North Coast’s biggest stories of 2022: Voted by you
Some were joyous, others heart-wrenching – all were powerful. Look back on the stories which framed 2022 on the North Coast.
Lismore
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Life in the Northern Rivers has had its ups and downs this year, its fair share of tragedy sprinkled with moments of kindness, heroism and light.
It is often in these moments between Christmas and the new year, ‘the void’ one reflects upon what was and has been over the last year.
Today, we look back at the moments which moved you – the standout stories and photos which most engaged (court-based reports were excluded from this list).
Here are some of the most read and viewed articles from 2022 – voted by you, dear reader.
Lismore flood: Woman missing, Ballina hit by 900mm of rain, more towns evacuated
Richmond Police have released an image of missing woman, Alina Brakel, in a plea for public assistance to locate the 55-year-old from Monaltrie, just south of Lismore.
The aged care nurse from Nowra has been identified as the missing woman stuck in floodwaters in Lismore since late Tuesday night.
Flood levels in Lismore are set to reach a peak of more than 12 metres on Wednesday night as authorities warn of a “difficult 24 to 32 hours” for exhausted residents.
Prior to the floods earlier in March the highest recorded peak at Lismore’s Wilsons River was 12.1m — making the expected weather event a significant concern.
Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke said 28,000 people were collectively impacted by current flood warnings.
“We currently have 16 evacuation orders in place. That is changing as it needs to as we find out more information on where this weather centre is impacting communities,” she said in a snap press conference at 5pm on Wednesday.
Flood updates: Lismore, Ballina, Grafton, Tweed: rescues, evacuation orders, road closures, rainfall
The history-making flooding which has destroyed homes and business across Lismore, Ballina and outlying centres like Woodburn has sparked more than 3000 calls for help in just a day.
The NSW State Emergency Service said on Thursday it had received 3166 calls for assistance.
30+ photos: All the fun and fashion from Splendour Sunday
All the fashion, music and vibes from Sunday’s Splendour in the Grass at Byron.
Even though rain kept up it didn’t stop people wanting to break out from under the Covid lockdown and celebrate music again.
30+ pics: Rain can’t stop good vibes at Bluesfest Day three
Thousands of rockers braved the wet weather to vibe out at day three of Byron Bay’s Bluesfest.
Mud and rain persisted at all the biggest music festivals on the North Coast in 2022, yet that did not stop punters donning wet weather gear and break out of the Covid lockdown to celebrate music again.
Lismore and Ballina flood crisis: Evacuation ordered for Ballina Hospital
The Northern Star’s rolling flood coverage played an integral part in informing the community – and was widely read.
Ballina residents have been warned “a life-threatening event” is about to hit their town as floodwaters continue to rise, while nearby Lennox Head has also now been ordered to evacuate.
Around 8.45pm residents in low-lying parts of Lennox Head were ordered to evacuate by the NSW SES.
Affected areas include the eastern side of Byron Bay Rd, properties on Lakeside Way, Sailfish Ave, Snapper Drive, Anchorage Ave, the western end of Outrigger Rd, the western end of Caloola Rd, Pintail Ln, and Hurtley Dr south of Gradwell Dr.
150+ FACES: Lismore year 12 formals through the years
Pant suits and pops of colour – see Lismore school students stepping out through the years to celebrate the end of school.
An ode to our forefathers and foremothers sharing their rite of passage into the adult world was very popular.
Bikinis, goon and selfies at Byron Bay Schoolies
Byron Bay is bustling as school leavers pack into the beachside party hub for Schoolies.
Always a crowd favourite, schoolies in Byron Bay showcasing the fun and frivolity of schoolleavers across the country who chose Byron Bay for their end of school afterparty.
NSW floods: Aerial photos reveal Ballina’s heartache amid fourth death
The historic flooding crisis that has hit Lismore is now being played out in Ballina with countless rescues.
Our reporter, Tessa Flemming, who has herself been evacuated, tells the story in the video above.
Reporting from her car, she considers herself one of the lucky ones after getting out with basic belongings.
Aerial footage has shown the heartbreaking scenes as Ballina residents saw their homes go under.
Flood rescues have been unfolding in Ballina and surrounds at a “tremendous” rate, according to the NSW State Emergency Service.
The area around Woodburn also is experiencing major flooding.
In Lismore, the grim search for bodies continues with a fourth person found.
Ballina Boxing Day races 2022 | Photos
The Boxing Day Race meet at the Ballina Jockey Club was buzzing, with over 500 prepaid ticketholders plus walk-ins packing the grounds.
The annual event is one of the region’s largest social drawcards during the holidays with families meeting up to share a fun day in the sun.
Punters lined up to place their bets, picking their favourite horse to take it home while children frolicked among the crowd on the ample green and play areas.
Ballina Jockey Club general manager Matthew Bertram said the day was the busiest they’d had in a “very long time”.
All the photos from Splendour in the Grass Friday
All the action from the cancelled day one of Splendour in the Grass 2022.
Touted as ‘Splendour in the farce’ the 2022 instalment was a washout with eager punters donning all manner of wet-weather survival gear in hope that no matter what – the show would go on.
Lismore sale and auction results, week ending April 26
Lismore recorded 18 property sales over a million dollars last week, the latest auction and sales results reveal.
‘We will kill them’: Wild pursuit pair sentenced after chilling threats
An erratic couple who took cops on a high-speed pursuit through Lismore in a SUV with fake plates said in custody they will “get out” and “when they come to get us, we will kill them”.