The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) today released decisions on applications made by 13 councils to increase general income above the 2.3 per cent rate peg from 1 July 2018, including Ballina and Lismore.

The applications made by nine councils including Ballina and Lismore were approved in full.

Ballina applied for a 15.0 per cent cumulative increase over two years to be retained permanently in the rate base.

Lismore applied for a 0.41 per cent single year increase to be retained in the rate base for five years (applies only to business rates).

Also approved were applications from Bellingen Shire, Balranald Shire, Clarence Valley, Hawkesbury City, Kempsey Shire, Randwick City and Shoalhaven City.

Increases requested by Kiama Municipal and Muswellbrook Shire councils have been partially approved, while the applications from Upper Hunter Shire and Willoughby City were not approved.

IPART Chair Dr Peter Boxall said special variations are designed to give councils the flexibility to generate additional income above the rate peg to meet their specific needs, and have a direct impact on the rates paid by land owners.

The rate peg is calculated each year to reflect changes in the standard operating costs of local government such as labour, electricity and construction works, Dr Boxall said.

Councils requiring additional funds to improve services, financial sustainability or to fund new capital works can apply for a special rate variation after consulting with their communities and meeting other criteria set by the Office of Local Government (OLG).

The OLG criteria emphasize the importance of councils communicating their proposed special variations to enable ratepayers to understand and provide feedback to councils on their proposals, Dr Boxall said.

It is a mater for each individual council to determine how it collects rate revenue across different categories of ratepayer, and how the special variation increase is distributed amongst ratepayers.

The impacts on individual ratepayers will also vary due to land re-valuations and the decisions made by councils about how to allocate rate changes amongst their communities.

IPART has attached conditions to the approvals requiring the additional income to be used for the purposes outline...

The North Coast Environment Council says the NSW Governments new so-called forest reserves are a trick. Photo Ta Ann Truths/flickr.com

So-called forest reserves recently declared by the state government are no more than window-dressing, according to a local conservation group, and could potentially pave the way for more serious and intensive logging in other areas.

Many of the areas chosen are already devastated and no longer suitable for logging, the group says.

And it goes further, accusing the government of throwing money from the Environmental Trust at loggers to subsidise their transport costs.

The North Coast Environment Council (NCEC) said it was alarmed that the NSW Government had recently declared that another 18,000 hectares of State Forest will become reserves, and has called on Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton to immediately rule out opening up areas currently protected for logging in exchange.

Trick

NCEC Vice-President Susie Russell said, If it was any other government, wed be over the moon but we know this is a trick.

What hasnt been announced are which areas of [currently] protected forest will be made available for logging, what new logging rules [will apply], and how much money from the environment funds will be thrown at logging companies to sweeten the deal, she said.

The group says that when the government created 11,000 hectares of reserves near Bega, on the south coast, in 2016 it lead to more intensive logging in other parts of the region and $2.5 million in handouts to the logging industry from the Environmental Trust.

$10m for loggers?

So if the government has announced 42,000 hectares of reserves we can expect at least $10 million to be announced for the logging industry and the same volume of timber to be supplied from areas that are currently protected but still have good timber volumes.

Stream protection buffers have large, older trees the Forestry Corporation has been trying to get its hands on for the last 20 years since they were put off-limits. The draft cabinet documents we obtained last year show these are on the chopping block.

Besides, most of these reserves are like what the Tasmanian Government calls potential production forests. They are not secure reserves like national parks. They will still be State Forest and can be m...

Brunswick Scouts always enjoy a good camping trip and a fire lighting lesson. Photo supplied.

This Saturday head to Brunswick for a fun family afternoon. Brunswick Heads Scouts are hosting a free, family friendly and community event at the Terrace Reserve from 11am till 4pm called Friends for Life. The day will be full of live music, activities and great prizes to delight the young and the young at heart.

Friends For Life is the theme of next years Australian Scouts Jamboree in January 2019, and I think epitomises the significance of the Brunswick Scouts in our community. Its a place for young people to celebrate diversity, culture and most of all friendship, said event coordinator and parent volunteer Sean Tonnet.

The Australian Jamboree is the biggest gathering of Scouts in Australia and is held once every three years. In 2019 it will be held in South Australia.

Having not come from a scouting family, Ive been delighted to see the importance of scouts to our children. They are learning a life span of skills and camaraderie. For most scouts the attendance at the jamboree is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a highlight of their scouting experience, said Scott enthusiastically.

