Port Macquarie in line for ambulance helicopter base as first designs revealed
Port Macquarie is in line for its own ambulance helicopter base. The first designs are out, construction is set to start elsewhere in 2027, but when will the Mid North Coast get its turn?
Coffs fights for more signs before Bypass opens
Coffs Harbour will be off the highway in December, and the city wants more signs so tourists don’t drive straight past. The Big Banana has one win. What else is Council chasing?
Gloucester Holiday Park under the microscope over flood risk and backlog
Flood risk, a maintenance backlog, and big questions about money. Gloucester Holiday Park is under investigation, but Council insists it is not a decision to close.
Bridge works and tunnel closures to slow North Coast drivers in November
Two bridges and a tunnel. Harwood, Wardell, and Tweed Heads drivers face lane closures, lower speed limits, and overnight detours through November. Here’s when and where.
LATEST NEWS
Local News
New award honours Lisa Intemann as Citizen of the Year nominations open
Know someone in Port Macquarie Hastings who goes above and beyond? Nominations are open for the 2027 Citizen of the Year, including a brand new award honouring Lisa Intemann.
The Lightkeeper takes top honours at Byron film festival
Byron Bay’s film festival turned 20 and The Lightkeeper stole the show, winning Best Film and Best Dramatic Feature. See who else took home an award, including Byron’s own Tibor.
Grab a coffee with a cop in Goonellabah
Got a question for your local police? Skip the formalities and join them for a free coffee at Goonellabah Shopping Centre on Tuesday, 3 November. No registration needed.
Two dead after three-vehicle crash at Suffolk Park
Two drivers are dead and a woman has been airlifted in a critical condition after a horror three-vehicle smash on Broken Head Road at Suffolk Park. Police are asking for dashcam footage.
Tweed and Taree war memorials get a lifeline
Six heritage-listed Tweed war memorials are about to be checked over, and the Taree War Memorial Clock is getting a facelift. Find out what’s in store for the North Coast’s memorials.
What's On
New award honours Lisa Intemann as Citizen of the Year nominations open
Know someone in Port Macquarie Hastings who goes above and beyond? Nominations are open for the 2027 Citizen of the Year, including a brand new award honouring Lisa Intemann.
The Lightkeeper takes top honours at Byron film festival
Byron Bay’s film festival turned 20 and The Lightkeeper stole the show, winning Best Film and Best Dramatic Feature. See who else took home an award, including Byron’s own Tibor.
Grab a coffee with a cop in Goonellabah
Got a question for your local police? Skip the formalities and join them for a free coffee at Goonellabah Shopping Centre on Tuesday, 3 November. No registration needed.
Lifestyle
Regional Australia Bank backs Curryfest, Chillifest, and Blues and Berries
Curryfest, Chillifest, and Blues and Berries just got a big backer. A regional bank has signed on to support the Coffs Coast’s favourite festivals, days before Woolgoolga’s big Sunday.
Rescued orphan Adelaide welcomes endangered sea lion pup in Coffs Harbour
She was once an orphaned pup alone on a beach. Now Adelaide is a mum of three, after giving birth to an endangered Australian sea lion pup at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary in Coffs Harbour.
Kingscliff founder’s activewear goes from run to ocean
One sweaty Kingscliff run, one very tempting ocean, and an idea that took eight years. Danica Ainsworth is racing the Kingscliff Triathlon in her own Sweat to Swim gear.
Caravan hire comes to national parks
No caravan, no tent, no worries. Hire one and set up camp at 16 NSW national park campgrounds, with bookings opening in November. Tent hire is already back at The Basin.
Coffee cup backflip: “cafe killer” laws to go, but not until after the election
Labor will scrap its coffee cup rules, but only after the election. North Coast MPs say “cafe killer” laws are hurting local businesses now, and they want them gone next month.
Vegetable supplier admits price fixing
Australia’s second-largest fresh vegetable supplier has admitted fixing prices on broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce sold to ALDI. A $12 million penalty is proposed, but a judge has the final say.
Environment
$8.28m for drought resilience, and more on offer
Women cutting their own hair because there wasn’t enough water. That’s the kind of drought hardship $8.28 million in new grants aims to tackle, and there’s more money still on offer.
Lismore bin baskets put cash in pockets
About $670,000 in container refunds was going to waste in Lismore. Now 20 new Return and Earn baskets on public bins in Lismore and Nimbin aim to put that cash back in locals’ pockets.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
A new chapter in coastal living begins at Valis
Downsize your home, not your life. A $180 million community of 159 homes is rising in North Boambee Valley, complete with a clubhouse, pool, pickleball courts and cinema at its heart.
New England Business Technology: the local team behind smarter business systems
New England Business Technology (NEBT) is focused on helping organisations “do business better” through tailored technology and communication solutions designed specifically for regional conditions.
HEALTH
GPs say Medicare is failing women doctors
Female GPs spend longer with patients, treat more mental health problems, and earn 93.5 cents for every dollar a male GP makes per hour. The RACGP says Medicare needs to change.
Move for 30 days to support ovarian cancer care
Walk, run, ride, or roll out a yoga mat. Workout 4 Women asks Australians to move for 30 days in November to fund free nursing and support for women with ovarian cancer.
POLITICS
North Coast MPs rally behind Helen Haines
Three North Coast MPs have poured out their hearts for Dr Helen Haines in federal parliament. Hear what they said about heroes, anger online, and the day she returns.
NSW releases critical minerals skills plan
NSW has launched what it calls an Australian-first Critical Minerals Skills Plan as Sydney hosts a global mining conference, and renewed its coal agreement with Japan, the state’s biggest buyer.
SPORT
Soggy Coffs Harbour loses national junior Oztag titles to Werrington
Junior Oztag players set to represent their regions on the national stage are now bound for Sydney’s west, after a month of relentless rain swamped Coffs Harbour’s playing fields.
CRIME
Woman charged over destruction of Kempsey Christmas tree
A 19-year-old woman will face court next month after allegedly setting fire to Kempsey’s community Christmas tree late last year.
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
On North Coast Times engage now
- Opinion | Keeping the Light on the Hill burning
Denise asks what is government actually for? It is a question worth asking at a time when politics increasingly seems to be about outrage, grievance, personalities and winning the daily argument on social media. The post Opinion | Keeping the Light on the Hill burning appeared first on North Coast Times Engage.
