Doug Connor

A LACK of access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) on the Mid North Coast is compounding staff shortages at the region’s hospitals. Nurse and midwife Amanda Bailey-Derrett, who serves as President of the Coffs Harbour branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, said the “majority” of the branch’s members are being impacted by childcare shortages in some way. According to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, 88 percent of nurses and midwives identify as female.

A “POLLIES in the Pub” event in Kempsey featuring controversial Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price was cancelled just as it was about to begin on Wednesday, 12 March, following a protest by members of the Dunghutti community. National Party Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan had organised Senator Price’s visit to the West Kempsey Hotel. Promotion of the event was posted to social media and on the venue’s website.

A CONTROVERSIAL proposal for a large-scale apartment complex on Sanderling Avenue, Hawks Nest has been declared a State Significant Development (SSD), potentially fast-tracking its delivery. The Hawks Nest development was one of 18 housing proposals across NSW the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces declared an SSD last week, following recommendations from the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA). The proposal includes three residential flat buildings, with an estimated 103 dwellings.