July 21, 2026
New editor for News Of The Area newspaper group
Business, Regional

New editor for News Of The Area newspaper group

Freckles, the sick little bird who grew up and identified as a homing pigeon, with his rescuer. Photo: Angus Cheetham. News Of The Area media group owner Michael Wright. EVE Nesmith has been named Editor of News Of The Area, the family-owned independent local newspaper group. The News Of The Area (NOTA) media group publishes […]

Read More
Kudos for Port Macquarie and wider Mid North Coast tourism operators Port Macquarie’s Positive Energy Adventures & Retreats is named a finalist in the North Coast Regional Tourism Awards. Photo: Lindsay Moller.
Business, Regional

Kudos for Port Macquarie and wider Mid North Coast tourism operators

SEVERAL Port Macquarie and Hastings tourism operators have been recognised among the finalists in the 2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards, highlighting the region’s strength as a visitor destination. Presented by NSW Tourism Association and Destination North Coast, the awards celebrate businesses, experiences and organisations delivering exceptional visitor experiences while contributing to the growth of […]

Read More
Business Port Macquarie celebrates teamwork behind successful 2026 Coastline Bank Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards Event-goers were entertained throughout the night by performers and musicians. Photo: Lucy Humphries.
Business, Regional

Business Port Macquarie celebrates teamwork behind successful 2026 Coastline Bank Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards

Business Port Macquarie president Peter Jones addresses the room. Photo: Lucy Humphries. Event-goers were entertained throughout the night by performers and musicians. Photo: Lucy Humphries. THE success of the 2026 Coastline Bank Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards was measured by more than trophies and accolades, according to Business Port Macquarie executive officer Kylie Morris. Following […]

Read More
Extension of AgSkilled program welcomed by farmers Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Photo: Tara Moriarty LMC FB.
Business

Extension of AgSkilled program welcomed by farmers

THE NSW Government has announced a $15 million investment to extend the AgSkilled program over the next three years. Announced at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the funding will support the continued delivery of practical, hands-on training across key agricultural sectors including livestock, horticulture, grains and fibre. The program is designed to give workers job-ready […]

Read More
Mid North Coast students and experts discuss AI and the future of the workforce St Columba Anglican School students share perspectives to a full house at the Technology Summit. Photo: Sis Higgins.
Business

Mid North Coast students and experts discuss AI and the future of the workforce

AROUND 150 business leaders, industry representatives and technology practitioners from across the Mid North Coast attended a “Future of Business – Technology Summit” in Port Macquarie on Tuesday, 17 March. Hosted by Business NSW at Panthers Port Macquarie, the summit’s primary focus was how artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are reshaping education, healthcare and […]

Read More
New recruits for state’s transport and roads agency Bridge Construction and Maintenance apprentice Maddi Ormsby. Photo: NSW Gov.
Business

New recruits for state’s transport and roads agency

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 […]

Read More
Wine and taxes: only one certainty for small producers Ian Napier was slugged with five years' worth of land taxes after diversifying his winery business. Photo: Peter Stoop/AAP PHOTOS.
Business

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 […]

Read More
Australians urged to be scam-aware during Black Friday sales Be alert to online shopping scams. Photo: Canva.
Business, National

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 […]

Read More
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.
Business

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 […]

Read More
Port Macquarie makes top 10 list for NSW first home buyers
Business

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 […]

Read More