April 12, 2026
Resident says regional rail service is a disgrace All aboard... an XPT service to Sydney pulls into Coffs Harbour Railway Station.
Local News

Resident says regional rail service is a disgrace

All aboard… an XPT service to Sydney pulls into Coffs Harbour Railway Station. An XPT service to Sydney departs Coffs Harbour Railway Station. Julianne McKeon, who is advocating for improvements to local rail services. A MID NORTH COAST woman whose elderly sister was hospitalised while travelling by coach between Brisbane and Coffs Harbour, believes the […]

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Valla suburb name to stay following Council decision Nambucca Valley Council has resolved to keep the suburb name surrounding the Valla Urban Growth Area as Valla. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Valla suburb name to stay following Council decision

AT last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Nambucca Valley Council, Councillors voted to retain the suburb name of Valla for the area surrounding the Valla Urban Growth Area mixed-use precinct and Boggy Creek Road. Deputy Mayor Susan Jenvey, who moved the motion, said the decision reflected the wishes of the community. “I’m very pleased about retaining […]

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Shock at the petrol pump sparks electric vehicle surge Less pain at the power point. Interest in electric cars is rising as petrol prices soar. Photo: Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS.
Local News

Shock at the petrol pump sparks electric vehicle surge

DEMAND for second-hand electric vehicles is rising with the price of petrol, attracting more than double the number of enquiries since the fuel crisis began. But automotive experts say the record interest also extends to new vehicles and could cause delays as motorists buy electric cars still en route to Australia. Pickles released details of […]

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‘Poorly designed’ minor drug diversion scheme panned The punishment dished out for minor drug possession can vary significantly, analysis shows. Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS.
Police

‘Poorly designed’ minor drug diversion scheme panned

LESS than a quarter of people eligible for a diversion program for minor drug possession incidents are having their matters dealt with outside of court. Crime statistics analysis from NSW, the last Australian jurisdiction to introduce a drug diversion program, shows nine per cent of nearly 12,000 relevant drug events between February 2024 and March […]

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Mountain bike club launches new way to care for Jacks Ridge trails Former Club Vice President Brett Smith has adopted a track at Jacks Ridge Mountain Bike Park. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Mountain bike club launches new way to care for Jacks Ridge trails

A NEW “Adopt-a-Track” scheme at Jacks Ridge Mountain Bike Park is giving local riders the chance to help care for one of the best mountain bike destinations on the east coast of New South Wales. The six-month trial was launched by the Nambucca Valley Mountain Bike Club in mid-February and has already attracted strong support […]

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Positive start for Scotts Head Master Plan Reference Group
Local News

Positive start for Scotts Head Master Plan Reference Group

THE first meeting of the Scotts Head Master Plan Project Reference Group has been held, with community members describing it as an important step towards shaping the future of the village. The Reference Group met for the first time on Thursday 26 March following Nambucca Valley Council’s call for expressions of interest late last year. […]

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Market information sought to inform fuel contingency planning
Local News

Market information sought to inform fuel contingency planning

NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has written to the chief executives of the major fuel companies to seek information to inform the state’s response to fuel distribution challenges arising from the war in the Middle East. While the Federal Government has confirmed that fuel deliveries to Australia continue to arrive as planned, NSW and other […]

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In memory of Urunga character, ‘Herbie’ Nuster
Local News

In memory of Urunga character, ‘Herbie’ Nuster

Herbie, the centrepiece of local artist David Bromley’s street mural in Urunga. Friend James Hughes and Herbie. Herbie the traveller, back in the day. ALBERT Nuster, 90, known fondly as Herbie, passed away peacefully at his nursing home in the Masonic Village Raleigh on 6 March, 2026. Herbie requested no funeral service and was privately […]

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What goes into your petrol pump price? The prices of petrol and diesel at Tea Gardens on Friday, 20 March. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Local News

What goes into your petrol pump price?

GLOBAL events, most notably the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, have seen petrol and diesel prices skyrocket in the last few weeks, with a jump of 10 cents per litre (c/l) seen in a matter of days. As of Sunday 22 March 2026, crude oil prices are around US$122 per barrel – high by […]

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Statewide compliance blitz on fuel prices FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel price transparency tool and provides motorists with instant access to prices from around 2,400 service stations across the state. Photo: NSW Gov.
Regional

Statewide compliance blitz on fuel prices

THE NSW Government has fast-tracked a statewide fuel compliance blitz to “strengthen fuel price transparency” and protect motorists from misleading pricing. At the NSW Fuel Security Roundtable held last week, retailers agreed to use the FuelCheck app to inform the Government when they have run out of fuel. FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel […]

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