April 24, 2026
Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes The six-month Discovery Pass, previously available for $420, offered unlimited travel across NSW TrainLink’s regional train and coach network.
Local News

Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes

LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald has called for the NSW Government to immediately reinstate three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes, describing the removal as a “quiet cut” that disproportionately hurts regional communities. Speaking in the Legislative Council last week, Ms MacDonald moved a motion highlighting the significant impact of the removal of the passes on […]

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Macksville preschool saved from the brink of closure Councillor Tamara McWilliam and Nambucca Valley Council GM Bede Spannagle, the new president of the Macksville Pre-School Childcare Centre.
Local News

Macksville preschool saved from the brink of closure

THE Macksville Pre-School Childcare Centre is celebrating 50 years of service as a not-for-profit community preschool this year. The half century landmark was almost not reached however, after the preschool fell on hard times that threatened the closure of the centre earlier this year. With the challenge of fixing a severely damaged roof, removal of […]

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Humpback whale migration begins with prime viewing from Nambucca coast A humpback whale breaching off the east coast. Photo: Jonas Liebschner, NPWS.
Local News

Humpback whale migration begins with prime viewing from Nambucca coast

A humpback whale breaching off the east coast. Photo: Jonas Liebschner, NPWS. A playful humpback close to the shoreline. Photo: Jonas Liebschner, NPWS. HUMPBACK whales are passing the Nambucca Valley on their annual migration. Each year, approximately 40,000 humpback whales leave their Antarctic feeding grounds and travel north to the warmer waters off NSW and […]

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Mayors and MPs up the ante in push for alternate route to Plateau and New England Roads and Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison with MPs Pat Conaghan, Gurmesh Singh and Michael Kemp, Bellingen Mayor Steve Allan, and City of Coffs Mayor Nikki Williams.
Regional

Mayors and MPs up the ante in push for alternate route to Plateau and New England

Roads and Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison with MPs Pat Conaghan, Gurmesh Singh and Michael Kemp, Bellingen Mayor Steve Allan, and City of Coffs Mayor Nikki Williams. Michael Kemp, Pat Conaghan and Steve Allan at an earlier inspection of Waterfall Way. COFFS Coast mayors and MPs have met in State Parliament to continue lobbying for […]

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Recovery effort dedicated to fallen Bellingen soldier Volunteers are assisting with recovery tasks such as damage assessments, debris removal, chainsaw operations, and property clean-ups.
Local News

Recovery effort dedicated to fallen Bellingen soldier

Volunteers are assisting with recovery tasks such as damage assessments, debris removal, chainsaw operations, and property clean-ups. DISASTER Relief Australia (RDA) volunteers have been hard at work across Nambucca, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Taree helping residents with flood recovery. Volunteers are assisting with recovery tasks such as damage assessments, debris removal, chainsaw operations, and property […]

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Recovery continues at Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre was heavily impacted by floodwaters. Photo: Taylor Bradshaw.
Local News

Recovery continues at Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre

RECOVERY work continues at the Macksville Memorial Aquatic and Fitness Centre, which sustained significant damage in the recent floods. The Centre has been closed for the safety of the community while assessments take place. Council’s insurer conducted an assessment on the centre on Tuesday 3 June. Initial electrical safety work is now underway, with a […]

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Community donations support evacuation centre Woolworths managers donate gift cards to the Nambucca Evacuation Centre, to support people in need during the floods.
Community

Community donations support evacuation centre

THE Nambucca Evacuation Centre opened at the Nambucca RSL Club late on Wednesday evening 21 May 2025. “As we all know the rain kept coming during this week and forced many residents to seek shelter,” said Adele McCollom, Red Cross Emergency Services. A reflection of the strength of the community in the Nambucca Valley, a […]

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Mary Gibson’s remarkable recovery – part one
Local News

Mary Gibson’s remarkable recovery – part one

MARY Gibson has lived on a hilltop property in Talarm for more than 40 years. A dedicated gardener, conservationist and active member of the community, Mary also has a remarkable tale of recovery to share. Her pleasant and fruitful daily existence took a shocking turn on the morning of December 9, 2022, when she took […]

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Animal advocates shoot down bill for enabling ‘yahoos’ Hunters would receive a bounty for killing invasive species like pigs, under a bill proposed in NSW. Photo: Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Animal advocates shoot down bill for enabling ‘yahoos’

ENVIRONMENTALISTS have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a “fringe minority of men” to let loose. A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday. It would better enable […]

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Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer Reg Craig with Aboriginal Health Practitioner Laurie Clay accepting the Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare award for the Hastings Aboriginal Diabetes Education Service.
Community, Health

Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership

Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer Reg Craig with Aboriginal Health Practitioner Laurie Clay accepting the Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare award for the Hastings Aboriginal Diabetes Education Service. Acting Hastings Macleay Clinical Network Coordinator Jo Campbell presents the Nurse/Midwife of the Year Award to Clinical Nurse Educator Julie Claridge from Coffs Harbour. MNCLHD Acting Director Integrated Mental […]

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