August 16, 2026
6,000 subsidised new washing machines available to eligible concession-card holders Be quick - last time this program ran, all available washing machines were snapped up within a week. Image: pvproductions on Magnific.
Community, Government, Local News

6,000 subsidised new washing machines available to eligible concession-card holders

IF you have a top-loading washing machine and are a pensioner, veteran, social housing tenant or part of a low-income household, you may be eligible to trade your machine in for a brand new 8kg water and energy-efficient front-loader for just $250. The NSW Government’s Washing Machine Exchange Program is back with another 6,000 discounted […]

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Preventative health a hot topic at Coffs Probus
Community, Local News

Preventative health a hot topic at Coffs Probus

THE 2026 Coffs Harbour Electorate Local Woman of the Year, Dr Rebecca Tallis was guest speaker at the Probus Club of Coffs City meeting in July. Dr Tallis spoke to the meeting about matters which affect older Australians and how times have changed. She told News Of The Area it was a pleasure to speak […]

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Farmers say it’s time to end the regional mobile black spots Farmers say it’s time to end the regional mobile black spots
Community, Local News, Regional

Farmers say it’s time to end the regional mobile black spots

REGIONAL Australians are calling on the Federal Government to act now on domestic mobile phone roaming and take farmers’ connectivity concerns seriously. The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) inquiry into domestic mobile roaming but says regional communities should not have to wait any longer for things to […]

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Interest rates hold steady The economy appears to be slowing as expected, according to the RBA, but inflation is still too high. Image: wayhomestudio on Magnific.
Business, Community, Government, Local News, National, Regional

Interest rates hold steady

THE Reserve Bank has held interest rates steady for a second straight meeting despite inflation hovering well above its target. In a unanimous decision, the central bank’s nine-member monetary policy board left the cash rate untouched at 4.35 per cent on Tuesday. The result was widely expected by economists and money markets. While the re-escalation […]

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More homes possible as Council moves to unlock dual occupancy development Dual occupancies such as this could become more common in Coffs if the legislation is approved. Photo: Supplied.
Community, Government, Local News, Regional

More homes possible as Council moves to unlock dual occupancy development

THOUSANDS more Coffs Harbour properties could become eligible for dual occupancy development under a proposed planning change aimed at increasing the region’s housing supply. Coffs Harbour City Council has endorsed a planning proposal to remove the current 800-square-metre minimum lot size requirement for dual occupancies in R2 Low Density Residential zones. If approved by the […]

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Coffs Ezidi community marks 12 years since Islamic State genocide Milan, just six years old when militant forces attacked her home 12 years ago, is now completing Year 12 and plans to become a teacher. Photo: Leigh Watson.
Community, Local News, Regional

Coffs Ezidi community marks 12 years since Islamic State genocide

Milan, just six years old when militant forces attacked her home 12 years ago, is now completing Year 12 and plans to become a teacher. Photo: Leigh Watson. The faces they cannot forget: the Ezidi community grieves absent family members. Photo: Leigh Watson. The Coffs community gathers to show support for the grieving Ezidi. Photo: […]

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Push for police drones on the Mid North Coast
Community, Local News, Regional

Push for police drones on the Mid North Coast

MEMBER for Oxley Michael Kemp has launched a new community petition calling on the NSW Government to expand its PolAir-Remote Drone program and bring remotely operated police drones to the Mid North Coast. Mr Kemp says the technology could give local police another tool to respond to crime across a large and often difficult-to-access area. […]

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