FARMERS and rural landholders can now register to use Farm Firefighting Vehicles (FFVs) to respond to emergency bushfires near their property. Last Wednesday, the NSW Government launched a conditional registration scheme to enable typically unregistered FFVs to be used legally and under the protection of insurance. FFVs are commonly small trucks, utes or trailers with […]

THE National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) hosted 100 community and environmental leaders from across the North Coast to celebrate the announcement of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). Among those gathered in Bongil Bongil National Park south of Coffs Harbour last Saturday, 27 September, were NPA CEO Gary Dunnett, Greens MLC Sue Higginson, councillors […]

A NEW purpose-built lifeguard tower has been installed at Sawtell Main Beach. Prefabricated by Emineo Engineering Services, the new structure was bolted together on site and took just four days to build. “The incredible erosion we saw right across the East Coast undermined a lot of beach infrastructure and that included the old lifeguard tower […]

STRIKE force detectives are investigating the deaths of a woman and a visiting family friend after their bodies were tragically discovered late on Friday afternoon. Police were called to a house on South Boambee Road, Boambee, following the discovery of two bodies just after 5pm on Friday. Local crime manager Detective Inspector Peter O’Reilly said […]

COUNCILLOR Jonathan Cassell has been elected Chair of the City of Coffs Harbour’s Sustainability Advisory Committee. Medical doctor Brian O’Connell, was elected Deputy Chair. Dr O’Connell is also a representative of the community group Sustainable Sawtell 2030. “Both bring knowledge and passion for sustainability, and their leadership is appreciated,” said Mayor Nikki Williams, who has […]

Melbourne dad Trent Robertson. Oli, who battled stage 4 neuroblastoma at just two years old. MELBOURNE dad Trent Robertson is currently taking on the most challenging journey of his life – running 10 marathons and cycling 1,200km in just 30 days. He is raising vital funds for Neuroblastoma Australia, a charity dedicated to improving outcomes […]

NSW Farmers has slammed a review into banana imports the peak body says could “devastate the industry and put the nation’s biosecurity at risk”. Last week the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) announced a review of quarantine arrangements for bananas imported from the Philippines into Australia. “We are conducting an assessment of […]

THE historic South Solitary Island Lighthouse Optic (SSILO) will be turned on for half-an-hour on Friday, 26 September. Situated in a purpose-built display case near the entrance to the Jetty Foreshores Pier, the SSILO’s on-switch will be hit at 6pm on Friday, 26 September to mark World Maritime Day. “The old lighthouse optic will be […]

FORMER State Labor candidate and Coffs Harbour Councillor Tony Judge, says local National Party leaders are putting the environmental and economic future of the region at risk by their negativity towards the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). “The announcement confirming that NSW Labor will proceed with the full implementation of the GKNP was an exciting […]

FIRE and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is encouraging the community to spring clean responsibly to help reduce the risk of fire on their properties. “When it comes to spring cleaning, keep yourself and your family safe from fire by decluttering inside and out,” Fire and Rescue NSW Coffs Harbour Station Commander Tim George said. “For example, […]