May 2, 2026
New funding available for regional events
Coffs Coast

New funding available for regional events

A NEW $50 million fund aimed at building community connections and supporting events in regional areas has been announced by the NSW Government. The Active Regional Communities Package delivers funding through three streams for non-profit local community groups, local councils and cultural or sporting organisations to deliver events, programs and activities. $15 million for Regional […]

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International Women’s Day music festival returns to Bellingen Shire Festival organisers Sarah Wright, Cole Flett and Jo Ware. Photo: Jessica Miller.
Community

International Women’s Day music festival returns to Bellingen Shire

Festival organisers Sarah Wright, Cole Flett and Jo Ware. Photo: Jessica Miller. Rhiannon Mitchell from Saltwater Sistas, with science student and creative Amelia Hookway-Jones from Millie By The Sea. Photo: Jessica Miller. Jennie Fenton and Mala spoke at the event on women’s rights, access and inclusion. Photo: Jessica Miller. SARAH Wright, Cole Flett and Jo […]

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City of Coffs Harbour to recoup deferred CBD rates City Centre Masterplan Committee Chair Oliver Gee said the pending opening of the Highway Bypass will be a watershed moment for the Coffs Harbour CBD.
Government

City of Coffs Harbour to recoup deferred CBD rates

CITY of Coffs Harbour Council has voted to recoup CBD Special Business Rate revenue deferred in 2020/21 due to Covid. The move comes after Council’s City Centre Masterplan Committee asked for options to continue funding activation initiatives in the city centre. In reviewing available options, City staff presented the option of ‘catching up’ the shortfall […]

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Weed action program gets an update
Local News

Weed action program gets an update

FOUR-YEAR funding is being made available to local organisations to combat the impact of priority weeds, updating a previously annual grant program. The new $40.7 million NSW Weeds Action Program (WAP) is a key component of the NSW Government’s Biosecurity Action Plan, with funding being provided to 97 Local Control Authorities (LCA). Minister for Agriculture […]

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New recruits for state’s transport and roads agency Bridge Construction and Maintenance apprentice Maddi Ormsby. Photo: NSW Gov.
Business

New recruits for state’s transport and roads agency

SEVENTY-ONE new apprentices and trainees are kicking off their careers at Transport for NSW worksites this month. From filling potholes to rebuilding flood‑damaged roads, planning major works and maintaining heavy vehicles, the new Roads Maintenance and Resilience recruits will join and support frontline teams strengthening the state’s transport network. Following group inductions in Wollongong, Newcastle […]

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Clean Up Toormina volunteers say ‘we can do better’ Clean Up volunteers from Toormina community and Sawtell Dunecare. Photo: Dave Wood.
Community

Clean Up Toormina volunteers say ‘we can do better’

TOORMINA Bushland’s contribution to Clean Up Australia Day resulted in a trailer load of general rubbish, collected within two hours. The event was organised by local resident Brian Steele and included community members and volunteers from Sawtell Dunecare. They worked around the Toormina Community Centre. “While areas adjacent to pathways were generally pretty clean, it […]

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Community pitches in for Clean Up Australia Day Foreshores For All Inc. members cleaned up around the foreshore. Photo: Foreshores For All Inc.
Community

Community pitches in for Clean Up Australia Day

A NUMBER of local groups registered for Clean Up Australia Day, last Sunday 1 March. The nationwide effort to remove litter and protect local environments also included public schools like Ulong and Glenreagh. Community groups included Foreshores For All Inc., Coffs City Rotary, Korora Landcare and Jetty Dunecare. They were joined by individuals who gathered […]

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City set to join other councils in attempt for cheaper power deal City of Coffs Harbour will look to join the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils power-buying group through a scheme known as the Program for Energy & Environmental Risk Solutions.
Government

City set to join other councils in attempt for cheaper power deal

CITY of Coffs Harbour will move to join other councils and lock-in a power supply deal set to deliver “significant financial benefit”. At its meeting on 26 February, Council resolved to give the General Manager delegated authority to enter into a Power Purchasing Agreement. The City currently buys ‘black’ power from Shell Energy for small […]

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Coffs Coast representatives influential at Country Labor Conference Cr Tony Judge spoke at the Country Labor Conference. Photo: Tony Judge.
Local News

Coffs Coast representatives influential at Country Labor Conference

COFFS Harbour Labor Branch members recently joined hundreds of delegates at the Country Labor Conference in Orange. The conference provides important guidance to the State Government on issues affecting regional NSW. Coffs Harbour Branch President Councillor Tony Judge was joined by recent Cowper candidate Greg Vigors, Page candidate Wendy Backhous and well-known multicultural leader Htun […]

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Stargazing: Mars or bust The Tesla continues its lonely orbit around the Sun.
Local News

Stargazing: Mars or bust

ELON’S always in the news isn’t he. Well, he goes way back! In February 2018, the world paused to watch a rocket launch. That’s not unusual. What was unusual was the payload: a cherry-red Tesla Roadster with a mannequin in a spacesuit behind the wheel. The idea came from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, whose company […]

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