Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions this weekend on the Bruxner Highway at the intersections of Canterbury and Richmond streets for geotechnical site investigation work. Work will be carried out on Sunday, 24 August from 9:30am to 5pm, weather permitting.Single lane traffic flow arrangements and a reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be in place during work hours for the safety of motorists and workers. There may also be intermittent stoppages where motorists could experience short delays of up to five minutes. Motorists are advised to drive to traffic conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time.For more information on this work visit https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/246170, download the Live Traffic NSW App or call 132 701. To receive updates direct to your phone, search for ‘Casino’ in your Live Traffic app, select the incident and click ‘Follow’.

UPDATE Sunday, August 24 3am: Jessica has been located and is safe.Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman reported missing in Casino.Jessica Henning, aged 25, was last seen on Lennox Street, Casino, on the morning of Monday, 18 August 2025.When she could not be contacted or located, officers attached to Richmond Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.Police have concerns for her welfare as her disappearance is out of character.Jessica is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160-165cm tall, of thin build, with brown eyes, and purple hair.She was last seen wearing long black pants, with a black or beige jumper, and white Nike shoes.She may be travelling in a white Hyundai i30 with a blue front bumper and a grey panel on the front passenger side.She is known to frequent Casino, Ballina, Lismore, and Orange, as well as Stanthorpe in Queensland.Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call Lismore Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Australians love fashion – but we may love it a little too much. On average, we buy 55 new clothing items every year, making us the biggest consumers of clothing in the world. At the same time, more than 220,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfill annually, the equivalent weight of four Sydney Harbour Bridges.Ballina Shire Council is stepping up, with the support of the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The Resource Recovery team has received a $32,400 grant to deliver a project called Creating a Circular Clothing Community in Ballina Shire, which will run until June 2026.“Our aim is to work with the community to help shift behaviours around fashion and textiles by promoting repair and reuse to keep clothing out of landfill,” explained Justine Rowe, Resource Recovery Education Officer and project lead.The first phase of the project has already kicked off and involved Ballina Shire Council teaming up with North East Waste to audit textiles and clothing dropped off at the Ballina Resource Recovery Centre.Over four weeks, nearly 5,000 litres of textiles and more than 2,000 items were sorted by type and quality. Women’s clothing was the most common, followed by children’s wear.Unfortunately, 83.5% of the items were in near-perfect condition or needed only a minor repair or clean to be worn again – highlighting a significant issue of good-quality clothing unnecessarily ending up in landfill.“The numbers from the audit mirror the fashion waste problem across Australia. We have too many clothes, we wear them too little, and replacing them has become cheaper than repairing them,” said Ms Rowe.“This project is about giving our community the tools and confidence to repair, upcycle and make smarter choices so we keep clothing and textiles out of landfill.”The next stage of the project focuses on education and community engagement. Council has launched an online survey to better understand how locals buy, care for and dispose of their clothing. The survey is open until 1 September, and participants go into the draw to win a $50 gift card: ballina-clothing.paperform.co.Council will also be hosting a series of free workshops to help residents learn practical skills in clothing repair, mending and upcycling. Upcoming workshops include:Intro to Upcycling: Transform a T-shirt into a Peplum Top or DressLennox Head CWA Hall – Wednesday 3 September, 10am to 12.30pmVisible Creative Hand-MendingWollongbar Hall – Sunday 14 September, 10am to 1pmRegistration is required and spaces are limited. See Council’s website to register and to find out about future upcoming workshops: ballina.nsw.gov.au/textiles.The NSW EPA provided Ballina Council with a $32,400 grant under the third round of the Local Government Waste Solutions Fund, as part of the NSW Government’s Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy. The project is funded through the waste levy.

An accident between a bus and a car on Hinterland Way, near Sunnycrest Lane, has caused police to close the road in both directions.The accident happened around 4pm. Live Traffic is reporting that people are trapped.Emergency services, Transport for NSW and a helicopter are in attendance.You are advised to avoid the area and use the M1 Pacific Motorway as an alternative route.Ongoing police investigations are expected to take some time.

