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Coffs Coast Business News - July 2026
Each month, the City of Coffs Harbour's Economic Development & Tourism Team collates information for all businesses, large and small, across the Coffs Coast - helping you stay informed, keep connected, and feel supported.
We hope you find our monthly newsletter valuable. Please feel free to forward it to colleagues and your team. They can also subscribe to receive a copy directly. Previous editions of Coffs Coast Business News are available to view here.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Business events and training
- Leadership in the Era of Firestorm Disruption - Tuesday 14 July
- Business at the Brewery: Woolgoolga Wayfinding Project - Thursday 16 July
- Coffee & Conversation: Leadership, Safety, and Business Support - Wednesday 22 July
- Business NSW Costs of Doing Business Forum - Wednesday 29 July
- North Coast Tourism Symposium - Thursday 30 July
Local news and opportunities
- In case you missed it around the region
- Finalists announced 2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards
- 2 Castle Street Coffs Harbour listed for sale
- Changes to businesses (Federal, State, Local)
Grant funding and business support
- Coffs Harbour Grant Finder
- Drive Electric NSW - EV Fleets Incentive: Kick-Start Funding (applications extended)
- Creative Australia - International Travel Fund: Market Development
- Arts Mid North Coast - Seed Grants
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
What's On Coffs Coast and major event calendar
LOCAL BUSINESS EVENTS
Professor Woodward's keynote, Leadership in the Era of Firestorm Disruption, comes at a time when businesses and communities are dealing with economic uncertainty, workforce shortages, rising costs, technological change, artificial intelligence and shifting customer expectations.
For leaders, the question is no longer whether disruption will occur, but whether we are ready to respond when it does.
Tuesday 14 July, 5.30pm, Coffs Harbour Conservatorium, 1/6a Bray Street Coffs Harbour.
The Woolgoolga & Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce is seeking feedback from local businesses and stakeholders on a proposed upgrade to wayfinding signage, branding, and visitor navigation throughout the Woolgoolga Industrial Estate.
Thursday 16 July, 5.00pm - 6.30pm, 7 Willis Road, Woolgoolga
Join the Coffs Coast Safety Network and connect with local leaders over coffee to gain practical insights into leadership, safety, workforce challenges and business growth. Guest speakers from Men and Women at Work, and Business NSW Mid North Coast.
Wednesday 22 July, 8.00am - 10.00am, Key Cafe, 61 W High Street, Coffs Harbour
Rising costs continue to place pressure on businesses across the Mid North Coast, with workers’ compensation and industrial relations compliance remaining key drivers of cost and complexity.
Join Business NSW Mid North Coast for a focused forum bringing together senior leaders, businesses, and medical professionals to explore practical, collaborative solutions to improve workers’ compensation outcomes.
The program will also include an interactive session with the Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors (ABLA) team.
Wednesday 29 July, 9.00am - 1.00pm, D Block Theatre, CHEC, 363 Hogbin Drive
The 2026 North Coast Tourism Symposium is a full-day conference where industry leaders will gather to celebrate and showcase the innovative, entrepreneurial, and sustainable practices that are actively transforming our visitor economy for future success.
This year’s Symposium, themed “From Vision to Visitor Ready: Distinctive Places, Shared Future” is designed to both inform and inspire, providing industry-leading insights, actionable strategies aligned with the NSW Visitor Economy 2035, and meaningful networking opportunities.
- Wednesday 29 July: Welcome Party. 5pm - 7pm. Big Banana Fun Park
- Thursday 30 July: Symposium. 8.30am - 5.00pm, Aanuka Beach House
LOCAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Check out this monthly snapshot of articles, marketing activities, and campaigns making news across our region and beyond. Here's what's happening:
- Coffs Coast Blog: 10 things to love about the Coffs Coast this winter
- NSW Government: North Coast on show during international Trade Mission
- Channel Nine: Nostalgic NSW train journey most Aussies have never heard of (featuring Coffs Harbour)
- Reflections Holidays: The Ultimate NSW Road Trip Showdown (featuring Coffs Coast)
ALL COFFS COAST BUSINESSES are invited to share these news stories in their business marketing. This is a great way to bring people from out of the area to your business - and the content is already created for you.
Congratulations to the following Coffs Coast businesses named as finalists for the North Coast Regional Tourism Awards!
