Banksia Coffee Co

Welcome to Erica and Blake from Banksia Coffee Co who have recently moved their cute little coffee van into Bellwood Park. 

You're now able to get your coffee fix while you watch the kids play at the new splash pad and relax by the river.

In addition to the fantastic coffee on offer they also offer a range of freshly baked goods, ice creams and cool drinks.

Flowers Nambucca's new cafe

Congratulations Toby McSweeney and Frankie Vellozzi at Flowers Nambucca, for starting a fabulous cafe. 

So if you feel like a Fonzie Abbott coffee or a wonderful Amaretti (amazing Italian biscuit) or cake, call in to 28 Ridge St.

Flowers Nambucca is open from 9am to about 4pm Tuesday to Saturday, and you can be treated to live piano music most Saturday mornings.

New Residents Welcome Event

New to town and looking to make new connections? Nambucca Valley Council are partnering with The Welcome Experience and Regional Development Mid North Coast to host an opportunity for new residents to connect.

Keep an eye out for our marquee at Open Streets Festival on 14 February, come and meet other residents, our Local Connector Helen Mansfield and find out about supports and services available in the Valley.

Nambucca Valley Business Women's Network (NVBWN)

NVBWN are committed to creating a non-competitive, supportive environment where women can share skills, access mentoring, and overcome challenges together.

The network fosters a sense of community through bi-monthly breakfast meetings held on the second Thursday of that month. Their first event for 2026 will be held on Thursday 12 February from 6:45am at Wharf Street Cafe. 

Valley Business Leaders Get Together

Join us on Thursday 26 February at 12 noon for a 'picnic in the park' and tour of the Macksville Library upgrade for our first business networking event for 2026!

Brad Donnan from the Industry Capability Network will provide an overview of how ICN NSW assist urban and regional communities to increase economic prosperity by bring suppliers and project owners together supported by expert advice and support. A light lunch will be provided. 

Tourism Industry Networking Event

Council is hosting a tourism industry networking event on Thursday 12 February from 5pm at Macksville Hotel.

Come along and hear from National Parks and Wildlife Service who will be providing an update on the Great Koala National Park and get to know other local operators.

Council will provide an update on the destination branding project, visitor information centre and future roadmap for destination marketing.

Seeking Mentors for Young Entrepreneurs

As part of the Launch Pad Youth Entrepreneur Program we are seeking business owners in the Valley who would be interested in mentoring a young businessperson, on a voluntary basis.

If you are interested in being involved, please call Youth Entrepreneur program facilitator, Julie Humphries, on 0439 001 992.

Youth Entrepreneur Program Applications now open

The Launch Pad, Youth Entrepreneur Program is a 12-week business support program for 18–30 year olds who have a business idea or are already running a small business and want help turning it into something solid. 

This free fully funded program is limited to 12 participants and applications close 28 February 2026 so apply now.
 

Valla Urban Growth Area Update

A package of critical horizontal directional drilling works under the Pacific Highway connecting the Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA) to Nambucca Valley Council’s existing water and sewer networks are completed.

The project in a great position to start selling Stage One large-scale industrial blocks, many with highway frontage, from mid to late 2026.

Meeting Rooms Available

The Macksville Library is currently undergoing renovations which will deliver a new meeting room along with improvements to natural lighting and furniture by mid-February.

Additionally, the Nambucca Library has meeting rooms available that can be booked with seating for up to 16 people and video conferencing equipment available for a small fee. Meeting rooms can be booked through the Council website.

Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship 

Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship grants encourage participation of girls and women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics leading to STEM education and careers.

Australian businesses, publicly funded research organisations, VET providers, TAFE institutions and NFPs can apply for between $1M - $2M in funding.

Applications close 18 February 2026.

Emerging Gamemakers Fund

Funding is available to support the development of original, new projects with budgets of up to $500,000 at the time of applying, made by Australian independent gamemakers.

Funding of up to $30,000 is available to support eligible projects, including those that are at the ideation or pre-production stage of development.