As the rain continues to fall, the Northern Rivers sporting fields and golf courses become unplayable once again.One registered charity, the Mid Richmond Education Fund, raises funds to help young people who need a boost to help them along with their career plans.They have two major fundraising events each year: an end-of-year raffle and a golf day at the Woodburn-Evans Head Golf Club.The first date was meant to be in May, but due to a saturated course, the golf day was cancelled.Now, it is Take Two for the Mid Richmond Education Fund committee as they have set a new date to raise these much-needed funds; Sunday, August 24.The golf day is a 3-person ambrose with breakfast at 7am and a shotgun start at 8am.So dry out your clubs and have a swing to help those struggling to reach their dreams.Visit or call the golf club on 02 6682 2385 to book your team or find a place. The cost is $35 per person.

Water is one of our most precious resources, and Ballina Shire Council is determined to track down every drop.Water loss in Ballina Shire’s water network is currently estimated to be around 10% of the total network input. Ballina Shire Council’s water team has been working hard to reduce this from historic levels of around 20%, which already equates to a saving of 160 Olympic-sized swimming pools or 400 megalitres annually.The water team is not stopping there. To help save even more water and reduce costs, Council is once again rolling out the Active Leak Detection Project to locate and repair hidden leaks in the Council network and identify potential leaks on private properties.Starting mid-August, contractors from AquaAnalytics will survey 350 kilometres of Ballina’s water main network using specialised listening devices to check mains and fittings.This equipment can detect leaks as small as 10 litres per hour, with no digging required. It can also help detect potential leaks on the private property side of the water meter. If contractors identify a suspected leak, residents will receive a letterbox notice with details on how to arrange repairs with a plumber.Council’s Manager Water and Wastewater, Scott Turner, said the project delivers big wins for both the environment and the community.“When we ran this program in 2022 and 2024, we repaired more than 150 leaks in the public network and identified around 80 on private properties. If left unchecked, those private leaks alone could have added about $200,000 to our residents’ annual water bills across the Shire,” said Mr Turner. “These results show the program is working, but there’s still more to do and more leaks to find. By detecting and repairing leaks early, we can protect this precious resource and help residents avoid unexpected high water bills,” added Mr Turner. The Active Leak Detection Project is part of the NSW Government’s $35.3 million Water Efficiency and Regional Leakage Reduction Program. To date 23,325 kilometres of water mains have been surveyed, over 3750 leaks have been found, and 7,885ML/year of water has been saved from leaks that have been repaired by regional Councils.For more information, visit ballina.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 864 444.

