Disability cuts on table as treasurer eyes cost spiral
State officials will be briefed on the federal government’s plans to overhaul spending on the NDIS, expected to be announced within days.
Nominations open to honour Coffs Harbour’s Indigenous leaders
Nominations are open to honour Coffs Harbour’s Indigenous leaders at this year’s Aunty Grace Roberts Awards.
Nimbin MardiGrass returns with message, music and momentum
The hills around Nimbin will once again come alive from May 1-3 as the annual Nimbin MardiGrass returns, blending protest, community and celebration in one of regional Australia’s most distinctive events.
Maintenance begins on Old Karuah Bridge after decades of service
After nearly 70 years of service, work has begun on a $6.1 million upgrade to the Old Karuah Bridge.
Local News
‘We are watching’: 200kg of cocaine on catamaran in Tweed River
A Tweed Heads man has been charged after 200kg of cocaine was found on a catamaran sailing into the country amid a probe into a crime syndicate with bikie gang links.
North Coast venues bring Sydney Writers’ Festival to local audiences
North Coast and Mid North Coast communities will host livestreams of the Sydney Writers’ Festival, bringing major authors and ideas locally.
Bellingen Show returns with community at its heart
The much-loved Bellingen Show is set to return on 9 and 10 May, bringing with it a rich blend of tradition, community spirit, and local creativity that has defined the event for well over a century.
Man charged over alleged $2000 fuel drive-offs across Northern Rivers
Police allege a driver used stolen plates and hit the same servo 10 times in a string of fuel thefts across Lismore and Ballina.
Lismore sets long-term direction with expert-led planning framework open for community input
Lismore City Council has endorsed an expert-led planning framework outlining growth targets, with community consultation on the city’s long-term future starting May.

What's On
Nominations open to honour Coffs Harbour’s Indigenous leaders
Nominations are open to honour Coffs Harbour’s Indigenous leaders at this year’s Aunty Grace Roberts Awards.
Nimbin MardiGrass returns with message, music and momentum
The hills around Nimbin will once again come alive from May 1-3 as the annual Nimbin MardiGrass returns, blending protest, community and celebration in one of regional Australia’s most distinctive events.
Bellingen Show returns with community at its heart
The much-loved Bellingen Show is set to return on 9 and 10 May, bringing with it a rich blend of tradition, community spirit, and local creativity that has defined the event for well over a century.

COMING SOON! We’re celebrating all the great locally made products on the North Coast. Whether you grow it, brew it, stitch it, mould it, build it, or any other way you make it, we want to tell the world about it! Nominate your business or creations now.
Lifestyle
Survey shows surge in visitors to North Coast national parks
Visitor numbers to North Coast national parks are surging, with more than 6.8 million visits recorded last year.
Great Southern Nights expands to record program with strong regional focus
Great Southern Nights will return bigger than ever, with 320 artists performing across NSW, including northern hubs like Byron Bay and Boggabilla.
Wage increase delivered for midwives, nurses
Thousands of nurses and midwives have won a landmark pay rise for the first time in more than two decades after an industrial umpire ruled in their favour.
Drivers fuel crackdown as ‘Bowser Busters’ expose price mismatches
NSW drivers are behind a surge in fuel enforcement, reporting discrepancies and helping regulators crack down on non-compliant service stations.
Environment
Annual dredging begins at Tweed River entrance
Annual dredging at the Tweed River entrance is underway, with up to 150,000 cubic metres of sand to be removed.
Light shone on ‘deceptive’ anti-renewables campaigns
A parliamentary inquiry has found ‘astroturfing’ and deliberately deceptive campaigns were common in the last federal election.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
Restoring the Past, Reimagining the Future at Jolly Good Emporium
Behind the doors of 168–170 Beardy Street, a 150-year-old building is being lovingly restored and reimagined, not simply as an antiques store, but as a heritage-inspired space where history, craftsmanship and community…
Unleash epic adventures with the X Series RV Toy Hauler X Terra from Tow World
Whether you’re chasing rugged trails, beachside sunsets, or mountainside campfires, the Tow World X Series RV Toy Hauler X Terra is your ticket to a life lived outside the ordinary. Designed for…
HEALTH
NSW expands access to the pill, putting women’s healthcare closer to home
NSW women will soon be able to get the pill directly from pharmacists under a $4.5 million reform to improve access and cut delays.
EDUCATION
North Coast, Mid North Coast schools share in $100m Easter maintenance blitz
Schools across the NSW North Coast and Mid North Coast are undergoing upgrades during the Easter holidays as part of a statewide $103 million maintenance blitz.
POLITICS
Coalition migration policy widely condemned as bad for regional Australia
The Coalition’s hardline migration policy is drawing fierce criticism, with warnings it ignores the proven success of regional settlement and risks hurting our communities that rely on it.
INDIGENOUS
First ever plan to deal with violence against Indigenous women and children
Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek has launched Australia’s first standalone national plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
CRIME
Man charged after drugs, firearms and ammunition allegedly seized in Forster
A man has been charged after police allegedly seized drugs, firearms and ammunition during a property search on the NSW Mid North Coast.

Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
On North Coast Times engage now
- Denise’s Desk: The economy isn’t the problem – the story about it is
Denise says Australia is navigating a difficult global environment better than most, and the 'crisis' media coverage is chipping away at confidence. The post Denise’s Desk: The economy isn’t the problem – the story about it is appeared first on North Coast Times Engage.
Good News
Local woman smashes military glass ceiling
Kyogle born and former 12/16 Hunter River Lancers reservist Lieutenant General Susan Coyle will be the first ever female Chief of Army.
Maclean stalwart honoured for decades of community service
A Maclean community stalwart has been honoured for more than 60 years of service at this year’s Highland Gathering.
Top state honour for Lismore health professional
Lismore podiatrist Helen McGregor has been named NSW Allied Health Professional of the Year.
Celebrating 40 Years of Caring: Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre marks a milestone
For four decades, the Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre has been a cornerstone of support, care, and advocacy for women and gender-diverse people across the Mid North Coast.


