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In a first for the NSW North Coast, women will be able to have both their breast and cervical screenings done in a single visit, thanks to a Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) and BreastScreen NSW partnership.

The Cervical Screening Collaborative is an initiative of MNCLHD’s Women’s Health team, ensuring women have access to timely, effective screening with nursing support throughout the process.

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, with more than 70 per cent of cases occurring in people who have never been screened or are overdue for their cervical screening.

A Cervical Screening Test every five years is recommended for eligible people aged 25 to 74 who have ever been sexually active. A quick and simple procedure, the test looks for a common infection called human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes almost all cervical cancers.

Under the pilot project, women will be offered a cervical screening appointment at the time of booking their routine breast screening with BreastScreen NSW, allowing them to opt in to the cervical screening.

The first monthly clinic was held in Port Macquarie with the aim to offer the dual screening service at Coffs Harbour, Lismore, and Tweed Heads in the future.

For women aged 50-74, a breast screening every two years is still the best way to detect breast cancer early, before it can be seen or felt. Aboriginal women are recommended to start screening at 40 years of age. 

Any woman who has noticed a change in their breasts, like a lump, should see their doctor without delay. 

For more information and to make an appointment at a local BreastScreen NSW clinic or mobile van, call 13 20 50 or book online on the BreastScreen NSW website.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Breast and cervical screening can save lives, and I urge all eligible people to get screened when they’re due.

“This pilot provides a seamless experience where women can choose to attend both breast and cervical screening services at the same time.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison:

“Many women have busy lives and often put off important health checks.

“I encourage all eligible women to make the most of this innovative service and book in for the screenings that could save their life.

“The integration of these services means they can get both of these important checks done at the same time. It’ll help increase cervical screening rates on the Mid North Coast, ensuring early detection and better health outcomes for women.”

Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin:

“Offering a combination of screenings for breast cancer and cervical cancer is a progressive win for women’s health in Lismore, Tweed Heads and Coffs Harbour.

“Every woman knows these health checks can be a bit uncomfortable, but they are absolutely necessary.

“Being able to opt in for this dual screening service is convenient and increases the chances of early detection, potentially saving more women’s lives.”

Labor Spokesperson for Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, Cameron Murphy MLC:

“This integrated service will be seamless and life saving. We know that early detection of cancer is crucial and hopefully this new combined service prompts every eligible person to use it.”

Quotes attributable to Labor Spokesperson for Tweed, Emily Suvaal MLC:

“Early detection and prevention are key to delivering effective, timely care that can save lives and provide overall better health outcomes for women.

“This initiative will provide efficient and easy access to regular screening for women in the Mid-North Coast, helping them to manage their health on top of their busy lives.

“This is just one part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes for people in rural and regional New South Wales.”

Professor Tracey O’Brien AM, Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Cancer Institute NSW:

“As a working mother I know how busy life gets so it’s fantastic that we can provide a service that makes it easier for women to prioritise their health and get their cervical and breast screening in one location.

“The self-collection option to the Cervical Screening Test is now giving people a choice on how to do the test, helping break down barriers and encouraging people to take advantage of life-saving screening.”

MNCLHD Women’s Health Clinical Nurse Consultant Renee Bell:

“We know that time is precious and providing women with the opportunity to fulfil two commitments to their health at one location is both convenient and beneficial.

“Our Women’s Health team is excited to be able to offer this timely screening process to the women of the Mid North Coast.”

The NSW Government is continuing its commitment to rebuild the state’s manufacturing industry with the launch of an $800,000 pilot program aimed at boosting productivity, reducing costs and increasing competitiveness.

The Lean Manufacturing Pilot Program will provide small-to-medium-sized manufacturers across regional NSW with funding to undertake audits by professional consultants that will identify ways to re-organise their manufacturing operations.

Lean manufacturing is an internationally recognised business management process that revolves around the principles of continuous improvement, waste elimination, and a customer-centric approach.

It focuses on creating products more efficiently by eliminating unnecessary steps, saving time and using fewer materials in the production process. This approach helps businesses produce goods with fewer resources, without compromising on quality.

More efficient processes mean production lines manufacture fewer products with defects, which in turn reduces operating costs related to providing returns and waste disposal.

