Startling imagery reflecting on recent extreme weather consequences in our community will go on display tomorrow at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery.

Michelle Walker and her colleague Jude Whyte will be launching the exhibition of their work tomorrow at 5.30pm at 44 Cherry Street, Ballina which will be on display at the gallery until 25 June.

This exhibition of artworks capturing the energies and turmoil in the aftermath of fires and floods in the Northern Rivers, say the artists. 

Images of burnt trees, mud-stained houses and impacted lan...

With floods being in the forefront of our local issues, last night Lismore Council voted on who would represent the area at the 2023 Floodplain Management Australia (FMA) National Conference will take place in Sydney from 23 26 May.

The FMA conference will be held at Luna Park Venues and the theme of the 2023 event is Preparing for the unprecedented flood, which will focus on applying lessons from recent floods and new research to better manage the increasing costs of extreme weather events.

The FMA Conference has been held annually for over 50 years and is the most respected flood risk management event held in Australia.

The Conference is for anyone interested in making our communities more flood safe. It will bring together over 350 flood professionals and community members with interests in flood risk management. Attendees will include Commonwealth, State and Local Government representatives, research organisations and education providers as well as consultants, engineers, land-use planners, emergency responders and community volunteer organisations.

The Conference will include outstanding Australian and International speakers, plenary and concurrent presentations, a Local Government Councillors session, field trips addressing floodplain issues in Sydney and surrounding areas, as well as great networking events.  One of the keynote speakers tis year is science communicator and journalist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki.

Lismore City Council, as a member of the FMA, is entitled to two voting delegates, but only one when voting on changes to the Constitution.

Last night three Councillors put up their hands to make the trip to Sydney Councillors Bird, Ekins and Rob. Councillor Rob requested to nominate for both of the voting positions and Cr Ekins asked to be the other voting delegate.

Councillors agreed unanimously that all three were to attend as delegates with Rob and Ekins as the voting delegates and Rob being the delegate who votes on any potential changes to the constiution.

You can find out more about the 2023 Floodplain Management Australia National Conference here.

The post Lismore delegates for the 2023 Floodplain Management Australia National Conference appeared first on The Echo.

Murwillumbah Community Gardens (MCG) is running two low-cost building workshops about building with earth-based materials.

The two workshops will be facilitated by Rebecca Whan, a world-renowned architect and expert, busy facilitating earth-buildings around the globe, said Amber Alley, spokesperson for MCG.

Looking at techniques that can be used for sustainable, low-cost building or environmentally friendly feature garden walls participants will take a hands-on approach and help to build a garden wall at the community gardens in Murwillumbah.

This will be a retaining wall to limit erosion loss, and a feature on a new flower garden for the bees, said Ms Alley.

Earth wall buildings have been used in many traditional settings universally. They have gathered interest in recent times since they greatly reduce damage to the environment, are aesthetically pleasing, and involve fewer delivery miles in their making. The same principles are used to create houses and other buildings.

In the first workshop you will learn about the mate...

About 6.20am Monday, 8 May, emergency services were called to Lismore Road, Clunes, following reports of a two-vehicle crash.

At the scene, police from Tweed Byron and Richmond Police Districts were told that an SUV and van collided on a bend.

The driver of the SUV, a 43-year-old man, was stabilised by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Lismore Base Hospital in a critical condition.

The driver of the van, a 38-year-old woman, was taken to Lismore Base Hospital in a stable condition

Locals have reported that the road was closed for approximately eight hours. 

Investigators have commenced inquiries into circumstances surrounding the crash, and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The post SUV driver in critical condition after crash near Clunes appeared first on The Echo.

Racing New South Wales will meet with local horse racing figures in Ballina this morning for an inquiry into allegations of animals abuse against a local horse trainer.

Racing NSW Chairman of Stewards, Steve Railton, confirmed that an inquiry would be held today in Ballina but did not elaborate on the subject of the meeting.

The Echo has heard from concerned members of the racing community who say the hearing will begin at 10am at the Ballina Jockey Club.

Brushing things under the rug

A spokesperson for the group of concerned people, who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of backlash from Racing NSW, says the organisation has a tendency to brush things under the rug. They tend to victimise people that stand forward about things anyone coming forward as a whistleblower will feel their wrath and that possibly will affect their income.

