Police seize illegal drugs worth $40,000 near Nimbin
March 31, 2012
Police have seized cannabis and other illegal substances worth more than $40,000 during a drug dog operation on the State’s Far North Coast yesterday.
Officers from Richmond Local Area Command implemented ‘Operation Overhaul’ to target illegal drugs and traffic offences between Lismore and Nimbin.
Police dogs were used to search vehicles stopped at the two sites on Nimbin Road and Koonorigan Roads from 1.30pm to 9pm yesterday.
During the operation police seized 1.12 kilograms of cannabis worth $13,000 and 44 grams of white powder, believed to be illegal drugs, worth in excess of $30,000.
Police charged seven people and issued seven cannabis cautions.
When officers stopped two daily tourist buses and searched the passengers they allegedly located six cannabis cookies and two grams of cannabis.
The traffic side of the operation saw police conduct 500 random breath tests, with 10 drivers issued infringement notices.
Police from Richmond Local Area Command are planning to conduct similar operations targeting illegal drugs in the near future.
NBN fibre to be rolled out in Grafton area
March 29, 2012
Page MP Janelle Saffin has welcomed today’s announcement that homes and businesses in Grafton, Junction Hill and South Grafton will have access to National Broadband Network (NBN) fibre services under NBN Co’s first three-year fibre rollout plan.
Under the three-year rollout, announced by the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, construction of the fibre network in these areas will begin progressively between 1 April 2012 and 30 June 2015.
Ms Saffin said the NBN rollout is ramping up, and it was always expected that the Grafton region would be the first part of the Page electorate to be part of the roll out, because it is close to the Coffs Harbour hub.
“I did a lot of work to make sure that when decisions were being made, we were being looked at, and I helped lead the push to secure this for the North Coast,”she said.
“In the next three years, 9200 homes and businesses locally will be on the way to having access to fast, reliable broadband through the NBN’s fibre network. “This is part of a 10-year roll out and of course I look forward to the roll out moving further north.
Northern Rivers a priority region for CSG environmental assessment
March 29, 2012
The Northern Rivers is to be one of the first regions to undergo a detailed scientific assessment of the impact of coal seam gas mining, including impacts on our water., Page MP Janelle Saffin said today.
The Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, has announced the first regions to be assessed by the Interim Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Coal Mining, to provide better information for decision makers to ensure protection of water resources.
Chefs entertain at the Byron Farmers Market
March 29, 2012
Celebrity chef Ben O’Donoghue today visited the Byron Farmers Market to research his new book, “The Best Farmers Markets in Australia”.
Best known for his cooking show with Curtis Stone, “Surfing the Menu”, O’Donoghue spent hours talking to stall holders, taking notes and tasting our unique produce.
Carbon Farming Initiative handbook launched in Casino
March 29, 2012
Farmers, landholders, waste operators and other clean energy businesses in the Northern Rivers region seeking to take part in the Gillard Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) can now access information in a new handbook launched in Casino today by the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus.
Speaking at a carbon farming forum organised by Federal Member for Page Janelle Saffin, Mr Dreyfus encouraged farmers, land owners, local government and other stakeholders to utilise the Carbon Farming Initiative to generate extra income by reducing agricultural and landfill waste pollution.
“Climate change poses a serious risk to the future of Australian agriculture and food production, with scientists confirming a strong link to less predictable and more intense weather events. Over the next six years, the Gillard Government will support the land sector by investing $1.7 billion dollars of carbon price revenue to support the CFI and other programs to improve productivity, sustainability and profitability,” said Mr Dreyfus.
“Farmers and landholders have an important role to play in our nation’s clean energy future by increasing the land sector’s resilience to climate change and improving long-term farm productivity.”
Lismore’s Jaiden Walker selected to participate in Qantas Joeys Training Camp
March 29, 2012
Lismore’s Jaiden Walker has been selected alongside fellow Northern NSW Institute of Sports (NNSWIS) players Brandon Lundy and Reece Papas by Qantas Joeys Head Coach Alistair Edwards as part of a 26-player squad for a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Canberra from Friday 30th March until Sunday 1 April 2012.
Edwards and his Qantas Joeys assistant coach Tony Vidmar will be using their first training camp together as the first part of their preparation for the AFC U-16 Championship IR Iran 2012 which will be held in from 21 September to 6 October.
Edwards is very excited about working with this group of players for the first time.
“Over the past weeks I have been visiting National Training Centres around the country and have been very impressed by the quality of players within this age group,” he said.
“This camp will be the first opportunity for us to work together and to start bonding as a playing group.
“With the support of the AIS, this will be the first of regular training camps, which are paramount for us to be fully prepared by the time we get to the AFC U-16 Championship.
“The door is definitely still open for other players to be added to the squad, but it is now up to this group of players to take their opportunity and make a good impression.”
Chefs unite to promote local produce internationally
March 29, 2012
On Tuesday (27 March) local identity Gavin Hughes, Head Chef at The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa, joined Adam Brown at Duck Creek Macadamias in Newrybar for a cook-up.
The pair produced four dishes between them, using magnificent Duck Creek products including Macadamia Oil, Couverted Chocolate and Wasabi Macadamias.
The event was filmed and will be aired in April at Singapore’s Food and Hotel Asia Trade Show, where Duck Creek Macadamias will display their award-winning range of local macadamia products for the first time.
“Duck Creek are a small unique company and are trying really hard,” said Gavin Hughes, “so I am happy to give my time. They use the grade zero nut, which is the biggest nut. Their plantation is gorgeous, we are so lucky to live where we do and have the opportunity to create from this abundant region.”
Local chef Adam Brown is the face of new cooking show “Extremely Hungry”.
Man located deceased – Ocean Shores
March 28, 2012
Police on the state’s Far North Coast are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body has been found at Ocean Shores.
About 10.30am today (Wednesday 28 March 2012), the 67-year-old man was located deceased in a dam on a property adjoining a golf course in Coonawarra Street.
It’s believed the man was pinned beneath a ride-on lawnmower which rolled over into the water.
Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command secured a crime scene, which has been examined by forensics officers.
A post-mortem examination will be conducted in coming days to determine a cause of death; however, it’s not being treated as suspicious.
The man had been reported missing by family members yesterday evening (Tuesday 27 March 2012) after failing to turn up to work.
A report will be prepared for the NSW Coroner.
John’s pumpkin weighs in at 67kg
March 25, 2012
This is John Leadbeatter from Rukenvale, who had his pumpkin weighed in at 67kg at the Kyogle Bazaar’s weigh-in of “Grow Kyogle’s Biggest Pumpkin” on Saturday at Kyogle Showground.
The Bazaar congratulated John on his wonderful first effort at growing a giant pumpkin to this size against all odds with a very wet summer.
Fatal crash – Binna Burra
March 25, 2012
A report will be prepared for the Coroner in relation to a fatal crash in the State’s north.
Police believe that between 1am and 3am yesterday (Saturday 24 March 2012), a Volkswagen Kombi van was travelling along Binna Burra Road near Federal, when it left the roadway and rolled.
Officers from Tweed Byron Local Area Command were notified of the crash by a passer-by just before 9.30am (Saturday 24 March 2012).
They attended and found one person deceased in the vehicle.
A crime scene was established and police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command began an investigation into the incident.
The person found inside the vehicle has not been formally identified.
Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or the circumstances leading up to it is asked to contact Tweed/Byron Local Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
