RENTAL vacancy rates across NSW remain critically low, deepening the housing crisis and leaving tenants competing for limited homes. New analysis from the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) shows that in September, many regions recorded vacancy rates below two percent. The Mid-North Coast sat at 1.6 percent, by comparison Coffs Harbour is at 1.5 […]
Emergency response group members attend search and rescue training. Photo: Olivia Katz/IFAW.
Emergency response group members attend search and rescue training. Photo: Olivia Katz/IFAW. Training with plush animals. Photo: Olivia Katz/IFAW. CRITICAL training is being rolled out to help wildlife groups better prepare for bushfire emergencies. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is launching its wildlife search and rescue training course in Port Macquarie in collaboration […]
Council staff respond to concerns about the lack of maintenance at the Gaol Point Lookout. Photo: Sue Stephenson
PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council has responded at length to community complaints about the growing number of property eyesores, graffiti, and overgrown parks and reserves. It follows the release of the City Heart Master Plan for public exhibition, which has inadvertently drawn attention to the current state of the CBD and surrounding areas. Council’s Director of Community, […]
The training has provided accredited firefighting qualifications to members of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Aboriginal community. Photo: supplied.
The training has provided accredited firefighting qualifications to members of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Aboriginal community. Photo: supplied. The training has provided accredited firefighting qualifications to members of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Aboriginal community. Photo: supplied. ABORIGINAL communities across the NSW North Coast are working with Forestry Corporation of NSW to integrate cultural burning into government bushfire […]
The rezoning application is for the cleared rural land at the back of Lake Cathie, off Forest Parkway and Platypus Road.
LAKE Cathie and Bonny Hills residents say they have been blindsided by a letter detailing plans for the development of 360 homes off Forest Parkway. The letter, addressed only “To The Resident”, was sent to a small group of neighbouring property-owners. It asked them to complete a 10-minute phone survey to identify potential impacts – […]
An aerial view of the Ocean Drive duplication. Photo: PMHC.
IN GOOD news for Lighthouse Beach and Camden Haven commuters, the Ocean Drive Duplication project is entering its final stage of construction. Crews started laying the asphalt atop the newly duplicated road this week with the process expected to take approximately four weeks. Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) Group Manager Chris Favaloro said while this […]
Paul Kucera with his billy cart.
SINCE 1980, Beechwood has held an annual event known as the Beechwood Billycart Classic. The 44th iteration of this much-loved local tradition will be held this Sunday, 26 October. The event centres around a billycart race, where daring racers take on a five kilometre downhill run from Mt Pappinbarra to the Beechwood Hotel. It is […]
Located on Birpai Country, the project was co-created with First Nations partners and local communities to support the long-term recovery of koala populations. Photo: FCNSW.
GUULABAA – Place of Koala, the world’s first purpose-built wild koala breeding and visitor centre, has been recognised with a major honour at the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards. The forest-based tourism precinct in the Cowarra State Forest took out the Australian Good Design Award Winner accolade in the Built Environment category. Presented by Good […]
Financial disclosure return information shows that Cowper Independent Caz Heise spent $2 million on her Federal Election campaign. Photo: Caz4Cowper Instagram.
FIGURES released by the Australian Electoral Commission this week show a candidate’s donations and marketing spend are no guarantee of success. Financial disclosure return information shows that Cowper Independent Caz Heise spent $2 million on her Federal Election campaign – more than any other candidate in the country. Ms Heise received $2.1 million from 55 […]
HOUSEHOLDS across the Mid North Coast will soon have access to a new tool to help manage grocery costs, through a partnership between Greater Bank and Newcastle-based fintech “Grocerize”. Created by Newcastle dad Blake Bennett, Grocerize compares supermarket prices and highlights savings opportunities for families. Greater Bank told News Of The Area that users of […]
