March 13, 2026

Coffs Coast News Of The Area

Modern media delivering relevant community news
Health, housing and jobs stifling the country dream While the country lifestyle and lower cost-of-living was appealing, access to housing, health care, connectivity and public transport were seen as key barriers.
Regional

Health, housing and jobs stifling the country dream

A QUIET life in the countryside appeals to nearly half of Australia’s city residents, but concerns about access to health care, housing and jobs are stopping them making the move. Country Australia is on track to become home to 11 million people by 2032, or 40 percent of the population, while 40 percent of people […]

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Farm fire vehicle scheme launched after series of trials Farm Firefighting Vehicles are commonly small trucks, utes or trailers with fixed water, pumps or fire management equipment.
Local News

Farm fire vehicle scheme launched after series of trials

FARMERS and rural landholders can now register to use Farm Firefighting Vehicles (FFVs) to respond to emergency bushfires near their property. Last Wednesday, the NSW Government launched a conditional registration scheme to enable typically unregistered FFVs to be used legally and under the protection of insurance. FFVs are commonly small trucks, utes or trailers with […]

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Anger over Nambucca Valley Council’s backflip on Great Koala National Park The owner and workers of Bowraville Sawmill are struggling under the GKNP moratorium.
Regional

Anger over Nambucca Valley Council’s backflip on Great Koala National Park

The owner and workers of Bowraville Sawmill are struggling under the GKNP moratorium. Nationals Senator Ross Cadell addresses worried workers at Adam’s Sawmill in Bonville. Photo: Senator Cadell. THE Nambucca Valley’s last remaining timber mill is struggling to stay afloat as a result of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP) logging moratorium. Enforced on 8 […]

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National Parks Association picnic celebrates GKNP
Local News

National Parks Association picnic celebrates GKNP

THE National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) hosted 100 community and environmental leaders from across the North Coast to celebrate the announcement of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). Among those gathered in Bongil Bongil National Park south of Coffs Harbour last Saturday, 27 September, were NPA CEO Gary Dunnett, Greens MLC Sue Higginson, councillors […]

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Raleigh local named Mentor of the Year by Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution Chief of Operations - Residential Care Sanjila Verma and Chief of Operations - Seniors Living and Quality Louanne Riboldi, present Kristie Payne with her award.
Community

Raleigh local named Mentor of the Year by Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution

RALEIGH Urunga Masonic Village Lifestyle Supervisor, Kristie Payne, has been named Mentor of the Year in the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution (RFBI) 2025 annual Showcase Awards. The program recognises the outstanding efforts of staff and volunteers from across the organisation in seven categories. The accolade bestowed upon Kristie is testament to her unwavering commitment to […]

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Empowering Yazidi migrants and refugees through digital education Three new trained digital mentors ready to lead the next round of Digital Sisters: Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre’s Lauren Mills with Enas Qasim, and Kamla Khalaf and Jameela Hakrash.
Community

Empowering Yazidi migrants and refugees through digital education

THE Coffs Harbour Neighbourhood Centre (CHNC) is running Round 3 of its successful, fee-free Digital Sisters program; an initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds in the Coffs Coast region. Funded by the Good Things Foundation Australia, the program is part of CHNC’s broader commitment to social inclusion, […]

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Shorebird season prompts message to ‘take care and share the shore’ Bellingen Shire Council River and Biodiversity Officer Celeste Lymn with a new shorebirds sign on Urunga Island.
Community

Shorebird season prompts message to ‘take care and share the shore’

Bellingen Shire Council River and Biodiversity Officer Celeste Lymn with a new shorebirds sign on Urunga Island. Scientists and Bellingen Shire Council staff conducting threatened shorebird surveys on Bellingen Island. The ‘Dogs Breakfast’ educational event at Hungry Head. SHARE the shore is Bellingen Shire Council’s message to the community now that shorebird season has arrived, […]

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Coffs Community Garden gets new greenhouse thanks to government grant Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh with South Coffs Community Garden members.
Community

Coffs Community Garden gets new greenhouse thanks to government grant

THE South Coffs Community Garden (SCCG) has received a $15,632 NSW Government grant under the 2025 Community Building Partnership program. Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the grant will enable the Community Garden to install a freestanding polycarbonate greenhouse to allow year-round production of seedlings, cuttings and plants. In its grant application, the SCCG […]

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Bush Fire Danger Period begins on the Coffs Coast
Coffs Coast

Bush Fire Danger Period begins on the Coffs Coast

THE Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) began on the Coffs Coast and across the broader North Coast on 1 October. Rural Fire Service (RFS) Superintendent Sandra Huer said following several wet years, fuel loads remain high across the state and the risk of serious bush and grass fires is returning. “Now is the time to […]

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New lifeguard tower installed at Sawtell
Local News

New lifeguard tower installed at Sawtell

A NEW purpose-built lifeguard tower has been installed at Sawtell Main Beach. Prefabricated by Emineo Engineering Services, the new structure was bolted together on site and took just four days to build. “The incredible erosion we saw right across the East Coast undermined a lot of beach infrastructure and that included the old lifeguard tower […]

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