Byron Council continues to rely heavily on state and federal government grants for its financial sustainability, a financial audit has shown.

Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader says the recent release of the federal government's infrastructure spending review brings with it a disheartening revelation for the Ballina Shire and the Northern Rivers region. In particular, the significant funding loss for the crucial Bruxner Highway – Wollongbar to Goonellabah project, which initially held a federal commitment of $6.8 million.

Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP, and Greens candidate for the flood affected electorate of Richmond, Mandy Nolan, have announced the Greens will move when Parliament resumes in March to extend government backed insurance to all flood victims.

Conspiracy theories abound these days. Most of them are feeble balloons that can be popped with one or two sharp facts, but a few contain some truth.

Scott Morrison is rummaging around in his near-empty presents sack looking for some spare socks and mouldy chocolates, the sleigh is off at the panel beaters in need of drastic repairs, and the reindeer continue to shit on us from a great height.

‘I feel like it's time to have a response to the way in which taxpayer’s money is being worked with,’ says NORPA Artistic Director Julian Louis.

As the drought continues Tweed Shire Council is asking Water Minister Melinda Pavey to suspend commercial water extraction in the Tweed Shire. But this is just one small part of the water challenge that faces Australia.

This morning around 60 people turned up outside Lismore’s Westpac bank, including the knitting nannas, asking them not to fund the the proposed Adani Carmichael mine in the galilee basin of Queensland.

The northern rivers' major presenter of arts and cultural performances has made an unprecedented attack on the federal government, saying its inquiry on broadcasting and the arts in the northern rivers ignored regional voices.