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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

Kindee resident Chris O’Brien. Photo: supplied. The Kindee Bridge was closed without warning on Tuesday. The bridge was closed with little warning to residents. The bridge was closed with little warning to residents. KINDEE resident Chris O’Brien, 73, has lived on his own since his wife passed away earlier this year. A resident of the […]

A LONG-TERM blueprint for the future of Lake Cathie’s foreshore has been signed off, after months of community consultation and public exhibition. The decision was made at last week’s Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meeting, with councillors noting feedback received during the exhibition period and endorsing the final version of the plan as a long-term framework for […]

INTERNATIONAL Day of People with Disability on 3 December, was marked by the release of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Community Inclusion and Disability Inclusion Action Plan for 2025-2029, alongside the NSW Government’s Disability Inclusion Plan 2025-2029. The Port Macquarie Hastings plan is named, “Make a bigger circle”. It originated from a community forum where a participant […]

PCYC Port Macquarie has welcomed a new club manager. Zac Campbell, who grew up locally, stepped into the role on 14 November. After attending university and time playing semi-professional basketball, Zac joined the PCYC as a Senior Activities Officer before putting his hand up for the role of Club Manager. “PCYC offers programs that benefit […]

THE Nationals have set up a possible showdown with their political ally the Liberals after unanimously agreeing to scrap their commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. The regional party argues Australia is doing more than its fair share to reduce carbon pollution, and emissions reductions should instead be tied to an average of similar […]

A NEW deputy mayor was elected at the October meeting of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, following the conclusion of Councillor Lauren Edwards’ term. Unlike the mayoral position, which is decided by popular vote at council elections, the deputy mayor is chosen annually by councillors. This year, Councillor Nik Lipovac was elected to the role. Cr Lipovac […]