With Byron Shire ratepayers facing a proposed special rate variation that could push rates up by roughly a third over three years, a federal inquiry is examining whether councils are being asked to do too much with too little.

An alarming report released by the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) in the leadup to National Threatened Species Day (today), identifies the extent of state forests occupied by endangered greater gliders has declined by two-thirds over 27 years, and within the remaining occupied habitat populations have collapsed by a similar amount.

The 23rd Nimbin Performance Poetry World Cup concluded Sunday night after two days of poetry by 32 poets from as far away as Western Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, all over New South Wales and the local area.

A new mixed-use development containing around 200 apartments has entered the NSW planning system for Casuarina town centre.