January 25, 2026
Council sidelined as State Govt fast-tracks 18-storey development plan The Park Street site where a proposal for an 18-storey mixed-use development has been fast-tracked by the State Government. Photo: Matt Taylor.
Local News

Council sidelined as State Govt fast-tracks 18-storey development plan

THE NSW Government has stepped in to take control of a plan for a major high-rise development in the heart of Port Macquarie, declaring it State Significant without prior consultation with the local council. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, last month declared the proposal for an 18-storey mixed-use building on the corner […]

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CSU study reveals the ‘ecosystem’ feeding on great whites
National, School

CSU study reveals the ‘ecosystem’ feeding on great whites

A WORLD-FIRST study by Charles Sturt University (CSU) has identified an ecosystem of parasites inside great white sharks. The global study by researchers in CSU’s School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, and the Gulbali Institute for Agriculture Water and Environment, found evidence of at least 116 parasites inside the apex predator. Professor in Veterinary […]

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Autonomous Bluebottle vessels to patrol Mid North Coast marine parks over Australia Day long weekend The Bluebottle, unmanned marine surveillance vessel. Photo: Ocius Technology - naval-technology.com
Government

Autonomous Bluebottle vessels to patrol Mid North Coast marine parks over Australia Day long weekend

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 […]

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Hastings Auto Restorers Society raises $7,000 for Mid North Coast Cancer Institute in Port Macquarie Port Macquarie Mid North Coast Cancer Institute Nurse Unit Manager Nikki Rooimans with Melissa McKee, Ron (Rocket) Turnbull, Chris Whalley, Dan Fardon and Len Colbert.
Local News

Hastings Auto Restorers Society raises $7,000 for Mid North Coast Cancer Institute in Port Macquarie

THE Hastings Auto Restorers Society Inc has continued its long-running fundraising commitment, donating $7,000 to support the Mid North Coast Cancer Institute at Port Macquarie. The donation was raised through two major initiatives organised by the Society. Fundraising activities included raffling of a wheelbarrow hamper filled with non-perishable food items and the club’s annual Swap […]

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Extreme weather increasing health risks in rural and remote Australia ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin. Photo: @ACRRM4ruralhealth
Community, Health

Extreme weather increasing health risks in rural and remote Australia

THE Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) says extreme weather across Australia is increasing health risks for rural, remote and First Nations communities and placing growing pressure on local health services. ACRRM President Dr Rod Martin says prolonged and severe weather events are affecting the health of rural communities and will continue to […]

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Man charged over armed carjacking in Port Macquarie
Police

Man charged over armed carjacking in Port Macquarie

A MAN has been charged over an alleged armed carjacking in Port Macquarie. About 4.20pm on Friday 9 January, police were called to Garden Crescent, where they were told a 25-year-old woman sitting in the driver’s seat of a sedan had been approached by an unknown man. He allegedly opened the car door, threatened the […]

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