THE State Government last week announced it would immediately double the number of staff members working on the processing of Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) Recovery Grants for primary producers impacted by the May floods. Since June, the RAA has received almost 2,000 applications and has approved more than $23 million in payments, however the Government […]

ST VINCENT de Paul Society’s “Pete’s Place” in Coffs Harbour has been granted $20,000 from enterprise and training company ETC’s Community Support Fund. Pete’s Place is in Coffs Harbour Community Village and is a drop-in service for people experiencing, or at risk of,  homelessness. ETC’s donation will assist the service in providing essential food support […]

DISABILITY care organisation Pathfinders has won a prestigious Enablement Award for The Most Outstanding Regional Not-for-Profit Providing NDIS Services for Children, Youth and Families. The award was in the Care Services category and recognises organisations that demonstrate market leadership, inspirational performance, innovative service models and a commitment to enhancing the customer experience in the disability […]

YAZIDI community members in Coffs Harbour, who have been petitioning the government for official recognition of their language, religion and ethnicity in the 2026 Australian Census, have received a mixed response. Sami Sheebo, principal petitioner, said the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has decided not to include Yazidi as a language category, but Kurmanji (Northern […]

THE NSW Government has begun consultation on potential offences for landlords who knowingly lease premises to retailers selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes. The consultation includes engagement with landlord representatives, retailers, health advocates, partner government agencies and other key stakeholders. The outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed by the Government’s cross-agency NSW Illicit Tobacco […]

HUMAN remains, believed to be those of a senior last seen at Halfway Creek in the Clarence Valley earlier this year, have been located. The 81-year-old man, David Johnston from North Rocks in Sydney’s northwest, was reported missing on Wednesday 19 March 2025 to officers attached to Parramatta Police Area Command. Following inquiries, the matter […]

NEW rescue jet skis will be patrolling beaches across the MId North Coast this summer, following a record investment from the State Government in Surf Life Saving NSW. This boost brings the state’s fleet of jet skis up to 56. They will be delivered ahead of the volunteer patrol season commencing on 27 September. Mid […]

A NEW Model Code of Meeting Practice for local councils has been released and will come into effect in local councils from 1 January 2026. All councils will need to adopt a code of meeting practice that contains the mandatory provisions of the updated Model Meeting Code by 31 December 2025. Key changes to the […]

THE Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has given the green light to a proposed merger between Summerland Bank and Regional Australia Bank. Regional Australia Bank currently operates 39 bank branches across the New England, North West, Central West, Riverina, Mid North Coast and Hunter regions of NSW, whilst Summerland operates 10 branches across the NSW […]

DEBATE about the delivery of lifeguard services in Coffs Harbour continued at Council’s 28 August meeting. As previously reported in News Of The Area, City of Coffs Harbour Council has butted heads with the United Services Union (USU) in recent weeks over plans to outsource beach lifeguard services to the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS), a […]