No easy solution to shark crisis
A 30-year professional fisherman who grew up surfing and spearfishing says he’s too worried about the shark numbers he sees in the ocean every week to paddle out at his favourite break ... Ben Hay spoke to the Clarence Valley Independent about the explosion in shark numbers he has seen during his career, what has contributed to this population increase, and possible remedies to the current problem.
Increase mitigation or cull?
A spate of shark attacks around Australia in the first half of 2026, including four fatalities and a recent local incident has seen calls for protections on sharks to be lifted or a cull to occur. This year the attacks began on January 18, at Sydney Harbour’s Shark Beach at Vaucluse, when a 12-year-old boy was killed by a suspected Bull shark.
Our Wallaby retires: Kane Douglas hangs up his boots
Former Yamba Buccaneers forward and Wallabies representative Kane Douglas is coming home after announcing his retirement from professional rugby union aged 37 ... “Today marks the end of a chapter that has shaped our family’s life for over a decade.”
Thousands embrace Clarence Harvest Celebration
Thousands of people from around the region descended on Maclean for three-day Clarence Harvest Celebration embracing the beef, sugar cane, and seafood industries of the valley. The premier weekend of the 2026 celebration followed the Clarence Kids Colour Run and Crowning Carnival and the Cane Harvest Ball, held in the preceding weeks.
Erosion of local media
Regional journalism has been dealt another blow with news that NBN Television will cut back broadcasts across the Northern Rivers region while staff remain uncertain of how many jobs will be lost. Last month WIN Corporation purchased NBN Television from Channel 9 for almost $15 million. Since the early 1970’s NBN Television has broadcast an hour-long news bulletin from its Newcastle base.
Massive Yamba Festival of Bowls
Bowlers from around Australia descended on the Lower Clarence last week for one of the biggest events in Yamba Bowling Club history, the 2026 Yamba Festival of Bowls. The 2026 Yamba Festival of Bowls ran for six days, from Tuesday, May 26, to Sunday, May 31.
Iluka’s top gun: Defence Force Chief of Capabilities Glen Braz
Iluka Public School alumni Glen Braz has risen through the ranks of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) over the past 39 years and last Friday he was appointed Defence Force Chief of Joint Capabilities. Born at Grafton Base Hospital, Glen’s mother Sue told the Clarence Valley Independent her son says he had “the ideal childhood” growing up at Iluka with his elder brother Mark.
“Price crunch” – societal implications of conflict
The economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East is and will continue to have wide ranging impacts on all facets of Australian society with costs increasing due to the nation’s reliance on trucks and diesel ... 71 years later, current owner Robert Blanchard said the industry is facing its toughest times in decades and his first diesel delivery since the Middle East crisis erupted was $68,000 more than in early March.
Council is running effectively – OLG
The Office of Local Government will take no action against Clarence Valley Council following a fact-finding mission triggered by a significant number of complaints. In November 2025, the OLG announced it would be conducting a review into Clarence Valley Council following multiple complaints and concerns about the operation of Council.
International affair at Highland Gathering
It was a truly international affair at the Maclean Highland gathering with competitors travelling from as far as Scotland, Canada, and New Zealand for the 121st event. Rain showers on both Friday and Saturday added a touch of Scottish ambience, said Lower Clarence Scottish Association Secretary Alister Smith, as people travelled from as far as Melbourne to enjoy the annual spectacle.
