September 13, 2026
Leaders urged not to mess with criminal responsibility Changing a long-standing youth conviction principle would only lead to future criminal offending, advocates say, following the release of a review. Photo: NSW Police.
Government, Police

Leaders urged not to mess with criminal responsibility

LEGAL advocates have welcomed a report’s recommendations into a presumption that children under 14 are “incapable of evil”, urging a state not to tinker with the long-standing principle, despite a drop in youth convictions. A NSW review of doli incapax was released on Saturday after it was launched by the state Labor government in May […]

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Old fire practices rekindled as Aboriginal communities collaborate with Forestry Corporation The training has provided accredited firefighting qualifications to members of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Aboriginal community. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Old fire practices rekindled as Aboriginal communities collaborate with Forestry Corporation

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 […]

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Cowarra Dam milestone highlights need for expansion Mayor Adam Roberts with council staff and guests at the Cowarra Off-Creek Storage Dam. Photos: PMHC.
Government

Cowarra Dam milestone highlights need for expansion

Mayor Adam Roberts with council staff and guests at the Cowarra Off-Creek Storage Dam. Photos: PMHC. PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council is celebrating two decades since the opening of Cowarra Dam – a critical source of the region’s water supply. Council staff and guests gathered at the site in the Cowarra State Forest earlier this week to […]

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Port Macquarie-Hastings Council backs Health and Education Precinct rezoning 3D visualisations of the Master Plan. Photo: PMHC.
Government

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council backs Health and Education Precinct rezoning

3D visualisations of the Master Plan. Photo: PMHC. 3D visualisations of the Master Plan. Photo: PMHC. PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council has voted unanimously to endorse a planning proposal to enable the rezoning of land for a Health and Education Precinct (HEP). The decision was made at Council’s meeting on 16 October. The site is located in […]

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Council urges Port Macquarie community to review its plan for a ‘city heart’ transformation A concept drawing of what Port Macquarie CBD could look like, and the areas in ‘the city heart’.
Community, Government

Council urges Port Macquarie community to review its plan for a ‘city heart’ transformation

PORT Macquarie residents are being urged to carefully review plans to transform the CBD and surrounding areas. The “City Heart Strategy and Master Plan” is Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s vision for a more “vibrant, connected and resilient” town centre and, if approved, will guide its revitalisation over the next 10 to 20 years. It includes plans […]

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New online tool to support farmers prepare for and recover from natural disasters The platform brings together functions that previously existed in a suite of existing tools such as the Drought and Supplementary Calculator, DroughtPack, Feed Cost Calculator and Drought Feed Calculator.
Regional

New online tool to support farmers prepare for and recover from natural disasters

A NEW online tool is available to help NSW farmers better prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters including fire, flood, and drought. The platform, called myStockPlanner, enables farmers to provide details of their farm, risks and resources to access tailored response options to consider and implement with their feed and livestock. Federal […]

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Historic Timbertown in Wauchope up for sale after nearly 50 years
Community

Historic Timbertown in Wauchope up for sale after nearly 50 years

FOR almost half a century, Timbertown has stood as one of Wauchope’s most loved attractions, a place where history comes alive through steam, sawdust and storytelling. It is now being offered for sale for the second time in its history. The concept of Timbertown began after a report was commissioned in 1970. The planners had […]

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Lake Cathie residents shocked by plans for 360 homes on Forest Parkway The rezoning application is for the cleared rural land at the back of Lake Cathie, off Forest Parkway and Platypus Road.
Local News

Lake Cathie residents shocked by plans for 360 homes on Forest Parkway

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 – […]

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Robert Fish is Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s new General Manager General Manager Robert Fish with PMHC Mayor Adam Roberts.
Government

Robert Fish is Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s new General Manager

ROBERT Fish has been confirmed as the new General Manager of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council. Mr Fish has been acting in the role since the sudden departure of Dr Clare Allen in March. “Robert’s leadership during the May weather event was a particular highlight for me,” said Mayor Adam Roberts in announcing the appointment. “His strength […]

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Ocean Drive Duplication entering the final stretch An aerial view of the Ocean Drive duplication. Photo: PMHC.
Local News

Ocean Drive Duplication entering the final stretch

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 […]

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