The recently held Casino Truck Show was a resounding success, exceeding expectations in attendance, engagement, and community support, and reaffirmed its role as the biggest truck show in Australia, one of the greatest in the southern hemisphere, and a cornerstone of the local events calendar.Celebrating its 12th year, the NCP Casino Truck Show has grown into a vibrant and well-attended event, which attracts thousands of visitors, exhibitors, and transport professionals from across the country, and from New Zealand.In a report tabled at last night’s Richmond Valley Council meeting, it was evident the NCP Casino Truck Show played a critical role in supporting local businesses, creating tourism opportunities, and celebrating the essential work of the transport industry, which is the lifeblood of the country’s economy - particularly in regional Australia.This year’s event was held over two days, Friday 1 August and Saturday 2 August, and attracted around 43,000 attendees. The inclusion of Friday Night Lights – an amazing display of big, bright rigs in the Casino CBD, as well as live entertainment, proved a winning formula as people from all walks of life took to the streets to check out the hundreds of trucks on display.Spokesman for the volunteer organising committee, Darren Goodwin, said this success would not have been possible without the generous support of the Casino Truck Show’s sponsors.Mr Goodwin said their contributions ensured high-quality entertainment, marketing, and overall experience for both exhibitors and attendees.He said sponsors not only provided financial backing but also demonstrated their commitment to the growth and sustainability of the trucking industry and the local economy.“Ongoing sponsorship is essential to the continued success of the NCP Casino Truck Show,” Mr Goodwin said.“As the event grows in popularity and scale, so too do the operational costs and logistical demands.“Continued investment from corporate sponsors, government bodies, and industry stakeholders will help maintain the high standards of the event while allowing for future innovation and expansion.”Council’s General Manager Vaughan Macdonald said the event delivered a significant boost to the local economy, with a notable increase in activity for the local hospitality and retail sectors.Mr Macdonald said the event’s success proved it was a legitimate and significant economic driver not only for Casino and the Richmond Valley, but also for the wider Northern Rivers region, with local accommodation providers booked out months in advance.He said attendees responding to a post-event survey reported overnighting in Byron Bay, Murwillumbah, Ballina, Lismore, Nimbin, Kyogle, Grafton, and Ulmarra.“With the NCP Casino Truck Show attracting thousands of visitors, exhibitors, and industry professionals each year, its reputation as a key economic driver for the wider region is growing,” Mr Macdonald said.“This premier event not only showcases the latest in transport technology and innovation but also stimulates local business across hospitality, retail, accommodation, and tourism sectors. “By generating substantial direct and indirect economic activity, the NCP Casino Truck Show plays a vital role in supporting jobs, encouraging investment, and promoting regional growth.”Richmond Valley Council Mayor Robert Mustow said free entry and free family activities were at the heart of the NCP Casino Truck Show, ensuring everyone in the community could enjoy the event regardless of their financial situation. “By removing barriers to participation, we create an inclusive, welcoming space where families can connect, children can explore, and the spirit of community can thrive,” Cr Mustow said.“This commitment to accessibility helps us celebrate our shared interests and traditions while making lasting memories for all ages.”The record-breaking success of the 2025 NCP Casino Truck Show will flow onto important community organisations. The auction of a custom-made 2.4m x 2.4m bar, donated by Lionel Moore Trailers Pty Ltd, and a 16-inch air cans canister kit, including stainless-steel bowl and double filter system, donated by Air Cans Australia, raised $26,000.The successful bidder was Jon Kelly, from Heavy Haulage Assets, and the money will be shared between not-for-profit groups Get Yourself Checked ($12,000), Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service ($4000), Flanno for a Farmer ($4000), Casino Youth Hub ($2000), CFD Foundation ($2000), and St Mary’s Primary ($2000).

Work on one of Council’s most impressive and important environmental and drainage projects, the restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands at Byron Bay, is entering the final stage.The Sandhills Wetlands, in the heart of Byron Bay, are behind Lawson Street and Massinger Street.The 1.8-hectare site was heavily sand-mined in the 1960s, and the wetlands were destroyed. For many years, the site was overgrown, degraded and attracted anti-social behaviour.“The Sandhills Wetlands have enormous cultural and environmental significance, and this project has been designed in consultation with Arakwal and the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council and Crown Lands,” Christopher Soulsby, Manager Major Projects, said. “This project will see the wetlands restored, which will not only benefit the environment, but the quality of water flowing to Clarkes Beach will be better, and it will be a place for the community to walk, sit and enjoy,” Mr Soulsby said.Excavation of three ponds (cells) is almost finished, and work has started on a series of interconnected paths, landscaping and tree planting.“There is a lot of water in the ponds, which is exactly what we expected because we have removed approximately 15,000 cubic metres of material and vegetation, and already we are noticing more birds,” Mr Soulsby said.The project is expected to be finished in October. The restoration of the Sandhills Wetland is funded by the Australian Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program and the NSW Government through the Public Spaces Legacy Program. 

It’s the season of romance for koalas and the time for drivers in the Byron Shire to really be aware of them when driving, especially around dusk and dawn.Koala breeding season runs from June to December, and this means the marsupials are looking for a mate.“What we see at this time of year are koalas, especially males, really covering some ground at night in their search for females, and this means they are often crossing roads and can be hit by cars,” Liz Caddick, from Council’s Biodiversity team, said.“We are so fortunate to have koalas in our area, and it is very sad when these precious animals are hit by cars.“Council, in collaboration with community groups such as Friends of the Koala and Bangalow Koalas, is always looking for ways to alert drivers about koalas and the need to take extra care on roads,” Ms Caddick said.A 2022 study from Transport for NSW found that of the 30 hotspots for koala vehicle strikes in the State, six were in the Byron Shire.“Last year, we installed a solar lighting tower on Broken Head Road near the Byron Bay Golf Club, where several koalas were killed.“Also on Broken Head Road, towards Ballina, we installed three electronic speed-activated signs to show drivers if they are driving too fast in a koala zone,” Ms Caddick said.“Koala zones are also operational on Coolamon Scenic Drive and Coorabell Road (near Federal), and on-road signage is on Mafeking Road and Bangalow Road.“There are also new lights and electronic signage on the Hinterland Way near Bangalow,” she said.People can report a sick or injured koala, 24 hours a day, to Friends of the Koala on 02 6622 1233.

