DEAR News Of The Area, HAVING reviewed the final State Assessed Planning Proposal for the Jetty Foreshores, I note that nothing whatsoever has been amended to address the major safety issues associated with the significantly increased traffic that will inevitably result from the proposed multi-storey residential development and holiday accommodation. There are only two access […]
Legal Hypothetical: Disturbing misuse of grandmother’s funds
GLORIA, 101 years old, sold her house and the proceeds of sale were deposited into her granddaughter’s account. It is not clear how this occurred. Gloria was found to be under a legal incapacity and her “tutor” commenced action in the Supreme Court, seeking an order that the granddaughter “account” for the funds. The Court […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, MY new girlfriend sleeps with her dog (Brutus) in the bed. I really like her, but I find this behaviour bizarre and, frankly, a relationship breaker. How do I navigate this? Gerard P. Dear Gerard, The early phase of a relationship is often marked by constant affection, but this should not include waking […]
Transport support for flood-affected residents in Nambucca, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour
THE Community Transport Company has announced it will be providing specialised transport services for residents affected by the recent floods across the Nambucca, Bellingen, and Coffs Harbour local government areas. For the next two weeks, the organisation is offering dedicated transport support to help flood-affected residents access essential services such as medical appointments, hospital visits, […]
The Big Screen
NOSTALGIA reigns this week with the release of Karate Kid: Legends. Following the unexpected success of the legacy television (or “streaming”) series Cobra Kai, producers have realised there is a great deal of possibility in this franchise which first came to screens more than 40 years ago. The premise remains familiar: a recently uprooted youth, […]
STEM conference for girls on World Environment Day
Employers struggle to find STEM qualified professionals. Bellingen High school students exploring water quality monitoring at an OzGREEN workshop. Despite growing demand, the number of students studying Year 12 physics, chemistry and biology has halved over the past 30 years. There’s a critical STEM teacher shortage in northern regional NSW. OzGREEN is bringing its STEM […]

TfNSW launches ‘Animals on Country Roads’ campaign
WIRES Volunteer Skye*, with a carpet python rescued from the road. A gravid lace monitor, hit and left on the road and a juvenile eastern grey kangaroo that had to be euthanised. A WIRES volunteer caring for an orphaned eastern grey kangaroo joey, found next to its dead mother. MOTORISTS […]
Consultation period extended on Jetty Foreshores rezoning
THE period for community members to have their say on the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore planning proposal has been extended until 30 June 2025. The consultation period was originally set to end on 16 June. Property and Development NSW has lodged a planning proposal for development of land at the Jetty Foreshores with the Department […]
Restoring local oyster reefs talk at Solitary Islands Aquarium
A FREE public lecture at the Solitary Islands Aquarium will highlight the history and current restoration of local oyster reefs. The aquarium is part of Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre at Coffs Harbour. The talk, titled “Exploring the rich history of natural shellfish reefs – the NSW Oyster Reef Restoration and Research project”, […]
Heavy rain submerges new flood warning signs in Nana Glen
FLOOD warning signs installed in late April at Morrows Road and on the Bucca side of the Edward Sharpe Bridge in Nana Glen were no match for the recent rain. They were submerged to the base of the flashing lights and stopped working after the predicted 400mm to 600mm deluge. Locals warned this might happen. […]