Bruce MacKenzie
Lismore, NSW
Bruce MacKenzie is the lead news reporter at ABC North Coast.
Latest by Bruce MacKenzie
'It's too late for most of us': 400 homes for Lismore flood victims to enter market. The catch is it won't be until 2026
The first property to be developed under the Resilient Lands Program will not come onto the market until 2026, four years after devastating floods left thousands looking for somewhere safer to live.
Insurance industry slammed for 'rude, aggressive, bullying behaviour' by consumer groups during flood response inquiry
More than 300,000 claims were lodged after the 2022 floods, but consumer groups say that is no excuse for what has been described as "appalling behaviour" by the insurance industry.
Campgrounds closed as bushfire burns close to villages on NSW mid north coast
Strong winds are fanning the flames of a fire burning close to popular camping spots to the north of Wooli and west of Minnie Water.
'Complex supply chain' investigated as fire ants discovered deeper into NSW
There are fears a post-flood construction boom may be linked to the latest discovery of red fire ants in northern NSW, as authorities continue to trace the source.
Vets seek fresh feathers to get Stan the wedge-tailed eagle back in the air
A Byron Bay vet team is searching for a suitable feather donor for a procedure they hope will help get an injured wedge-tailed eagle soaring again.
Man drowns at treacherous spot near Byron Bay in 'devastating' 24 hours on NSW beaches
The man, thought to be in his 20s, was unconscious when he was pulled from the water near a popular swimming and surfing spot. It comes less than a day after a woman drowned at a beach in Sydney.
Environmentalists lose legal bid to stop logging operations in northern NSW
The case was the first legal challenge to a regional forestry agreement in NSW, and argued the forestry industry was impacting on endangered species, climate change and old growth forests.
Driver towing trailer through flooded river 'seconds' from disaster as bridge gives way in 530mm NSW deluge
The SES warns motorists about flooding dangers after extraordinary footage emerges of a car towing a trailer through floodwater in NSW before a bridge is swept away by raging torrent.
Hundreds of millions spent on agency nurses as NSW health districts struggle to keep staff
Hundreds of nursing vacancies across the state are being filled by agency nurses on locum rates, in a cycle described by health officials as "completely unsustainable".
Residents 'feeling a bit smug' in claiming victory to stay in Byron Bay aged care village
It seemed like a David versus Goliath battle, but eight elderly residents who refused to leave a Feros Care aged care village when it announced it selling up are now claiming victory.
Probe clears police of excessive force in arrest that left teen in hospital
An investigation into the NSW arrest of a 14-year-old Indigenous boy clears police of excessive force, but raises concerns about accountability and the right to silence.
Tragedy inspires NSW man to take a stand and create international march against domestic violence
Dave Harmon was at the funeral of a friend who had been killed by her partner when he decided it was time to take a stand against domestic violence. Five years on, his annual march has become an international movement.
Why declaring yourself a 'sovereign citizen' won't get you out of a traffic fine
Former magistrate David Heilpern likens the sovereign citizen movement to a cult, and says websites promising associated legal loopholes are selling lies and should be shut down.
Life 'definitely shifted' for children when their schools flooded. There's hope the next generation will be more prepared
After floods, fires and a pandemic interrupted their schooling, a $10 million program will teach northern NSW students strategies to boost their mental resilience.
NSW Farmers demands 'war-like response' to red fire ant infestation at Murwillumbah
They have been in Queensland for more than 20 years, but with red fire ant nests discovered 13 kilometres into New South Wales, farmers are questioning if the invasive pests can be stopped from marching over the border.
Man charged with making hoax threat after incident that closed a highway and TAFE campus on the NSW north coast
Specialist negotiators, officers from the Tactical Response Unit and the Pol-Air helicopter were called during the incident, and the main road linking Lismore and Ballina was closed for almost 10 hours.
TAFE evacuated, highway closed as police arrest man after tense stand-off
A man is in custody and under police guard in hospital after a tense stand-off forced the lockdown of a TAFE campus and the closure of a highway on the NSW far north coast.
Koala advocates disappointed as court throws out challenge to logging in bushfire-damaged forests
A legal bid to halt logging in two NSW state forests scorched during Black Summer has failed after the court ruled evidence about the impact on koalas could not be considered.
'I created, destroyed and now that's it': Jury hears man who confessed to killing two men considered his crimes 'art'
Jurors in the murder trial of a man who fatally bashed a homeless person in Tweed Heads hear the chilling and bizarre interviews he gave to police after his arrest.
Safety of 'takeaway' methadone scrutinised as inquest into 6yo boy's tragic death concludes
The inquest into the death of a boy who drank orange juice mixed with methadone has raised questions about how prescriptions for the drug's use at home are issued.
Boy died after drinking orange juice mixed with mother's 'takeaway' methadone, inquest hears
Questions are being raised about the system for prescribing "takeaway" methadone following the tragic death of a six-year-old in New South Wales, who drank orange juice mixed with the opioid replacement medication.
'Scariest thing we ever experienced': Multiple fire fronts converge in border town as homes confirmed lost
As multiple blazes threaten Tenterfield region and beyond, farmer firefighters, neighbours and councillors have rallied together to support each other.
Call to phase out native timber logging in state forests prompts protest in Clarence Valley
More than 100 pro-logging protesters rally outside a north coast council meeting.
Strike force investigates cause of 'incredibly dangerous' bushfire that threatened NSW coastal township
Detectives want to speak with the driver of a utility seen driving through the area of a blaze that has burned through 3,000 hectares of the Hat Head National Park since last week.
Properties confirmed lost as emergency level fires in central and northern NSW downgraded
The emergency warning alert for the Willi Willi Rd fire in Kempsey has been dropped, but residents are warned to remain vigilant as fire is still active.