The person says that a local trainer, who is well known to other trainers and strappers for their abuse against horses, will have to answer questions about two horses who sustained fractured skulls amongst other injuries. Im very experienced. Ive worked in this industry for a long time. Ive worked with the best trainers and I can honestly say Ive never ever seen a horse in a racing stable ever get a fractured skull, let alone two horses. It just doesnt happen. I imagine that would be something like a high speed impact injury but not in a stable environment.

They [the accused] have been seen multiple times flogging horses.

Racing NSW should be asking vets

The person said that Racing NSW should be calling up the vets and asking them if they have tended horses with a fractured skull? How would [the trainer] tell the vet how the horse injured itself?

The person is concerned that because Racing NSW is self-regulating in this type of case, the fear of casting a shadow over the industry as a whole is enough for them to brush it off. 

They said the owners of the horses are often in the dark about how their animals are being treated once they have handed the horse over to a trainer, owners might not see that animal again until race day, and maybe not even then.

The person said that most people in the industry absolutely adore their horses. They become like their pet, you know, they bring in little gifts, they pick them grass and you actually bawl your eyes out if something happens to that horse.

Bad for the industry

There are so many people in this industry watching this and waiting to see what the outcome is.

These [abusive] people, theyre bad for our industry and I cant stand hearing about this happening to thes...

Investigations are underway into two deaths in the Northern Rivers following ceremonies using the natural therapies kambo and ayahuasca.

NSW State Coroner, Teresa OSullivan, is presiding over hearings into the death of Natasha Lechner, 39, who died at a home in Mullumbimby on March 8, 2019 following a kambo ceremony.

Additionally, evidence has bee...

A man is due to appear in Tweed Heads Local Court today charged over an alleged fraud of more than $24 million.

Detectives attached to Camden Police Area Command established Strike Force Wooroonga after receiving a report in July last year (2022), that a local businessman had allegedly misappropriated his clients investments.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives attached to Queensland Polices Coomera CIB arrested a 40-year-old man on Hope Island on Monday (8 May, 2023), by virtue of a NSW Police arrest warrant.

When the man appeared in the Southport Watchhouse yesterday (Tuesday, 9 May, 2023), NSW Police detectives successfully applied for the mans extradition.

The man has been refused police bail and is due to appear in Tweed Heads Local Court today (Wednesday, 10 May, 2023), charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception.

Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Albury, said they will be alleging in court the man targeted mum and dad-type investors as well as other business owners.

This arrest is the result of almost a years persistence and hard work by the Camden PAC detectives, assisted by our colleagues in the Queensland Police Service, Det Ch Insp Albury said.

We will be alleging in court that this man targeted mum and dad-type investors as well as other business owners.

We encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of a crime such as this to contact police, he said.

The post Man extradited from Qld over alleged $24m fraud to appear in Tweed appeared first on The Echo.

Calls by residents and their families to remove Feros Care as the Crown Land Manager (CLM) for Feros Village Byron Bay have triggered an investigation by Crown Lands, who own the site on behalf of the people of NSW.

As the Marvell Street aged care facility is built on Crown Land, it must be managed in accordance with the reserve purpose: homes for the aged, Crown Lands say, in a response to one of the residents complaints.

Feros Care may not undertake development (i.e. proposed redeveloped as an intergenerational dwelling) on the property without consent of Crown Lands as owner of the land.

A spokesperson for NSW Minister for Lands and Property, Labor MP Steve Kamper, told The Echo, Crown Lands [which sits] in the Department of Planning and Environment, met with Feros Care last week to discuss its plans, and [we] will be requesting further information to conduct a thorough assessment, 

The Echo understands that Feros Care have now told Crown Lands that it is no longer planning an intergenerational facility, and that they intend to maintain the sites focus on aged care. 

Nonetheless, Feros Care management have said they still intend to redevelop the site, and all residents must find alternative placements. They say that the facility no longer meets the governments standards, including bushfire protection measures, for aged care.

A spokesperson for Feros Care told The Echo, Any redevelopment of this site will be for affordable seniors accommodation, which is undeniably a much-needed community asset that allows for seniors to live independently while integrated within the community. 

The decision to close the village was made, because after 33 years, it no longer meets the government requireme...