Its been incredible seeing the support of business behind this event and we have amazing support with donations and vouchers; right through to beautifying the Sound Shell stage for us. Really wonderful!

Whether blissed out by the river or more actively involved, come and enjoy some of the highlights including the attendance of the State Emergency Service, the Brunswick Heads Fire Brigade and the Volunteer Rescue Association.

We are so delighted to have the support from the local volunteer emergency services. Its going to be a terrific part of the family activities we have on during the day, complimenting our raffles, prizes and music perfectly.

Families are encourage to bring a picnic lunch or enjoy the fabulous treats, meals and shopping from local Brunswick businesses.

The post Time for fun with the Br...

Applications are now open for the 2018 Community Building Partnership Program and this year $330,000 is available for projects in the Ballina electorate.

Ballina MP Tamara Smith (centre) with members of the Richmond Valley Woodcrafters Club at their club workshop which $20,000 in the 2017 round of Community Building Partnership grants.

According to Ballina MP Tamara Smith (Greens) this is an increase of $30,000 on 2017.

I encourage local councils and not-for-profit groups to apply for the funds they need to deliver projects with social, environmental and recreational outcomes, Ms Smith said.

A great example of a successful applicant from 2017 is the Richmond Valley Woodcrafters Club, which received funding to complete their club workshop at Summerland House Farm and also got funding to buy and install solar panels on the club building. Their club supports House with No Steps and assists with community projects such as renovating park seats.

Ms Smith said local sports clubs, school P&C committees, charities, Mens Sheds, Scouts and Girl Guides are among the groups that benefit from this program.

If your organisation or club needs extra funding for the building, refurbishment or enhancement of facilities, then Id strongly encourage you to apply.

This is a great opportunity to get the support your community group needs to make real improvements in the places where you meet, train or create.

Take the time to have a look at the program guidelines and examples of past successful grants on the Community Building Partnership webpage, see if your organisation is eligible, then get cracking on preparing your application so you dont miss out, said Ms Smith.

The Community Building Partnership program has awarded $275 million in funding to 12,000 community projects since it commenced in 2009.

Applications opened Monday 7 May at 9am, and close at 5pm on Friday 15 June 2018. No late applications will be accepted.

For more information about the NSW Governments 2018 Community Building Partnership Program, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/cbp

The post More than $300k available for Ballina community groups appeared first on...

Unlike the new supplier of milk to NSW hospitals, Norco is 100% Australian owned.

In the ongoing battle about whether North Coast hospitals should receive their milk from a local supplier, Health Minister Brad Hazzard has announced that some Norco milk comes from Queensland.

Shadow health spokesperson Walt Secord said yesterday, I never thought I would see the day when Lismore Base Hospital gets its milk from interstate that is the way of the NSW National Party. They just do what their Liberal masters in Sydney tell them to do.

In a statement released yesterday Minister Hazzard responded, I am advised by NSW Health that the tender for milk was statewide and Norco was unsuccessful.

I am further advised that Norco did not offer the most economical price for taxpayers.

I also understand that whilst it wasnt a specific request in the tender, Norco didnt state that the milk would be solely from NSW.

NSW Health advises that Norco also has dairy farms in Queensland, Mr Hazzard said.

A spokesperson for the minister told Echonetdaily that tender process was necessary so that theres no suggestion of corruption.

Asked whether she was aware that the successful tenderer was part of a Japanese conglomerate while Norco was owned by local farmers, she responded I dont know about that.

The post Some Norco milk comes from Qld: minister appeared first on Echonetdaily.

The beautiful hinterland town of Bangalow and, in the background, one of its heritage rubbish bins. File photo

Readers who have noticed workmen on Byron Street, Bangalow, this morning and jumped to the conclusion that they were installing parking meters can rest assured this is not the case.

Echonetdaily spoke to one of the men laying concrete foundations in several spots around town who assured us that they were preparing the spaces for the installation of new heritage recycling bins.

As reported last month, while other major towns in the shire recently received smart, modern recycling (and in some cases also green waste) bins, Bangalow did not.

A council spokesperson said at the time, The original heritage-style bins are not manufactured anymore.  Council will be installing dual waste and recycling enclosures that match, as best as possible, the original style of bins.

We have gone so far as to recast the Bangalow Palm emblem on the side of the bins, the spokesperson added.

The post Bangalow gets its heritage recycling bins appeared first on Echonetdaily.

