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Latest News
Appeal to locate missing man – Tweed Heads
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from Tweed Heads West.
Other News
Child protection workers walk off the job in Lismore
Lismore and Ballina child protection caseworkers stopped work to protest outside the defunct Community Services Centre in Lismore yesterday after two years of working without an office. They have been joined by Ballina child protection caseworkers who had their office shut in January.
New data reveals NSW social housing waitlist blowout
A fresh analysis by Homelessness NSW reveals where people are waiting the longest for social housing, sparking calls to double the supply of social homes and boost services funding.
Celebrating Tweed Museum’s 20th anniversary with all and everything
A stunning new exhibition has opened to celebrate the Tweed Regional Museum's 20th anniversary – Omnia: all and everything.
2022 flood data quietly made public
The long-awaited state government analysis of the 2022 flood in the shire’s north is now available on the SES website.
More Byron CBD height exceedance approved
Two multi-storey mixed-use developments with a combined value of $36.2 million have been approved for the centre of Byron Bay, despite both exceeding height limits for that part of the Shire.
Press release vs Save Wallum views
The Echo editor (page 1, 10 April) might need to consider the role of a journalist – particularly that...
Stories about "CSG buyback scheme":
Northern rivers ‘unprotected’ by new mining framework
Lock the Gate Alliance says the NSW Government’s Strategic Release Framework for coal and gas exploration, announced today, allows holders of ‘expunged petroleum titles’ to reapply for areas where licences have been bought back or cancelled, including in the northern rivers.
Time for governments to raise the bar on miners
Jeff Johnson, Independent Ballina councillor. The NSW Government’s Metgasco buy-back offer is the news most of us have been waiting for. I’m surprised that a company that has breached its license conditions is getting a $25 million payout to go away.
Dowell gracious in CSG victory
Jennie Dell, Lismore. I fought hard for, and feel passionately about keeping the Northern Rivers Gasfield Free. I’m no apologist for Metgasco or the National Party. I was standing near Jenny Dowell when she said she’d emailed her thanks to Thomas George and Metgasco’s CEO after the buyback offer was announced.
CSG win prompts calls to divest from fossil fuels
The proposed buyback of coal seam gas licences in the northern rivers area has prompted renewed calls to divest in fossil fuel investments.
Metgasco’s many licence infringements
Jennie Dell, Lismore. Mining is a speculative industry. Metgasco had a licence to speculate, issued by the then-Labor government and renewed over a decade with enthusiastic support from the governing NSW LNP government, represented in Lismore by Thomas George.
Outcry against Metgasco’s north coast plans
Politicians from the Greens to the Nationals have responded emphatically against gas miner Metgasco’s announcement that it plans to use the courts to force an unwelcome return to the northern rivers.
Greens vow to go back to the blockades on CSG
Greens Ballina MP Tamara Smith has said she will join the community in any future blockades if it becomes necessary to prevent CSG mining in the region. Her comments follow the defeat of the CSG moratorium bill in NSW parliament yesterday.
CSG buyback scheme ‘needs transparency and urgency’
Gasfield Free Northern Rivers have welcomed the announcement that the government's CSG buyback scheme will be extended by three months but called for more urgency and transparency in the process.
CSG buyback scheme ‘just a stunt’
A pre-election promise by the National Party to buy back controversial coal-seam gas exploration licences on the northern rivers was a just another stunt’ to shore up support for its north coast MPs, according to state Labor.
Local News
Police out in force over the ANZAC Day weekend with double demerit points
Anzac Day memorials and events are being held around the country and many people have decided to couple this with a long weekend.
Local News
Child protection workers walk off the job in Lismore
Lismore and Ballina child protection caseworkers stopped work to protest outside the defunct Community Services Centre in Lismore yesterday after two years of working without an office. They have been joined by Ballina child protection caseworkers who had their office shut in January.
Political Comment
Youth crime is increasing – what to do?
There is something strange going on with youth crime in rural and regional Australia. Normally, I treat hysterical rising delinquency claims with a pinch of salt – explicable by an increase in police numbers, or a headline-chasing tabloid, or a right-wing politician.
Local News
Coffs Harbour man charged for alleged online grooming of young girl
Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a Coffs Harbour man for alleged online grooming offences under Strike Force Trawler.