Yesterday the coronial inquest into the death of Jarrad Antonovich moved temporarily to Ballina Courthouse, with a toxics expert, two ambulance officers and a neighbour taking the stand. After the power failure in Lismore which caused the move, there were more questions than answers when NSW State Coroner Teresa OSullivan reopened proceedings.

With the court having already heard that Mr Antonovich had used kambo (a type of poison extracted from Amazonian frogs, used to induce purging), toxicologist and Associate Professor Darren Roberts provided more information about how this substance might have contributed to his death at the Arcoora Arts & Eco Retreat in 2021.

He said descriptions of Mr Antonovichs seriously swollen neck and facial swelling in the hours before the ambulance was called sounded like a condition called frog face, caused by a ruptured oesophagus, with air becoming trapped under the skin. Associate Professor Roberts said that while this would not have been diagnosed by people without specific medical training, it should have been clear to anyone that Mr Antonovich was in distress and needed urgent medical attention.

He said the combination of persistent swelling, pain and breathlessness over many hours was very worrying.

Associate Professor Rob...

So theres extra reason to celebrate the arrival of a new womens surfing festival on the scene.

The post Local women surfers invited to Seas the Day at new festival appeared first on The Echo.

The annual Kids Helpline Impact Report for 2022, highlights that demand continues to exceed capacity with only two in five children and young people able to get through to a counsellor in 2022.

The findings, released today, outlines the symptoms of anxiety and depression continue to rise among young people.

The worsening of mental health can be attributed to limited access to mental health services, and the length of time it takes for a young person to get counselling support when they need it most.

The most recent figures show 328,424 young people tried to contact Kids Helpline in 2022 with just 145,000, or 44 per cent, able to connect with a counsellor.

Kids Helpline, a service of yourtown, paints a bleak picture in the 2022 Impact Report, with lack of funding to match demand. Mental health interventions dealing with suicide attempts, suicidal ideation and child abuse have also increased compared to before the pandemic.

As the prevalence of mental health and wellbeing related issues in childhood rises, the significant gap in accessing support deepens. Kids Helpline continues to be a critical safety-net for children and young people, however we cannot keep pace with demand, said yourtown CEO Tracy Adams.

Over the last two years we have undertaken almost 180,000 counselling sessions for young people.  As an organisation we are doing the heavy lifting because the cost of mental health services for young people puts access out of reach for most yet we are free and accessible.

If Government invested a small amount of what they have pulled out of Medicare rebated sessions, and invested into Kids Helpline, we could do more and have greater impacts.

The Australian Governments support to Kids Helpline is still an underspend, but we are doing our best. Often our professional counsellors are the last line of support, providing support 24 hours a day 7 days a week when there is limited after-hours mental health support available to children and young people.

Funding for Kids Helpline needs to be a priority for Government, the current serious fun...

Byron Council will forge ahead with plans for an affordable housing development on a Council carpark in Mullumbimby despite criticism that the project is being undertaken on an inappropriate site and doesnt stack up financially.

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 car park in the centre of town.

The plan hit a snag earlier this year when it emerged that no community housing providers were willing to accept Councils offer of a 49-year lease to run the project.

Instead, two housing providers submitted non-confirming tenders that assumed they would own rather than just manage the land.

When the matter came back before Council at the last meeting, a majority of councillors voted to reject the non-confirming tenders.

But they elected to persevere with the plan, noting that a meeting to discuss alternative ways of moving forward financially will happen later this month.

It hasnt gone according to plan so far in terms of the tender process but we are working through it, Mayor Michael Lyon said.

Im committed to working this through with affordable housing in perpetuity. Things do hit snags from time to time, but...

Yesterday the NSW State Coroner, Magistrate Teresa OSullivan, continued her investigations into deaths on the Northern Rivers following natural therapies. The latest coronial inquest is examining the death of 46 year old Jarrad Antonovich at Arcoora Arts & Eco Retreat near Kyogle in 2021.

Two witnesses appeared at the inquest in Lismore Court yesterday; Jarrads father Glen Antonovich, and a former kambo practitioner, Laara Cooper (kambo is an extraction from an Amazonian frog).

Glen Antonovich travelled from Victoria for the inquest. He said that his son was always a gentle soul, who became a musically talented young man with a strong interest in spirituality. Jarrads life changed greatly after he had a serious car accident in 1997, followed by a long period of recovery, which left him with lingering pain and other issues.

