THE Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre (KNC) is offering free help with community recovery in the aftermath of the May 2025 floods. Running until October and funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, residents in the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey and Port Macquarie can phone or drop in to the centre on […]
Call for volunteers to join Rural Aid’s Farm Recovery Event in Wingham
THE charity Rural Aid has put the call out for volunteers willing to lend a hand at this coming week’s Farm Recovery Event in Wingham. Like many on the Mid North Coast and hinterland, the town is still reeling from May’s record-breaking floods. From 7-13 September, teams will be on the ground helping local farmers […]

New Code of Meeting Practice for local councils
A NEW Model Code of Meeting Practice for local councils has been released and will come into effect in local councils from 1 January 2026. All councils will need to adopt a code of meeting practice that contains the mandatory provisions of the updated Model Meeting Code by 31 December 2025. Key changes to the […]
Life without laundry: How astronauts survive in space
SPARE a thought for the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). They may float 400 kilometres above Earth at 28,000 km/h, eating their dinner out of pouches while gazing down at the swirling blue planet below – but they have one very down-to-earth problem: laundry. Or rather, the complete lack of it. That’s right. […]
Crowdy Head Harbour upgrade set to begin next week
AN upgrade to improve safety, navigation and access at Crowdy Head Harbour will begin next week, with work expected to take around 12 months to complete. The project includes the removal of the existing concrete Jetty 1 structure and replacement with a new floating pontoon, and the construction of 18 new vessel berths, each with […]
Consultation to begin on illegal tobacco offences for landlords
THE NSW Government has begun consultation on potential offences for landlords who knowingly lease premises to retailers selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes. The consultation includes engagement with landlord representatives, retailers, health advocates, partner government agencies and other key stakeholders. The outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed by the Government’s cross-agency NSW Illicit Tobacco […]
Members to vote on Regional Australia Bank and Summerland Bank merger
THE Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has given the green light to a proposed merger between Summerland Bank and Regional Australia Bank. Regional Australia Bank currently operates 39 bank branches across the New England, North West, Central West, Riverina, Mid North Coast and Hunter regions of NSW, whilst Summerland operates 10 branches across the NSW […]
Stargazing: that big ball of nuclear fire
THE next time you see the sunrise, take a moment. That big ball of nuclear fire lighting up your morning sky is not just sitting there politely waiting for you to make coffee. It’s racing around the Milky Way at an eye-watering 828,000 km/h, dragging Earth and the rest of the solar system along for […]
New police recruits for the Mid North Coast
SIX new probationary constables will soon join police stations across the Mid North Coast following their graduation from the Goulburn Police Academy on Friday, 22 August. Port Macquarie will welcome three of the new officers, while Kempsey will receive two and Macksville one. The additional recruits are expected to provide important support to the district, […]
A walk for change: Man and dog embark on mammoth trek for gambling awareness
Andy and Scrubby take the first of many steps. Photo: Leigh Watson. Andy’s trailer emblazoned with statistics that drive home the reality of Australia’s gambling harm. Photo: Leigh Watson. ANTI-GAMBLING activist Andy Hope has travelled through Camden Haven on foot as he attempts to join a group of just eight people officially known to have […]