Join us this week on the Community Newsroom as we bring you stories from near and far.

We'll be taking a closer look at the Byron Bay Sandhills Wetlands restoration project, which has just received national recognition after winning the Landscape category at the 2026 National Trust Heritage Awards.

We'll also be speaking with the Federal Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot, not only about the wetlands project but also about recent changes announced in the Federal Budget and what they could mean for communities across the Northern Rivers.

Ballina Shire residents could also be facing higher rates next financial year if the council's application to the state's Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is approved. Ballina Shire Council is one of several local governments seeking additional revenue, and we'll hear from Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, who spoke with Mia Armitage earlier this month.

Mia will also be reporting on what the New South Wales Government is calling the largest pay rise for nurses and midwives in decades, following years of sustained union campaigning. She sits down with New South Wales Nurses and Midwives' Association Byron Central Branch President Liz McCall to discuss what the changes mean for healthcare workers and the communities they serve.

We'll also touch on an interview Mia conducted this week with activists involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla, who returned to Australian shores earlier this week, bringing firsthand accounts of their mission and experiences.

All that and more, coming up on this week's Community Newsroom.