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Byron Shire
August 29, 2026

Two deaths and four in ICU in Northern NSW

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

Another North Coast Mud Trail triumph

Four days of clay, creativity and community have just concluded for another year, with ceramic artists from across the Northern Rivers showing off their latest creations.

Safer roads for North Coast

Richmond MP Justine Elliot has announced that the Albanese government is delivering more than $4.6 million in federal funding from the 2026-27 Black Spot Program to improve road safety at four sites across the North Coast.

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.

Peek behind the scenes of ‘Love for One Night’

Directed and devised by Julian Louis, NORPA's acclaimed production 'Love for One Night' returns to the Eltham Hotel this Thursday, running until 12 September.

Tweed Shire Council update

Tweed Council's latest meeting included motions on solar panel recycling, free speech, financial sustainability and Clarrie Hall Dam.

Climate science meets art at Lismore Gallery

Climate change conversations filled with graphs, reports and grim headlines can be enough to make even the hardiest soul want to hide under the doona. This Sunday, Lismore Regional Gallery is trying a different approach to discussing the issue.

One person in their 90s and on in their 70s died in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) in the 24-hours to 4pm 9 February.

‘Sadly, today Northern NSW is reporting the death of two people from COVID-19. One person in their 90s from the Richmond Valley area. One person in their 70s from the Tweed area,’ said a spokesperson for the NNSWLHD. 

‘We express our sincere condolences to their loved ones.’

Twenty-three people remain in hospital in the region with four in ICU. 

During this period there were 370 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Northern NSW Local Health District, including 107 positive PCR tests and 263 positive rapid antigen tests (RAT).

Confirmed tests by LGA (local government area) PCR and RAT included:

  • Ballina 54
  • Byron 42
  • Clarence Valley 81
  • Kyogle 8
  • Lismore 36
  • Richmond Valley 38
  • Tweed Heads 111

Get tested

The Northern NSW Local Health District is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.

‘Anyone who tests positive using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is required to register their result with Service NSW. Registering your RAT result enables NSW Health to provide advice on self-isolation and managing COVID-19 symptoms at home and connect high risk people to clinical care services.,’ they said.

‘Everyone who is eligible for a booster is encouraged to book without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.

‘Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now available for people aged 16 and over who had their second dose at least three months ago. We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect themselves, their loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19.

‘We also strongly recommend that people aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose.’


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.