Port Royal Brisbanes rock & roll royal family are debunking any preconceptions about rock & roll in this modern era with their new antithetical single Rock & Roll Is Dead (out April 30th)

It is safe to say that Port Royal are quickly becoming one of most demanded emerging rock acts from Brisbane. The band made huge waves in 2017 with their two single releases. Get Heavy, released March 17 came in at number #2 on the 4ZZZ Hot 100 of 2017, smack bang in between Flangipanis at #1 and WAAX at #3.

Pinch-Hit followed in September which had them receive further praise as they toured interstate for the first time, that was quickly followed up by an 11 date tour fittingly entitled the Dont Stop Movin Tour that stretched from December to February 2018.

Now with their new single Rock & Roll Is Dead, these royals give a nod to everything that was loved about the likes of Jet, the Hives and the Vines in the early 2000s rock revival while never straying far away from the iconic blues formula of the 70s golden age of rock.

In regal form with bustling anthemic choruses, beseeching rock & roll licks and a barrage of hits, Rock & Roll Is Dead is their most comprehensive, fetching and accessible release to date.

The track while being a fun and optimistic anthem it ferments a talking point for todays music industry with the leading chorus lines stating, They say, Rock & Roll is Dead, created to be a completely ironic and ballsy statement to the cynical haters of the genre which theyve confronted.

In contrast to this, the track touches on throwing away their money on something that poses a risk and never switching off from what they truly desire. The lengths in which the band went to to get this new single together is a clear example of this. In the recent month, a conflict surfaced which delayed the release of the track initially to be released in March between Lawson Doyle and an outside co-writer, where the two parties were arguing their own direction of the song.

Fortunately for the band, this song-writing attribute has been resolved before it could elevate into a legal battle which was threatened. Regardless, the matter has highlighted a deeper and darker element of the music industry where Port Royal, feeling burnt and sapped, are now extremely cautious of outsiders, the importance of contracts vs friendships, and the obstacles that will challenge them as a collective throughout their careers.

Port Royal have undoubtedly faced struggles but will continuously, like any hard-working team, hurdle these brick walls that get in their way of releasing rock & roll. Moving forward, they are excited to be finally be releasing Rock & Roll Is Dead and announce their 15-date tour through May and June. You can catch Port Royal at Byron Bay Brewery on Ma...

Riding high on the success of a mountain-fresh rebrand and banging new single, Nomika is proud to announce the launch of their debut EP, Motion. The Brisbane band, formerly His Merry Men, have produced a five track EP that they are taking on tour through May and June of this year.

Nomika frolics through the sonic gardens of soul and funk and picnics on the stately grounds of technicolour jazz. The band draws inspiration from the likes of Hiatus Kaiyote, Vulfpeck, Snarky Puppy and Anderson .Paak. In the last year, under their former name, they have played at Caloundra Music Festival, Mullum Music Festival and Concrete Jungle.

Drink deep from the funky well with Nomika and their partner in crime, Jabberwocky Down, at Byron Bay Brewery this Saturday from 7:00pm. Free Entry.

The post A FUNKY SATURDAY NIGHT WITH NOMIKA Free Entry Sat 19, 7:00pm appeared first on Byron Bay Blog.

Federal Page MP Kevin Hogan (right) with members of Lismore Basketball. Photo supplied

Federal Page MP Kevin Hogan (Nationals) today announced the official opening of the Greening of the Stadium project at Lismore Basketball Stadium.

Our community is very aware of the need to be environmentally friendly. This is why I was very happy to provide a $12,000 grant to Lismore Basketball Association, he said.

The state government ($20,000), Lismore City Council ($25,000) and the Lismore Basketball Association ($13,000) also contributed to the project

This allowed them to install a grid-connected solar system with 40 panels, new efficient gas hot water and drop hammer fans at either end of the stadium.

Every light at the stadium totalling 195 lights inside and out has also been replaced with low-energy lighting, which will reduce the associations power bill.

My congratulations to Cheryl Amor and her hard-working team at the stadium they have done a terrific job, Mr Hogan said.

Projects under the Stronger Communities Programme, like this one, are selected by a community consultation committee that assist with identifying potential projects.

The greening and cooling of the popular Basketball stadium will provide an important boost for our local community, delivering lower operating costs and a healthier environment, he said.

The post Lismore Basketball Stadium goes green appeared first on Echonetdaily.

Interesting piece in the Northern Daily Leader (1 May 2018) by Jamieson Murphy and Grace Ryan Tamworth growth trends revealed by Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The overall growth in population for the Tamworth Local Government Area in 2017 was positive  at just under one per cent, although this is too low to allow the City to easily achieve its 100,000 growth target.  However, what was positive and quite important was that of the net increase of  556 people, 379 (68%) came from overseas migration.

