Valley rolls out the welcome mat for regional leaders

Published on 12 May 2026

A group of regional leaders visited Nambucca Valley on Friday 8 May, touring Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA) Stage One, Macksville business Swale Industries and the iconic Pub with no Beer.

The group was coordinated by Business NSW Mid North Coast, as part of its Regional Leaders Program, which includes events and tours in areas across the Mid North Coast.

Business NSW Mid North Coast Regional Director Rod Barnaby said it was excellent to have visited the Nambucca Valley, a region with dedicated long-term manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, transport, and tourism businesses.

“We’re really lucky on the Mid North Coast to have leading business in so many industry sectors,” he said.

“Several of these great manufacturing and advanced manufacturing businesses are right here in the Nambucca Valley, which is why we chose to have the May Regional Leaders Advisory Board meeting and tour here this month.

“Seeing Valla Urban Growth Area was exciting – with its 13 large-size industrial lots, some with Pacific Motorway frontage, it clearly has the potential to supercharge industry and create a brand new industrial hub, half-way between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, Brisbane and Sydney.”

Nambucca Valley Council Director Engineering Services David Moloney presented to the Regional Leaders group on the Valla Urban Growth Area.

“Here at VUGA, we’ve moved about 130,000 cubic metres of material, with two scrapers and three bulldozers to create the new industrial precinct,” he said.

“We’ve put in about 1.5 kilometres of stormwater drainage here, all of the footpaths are installed, the road is asphalted and all of the industrial lots are fully serviced, with reticulated water, sewer and fibre to the premises nbn connection.

“Reaching this stage of construction completion on the western side of the Pacific Motorway, and just the sewer pump station and some pipe laying to go on the eastern side, means new industrial land is nearing its release in 2026.”

The Regional Leaders bus stopped next at Swale Industries, 36 McKay Street in Macksville.

Swale Industries owner Matthew Taylor said his business’ strength was providing complete end-to-end solutions for transport, construction, industrial and agricultural clients.

“Here at Swale, our dedicated team can engineer complete mechanical, electrical and fabrication solutions, all in-house in our modern workshops,” he said.

“With our set up of CNC lathes and milling machines, laser cutting, bending equipment and professional welding facilities, we are able to design, manufacture or modify custom steel components to suit any business’ need.”

Last, the 30-member Regional Leader group visited the historic Pub with no Beer and enjoyed great food, drinks and conversations. New licensee Mel Train said she has enjoyed taking the reins of the pub and working with the new head chef to bring amazing food, live entertainment and country hospitality to the venue.

Ms Train said she is keen to bring in more local and regional visitors to the pub and encouraged the regional leaders to come out for a day trip with their families and friends.

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For more information on how to become a Regional Leader with Business NSW Mid North Coast visit Business NSW website.