Stroud SES gets new $2.1m headquarters
Stroud SES volunteers have swapped their old Booral base for a $2.1 million headquarters three times the size, built for a patch that runs from Barrington Tops to Tea Gardens.
Surfer dies after being rescued from water at Seal Rocks
A surfer believed to be in his 60s has died after being found unresponsive in the water at Seal Rocks on the NSW Mid North Coast.
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.
Waterfall Way roadworks to slow drivers until 8 November
Planning a trip along Waterfall Way before 8 November? Slope repairs, culvert works, and a landslip fix could add 10 minutes at a time. Here is what is on, and the detour options.
Local News
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.
Free fitness and wellness open day coming to Goonellabah
Goonellabah residents can explore new fitness activities for free at GSAC’s Fitness and Wellness Open Day on 31 October.
Two lives lost in separate North Coast crashes
Two families are grieving after separate crashes on the North Coast. One driver died at the scene at Fingal Head. A woman died in hospital more than two weeks after a crash at Herons Creek.
Farm inspections aim to protect workers and honest businesses on Mid North Coast
A crackdown on Mid North Coast berry farms aims to protect local jobs, stop worker exploitation and ensure honest businesses aren’t disadvantaged.
More than $11 million invested in MidCoast parks and outdoor spaces
More than $11 million has been invested in parks, playgrounds and outdoor recreation facilities across the MidCoast over the past three years, delivering major upgrades to community spaces.
What's On
Bangalow Show celebrates 125 years of country tradition
The Bangalow Show will celebrate its 125th show on Friday, 13 November and Saturday, 14 November at the Bangalow Showgrounds on Market Street.
Young writers make a splash in National Water Week competition
Young writers across the MidCoast have made a splash in this year’s National Water Week Junior Writing Prize, with three students taking out top honours in the competition’s biggest year yet.
MidCoast Council leader recognised at NSW women in local government awards
MidCoast Council’s Tracey Hamer has been highly commended at the 2026 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government for her contributions.
Lifestyle
Moffee swaps Coffs Coast breakfast for Canberra’s 2CA
Coffs Harbour radio host Michael “Moffee” Moffett will sign off from the Triple M Coffs Coast breakfast show on Friday, 6 November, before heading to Canberra to join 2CA.
‘Fish magnets’ return to NSW coast ahead of summer fishing season
Recreational fishers are gearing up for a big summer, with 34 offshore ‘fish magnets’ returning to the NSW coastline to attract prized game fish, including mahi mahi, tuna and marlin.
Flood refuge reborn as Evans Head holiday hotspot
From flood refuge to holiday hotspot. A $2.5 million makeover has turned the Evans Head site that sheltered families after 2022 into tiny homes and camp sites.
Grafton set to turn purple as Jacaranda Festival opens
Thousands of jacaranda trees in bloom will turn Grafton purple when the Jacaranda Festival opens on Friday, 23 October. The celebration runs until Sunday, 8 November.
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.
SBM26: Made on the land, personal style and smarter sales
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three businesses bringing purpose and personal service to their work: an Emmaville family enterprise combining handcrafted tallow and beeswax products with goat farming, a South West Rocks boutique helping women find fashion they feel good in, and a Mid North Coast business consultant bringing big-company sales expertise to…
Environment
Coffs MP warns of costs in reusable cup plan
A $22,000 fine for forgetting to offer a reusable cup in the morning rush? Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh says Labor’s plan hands cafés yet another cost, and Labor and the Greens rejected every amendment.
Why can’t we get this done? Oven Mountain latest renewable project to falter
The latest announcement of a renewable project to fail is the one that no one expected. Questions are being asked about whether the NSW Government is to blame, or if there is a bigger problem about how we do large infrastructure in this country.
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
More GPs worried about misinformation
AI is making health misinformation harder to spot, and more GPs are feeling it. New survey figures show a sharp jump in doctors worried about what patients are reading online.
Lismore researchers land Gates Foundation cash to cut cost of omega-3
Microscopic organisms nicknamed “throstys” could make omega-3 supplements half the price for pregnant women worldwide, thanks to a first-ever Gates Foundation grant for Southern Cross University.
POLITICS
Gun buyback leaves North Coast waiting
Own a gun in Lismore, Ballina or Tweed Heads? The NSW buyback starts next week, but your local station will not take surrenders until February, and the rules on the number of guns are not final.
NSW first to sign new Free TAFE deal
NSW is first to sign the new five-year Free TAFE deal, with $560 million and about 160,000 places from 2027 aimed at housing, energy, digital skills, and essential care.
SPORT
Marist Rams launch women’s tackle team
After years of waiting, Lismore will have a senior women’s tackle league team in 2027. More than 20 women have already put their hand up for the Marist Brothers Rams. Could you be next?
CRIME
Tuncurry man charged over weapons haul
Knives, knuckle dusters, a stolen caravan, and six replica pistols. Police say a Strike Force Ontar raid on the Manning Great Lakes has led to 10 charges and a refusal of bail.
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- 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.