About 4.30am today (Tuesday, 19 August 2025), emergency services were called to a property on Pimlico Road, Wardell, following reports a man had been injured.Officers from Richmond Police District, along with NSW Ambulance paramedics, attended and found a 22-year-old man suffering a gunshot wound.He was treated at the scene before being taken to Lismore Base Hospital, where he is being treated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.A crime scene has been established, and an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.As inquiries continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Work on the new $3.3 million Montgomerys Bridge is expected to start before the end of the year.   Kyogle Council at its August meeting accepted a tender for the demolition of the old steel and timber bridge, which has been closed since November 2020 for safety reasons.   Work to pull down the old bridge is scheduled to start in early October for completion at the end of October. The way will then be clear for the construction of the new bridge to start before Christmas. All going to plan, the new bridge, to be built on the existing alignment, will be open to traffic by mid-2026.   This will come as a relief to residents living west of the bridge who have had to detour an extra 16km each way around the old bridge. Kyogle Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland said Council was thrilled to be able to announce that work on the new bridge will start soon.   “Council acknowledges that the bridge closure has not been easy for Ghinni Ghi and Iron Pot Creek Road residents, and we thank them for their patience and understanding,” Cr Mulholland said.   “We’ve worked really hard over the past few years to secure funding for this project. We put in several applications under the Fixing Country Bridges Program before finally winning a Regional Roads Program grant as a part of the State Election Commitment announced in mid-2024.”   The grant package of $12 million will allow Council to replace 12 bridges, including Montgomerys, in its current bridge replacement program.   “Council is grateful to the State Government for recognising the needs of our communities and providing the funds for the 12 bridges,” Cr Mulholland said.   “We couldn’t do what we do for our communities without the funding support of the State and Federal Governments. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, everyone wins when all levels of government work hand in hand.”   The new three-span Montgomerys bridge will be 54m in length and five metres wide. The bridge’s substructure will feature reinforced concrete abutments, and concrete bored piles and central piers. The superstructure will be made up of concrete planks, with deck cast in-situ. For safety reasons, the new bridge will have a guard rail system incorporated into the design.

Kyogle Council has adopted a roadmap for the future of the Kyogle Local Government Area (LGA) that will guide the council over the next 10 years.The Kyogle Community Strategic Plan 2025-2035 (CSP) was developed over six months in consultation with the community. It was adopted unanimously at Council’s 11 August meeting.Kyogle Mayor Cr Danielle Mulholland said the CSP balanced protection of the area’s natural environment, community spirit and character with encouraging sustainable development to create jobs, business opportunities and housing options for current and future residents.It also focuses on getting the basics -- better roads, reliable communications, well-maintained public spaces and great community facilities – right.“The CSP is Council’s highest level strategic plan and guides other important plans including our yearly budget, four-year delivery program as well as our Long Term Financial Plan,” Cr Mulholland said.“It was developed after extensive community consultation that included a community survey and nine community meetings and drop-in sessions in Kyogle and the villages to ensure everyone had a chance to have their voice heard.“Similarly, delivering the vision of our future outlined in the CSP isn’t something Council can do alone.“The plan often refers to “we” and “our,” and that encompasses the whole Kyogle LGA community including local residents, other levels of government, businesses, and the not-for-profit sector.“I’m urging everyone to have a look at the CSP to get a better understanding of Council’s priorities (as identified by the community) and how we can all work together to achieve our shared vision.”The CSP is available to view on Council’s website on the Integrated Planning and Reporting page on Council’s website at www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au/council-engagement/integrated-planning-and-reporting/.