The propensity of Australia's new settlers to flock especially to Sydney and Melbourne has been one of the drivers of Australia's growing population imbalance. While the movement of migrants to Tamworth is still small in absolute numbers, the positive ratio means that international migration is now making a positive contribution.  .

Outside Tamworth, Armidale LGA grew 0.8 per cent to 30,552, while Gunnedah Shire grew by 0.6 per cent. Walcha Shire increased by 0.4 and the Liverpool Plains grew by just 0.2 per cent. Inverell showed no growth, with Moree down 1.3% over 2017, Narrabri and Uralla down 0.7%, Tenterfield down 0.6% and Gwydir Shire and Glen Innes Severn down 0.2%.

One of the things that we need to be thinking about in inland New England is how we get a better population balance across areas. This requires the bigger centres to support the smaller centres. It also requires us to put aside the parochial competition that so bedevils cooperative action.

Police searched the car of a qualified driver in Casino on Monday, revealing ice pipes, drugs, a large knife and stolen goods.

They allege that about 9.30am they police stopped the car on Hotham Street, knowing that the driver was disqualified.

While speaking to 28-year-old Casino man, police observed drugs, an ice pipe and a large machete-style knife on the passenger seat of the car. A search of the vehicle revealed another large knife, a further seven ice pipes, a laser pointer and cannabis.

Police then raided the mans a Canterbury Street address, seizing 25 brand new leather jackets and vests, another laser pointer, two deep cell batteries, an inverter and an oxy-acetylene welding kit with a total value of about $10,000 all of which they allege to have been stolen.

The man has been charged with driving while disqualified, possessing a prohibited weapon, having a knife in a public place, possessing a prohibited drug, possession of equipment to administer a prohibited drug and goods in custody suspected of being stolen.

He has been bail refused and will appear in Lismore Local Court Tuesday, May 15.

The post Man arrested with drugs, ice pipes and stolen goods appeared first on Echonetdaily.

Police have arrested and charged a man wanted on outstanding warrants, who had allegedly cut off an ankle bracelet and moved interstate.

About 9am on Monday (May14), police were called to Marine Parade, Kingscliff, after reports of persons attempting to gain access to several mail boxes in unit blocks along the street.

Police attended and spoke to two men, including a 37-year-old man, who allegedly provided false details to police.

Officers searched the man and located a knife and Queensland drivers licence in a different name.

He was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station, where after further inquiries, his true identity was discovered.

Police discovered the man had two outstanding warrants, relating to domestic violence offences. The man had allegedly removed his ankle bracelet and relocated to Queensland.

The mans two outstanding warrants were executed and he was also charged with goods in custody and custody of knife in public place.

He was refused bail to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court today (Tuesday, May 15).

Superintendent Wayne Humphrey, Operations Manager for the Northern Region, says the arrest shows police will eventually catch up to anyone who tries to avoid detection by using false details.

Someone who removes a monitoring device and tries to use a false identity is clearly of high risk to the community and police will take all steps to locate and arrest them.

We will ensure your past will catch up with you eventually, Superintendent Humphrey said.

The post Police catch up with crim who removed ankle bracelet appeared first on Echonetdaily.

.... because there are bound to be old election campaign warriors watching.

Angry @scottmorrisonMP claiming government's have never provided year by year costings over the medium term of policy changes

Simply untrue #insiders

And here's one example - the LNP's 2014 cuts to schools and hospitals pic.twitter.com/b8MMdrI8eG

Simon Banks (@SimonBanksHB) May 12, 2018

La Masion Pacifique (aka 6 Beason Court, Casuarina) has closed its doors to short-term holiday-let tenants following a Tweed Shire Council action. Photo lamaisonpacifique.com

Owners of a Casuarina property that bills itself as offering private beach-front luxury for the discerning traveller are shutting their doors, claiming they have been specifically and unfairly targeted for legal action by Tweed Shire Council (TSC) as a result of complaints.

Sally and Chris Johannsen, owners, La Maison Pacifique, say their property at 6 Beason Court is one of 15 that TSCs May 3 Planning Meeting identified as short-term holiday lets (STHL) operating without approval.

Of these, the Johannsens say only their property has been targeted for legal action to end their operation.

We are devastated to advise that the Tweed Shire Council has issued us with a prohibited use notice as a short-term holiday let . We will be closing, effective immediately and permanent letting our beautiful property, they said in a statement last week.

