Southern Cross University to lead $4 million push to grow Australia’s own coffee industry
Less than one per cent of Australia’s coffee is home-grown. A new $4 million research program led by Southern Cross University wants to change that, five years, five partners, one big brew.
Stabbed, cars stolen, then a dramatic pursuit after Port Macquarie home invasion
Stabbed at his own front door, then a chase to Kempsey. Detectives say three to five people forced their way into a Port Macquarie home and stole two cars.
Locals wanted to help shape South Murwillumbah’s future
Flood-hit South Murwillumbah is getting a new master plan, and council wants locals in the room while it’s drawn up. EOI for the Community Reference Group close 23 August.
Students’ vision sparks $750,000 push for safer South Kempsey streets
A student pitch to Kempsey councillors has turned into $750,000 in state funding. Now council is mapping out safer walking and cycling routes between South Kempsey and Crescent Head.
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Local News
North Coast urged to chase startup cash, after this round missed the region
The Minister for the North Coast just helped hand out $1 million in startup grants. None of it came home. Here’s what local businesses need to do to change that next round.
Lismore’s Janelle Saffin wins national human rights award
The Member of Lismore has won Labor’s top human rights honour. Nearly 72 and still “skiing down the hill on one ski,” Janelle Saffin’s fight has spanned four decades, Timor-Leste and Myanmar.
Grafton seniors cheer Nationals’ promise to bring back travel card
The Clarence electorate had the highest uptake of any regional seniors travel scheme in NSW, before Labor axed it. Now the Nationals want it back, and Grafton pensioners are counting the cost.
Pathfinders Support Your Path wins national disability services award for second consecutive year
Pathfinders Support Your Path has won national recognition for the second consecutive year for its NDIS services supporting regional communities.
Sasebo students embrace life on the Coffs Coast
Three Japanese students are embracing Coffs Coast life while strengthening the longstanding sister city relationship between Coffs Harbour and Sasebo.
What's On
Locals wanted to help shape South Murwillumbah’s future
Flood-hit South Murwillumbah is getting a new master plan, and council wants locals in the room while it’s drawn up. EOI for the Community Reference Group close 23 August.
Tape drive funds rural mental health push
One piece of tape, worn by NRL stars from Cairns to Melbourne, has turned into more than 50 mental health programs for communities that have never had this kind of support.
Lismore’s Janelle Saffin wins national human rights award
The Member of Lismore has won Labor’s top human rights honour. Nearly 72 and still “skiing down the hill on one ski,” Janelle Saffin’s fight has spanned four decades, Timor-Leste and Myanmar.
Lifestyle
Manning Valley Choral Society marks 40 years of song
The Manning Valley Choral Society (MVCS) is celebrating its Ruby Anniversary this year, marking 40 years of music-making that has taken choristers from church halls to shopping centres across the region.
Regional Tech Hub shuts its doors after six years
It helped 80,000 households navigate patchy internet, the 3G shutdown and Triple Zero outages. Now the Regional Tech Hub has closed, after funding for the free service ran out.
Bucca blueberry farm dam costs owners $100,000, contractor $30,000
A Bucca blueberry farm’s “spur of the moment” dam has cost its owners $100,000 and their contractor $30,000, as NRAR reveals 13 more Coffs Harbour blueberry operations are already under investigation.
Environment
Confusion reigns over new forest carbon credit scheme
Farmers, foresters and green groups are all furious about a new forest carbon credit scheme, just not for the same reasons. Here’s what it means for the North Coast.
Lismore households throw away $670,000 in container refunds as recoverable waste fills red bins
Lismore households discarded an estimated $670,000 in container refunds while nearly half their red-bin waste was recoverable, audit.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
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.
Tow World trusted for honest service and practical know-how
Helping people tow, travel and explore with confidence is what drives the Tow World team every day – and they’re expanding their service capacity with a move to new premises.
HEALTH
Tape drive funds rural mental health push
One piece of tape, worn by NRL stars from Cairns to Melbourne, has turned into more than 50 mental health programs for communities that have never had this kind of support.
EDUCATION
Democracy on the Move: Parliament of NSW Regional Roadshow heads to Macksville
Parliament of NSW will bring its Regional Roadshow to Macksville on 12 August, giving regional students opportunities to engage democracy.
POLITICS
Commissioner and Singh clash over North Coast berry farm slavery claims
A damning parliamentary report and now a public apology demand. The state’s Anti-slavery Commissioner and Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh are at war over old claims of exploitation on North Coast berry farms.
INDIGENOUS
New initiative puts Aboriginal communities in the driver’s seat of licensing support
Transport for NSW is launching an Australian-first program training Aboriginal driving instructors to expand culturally safe licensing support statewide.
CRIME
NSW reviews assault survivor privacy laws
NSW is reviewing whether sexual assault survivors’ therapy notes should be able to be used against them in court, after victim-survivors and counsellors spoke out.
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- Opinion: Freeing the standards rule book backs the people who build, wire, plumb, manufacture and repair
Andrew Leigh, the Assistant Minister for Productivity, writes this reform is a no brainer. The post Opinion: Freeing the standards rule book backs the people who build, wire, plumb, manufacture and repair appeared first on North Coast Times Engage.