There was good news for Northern Rivers firefighters yesterday, when the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW (IRC) handed down its decision on the Awards covering Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters.NSW firefighters will receive a 14 per cent wage increase over three years, backdated to February 2024.This includes a one-off reset of two per cent spread over the life of the three-year Awards, which the IRC found was needed due to cost-of-living pressures after the former government’s wage decisions artificially repressed pay for the State’s almost 7,000 firefighters.The decision will deliver a four per cent pay rise backdated to February 2024, four per cent from February 2025 and three per cent in the final year from February 2026. The IRC has also awarded an additional three per cent increase from 2026 to recognise firefighters’ competency in road crash rescue work. The Commission found road crash rescue is now a core function of the role, mandating its payment to all firefighters in recognition of the scope of work of modern firefighters.This decision of the IRC reflects the vital role all firefighters can now play in responding to motor vehicle accidents, saving lives by extracting people from crashes sooner.Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said, “I welcome today’s IRC decision delivering wage certainty for our firefighters, including an important recognition of the work they do in road crash rescues.“The Minns Labor Government continues the work of rebuilding the state's essential services and reforming the industrial relations system. “That work began with the scrapping of the Coalition’s wages cap, which was in place for 12 years, introducing a fairer, modern bargaining framework, and strengthening the Industrial Relations Commission’s ability to ensure there is continued fairness in our public sector workplaces and that services are delivered to the NSW community.“We were elected on a mandate to fix the recruitment and retention crisis in essential services, and that is what we are doing.”Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “After more than a decade of an unfair wages cap, we are delivering pay increases for frontline firefighters that recognise their work and commitment to our communities.“This offer increases wages and improves benefits for firefighters across NSW and demonstrates we are delivering a fairer workplace bargaining system.“Our firefighters provide vital assistance in times of need, and the Minns Government continues to support the people who protect and defend NSW communities.”Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said, “This outcome recognises the critical work our firefighters do every day to keep NSW communities safe.“It also provides certainty as we work with the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union to implement the decision and support firefighters across the state.”

The $2.7m upgrade of South Beach Road in Brunswick Heads is in its final week of works and is looking spectacular!The upgrade, which began in early February this year, delivers a brand-new road for the popular foreshore area in Brunswick Heads, as well as Torakina beach car park.Council also took up the opportunity to complete much-needed road resealing works on South Beach Lane. The first coat seal was completed last week, and with the final coat deferred to warmer weather (due to the type of seal).“The reconstruction of South Beach Road has been a huge job and we’re proud to be delivering this beautiful, smooth road on time and budget, thanks to the expertise of our Council teams and funding from the NSW Government ($1m as part of the $25m Election Commitment Grant program), $500k from the Roads to Recovery program (Australian Government), and the remaining $1.2m from Byron Shire Council,” Council’s Director Infrastructure Services Phil Holloway said.“We’ve been clear from the start about the scope of works for this road upgrade and what we could deliver within the budget. The funding for this road project could only go so far.”“Future works could include a range of staged improvements for the area, such as footpaths, bollards, additional parking, pedestrian crossings, street and public space lighting and toilet upgrades,” Mr Holloway said.“Further upgrades in the area will need to be developed in consultation with Crown Lands, Native Title owners and Community, and will need grant funding,” he said.For more information about this project, go to www.byron.nsw.gov.au/south-beach-road

