 and 19, were taken to Byron Bay Police Station for questioning.
Man arrested after leaving single vehicle collision near Casino
February 24, 2011
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a single-vehicle collision near Casino.
About 5.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 23 February 2011), an early model white Mitsubishi Magna was travelling on the Bruxner Highway at Piora, about 20km west of Casino, when the vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree.
The driver, a 26-year-old man, and the five occupants of the vehicle sustained various injuries as a result of the incident.
The five passengers were taken by ambulance to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment to a range of non life-threatening injuries.
Coalition announces rail policy for north-east NSW
February 22, 2011
The Shadow Minister for North Coast, Don Page, today announced the Liberal and Nationals policy for rail services for north-eastern New South Wales.
Mr Page reaffirmed the Liberals’ and Nationals’ commitment to rail services in the north-east corner of New South Wales.
“Because it is now seven years since the Labor Government axed train services on the Casino to Murwillumbah line, we need to do a comprehensive study so that we can move forward,” Mr Page said.
This study would involve:
1. Costing on the restoration of the Casino – Murwillumbah line.
2. Light rail options.
3. An integrated approach to commuter, tourist and student services to determine the best suite of services to meet the needs of our community, both now and into the future.
4. The potential to extend rail services in northern NSW to connect with Coolangatta Airport and Queensland services.
“Also, if we hope to attract Federal funding for the interstate connection, we will need this kind of comprehensive study to satisfy the Federal Government’s funding requirements for a detailed proposal,” Mr Page said.
Man charged after alleged rock attack assault – Tweed Heads
February 22, 2011
A man has been charged with the alleged assault of another man who was struck in the eye by a rock at Tweed Heads on the weekend.
About 9.30pm on Sunday 20 February, a 27-year-old man was in the area of the boat ramp on Dry Dock Road, Tweed Heads when he became involved in an argument with another man.
It will be alleged that during the incident a large rock was thrown at the man – striking him directly to the right eye, causing it to rupture.
The alleged offender then left the scene on a bicycle.
Nationals’ rail, transport policy disappointing, says Kolbe
February 21, 2011
Independent candidate for the seat of Ballina, transport activist Karin Kolbe, has express disappointment with the Nationals’ ‘zero commitment to rail and public transport’.
“The Nationals’ policy launch on Sunday is a major disappointment for the people here, with not a single funding commitment for rail or public transport projects outside of Sydney,” she said.
“There is no funding for the Casino-Murwillumbah rail line, the link to Queensland or any other public transport project in our region.
“The election is still a month away and already the Nationals have been sidelined.
