March 11, 2026
Weed action program gets an update
Local News

Weed action program gets an update

FOUR-YEAR funding is being made available to local organisations to combat the impact of priority weeds, updating a previously annual grant program. The new $40.7 million NSW Weeds Action Program (WAP) is a key component of the NSW Government’s Biosecurity Action Plan, with funding being provided to 97 Local Control Authorities (LCA). Minister for Agriculture […]

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Suspicious bin fires in Wauchope keep firies on the run The Community Arts Hall in Bain Park was damaged by fire. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Suspicious bin fires in Wauchope keep firies on the run

FIREFIGHTERS were kept on the run in Wauchope overnight Monday with three separate wheelbie bins set alight, causing damage to buildings. A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW said that just before 11.15pm, several Triple Zero (000) calls were received about a rubbish fire near the Post Office in High Street. One truck and four […]

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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 […]

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Stargazing: Mars or bust The Tesla continues its lonely orbit around the Sun.
Local News

Stargazing: Mars or bust

ELON’S always in the news isn’t he. Well, he goes way back! In February 2018, the world paused to watch a rocket launch. That’s not unusual. What was unusual was the payload: a cherry-red Tesla Roadster with a mannequin in a spacesuit behind the wheel. The idea came from tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, whose company […]

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Rural residents urged to report connectivity issues
Local News

Rural residents urged to report connectivity issues

FED up farmers and families facing poor regional, rural and remote mobile services are being encouraged to “keep complaining”. The latest report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) revealed an increase in complaints in NSW, with almost a quarter coming from regional areas. A total of 4,285 complaints were made by people in NSW, up […]

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Regions beckon as young Aussies rethink city life Mikaela Carroll and her partner Ryan have left Brisbane behind and relocated to Tasmania. Photo: Mikaela Carroll.
Local News

Regions beckon as young Aussies rethink city life

GEN Z is leading a new wave of city dwellers eyeing a move to the regions, with almost half considering swapping skyscrapers for the great outdoors. Australians aged 18 to 29 have overtaken millennials (aged 30 to 45) as the cohort most eager to leave the city for the regions, with 49 percent considering the […]

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Port Macquarie ranks among NSW’s top regional electorates for rooftop solar uptake Port Macquarie ranks in solar installations. Photo: Gustavo Fring/Pexels
Regional

Port Macquarie ranks among NSW’s top regional electorates for rooftop solar uptake

PORT Macquarie ranks as the ninth highest electorate in NSW for solar uptake, as regional communities continue to drive the state’s renewable energy transition. The latest data, released by the NSW Government, shows households and businesses in regional NSW account for nine of the top ten electorates for rooftop solar installations. The Oxley electorate – […]

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MP calls for community to leave feedback on Wrights Road Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer on the Oxley Highway near Wrights Road. Photo: supplied.
Community, Government

MP calls for community to leave feedback on Wrights Road

ONLY 60 people have officially complained about the lack of progress on the Oxley Highway bottleneck in Port Macquarie. That’s according to MP Robert Dwyer, who is reminding residents to leave feedback via the Transport for NSW “Have Your Say” portal. “As always, it’s the squeaky wheel that drives much needed change,” he said in […]

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Progress on Maria River Road as upgrade construction gets underway Local politicians meet with Eire Construction representatives to see the upgrade works in action.
Community, Government

Progress on Maria River Road as upgrade construction gets underway

CONSTRUCTION is now underway on the $24 million Maria River Road Upgrade, with Eire Construction delivering work in stages across the northern and southern sections of the 20.2-kilometre roadway. A total of 10-kilometres of road will be upgraded from Shoreline Drive on Port Macquarie’s North Shore (southern section), while a further 10.2-kilometres of new road […]

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National Pet Adoption Month encourages adoptions Archie needed 14 teeth removed and lip surgery and is now happy and healthy. Photo: Sis Higgins.
Regional

National Pet Adoption Month encourages adoptions

MARCH is National Pet Adoption Month, with animal lovers encouraged to consider welcoming a cat or dog into their home while supporting animal welfare efforts across the country. RSPCA Australia CEO Richard Mussell said hundreds of cats and dogs are currently available for adoption. “March is looking like a wonderful time to make a new […]

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