THE state government has extended funding for both the No Interest Loan Scheme (“the NIL Scheme”) and Aged-Care Supported Accommodation (“the ASCA Program”). The Government committed $21.5 million in funding to administer the NIL Scheme for another five years, continuing its history of providing fee and interest-free loans to low-income earners since its establishment in […]

A NEW $50 million fund aimed at building community connections and supporting events in regional areas has been announced by the NSW Government. The Active Regional Communities Package delivers funding through three streams for non-profit local community groups, local councils and cultural or sporting organisations to deliver events, programs and activities. 1. $15 million for […]

THE Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW has released the findings of its second inaugural Annual Women’s Survey, highlighting ongoing health and housing concerns. Building on the inaugural 2024 survey, the 2025 survey provides a year-on-year snapshot of women’s lived experiences across NSW. The 2025 survey opened in August last year and closed at the […]

THE NSW Government is establishing a panel of caravan suppliers to deliver “At-Home Caravan Programs” for disaster recovery. Activated immediately after a disaster, the program will support the NSW Reconstruction Authority to provide temporary accommodation for residents who have lost their homes. The program will see caravans placed on impacted residents’ private property, allowing them […]

LIFELINE North Coast is opening a new training program for volunteers seeking to work in the not-for-profit’s Crisis Phone Service. The training requires commitment owing to the nature of the calls the volunteers will be taking. “It is quite extensive,” said Lifeline North Coast (NSW) Trainer and Centre Supervisor Lyn Anderson, who also volunteers for […]

NEW data released by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) shows the state’s prison population reached 13,133 in December 2025, an increase of 8.5 percent (1,026 people) over the past two years. The growth has been driven by a sharp rise in the number of people held on remand. Between December 2023 […]

A PUBLIC meeting will be held in Macksville to update the community on the progress of an amendment to Nambucca Valley Council’s Local Environment Plan (LEP). The amendment proposes changes to the rules for intensive horticulture in the Nambucca Valley, in an attempt to tighten regulations following a ramp-up in blueberry production in the region. […]

MEMBER for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson and Member for Oxley Michael Kemp are calling on the Minns Government to urgently double the Small Business Recovery Grant from $25,000 to $50,000. They say Labor has failed communities affected by the March 2025 floods, by allowing the deadline for recovery grants to pass without delivering the support […]

IMPROVED methane capture at six high-emission coal mines appears the state’s best bet to hit climate targets. A report released by climate advisory group Common Capital said NSW could help reach emissions targets with best-practice abatement at the six mines, which produce half the state’s coalmine emissions despite delivering less than 10 percent of the […]

THE Scotts Head community is being invited by Nambucca Valley Council to have a say on the future of the town’s foreshore and public spaces, as it begins work on a new masterplan. Council’s General Manager Bede Spannagle, said the goal is to understand what land management practices are working well and where improvements could […]