BUNYAH Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) community firefighters carried out a cultural burn in Cowarra State Forest on Wednesday, marking the return of traditional Aboriginal fire practices to State Forest management. The burn brought together 15 community members, Elders, knowledge holders and young people, working alongside Forestry Corporation fire crews, to apply traditional fire knowledge […]

RURAL Aid has released the third annual Pulse of the Paddock farmer survey report, offering a candid snapshot of how Australian farmers are navigating mental health, uncertainty and the realities of life on the land. Based on the experiences of nearly 1,400 farmers surveyed during October and November 2025, Rural Aid says the report shows […]

PORT Macquarie Hastings Council has commenced works on the Westport Link Pathway, aimed at enhancing community access and improving connectivity along the Kooloonbung Creek foreshore. The project will upgrade the pedestrian pathway linking the base of the Buller Street/Hollingworth Street footbridge with the end of the Comfort Resort Waters Edge precinct. “Once complete, the upgraded […]

WAR in the Middle East and associated spiralling diesel costs could spell the perfect time for truck fleets to keep edging closer to electrification. On Tuesday, the NSW government announced an expansion of heavy vehicle electrification incentives as part of its EV roadmap, along with investment in more fast chargers and kerbside charging stations for […]

The Dippers celebrate their Presentation Day. The donation of $10k will go towards specialist equipment. (L-R) Laurie and Barb Smith, Page Leishman, Fran Scutts, Di Collocott, Sue Warner, Brian Johnson and Stephen Collocott. TACKING Point Dippers (Autism Swim) celebrated their presentation day on Saturday 28 March, with many smiles on the faces of the medal […]

MORE than 60 Councils from across the state have issued a call for the NSW Government to guarantee fuel supplies for local government garbage and waste collections in the face of increasing shortages and costs. The meeting of councils convened by Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President Mayor Darcy Byrne also proposed that any fuel cost […]

ELECTRIC bike sales are surging as rising fuel costs push commuters to find a cheaper way to get around, industry figures say. While Australian e-bike sales have been climbing for years, retailers say recent fuel price pressures have sharply accelerated the trend. “We’ve seen a massive spike in interest in e-bikes in the last couple […]

DETECTIVES have released CCTV images of a vehicle as an investigation continues into a serious assault in Port Macquarie late last year. About 10.20pm on Wednesday 12 November 2025, emergency services were called to the corner of Buller and Hollingsworth Street, Port Macquarie, following reports of an assault. Inquiries revealed that a man was walking […]

SARAH Eade lives in Port Macquarie and is married with two children. Aged 38, she is in the prime of her life. In 2019, a workplace injury led to surgery on her spine. This resulted in a spinal cord injury that left Sarah needing to use a wheelchair full time. While her peers are working […]

AUSTRALIANS under the pump from sky-high fuel prices will get some financial relief after the federal government succumbed to pressure to halve the tax on petrol and diesel. The decision to cut the fuel excise from the start of April will save motorists about $19 on a 65-litre tank, or 26.3 cents a litre, Prime […]