DINGHY ADRIFT TRAVELS 1000 KILOMETRES

The mystery surrounding the discovery of a partially submerged dinghy 150 kilometres off the coast of Coffs Harbour has been solved by local water police.

The barnacle encrusted runabout was discovered by the crew of a long-line fishing vessel on Tuesday night.

It turns out the boat was abandoned by it owners off the coast of Eden in January last year, when it began taking on water and its crew had to be winched to safety.

Over the past 14 months, the boat has drifted around 1000 kilometres.

NEW LIFE FOR TOURISM AWARDS ON THE NORTH COAST

It’s been five years since successful northern rivers tourist operators were formally recognised with an awards ceremony.

That’s all about to change with the launch of the new North Coast Tourism awards, which will see northern rivers businesses pitted against their mid-north coast peers.

McPROTEST FIRES UP FOR ROUND TWO

Port Macquarie residents who fought a plan by McDonald’s to build a fourth restaurant in the town, are preparing for round two.

Despite being knocked back late last year, the fast food giant has put forward an amended proposal to council.

BELLBROOK MAN EXTRADITED ON MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES

A Bellbrook man has been extradited to Queensland following a three week man hunt.

The 22-year-old appeared in Coffs Harbour District Court this morning in relation to a fatal bashing on the Gold Coast.

POLICE BLITZ NORTH COAST ROADS

North coast police have launched a blitz targeting dangerous driving.

“Operation Cross” will focus on the region from Grafton to Port Macquarie where 12 people have died in car crashes this year.

COUNCIL OVERHAULS PLANNING FRAMEWORK

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is overhauling its planning guidelines and it wants the community to be involved in the process.

A draft local environment plan, which has been several years in the making, is now on exhibition.

INDIGENOUS TRAINEE SCHEME GOES NATIONAL

An award-winning indigenous apprenticeship program, trialled at Port Macquarie’s Centrelink call centre, is about to be rolled out nationally.

Six centres across the country have been chosen to take on 35 new trainees.

MORE ALCOHOL FREE ZONES FOR YAMBA

New alcohol free zones seem likely to be introduced in Yamba in a bid to stem anti-social behaviour which is being fuelled by alcohol.

Police have asked the Clarence Valley Council to introduce new zones following several violent attacks, some against police.

BRIDGING THE GENERATION GAP

Aboriginal women have shared their life experiences with the next generation in a program to involve positive role models in teenagers’ lives.

The event was organised to coincide with International Women’s Day.

RATES TO RISE FOR COFFS COUNCIL RESIDENTS

Home owners in the Coffs Harbour City Council area will be slugged an extra $37 a year, if a proposed rate hike is passed by council.

At 4.4 per cent above the pegged limit, government approval will be needed for the increase to go ahead.

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