KEMPSEY Shire Council Mayor Kinne Ring welcomed a delegation of state and federal Ministers to the region on Monday, 26 May to witness firsthand the widespread devastation caused by recent flooding and to advocate for urgent recovery support. Since November 2009 there have been 26 natural disaster declarations for the Kempsey Shire with multiple floods, […]
Man charged after shots allegedly fired at police
A MAN has been charged after shots were allegedly fired at police following a pursuit. About 2.15am on Saturday morning, officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District attempted to stop a Subaru Impreza on Giinagay Way, Valla. The Subaru failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated before being terminated shortly after due to […]

Police warn against looting in flood-stricken towns
POLICE are pouring resources into Australia’s flood-ravaged towns to prevent a breakdown in law and order after two men were arrested for alleged looting. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell said extra officers were on the beat in NSW’s mid-north coast and Hunter regions after the men, both aged 20, were arrested for allegedly stealing […]

Veteran organisation deployed to flood clean-up
MORE than 100 Disaster Relief Australia volunteers have deployed to assist communities of the Hunter and Mid North Coast with flood recovery. The veteran-led volunteer organisation has mobilised its volunteers into communities including Taree, Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Nambucca to begin clean-up efforts after the recent devastating weather event that has hit the region. Tasked […]

Scamming behaviour tipped to spike following natural disaster
PREDATORY scammer activity is predicted to skyrocket in the wake of the recent rains and flood disasters. In the aftermath of severe flooding, the State Government is urging people to remain vigilant when donating to recovery efforts. As communities recover and rebuild, authorities are warning that scammers may attempt to exploit the situation through fake […]
Fodder drops provide lifeline to flooded farmers
HELICOPTERS have provided isolated farmers with emergency fodder for their stranded livestock, as part of a range of support available to flood-affected farmers across the Mid North Coast, North Coast and Hunter. As of midday Saturday, 24 May, there had been 43 helicopter aerial drops of fodder, and nearly 131 emergency fodder drops by other […]

Knife-edge recounts could decide parliament’s make-up
IT could take weeks to confirm the members of Australia’s next parliament, with one seat sitting on a margin of only eight votes and an incumbent in another requesting a second tally. Independent MP Zoe Daniel has requested a recount in the Melbourne seat of Goldstein. The Australian Electoral Commission finalised a margin of 260 […]

Radiotherapy kidney cancer treatment soon available in Coffs Harbour
KIDNEY cancer patients on the Mid North Coast will soon have a new treatment option – Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR). It is due to the combined generosity of Coffs Harbour’s Shearwater Lodge, Tour de Rocks Limited and the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour. The SABR technique delivers a high dose of radiotherapy with extreme […]
Fishers advised to stay off rock platforms
NSW BEACHES are being hammered by strong surf and wild weather, with volunteer surf lifesavers and lifeguards hoping that rock fishers heed their warnings and take extreme caution if planning to visit the coastline this week. At the time of writing, a Hazardous Surf Warning is currently in place for the state’s northernmost border all […]

Billboard truck promotes the Great Koala National Park
A DIFFERENT approach to campaigning for forests has appeared on the streets of Coffs Harbour. A Streetfight Media truck is touring the region throughout May, promoting the establishment of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). A spokesperson for Friends of Orara East State Forest said the large mobile billboard is to remind locals and visitors […]