The NSW Opposition says cafés could be fined $22,000 if they fail to offer a reusable cup under a proposed bill. Under the bill, businesses would have to offer reusable cups through a reuse scheme and could not charge for them. Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh says the plan adds costs and red tape for struggling businesses. The Liberals and Nationals have moved amendments to scrap the mandatory scheme and exempt small businesses, but Labor and the Greens voted against them. The Opposition says the government has not explained how the scheme would work in practice.
Aboriginal names could soon be considered for streets and buildings in Coffs Harbour under the city's first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy. Councillors endorsed the strategy at their latest monthly meeting after it was strengthened following public exhibition and community yarn sessions. The strategy outlines 38 actions and was developed with the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee. Short-term actions include compiling a database of Gumbaynggirr and local Aboriginal names, adding Acknowledgement to Country to email signatures, and creating a network of Reconciliation Champions. Progress updates will be provided through the City's reporting framework.
Tenterfield will move to Level 2 (Moderate) water restrictions from Thursday, 27 August 2026. Tenterfield Shire Council has also announced a closure of White Swamp Road from 10 September 2026 for pipe replacement. Killarney Road is affected by culvert repairs, which include replacing stormwater pipes and headwalls. The council has also announced five new bridge projects across the shire. Separately, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has started an aerial and ground baiting program to control wild dogs.
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Lismore City Council has attached 20 Return and Earn baskets to public bins across Lismore and Nimbin, so residents can collect containers to claim refunds. The baskets sit on bins in the Lismore CBD, local parks and sporting fields. The council says a review found about $670,000 in container refunds was being lost to waste. Exchange for Change, which coordinates the scheme, funds the baskets. The baskets are a trial, and the council plans more across the CBD and villages in 2027 if it succeeds. Residents are asked to keep coffee cups and takeaway packaging out of the baskets.
Former Sydney police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon reported work-related psychological trauma and claimed schizophrenia symptoms during a call to a police assistance line while on his way to surrender to detectives. He is on trial for the alleged murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, claiming self-defence. Lamarre-Condon accused the force of bullying and lack of support, saying it affected his mental health. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Hay Shire Council and FW & RB Crighton Rural Engineering have been awarded more than $5 million in grants under the Australian Government's Sustainable Communities Program. Crighton's will merge its two local operations into a purpose-built facility with new equipment and worker accommodation. Council will establish a regional circular economy hub to support waste management and renewable energy delivery. The grants are part of a $50 million package funding 20 projects across the Murray-Darling Basin. The projects aim to offset the effects of voluntary water buybacks, create jobs and build long-term climate resilience.
A man has died after being pulled unresponsive from the water off Number One Beach at Seal Rocks on the NSW Mid North Coast. Members of the public brought him from the water about 2.20pm on Monday. Paramedics could not revive him after responding to a concern for welfare call. The man, believed to be in his 60s, has yet to be formally identified, NSW Police said. The incident is under investigation, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
A woman from Point Frederick has been charged by Australian Federal Police for allegedly displaying prohibited hate symbols on social media. She is the second person charged by the National Security Investigations teams over similar conduct.
A Westpac Rescue Helicopter was sent by NSW Ambulance to a motorcycle accident on the M1 Motorway at Somersby on Saturday, October 24, at about 4pm. A man was injured in the crash.
A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports that a deepwater ecosystem across the northern Gulf of Mexico collapsed after the 2011 Deepwater Horizon spill, with recovery still uncertain. Populations of octopus, krill, squid and shrimp fell by 60 to 85 percent within three and a half years, and few signs of recovery have appeared since. Researchers said other causes such as temperature and oxygen were ruled out, pointing to the blowout as the most likely explanation. Scientists also noted toxic effects on marine life, and one study found sharp declines in deep-diving whales.
Harry Kane wore a rare off-catalogue Rolex Daytona valued at up to AUD$2.2 million at the 2026 Ballon d'Or in London. The England captain later collected two awards at the ceremony, the first held in London. Other players and guests also wore notable watches on the red carpet. Ousmane Dembélé chose a high-tech Richard Mille RM 055, while Kylian Mbappé wore a vintage-style Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo. Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold wore a Vanguart Orb Flying Tourbillon.
The Central Coast VRA Rescue squad was busy on Sunday, October 25, attending three rescues in just 90 minutes. The squad was activated to a motor incident shortly before 4pm.
