The North Coast holds the promise of doing things so much better than many other parts of the world in the face of issues such as global warming.

That is according to Jeff McMullen, renowned 60 Minutes reporter, ABC foreign correspondent and best selling author, who will speak at Southern Cross University on Tuesday, December 5, in a keynote address supported by East Coast Mortgage Trust.

The public address, titled ‘For the common good’, will look at examples from around the world of how people arrive at good community solutions.

“Instead of conflict we will examine solutions in land use, town planning, architecture and resource management based on the fact that we are all in this together," Jeff McMullen said.

"The challenges are global and local, especially in the period of global warming.”

Southern Cross University Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Clark said there were many challenges facing the region and it was important all members of the community worked together.

“We have a number of research centres which are focussed on issues such as climate change and ecotechnology. Through these centres we are establishing close links with businesses, industry, government and members of the public to come up with the best possible solutions for this region,” Professor Clark said.

Event sponsor East Coast Mortgage Trust Chief Executive Scott Collis said: “As a region we are perpetually in dispute about development. We need to rethink how we approach planning and growth so that we can ensure the Far North Coast remains a great place for us all to live.

“Jeff McMullen is an inspiration and his amazing life experiences, can I think, shed light on how we might begin to resolve the challenges we face on the Far North Coast."

All members of the community are invited to attend the keynote address by Jeff McMullen at 10.30 am, Southern Cross University, Lismore Campus, Whitebrook Theatre, on Tuesday, December 5.

Bookings are necessary and can be made by phoning Diana Cooper on 6620 3354.

Jeff McMullen was an ABC foreign correspondent for almost two decades, a prize winning Four Corners documentary maker, the longest serving Sixty Minutes reporter, and now best-selling author and campaigner.