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Byron Shire
October 6, 2026

Big weekend for rescue chopper

Latest News

Four lives lost, thousands of infringement notices issued by police

NSW Police say the Labour Day long weekend road safety operation has now concluded, with four lives lost on NW roads, a tragic reminder that the decisions behind the wheel can have devastating consequences.

Other News

Ron and Liz exhibition coming to Mur’bah

Ron Curran and Liz Friend have been a fixture of the Northern Rivers art scene since they started Dynamic Drawing classes in 1999 in Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, and Lismore.

Four lives lost, thousands of infringement notices issued by police

NSW Police say the Labour Day long weekend road safety operation has now concluded, with four lives lost on NW roads, a tragic reminder that the decisions behind the wheel can have devastating consequences.

ReSolve Global officially opens solar recycling facility

Renewable energy recycling has just taken a big step forward in the Northern Rivers, with ReSolve Global officially opening its new holding and sorting facility in Tyagarah, near the old Bluesfest site.

Pump upgrade to strengthen flood resilience

Lismore’s CBD will be better protected from localised flooding, with a major upgrade to the Browns Creek Pump Station set to begin construction in November.

Investigation deferred as Greens call for expanded watchdog powers

The Minns government is facing calls to clarify the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s powers to obtain police documents, as the LECC announced the deferral of public hearings for Operation Makalu, the probe into police violence against peaceful protesters on 9 February at Sydney Town Hall.

Wildlife hospitals need help to prepare for bird flu

H5 avian influenza is already present in NSW and has been detected as far north as the Coffs Harbour region. The number of dead birds is increasing with 55 reported dead in NSW.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

It’s been a busy few days for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service around the Northern Rivers.

Around 2pm on Friday the rescue chopper was tasked by NSW Ambulance on an urgent inter-hospital transfer from Grafton Hospital to Tweed Valley Hospital.

A man in his 70s, suffering a serious medical condition, was stabilised by hospital staff and the NSW Ambulance critical care paramedic, along with the NSW Health doctor from the helicopter’s critical care medical team, before being airlifted to Cudgen.

Sporting injuries

Around 1.30pm on Saturday, a Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew to assist a player injured in a rugby league match at Evans Head. A teenage boy was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and the helicopter’s critical care medical team for back injuries before being transported by road, accompanied by the medical team, to Lismore Base Hospital.

Yesterday (Sunday) at around 1.30pm, the helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance to attend a player injured in a rugby league match at Bilambil, near Tweed Heads.

A teenage boy was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and the helicopter’s critical care medical team for head injuries before being transported by road to Tweed Valley Hospital.



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MHERV returns to Ballina

Ballina locals are being encouraged to take ten minutes for their health when the MHERV Van returns to town this month.

Pump upgrade to strengthen flood resilience

Lismore’s CBD will be better protected from localised flooding, with a major upgrade to the Browns Creek Pump Station set to begin construction in November.

Lavertys Gap water supply assessment to go ahead

Byron Shire councillors Janet Swain (Labor) and Jack Dods (independent) brought a motion ‘to stop a further report on Mullumbimby’s Lavertys Gap water supply, to cease all further work on the Mullumbimby water supply from Lavertys Gap, and shut down the treatment plant,’ to the last Council meeting.

World Cerebral Palsy Day

Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) is calling on the Australian government to support formal United Nations recognition of 6 October as World Cerebral Palsy Day, creating a permanent global platform to raise awareness, strengthen support and drive action for the 50 million people living with cerebral palsy worldwide.