Trauma for hospital upgrade
Despite the $263.8 million investment to redevelop Grafton Base Hospital, major trauma patients will still be triaged to Lismore or Tweed Heads for treatment. At a recent community meeting concerning the paramedic roster changes at Yamba Ambulance station and the impacts they could have, Australian Paramedics Association members revealed that the upgraded Grafton Base Hospital will not be classed as a major trauma hospital.
Police tackling youth crime crisis
The commander of about 200 officers from 17 police stations across 3 Local Government Areas that encompass the Coffs Clarence Police District, Superintendent Joanne Schultz, revealed some informative and interesting insights into crime in the region at Sunday's community meeting.
Improving flood immunity
Yamba Road will see $20 million in improvements in the next few years to improve flood immunity and redirect a potentially dangerous section of the only direct thoroughfare from the M1 motorway into town. As the Clarence River levels rose … the only artery servicing deliveries to, and disposals from, Yamba, was first cut, as it is traditionally, west of Palmers Channel at the Southbank Road intersection.
Rain bombs bring flood
Despite seemingly dodging a bullet in the form of the worst of the winds and rain from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, the Lower Clarence was in the crosshairs of a major flood after large volumes of rain fell in the catchment. From Thursday, winds and rain lashed the Lower Clarence, causing minor flash flooding and uprooting trees around Yamba.
Record youth and Indigenous jail populations
Record numbers of youths and Indigenous young people are currently incarcerated in NSW jails with the population of inmates on remand due to the current crime wave surging by more than 20 per cent … the percentage of Indigenous inmates currently incarcerated was between 45 and 50 per cent, while 55 per cent of the jail’s inmates were on remand.
“Enhancements” will lead to less ambulances being available
There are times when paramedics from Yamba Ambulance Station are called away from the Lower Clarence, that they are told they are the only ambulance available between Ballina and Coffs Harbour.
Jails full… but 400 beds vacant at Clarence
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has spoken out about the number of inmates languishing in police cells due to jails being full – and the CV Independent can reveal there is a 400-bed facility locally that hasn’t been open since 2022 as it isn’t fit for purpose.
‘eufy’ reaches out after story
The manufacturer of home security cameras ‘eufy’ has reached out the Clarence Valley Independent following last week’s front-page story "Community Crime Crackdown". Australian and New Zealand Public Relations Manager for Anker Innovations, the creators of eufy, Tove Berkhout emailed the CV Independent last week after seeing the story discussing a Community Crime Meeting in Yamba...
What did the Land and Environment Court hear?
A crowd of more than 50 concerned residents gathered near the intersection of Golding and Miles Streets to hear deputations from 6 local residents to the Land and Environment Court on site Conciliation conference last Friday. The conference was in relation to case 2024/00279190 Garrard Building Pty Ltd v Clarence Valley Council...
Community crime crackdown
A former police officer, who was recently honoured in the 2025 Lismore Citizen of the Year awards for helping the community tackle the escalating crime problem, is bringing his innovative and effective approach to the Lower Clarence, holding a public meeting next month.