Having received a substantial amount of compensation for the accident, Mr Antonovich said his son was then targeted by people who came out of the woodwork looking for money.

Kambo and ayahuasca

Jarrad appears to have become interested in Amazonian traditional therapies after a visit to South America in 2003, although his father said he himself hadnt heard of kambo or ayahuasca (a psychedelic drug extracted from...

Locals are warned against taking medications sourced via the black market following the seizure of counterfeit medications containing life-threatening substances.

Tablets found during various investigations this year have tested positive to protonitazene, a very strong opioid that can be fatal even in small amounts.

The tablets have been branded to appear as genuine medications including Xanax, which is not available commercially in Australia.

Queensland Healths Executive Director of Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs Branch Associate Professor John Allan urged people not to consume counterfeit or altered medications and substances under any circumstances.

Protonitazene can lead to respiratory failure, loss of consciousness, coma and death, even if taken in small quantities, he said.

Anyone who suspects they have fake tablets are advised to dispose of them safely.

Many of the counterfeit tablets appear genuine and are in labelled Xanax bottles. Unsuspecting users may not notice they are counterfeits.

Nitazenes, including protonitazene, are a group of synthetic opioids that can be as strong or stronger than fentanyl. They have been detected in Queensland and other states and territories in various forms including tablets, powders and liquids.

This highlights why people should not source substances illegally. You could unknowingly be taking a potentially fatal substance.

In addition to loss of consciousness and respiratory failure, symptoms of opioid overdose include shallow breathing, slow or erratic pulse, confusion, small pupils, unresponsiveness, and bluish or greyish skin from poor circulation.

Anyone who experiences any toxic effects after drug use should seek medical attention immediately by calling Triple Zero (000) for emergency assistance; going to their nearest emergency department; or calling the Queensland Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26).

Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose. As part of the Take Home Naloxone Program, it is available for free from some registered pharmacies and alcohol and other drug services.

A list of...

Byron Shire is home to dozens of dingoes that play a vital role in the health of our native ecosystems, and have a vital place in the creation stories of some of our First Nations people.

But these native animals are too often dismissed as wild dogs and, in some cases, are caught up in trapping and other culling practices that target non-native species.

Now, steps are being taken to walk the fine line between protecting our dingoes without allowing feral dogs and foxes off the hook.

Motion recognising that dingoes are native

Byron Council passed a motion at last weeks meeting, recognising that dingoes are native to the Shire, have an important ecological role, and are worthy of protection and care.

Councillors will hold a dedicated workshop in the coming weeks to explore non-lethal tools and practices to manage dingoes on private property.

The workshop will also explore ways to avoid trapping, baiting, shooting and otherwise killing dingoes whilst still controlling other animals that are pests or are creating environmental damage.

Significance of dingo in creation story

During the public access section of the meeting, Minjungbal descendant, Lionel Currie, spoke of the significance of the dingo in his creation story.

The dingo is a very significant animal for my people, Mr Currie said.

Independent councillor, Sama Balson, who moved the dingo protection motion, described them as a keystone species in the Shire. 

She told the chamber, When we kill and trap dingoes, we are also taking out the apex predator that helps keep down the fox and feral cat population.

Councillor Alan Hunter, also an Independent, said that local farmers needed to be part of the conversation.

I dont think were truly representative here theres not enough representation of the farmers whove had to deal with dingoes for a long time, Cr Hunter said.

The post Steps taken to save our native dingoes appeared first on The Echo.

but they need more trees

Friends of the Koala is excited to have been granted $199,980 from the Australian Government for its Hanging out at East Coraki: koalas thriving in an agricultural landscape, project and to be running the first Community Tree Planting Day on Saturday May 20.

Project Manager, Maria Matthes said the area is being overpopulated. There are so many koalas living in the East Coraki area and there is not enough koala food trees to sustain the local sub-population.

It is an area where Friends of the Koala rescue several koalas with extremely poor body condition, often as a result of not enough quality leaf available.

Weed control in koala habitat

Ms Matthes said the project includes weed control in koala habitat along the river and tree planting koala habitat on several properties, as well as koala habitat assessment, and monitoring of the koalas. Many of the favourite food trees suffered during the drought, and then many of the smaller trees were hammered by the flood.

