March 12, 2026
Strict welfare guidelines as government legalises virtual stock fencing The CSIRO’s patented neckbands use GPS and wireless sensors to control cattle movements. Photo: CSIRO.
Regional

Strict welfare guidelines as government legalises virtual stock fencing

CATTLE and dairy farmers have welcomed the government’s decision to legalise virtual stock fencing, which involves using GPS collars to control the animals through audio cues and electric shocks. The move is expected to reduce physical fencing costs, improve rotational grazing systems, and provide remote access to data on the welfare of herds. Minister for […]

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Modern Slavery Committee meets in Coffs Harbour A parliamentary inquiry is underway into the risks faced by temporary workers in regional NSW. Photo: Anti-Slavery Australia.
Local News

Modern Slavery Committee meets in Coffs Harbour

THE NSW Parliament’s Modern Slavery Committee travelled to Coffs Harbour to hold its fifth public hearing last week as part of its inquiry into the risks faced by temporary migrant workers in rural and regional NSW. The committee heard from service providers who work directly with victim-survivors of modern slavery in the Mid North Coast […]

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Coffs Coast Veterans Wellbeing Centre opens in CODA Coffs Harbour
Community

Coffs Coast Veterans Wellbeing Centre opens in CODA Coffs Harbour

Advocates and support staff at the new Coffs Coast Veterans Wellbeing Centre. Advocates and support staff at the new Coffs Coast Veterans Wellbeing Centre. Members of C.ex Coffs join with members of the new Coffs Coast Veterans Wellbeing Centre in CODA. Member for Oxley Michael Kemp, NSW Minister of Veterans David Harris MP, Member for […]

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Oceanic themed costumes aswirl in latest YAM exhibition
Local News

Oceanic themed costumes aswirl in latest YAM exhibition

Hossei merchandise available on site Carnival entrance pops with warm welcome Costumes as objet d’art ESSSENSSSE is a whimsical installation by contemporary artist HOSSEI that draws inspiration from the sand dollar, the sea creature once believed to be the currency of mermaids. The exhibition is open now and can be seen until 1 February. The […]

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Bonville Sawtell Lions host seniors Christmas lunch
Local News

Bonville Sawtell Lions host seniors Christmas lunch

BONVILLE Sawtell Lions Club hosted their 31st Seniors Christmas lunch on Sunday 7 December in the Bonville Hall. It started in the early 1990s, when service clubs and charities held a large, combined senior’s Christmas lunch for Coffs Harbour and Sawtell seniors at the racecourse. “Seniors from the Bonville area were not invited and were […]

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Coffs student works backstage at Schools SpecFest Coffs Harbour Senior School student Grace Sutherland operates the gear.
School

Coffs student works backstage at Schools SpecFest

Coffs Harbour Senior School student Grace Sutherland operates the gear. Coffs Harbour Senior School student Grace Sutherland operates the gear. COFFS Harbour Senior College Year 12 student Grace Sutherland, was among 6000 students participating in the world’s largest amateur variety show, the Schools Spectacular at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on 29-30 November. Grace is studying […]

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Coffs Coast women step up to triathlon challenge Women of all ages and stages of fitness took up the challenge of the Women’s Triathlon Open Race 2025. Photo: Phoenix Nash.
Community

Coffs Coast women step up to triathlon challenge

Women of all ages and stages of fitness took up the challenge of the Women’s Triathlon Open Race 2025. Photo: Phoenix Nash. Supportive spirit at the Women’s Triathlon. Photo: Elize Strydom. Pete’s Place Manager Gai Newman. Photo: Phoenix Nash. First time triathletes Shelley Larner and Alisha Collis from Grafton. One of the official photographers, BDC […]

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Barnaby Joyce announces defection to One Nation Barnaby Joyce MP at an anti-wind farm rally in Port Stephens. Photo: Doug Connor.
Local News

Barnaby Joyce announces defection to One Nation

MAVERICK MP Barnaby Joyce will join Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party. After weeks of speculation, the New England MP and former deputy prime minister has confirmed he would move to the far-right party, after previously representing the Nationals. He will sit in the House of Representatives for the rest of the parliamentary term as a […]

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Big step as restored boiler gets certified in Glenreagh steam train project The ‘1919’ steam engine at Glenreagh.
Community

Big step as restored boiler gets certified in Glenreagh steam train project

A milestone for the Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail project. ‘1919’ steams into a new era. The ‘1919’ steam engine at Glenreagh. THE Tallowood Mountain Rail Trail restoration project has reached a significant milestone, with the boiler of the 148-year-old steam engine ‘1919’ officially inspected and certified for operation. Over the past year, a dedicated volunteer […]

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Oxley MP Michael Kemp returns for 2027 election tilt Oxley MP Michael Kemp will run again in 2027. Photo: Michael Kemp MP FB.
Local News

Oxley MP Michael Kemp returns for 2027 election tilt

MICHAEL Kemp has been unanimously re-endorsed as the National Party’s candidate for the Oxley electorate in the 2027 state election. The incumbent MP again received the support of his party at the Nationals’ Oxley division State Electorate Council meeting on Saturday, 6 December. Mr Kemp said he was humbled by the confidence placed in him […]

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