SEVENTY-ONE new apprentices and trainees are kicking off their careers at Transport for NSW worksites this month. From filling potholes to rebuilding flood‑damaged roads, planning major works and maintaining heavy vehicles, the new Roads Maintenance and Resilience recruits will join and support frontline teams strengthening the state’s transport network. Following group inductions in Wollongong, Newcastle […]
Ian Napier was slugged with five years' worth of land taxes after diversifying his winery business. Photo: Peter Stoop/AAP PHOTOS.
Wine and taxes: only one certainty for small producers
UNDER the shade of a weeping willow on the banks of a sparkling dam, wine lovers can look out across a sprawling national park while sipping chilled Chardonnay. Members of the Wombat Crossing Vineyard, in the heart of the NSW Hunter Valley wine region, can also stay in a cosy lodge with a fireplace, aptly […]
Australians urged to be scam-aware during Black Friday sales
SHOPPERS gearing up for a major Black Friday deal are being urged to stay alert to scams. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), estimates that $259 million has been lost to scams in 2025. Authorities expect this figure to rise as online spending increases in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Consumers spent more […]
Birdon's General Manager Assets and Contracts Sarah Yuen, and Ferry Operations Manager John Gray, with Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and CEO Scott Osman. Photo: supplied.
Birdon awarded contract to design, build, operate and maintain Daintree River Ferry
Birdon’s General Manager Assets and Contracts Sarah Yuen, and Ferry Operations Manager John Gray, with Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and CEO Scott Osman. Photo: supplied. The Daintree River ferry to be built at Birdon’s Sancrox shipyard. Photo: supplied. PORT Macquarie maritime engineering company Birdon has signed a 20-year contract with Douglas Shire Council to […]
Port Macquarie makes top 10 list for NSW first home buyers
FOR the first time, Port Macquarie has been named among NSW’s top 10 suburbs for first home buyers and is the only suburb outside Sydney to appear in the top performing locations for all buyer groups. The latest Quarterly Market Update from prop tech firm InfoTrack ranked Port Macquarie in third place for the highest […]
Hastings pubs on shortlist for AHA NSW awards
THE Australian Hotels Association (AHA) reckons the Hastings’ pubs are among the state’s best when it comes to food, music and generally being “the heart of the community”. Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie, Wauchope, Beechwood and Long Flat all feature on the list of finalists for this year’s AHA NSW Awards of Excellence. These are the […]
Port Macquarie bus mechanic Drew Miante named Apprentice of the Year
PORT Macquarie apprentice mechanic Drew Miante has been named the BusNSW Apprentice of the Year. Drew works at the Busways Port Macquarie depot and was recognised for her outstanding skills, determination and contribution to keeping buses safely on the road. The award was announced on 1 October at the association’s annual member conference in the […]
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe tours the site with Solidcast owners Will and Sarah Hynes.
NSW Government invests $2 million to create low-carbon concrete jobs on Mid North Coast
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe tours the site with Solidcast owners Will and Sarah Hynes. Minister Penny Sharpe with Solidcast owners Will and Sarah Hynes. Precast walls in use. Photo: Solidcast website. WAUCHOPE-BASED Solidcast will expand production of its patented low-carbon concrete panels after receiving more than $2 million from the NSW […]
Taking a front seat is Judith Jackson, Treasurer; and standing up for small business are committee members Barbara Smith and Edgard Lopez, Vice President Veronica Lind, President Alison Carroll and Secretary Lyn Richardson. Photo: supplied.
MBF launches new leadership and free events for Small Business Month
OCTOBER marks Small Business Month in NSW, and Port Macquarie’s Micro Business Forum (MBF) is celebrating with a new leadership team and two free community events. MBF elected a refreshed committee of local business leaders on 17 September, to drive its mission of supporting micro and small business owners across the Hastings. The 2025 committee […]
Port Macquarie businesses dive into digital future at innovation event
Mayor Adam Roberts opens the Digital Deep Dive business event. Photo: Sis Higgins. Host Ollie Brooke moderates the Process & Systems Panel with David Young from Never Late Electrical, Jane Whitfield from Drawn to Art and Stuart Goodfellow of Ripple Ag. Photo: Sis Higgins. PORT Macquarie-Hastings businesses turned out in force for Digital Deep Dive, […]
