July 21, 2026
Revitalised regional coach network unveiled The majority of services will be operated by modern coaches featuring wheelchair accessibility, improved seating and seatbelts, mobile phone charging points, onboard defibrillators and toilets.
Local News

Revitalised regional coach network unveiled

NEW routes and modernised coaches have been unveiled as part of a major upgrade to NSW TrainLink coach services. A 36 percent funding increase across the NSW TrainLink coach network will lift total funding to $290 million over the next nine years. From 1 July, 14 coach operators will run 49 routes across the NSW […]

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Bellingen’s Raji Renshaw tours with cabaret production Raji Renshaw performing on stage in ‘Max to the Max’. Photo: James Lander.
Local News

Bellingen’s Raji Renshaw tours with cabaret production

ONE of Bellingen’s favourite theatrical exports recently delivered his inaugural performance as support artist for the touring cabaret show “Max to the Max”. Raji Renshaw is already well known locally and farther afield, having starred in commercials for AAMI, McDonalds and Toyota. He has wowed audiences on fashion runways in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the […]

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Forest industry future under review as NSW maps logging reform Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin, Premier Chris Minns and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe at the Great Koala National Park announcement last year. Photo: Penny Sharpe MP.
Local News

Forest industry future under review as NSW maps logging reform

THE forestry industry has been a contested space in NSW for many years, with some supporting the continuation of native hardwood logging and others strongly opposing it. The issue was brought into sharper focus recently with the announcement by the NSW Government of its intention to create the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). The establishment […]

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Charity founded to support early response to trauma Deborah Neale (second from left) and Bernd Ruf (fourth from left) with emergency helpers.
Local News

Charity founded to support early response to trauma

Deborah Neale (second from left) and Bernd Ruf (fourth from left) with emergency helpers. Emergency Pedagogy at work. Emergency Pedagogy at work. Suzanne Polaris has witnessed Australia’s disasters first-hand. BELLINGEN-based educators Deborah Neale and Suzane Polaris are extending the reach of Emergency Pedagogy, a registered charity that is part of a global network spanning 41 […]

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LifeHouse Care expands its community services at Urunga LifeHouse Care’s Mike McCue, Kellie Small and volunteer Donna Ball.
Local News

LifeHouse Care expands its community services at Urunga

LifeHouse Care’s Mike McCue, Kellie Small and volunteer Donna Ball. There’s always time for a chat at LifeHouse Care, Urunga. Morning tea on a Thursday morning. Two satisfied customers of the Pantry. LIFEHOUSE Care’s Urunga Pantry has been growing its offerings since moving into a new space within the village’s Lifehouse Church. After relocating from […]

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Coalition rejects rival camp after losing swag of votes Matt Canavan is back in Canberra after sleeping in a swag while campaigning in Farrer. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
Local News

Coalition rejects rival camp after losing swag of votes

THE coalition remains confident its devastating loss at the Farrer by-election will be a one-off, rejecting suggestions it should form a political alliance with One Nation. David Farley became One Nation’s first candidate to be elected to the House of Representatives, breaking more than 70 years of coalition rule in the southern NSW seat on […]

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Less than 100 Days to Census: Regional Australia encouraged to be counted Data from the 2021 Census showed a significant shift in where people live, with more than 184,000 people moving to regional areas over the previous five years. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Less than 100 Days to Census: Regional Australia encouraged to be counted

THE 2026 Census is less than 100 days away, with Census night to be held on Tuesday 11 August 2026. The Census is an important tool for regional and rural communities, as it shows what local areas need to help them grow, including transport, schools, healthcare, roads and buildings. Emily Walter, Census National Spokesperson, said […]

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Council prepares to release draft rural residential land strategy for community feedback The community will get the chance to have its say on the draft strategy once it is publicly exhibited in the near future. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Council prepares to release draft rural residential land strategy for community feedback

NAMBUCCA Valley Council is preparing to publicly exhibit its updated Rural Residential Land Release Strategy, marking the first major review of the document in 17 years. At its 22 April meeting, Council resolved to include probable maximum flood mapping in the draft strategy before placing it on public exhibition, giving the community an opportunity to […]

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Report highlights impacts of Waterfall Way closure The aftermath of the Gordonville cutting landslip site.
Local News

Report highlights impacts of Waterfall Way closure

BELLINGEN Shire Council has released the findings of its Waterfall Way Business and Community Impact Survey, capturing the far-reaching effects of the nine-week road closure on residents, businesses and community organisations. The key link road connecting Bellingen to Dorrigo and beyond was closed after a landslip at Gordonville Cutting on January 19. The survey, which […]

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Targeting alleged illegal tobacco shops operating in Coffs Harbour One of the Mid North Coast businesses shuttered for 90 days. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
Local News

Targeting alleged illegal tobacco shops operating in Coffs Harbour

A NOTA reader recently noticed shops in Coffs Harbour that appeared to have a few groceries on their shelves and not much else. Customers would enter, they said, and the proprietor would go to the back of the shop and return with cartons of what appeared to be cigarettes. Cigarettes are a source of revenue […]

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