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 […]
Tiered fee system proposed for National Park camping
CONCERNS have been raised that tiered pricing for camping in National Parks could leave the pursuit beyond the reach of struggling families. A consultation paper was released last month by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which sets out proposed changes to the camping fee system for national parks and reserves in NSW. The […]

Nuclear power blows up coalition’s political marriage
NUCLEAR energy has blown up a political agreement between the Nationals and the Liberals after leaders failed to reach common ground, but left the door open for a reconciliation. The traditional political marriage couldn’t be consecrated following a disastrous result for the coalition at the federal election with the Nationals standing firm on wanting to […]
Citizen science arts exhibition celebrates the reclaimed wetlands of Yuurrun.ga
Musician and citizen scientist John Laidler. Poet and photographer John Bennett. Yurruun.ga’s wetlands. Birdlife on Yurruun.ga’s wetlands. AN exhibition of artworks celebrating the reclaimed wetland at Yuurrun.ga (Urunga) is showing at Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) between 17 May and 22 June. Created by John Bennett and John Laidley, it is described as a story […]
NSW Gov funds $10m for weed control and eradication
THE NSW Government will deliver $10 million to local councils to target high-risk weeds across the state. The Weeds Action Program funds local councils, known as Local Control Authorities (LCA), to detect and respond quickly to incursions of new high-risk weeds. The program focuses on prevention and early intervention to stop the spread of problem […]
‘Volunteers make everything we do possible’, says Lifeline North Coast
Lifeline North Coast volunteers. THIS National Volunteer Week, May 19-25, Lifeline North Coast is recognising the individual and collective contributions of all the volunteers who ensure that every Australian has access to hope and connection all day, every day. Lifeline North Coast General Manager Angela Martin, said that demand for services continues to be high, […]
State awards to recognise emergency services volunteers
EMERGENCY services volunteers will be recognised for the first time in the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. The Centre for Volunteering added this seventh category to its annual celebration, following the announcement in March of the Premier’s Flood Emergency Citation. The citation ensures that the unique and vital contributions of emergency responders and […]
Review launched into ‘doli incapax’
A NEW study by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has found a significant decline in the number of young people aged 10 to 13 years found guilty of a criminal offence in NSW, following a landmark High Court of Australia decision in 2016. The decision in the case of RP v […]
Regional consultation guide released by NSW Government
A NEW guide has been released which aims to strengthen NSW Government consultation practices with regional, rural and remote communities across the state. The “Regional Communities Consultation Guide” outlines the Government’s approach to consulting with regional, rural and remote communities, including Aboriginal communities. The release of the guide follows the introduction of the Regional Communities […]