September 16, 2026
The 30% rule of thumb locking people out of the rental market
Government, Regional

The 30% rule of thumb locking people out of the rental market

JUDY Harrison is worried that renters are being unfairly disadvantaged by the application of an un-mandated housing affordability metric by property managers. She moderates the Housing Rentals Coffs Coast social media group, which has more than 20,000 members, and she has seen a worrying trend. Ms Harrison says more single mothers, and other vulnerable groups, […]

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$30m for upgrade of critical Bellingen roads The unsealed section of Summervilles Road. Photo: Bellingen Shire Council.
Local News

$30m for upgrade of critical Bellingen roads

A $30 MILLION NSW Government investment will deliver long-awaited upgrades to Summervilles and Gordonville roads in the Bellingen Shire. These roads serve as alternate routes when Waterfall Way is closed between Bellingen and Dorrigo, as was the case when Waterfall Way was closed for nine weeks earlier this year. Transport for NSW will work alongside […]

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Coffs Coast community collaborates for birthing kit project Volunteers who contributed to the birthing kit project.
Community

Coffs Coast community collaborates for birthing kit project

Volunteers who contributed to the birthing kit project. Zonta Area 3 Director Kate Magee. Bellingen High School students Hannah, Laura and Mollie. Community members assembling the birthing kits. COFFS Coast community organisations have come together to assemble hundreds of “birthing kits” for women having home births in remote regions of the developing world.  Members of […]

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Coramba’s dogs get dressed up for hotel competition
Community

Coramba’s dogs get dressed up for hotel competition

Best dressed dog: Smudge the Blue Cow with his family. Photo: Kate Pye. Best Owner and Dog Look-Alike: Chilli the fairy with her family. Photo: Kate Pye. Runner up: Billy the St. George Illawarra Dragon with his family. Photo: Kate Pye. THE Coramba Hotel’s Sharp Dressed Doggo Competition brought out the valley’s most fashionable four-legged […]

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Test smoke alarms ahead of winter
Local News

Test smoke alarms ahead of winter

WITH 1 June marking the first day of winter, residents are being urged to test their smoke alarms as part of the national safety reminder for Smoke Alarm Action Day. As temperatures drop, the risk of house fires increases due to greater use of heaters, electric blankets, fireplaces, and cooking appliances. At the same time, […]

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Coffs Coast photographer Rob Cleary
Local News

Coffs Coast photographer Rob Cleary

COFFS Coast photographer Rob Cleary has lived many lives across many postcodes. Perth, Devonport, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Cygnet. Then the Coffs Coast came calling. Offered a Tourism Marketing Manager role with Coffs Harbour City Council, Rob finally put down roots. The tourism career made sense. He’d worked with Tourism Tasmania and Huon Valley Council, knew […]

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Vandalism rampage forces closure of Sapphire Beach toilet block
Local News

Vandalism rampage forces closure of Sapphire Beach toilet block

THE Sapphire Beach public amenities block will be closed indefinitely after a spate of vandalism. In multiple incidents over the past two weeks, the building has come under arson attack, doors have been kicked in, faucets broken and toilet roll holders destroyed. Police have been informed while the City scopes the scale of repair and […]

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Endangered frogs found near Karangi battery site Dave Gentle at the natural frog breeding site beside a tributary of the Orara River.
Community, Government

Endangered frogs found near Karangi battery site

Dave Gentle with one of his tadpoles. Photo: Kate Pye. A man-made frogpond. Photo: Kate Pye. Dave Gentle at the natural frog breeding site beside a tributary of the Orara River. An endangered Giant Barred Frog found on Dave’s property on April 23. Photo: supplied, Xavier Gentle with the endangered Giant Barred Frog on the […]

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