SOME regional Australians may get a reprieve from the housing crisis as councils are offered interest relief to build more drains, roads, and other infrastructure. Though many parts of regional Australia have ample residential land, it often isn’t ready for development due to a lack of funding and planning for critical infrastructure, a 2024 national […]

A QUIET life in the countryside appeals to nearly half of Australia’s city residents, but concerns about access to health care, housing and jobs are stopping them making the move. Country Australia is on track to become home to 11 million people by 2032, or 40 percent of the population, while 40 percent of people […]

The owner and workers of Bowraville Sawmill are struggling under the GKNP moratorium. Nationals Senator Ross Cadell addresses worried workers at Adam’s Sawmill in Bonville. Photo: Senator Cadell. THE Nambucca Valley’s last remaining timber mill is struggling to stay afloat as a result of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) logging moratorium. Enforced on 8 […]

NEW data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that in the period 2023–24, more than 6000 children across NSW without a parent or guardian, sought help from a specialist homelessness service. More than 80 percent of these children did not receive support. While it is hard to put a figure on […]

AS bat season nears on the North Coast, health authorities are warning residents to take extra care and avoid all contact with flying foxes or microbats. A spike in sick and distressed bats arriving at wildlife hospitals across Northern NSW and Southern Queensland in recent weeks has prompted the alert. Authorities stress that touching or […]

AFTER announcing the proposed boundary for the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) on Sunday, Premier Chris Minns met business leaders in Sawtell to discuss broader economic and social impacts. The park includes 176,000 hectares of state forest and connects existing national parks, creating a 476,000-hectare reserve. The move promises to protect endangered species – headlined […]

BELLINGEN Shire Council has secured $2,297,620 in funding for the replacement of Cut Bank Bridge on Tyringham Road at Bostobrick. The funding comes through the Australian Government’s Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP) and $574,405 from the Roads to Recovery Program (RTR). The total project cost is $2,872,025. Council says the replacement of Cut […]

Premier Chris Minns at Sunday’s announcement with Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin (left) and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe. The proposed boundary of the Great Koala National Park. Conservationists welcome the long-awaited announcement. Photo: Penny Sharpe, FB. Members of the Timber, Furnishing & Textiles Union hold up signs saying ‘Don’t burn timber jobs. Talk […]

WHEN the occupants of two Coffs Harbour unit blocks were given 30 days’ notice to vacate, most began the frantic search for new homes. But for one long-term tenant, leaving is not only stressful, it may be impossible. The woman, who asked not to be named, has lived in her ground-floor unit for 20 years. […]

CONSULTATION for City of Coffs Harbour’s draft homelessness strategy has now closed but many community organisations, housing advocates, and even some Councillors, say the document lacks the teeth needed to deliver real change. Shelter NSW CEO John Engeler, along with Principal Planner Stacey Miers, reviewed the draft and described it as a step in the […]