EVERY fisherman dreams of catching the big one – the fish that turns an ordinary day on the water into a season-long bragging right. But what if I told you there’s a way to plan your fishing trips like a pro, know when the bite will be at its best, and head home feeling like […]
New Peer Leader to advocate for locals with spinal cord injuries
NOEL Hiffernan OAM, a full-time wheelchair user and longtime disability advocate, is the new Peer Leader of the Mid North Coast Advocacy Community Network. The network takes in Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA), which has grown to be the peak body for more than 20,000 people in Australia living with life-changing spinal cord injuries. Services […]
Man charged with dozens of property offences
A 38-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with more than 30 alleged property offences. In January 2026, officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District commenced an investigation into a number of reports of break and enters at commercial addresses in Port Macquarie. As part of inquiries, about 8.45pm on Monday 2 March, police located and […]
Deer tracking project underway across Port Macquarie region
GPS TECHNOLOGY is being used to track fine-scale feral deer movement patterns, habitat use and home range behaviour within the Port Macquarie-Hastings region. The program will be carried out by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) and staff from North Coast Local Land Services (LLS), with support from Port Macquarie Hastings Council. It will […]
Eight charged in Port Macquarie drug crackdown
EIGHT people have been charged with alleged drug offences following a police operation in Port Macquarie last week. On Friday 24 April 2026 and Saturday 25 April 2026, officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District – assisted by the Dog Unit – conducted Operation Safeguard across licensed premises in the Port Macquarie and Hastings […]
Brett’s wheelchair gets new lease of life but many other mobility devices are gathering dust
EACH year the NDIS funds almost $600 million dollars for the purchase and maintenance of assistive technology such as wheelchairs. But as the scheme continues to experience cost blowouts and participants wait up to a year for wheelchairs to be funded, millions of dollars’ worth of equipment is going to waste. For Wauchope resident Lorraine […]
Settlement Point Road, Port Macquarie during the May 2025 floods on the Mid North Coast. Photo: Port Macquarie SES.
Warning after extreme weather’s financial toll revealed
AUSTRALIANS are counting the ballooning cost of extreme weather events after they caused almost $5 billion in insured losses in 2025, more than 700 percent up on the previous year. And the financial toll is only expected to get worse, with independent analysis indicating it could blow out to $35 billion annually by 2050. The […]
EOIs open for Community Building Partnership grants
Wauchope Men’s Shed was granted $39,000 for a workshop extension. The Camden Haven Rural Fire Service received $54,792 for station upgrade works in last year’s CBP grants. EXPRESSIONS of Interest (EOIs) are now open for the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership (CBP) Grants Program, with up to $450,000 available for projects in each electorate. Local […]
The centralised body will support existing local arrangements by coordinating resources and using technology to plan and deliver hazard reduction more efficiently across the state. Photo: NSW Government.
Taskforce launched to accelerate hazard reduction in NSW
A NEW multi-agency taskforce has been launched to accelerate hazard reduction and better protect communities across NSW. Launched by the NSW Government, Taskforce Fire Guard will bring together fire agencies and land managers to strengthen coordination and prioritise high risk areas over the coming months. Operating from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) State Operations […]
The report shows walkability has a bigger impact on the amount of time spent walking in regional communities. Photo: David Guerrero/Pexels.
Walkable towns help regional Australians exercise 75 minutes more each week
AMID soaring fuel prices which are prompting Australians to explore alternative transport options, a new study highlights the health benefits of walkable neighbourhoods. New research shows that regional residents living in walkable towns and centres walk 75 minutes more each week, prompting calls for Governments to invest more in well-connected, safe footpaths to boost community […]
