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Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Covid 19 virus fragments in Ballina Shire and Grafton sewage

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

Records galore!

Byron Bay Easter Record Fair returns again to Ewingsdale Hall. Now in its 15th year, the Byron Bay Easter Record Fair is one of the biggest and best in this country. Matt the Vinyl Junkie has spent years on buying trips to the US and Japan scouring dusty warehouses, shops, flea markets and private collections. He can offer an astounding 30,000 records in one place covering most genres.

Editorial – Let’s do the development dance!

Some good questions were raised by residents at last week’s Council meeting – and were ‘taken on notice’ by Mayor, Michael Lyon.

Mullum and Byron locals lock on at Ewingar State Forest

Byron Bay and Mullumbimby locals Emma Briggs and Bassi Brown locked onto machinery at Ewingar State Forest, in the Upper Clarence area, yesterday as they called for an end to native forest logging. 

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Heavy traffic on M1 predicted over Easter long weekend

Bottlenecks in Northern NSW are predicted to occur at Coffs Harbour and Tugun over the Easter long weekend. This is expected to be further impacted by work on the Pacific Highway just north of the Queensland border.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Local health authorities on the Northern Rivers say they didn’t record any new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the reporting period ending 8pm 25 September.

But to the south of the region, the Northern NSW Local Health District says fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 were detected in samples taken from the North and South Grafton sewage treatment plants on 24 September.

The sites served a combined total of approximately 18,500 people, authorities said.

North Coast Public Health Unit Director Dr Paul Douglas said it was the second detection in four days at the Grafton treatment plants.

‘We are particularly concerned about the Grafton detections given there are no known cases in the area,’ Mr Douglas said.

‘We strongly encourage anyone in the Grafton area to be vigilant for COVID-19 symptoms and to get tested and isolate as soon as symptoms develop.’

Possible unconfirmed COVID 19 cases in Ballina Shire

In the Ballina Shire, sewage surveillance detected fragments of the virus in samples taken from the Wardell sewage treatment plant on 24 September.

It was the fourth detection in that area in ten days.

Mr Douglas said while health authorities knew about a confirmed case who had been in the Ballina, Wardell and Cabbage Tree Island areas during 14 – 16 September, ongoing detections could indicate other unconfirmed cases in the local communities.

Testing clinics open in the Grafton and Ballina areas included:

 Ballina 4Cyte Drive Through clinic, 39 River Street, Ballina. Open 7am –

2pm daily, appointments not required.

 Ballina Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 90 Tamar Street, Shop 4, Ballina.

Open 7am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday, appointments not required.

 Ballina Respiratory Clinic, 92 Tamar Street, Shop 12, Tamar Shopping

Village, Ballina. Open Monday- Friday 8.30am – 4pm, appointments required.

 Grafton Base Hospital, 184 Arthur Street, Grafton. Open 9am- 5pm seven

days, appointments not required.

 Grafton South Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 94 Bent Street, Shop 9 Coles

Complex, South Grafton. Open 7am – 2pm Monday to Friday, appointments

not required.

Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need

Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week.

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COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally

COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal.

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COVID-19 update for New South Wales

Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day.

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Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...

The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing.

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Public transport mask mandate to end

Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September.

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NSW Police: be COVID-vigilant at Splendour in the Grass

SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures.

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COVID-19 update for the NNSWLHD – May 23

The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.

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AEC says COVID voters can phone from home

The AEC says that voters who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to phone in their vote in the federal election.

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COVID-19 update: May 16

The Northern NSW Local Health District says that to 4pm yesterday, 15 May, 384 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the District, including 82 positive PCR tests and 302 positive rapid antigen tests.

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It’s National Volunteer Week

Volunteering Australia says volleys are the backbone of the country in times of crisis and emergency.

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Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.