- Aanuka Beach House
- C-Change Adventures
- Coffs Coast Accommodation
- Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
- Coffs Harbour Trike & Private Tours
- Hoey Moey (Park Beach Hotel) Tidal Sounds Music Festival
- The Hoey Moey (Park Beach Hotel Motel)
- Spare Chef Catering
- The Big Banana Fun Park
- Woolgoolga Brewing Co.
- Yarrila Arts & Museum
Winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner on 30 July 2026 at Pacific Bay Resort.
As a result of Council Resolution 2026/26 from its January meeting, Lots 1 & 2 DP 566885 and Lot 8 Section 6 DP 758258, known as 2 Castle Street Coffs Harbour (former Council Chambers) has been listed on the open market for sale.
- 3,038sqm Landmark Freehold Corner Site
- 44m Max Build Height | 4.5:1 FSR
- Flexible E2 Commercial Centre zoning
Expressions of Interest close 4pm Thursday 30 July 2026.
With a number of changes impacting local businesses starting from today, the City's Economic Development & Tourism team wants to ensure you're kept in the loop. Click the images below to:
- Get a quick overview of the latest State & Federal changes (from 1 July 2026) including updates to minimum wages, superannuation payments, parental leave, business communications and industry-specific regulations.
- Take a short (less than 5 minutes) Business Bypass Readiness check-in to tell us
- How prepared businesses are for the changes ahead
- What challenges you’re expecting
- What support would make the biggest difference
Seafood labelling laws now in effect
One of the key changes from above starting today, is local hospitality businesses must label seafood origin on menus (Australian, Imported, or Mixed).
Coffs Coast business, Sea Salt, explains what this means in the latest Business.gov.au video.
GRANT FUNDING & BUSINESS SUPPORT
COFFS HARBOUR GRANT FINDER
The City of Coffs Harbour provides a free service for locals to find grants and grant writing tips. Register to be notified of specific grants for your business or organisation.
The NSW Government's Kick-start funding aims to accelerate the adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by supporting eligible organisations to transition their fleets to cleaner, low-emission technology. This funding will assist with procuring BEVs and optional smart charging infrastructure to drive sustainable transport solutions and contribute to emissions reduction targets.
- Grants available from $5,000 to $1,200,000.
- Applications have been extended to 30 November 2026.
Creative Australia's International Travel Fund: Market Development aims to support international travel costs associated with Australian artists, authors, illustrators, creative workers and organisations attending significant market development platforms or key gatherings overseas that promote, publish, market, pitch, sell or export works into international markets.
- Grants available from $5,000 to $20,000.
- Two rounds of funding are available in 2026, closing 4 August and 10 November.
Arts MNC SEED Grants Program supports community-driven and place-based creative projects across the Mid North Coast. SEED provides flexible funding to support artists and communities to realise ideas, activate spaces, and grow creative practice.
Funding is open to individuals, groups and not-for-profit organisations based in the Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey, and Port Macquarie LGAs.
- Grants available from $500 to $2,500.
- Applications close 24 July 2026.
Two Australian Government programs may provide alternative ways to recruit and build workforce capability, particularly where filling roles has been difficult.
Launch into Work is designed for employers with entry‑level vacancies who are open to a more tailored approach to recruitment. Through a short pre‑employment project, employers can help shape job‑ready candidates by focusing on the skills, behaviours and workplace exposure that actually matter in their business. Projects are co‑designed around specific vacancies and allow employers to assess candidates based on fit, attitude and potential — not just prior experience. https://www.dewr.gov.au/launch-work
Real Jobs, Real Wages (RJRW) supports employers to grow or diversify their workforce by recruiting job seekers into ongoing, secure roles. The program includes assistance with recruitment and onboarding, post‑placement support to improve retention, and financial incentives of up to $15,000 to help offset wage and establishment costs. https://www.workforceaustralia.gov.au/businesses/help/hire/real-jobs-real-wages
The Department's Employer Liaison Officer, Kat Seiffert, is available to support businesses through each step, including coordinating contacts, answering questions, and helping to minimise time, complexity and paperwork involved.
WHAT'S ON @ COFFS COAST
Sawtell Chilli Festival
4 July
NAIDOC Week
5-12 July
Woolgoolga Wellness Expo
11 July
Glenreagh Timber Festival
25 July
Please reach out to our team at City of Coffs Harbour if you have any questions.
Check out our 6 degrees business support website for business events and resources.
For tourism industry and visitor economy business support and information, go to our Coffs Coast tourism industry hub.
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