April 19, 2025
Call for pause in sand mining at Dunbogan quarry Aerial photos of the dredge pond and surrounding land. Residents say they show that large areas have been cleared. Photo: supplied.
Port Macquarie

Call for pause in sand mining at Dunbogan quarry

RESIDENTS, conservation groups and marine scientists have called for a “pause” in sand mining operations at the Hy-tec quarry off Diamond Head Road. As previously reported by News Of The Area, parent company Adbri Concrete and Quarries Northern NSW has applied to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to amend its 30-year-old Development Application (DA). It initially sought […]

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Artwalk 2025 now a three-day event with added locations Digital and traditional artist Cherie Hurley and The Seed Art School owner Aimee Pelley.
News, Port Macquarie

Artwalk 2025 now a three-day event with added locations

ARTWALK 2025 will run over three days this June long weekend instead of just Friday night. Port Macquarie-Hastings Deputy Mayor Lauren Edwards, announced the expansion during a launch event at The Glasshouse on Thursday 10 April. “Based on community feedback, there has been consideration given to extending this event throughout the long weekend with activities […]

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Reis Maurer clocks up 20 years as a volunteer Woolies worker Reis Maurer, who has cerebral palsy, proudly wears his 20-year service badge. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
News, Port Macquarie

Reis Maurer clocks up 20 years as a volunteer Woolies worker

IF you’ve shopped at Lake Cathie Woolworths at any time in the past 20 years, the chances are you’ve bumped into Reis Maurer. For a couple of days a week, the 37-year-old can be found happily stacking shelves, clearing away packaging, and filling up the box crusher. Reis lives with cerebral palsy, so some tasks […]

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Port Macquarie-Hastings Council seeking feedback on voluntary house raising scheme The 2021 floods wreaked havoc throughout parts of the Camden Haven.
News, Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council seeking feedback on voluntary house raising scheme

THE Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is considering joining the NSW Government’s Voluntary House Raising Scheme (VHRS), a flood risk management initiative under the Floodplain Management Program. The scheme aims to enhance the resilience of flood-prone homes by raising them above minimum flood levels or relocating them to higher ground within their existing lots. While Council would […]

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‘Cuddle cot’ donated to PMBH to help grieving parents Drew Midson (fourth from left) and Teeghan Annear (fifth from left) with members of the midwifery team at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Photo: supplied.
Port Macquarie

‘Cuddle cot’ donated to PMBH to help grieving parents

THE tragic loss of their baby daughter showed Teeghan Annear and Drew Midson the importance of taking time to say goodbye. Poppy died at Nepean Hospital last June, at just 20-weeks old. In their short time together, the couple was able to sit with Poppy thanks to a donated Cuddle Cot. “She was so, so […]

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Nationals promise Wrights Road funding NSW Nationals leader Dugald Saunders and Port Macquarie by-election candidate Sean Gleeson.
Port Macquarie

Nationals promise Wrights Road funding

NSW NATIONALS candidate Sean Gleeson has vowed to “reinstate the $5m worth of funding cut by Labor” for the Wrights Road roundabout if successful at the Port Macquarie by-election next Saturday. The announcement matches a NSW Liberal Party promise to restore the funding, which was designated for Stage 2 of the Oxley Highway upgrade, before […]

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Flood alert: Camden Haven residents urged to monitor reliable information Sand and sand bags are available in Dunbogan, Kendall and at the SES base in Laurieton. Photo: Kim Ambrose.
Port Macquarie

Flood alert: Camden Haven residents urged to monitor reliable information

THE full effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred on the Camden Haven and Hastings may not be known for several days with residents urged to remain vigilant and monitor only reliable sources of emergency information. Cyclone tracking maps show the point at which the eye of the cyclone was expected to cross the southeast Queensland coast […]

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Doctor dumps party to run as Independent Former National Party member Dr Warwick Yonge is running as an Independent in next Saturday’s Port Macquarie by-election.
Port Macquarie

Doctor dumps party to run as Independent

THE Port Macquarie doctor dumped as the National Party’s candidate in next week’s by-election is now running as an Independent. Dr Yonge said he was “sacked” on Wednesday 12 February, just days after his pre-selection, over “unsubstantiated allegations”. Hannam Vale farmer Sean Gleeson was later installed as his replacement. In a statement announcing his decision […]

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Royal Hotel reigns as most popular NSW pub name The Royal Hotel, Dungog.
Port Macquarie

Royal Hotel reigns as most popular NSW pub name

  THE most popular names for NSW pubs have been revealed, with Royal Hotel taking the top spot as the most common watering hole in 2025. The latest data from Liquor & Gaming NSW shows that 73 out of the state’s 2,112 licensed hotels share this prestigious name, reflecting its iconic status in Aussie pub […]

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A decade past its due date, the NBN promises to deliver The NBN is finally expected to realise its original mission. Photo: James Ross/AAP PHOTOS.
Port Macquarie

A decade past its due date, the NBN promises to deliver

  TEN years after the National Broadband Network was declared “fully operational,” industry experts expect the project to finally realise its original mission: high-speed internet connections for almost everyone. The accomplishment is expected in 2030 after the announcement of a $3.8 billion investment to strip more ageing copper connections from the network, replacing them with […]

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