Mid North News

Subcontractors owed more than $7-million for their work on the Pacific Highway upgrade are demanding the government compensate them for their losses. It comes as Labor’s small business minister moved a motion in parliament, calling on the Coalition to ensure the 23 small businesses are paid for the work. “The Pacific Highway upgrade along the Mid North Coast undertaken by this government will be remembered as the road to ruin for so many Mid North Coast families.” Nationals MPs voted down the motion in parliament yesterday. Today, Chris Gulaptis told NBN News that while the situation is tragic, the government has to be accountable with tax payers’ money.

They’re the dedicated men and women in orange, often there to lend a hand in times of need. And today WOW day celebrations were felt across Taree, as the community got behind their local State Emergency Service volunteers. If you’re interested in volunteering for the SES, you can visit:  https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer/  

Bellingen Mayor Dominic King says the state government’s decision to include the council in a joint organisation with the Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings local government areas, is a mistake. He says Bellingen would be better served by joining with Nambucca and Coffs Harbour.

This week marks Volunteers Week – a time for the selfless and generous members of our community to be recognised for their hard work. In Port Macquarie they were put in the spotlight – some receiving awards for their continuous contributions.  

A violent home invasion in Forster has left a man with a serious head injury and a severed finger. Police say a 25-year-old man tried to force his way into the Forster Keys home yesterday demanding to speak to a woman inside. When denied entry by an 18-year-old man he allegedly entered through a window. Police say a fight then broke out between the pair leaving the teenager badly injured. “That male actually sustained a depressed fracture of the skull and also had part of his finger almost bitten off,” said Chief Insp. Christine George. Both men were taken to Port Macquarie Base Hospital were it’s also alleged the accused spat at nursing staff. He was denied bail, charged with domestic violence assault, breaching an AVO and malicious wounding. The 18-year-old will undergo reconstructive surgery on his hand and head. …

A motorist has died in a fiery crash on the Pacific Highway, south of Grafton. Police say witnesses were unable to assist the driver, before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.

A man has been left with a fractured skull, after he was allegedly assaulted by a 25-year-old man at Forster. It’s understood the 25-year-old went to a home at Forster Keys at around lunchtime yesterday to see a female resident, but was refused entry. The man allegedly climbed in through an open window, getting into an argument with a 33-year-old woman. Police say he then became involved in an altercation with an 18-year-old man, allegedly hitting him over the head with a glass implement and biting his finger, before leaving the home. Police stopped the man on Head Street, where it’s alleged he became aggressive towards officers, and refused treatment by paramedics. He was taken to Port Macquarie Hospital, where it’s further alleged he spat at a nurse. The 25-year-old was charged with a string of offences including malicious wounding, …

A Newcastle woman is on a journey to share her personal story with other women on the Mid North Coast. But it’s no regular tale – it’s one of strength, health and, most importantly, screening. MORE INFORMATION ON ‘STEPS TO SURVIVAL’ AND DENISE SWEENY: http://www.stepstosurvival.com.au/

State Opposition Leader, Luke Foley, says the government needs to come to the aid of 23 north coast sub-contractors who are owed more than $7-million for work on the Pacific Highway upgrade. The unpaid subbies have been left high and dry by the collapse of Queensland firm Ostwald Brothers.

Police have allegedly found drugs and weapons during a series of searches on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. Officers searched four homes at Toormina and Boambee East near Coffs Harbour yesterday, as part of an operation targeting members of several Outlaw Motorcycle Criminal Gangs. It’s alleged prohibited weapons, drugs, stolen property and communication equipment were located. Two men aged 36 and 51 were charged, while a 30-year-old woman was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice.