Coffs Coast communities remain on flood watch tonight as swollen rivers in the Bellinger, Kalang and Orara Valleys continue to rise. Rainfall of up to 170 millimetres has been received across the region since last Thursday. Residents have been warned not to enter floodwaters and to keep an eye on river levels. Meanwhile a warning has been issued for coastal waters with dangerous surf conditions being experienced along the entire New South Wales coast. Boat skippers are advised to postpone ocean voyages and rock fishers have been urged to stay away from rock platforms.

Police are appealing for public information after an ATM was stolen in the state’s north yesterday. Just before 6am, two people removed an ATM from a licensed premises on Riverside Drive at Wooli, before loading it onto a white utility. Police were notified of the incident when a staff member arrived and disturbed the pair. The ATM was found by police on Condole  Forest Road, about 5km from the intersection of Wooli Road, after it was set alight.

The Nationals Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey, says it’s time for north coast communities to show their support for the region’s timber industry. She says the industry is at risk from city-based environmentalists who don’t understand its importance to regional economies.

Coffs Coast communities have been placed on flood-watch, following heavy rainfall across the region. Some areas have received up to 150 millimetres and the bureau predicts there’s more to come.

South Grafton residents are being warned not to purchase stolen prescription medication. It comes as police continue to investigate an armed robbery at a pharmacy yesterday afternoon.

The future of the Woolgoolga Seahorses will be decided tomorrow night when the town’s rugby league community meets to form a new committee. The club failed to enter the group 2 competition this year because of a lack of players and officials.

Coffs Harbour’s Sports and Leisure Park, which brings in as much as $30-million to the local economy each year, is set for a major expansion. The state government has allocated $10-million for the creation of new fields and amenities at the park.

A five-year-old girl from Broken Head stole the show today at the finals of the New South Wales Grom Series. Leihani  Zoric took out the under-10s girls final in Coffs Harbour, after failing to qualify for the under-eights.

Meanwhile the Bellingen Shire community is set to benefit from state government funding as well. The Bellingen Memorial Hall, which is home to numerous cultural events each year, is set to receive more than $300,000 to upgrade its facilities. At Dorrigo, $260,000 has been allocated to construct a walking track from the town centre to Dangar Falls. The popular tourist drawcard is just one of seven projects which will receive a share of almost $1.5-million under the state government’s Stronger Communities Fund.

450 footballers from Northern New South Wales are taking part in the first ever Champion of Champions tournament this week in Coffs Harbour. A total of 28 teams, ranging in age from 12 to 16, have signed up. Coffs Harbour’s own Northern Storm had a great start to the competition this morning – their 12s and 13s thrashing New Lambton and Tuncurry Forster. “this is our inaugural season of the Champions of Champions, basically an opportunity for the community of football clubs to get together and play against the opposition that they probably haven’t played against before.” The tournament, which is played in round robin format, finishes up this coming Thursday.