More than a camera club: Port Macquarie women find connection through photography
A photography group started in Port Macquarie earlier this year has grown into a community of more than 300 women, with founder Kristen Shaw saying it has become less about cameras and more about connection.
‘We will always love you’, world mourns Dolly Parton
Flags across the USA will fly half mast for a week as the world mourns the loss of the queen of country music Dolly Parton, who has died of cancer in Nashville.
Kyogle Council’s decade-long waste levy fight finally pays off
A decade of lobbying, one unfair tax scrapped for good. Kyogle ratepayers are set to save up to $400,000 a year after the state finally agreed the levy should never have applied to them.
Tuncurry Slipway finally back on track after years in limbo
Empty since 2023, fought over in Budget Estimates, and now finally funded: the Tuncurry Slipway has a $13.8 million path back to life, and a mid-2027 finish line.
Local News
Bellingen bakers take on threatened species
Turtles, gliders and orchids made of cake: Bellingen’s Threatened Species Bake-off is back, and Council wants locals of all ages to get creative for a cause worth fighting for.
Grafton skate park upgrade gains ground
Grafton’s push for a safer, rebuilt skate park has picked up serious momentum since June, moving from a radio interview to a packed community meet-up and now to a council vote ordering a full report on the facility’s future.
Coffs Harbour locks in $8 million funding plan for Jetty Strip makeover
Half a billion dollars in development is heading for Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Strip, and council has just locked in how it’s going to pay for the upgrade to match.
New officers hit the beat in Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Lismore
Six new constables for Kempsey, four for Port Macquarie and three for Lismore: a fresh wave of police recruits has hit the beat across the region this week.
Man charged with murder after dawn boat arrest
Detectives swooped on a boat moored on the Hastings River at dawn, arresting a 47-year-old man over the death of Port Macquarie woman Megan Tangye.
What's On
Bellingen bakers take on threatened species
Turtles, gliders and orchids made of cake: Bellingen’s Threatened Species Bake-off is back, and Council wants locals of all ages to get creative for a cause worth fighting for.
Bellingen Shire Arts Trail Weekend opens studio doors across the shire
Up to 100 artists will throw open their studio doors across the Bellingen Shire on Saturday, 7 November and Sunday, 8 November, as the Bellingen Shire Arts Trail Weekend returns for its fourth year.
Rural Aid calls for donations to support farming families through hardship
Rural Aid is calling on Australians to help farming families doing it tough through drought and disaster, with donations funding hay, financial help and support after hardship.
Lifestyle
Court halts Yuraygir horse cull as brumby debate reignites
A 1am dash to court stopped the brumby cull in Yuraygir National Park, for now. Inside the legal scramble, and the local MP’s push for a way to save the brumbies from the bullet.
NSW opens $6 million fund to help manufacturers adopt new technology
NSW manufacturers can now apply for grants of up to $50,000 to help them adopt new technology, under a new $6 million state government fund.
One Nation’s real migration plans revealed to be bigger than Labor’s
One Nation’s promise to “slash” migration to 130,000 has become a policy to increase migration to at least 230,000, live on national TV.
Environment
$51.3m contract awarded for Stuarts Point wastewater treatment plant
Kempsey Shire Council has awarded a $51.3 million contract to build a new wastewater treatment plant at Stuarts Point.
$1 million boost for North Coast bushland recovery
From Byron’s hinterland to the Tweed Coast, three local groups have landed a share of $1 million to repair bushland and protect threatened species from disaster.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
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.
Tow World trusted for honest service and practical know-how
Helping people tow, travel and explore with confidence is what drives the Tow World team every day – and they’re expanding their service capacity with a move to new premises.
HEALTH
Northern NSW hospitals brace for busiest winter yet
Northern NSW hospitals are seeing 22 more patients a day than this time last year. Health bosses reveal where locals should go instead of the ED, and it might save you hours in a waiting room.
EDUCATION
Northern Rivers locals benefit from free TAFE tax support
Northern Rivers residents and businesses are benefiting from free tax support and training initiatives aimed at building the region’s skilled workforce.
POLITICS
Barnaby Joyce fails to clear up One Nation migration confusion
Barnaby Joyce said his colleague was wrong on One Nation’s migration numbers, then confirmed that PALM workers don’t count. But he refused to say what skilled workers we would have to go without.
INDIGENOUS
Funding to prevent violence through Aboriginal sport
Aboriginal-led organisations can apply for new funding to tackle domestic, family and sexual violence through community sport programs.
CRIME
Two charged after alleged machete attack on Ballina street
A quiet Sunday night on a Ballina street turned violent when a man was allegedly struck with a machete. Two people are now facing court, refused bail.

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- State Matters: Defib grants, energy feedback and council awards.
Read the latest newsletter for Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell. The post State Matters: Defib grants, energy feedback and council awards. appeared first on North Coast Times Engage.


