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.

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.

The Minns government says it is delivering on a key election commitment with its latest tranche of gaming reforms, giving people and families stronger protections against gambling harm and tightening the rules concerning gambling promotion and marketing.

More than 50 representatives from grassroots organisations across the Northern Rivers came together at Bangalow A&I Hall last week for the Northern Rivers Community Sector Sustainability Summit.

A $1 million CCTV network targeting crime hotspots and major roads in Ballina and Lennox Head is finally moving into the installation phase, following years of calls for greater surveillance across the shire.

This Saturday, 29 August  the Mullumbimby Golf Club (MGC) is hosting its rescheduled MND (Motor Neurone Disease) Charity Day in honour of Steve Ryan.