Ballina Information Blog

Labor candidate for Page Janelle Saffin today announced a five-point plan to shield family businesses from schemes by Woolworths and Coles to further expand their reach on the North Coast.
The plan follows Labor Leader Kevin Rudd’s announcement that a Federal Labor Government would toughen trade practices laws to better protect small businesses.
“This is an issue [...]

A new mental health service for general practice patients has just opened in Lismore.
The Northern Rivers General Practice Network has established the service for eligible patients who have been referred by their GP. It is staffed by qualified mental health professionals.
“We are delighted to be able to contribute to the expansion of mental health services [...]

Voters in Ballina Shire will be voting in either the Page or Richmond electorates in this Saturday’s Federal election.
Ballina town proper is in Page, while just up the road, Lennox Head is in the Richmond electorate.
Other areas, such as Tintenbar and Fernleigh, are in Richmond.
Here’s a list of where you can vote this Saturday. For [...]

The Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Brunei will open her gangway to the public this weekend during a visit to Ballina.
Brunei will be open to the Ballina community from noon until 4pm on Saturday, 24 November 2007, at Fawcett Wharf.
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Scott Dixon, said the ship will be arriving in Ballina on Thursday for [...]

Alstonville GP Dr Tony Lembke has been recognised nationally for his outstanding commitment to general practice through his work with the Northern Rivers General Practice Network.
Dr Lembke was awarded the John Aloizos Medal at the annual Divisions of General Practice Network meeting currently being held in Hobart.
Dr Lembke is the chair of the Northern Rivers [...]

Good recent falls of rain have resulted in rising levels at Rocky Creek Dam but Rous Water says the current Level 1 water restrictions remain in place in the Ballina Shire area.
Rocky Creek Dam has received more than 130mm of rain, but the level remains below 70 per cent.
“The Regional Water Management Strategy adopted by [...]

Southern Cross University researchers have challenged the Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research to a full debate on its program of ‘scientific whaling’, which this summer will include the killing of 50 Australian humpback whales.
Associate Professor Peter Harrison, director of the Southern Cross University Whale Research Centre, has refuted claims by the Institute that lethal research [...]

A rush of money from punters betting with Australia’s biggest bookmaker, Sportingbet Australia, has seen Labor’s Janelle Saffin now the favourite to win the seat of Page at this Saturday’s election.
The Nationals’ Chris Gulaptis had looked set to continue the National Party’s hold on the seat, but the late swing from punters toward Ms Saffin [...]

Page Nationals candidate Chris Gulaptis says the fact Labor has not allocated any of 250 new hospital beds across the State to Lismore or Grafton hospitals shows it can’t be trusted to keep its hospital promises and that the Coalition is right to demand local hospital boards.
“Labor is completely ignoring crises of its own making [...]

New mums in Ballina can look forward to an unexpected gift during 2008. Each new baby born in Ballina Shire in 2008 will receive a Ballina Baby Welcome Pack from Ballina Shire Council, delivered to their door by the North Coast Area Health Service Child and Family Nurses.
The Ballina Baby Welcome Pack was launched at [...]