DISASTER assistance payments are now available to people whose home or livelihood has been affected by recent flooding. There are two payment streams: Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) provides one-off financial assistance to eligible Australians adversely affected by the NSW East Coast Severe Weather (from 18 May 2025). […]

Advocacy on the agenda as Nambucca Valley Evening CWA branch attend state conference
NEWS Of The Area joined more than 600 delegates and another 200 observers at the Country Women’s Association’s 103rd State Conference in Wagga Wagga last week. In a statement to media ahead of the conference, CWA of NSW president Joy Beames said, “The high number of motions delegates will be asked to vote on this […]

Nambucca Heads Men’s Shed secures permanent home after decade-long search
A SIGNIFICANT milestone was reached this week for the Nambucca Heads Men’s Shed, with the official handover of the Land Title for their premises, marking the end of a ten-year search for a permanent home. In a symbolic moment, long-time President of the Men’s Shed, John Kent OAM, received the Land Title document from Stuart […]
Transport support for flood-affected residents in Nambucca, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour
THE Community Transport Company has announced it will be providing specialised transport services for residents affected by the recent floods across the Nambucca, Bellingen, and Coffs Harbour local government areas. For the next two weeks, the organisation is offering dedicated transport support to help flood-affected residents access essential services such as medical appointments, hospital visits, […]
Fodder drops provide lifeline to flooded farmers
HELICOPTERS have provided isolated farmers with emergency fodder for their stranded livestock, as part of a range of support available to flood-affected farmers across the Mid North Coast, North Coast and Hunter. As of midday Saturday, 24 May, there had been 43 helicopter aerial drops of fodder, and nearly 131 emergency fodder drops by other […]

Billboard truck promotes the Great Koala National Park
A DIFFERENT approach to campaigning for forests has appeared on the streets of Coffs Harbour. A Streetfight Media truck is touring the region throughout May, promoting the establishment of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). A spokesperson for Friends of Orara East State Forest said the large mobile billboard is to remind locals and visitors […]
Citizen science arts exhibition celebrates the reclaimed wetlands of Yuurrun.ga
Musician and citizen scientist John Laidler. Poet and photographer John Bennett. Yurruun.ga’s wetlands. Birdlife on Yurruun.ga’s wetlands. AN exhibition of artworks celebrating the reclaimed wetland at Yuurrun.ga (Urunga) is showing at Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) between 17 May and 22 June. Created by John Bennett and John Laidley, it is described as a story […]
‘Volunteers make everything we do possible’, says Lifeline North Coast
Lifeline North Coast volunteers. THIS National Volunteer Week, May 19-25, Lifeline North Coast is recognising the individual and collective contributions of all the volunteers who ensure that every Australian has access to hope and connection all day, every day. Lifeline North Coast General Manager Angela Martin, said that demand for services continues to be high, […]
State awards to recognise emergency services volunteers
EMERGENCY services volunteers will be recognised for the first time in the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. The Centre for Volunteering added this seventh category to its annual celebration, following the announcement in March of the Premier’s Flood Emergency Citation. The citation ensures that the unique and vital contributions of emergency responders and […]
Trains cut for coaches during year-long refurbishments
LOCAL rail travellers are questioning NSW TrainLink’s handling and timing of service cutbacks. For the next 12 months, refurbishment of the state’s existing XPT train fleet means there will be a premium coach service between Grafton and Sydney Central. There will be two services each way daily, providing an express and a selected stops service […]