May 25, 2026
Rural residents urged to report connectivity issues
Local News

Rural residents urged to report connectivity issues

FED up farmers and families facing poor regional, rural and remote mobile services are being encouraged to “keep complaining”. The latest report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) revealed an increase in complaints in NSW, with almost a quarter coming from regional areas. A total of 4,285 complaints were made by people in NSW, up […]

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Regions beckon as young Aussies rethink city life Mikaela Carroll and her partner Ryan have left Brisbane behind and relocated to Tasmania. Photo: Mikaela Carroll.
Local News

Regions beckon as young Aussies rethink city life

GEN Z is leading a new wave of city dwellers eyeing a move to the regions, with almost half considering swapping skyscrapers for the great outdoors. Australians aged 18 to 29 have overtaken millennials (aged 30 to 45) as the cohort most eager to leave the city for the regions, with 49 percent considering the […]

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Port Macquarie ranks among NSW’s top regional electorates for rooftop solar uptake Port Macquarie ranks in solar installations. Photo: Gustavo Fring/Pexels
Regional

Port Macquarie ranks among NSW’s top regional electorates for rooftop solar uptake

PORT Macquarie ranks as the ninth highest electorate in NSW for solar uptake, as regional communities continue to drive the state’s renewable energy transition. The latest data, released by the NSW Government, shows households and businesses in regional NSW account for nine of the top ten electorates for rooftop solar installations. The Oxley electorate – […]

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MP calls for community to leave feedback on Wrights Road Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer on the Oxley Highway near Wrights Road. Photo: supplied.
Community, Government

MP calls for community to leave feedback on Wrights Road

ONLY 60 people have officially complained about the lack of progress on the Oxley Highway bottleneck in Port Macquarie. That’s according to MP Robert Dwyer, who is reminding residents to leave feedback via the Transport for NSW “Have Your Say” portal. “As always, it’s the squeaky wheel that drives much needed change,” he said in […]

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Progress on Maria River Road as upgrade construction gets underway Local politicians meet with Eire Construction representatives to see the upgrade works in action.
Community, Government

Progress on Maria River Road as upgrade construction gets underway

CONSTRUCTION is now underway on the $24 million Maria River Road Upgrade, with Eire Construction delivering work in stages across the northern and southern sections of the 20.2-kilometre roadway. A total of 10-kilometres of road will be upgraded from Shoreline Drive on Port Macquarie’s North Shore (southern section), while a further 10.2-kilometres of new road […]

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National Pet Adoption Month encourages adoptions Archie needed 14 teeth removed and lip surgery and is now happy and healthy. Photo: Sis Higgins.
Regional

National Pet Adoption Month encourages adoptions

MARCH is National Pet Adoption Month, with animal lovers encouraged to consider welcoming a cat or dog into their home while supporting animal welfare efforts across the country. RSPCA Australia CEO Richard Mussell said hundreds of cats and dogs are currently available for adoption. “March is looking like a wonderful time to make a new […]

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Finding comfort through a ‘blind date with a book’
Community

Finding comfort through a ‘blind date with a book’

FOR Port Macquarie social worker and lifelong reader Kirralee Dibben, street libraries have provided a refuge from grief. They are popping up on lawns around the country and book clubs are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, with the Romantasy genre a clear favourite. New social media platforms such as Book Tok and Bookstagram are also […]

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Council launches plan to save wildlife from fishing lines
Community

Council launches plan to save wildlife from fishing lines

One of the waste bins for fishing tackle. A brush turkey wrapped in fishing line. WITH its vast array of rivers, lakes, and ocean foreshores, the Mid North Coast region is a magnet for those who love fishing; but there is a dark side to this which often goes unseen.  Nylon fishing lines take 100 […]

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Bonny Hills building demolition the ‘end of an era’ The property as it stood before demolition crews moved in. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
Community

Bonny Hills building demolition the ‘end of an era’

The home that has long stood at the corner of Ocean Drive and Beach Street has been knocked down. Photo: Bonny Hills Progress Association. The property as it stood before demolition crews moved in. Photo: Sue Stephenson. Concept drawings of the property from its approved development application. Concept drawings of the property from its approved […]

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Plan to grow Gathang language across Birrbay, Warrimay and Guringay Country GWAC CEO Gulwanyang Moran celebrating at the Gathangga Wakulda Language and Culture Picnic in Wauchope. Photo: @KAMRAfilms.
Regional

Plan to grow Gathang language across Birrbay, Warrimay and Guringay Country

GWAC CEO Gulwanyang Moran celebrating at the Gathangga Wakulda Language and Culture Picnic in Wauchope. Photo: @KAMRAfilms. Children celebrating at the Gathangga Wakulda Language and Culture Picnic in the park. Photo: @KAMRAfilms. GATHANGGA Wakulda Aboriginal Corporation (GWAC) has launched its Strategic Plan, setting out a community-led roadmap for the future of Gathang language across the […]

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