October 9, 2026
Australian social media ban both a success and failure While gaining global traction, Australia's social media ban might not be ideal in addressing harm. Photo: Nadir Kinani/AAP PHOTOS.
Government, National

Australian social media ban both a success and failure

WHEN Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez revealed plans to ban children younger than 16 from social media, he did so based on a precedent set in Australia. His announcement at the World Governments Summit came two months after an Australian law directing tech giants including Google, Facebook and TikTok to take “reasonable steps” to prevent […]

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Retired teacher speaks out in support of $6.3m preschool The government bunting torn down out the front of Tacking Point Public School last month. Photo: supplied.
Government, School

Retired teacher speaks out in support of $6.3m preschool

SUPPORTERS of a new preschool at Tacking Point Public School (TPPS) have emerged publicly following weeks of tense debate about the $6.3 million project. Philip von Shoenberg, a retired teacher who lives near the school on Bangalay Drive, has expressed his strong support for the State Government’s plan to build a free public preschool on […]

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Advanced survey technology begins on $265 million Port Macquarie Base Hospital upgrade
Government, Health

Advanced survey technology begins on $265 million Port Macquarie Base Hospital upgrade

SPECIALIST survey works are now underway inside Port Macquarie Base Hospital and around its grounds, as the early planning stage of its $265m upgrade gets underway. These works involve the use of advanced, body-worn scanning camera technology to capture highly accurate measurements of existing hospital buildings, both internally and externally. A Health Infrastructure spokesperson said […]

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Government launches “Name and Shame’ list of property agents Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong launched the ‘Name and Shame’ list on 25 January. Photo: minister’s website.
Government

Government launches “Name and Shame’ list of property agents

THE State Government has launched a “Name and Shame” list of real estate agents, property managers and strata managing agents who have faced enforcement action. Available through the NSW Fair Trading website, it allows homeowners, buyers and renters to check if an agent has been fined, suspended or had their licence cancelled. It also includes […]

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Government flags tougher penalties for animal cruelty including jail time for leaving dogs in hot cars Even if parked in the shade with the windows partially down, dogs can die in a car in less than six minutes. Photo: GabesDotPhotos/Pexels.
Government

Government flags tougher penalties for animal cruelty including jail time for leaving dogs in hot cars

DOG owners tempted to leave their pet in the car when they run to the shops, will soon risk tougher penalties. The State Government is delivering on its election promise to review the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA), flagging heavier fines and longer jail sentences. Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, […]

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Autonomous Bluebottle vessels to patrol Mid North Coast marine parks over Australia Day long weekend The Bluebottle, unmanned marine surveillance vessel. Photo: Ocius Technology - naval-technology.com
Government

Autonomous Bluebottle vessels to patrol Mid North Coast marine parks over Australia Day long weekend

UNMANNED marine surveillance vessels known as Bluebottles will patrol Marine Parks between Coffs Harbour and Camden Haven over the Australia Day long weekend. The deployment aims to deter and detect illegal fishing activity in protected Green Zones along the Mid North Coast. Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer said the vessels will focus on detecting […]

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Port Macquarie’s Town Beach Reserve Master Plan undergoes local consultation Josh Hunter, Support Worker; Michael Nunez, Landscape Architect Port Macquarie-Hastings Council; Blake Edge, Accessibility Advocate assessing Town Beach Amphitheatre.
Government

Port Macquarie’s Town Beach Reserve Master Plan undergoes local consultation

TOWN Beach Reserve Master Plan has undergone a consultation, with Port Macquarie Hastings Council’s Engagement Team meeting residents to gather feedback on the current plan. The consultation in December included members of the Enable Reference Group, local disability and accessibility advocates who welcomed the chance to provide information on their lived experience. Port Macquarie mum […]

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Staff praised as Mid North Coast hospitals deliver strong results in quarterly report The number of emergency and urgent care patients is the highest since reporting began.
Government, Health

Staff praised as Mid North Coast hospitals deliver strong results in quarterly report

PUBLIC hospitals across the Mid North Coast are providing high-quality care despite high demand in emergency departments, according to the latest Bureau of Health Information statistics. The quarterly report is based on the period between July – September 2025. Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) Chief Executive Jill Wong praised staff for their commitment […]

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Weather Bureau updates unpopular $96.5m website The rain radar and weather map were at the top of the Bureau’s list of fixes. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
Government

Weather Bureau updates unpopular $96.5m website

THE Bureau of Meteorology has implemented the first round of changes to its heavily-criticised $96.5m website. Since launching, the site has attracted 400,000 “items of feedback”. As a result, the rain radar and weather map have been improved and there is more information about daily temperature highs and lows on state, territory and district pages. […]

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