Chris Weir from the NSW Department of Primary Industries joins us to talk about the rollout of new artificial reefs on the NSW Coastline, designed to boost marine life and support local fishing tourism.

The most recent structure has been placed off the Ballina Coastline, with the next reef planned for Coffs Harbour. 

Reporter: Emma Setterfield-Smith 
Picture: William McAllister, Pexels 

Chris Weir from the NSW Department of Primary Industries joins us to talk about the rollout of new artificial reefs on the NSW Coastline, designed to boost marine life and support local fishing tourism.
The most recent structure has been placed off the Ballina Coastline, with the next reef planned for Coffs Harbour.&nbsp;
Reporter: Emma Setterfield-Smith&nbsp; Picture: William McAllister, Pexels&nbsp;

Resonating stories and information from the Northern Rivers and afar. Join Community Newsroom reporters as they interview locals and guests from beyond the rainbow region. Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.

Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org

Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN

PIC: Mia Armitage interviews NSW Minister for Music, Minister for Night-time Economy John Graham

*producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated.

Resonating stories and information from the Northern Rivers and afar. Join Community Newsroom reporters as they interview locals and guests from beyond the rainbow region. Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.
Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at <a href="http://bayfm.org/">bayfm.org</a>
Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN
PIC: Mia Armitage interviews NSW Minister for Music, Minister for Night-time Economy John Graham
*producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated.

Community Newsroom Interviews

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you. 

Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.

Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN

Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com

Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage

Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed; Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne; Jim Beatson; Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more

listen to past episodes and interviews here.

PIC: Mia Armitage and Emma Setterfield-Smith

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you. 
Thanks to the&nbsp;<a href="https://cbf.org.au/about/community-media/">Community Broadcasting Foundation</a> for support.
Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN
Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com
Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage
Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed;&nbsp;Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne;&nbsp;Jim Beatson;&nbsp;Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more
listen to past episodes and interviews <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/community-newsroom">here</a>.
PIC: Mia Armitage and Emma Setterfield-Smith

Community Newsroom: weekly program

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you.Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.

Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN

Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com

Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage

Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed; Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne; Jim Beatson; Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more

listen to past episodes and interviews here.

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you.Thanks to the <a href="https://cbf.org.au/about/community-media/">Community Broadcasting Foundation</a> for support.
Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN
Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com
Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage
Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed;&nbsp;Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne;&nbsp;Jim Beatson;&nbsp;Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more
listen to past episodes and interviews <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/community-newsroom">here</a>.

Community Newsroom

Department of Primary Industries Chris Weir tells us about thirteen new artificial reefs on the NSW Coastline, boosting marine life and fishing tourism

11:00 am - Community Newsroom

12:00 pm - Community Newsroom

Community Newsroom  - 15 May 2026

Join us for this week’s Community Newsroom.

This week, we take a moment to reflect on the tragic loss of two Marine Rescue NSW volunteers who died while attempting to save a skipper aboard a yacht in distress. The yacht operator also lost their life during the rescue mission.

We hear from Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews, Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib, Marine Rescue Ballina Unit Commander Peter Hill, and Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, as they share their thoughts on the tragedy and pay tribute to those who were lost.

We’ll also be speaking with Member for Ballina Tamara Smith about her decision not to contest next year’s state election after serving three terms.

Later in the program, we hear from Ella Bancroft, CEO of The Returning Indigenous Corporation — a women-led not-for-profit organisation working across communities from Evans Head to Brisbane. The organisation is currently running an exciting program for girls aged 13 to 17, with a mission to reconnect people with community, culture, and Country.

And finally, we’ll hear from Peter Greste, the Australian journalist who was sentenced to seven years in prison in Egypt after being accused of “airing false news” while reporting for Al Jazeera.

 

Join us for this week&rsquo;s Community Newsroom.
This week, we take a moment to reflect on the tragic loss of two Marine Rescue NSW volunteers who died while attempting to save a skipper aboard a yacht in distress. The yacht operator also lost their life during the rescue mission.
We hear from Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews, Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib, Marine Rescue Ballina Unit Commander Peter Hill, and Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, as they share their thoughts on the tragedy and pay tribute to those who were lost.
We&rsquo;ll also be speaking with Member for Ballina Tamara Smith about her decision not to contest next year&rsquo;s state election after serving three terms.
Later in the program, we hear from Ella Bancroft, CEO of The Returning Indigenous Corporation &mdash; a women-led not-for-profit organisation working across communities from Evans Head to Brisbane. The organisation is currently running an exciting program for girls aged 13 to 17, with a mission to reconnect people with community, culture, and Country.
And finally, we&rsquo;ll hear from Peter Greste, the Australian journalist who was sentenced to seven years in prison in Egypt after being accused of &ldquo;airing false news&rdquo; while reporting for Al Jazeera.
&nbsp;

Community Newsroom  - 8 May 2026

The only songwriting comp on the Northern Rivers is back

featuring Bay FM Northern Rivers Music Box Producer/Presenter and BaySounds founder Ange Kent

Reporter: Mia Armitage

The BaySounds songwriting competition founded by volunteer Bay FM Northern Rivers Music Box producer/presenter Ange Kent returns for a third year in partnership with SAE college.

Aspiring songwriters from across the Northern Rivers may enter for a unique chance to have their work recorded to industry standard in a state-of-the-art studio in Byron Bay, with this year’s competition again featuring a youth category.

Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org
Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN

PIC: Ange Kent at BaySounds 2025 showcase gig, SAE, Byron Bay (Mia Armitage)

The only songwriting comp on the Northern Rivers is back
featuring Bay FM Northern Rivers Music Box Producer/Presenter and BaySounds founder Ange Kent
Reporter: Mia Armitage
The BaySounds songwriting competition founded by volunteer Bay FM Northern Rivers Music Box producer/presenter Ange Kent returns for a third year in partnership with SAE college.
Aspiring songwriters from across the Northern Rivers may enter for a unique chance to have their work recorded to industry standard in a state-of-the-art studio in Byron Bay, with this year&rsquo;s competition again featuring a youth category.
Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at&nbsp;<a href="http://bayfm.org/">bayfm.org</a> Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN
PIC:&nbsp;Ange Kent at BaySounds 2025 showcase gig, SAE, Byron Bay (Mia Armitage)

Department of Primary Industries Chris Weir tells us about thirteen new artificial reefs on the NSW Coastline, boosting marine life and fishing tourism

Community Newsroom Interviews

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