Special Features

Environmentalists have welcomed the announcement from NSW Labor leader Luke Foley, that if elected premier he will ensure that cable logging on extremely steep slopes will not be introduced but have lamented that the coalition plans to plough ahead with it,.

Jeff Johnson, Independent candidate for Ballina. On the important local issues the Nationals have let the community down. Their ongoing support for coal seam gas (CSG) mining in the northern rivers proves that they no longer represent the community.

Paul Spooner, Labor candidate for Ballina. The rail trail is an excellent initiative that should benefit both locals and tourists, and I think it will be well frequented. But we shouldn’t rip up the existing train lines to make the corridor solely a bike trail.

Brigid Beckett, Alstonville. As a voter in the Ballina electorate I received a flyer headed 'CSG we don't want it here'. Turning it over I was gobsmacked to see that it was promoting the Nationals, who are the party who last December renewed the license for the largest PEL in the region. It includes the area of Lismore, Kyogle, Nimbin and Woodburn and covers the water catchments of Byron Bay and Ballina.

Tamara Smith, Greens candidate for Ballina. Last week, major mining firm AJ Lucas moved to buy coal seam gas licences in the northern rivers and other parts of NSW for $2.5 million. It's an ominous sign for our community.