New bridges are being built, some timber bridges are being replaced with culverts, and multiple causeways are receiving treatments as part of a multi-million-dollar program in the Tweed to improve resilience against flooding.Up to 35 causeways and culverts across the Tweed Shire will be upgraded as part of the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package, a jointly funded Australian and NSW Government program under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).The two governments have approved more than $22 million for these projects to limit the impacts of future extreme flood events across the shire.Work started in April and will largely be carried out by local contractors, as well as Tweed Shire Council work crews.Work is expected to be completed by late next year, weather permitting.Causeways to receive funding include:  Midginbil Road - causeway replacement Booka Road - causeway replacement Numinbah Road - concrete pavement Byrrill Creek Road - causeway replacement Rowlands Creek Road - new culvert Commissioners Creek Road - concrete approaches Crooks Valley Road - new culvert Commissioners Creek Road - new culvert Rowlands Creek Road - new culvert Rowlands Creek Road - new culvert Kerrs Lane Pumpenbil - new culvert and concrete causeway Urliup Road Bilambil - culvert repairs and approach slabs Tunnel Road Stokers Siding - concrete approach slabs and flexible pavement Tweed Valley Way (Blacks Drain) - concrete pavement and embankment protectionOphir Glen - bridge deck replacement Mount Warning Road - concrete approaches Cedar Creek Road - upgrade timber bridgeGeles Road - replace timber bridge with concrete bridge Burringbar Road - replace timber bridge with concrete bridge Crabbes Creek Road - replace culvert Crabbes Creek Road - replace culvert Crabbes Creek Road - replace culvert Crabbes Creek Road - new causeway Everinghams Road - additional cross drainage pipe Glengarrie Road - additional cross drainage pipe Reserve Creek Road - additional cross drainage pipe Commissioners Creek Road - concrete approaches Byrrill Creek Road - pavement stabilisation Cobaki Road - pavement stabilisation Dungay Creek Road - concrete approach Byrrill Creek Road - barrier modification Reserve Creek Road - replace timber bridge with concrete culvert Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said, “All of Australia saw the damage done to Tweed Shire and other parts of the Northern Rivers during the devastating flooding of early 2022, so it’s pleasing to see all the work that’s now underway to make the region more resilient against future events.“When completed, this work will keep the community safer, allow it to get back on its feet sooner after a natural disaster and avoid much of the social and economic cost that goes with extreme events.“We can’t prevent those from happening, but we can be better prepared, and that’s what this work does.”Minister for Recovery and North Coast Janelle Saffin, “We often take the road and transport network for granted, but that attitude changes when those networks are disrupted by flooding or other natural disasters.“These critical pieces of infrastructure keep communities connected, they provide access to crucial medical facilities, food and other everyday needs and help our agricultural and businesses running.“I’m pleased Tweed Shire Council has recognised these important routes and is using betterment funding to help keep them open in future events.”Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said, “The cumulative impact of these projects on the community and the environment is substantial.“The improved drainage infrastructure will help reduce soil erosion, protect water quality, reduce build-up of sediment and preserve ecosystems.“After flood events, it will reduce demands on resources, emissions and material waste, as well as the need for frequent repair or replacement.”Tweed Shire Council Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Tim Mackney said, “Tweed has been fortunate to be part of the betterment funding arrangements, and the benefits will be with us for a long time.“This is another example where Council has made the most of external funding to assist the Tweed to be more resilient to the challenges of climate change.  “One of our major projects will be the reconstruction of Blacks Drains on Tweed Valley Way at South Murwillumbah. The major design and construction work will increase resilience against natural disasters and improve the site’s functionality in future floods.”

The upgrade to Byron Bay’s town centre drainage system is due to start in September, which will reduce the impacts of flooding to residents and businesses throughout central Byron Bay once complete. Christopher Soulsby, Manager Assets & Major Projects, said Council was pleased to be starting work in the town centre.“We are excited to be making upgrades to the Byron Bay town centre drainage, as we know this will make a big difference to a lot of people. Not only will we see a reduction in the impacts of flooding, we’ll also see improvements to footpaths on large sections of Byron Street,” said Mr Soulsby.“While the most significant works are happening in Byron Street, during construction, there will be disruptions to the way people move in and around the town centre.“We have spent over 12 months talking to the businesses who will be directly impacted by these works and will have measures in place to reduce dust and noise impacts, such as construction hoarding.“Traffic and pedestrians should follow detour and traffic control in the work areas. We are also encouraging people to sign up for email updates on the project web page so that they can receive direct notification of upcoming works and impacts.“We are nearing completion of the Sandhills Wetland and are already seeing benefits of the recent Lawson Street (East) works. Completion of the town centre drainage upgrade works are essential to further reducing flooding in the town centre,” added Mr Soulsby.The Preferred Byron Bay Drainage Strategy project, which includes parts of the Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade, has been awarded almost $26 million from across all levels of government. This includes almost $13 million from the Australian Government through the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program and Preparing Australian Communities Program, with a further $7 million provided through the jointly funded Australian and NSW Governments Infrastructure Betterment Fund under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.Council will need additional funding to complete construction of the remaining stages of the Byron Bay Drainage Upgrade including Fletcher Street.People can get more information and sign up for email updates on the project web page: www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Byron-Drainage 

