Can Assist has opened a new branch in Tweed Shire to support cancer patients access funds to help pay for things like fuel, accommodation for when they need to travel for treatment, food, utility bills, and insurances. 

Can Assist has been helping people living in rural and regional NSW access cancer treatment and care since 1955, says Daniel Ashton, Can Assist Tweeds President.

The community-based, volunteer run network provides practical and financial support to cancer patients via fuel and food vouchers, and paying for utility bills, accommodation, medication and vehicle expenses like registration and insurances. 

All the little things that you dont realise are part of the cancer journey, says Daniel. 

We are here to take some of the stress away from the patient and ensure they feel respected, supported and understood while they go through the cancer journey.

The new Tweed branch is the fifty-sixth branch opened by Can Assist and Daniel says the funds from greenslips.com.a...

Three-day NSW fishing licence from the Evans Head Visitor Information Centre, located at 17 Kirkland Court and need to be acquired for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. 

Anyone over the age of 18 needs to pay a recreational fishing fee and carry the receipt showing proof of payment in order to legally fish in either freshwater or saltwater, said a spokesperson for Richmond Valley Council (RVC). 

This applies even if youre just spearfishing, collecting bait or hand lining, as it is still considered recreational fishing. It doesnt matter whether you are a professional angler or an amateur; everyone who fishes recreationally must have a valid licence.

Recreational fishing licences issued by other states, territories or countries are not valid for fishing in NSW waters. All visitors must pay the NSW fee. Fishing without a licence could result in an on-the-spot fine of $200 or a maximum fine of $2,200.

Nimbin Mardi Grass, set to roll from Friday, 5 May, is once again calling for the legalisation of cannabis and law reform. The five members of the Legalise Cannabis Party in parliament will be on hand to discuss the issues over the weekend as locals and visitors enjoy an extensive weekend program of events, talks and the famous HEMP Olympix with Sorrensen and Glover.

We missed the May MardiGrass last year because of the floods, so were very happy to be back on the calendar for the harvest season protest again, says HEMP Embassy president Michael Balderstone. 

The Bangalow Arts precinct, located opposite the A&I Hall at 6-10 Station Street, is slated for a complete overhaul, with a DA now on exhibition from developer CADRE.

Extensive DA documents available on Councils website propose mixed use development, comprising of commercial premises and hotel or motel accommodation [26 hotel apartments], on three levels, with two levels of basement car parking.

According to the quantity surveyors report, the $14.1M proposal would have a building footprint of 2,117.4m².

One of the affected businesses is the artist collective, Hammer & Hand. 

Bruce Pringle from the collective told The Echo he personally was supportive of the redevelopment, and that consultation with developer Chris Tyas was positive. 

Pringles main concerns were whether they will be able to afford to rent after the redevelopment, the disruption to his collective, and finding an interim shopfront/workshop. 

He added he knew of others not so supportive of the redevelopment.   

Engagement report

According to the developers community engagement report, a pre-lodgement engagement process was instigated, by far in excess of Councils pre-lodgement engagement requirements.

Design feedback has been incorporated, says the report, and Instead of 7 townhouses, 26 hotel rooms are now proposed.

Other public feedback included a call to increase access to sunlight, activation of the rail corridor, maintaining a focus on artists, and more parking.

Melbourne-based CADRE, have significant property interests in the Ballina and Byron Shires,  says the report, with the founding director [Chris Tyas] spending much of his time in the Byron Shire.

A website for the development is at https://6-10stationstreet.com.au and the DA is available on Councils website DA tracker.

The post Large Bangalow DA before public appeared first on...

Motorists are advised of out-of-hours work and changed traffic conditions on Colemans Bridge at Lismore from Saturday, 29 April to approximately 8 May to carry out essential maintenance. 

We will be working from 9.30am to 2.30pm weekdays and from 6.30am to 4pm on weekends and expect to complete the work in about ten days, weather permitting, said a spokesperson for Transport for NSW.

Traffic control and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place Monday to Saturday during work hours for the safety of workers and road users.

Bridge closure

On Sunday, 30 April and 7 May the bridge will be closed to all traffic, with detours in place from 6.30am to 4pm while we remove the gantry scaffolding system, weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers.

For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

The post Colemans Bridge, Lismore changed traffic conditions  appeared first on The Echo.

Byron Councils plan to build affordable housing units above a public car park in Mullumbimby has hit a snag, with no community housing providers willing to accept its offer of a 49-year lease to run the project.

But Mayor Michael Lyon says he remains 100 per cent committed to the scheme.

Council has been working with the government-owned development corporation, Landcom, on the plan that would see 32 one-and-two-bedroom units built at 57 Station Street; land that is currently in use as a busy car park in the centre of town.

In August last year, Council and Landcom undertook a tender process in a bid to find a community housing provider (CHP) to deliver the project, offering potential applicants a 49-year lease on the property.

However, a report on the matter contained in the agenda to this weeks Council meeting shows that neither of the two CHPs that responded to the tender process were willing to accept this key condition.

Non-conforming tenders

Instead, the compa...

A large crowd braved intermittent showers and squally winds to commemorate Anzac Day in Ballina yesterday.

Shortly before the march, an RAAF E-7A Wedgetail (modified large passenger jet) flew very low over Ballina, surprising some who were grappling with their umbrellas.

At the ceremony, MC Anna Dicker introduced Darin Preston, also from the Ballina RSL sub-branch, who said he was very happy to see such an excellent turnout for both Ballina services in 2023, commemorating the Anzac landings at Gallipoli in 1916.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from Kingscliff.

Misha Beck, aged 16, was last seen at a home at Kingscliff about 9pm yesterday (Monday 24 April).

When family noticed her gone, she was reported missing to officers from Tweed/Byron Police District, who commenced inquiries to locate her.

Family and police hold concerns for Mishas welfare due to her age and a number of health concerns.

Misha is described as being of Caucasian appearance with a tanned complexion, about 170cm tall, of slim build, with long brown hair (lighter at the ends), and brown eyes.

Misha is known to frequent areas around Kingscliff and Tweed Heads.

Anyone with information about Mishas whereabouts is urged to contact Tweed/Byron Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The post Have you seen Misha? appeared first on The Echo.

A single fin only 9ft and over Malibu contest, the Classic was first held in 1980, making it the longest running event of its kind in Australia, perhaps the world.

Money raised through the generosity of the events sponsors and competitors has enabled the club to donate well in excess of three hundred thousand dollars to local community organisations over the years.

Every year we have a competitor draw for a beautifully hand shaped board by our major sponsor Munro Surfboards, Club President Jy Pendergast says.

Every competitor goes in the draw held on Saturday night the 29th and you have to be there to win it.

This year we have a amazing looking board with a photograph from local award winning photographer Craig Parry printed by Rhema Graphics and glassed into this master craftsmanship from the crew at Munro Surfboards.

The post...

Last night, a full house turned up at Lennox Hotels Seven Mile Room to participate in the inaugural Critical Conversations seminar, about the impact of 4WDs on beach ecosystems.

The event was organised by Ballina Shire councillor Kiri Dicker, and featured Sue Higginson MLC, beach ecosystem expert Dr Thomas Schlacher, environmentalist Megan Ward and OzFish Richmond Rivers John Larsson.

Cr Dicker said her intention was for Critical Conversations to become a regular event. Im a big believer in local government, she said. We can do so much more than just roads, rates and rubbish.

Sue Higginson MLC opened by saying NSWs newly elected minority government was going to be very significant, with the possibility of a genuinely progressive environmental agenda for the first time in many years. She said that preserving complex, dynamic coastal ecosystems was vitally important as the climate emergency worsened.