David Lowe

In a major victory for community pressure and investor activism, Origin Energy announced yesterday that they would divest 100 per cent of their gas interests in the Northern Territory's massive Beetaloo Basin, along with fracking plans in the Lake Eyre Basin and WA's Kimberley region.

The last Lismore City Council meeting was a pretty short one, by Lismore standards, but they still managed to argue about quite a few issues, and agree on a few more.

At its recent meeting, Lismore City Council voted to convene a roundtable public forum before the end of the year for stakeholders to speak on the current state of play with flood recovery, and share ideas for the way forward.

At this week's Lismore City Council meeting, a motion from Cr Adam Guise to switch to 100 per cent renewable energy and remove $92m worth of council's investment exposure to fossil fuels was defeated.

There were two beacons of light emerging from another tumultuous Lismore City Council meeting last night, with broad support for a temporary pop-up library in town and a community and youth centre in Goonellabah.

Ballina Shire Council's meeting for August was an epic one, full of twists, turns and roundabouts.

At their last meeting, Ballina Shire councillors wrestled with funding priorities across the region, from the beaches to the hinterland.

The metaphors were flying as Ballina Shire councillors debated the pros and cons of their 'jewel in the crown', the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, at their last meeting, with a multi-part motion designed to address airport impacts presented by Cr Kiri Dicker.

After a short debate, Ballina Shire Council gave the green light to another major development at EPIQ Estate in Lennox Head yesterday.

The role of short term letting in the ongoing housing crisis was the subject of another intense debate in Ballina Council yesterday, when a group of councillors brought a rescission motion against a unanimous decision from the previous meeting to write a letter to ratepayers who might be able to assist.

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The photo exhibition 'Stories of the Big Scrub' is one of a number of new shows opening at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery in Ballina today. Photographer Tom Wolff talked to The Echo about his exhibition, which shines a light on the precious remnants of lowland tropical rainforest scattered across the region.

After three years of postponements due to COVID and then the floods, dragon boats from across the state came back to Shaws Bay on the weekend for a triumphant 2022 regatta, with racers of all ages, shapes and sizes.

Yesterday a big group of knitters responded to Ballina Library's call for a knit-in to help the charity Wrap With Love keep people warm this winter.

Submissions have closed on the controversial change of development plan for the large block at the corner of Snapper and Montwood Drive in Lennox Head, with Ballina Shire Council, Ballina MP Tamara Smith and local councillor Kiri Dicker all opposed.

The Royal Australian Navy Veterans Band is coming to Ballina RSL on Thursday, with a concert raising funds for the Northern Rivers Flood Relief Fund, by donation. They will be joined by the Royal Australian Navy Band, from Sydney, for what will be a big sound in a great cause.

250 people attended the first free Community Mental Health Symposium last Thursday at Ballina RSL, with a range of expert speakers from various organisations explaining the dimensions of the problem and how best to move forward.

A large group of West Ballina residents are alarmed about a DA which has been submitted to Ballina Shire Council by the Emmanuel Anglican College in Horizon Drive. The proposal, for a STEM and Digital Technology Centre, is planned for a well-known flood-prone area which previously acted as part of a large retention pond.

A local whale watching and eco-tourism business has been announced as one of the region's Local Tourism Heroes at a gala dinner co-hosted by Destination North Coast.

The Lennox-based (and fast-expanding) young men's mental health group are continuing to change lives and inspire the wider community with activities across the region.

Fifteen local pottery studios will soon open their doors and reveal their latest ceramic art creations for the 10th Anniversary North Coast Mud Trail, recently launched at Ignite Studios in Ballina.