For example, a regional food manufacturer might reorganise production lines to improve efficiency, implement preventative maintenance to reduce equipment breakdowns and implement just-in-time inventory management to reduce excess stock and waste.

The audits, undertaken as part of the program, will offer tailored recommendations to help businesses identify inefficiencies, streamline operations, reduce waste and increase productivity, while also highlighting training opportunities for staff.

Several major companies have successfully implemented lean manufacturing to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance productivity over the past decades including Toyota, Ford Motor Company, Boeing, General Electric and Nike.

Many regional NSW companies such as the Bega Group in Bega, Donaldson Australia on the Central Coast, Belmore Engineering at Tamworth, Flavourtech in Griffith and Tyree Transformers at Braemar have also successfully used lean manufacturing principles.

Manufacturing is a key driver of the NSW economy, contributing nearly 30 per cent of Australia’s total manufacturing output.

In regional NSW, the sector generates $32 billion in sales and employs 84,000 workers, reinforcing the need for continued support to strengthen and future-proof the industry.

Industry research by Binder Dijker Otte (BDO) suggests that adopting lean manufacturing can boost small-to-medium-sized businesses’ profit margins by up to three times, depending on their size and turnover.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development designed the pilot program following in-depth industry consultation, which highlighted the need for more support in adopting lean manufacturing principles to ensure regional manufacturers remain globally competitive.

The Lean Manufacturing Pilot Program is part of the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting manufacturing industries across the state as they navigate rising costs and market challenges.

Expressions of interest for the audits are now open to eligible manufacturers and will close at 4pm on Monday 31 March 2025, with funding allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the program, including guidelines and Expression of Interest details, go to www.nsw.gov.au/LMPP or email economic.programs@dpird.nsw.gov.au.

Minister for Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty, said:

“The Lean Manufacturing Pilot Program is an important part of our ongoing support for regional manufacturers across the state, helping them overcome the challenges posed by rising supply chain, energy and labour costs.

“This program is an important step towards ensuring the long-term success of our regional manufacturers.

“We know that by supporting regional businesses to improve their operations, we’re strengthening the entire economy of regional NSW, creating more local jobs and enhancing the long-term sustainability of our regions.”

Minister for Industry and Trade, Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“NSW manufacturing fell in nine out of 12 years under the previous Liberal-National Government, and the Lean Manufacturing Pilot Program is a prime example of how the Minns Labor Government is working to rebuild local manufacturing right across the state.

“Support for local manufacturing is also an integral part of the Minns Labor Government’s recently released Industry Policy.

“Central to the Industry Policy are three new local manufacturing targets, which demonstrate a real commitment to supporting local manufacturing to promote a dynamic, sustainable, and diversified economy.”

HunterNet Chief Executive Officer Ivan Waterfield said:

“Lean manufacturing plays a crucial role in the future of the NSW manufacturing sector. By focusing on eliminating waste and improving efficiency, it helps manufacturers reduce costs and enhance productivity.

“In a time of scarce resources, a strong Lean culture helps manufacturing companies improve their efficiency and their P&L.

“The Lean Manufacturing Pilot Program by the NSW Government is a significant step towards supporting regional manufacturers in becoming more competitive on a global scale and is something that HunterNet fully supports and endorses.”

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the Newcastle area.

Katrina Johnson, aged 30, was last made contact with family members on Thursday 6 March 2025.

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command were notified on Thursday 18 March 2025 and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts, with ongoing inquiries being made by Newcastle City Police Area Command.

Police and family hold concerns for Katrina’s welfare.

She is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, of thin build, with pink and blue hair and several tattoos over her body.

Katrina is known to frequent the Sydney and Newcastle areas.

Anyone with information about Katrina’s whereabouts is urged to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing from the Newcastle area.

Logan Wilson, aged 27, was last seen in New Lambton about 2.20pm on Monday 17 March 2025.

When he could not be located or contacted officers from Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

There are concerns for Logan’s welfare as his disappearance is out of character.

Logan is described as being Caucasian in appearance, about 170-175cm tall, medium build and brown hair.

He is known to frequent the New Lambton, North Lambton, Rankin Park, Kotara, Adamstown, Cameron Park and Glendale areas.

Anyone with information about Logan’s whereabouts is urged to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.