Ballina Shire Council is seeking community feedback on the concept design, cost estimate and preliminary impact assessment reports for the North Creek Road and Bridge project.This project will involve:Reconstruction, widening and raising of North Creek Road between Forest Oak Boulevard in North Ballina and Skennars Head Road in Skennars HeadProvision of an adjacent new shared pedestrian/cycle pathConstruction of a new bridge across North Creek.“Rebuilding the North Creek Bridge, which was demolished in the 1970s following construction of The Coast Road, will reconnect the Skennars Head/Lennox Head areas with Ballina/North Ballina, helping to ease congestion and cater for future traffic volumes,” explained Council’s Traffic Engineer Patrick Knight.Modelling predicts that North Creek Road will carry traffic volumes of 14,162 vehicles per day by the year 2036, and this project aims to alleviate congestion along The Coast Road.Further road network traffic modelling is underway to predict volumes to the year 2046, with this work due to be completed in late 2025. This network modelling will also inform future decision-making regarding this project.Have your sayThe community is invited to provide feedback on the draft concept design, cost estimate and preliminary reports by completing the online form at yoursayballina.com.au/North-Creek-Road-and-Bridge.Submissions close Wednesday, 24 September 2025.Community feedback will be collated and reported to a future council meeting, where Council will consider the draft documents, landowner and community feedback, before deciding whether to proceed with and fund the next stage of this project.

At approximately 5:00pm on Friday, 22 August 2025, officers from the Far North, Tweed Byron Highway Patrol were conducting stationary breath testing duties on Hinterland Way, Ewingsdale, as part of Operation RAID 2025.A black Ford Falcon sedan was directed into the testing site but failed to stop, prompting officers to initiate a pursuit. The vehicle entered the Pacific Motorway northbound, reaching speeds well above the posted speed limit and limits for a learner licence holder, he was observed forcing other vehicles off the roadway.The pursuit continued until the vehicle exited at the Gulgan Road exit and entered Fox Lane Tyagarah, a no-through road. The driver stopped, realising his error and surrendered to police without further incident.The driver was identified as a 16-year-old male learner licence holder from Queensland. At the time, there were no L plates displayed, no supervising driver, and further investigations led to identifying that the driver was recording the pursuit on his mobile.The male stated he had just purchased the car, and he didn’t know what to do. "I just panicked because I don’t have a licence." The male was Breath and Drug tested, returning a negative result. He was arrested and conveyed to Byron Bay Police Station.He was charged with the following offences to appear before the Byron Bay Children's Local Court:Police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously (1st offence)Class A motor vehicle exceed speed > 45 km/h (estimated)Fail to comply with request or signal to stop vehicleLearner not accompanied by driver/police officer/testerLearner driver not display "L" plates as prescribedLearner/P1/P2 licence holder use mobile phone while drivingHis NSW driving privileges were withdrawn for 6 months. As the registered owner of the vehicle, he is liable for towing and storage costs following the vehicle's confiscation for a period of three months.NSW Police remind all road users that learner drivers must comply with licence conditions at all times. Reckless behaviour places lives at risk and will be met with firm enforcement.

The Tweed Valley’s Riding for the Disabled group is now delivering therapeutic horse-related activities year-round thanks to the all-weather arena at its Murwillumbah home and has places open for more participants in its programs.Operating for more than 30 years in the local area, the group has previously battled through flooding and seasonal weather to meet client demand, but now with $407,975 from the NSW Government they’ve been able to extend and resurface the main arena and build a roof.Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, who is also Minister for the North Coast, congratulated Riding for the Disabled Tweed Valley President Leonie Dunne, her committee, and contractors – ABC Sheds and Uki’s Hardings Earthmoving -- on completing the major project.“Providing consistent activities for all members of the community is key to inclusivity,” Ms Saffin said.“This project will ensure people with disabilities can participate in enriching activities that boost their well-being with equity and dignity, and they won’t have to miss out on a key social activity in their lives due to weather.Ms Dunne said the upgrades will be life-changing for program participants.“Many people with disability have difficulties regulating their body temperature in heat and cold, and any rain makes riding boggy, slippery and dangerous – now we can keep classes going in all weather,” Ms Dunne said.“We believe riding develops abilities and benefits of the program include improved coordination, muscle power and balance, relaxation, outdoor activity, decision-making, communication, making friends, self-confidence, and importantly having fun.” Classes were limited to fine, clear days, and early mornings to keep clients comfortable, but now the community group will be able to run more classes each day, and that means supporting more people.With more than 20,0000 people in Tweed Shire living with disability, the ability to expand its offerings has been a long-term goal for the non-profit group.Emma Butler’s daughter Meg began riding with the group at the age of 11, and at age 20, she’s now volunteering and helping others.“For us personally, it’s been amazing; the horses themselves are great for building confidence, and then you see the participants grow new skills helping others with a disability, I’d recommend it to anyone with a child looking to make a connection,” Mrs Butler said.“The covered arena means you know it’s going ahead, too. Most of these kids thrive on routine, and you can pretty much guarantee it’s going ahead.”The Tweed Valley group is part of Riding for the Disabled NSW (RDA) and runs a range of programs for children and adults with both physical and mental disabilities.As one of the only equine facilities in the region with a covered arena, Tweed Valley Riding for the Disabled hopes to partner with other horse-related groups for events and arena hire to bolster funding for a future program delivery.Riding for the Disabled Tweed Valley has been operating in Murwillumbah since 1989. If you’re interested in participating in activities or volunteering with the group, you can go to the RDA Tweed Valley Facebook group for more information.

Summerland Way has alternating traffic conditions in place at The Risk, north of Kyogle, due to a serious motorcycle crash that occurred around 3:08 this afternoon.Emergency Services and Transport for NSW are in attendance.Expect delays if you need to drive in the area north of Wiangaree.It is believed a man in his 40s was treated for chest injuries before being flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.Summerland Way was closed in both directions for two hours before the alternating traffic conditions came into place.Ongoing police investigations are expected to take some time. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

A further 28 projects have been declared as State Significant Development following recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA).Of these proposals, 25 are in metropolitan Sydney and 3 in regional NSW, including Evans Head.If lodged and approved, this could create more than 8,877 homes, including affordable housing across New South Wales.The Evans Head development states:"Development specified in EOI application 265348 dated May 2025, including development for the purpose of subdivision, dwelling houses, multi-dwelling houses and dual occupancies with provision of affordable housing at 17 Memorial Airport Drive, Evans Head, being Lot 3/DP1217074.To date, 215 proposals amounting to more than 79,094 potential homes have been declared state significant.Since the formation of the HDA in January this year, 71 projects have had Secretary Environmental Assessment Requirements issued and 5 Development Applications have been lodged.Recommendations from the HDA are published as required under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 before the SSD declaration.This is part of the Minns Government’s plan to build a better NSW with more homes and services, so young people, families and key local workers have somewhere to live and in the communities they choose. The Ministerial Order can be found here.

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