We have been specifically (and we feel unfairly) targeted for legal action by TSC as a result of complaints, they wrote.

By way of clarification, our complaints have been unable to be substantiated by either any police action, (including noise or parking infringement notices), nor (in the case of noise) been outside the allowable hours set by TSC.

We employed Tweed Coast Security to monitor our property and guest behaviour (since December 2014) and no adverse reports have been filed by them ever. We are the victims of a vexatious campaign by two neighbours who are vehemently opposed to STHLs in their street.

We are at a loss to understand TSCs actions given that STHLs allow them to follow their own policies in relation to tourism and employment and are an excellent way for them to meet their strategic goals particularly given it appears that no new large tourism accommodation infrastructure projects appear to be on the horizon. Tourism is the largest industry in the Tweed Shire, they wrote.

Separately, why are Tweed Shire Council acting now, in the full knowledge that the NSW Parliamentary Enquiry into Short Term Hol...

Terrace Reserve camping which, residents say has contributed to the protected trees dying off. Photo Sean OMeara

Ballina MP Tamara Smith (Greens), is calling on the state government to take action to protect the iconic Coastal Cypress trees on crown lands at the Brunswick Heads Terrace Holiday Park.

Locals have long disputed the holiday park trusts use of the area for camping and its claims the trees are being responsibly managed.

In the face of a recent report that claims some of the trees could be up to 400 years old, Ms Smith has called on the state government to, step in and take charge of a fiasco that is unfolding in the holiday park.

She has called on Lands Minister Paul OToole and Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton to step in and save the trees, and use Save Our Species funding to ensure their ongoing protection.

It is now clear that there has been historical damage to a stand of trees that includes some that may be 400 years old and many aged at least 200 years.  The Coastal Cypress Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) is identified in NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and must be protected according to the governments own legislation. The Crown land park is managed by a State-appointed trust that intends to continue destroying and endangering this rare stand of trees, said Ms Smith.

A report undertaken last year by local ecologist, Dr Robert Kooyman, identified the value of the EEC and noted that the Brunswick trees represent a significant continuous stand of this poorly represented species and it is therefore critically important that it be protected and made recommendations for the ongoing management.

Dr Kooyman has advised that the most ecologically sound management of the area would include the removal of all camping and infrastructure in the south of the park and restrict all activi...

Celebrating Mothers Day at Durrumbul Public School. Photo Aslan Shand.

Durrumbul Public School enjoyed a sunny Mothers Day morning tea in their beautiful playground on Friday morning with mums, dads and grandmothers all showing up to enjoy pancakes, tea and a chat as they met the new relieving principal, Janet OShannessy.

Janet has 20 years of experience working in a variety of schools, in the Northern Rivers as well as in western areas such as Bourke and Dubbo. Her previous school was Ballina Public school where has been the assistant principal for seven years.

I feel very much at home and everybody has made me feel so welcome, said Janet.

Although her previous school was much larger, Janet said she has settled into the routines of a small school beautifully. She is teaching the Echinda room with K1/2/3 students and they too have adjusted to the change with ease.

The school wish departing head teacher Brev Belleville, who has moved to Crabbes Creek as principal, all the best with his new appointment and thanked him for his many years of dedication to the school said vice president of the P&C Ewan Willis.

Locally produced Norco milk has been replaced in North Coast hospitals by the foreign-owned brand Dairy Farmers. Photo dairypage.com.au

Almost all of the 17 hospitals on the North Coast have severed their contracts with locally based milk producer Norco in favour of a company that sends its profits to Japan.

The move follows a tender by NSW HealthShare, which runs the kitchens of most of the local hospitals, in which Norco lost out to the overseas-owned Dairy Farmers.

And while the dairy co-operative says it wont affect its viability, CEO Greg McNamara said he was gutted it had lost the contract.

It makes me disappointed that we cant supply those people in hospital when they are at their lowest point, he told local media.

The company has said it would fight the decision but Lismore MP Thomas George (Nationals) said its a done deal but he will lobby the health minister to change the tender process for the future.

What Im asking the minister to look at, the possibility when any tenders go out from government by HealthShare or any other department that we do provide a local weight for local companies to apply for these tenders and [they be] looked at with a favourable decision, he told ABC radio.

But opposition North Coast spokesperson Walt Secord and shadow Primary Industry Nick Veitch (Labor) have slammed the new arrangement.

