April 18, 2026
Jet skis to boost rescue capability on the Mid North Coast Jet skis can save valuable time in ocean rescues.
Local News

Jet skis to boost rescue capability on the Mid North Coast

NEW rescue jet skis will be patrolling beaches across the MId North Coast this summer, following a record investment from the State Government in Surf Life Saving NSW. This boost brings the state’s fleet of jet skis up to 56. They will be delivered ahead of the volunteer patrol season commencing on 27 September. Mid […]

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New Code of Meeting Practice for local councils Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has released a new Model Code of Meeting Practice for local councils.
Local News

New Code of Meeting Practice for local councils

A NEW Model Code of Meeting Practice for local councils has been released and will come into effect in local councils from 1 January 2026. All councils will need to adopt a code of meeting practice that contains the mandatory provisions of the updated Model Meeting Code by 31 December 2025. Key changes to the […]

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Members to vote on Regional Australia Bank and Summerland Bank merger Regional Australia Bank has branches across the Hunter and Mid North Coast.
Local News

Members to vote on Regional Australia Bank and Summerland Bank merger

THE Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has given the green light to a proposed merger between Summerland Bank and Regional Australia Bank. Regional Australia Bank currently operates 39 bank branches across the New England, North West, Central West, Riverina, Mid North Coast and Hunter regions of NSW, whilst Summerland operates 10 branches across the NSW […]

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Consultation to continue on the future of Coffs Harbour’s lifeguard service Council will continue to consult over the future of its lifeguard service. Photo: CHCC.
Local News

Consultation to continue on the future of Coffs Harbour’s lifeguard service

DEBATE about the delivery of lifeguard services in Coffs Harbour continued at Council’s 28 August meeting. As previously reported in News Of The Area, City of Coffs Harbour Council has butted heads with the United Services Union (USU) in recent weeks over plans to outsource beach lifeguard services to the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS), a […]

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‘Waste-busting’ students get creative to protect the environment Students of Crossmaglen Public School are finding new ways to protect the environment.
Local News

‘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 […]

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Teens charged for alleged property and traffic offences
Local News

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 […]

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Residents offered free after-disaster help following May floods Flood recovery on the Mid North Coast.
Local News

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 […]

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Big Banana lights up purple for International Overdose Awareness Day The Big Banana glows purple.
Local News

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 […]

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Council greenlights Urunga CBD reference group Urunga’s new Community Reference Group will help guide the design of the CBD redevelopment.
Local News

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 […]

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Stargazing: that big ball of nuclear fire Image: supplied.
Local News

Stargazing: that big ball of nuclear fire

THE next time you see the sunrise, take a moment. That big ball of nuclear fire lighting up your morning sky is not just sitting there politely waiting for you to make coffee. It’s racing around the Milky Way at an eye-watering 828,000 km/h, dragging Earth and the rest of the solar system along for […]

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