Mid North News

A covert surveillance operation in the Solitary Island Marine Park has led caught two men who are allegedly illegally netted 30 lobsters. It’s the biggest bust of its type in the park and the men could face fines of up to $11,000.

Mid north coast teachers were encouraged to make their plight an election issue, with voters heading to the polls this weekend in the federal seat of Lyne. They’re calling on candidates to support their protest action and push for more funding for schools.

An alert has been put out to all marine vessels along the mid north coast to report any sightings of a humpback whale that got into trouble off Port Macquarie yesterday afternoon. The young animal became entangled in what was believed to be rope from a fishing trap.

Motorists, shoppers and business owners in the Nambucca Shire might have to change their parking habits now that a council ranger is about to be appointed to police parking. The Nambucca Chamber of Commerce says businesses are suffering because people are over staying parking limits.

The North Coast Area Health Service has confirmed that at least two more people have contracted an antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection known as VRE. The latest cases identified at Grafton Hospital include a third person who has had contact with the bacterium, but has not tested positive to the infection. This brings the total number of people in the region currently infected to 11. A further 20 patients considered at risk of carrying the bacteria are now being monitored by medical staff.

A rescue effort is underway to save a humpback whale caught in what is believed to be a fishing net off Port Macquarie. A whale-watching vessel spotted the distressed animal about two nautical miles off Shelley Beach at about 2.30on Monday. The skipper said the whale was badly entangled in rope and was thrashing about trying to free itself. Port Macquarie Sea Rescue ferried National Parks and Wildlife officers and specialised equipment out to the whale. (******)

Road safety improvements on two busy Pacific Highway intersections north of Coffs Harbour are set to begin this week. Works on the Arrawarra and Mullaway intersections are designed to provide greater separation of northbound and southbound traffic. The road surfaces will be upgraded and wire safety barriers will be installed on the shoulders of the new raised road formation. The $800,000 program is scheduled for completion in mid October.

More than 6,000 north coast teachers will walk off the job tomorrow (Tuesday) morning to protest against changes to the school staffing system. They’ll take part in the statewide satellite hookup to vote on further action.

Health is emerging as the number one issue for voters in the federal seat of Lyne. That’s according to independent candidate Rob Oakeshott who is one of eight hopefuls contesting this Saturday’s by-election.

Land owners on the Mid North Coast have been warned to take care when burning off, ahead of an early start to the bushfire season. The Rural Fire Service has brought forward the danger period this year, following a dry winter and with spring beginning tomorrow, fire permits will be required for hazard reduction burning. Heading into a new growing season, Coffs Harbour banana farmers have already conducted large scale burns off. While New South Wales Forests today completed its hazard reduction burning in local timber plantations. [display_podcast]