NSW

Boat operators are urged to take special care in the Tweed River, with several sightings of a dugong reported to Council over the past 12 months. While dugong are known to occur in Moreton Bay, the presence of one of these marine mammals in the Tweed is both unusual and exciting.

As he proudly stepped up to the microphone to deliver his inaugural speech as the Member for Clarence on May 10 in the NSW Legislative Assembly, Richie Williamson revealed that despite earlier presumptions, he wasn’t as nervous as he thought he would be ... Mr Williamson told the Clarence Valley Independent it was a great honour to stand at the podium to deliver his first speech as he acknowledged his loved ones and the people of the Clarence electorate for their support, and pledged to be their advocate in parliament.

A field of eight talented bitches headed to the boxes for one of the feature events on the program, the Cosmic Bonus @ Stud Mother’s Day Pendant, during the Grafton Greyhound Racing Club’s May 14 race meeting. First run in 2022, the event is open to female trainers and their 4th and 5th grade greyhounds and recognises the incredible contributions they make each year within the greyhound racing industry.

The Yamba Community Action Network Yamba CAN Inc is urging Clarence Valley Council to conduct a flood survey of all residents on the Yamba floodplain so it can be incorporated in the updated Clarence River Flood Study and Flood Model which are currently being prepared ... When Yamba CAN recently discovered a flood study being conducted by Coffs Harbour City Council of residents in the Moonee Creek catchment area, members questioned why CVC couldn’t do the same.

Artwork by ten local artists will adorn temporary vinyl mesh fencing around a number of Council-owned buildings while they undergo flood restoration ... "I hope when people walk past these construction sites, the artwork puts a smile on their face and lifts their spirit”: Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg.

NSW Farmers is calling for a comprehensive, ongoing review of devastating flooding during La Nina to prevent future threats to people, property and livelihoods ... NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said many people had reported unprecedented damage resulting from these floods, and called for a review into floodplains and planning decisions that may have exacerbated the problem.

Out now!

In line with the Government’s response to the independent Inland Rail review, ARTC is now taking a staged approach to deliver Inland Rail. The section of Inland Rail between Beveridge in Victoria and Parkes in New South Wales (NSW) has been prioritised for completion by 2027.

A commitment to preserving and celebrating the heritage of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) has been acknowledged with an award at the prestigious National Trust Heritage Awards. The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail took out first place in the Conservation – Landscape category of the Awards at a ceremony in Sydney on Friday 12 May.

A small village cafe has had international recognition. A luxury online publication in United Kingdom has released its annual restaurant awards featuring restaurants and cafes from around the world. And Bonalbo’s Powick’s Pantry has won the Best Local Homemade Cafe 2023.

Fifty pairs of helping hands restored the McCormacks’ prize winning garden at Swan Bay. In 2018, Jenny and Jim McCormack won the North Coast Champion Garden. In 2022, that garden was under water with only the tops of the tallest trees poking out of the floodwaters.

Dubai Chamber office in Sydney a ‘big win,’ says Al Ghurair ... Al Ghurair said that  Dubai Chambers  aims to encourage more Australian businesses to set up companies in Dubai to boost bilateral trade and foreign investment in the city ... “We will be taking the UAE business community back to Australia where they can also invest and explore what kind of economic activities they can do in Australia.”

Managing fire together: Applying science, skills, and stories. The Nature Conservation Council of NSW is excited to announce details of the 13th Biennial Bushfire Conference. The conference is unique in its focus on community participation in fire management...

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority met on 10 May 2023 in person on Ngunnawal Country (Canberra) and via videoconference ... Key water management activities in the River Murray System were discussed, including airspace management at Hume Dam, as well as the prospect of an El Niño weather pattern developing later in the year.

With two recent victories on the north coast under his belt, October Revolution is poised for further success in the Steeline Handicap at Port Macquarie on Tuesday ... The race meeting is a wonderful opportunity to recognise two remarkable local personalities in the shape of Kerrie Borger and Margaret De Gonneville.

Buloke Shire Council has publicly expressed its concern about the consultation processes in relation to the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) Project and called for the project to be suspended.

Farmers say scrapping Dungowan Dam is a short-sighted move that will limit future food production. State Water Minister Rose Jackson announced Dungowan Dam would not proceed in the wake of the federal budget, saying it would save taxpayers $632 million.

Women in the region will have access to extra maternity care following the launch of Cohuna District Hospital’s Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) service. The MGP was launched at the hospital on Friday, May 5 – the International Day of the Midwife – to an audience of community members, officials and hospital staff.

Sunday, May 7 saw a strong crowd gather at Myall for the unveiling of the Myall Historical Timeline and Myall Remembers service personnel honour board. The day was the fifth attempt to hold the event since 2019. With the pandemic behind us and the flood water receded, attendees braved the frigid conditions to soak up the rich recent history and live music.  

Eight years after its inception and almost 12 months after construction began, the Murray Plains Meat Co-Operative’s micro abattoir is reaching the final stages of licensing approval.  The project will enable producers to have full control of the supply chain to ensure the ethical treatment of their animals and to value add their produce.  

Charles Sturt University academics are collaborating on an international project to investigate how racehorses express positive emotions in their interaction with humans. Researchers from Charles Sturt, EITITe PÅ«kenga in New Zealand and Hartpury University in the United Kingdom have secured funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Equine Welfare Foundation for the three-year study.