STEPPING into the spotlight can be tough when you’re a teenager, but for 17-year-old Grace Curran, it’s her best shot at breaking into the music scene. The Port Macquarie singer-songwriter has entered her original song “Out of His League” in the highly contested triple j Unearthed High competition. Open to all artists of high school […]
Streets paved with gold in alleged roadworks corruption
CASH, cryptocurrency and even gold nuggets are among the alleged spoils of a long-running scheme to rig and inflate contracts for roadworks. A former department officer is believed to be in hiding, after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement […]
Demand for Aussie beef looks set to remain strong, with reason for "cautious optimism" across agriculture after months of extreme weather and trade uncertainty.
Bright spots in agriculture amid market volatility
WITH droughts on one side of the country, floods on the other, and political volatility overseas, Australia’s agriculture industry has been right in the thick of it. But there is reason for “cautious optimism” in the $90.7 billion sector as uncertain conditions create both threats and opportunities for the nation’s producers, according to Bendigo Bank’s […]
NSW Seniors Festival Grant Program now open for applications
MORE funding is now available to celebrate and support older Australians, with the NSW Seniors Festival Grant Program 2026 offering $200,000 statewide for inclusive community events. Member for Oxley Michael Kemp is encouraging not-for-profit groups and councils across the Mid North Coast to apply for the grants, which will support activities held during the 2026 […]
Fire ants discovered in Tweed Heads
FARMERS are calling for a government crackdown to stamp out fire ants in NSW after the pests were discovered in Tweed Heads last week. Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are prohibited under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and high-risk materials are restricted from infested areas of south-east Queensland. On Wednesday the NSW Government confirmed an immature […]
The Annual Land and Stock Return helps paint a picture of agricultural land use and livestock across NSW. Photo: Leanda Connor.
Annual farm census underway across NSW
NSW LANDHOLDERS are being asked to report their livestock numbers and land use information as part of Local Land Services’ annual farm census. The Annual Land and Stock Return collects information that helps shape the delivery of animal health and biosecurity services and prepare for emergencies such as bushfires and biosecurity outbreaks. Landholders must lodge […]
Inquiry launched into conservation hunting bill
AN Upper House inquiry has been established to examine the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025, a private members’ bill introduced by Robert Borsak MLC of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party. The bill proposes a number of amendments to the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002, including to abolish […]
Regional buses get real-time travel technology
Bus users can use websites and apps to plan their journeys with up-to-date service information. All buses are now fitted out with GPS and automatic passenger counting technology. FOR the first time, all NSW regional bus passengers can access real-time bus travel information from their smart devices. All 3,010 contracted buses across rural and regional […]
Port Mac Goss: Alex and Marianna Vozzo
THIS week for Port Mac Goss, I caught up with Alex and Marianna Vozzo, the proud owners of East Port Motor Inn. As relative newcomers to Port Macquarie, what do you think about the vibe of the region? It’s heaven to us! We honestly believe that Port Macquarie is the best town in NSW. We […]
LGNSW CEO David Reynolds, LGNSW President Cr Phyllis Miller OAM, Mayor Adam Roberts and Acting CEO Robert Fish.
Council leaders discuss funding challenges
DISASTER recovery and resilience, collaboration between councils and local government funding models were discussed at a meeting of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC) and Local Government NSW (LGNSW) leaders on Tuesday. Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts and Acting CEO Robert Fish joined LGNSW President Cr Phyllis Miller OAM and CEO David Reynolds, as part of […]