These riparian areas are critically important to the koalas during dry times, with mo...

Magpie Currie passed away peacefully.

Magpie was born into Kuku-yalanji (Cape York) and Minyungbal (Tweed) bloodlines, freshwater and salt water Mother and Father. 

He grew up in both areas, surrounded by extended family, and spiritual and cultural people. Magpie spent his life learning, practising and sharing Culture. 

For decades, Magpie was a Cultural Consultant, artist, Elder and Songman. 

Throughout his life and career, he worked for Minjungbul Museum and Cultural Centre, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (Cairns).

He collaborated, co-organised events, sung and danced, performed smoking ceremonies and Welcome to Country for community events such as Kinship and Renew Fest, and major festivals such as Bluesfest, Falls Festival and Splendour. 

His daughter, Lillian Currie, was often under his wing.

Magpie always said: Our stories and songs run right through nature so nature has always been an art teacher....

With the Bureau of Meteorology issuing wind and hazardous surf warnings for much of the NSW coast today, boaters are asked to play it safe and stay off the water as low pressure system deepens.

Marine Rescue NSW Acting Deputy Commissioner Darren Schott says that boaters planning to cross shallow waters and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage. Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and always wear a lifejacket.

Log On with Marine Rescue

Boaters should remember to Log On with Marine Rescue via the Marine rescue app or via their local radio base.

Storm Force wind warnings are in place for the Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden Coasts today with southwesterly winds forecast to reach up to 50 knots (92km/h) offshore.

A Gale Warning is forecast for the Coffs and Macquarie Coasts while strong winds are expected for the Byron Coast and Sydney Enclosed Waters.

The Marine Rescue NSW Acting Deputy Commissioner said hazardous surf is also expected with warnings in place for the Byron, Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden Coasts.

Hazardous surf conditions

Hazardous surf conditions and high winds will be present across the state which creates a higher risk for boaters, said Mr Schott.

Please be careful and avoid going boating if possible.

Significant wave heights of five to six metres are also possible. Spring tides may also compound the wave impa...

In what looks like a cross between the Partridge Family and an art gallery, the Tweed Regional Museums colourful Museum on Wheels, aka the MoW, will be a star feature at the Flotsam Film & Photography Festival on the Goal Coast this weekend.

Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the history of coastal culture born by dipping into a unique gallery of images some taken by local photographer Mal Sutherland that capture the essence of the coastline and the people who have called it home.

Jaw-dropping surfboard collection

Celebrating its 39th anniversary, Primex will run from this Thursday to Saturday in Casino and this year Richmond Valley Council is including residents from Lismore in the free shuttle bus service

Richmond Valley Council has been providing a free Primex shuttle service for Casino residents since 2017 following last years horrendous flooding events, Council has decided to extend this service to its Lismore neighbours.

The Lismore service will operate between 9am and 4pm over the three days with pick up and return points being the car park at Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre, Wallerawang Drive, the Lismore Shopping Square taxi rank, Brewster Street, and the South Lismore Train Station, Union Street.

Casino pick up and return points are: Casino Information Centre, 84A Centre Street; Casino Post Office, Barker Street; and the Canterbury Street taxi rank.

Target audience agriculture, forestry, fishing and natural resources

Gates open at 9am each day and while the Primex target audience is in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and natural resource industry sectors, there is plenty to do and see for all interests.

Pick up and return points and times for both Lismore and Casino can be found on Councils Facebook page.

Richmond Valley Council has renewed its sponsorship partnership with Primex this year, which covers the years 2023, 2024 and 2025.

General Manager Vaughan Macdonald said Council decided to continue its partnership with Primex because the whole Richmond Valley takes pride in its agricultural heritage. The very roots of the Richmond Valley related to food production, and the Primex Field Days helped kept the passion, the knowledge, and the experiences alive.

Mr Macdonald says the event brings great economic benefits to the whole region, with many visitors and exhibitors not only using Richmond Valley hospitality services, but also those of neighbouring areas.

Past research has shown people come to Casino specifically for the event, and they are not just from NSW; they are travelling from Queensland, and to a lesser extent, Victoria.

This brings new money to the area.

Everyone should attend Primex townies and bushies alike as it was a great agricultural experience.

Primex exhibitors