January 26, 2026
Code-of-conduct complaints cost council more than $47,000
Port Macquarie

Code-of-conduct complaints cost council more than $47,000

CODE-of-conduct complaints cost Port Macquarie-Hastings Council more than $47,000 over the past year, according to an annual report tabled at last week’s council meeting. The Code of Conduct Complaint Statistics report, covering the period from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025, details the number of complaints made against councillors and the general manager, how […]

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Earlier start to shark surveillance on NSW beaches
Local News

Earlier start to shark surveillance on NSW beaches

SURF Life Saving drones will be in the air earlier and for longer this summer as the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) steps up shark surveillance. The NSW Government has allocated an extra $2.5m for shark management following the recent deaths of a female tourist near Crowdy Bay and a local surfer on Sydney’s Northern […]

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Work continues to restore Oxley Highway Work has been slowed by extreme weather events.
Local News

Work continues to restore Oxley Highway

RECONSTRUCTION work is continuing on the Oxley Highway at Mount Seaview to restore full access through areas affected by natural disasters. The weekly planned closure at Mount Seaview will be lifted after Thursday 18 December, with parts of the highway returning to single lane, alternating flow traffic arrangements during the NSW summer school holidays and […]

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Police re-release security video of car near Port Macquarie shooting The silver Toyota RAV4 seen leaving the area.
Police

Police re-release security video of car near Port Macquarie shooting

DETECTIVES have re-released security video as investigations continue into a shooting in Port Macquarie in October. About 2.10am Friday 17 October, police were called to Park Street following reports of a home invasion. They were told multiple people had entered a home and confronted a 26-year-old man. Shots were fired by the intruders, who fled […]

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Hastings community reminded to review bushfire plan Robert Dwyer MP with Johns River Brigade Captain Chris Bawn.
Community

Hastings community reminded to review bushfire plan

WITH the summer season well underway, emergency services are urging the community to prioritise safety and take simple steps to prepare for extreme weather and potential emergencies. Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer said, “Summer is one of the busiest periods for emergency responders, with increased risks of bushfires, storms, floods and water-related incidents. “Agencies […]

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Koalas, kids in tears and 1000 signatures: community demands pause on Tacking Point preschool These parents and students of Tacking Point PS are opposed to the preschool - mostly on environmental grounds. Photo: Matt Taylor
Community, School

Koalas, kids in tears and 1000 signatures: community demands pause on Tacking Point preschool

These parents and students of Tacking Point PS are opposed to the preschool – mostly on environmental grounds. Photo: Matt Taylor A koala in one of the trees at the Tacking Point school site last week. Photo: Matt Taylor. Another koala in the school grounds last week. Photo: Matt Taylor. One of the five koalas […]

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Anger and fears over Council’s sudden closure of Kindee Bridge Kindee resident Chris O’Brien. Photo: supplied.
Government

Anger and fears over Council’s sudden closure of Kindee Bridge

Kindee resident Chris O’Brien. Photo: supplied. The Kindee Bridge was closed without warning on Tuesday. The bridge was closed with little warning to residents. The bridge was closed with little warning to residents. KINDEE resident Chris O’Brien, 73, has lived on his own since his wife passed away earlier this year. A resident of the […]

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Red Cross and Qantas ‘PlaneDeer’ brings Christmas Joy to Mid North Coast Santa’s Link-Dasher 8 delivered cheer to children from Coopernook Public School. Photos: Pauline Cain.
Regional

Red Cross and Qantas ‘PlaneDeer’ brings Christmas Joy to Mid North Coast

Santa’s Link-Dasher 8 delivered cheer to children from Coopernook Public School. Photos: Pauline Cain. Red Cross volunteers with Port Macquarie MP Robert Dwyer. The Red Cross Bear, ‘Big Ted’, with children from Coopernook. The children’s faces were filled with joy. Red Cross volunteers with Port Macquarie Airport staff. QANTAS team members and Australian Red Cross […]

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State Government stalls on promised Houston Mitchell Drive safety upgrades Patience is needed to find a break in the trailers, trucks and caravans travelling at speed past the Houston Mitchell Drive turnoff. Photos: Kathy Regan.
Local News

State Government stalls on promised Houston Mitchell Drive safety upgrades

IT’S 7.15am on Tuesday morning, 16 December, and cars are lined up behind the stop sign at the intersection of Houston Mitchell Drive and the Pacific Highway, as a work truck and other cars wait in the turning lane opposite, and semi-trailers and a cement truck fly past at 110kmph. This is the nerve wracking […]

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