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Byron Shire
August 29, 2026

COVID-19 related death reported in Lismore

Latest News

How can we keep paying for incompetence

The only way forward is going backwards. That’s how I explain the current situation of Byron Shire Council. The...

Other News

Two charged over alleged Ballina machete attack

A man and woman have been charged after a 22-year-old man was allegedly attacked with a machete in central Ballina on Sunday night.

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.

No food fraud at the farmers’ market

Food fraud has made headlines recently after an investigation by ABC program Four Corners found the issue is rampant in major supermarket aisles in Australia.

New research highlights pressures facing Northern Rivers community organisations

More than 50 representatives from grassroots organisations across the Northern Rivers came together at Bangalow A&I Hall last week for the Northern Rivers Community Sector Sustainability Summit.

Disastrous levels of sexism and misogyny in Australian schools

Monash University has conducted the largest Australian survey of teachers to examine their experiences of sexism, misogyny and sexual harassment in schools.

Lismore fun run will be bigger than ever

The much-loved Darrel Chapman Fun Run will return to Lismore on Sunday 30 August, with runners and walkers set to start the event on Woodlark Street once again.

Someone in their 80’s from Lismore died with COVID-19 in the latest official reporting period, health authorities said Friday.

The Northern NSW Local Health District reported four COVID-19 patients in intensive care, while 25 others were also receiving hospital treatment.

Authorities reported 281 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 4pm Thursday, based on 61 positive PCR tests and 220 positive rapid antigen tests [RATs].

But RAT results may be from within the previous seven days, authorities said, and some people could have reported positive RATs on multiple days or received both a positive PCR  and RAT test during the same reporting period.

Confirmed positive test results within local government areas on the Northern Rivers were:

  • Ballina 35
  • Byron 24
  • Clarence Valley 43
  • Kyogle 7
  • Lismore 34
  • Richmond Valley 37
  • Tweed 101

Health authorities didn’t disclose the vaccination status of anyone reported to have COVID-19, including the person who died.


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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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.

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.