GPs say Medicare is failing women doctors
Female GPs spend longer with patients, treat more mental health problems, and earn 93.5 cents for every dollar a male GP makes per hour. The RACGP says Medicare needs to change.
The Lightkeeper takes top honours at Byron film festival
Byron Bay’s film festival turned 20 and The Lightkeeper stole the show, winning Best Film and Best Dramatic Feature. See who else took home an award, including Byron’s own Tibor.
Grab a coffee with a cop in Goonellabah
Got a question for your local police? Skip the formalities and join them for a free coffee at Goonellabah Shopping Centre on Tuesday, 3 November. No registration needed.
Two dead after three-vehicle crash at Suffolk Park
Two drivers are dead and a woman has been airlifted in a critical condition after a horror three-vehicle smash on Broken Head Road at Suffolk Park. Police are asking for dashcam footage.
Local News
Tweed and Taree war memorials get a lifeline
Six heritage-listed Tweed war memorials are about to be checked over, and the Taree War Memorial Clock is getting a facelift. Find out what’s in store for the North Coast’s memorials.
Red tape in the firing line as Nambucca Valley council asks how to make events easier
Ever tried to run a street event in the Nambucca Valley and drowned in paperwork? The council has $460,000 to fix it, and it wants your story before the survey closes.
Nationals blast buyback starting before the rules
The firearms buyback starts 2 November, and Grafton Police Station is one of the first collection points. The Nationals say the rules aren’t even written yet, and Tamworth’s music festival is in the way.
Wollongbar TAFE teacher named NSW Public Servant of the Year
Out of every public servant in NSW, one was named the best of the year, and she works at TAFE in Wollongbar. Find out what earned her the state’s top honour.
Coffs Harbour moves to keep new homes out of business and industrial zones
Want to build a house next to a factory in Coffs Harbour? That could soon be off the table, as the council moves to stop clashes between residents and industry.
What's On
The Lightkeeper takes top honours at Byron film festival
Byron Bay’s film festival turned 20 and The Lightkeeper stole the show, winning Best Film and Best Dramatic Feature. See who else took home an award, including Byron’s own Tibor.
Grab a coffee with a cop in Goonellabah
Got a question for your local police? Skip the formalities and join them for a free coffee at Goonellabah Shopping Centre on Tuesday, 3 November. No registration needed.
Move for 30 days to support ovarian cancer care
Walk, run, ride, or roll out a yoga mat. Workout 4 Women asks Australians to move for 30 days in November to fund free nursing and support for women with ovarian cancer.
Lifestyle
Rescued orphan Adelaide welcomes endangered sea lion pup in Coffs Harbour
She was once an orphaned pup alone on a beach. Now Adelaide is a mum of three, after giving birth to an endangered Australian sea lion pup at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary in Coffs Harbour.
Kingscliff founder’s activewear goes from run to ocean
One sweaty Kingscliff run, one very tempting ocean, and an idea that took eight years. Danica Ainsworth is racing the Kingscliff Triathlon in her own Sweat to Swim gear.
Caravan hire comes to national parks
No caravan, no tent, no worries. Hire one and set up camp at 16 NSW national park campgrounds, with bookings opening in November. Tent hire is already back at The Basin.
Free fitness and wellness open day coming to Goonellabah
Goonellabah residents can explore new fitness activities for free at GSAC’s Fitness and Wellness Open Day on 31 October.
Coffee cup backflip: “cafe killer” laws to go, but not until after the election
Labor will scrap its coffee cup rules, but only after the election. North Coast MPs say “cafe killer” laws are hurting local businesses now, and they want them gone next month.
Vegetable supplier admits price fixing
Australia’s second-largest fresh vegetable supplier has admitted fixing prices on broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce sold to ALDI. A $12 million penalty is proposed, but a judge has the final say.
Environment
$8.28m for drought resilience, and more on offer
Women cutting their own hair because there wasn’t enough water. That’s the kind of drought hardship $8.28 million in new grants aims to tackle, and there’s more money still on offer.
Lismore bin baskets put cash in pockets
About $670,000 in container refunds was going to waste in Lismore. Now 20 new Return and Earn baskets on public bins in Lismore and Nimbin aim to put that cash back in locals’ pockets.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
A new chapter in coastal living begins at Valis
Downsize your home, not your life. A $180 million community of 159 homes is rising in North Boambee Valley, complete with a clubhouse, pool, pickleball courts and cinema at its heart.
New England Business Technology: the local team behind smarter business systems
New England Business Technology (NEBT) is focused on helping organisations “do business better” through tailored technology and communication solutions designed specifically for regional conditions.
HEALTH
Move for 30 days to support ovarian cancer care
Walk, run, ride, or roll out a yoga mat. Workout 4 Women asks Australians to move for 30 days in November to fund free nursing and support for women with ovarian cancer.
Carers push for NSW Carer Card
About 958,000 NSW carers keep having to prove they are carers. Carers NSW says a Carer Card, already in place in Victoria and Queensland, would end the paperwork.
POLITICS
North Coast MPs rally behind Helen Haines
Three North Coast MPs have poured out their hearts for Dr Helen Haines in federal parliament. Hear what they said about heroes, anger online, and the day she returns.
NSW releases critical minerals skills plan
NSW has launched what it calls an Australian-first Critical Minerals Skills Plan as Sydney hosts a global mining conference, and renewed its coal agreement with Japan, the state’s biggest buyer.
SPORT
Soggy Coffs Harbour loses national junior Oztag titles to Werrington
Junior Oztag players set to represent their regions on the national stage are now bound for Sydney’s west, after a month of relentless rain swamped Coffs Harbour’s playing fields.
CRIME
Woman charged over destruction of Kempsey Christmas tree
A 19-year-old woman will face court next month after allegedly setting fire to Kempsey’s community Christmas tree late last year.
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
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- Opinion | Keeping the Light on the Hill burning
Denise asks what is government actually for? It is a question worth asking at a time when politics increasingly seems to be about outrage, grievance, personalities and winning the daily argument on social media. The post Opinion | Keeping the Light on the Hill burning appeared first on North Coast Times Engage.
