This Week in The Northern Rivers Times – Out Now!

“Your Voice, Your News, Your Northern Rivers”

The latest edition of The Northern Rivers Times is out now, packed with the stories that matter across our region. Here’s a snapshot of what’s inside this week’s issue:

Headlines and Briefs

1. Troy Cassar-Daley Documentary Screens in Grafton
   Intimate film captures Cassar-Daley’s grief and healing through music after his mother’s passing, recorded at his childhood home. Troy opens up to our Tim Howard
2. Kyogle Sewerage Upgrade Enters Planning Phase
   Government funds progress design of modern sewage treatment plant to replace ageing 1957 system and meet environmental standards.
3. Clarence Cricket Icon Bruce Baxter Honoured
   Baxter receives prestigious community service award after 50+ years of dedication as player, coach, umpire, and administrator.
4. Kyogle Council Tables $61.3M Growth-Focused Budget
   Council proposes investments in roads, bridges, sewerage, and community facilities to support sustainable population growth.
5. Primex 2025 Program Unveiled
   Major May expo in Casino to feature agricultural innovation, livestock sales, field demos, and community networking events.
6. Murwillumbah Club Unveils ANZAC Tribute Mural
   New mural honours service personnel and promotes remembrance as part of Murwillumbah’s public art landscape.
7. NSW TrainLink Launches Grafton–Sydney Coach Services
   XPT trains paused for refurbishments; new premium coaches will maintain connectivity during 12-month upgrade period.
8. Seniors Local Achievement Award for Bill Evans
   Bill Evans recognised for 40+ years of volunteer service with Casino’s VRA Rescue Squad; tribute also honours his wife.
9. $15K Yamba Community Grants Now Open
   Port Authority invites local organisations to apply for funding projects supporting recovery, wellbeing, and environmental initiatives.
10. Lismore Swim Club Surges 62% in Membership
    Club rebounds post-floods, driven by strong community, consistent training, and inspiring leadership from new head coach.
11. New Online E-Bike Safety Course Launched
    Australia’s first structured e-bike safety course targets young riders amid rising accident rates and regulatory gaps.
12. Book Review – The Ledge by Christian White
    Twisting thriller explores buried secrets and friendships tested by time, trauma, and a haunting discovery in regional Victoria.
13. Leemo the Cat Explores Class and Cat Comforts
    Humorous column follows Leemo as he debates class systems and lobbies for a personal TV to watch “Bluey.”
14. Diary of a Flood Survivor: Three Years On
    Personal reflection on long-term flood recovery, embracing “little steps” to rebuild home and life with resilience.

 

 

Grab your copy from your local newsagent, Woolworths Supermarket, General Store, Rural stores, EG, Caltex and select service station.

 

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Man Charged with Manslaughter After Fatal Assault in Kyogle

 

KYOGLE, NSW (28 April 2025):
A 56-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter following the death of another man in Kyogle earlier this month.

Emergency services were called to a property on Irwin Street, Kyogle, about 11am on Monday, 14 April 2025, after reports a man had been injured. Upon arrival, officers from the Richmond Police District located a 49-year-old man unconscious with serious assault injuries. Despite efforts by NSW Ambulance paramedics, the man died at the scene.

Strike Force Alonnah was established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Later that day, about 4.30pm, detectives arrested a 56-year-old man on Highfield Road, Kyogle. He was taken to Casino Police Station where he was initially charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray. He was refused bail and appeared before Casino Local Court on Tuesday, 14 April 2025.

Following further inquiries, the charges were upgraded at Lismore Local Court today (Monday, 28 April 2025) to include manslaughter and assault causing death.

The man has been formally refused bail and is scheduled to reappear before Lismore Local Court on Wednesday, 16 July 2025.

Police investigations under Strike Force Alonnah remain ongoing.

New E-Bike Safety Course Aims to Tackle Rising Risk Among Young Riders

Australia is confronting a growing public safety issue — the rapid rise of e-bike use among young people, often with little to no training or understanding of the rules of the road. As governments struggle to keep pace with the boom in battery-powered transport, a new education initiative is offering what many believe is the first real solution for concerned parents and schools.

E-Bike Safety Australia, a new organisation formed by road safety experts and educators, has launched the nation’s first dedicated online safety course for young e-bike riders. The program is tailored for students, their parents, and educational institutions, addressing a major gap in regulation and public awareness.

A Real Solution for Parents and Schools

“This is the first real and significant tool parents and schools can use to get ahead of the problem,” said the team at E-Bike Safety Australia. “While we wait for government legislation to catch up, young riders are out there, many on high-speed e-bikes, without the training they need to stay safe.”

The course is the first of its kind in Australia — a structured, accessible, and age-appropriate safety program designed to address the specific challenges associated with the surge in e-bike use among teens and pre-teens.

What the Course Covers

Developed by experienced educators and road safety professionals, the course includes five key focus areas:

• ✅ Safe Riding Techniques – How to ride confidently and safely in shared spaces.
• ✅ Legal and Road Rules – Understanding where and how e-bikes can be used legally.
• ✅ Risk Awareness and Decision-Making – How to avoid accidents and ride responsibly.
• ✅ Lithium-Ion Battery Safety – Best practices for charging and storing batteries.
• ✅ E-Bike Maintenance and Rider Responsibility – Keeping bikes safe and roadworthy.

