NSW

It rained all night. And continues today. BOM rain monitor Lyn Walters reported 95mm of rain fell in the last 24 hours to 9am this morning at Green Pigeon in Kyogle LGA. The Bureau of Meteorology has kept the minor flood warning in place for Richmond and Wilsons rivers. The constant rain is causing issues.

When Jill Adam saw that blocks of land in Tabulam were up for sale because of unpaid rates, she dug deeper. The properties ... were owned by the now-deregistered Jarguan Aboriginal Corporation. The properties are now held by ORIC – the federal government’s Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations. ORIC said it will not pay the rates and charges owing on the land in the name of Jarguan Corporation.

We asked the 18 Richmond Valley Council candidates about water. There has been much heated debate about the Dunoon Dam expansion, tapping into groundwater and using recycled water. Here’s what the candidates said.

Emma Pritchard. Several retailers in River Street, Maclean, will remain open until 8pm on December 10, allowing shoppers additional time to grab some last-minute bargains ahead of the Christmas rush and boost the local economy ... the event aims to support local businesses and unite the township following a difficult 12-month period as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Geoff Helisma. As a shopper walks past the Yamba Fair Butchery, the ‘extra-loud’ shirts the butchers are wearing is likely to catch their attention and, perhaps, stimulate a thought: Why?

Emma Pritchard. More than 70 competitors will make a splash on the Clarence River during the Grafton Rowing Club 2021 Regatta this weekend. Featuring 47 events including single skulls, double skulls, quads and open skulls, the event is the first Northern Rivers regatta to be held this season and has attracted a pleasing number of entrants from Lismore, Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads, the Lower Clarence and Sydney.

Farmers and rural communities across the state are bracing for an enormous cleanup effort as floodwaters subside, with concerns about the condition of local roads once the water retreats. After weeks of heavy rain during harvest season, many roads across regional NSW have developed deep potholes and ruts that are proving problematic for motorists, farmers and truckies alike.

For 19 years, the Lord Howe Island Classic race has just been growing stronger and stronger. It has a long and interesting history. The snag, of course (forgive the pun), is getting there. Australia’s best barbie is held on Lord Howe Island, 420 nautical miles from Sydney. To work up a hunger, most guests like to spend at least three days heading as close as possible to 060 degrees while making the best of the challenging breezes and currents.

I first came to Lord Howe Island via Middleton Reef on board my friends prawn trawler “Sea Dreamer” in 1975. Unfortunately, the “Sea Dreamer” was wrecked on the Clarence River Bar with loss of life of my friend in 1979. Yamba was the home port for “Sea Dreamer”.

Lord Howe Island Marine Park staff have recently commenced a trial of environmentally friendly mooring designs to reduce impacts on coral and seagrass in the lagoon. There are 11 courtesy day-use moorings in the Lord Howe Island lagoon which are maintained by the Lord Howe Island Marine Park ... These moorings were originally installed as traditional block and chain swing moorings, which can limit the growth of coral and seagrass within the mooring footprint.

The biggest sporting and cultural event of its kind will come to regional NSW for the very first time when thousands come to see knights and vikings battle it out at the Medieval Faire in Orange next year, thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said a $200,000 grant will deliver the world-class two-day Orange Medieval Faire, where visitors can wander through a historical village featuring viking battles, archery, birds of prey displays and a giant medieval catapult.

Gabrielle Duykers. The Naracoorte Hotel Motel will bid farewell to long-time family operators the Pettman’s, with new owners to take over the business early next month. Hotel Motel manager Josh Pettman runs the facility with the help of his wife Jody and parents Heather and David. He said the family were presented with an offer from Australian Venue Co. that came at the right time.

The Narrandera Shire Council has approved an elevated walk (skywalk) and viewing platform as a replacement for the rejected lattice bridge project over the Murrumbidgee River bridge at Narrandera. The Council will reallocate $821,000 from the now cancelled Lattice Bridge walk project to the alternate project of an elevated walk and viewing platform, improved pedestrian access and lakeside deck.

Nicholas Rupolo. It’s the perfect blend of luxury and elegance. This old church built in 1890 was recently converted into a luxurious retreat by Melanie Absolom and her husband Kevin. The church features its original stained glass windows, an open and elegant living area and a mesmerising cache of history in its walls.

“When I got Penny, it was just after my third operation on my leg. I was sad and frustrated, but she gave me the motivation to start living my dream. I couldn't wait to get off my crutches and start riding again. Penny was being trained to be an Olympic dressage horse, but she sustained a leg injury that she meant could no longer be an elite athlete. After a rest, she is sound and can be ridden, so she is like me now": Travis Newman, 13, cancer survivor and scholarship recipient.