WEATHER UPDATE: EAST COAST LOW ON TRACK

The deepening low just of the NSW mid north coast is set to produce more, squally heavy showers and rain periods increasing the risk of localised and possible river flooding in between Newcastle and Coffs Harbour during Fri the 24th. Gale wind warnings have now been issued. The swell will also build.
Some of the wet weather will make it across ranges mostly falling on the Tablelands with some shower activity reaching the NW Slopes.
The system will move away from the coast quickly on Saturday, easing conditions. A few showers will linger, mostly along the northern NSW and SE QLD coasts over the weekend.
Cool clear sunny days will return inland with some very cold nights with the risk of frosts returning to New England.

SLICE OF HEAVEN IN CAMDEN HAVEN

The region’s finest produce will be on show in Laurieton this weekend, as the Slice of Haven food and wine festival returns.

This year, the theme is ‘Carnivale’, and organisers hope the party-like atmosphere will draw record crowds.

DANGEROUS SURF FROM SEAL ROCKS TO COFFS HARBOUR

A warning has been issued for boaters from Seal Rocks to Coffs Harbour.

Dangerous surf is hitting our shores…and skippers and boat owners are advised to be on high alert.

Strong winds will also play a role, Roads and Maritime Services are urging people to check conditions before heading offshore.

Rock fishers should also be cautious and stay well away from dangerous surf.

FARMERS WERE WAITING ON THE RAIN

We’re in for a wet couple of days and the local cattle industry says it couldn’t come soon enough.

Cattle farmers in the Great Lakes have struggled to get winter crops in the ground after a spell of dry weather.

HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE AT NEWEE CREEK

A house at Newee Creek, near Nambucca Heads, is the latest casualty in a string of fires on the Mid North Coast.

It follows a fire in a scrap metal yard in Kempsey yesterday and a fatal house fire at Yamba on Saturday, and has fire authorities urging people to take extra care.

RICHARD FROST CRIES OUT FOR COFFS

Former high school principal, Richard Frost, this afternoon received a drum-roll entry into his new duty as Coffs Harbour’s Town Crier.

Mayor Denise Knight used a sword, to officiate his position.

And with bell in hand, he proudly announced his first rendition of the Coffs Harbour cry.

“Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Hear Ye”

Mr Frost’s next appearance in official robes will be at the opening of the Emerald Beach fair on Sunday.

NEW HARTLEY’S BRIDGE

Several families living in the the Orara Valley now have no excuse for being late for work, following the opening of a new bridge on Hartley’s Road.

In the past, the bridge has been no barrier to flood-waters, with residents living on the other side left stranded for days.

Council today celebrated the opening of the new longer, stronger and wider bridge, that’s been designed to withstand future flood events.

“Pretty confident we’ll be right. I’ve sat here and watched the river and the floods come up for the last 50 or 60 years and I’m very confident council have done a good job and we won’t have any troubles whatsoever”, according to long-time resident Kevin Hartley.

LIGHTHOUSE UPGRADE COMPLETE

The restoration of Port Macquarie’s iconic lighthouse and surrounding headland has been officially opened.

The work included a new staircase from the car park to the lighthouse, a retaining wall, and the planting of native grasses to help stabilise the banks.

The $20,000 upgrade was a joint venture between the Sunrise Rotary Club and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

NAMBUCCA BLACKSPOT IN THE POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT

A dangerous blackspot on a stretch of road at Nambucca Heads is back in the spotlight ahead of the federal election.

The local mayor is pleading with politicians to take action before it’s too late.

SCOTT SNODGRASS’S FAMILY TELLS OF THEIR LOSS

The wife of a man who died following a street fight in Coffs Harbour has made an emotional appeal for people to think twice about their actions.

Today, Rosie Maitland spoke of her loss – in the hope such a tragedy doesn’t happen to another family.

Police have interviewed a 20 year old man, but have not laid charges.

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