January 19, 2026
Residents invited to help shape how roads and streets are managed in NSW Road users are being invited to contribute to a survey. Photo: TfNSW.
Local News

Residents invited to help shape how roads and streets are managed in NSW

TRANSPORT for NSW is leading a “once-in-a-generation” review of the Roads Act 1993 and is seeking input from councils, community members, peak bodies and industry experts about how the legislation should be reformed. “The aim is to create a more modern, flexible and easy-to-use law that can help enable NSW Government initiatives such as housing […]

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Love Your Bookshop Day with Hayley Lawrence
Local News

Love Your Bookshop Day with Hayley Lawrence

LOCAL author Hayley Lawrence will appear at Collins Booksellers Port Macquarie from 11am to 12pm on Saturday, 11 October, for signed copies of her latest young adult novel, “Into the Wild”. Hayley Lawrence is one of Australia’s best-selling authors of young adult fiction, celebrated for her emotionally charged stories and moral depth. Wendy Ranger, owner […]

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Adolescent male humpbacks stun whale watchers as they jostle for position off Port Macquarie A drone shot of some of the 10 or 11 juvenile humpbacks off Port Macquarie on Monday. Photo: Alex McNaught, roving-eye.com.
Local News

Adolescent male humpbacks stun whale watchers as they jostle for position off Port Macquarie

A drone shot of some of the 10 or 11 juvenile humpbacks off Port Macquarie on Monday. Photo: Alex McNaught, roving-eye.com. This spectacular breach off Port Macquarie’s Town Beach last week has been shared around the world. Photo: Jodie Lowe’s Marine Animal Photography. Whale spotter Leigh Mansfield at Tacking Point Lighthouse. Photo: Sue Stephenson. THERE’S […]

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NSW Government invests $6.5 million in Oxley road safety upgrades Roadworks ahead for Mid North Coast. Photo: Canva
Local News

NSW Government invests $6.5 million in Oxley road safety upgrades

DRIVERS across the Mid North Coast can look forward to safer journeys, with the NSW Government investing more than $6.5 million in road safety upgrades. Member for Oxley Michael Kemp welcomed the funding, describing it as a major boost for residents, freight operators, and visitors who rely on the region’s busiest and most challenging routes. […]

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Children suffer as hidden victims of coercive control
Local News

Children suffer as hidden victims of coercive control

BARNARDOS Australia warns that children in regional NSW are bearing the brunt of coercive control, as new crime statistics reveal rural communities are experiencing dramatically higher rates than other areas. The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research quarterly report shows regional NSW recorded 170 coercive control incidents from July 2024 to June 2025 compared […]

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Snakes on the move around the Hastings as mating season begins Mimi Dickens shared photos of a red-bellied black snake at the camel rides entrance to Lighthouse Beach.
Local News

Snakes on the move around the Hastings as mating season begins

Mimi Dickens shared photos of a red-bellied black snake at the camel rides entrance to Lighthouse Beach. Mimi Dickens shared photos of a red-bellied black snake at the camel rides entrance to Lighthouse Beach. Stuart Johnson of Reptile Solutions bags a red-bellied black snake. Photo: supplied. Mark Worthington has had two close encounters with a […]

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Four wins for Billabong Zoo at Mid North Coast Regional Business Awards The Stone family: Brooke Rayner-Stone (and son Hugo), Blake, Mark and Danena. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Four wins for Billabong Zoo at Mid North Coast Regional Business Awards

The Stone family: Brooke Rayner-Stone (and son Hugo), Blake, Mark and Danena. Photo: supplied. Billabong Zoo Koala Keeper Kelsie Redman was named ‘Employee of the Year’ Photo: supplied. PORT Macquarie’s Billabong Zoo achieved outstanding recognition at the 2025 Mid North Coast Regional Business Awards on Friday night, taking out four major categories and receiving a […]

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National Climate Risk Assessment alarms more than scientists United Firefighters Union of Australia National Secretary Greg McConville, said the reports highlighted the urgency of the task ahead of policymakers. Photo: UFUA.
Local News

National Climate Risk Assessment alarms more than scientists

THE release of the “National Climate Risk Assessment” (NCRA) earlier this week has alarmed climate groups around the country. The assessment analyses 11 priority risks under three scenarios of 1.5°C, 2°C and 3°C warming. The 3°C warming by 2090 scenario includes warnings that heat-related deaths will rise by 444 percent in Sydney and 423 percent […]

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Gumbaynggirr scholar awarded Churchill Fellowship Julie Ballangarry is one of this year’s 100 Churchill Fellows. Photo: Winston Churchill Trust.
Local News

Gumbaynggirr scholar awarded Churchill Fellowship

GUMBAYNGGIRR woman Dr Julie Ballangarry has been named a 2025 Churchill Fellow. The Mid North Coast scholar and educator is committed to Reconciliation and said she was inspired by her first role model, Uncle Kevin “Porky” Ballangarry of Bowraville. “[He was] a strong Aboriginal man, proud of who we are and where we come from,” […]

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Milestone reached with opening of D5 section of Beach-to-Beach Path Celebrations as the ribbon is cut officially opening the D5 section.
Local News

Milestone reached with opening of D5 section of Beach-to-Beach Path

Celebrations as the ribbon is cut officially opening the D5 section. Penny Small, surrounded by other Beach to Beach Committee members, addresses attendees. COMMUNITY members and dignitaries gathered in Dunbogan last week to celebrate the official opening of the D5 section of the Beach-to-Beach Shared Path. The newly completed section features 240 metres of boardwalk, […]

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