Affordable, Accessible, and Effective

Priced at $159 per student, the course provides 21 days of access to interactive, self-paced lessons and quizzes. The platform features engaging video content tailored to young riders, making it easy for students to complete the course at home or in the classroom.

With injuries from e-bike incidents rising, and confusion around speed limits, helmet laws, and where e-bikes are legally allowed to operate, schools and parents have been left with few clear options — until now.

“We’re not just part of the conversation, we’re part of the solution,” the organisation says. “We’re not waiting for a tragedy to take action.”

Filling the Safety Gap

The course has already begun gaining attention from schools looking to implement safety programs for their students, particularly in urban and suburban areas where e-bike use has surged. Many parents are also turning to the course for peace of mind, knowing their children are better equipped to navigate busy roads and bike paths safely.

E-Bike Safety Australia was established in response to a sharp increase in injuries, the growing popularity of high-speed e-bikes, and a lack of cohesive safety education for this new class of rider.

“We believe education is the best form of prevention,” the team adds. “This course is about empowering the next generation of riders to be safe, smart, and street-ready.”

For more information or to register for the course, visit www.ebikesafetyaustralia.com.au.

The Northern Rivers Times – Edition 250
Celebrate the milestone 250th edition of The Northern Rivers Times – packed with community triumphs, big announcements, and regional updates that matter. Here’s a taste of what’s inside:

 

 

🎖️ Community Heroes Honoured in Lismore
Local Legends Recognised at Senior Awards Ceremony
Nine outstanding seniors and one organisation were honoured by Janelle Saffin MP for their tireless community contributions.

🍿 Lismore Cinema to Reopen by Christmas
New Owner Plans Revival of Beloved Local Landmark
Luke Mackey, a former Event Cinemas executive, leads plans to reopen Lismore Cinemas as a fresh cultural hub.

🚲 Kyogle Mountain Bike Trails to Get Major Overhaul
$264K to Revamp Flood-Affected Recreational Hub
Federal funding will restore and reshape Kyogle’s trails into a safer, high-quality attraction for riders and tourists.

🔪 Brutal Machete Attack in Coffs Harbour
18-Year-Old Charged After Man’s Hand Severed
Police continue their investigation following a violent home invasion that left a man seriously injured.

🛍️ ANZAC Day 2025: Full-Day Retail Closures Introduced
New Law to Honour Service – No Retail Trading on April 25
For the first time, NSW will mandate full-day retail shutdowns to protect commemorative traditions.

🚑 Free First Aid & Mental Health Training for Rural Women
RWN Roadshow Equips Women with Life-Saving Skills
NSW Government and St John Ambulance launch roadshow to deliver accredited training across regional communities.

🏉 Jack Link’s Backs Casino RSM Cougars
Major Sponsorship for 2025 Rugby League Season
The meat snack giant deepens local ties with sleeve sponsorship of all grades in both men’s and women’s competitions.

🎤 Troy Cassar-Daley Inspires Future Leaders
Annual School Leadership Event Celebrates Young Trailblazers
More than 300 students from across the region gathered in Grafton for a motivational leadership event.

🌙 Byron Bay Becomes NSW’s First Regional Entertainment Precinct
Nightlife Protection and Economic Boost for Iconic Beach Town
The SEP will safeguard Byron’s creative spirit while encouraging extended trading and cultural vibrancy.

🗳️ Federal Ballot Finalised for Division of Page
11 Candidates Confirmed – Hogan Draws 4th Spot
As the election nears, the AEC has released the ballot order. Voters urged to make preferences count.

💉 Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Access Expanded
Kyogle, Lismore and Richmond Valley Added to Eligibility List
Free vaccines now available as cases rise; residents urged to protect against mosquito-borne illness.

Grab your copy of The Northern Rivers Times – Edition 250 from your nearest outlet today or visit thenorthernriverstimes.com.au for digital access.

Kyogle Sewerage Upgrade Moving Forward with Next Stage of Development

Kyogle is one step closer to delivering modern, environmentally sound sewerage infrastructure, with the next phase of planning now underway for a high-tech wastewater treatment plant that will serve the region for decades to come.

The NSW Government has committed $379,500, with Kyogle Council contributing $125,500, to fund concept designs and detailed site investigations—the groundwork needed to ensure the proposed plant is “shovel-ready” when construction funding becomes available. The updated designs and studies are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Originally built in 1957, the current Kyogle Sewage Treatment Plant has seen only minor upgrades since the 1990s. It is increasingly unable to meet modern environmental discharge standards, prompting a shared commitment from the state and local government to begin planning its long-term replacement.

This phase builds on an earlier investment of $300,000, jointly funded in 2022 by the NSW Government and Kyogle Council, under the Safe and Secure Water Program, to begin early scoping work.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin highlighted the environmental importance of the project:

“Kyogle is a gateway to the Border Ranges and Toonumbar National Parks. This upgrade ensures we are protecting these natural treasures and the 2,500 residents who rely on quality infrastructure.”

Kyogle Mayor Danielle Mulholland added:

“Effluent from the existing plant is already used in agricultural irrigation and some flows into the Richmond River, so it’s vital our treatment processes meet the highest standards. We’re preparing now to ensure we’re ready when the time comes to build.”

Once complete, the concept design will provide a clearer picture of the plant’s cost, scale, and environmental outcomes, paving the way for future construction and long-term service improvements.

Learn more about the Safe and Secure Water Program at:
🔗 Safe and Secure Water Program – NSW Government