Polytunnels are not farm buildings, according to the Land and Environment Court. Photo: Val Vannet.
THE NSW Land and Environment Court (NSW LEC) recently decided in favour of an appeal against a Development Control Order issued by the City of Coffs Harbour on 6 December 2024, requiring a landowner to stop construction of polytunnels on the basis of them being a form of ‘farm buildings’, which required development consent. The […]
MORE than 600 drivers were detected allegedly driving with drugs in their systems during a statewide police traffic operation last week. Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) commenced at 12am on Thursday 12 February and concluded at 4am on Sunday 15 February, targeting people driving while affected by alcohol, drugs and fatigue. During the operation, […]
Disagreements about what should be included in the GKNP continue. Photo: Tim Cadman.
FORESTRY Australia, a not‑for‑profit, independent professional association representing more than 1,100 scientists, practitioners, and farm forest growers, has released information showing well-managed forests are “critical to Australia meeting its emissions reduction targets”. The organisation says its Forest Carbon Balance Evidence Review brings together the latest science on forest carbon dynamics and demonstrates that sustainable forest […]
L925I significantly reduces the efficacy of pyrethroid miticides in managing affected mite populations.
THE NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has confirmed the first case of Varroa mite pyrethroid resistance in the state. Laboratory testing at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute identified a known genetic mutation, L925I, which causes pyrethroid resistance in Varroa mites. DPIRD Honey Bee Technical Specialist, Elizabeth Frost, said L925I significantly reduces […]
Molly Croft, the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year, with Minister Jodie Harrison (left), her mother Ange, and Minister Jihad Dib. Photo: Salty Dingo.
NOMINATIONS for the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are now open, with family, friends and work mates urged to help celebrate the enormous positive impact of volunteers across the state. The awards are in their 20th year and are run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in […]
Community members gathered in Brelsford Park on 1 February to raise awareness of humanitarian issues. Photo: supplied. Organisers said the event was focused on building solidarity. Photo: supplied. MEMBERS of the Coffs Harbour community gathered at the beginning of this month to raise awareness of the humanitarian situation in Rojava, Northern Syria, and its surrounding […]
Ocean Swims Ambassador Brooke Hanson in 2025, representing three generations of the Mills family. Photo: Brooke Hanson/FB.
THE 30th anniversary of the Coffs Coast Ocean Swims is in six weeks and entrants are jumping in. Held at Jetty Beach Coffs Harbour on Sunday 22 March there are three distance swims. The organisers are pleased to see local participants committing to the event as well as some prepared to travel from places in […]
The Murrays Beach access stairs at Sawtell were closed for emergency repairs prior to the severe weather events of March and May 2025. Photo: CHCC.
CITY of Coffs Harbour is fast-tracking work to reinstate the stairs to Murrays Beach, following a period of prolonged coastal erosion. At its meeting on 29 January, Council resolved to advance a budget of $50,000 from its capital works program, to survey and design the beach access. “While there are alternative access points to Murrays, […]
EXPRESSIONS of interest for submitting artworks to the Arts Mid North Coast exhibition “Balance the Scales,” in recognition of International Women’s Day, close on Monday 16 February. The exhibition opens on 22 February showing until 8 March at Coffs Harbour MAKE/SPACE gallery on Level 2 of Coffs Central Shopping Centre. Bringing together artists from across […]
THE Department of the House of Representatives has announced that entries are now open for the 2026 Yarning Competition. ‘Yarning’ is an Australia-wide storytelling competition that invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students from across Australia to share their perspectives and stories with the Australian Parliament. “The Yarning Competition is a wonderful new […]