We have the worlds best milk produced on the North Coast by the worlds best farmers from the worlds best cows; and the state government decides to buy its milk from across the border rather than from just up the road, Mr Secord said in a statement.

Mr Veitch said the National Party should be putting local jobs first and showing their solidarity with farmers and local Norco workers.

Lismore is proud of its heritage as one of the nations best known dairy regions; and we should be supporting local products.

Norco is selling its milk and ice cream to China,...

Bangalows billy cart derby is on again this Sunday (May 20). Photo Eve Jeffery

Bangalows annual Billy Cart Derby is on for young and old again this Saturday but extra costs have prompted the towns Lions Club to set up a crowdfunding campaign.

Organiser Chris Hayward told Echonetdaily that while a few sponsors had dropped away the main reason for the $1740 fundraiser was to extend the safety barriers running down the side of the street.

For the safety of the derby weve extended the fenceline this year, he said.

Its so natural for onlookers to sit on those bales of hay, which are actually put in place to protect the riders.

If you have an accident, with the barriers down there are potentially a whole heap of hassles.

Mr Hayward hastened to add that the site is covered by the Lions Clubs insurance but we dont want to have trouble with injury.

The GoFundMe campaign is currently halfway to target. You can donate here.

Mr Hayward said any extra money raised on the day will go back into the community.

People can enter right up to the morning of the event. All the rules are on the website.

Entrants assemble in hotel lounge. Every cart is scrutinized before they are allowed to run, he said.

The post Last-minute funding call for billy cart derby appeared first on Echonetdaily.

Police conducting a drug-dog search at the Chinderah Bay Hotel on Saturday (May 12) got more than they bargained for when they searched one customers car.

Officers say that the 28-year-old Chinderah males behavior during the drug-dog search is what led them to use his keys to also search his white Suburu Impreza in the nearby car park.

Inside the vehicle they allegedly found a quantity of methyl-amphetamine, power tools, knives, a knuckle-duster, computer equipment as well as various forms of identification in other peoples names.

The man was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was charged with supplying a prohibited drug, possession of a prohibited drug, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a knife, goods in custody suspected of being stolen and possessing ID with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He was refused bail to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court today (May 14).

Hoodie bandit nabbed

It was a case of third time lucky for Tweed police on Sunday (May 13) when they finally nabbed a hooded man they suspect of stealing from several properties in the area.

The 24-year-old male from Banora Point first caught their attention at about 11pm on Saturday (May 12) when they spotted him entering the driveway of a Banora Point property.

The man, who allegedly had a hoodie over his head and was wearing dark clothing, fled on seeing the police.

About 45 minutes later the same male was seen walking along Johnson Street, Banora Point, pushing a small motorcycle. Upon seeing police the male again ran off, leaving the motorcycle behind.

At about 2.15am Sunday (May 13) the male was spotted walking from a property in Banora Boulevard.

He was arrested and a search allegedly revealed he had a mobile telephone, an amount of cash and an iPod.

Police searched the yard of the nearby property he had allegedly come from and located a laptop computer and a Canon SLR camera.

The man was taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was charged with goods in custody suspected of being stolen.

He was refused bail to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court today (May 14).

Inquiries are on-going into the owners of the property.

The post Drug-dog search leads to stolen goods appeared first on Echonetdaily.

Wayne McInerney, manager of the Woolworths in Mullumbimby draws the Hospital Auxiliary Mothers Day raffle with Jenny Moore, secretary of the Mullumbimby Hospital Auxiliary. Photo Judy Ryan.

The Mullumbimby Hospital Auxiliary continues to tirelessly to raise funds for the new Byron Hospital with their latest raffle raising $480.

Wayne McInerney, Woolworths Mullumbimby manager was privileged to draw the Mothers Day raffle last Friday. First prize went to Kylie and second prize to Bev Woods.

Part of the money raised by the Auxiliary will be directed towards buying specialist stethoscopes for the Byron Hospital midwives to use. 

We really appreciate all the local support that we get in raising money to help upgrade the equipment at the Byron Central Hospital, said Jenny Moore, secretary of the Mullumbimby Hospital Auxiliary.

Later in the year the Mullumbimby Hospital Auxiliary will be looking at running a garage sale to raise money to support the new Byron Central Hospital.

The post Raising money for Byron Hospital appeared first on Echonetdaily.

....and it is fading and dying before our very eyes, while the Turnbull Coalition Government follows in the footsteps of the Abbott Coalition Government by turning its back on us and our concerns.