August 18, 2026
Waterfall Way not just a Bellingen Shire issue: mayor Landslip at Gordonville Crossing on Waterfall Way.
Government, Regional

Waterfall Way not just a Bellingen Shire issue: mayor

A CAMPAIGN is under way calling for recognition of Waterfall Way’s critical importance to people, businesses and emergency service providers across the Mid North Coast. Bellingen Shire Council has lodged its submission on the Draft North Coast Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan 2026, calling for stronger recognition of the Shire’s transport resilience priorities. It is […]

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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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Tax, migration and NDIS in coalition’s economic sights Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled his economic vision in a budget reply. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Tax, migration and NDIS in coalition’s economic sights

AUSTRALIA’S tax system would be overhauled, welfare restricted to citizens and immigration slashed under a future coalition government. In his first budget reply speech, Angus Taylor has conceded the Liberals and Nationals still have a long road to win back the confidence of voters, but asked Australians to “begin to believe again”. The opposition leader […]

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Budget brawl escalates over rival tax cut proposals The federal government has continued back its budget tax reforms despite opposition criticism. Photo: Susie Dodds/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Budget brawl escalates over rival tax cut proposals

A ROW has broken out over the cost of cutting taxes for millions of Australians as Labor and the opposition try to sell rival economic plans to voters. After a week dominated by the state of the nation’s finances, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused the opposition of failing to properly price its plan to bake […]

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Buluunggal Festival a heartwarming tribute to Uncle Bud Marshall Budaabang Bari Dancers performing at the Buluunggal Festival. Photo: Jessica Miller.
Regional

Buluunggal Festival a heartwarming tribute to Uncle Bud Marshall

Budaabang Bari Dancers performing at the Buluunggal Festival. Photo: Jessica Miller. Te Whānau Mānihera from Aotearoa performed a number of dances including a haka. Photo: Jessica Miller. Janie Smith, Nopera Pikari, Uncle Martin Ballangarry and Kiki Marama. Photo: Jessica Miller. Rhys Pavey operating Uncle Bud’s smoker. Photo: Jessica Miller. The Budaabang Bari Dancers. Photo: Jessica […]

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Seafood industry calls for urgent reinstatement of Stay Afloat mental health program Port Oyster Company’s Paul Wilson on the ‘farm’. Photo: Port Oyster Company/Facebook.
Regional

Seafood industry calls for urgent reinstatement of Stay Afloat mental health program

Port Oyster Company’s Paul Wilson on the ‘farm’. Photo: Port Oyster Company/Facebook. Cowper MP Pat Conaghan with Bob St John, GM of Coffs Harbour Fisherman’s Co Op. Photo: supplied. THE loss of a key mental health program for Australia’s seafood industry has prompted urgent calls for funding to be reinstated.  Federal Member for Cowper Pat […]

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Bellingen bursts with talent at annual EJ Mantova Art Prize Judges Michael Sprott and Annie Talve at the EJ Mantova exhibition opening. Photo: Jessica Miller.
Regional

Bellingen bursts with talent at annual EJ Mantova Art Prize

Judges Michael Sprott and Annie Talve at the EJ Mantova exhibition opening. Photo: Jessica Miller. ‘The Italian Vase’ by Charlotte Craib (Marie Warwick Memorial Open Prize). Photo: Bellinger River Agricultural Society. ‘Edgeland’ by Richard Sampson took second prize in the Open category. Photo: Jessica Miller. BELLINGEN community members were treated to a vibrant opening night […]

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Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Centre moves to larger purpose-built facility The new location of the centre on Duke Street.
Regional

Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Centre moves to larger purpose-built facility

NOW IN its second year of operation, the Coffs Harbour Medicare Mental Health Centre is moving to a larger, purpose-built facility, reflecting strong community demand for the free service. Clinical Services Manager and Psychologist Emma Schubert said the move comes after a busy first 18 months, in which the centre quickly outgrew its original location […]

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Liberals’ migration plan ‘strange’, from ‘another time’ Angus Taylor is being accused of trying to replicate One Nation's anti-immigration stance. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Liberals’ migration plan ‘strange’, from ‘another time’

THE coalition’s hardline migration plan has been lashed as divisive and Australia’s multicultural communities say they are tired of being dehumanised by all sides of politics.  Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a plan to boot migrants from the nation if they do not exhibit “Australian values”, shut the door on some asylum seekers and […]

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Walk for World Peace in Upper Orara offers local response to global conflict Buddhist Monk Dr Louis led meditations on love and world peace.
Regional

Walk for World Peace in Upper Orara offers local response to global conflict

Walking with a focus on world peace. Buddhist Monk Dr Louis led meditations on love and world peace. The Dhammaduta Pagoda provided a reflective setting for the walk. AT A time when global conflict and uncertainty are dominating headlines, a small group in the Coffs Harbour hinterland has taken a different approach – walking quietly […]

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