City of Coffs Harbour to retain in-house lifeguard service
Coffs Harbour will retain its in-house lifeguard service after reviewing an external proposal, citing strong community support and opportunities for improvement.
Man dies in marine accident on Breckenridge Channel
A 79-year-old man has died after a boat struck a sandbank near Forster, throwing him forward and causing fatal head injuries.
Driver charged after fatal cyclist crash on Mid North Coast
A man has been charged following a crash that claimed the life of a cyclist on the state’s Mid North Coast late last year.
Call for nominations for 2026 Healing Heart Award
Public nominations are now open for the 2026 Healing Heart Award, recognising outstanding nurses and midwives across Northern NSW for compassionate, high-quality care.
Local News
Coffs Harbour secures Qantas fare relief during Melbourne flight pause
Coffs Harbour travellers will receive fare protections and discounted flights as Qantas pauses direct Melbourne services for four weeks from May.
NDIS overhaul to kick 160,000 people off, hit regions hardest
Up to 160,000 people could lose NDIS support under sweeping reforms — with regional communities expected to feel the impact most.
Keep your old clothes out of landfill with new drop-off recycling
Got clothes you don’t wear? Ballina’s new drop-off day makes it easy to recycle them — without leaving your car.
Stormwater upgrades completed across more than 100 rural sites
Stormwater upgrades across more than 100 sites are helping keep Lismore’s rural roads open during heavy rain.
North Coast, Mid North Coast targeted in bushfire hazard reduction push
A new state government taskforce is targeting high-risk areas as part of a broader push to accelerate hazard reduction and strengthen bushfire preparedness.
What's On
Call for nominations for 2026 Healing Heart Award
Public nominations are now open for the 2026 Healing Heart Award, recognising outstanding nurses and midwives across Northern NSW for compassionate, high-quality care.
Keep your old clothes out of landfill with new drop-off recycling
Got clothes you don’t wear? Ballina’s new drop-off day makes it easy to recycle them — without leaving your car.
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.
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.
North Coast surf clubs secure share of $5.45m funding boost
North Coast and Mid North Coast surf clubs will upgrade facilities after securing funding under the NSW Government’s $5.45 million Surf Club Facility Program.
Nationals call for urgent action on feral pig surge in Northern Rivers
Nationals MPs are urging urgent government action as feral pig populations surge, causing widespread damage to farms across the Richmond and Clarence valleys.
30 cents more on weekly shop to deliver $1m more for local farmers
Households will pay about 30 cents more a week for milk after Norco moved to increase what it pays local dairy farmers, delivering an estimated $1 million a month back into local communities.
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
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.
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
‘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.
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
On North Coast Times engage now
- Begin Rant: Should we split Northern NSW into its own state? Yes.
RK Crosby says the issue of Statehood does tend to resurface whenever the gap between what our communities need and what they get becomes painful. Like now. The post Begin Rant: Should we split Northern NSW into its own state? Yes. 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.