Applications close 5 March 2026.

DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream

The DRIVEN Charger Rebate Stream 2025 to 2028 provides funding towards the purchase and/or installation of eligible fixed and portable DC EV chargers to dealerships and EV repairers on their sites.

Up to $3,000 per eligible fixed smart EV charging plug or portable charger is available.

Applications close 30 April 2026.

Strategic Opportunities Program

Businesses and organisations in the screen and digital games sector can apply for between $5,000 and $50,000 in funding.

Funding is available for projects that build capacity, support growth or increase industry participation for audiences and practitioners.

Applications close 29 May 2026.

Agriculture Traceability Grants program now open

The Traceability Grants Program is a part of the Modernising Agricultural Trade, Protecting Australia’s Clean, Green Brand initiative.

The program supports collaborative agricultural traceability projects that assist implementation activities under the National Agricultural Traceability Strategy 2023 to 2033 (the strategy).

Applications close 18 February 2026.

Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support 

This program provides funding of up to $100,000 to business impacted as a result of the reduction in timber supply to certain mills and associated impacts on harvest and haulage operations, following the commencement of a moratorium on harvesting in the Great Koala National Park.

Check if you can apply and find out more on the department's website.

Applications close 8 March 2026.

Graphite Research & Development Grant

Australia is positioned to become a key supplier to the USA and other global markets by capitalising on its natural and synthetic graphite deposits. This program supports R&D in areas like alternative feedstocks, efficient recycling methods, and purification techniques.

This Grant provides SME's with funding and access to CSIRO experts on collaborative R&D projects that focus on developing technologies and processes essential for natural graphite production, particularly for battery applications.

Applications close 30 March 2026.

Industry Growth Program

The program provides an Advisory Service for startups and small and medium enterprises undertaking innovative commercialisation and/or growth projects that are within the priority areas of the Australian Government’s National Reconstruction Fund and help build Australia’s manufacturing capability.

An Industry Growth Program Adviser will work with you to develop recommendations and a plan for commercialisation and/or growth. Once you receive advise you may choose to apply for funding to support commercialisation.

Metering Plan Implementation Grant 

Metering Plan Implementation Grant provides eligible NSW businesses between $20,001 -$100,000 funding covering up to 50% of costs to implement comprehensive metering upgrades, informed by detailed metering and monitoring plans.

Eligible applicants must meet eligibility criteria including spending a minimum of $200,000 annually on energy bills. Applications close 30 April 2026

Safe Work Small Business Rebate

If you are a small business owner in NSW, the $1,000 SafeWork small business rebate can help you purchase eligible safety items to make your workplace safer for you and your workers.

The rebate only applies to safety items on the eligible items list. These items support safety solutions which are high level controls under the hierarchy of control.

Tree Removal Permits in Urban Areas

Council is seeking community feedback in relation to amending the Nambucca Development Control Plan 2010 (DCP) to require a tree permit for the removal of significant trees on private land within a non-rural area.

Submissions close 27 February 2026.

Great Koala National Park Survey

The NSW Government are conducting a survey for members of the community to be able to have their say on the future management of the proposed Great Koala National Park.

The survey closes Sunday 1 March 2026.

NSW Strategic Planning Framework

Planning NSW is seeking feedback on A New Approach to Strategic Planning: Discussion Paper.

The discussion paper outlines the role of a new State Land Use Plan, how the new structure will work, and what it means for communities, councils and industry. The discussion paper is now on public exhibition, and your feedback can help shape the final plan.

Submissions close 27 February 2026

Local Jobs First Bill 2025

The NSW Government are legislating to establish the Local Jobs First Commission and Commissioner, with the Local Jobs First Bill 2025 being part of an ongoing process to reform government procurement to maximise the use of government spend to support local businesses, local jobs and the community.

The NSW Government are inviting interested stakeholders to have their say by uploading a written submission or filling in a short survey by 11:59pm, 20 February 2026.