DEAR News Of The Area, AT the Council meeting held on Thursday 28 August, 2025, there was a motion to endorse recommendations from the 2025/26 Environmental Levy Grants Program Panel. Various organisations had applied for funding. Sixteen submissions were received and 11 submissions were recommended for approval. Mayor Williams added an additional point to this […]
Group 2 teams to play off for premierships
THE SAWTELL Panthers and Nambucca Roosters are set to play for the ultimate prize during Group 2 Rugby League’s grand final day, at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Panthers enter their first grand final since 2011, which is also the last time they won the first-grade premiership. Sawtell will try to […]
‘Waste-busting’ students get creative to protect the environment
Students of Crossmaglen Public School are finding new ways to protect the environment. Students of Crossmaglen Public School are finding new ways to protect the environment. The ‘waste-busters’ of Boambee Public School. The ‘waste-busters’ of Boambee Public School. OZGREEN’s “Rethink Waste” schools project has inspired the students of Boambee and Crossmaglen public schools who have […]
Teens charged for alleged property and traffic offences
A TEENAGE boy has faced court and another two have been charged over a series of alleged property and traffic offences. Between 12.20am and 1.20am on Tuesday 26 August 2025, three properties in Sawtell were the subject of attempted break and enter offences. About 1.20am that morning, a vehicle was allegedly stolen from a home […]
Residents offered free after-disaster help following May floods
THE Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre (KNC) is offering free help with community recovery in the aftermath of the May 2025 floods. Running until October and funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, residents in Local Government Areas (LGAs) including Coffs Harbour and Bellingen Shire, can phone or drop in to the centre on Wednesdays between 10.30am-12.30pm and […]
Big Banana lights up purple for International Overdose Awareness Day
THE Big Banana glowed purple on Sunday 31 August as a sign of awareness, remembrance and hope on International Overdose Awareness Day. More than 2000 Australians lose their lives each year to unintentional overdose. This is more than the number of people killed in road accidents each year. Overdose isn’t about one drug or one […]
National Touch Championships to return to Coffs
COFFS Harbour is set to once again host Australia’s premier touch football competition. The National Touch League’s The Championships will be held from Wednesday, 4 March to Saturday, 7 March 2026 at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium. As Australia’s premier national championship event for adult participants, The Championships attracted more than 150 teams in 2025 […]
Letter to the Editor: What about the volunteers?
DEAR News Of The Area, WITH council’s proposed outsourcing of lifeguards, an important issue that appears to have been overlooked is the role surf-lifesaving plays in introducing young people to the culture of volunteering and community service. Volunteer lifesavers have a strong sense of purpose and social connection that starts with Nippers under ten years […]
Coffs Coast volunteers take out major regional awards
Tania Hrbacek (front row, centre) volunteering with the Mountain Network group. Toby Mitchell, the 2025 Mid North Coast Young Volunteer of the Year, with his mum at the awards ceremony. Toby Mitchell’s books. The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate presents Toby Mitchell his award. Tania Hrbacek was represented at the awards ceremony by Ulong […]
Council greenlights Urunga CBD reference group
BELLINGEN Shire Council has voted to endorse the formation of the Urunga CBD Community Reference Group (CRG). The CRG will play an important role in the design phase of the $6.5 million Urunga CBD Redevelopment. It will ensure community voices are heard and reflected as the project moves from the vision outlined on the Urunga […]
