April 4, 2026
Legal Hypothetical: elder abuse, a cautionary tale
Hypothetical

Legal Hypothetical: elder abuse, a cautionary tale

KAREN is concerned that her elderly mother, Mary, is lacking the ability to manage her affairs. Karen makes an appointment with a solicitor, with a view to drafting a Power of Attorney and an Appointment of Enduring Guardian for Mary. Karen is present at the appointment with the solicitor and she does most of the […]

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On the couch with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

On the couch with Jasminda

Dear Jasminda, Kids on e-bikes are on the rise. How do we share the road safely with them? Hayley S. Dear Hayley, Having recently observed two young girls powering across a T-intersection on their e-bikes without looking left or right, and after conversations with friends who have similar stories, the safety issue you raise is […]

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Letter to the Editor: cost of consultants a ‘concern’
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: cost of consultants a ‘concern’

DEAR News Of The Area, WE now hear our independent Mayor Nikki Williams, arguing that the development of a Draft Aquatic Strategy is well beyond the skill set of Coffs City Council’s planning department. Furthermore, the Mayor argues that it was cost effective to bring in that expertise rather than employ someone at Council permanently. […]

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Letter to the Editor: don’t mention the war
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: don’t mention the war

DEAR News Of The Area, THE extraordinary events of the last two months have revealed much about Australian society, status quo politics, and the suppression of our mainstream media. The shock and horror of Bondi, which will forever define Xmas 2025, has revealed an Australia still living in a global bubble where the realities of […]

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Letter to the Editor: response to Forestry statements
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: response to Forestry statements

DEAR News Of The Area, I WRITE to correct the public record about statements by Forestry Corporation (FCNSW) reported in NOTA on 9 January, 2026. I breed (in the wild) and seek to increase the populations of Endangered Greater Gliders (GGs) and other globally significant biota on my conservation reserves. In late 2023, FCNSW spent […]

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Letter to the Editor: time to respond to change
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: time to respond to change

DEAR News Of The Area THERE has been much to digest in the events of this year’s Australia Day celebration, some of it giving little cause for joy. Watching the flag hijacked by Australia First, white supremacists and similar groups, was a depressing experience. I would love to celebrate wearing a silly hat and beach […]

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Legal Hypothetical: exes, estates and entitlement
Hypothetical

Legal Hypothetical: exes, estates and entitlement

TRACEY died unexpectedly at 56, leaving no will. Her estate was substantial and was largely made up of investment properties she had acquired over many years. She had no children and her next of kin were her brother, Kieran, and her two sisters. Soon after Tracey’s death, Tina, a 48-year-old woman, asserted that she and […]

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On the couch with Jasminda
Jasminda's Advice

On the couch with Jasminda

Dear Jasminda, I was driving up a long and winding road in my ute on the weekend when I passed a cyclist. She seemed to be doing it very tough and wasn’t making much progress. Should I have offered her [and her bike] a lift to the next town? I’m now regretting that I didn’t […]

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