February 25, 2026
Emergency Services Levy reform to face parliamentary inquiry
Government

Emergency Services Levy reform to face parliamentary inquiry

OPTIONS to reduce household insurance costs and fix an “unfair funding model” for emergency services will be put to a NSW parliamentary inquiry. While emergency services benefit everyone, most of their funding comes from a levy not everyone pays. The NSW Government says it is committed to removing this Emergency Services Levy (ESL) and replacing […]

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Rock and Roll Weekend strikes the right chord in Nambucca Heads
Community

Rock and Roll Weekend strikes the right chord in Nambucca Heads

Brian Dwyer, Robert Nicholls and Sue Copeland with an amazing 1965 Galaxie Convertible. Rusty the Dog takes pride of place on his dad Peter Armytage’s 1935 Hudson Terraplane. Dancers rocking out to the sounds of Buddy Love and The Tremors. THE Nambucca Heads RSL Club auditorium took a leap back in time from 12–15 February […]

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Rain fails to dampen spirits at Open Streets Festival Dante from Hoorai Balloons created enormous fleeting artwork along the riverbank. Photo: Mick Birtles.
Local News

Rain fails to dampen spirits at Open Streets Festival

Dante from Hoorai Balloons created enormous fleeting artwork along the riverbank. Photo: Mick Birtles. Zenzi Grace and Zella Young, creators of The Great Fashion Stitch Up, are pictured with Cole Tucker, Elise McCabe and Sophia Luxton. Photo: Mick Birtles. Anne Sutton, Michelle Walker and Linda Jerrison from the Nambucca Macksville Evening View Club. Photo: Mick […]

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Council votes to not appeal polytunnels decision Polytunnels are not farm buildings, according to the Land and Environment Court. Photo: Val Vannet.
Government

Council votes to not appeal polytunnels decision

THE NSW Land and Environment Court (NSW LEC) recently decided in favour of an appeal against a Development Control Order issued by the City of Coffs Harbour on 6 December 2024, requiring a landowner to stop construction of polytunnels on the basis of them being a form of ‘farm buildings’, which required development consent. The […]

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NSW Government invests $1 million to fund biocontrol research to manage weeds Dr Ben Gooden, CSIRO research scientist, surrounded by fleabane weed. Image GRDC
Government

NSW Government invests $1 million to fund biocontrol research to manage weeds

THE NSW Government has granted $1 million to Australia’s national science agency the CSIRO to carry out biocontrol research to help control invasive weeds. Biocontrol reduces weeds by deploying natural biological agents, such as fungi or insects, and is considered increasingly important as an environment-friendly, self-sustaining and cost-effective weed-management tool. Invasive weeds cost Australian agriculture […]

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Blueberry opposition meeting draws a crowd in Macksville
Local News

Blueberry opposition meeting draws a crowd in Macksville

MORE than 130 people attended a public meeting hosted by the Nambucca Environment Network (NEN) at the Macksville Ex-Services Club on Monday night. NEN has spent the last several years lobbying against intensive blueberry farming in the region. Speakers at the event included Greens Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) Cate Faehrmann and Nambucca Valley […]

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Six inspiring love stories celebrated on Valentine’s Day
Local News

Six inspiring love stories celebrated on Valentine’s Day

Elaine and Mervyn. Elaine and Warwick. Jeanette and Robert. Errol and Jeannette. Ellie and Ray. Bev and Brian. THIS Valentine’s Day, Autumn Lodge in Macksville is celebrating six long‑lasting love stories. Together, these couples share more than 340 years of marriage and partnership – a testament to the strength of their devotion to one another. […]

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Australian social media ban both a success and failure While gaining global traction, Australia's social media ban might not be ideal in addressing harm. Photo: Nadir Kinani/AAP PHOTOS.
Government, National

Australian social media ban both a success and failure

WHEN Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez revealed plans to ban children younger than 16 from social media, he did so based on a precedent set in Australia. His announcement at the World Governments Summit came two months after an Australian law directing tech giants including Google, Facebook and TikTok to take “reasonable steps” to prevent […]

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