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August 29, 2026

New COVID venue of concern in Byron Bay

Latest News

Greens urged to back pathway to end native forest logging

Some of NSW’s most respected and long-standing forest campaigners and scientists have today urged the Greens not to support the Nationals' attempt to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method.

Other News

Rail trail future

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) represents one of the most exciting opportunities our region has seen in decades....

50-metre Olympic-sized pool

We definitely need an updated 50m swimming facility closer to Tweed Heads. My preference is an outdoor facility. The...

How to stop overdoses? Dr Will Tregoning has some thoughts

With International Overdose Awareness Day approaching on 31 August, NSW now has the evidence, the tools and record overdose deaths but lacks the will on permanent, community based pill testing.

Mullum CWA celebrates 100 years

The Mullumbimby Country Women’s Association has played a pivotal role in the local community for the last 100 years.

Brisbane band awake in Byron

Don’t let the name fool you – Vancouver Sleep Clinic (VSC), who are returning for their first Australian show in half a decade, are not Canadian!

Cameras rolling on Ballina crime fight

A $1 million CCTV network targeting crime hotspots and major roads in Ballina and Lennox Head is finally moving into the installation phase, following years of calls for greater surveillance across the shire.

A Northern NSW Local Health District spokesperson says that there have been two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Byron Bay area, which were not recorded in NNSWLHD confirmed cases for Saturday.

These cases are both no longer in the region.

Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Wayne Jones, says that anyone who attended Elements of Byron Bay during the week is considered a casual contact and needs to be tested and isolate until they receive a negative result. ‘You need to get tested again on day 6 after your last contact with the COVID-19 positive person.

‘If you feel well, you do not need to self-isolate while waiting for this test result.’

The Elements of Byron Bay dates are Monday 1 to Thursday 4 November inclusive.

The COVID-19 testing clinic is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm at Byron Central Hospital, 54 Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale

QML Drive through at Cavanbah centre Byron Bay will also be open today, Sunday 7 November from 9am to 4pm.

‘Even if you are fully vaccinated you should get tested and isolate immediately if you have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms,’ says Mr Jones. ‘If you have a slightly runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat or generally feeling under the weather.


Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19

COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row.

Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19

An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market.

Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab! 

The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Public transport mask mandate to end

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

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.

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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Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane

With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded.

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.

Katie Milne responds to Tweed’s draft housing and employment strategy

The former mayor of Tweed Shire Council, Kate Milne, has shared her submission to Tweed's Draft Growth Management Housing & Employment Strategy.