A man has been charged following a crash south of Ballina earlier this year.Emergency services were called to Broadwater-Evans Heads Road, Broadwater, 30km south of Ballina, about 8.50am on Thursday, 24 January 2025, following reports of a crash.Police arriving on scene found two SUVs – a Mazda CX5 and a Toyota RAV4 – had collided head-on before coming to rest in the southbound lanes.The driver of the Mazda, a 26-year-old man, was taken to Lismore Base Hospital for the treatment of serious injuries, while his passenger – a woman aged 26 – suffered minor injuries.The front passenger of the Toyota – a woman aged 43 – and both rear passengers – two teenage girls – were taken to Lismore Base Hospital for the treatment of serious injuries.The driver of the Toyota, a 48-year-old man, suffered minor injuries.Following inquiries by Far North Coast Crash Investigation Unit, on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, the 26-year-old man was charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm), and not keep left of dividing line.The man will appear in Ballina Local Court on Thursday, 25 September 2025.

Byron Shire Council Infrastructure Recovery Team will continue delivering essential flood recovery projects throughout 2025, following the extensive damage caused by the 2022 floods.“Our Infrastructure Recovery Team has been busy behind the scenes with investigation and planning, and we’re now gearing up for significant construction activity,” said Phil Warner, Council’s Manager Infrastructure Recovery.“In June, we began embankment stabilisation works on Wilsons Creek Road. It’s now full steam ahead with construction around the shire for the next few years,” he added.Upcoming Construction Projects (August – December 2025)Coopers Lane – Damaged culvert and road repairs. Construction is expected to start late 2025.Huonbrook - Gravel road repairs are nearly complete. Council is seeking additional funding to upgrade a causeway to allow truck access and complete remaining works.Left Bank Road (near 599) - Works include embankment stabilisation, road works, and guardrail installation. Some intermittent road closures are expected. Construction will run from mid-August through to November 2025.Main Arm Road (near 1650)- The project includes slope stabilisation, new unsealed road, and guardrail installation. Works begin in September and are scheduled to finish by the end of 2025.Minor Landslip Repairs - Multiple minor slips on Goonengerry Road, Left Bank Road, Main Arm Road, and The Pocket Road will be repaired. Work is scheduled from September until late 2025.Mullumbimby Road - Works commenced in July and will continue through to December. This project includes safety upgrades from The Saddle Road to McAuleys Lane intersection. Additional works include new road surface, signage, guardrails, and line marking. Changed traffic conditions are in place.Wilsons Creek Road - Embankment stabilisation near 803 Wilsons Creek Road is underway and expected to be completed in September. Another embankment stabilisation project just west of the current site is expected to commence in mid-August. Replacement and repair of 55 culvert crossings will commence in August as night works. Additional pavement and sealing works from Lavertys Gap to Malcolm’s Corner will begin late 2025.“Many of the flood recovery projects will continue into 2026, 2027 and even 2028,” said Mr Warner. “There will be disruptions in these areas, and traffic control will be in place. We thank the community for their patience and encourage people to stay up to date via Council’s website and communication channels, and Live Traffic. More detailed information will be shared closer to each project’s start date,” he added.For updates and information about flood repair work, please visit Council’s website.Council also reminds all road users to drive with care through construction zones, follow signage and directions from traffic controllers, and allow extra travel time for their safety and the safety of workers on site.These projects are jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Some projects also received additional funding from other programs.

An investigation is underway after a fatal crash on the M1 in the Tweed Shire this morning.About 9.30am (Monday, 11 August 2025), emergency services were called to the M1 at Mooball – about 13km north of Mullumbimby – following reports of a crash.At the scene, police were told several vehicles had collided with a man in the southbound lanes of the motorway. The man died at the scene and is yet to be formally identified.Officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District have established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.The southbound lanes of the M1 have been closed, and diversions are in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and delay non-essential travel.Live Traffic has diversions in place:Light vehicles: Can use Cudgera Creek Rd, Pottsville Rd, Tweed Coast Rd and Wooyung Rd to rejoin M1 Pacific Mtwy.Heavy vehicles (up to 26m B-Doubles) Have been approved to use Tweed Valley way via Murwillumbah to join the M1 Pacific Mtwy at Yelgun **Vehicles larger than 26m B-Doubles and OSOM movements will be parked.For up-to-date traffic information visit: https://www.livetraffic.com/Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.