Summer surf warning: Surf Life Saving NSW is warning people to take extra care at the beach over the summer holidays. National data shows there was one drowning a day last summer, with 20 per cent of deaths in the week between Christmas and New Year. Surf Life Saving's Jimmy Keough says people should swim between the flags at patrolled beaches. He says beachgoers should also be cautious if they see other swimmers in trouble, in case they get caught in dangerous water as well.
Image: Surf Lifesaving NSW
Break and enter arrests: Two Queensland men have been charged with break and enter offences in Byron Bay after being arrested by police this week. A 20-year-old from Tallai and a 19-year-old from Labrador have each been charged with two counts of aggravated break and enter. Both men were granted bail in Ballina Local Court on Wednesday, with the condition they not see or contact each other, and they adhere to a nightly curfew. They are due to appear in court again next month.
Pod village to parkland: The site of the Kingscliff pod village will be returned to parkland after a motion put before Tweed Shire Council was voted down. Earlier this month the council voted to return land at Elrond Drive to parkland for community recreation and environmental benefits and advise the NSW Reconstrction Authority of this decision. Mayor Chris Cherry put forward a rescission motion in a bid to keep the pod village operational to house essential workers.
New Kyogle GM: The Kyogle mayor says she is confident the appointment of a new general manager will mean an end to dysfunction within the council. The shire's former executive director of governance and executive services Marcus Schintler has been appointed to the top job ahead of 88 other candidates. The appointment follows a period of instability following the sacking of former GM Graham Kennett last December. Mayor Danielle Mulholland says the council wants to move forward productively.
Fire ant soil ban: The NSW Department of Primary Industries says any review of its ban on soil and turf products coming from Queensland into NSW will be based on science, not timing. The government imposed a three-month ban following a delivery of turf containing fire ants to a property at Clunes in November. Last week, Tweed Shire Council voted to lobby for a five-year ban. Chief invasive species officer Scott Charlton says that's not being considered.
Youth crime help: A mental-health service designed to prevent youth crime and incarceration is expanding to five locations in regional New South Wales, including Lismore. Justice Health NSW has been running the Safeguards Service in Sydney since 2023, with 100 people under the age of 17 receiving mental-health support. The service says it's about helping young people before they enter the cycle of crime.
Freak accident investigation: A Gold Coast swimming enclosure has reopened following an investigation into the drowning death of Jake Brown from Terranora two weeks ago. The 29-year-old is believed to have become entangled in the Paradise Point enclosure's nets and failed to resurface. Gold Coast City Council says it carried out a risk assessments, installed a new net and will take any action necessary to ensure safety. The police investigation is still ongoing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
CSG signs to go: Lismore City Council has voted down a rescission motion designed to ensure anti-CSG signs remain at the entrance to the city. Around 200 people who rallied outside the council chambers to urge the council to retain the signs, however the council retained its original decision to take them down.
Grafton pool delays: Clarence Valley Council has confirmed further delays to the opening of the new Grafton Aquatic Centre due to ongoing wet weather. The outdoor facilities were planned to be open by Christmas but the council now says contractors are working to complete as much possible by the end of January. The indoor pools, splash-pad and some other amenities are expected to be finished in February.
