WARM, passionate and dedicated to child protection, Jenny Watts has been giving back to the community her entire life. Her journey began in the tiny town of North Star in northwest NSW, a place she made “wonderful memories”. “I’m still great friends with some of my peers from that time,” she said. By the age […]
Willow Rissel from Brows by Willow (centre) with Coastline Bank Chief Customer Officer Lachy Townsend and Business Development Officer Estelle De Rubertis.
BROWS by Willow has been named Business of the Year at the 2025 Coastline Bank Greater Port Macquarie Business Awards. Now in its 18th year, the awards celebrate the innovation, resilience, and outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals across the region. The awards shone a spotlight on a wide range of industries, from tourism and […]
Port Macquarie’s Marine Rescue crew.
LOCALS watched in amazement last week as Port Macquarie Marine Rescue crews abandoned a training session to rescue a 50-foot cruiser that had lost power as it crossed the bar into the Hastings River. Engine failure and a strong run-out tide created a precarious situation that saw the skipper of the cruiser drop anchor to […]
It's over, for now. The Nationals have split from the federal coalition with the Liberals. Photo: AAP Image.
NUCLEAR energy has blown up a political agreement between the Nationals and the Liberals after leaders failed to reach common ground, but left the door open for a reconciliation. The traditional political marriage couldn’t be consecrated following a disastrous result for the coalition at the federal election with the Nationals standing firm on wanting to […]
Sixty-nine people were sleeping rough in February across the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area. Photo: AAP Image/Darren England.
THE NSW Government’s annual street count shows the number of people sleeping rough across the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area (LGA) has increased over the past 12 months. Sixty-nine people were sleeping rough in February, up from 53 in 2024 and 43 in February 2023. Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer said the increase was […]
Local favourite, the Point Plomer campground. Photo: NSW National Parks.
WITH the cost-of-living already making holidays inaccessible for many families, there are fears a proposed increase in National Park camping fees is set to deliver another blow. Member for Oxley Michael Kemp says some fees could increase so dramatically that a week-long stay at a national park campground may exceed $600, potentially pricing out local […]
The Hastings River in flood.
The road from Wauchope to Port Macquarie. Photo: Troy Thompson. The Cutty Creek Bridge between Bonny Hills and Herons Creek. Photo: Nathan Marden. Flooding in Short Street, Port Macquarie. Sandbagging at Florence Jones Cheese and Wine. The Hastings River in flood. The Hastings River at Bain Bridge. Preparing sandbags at Wayne Richards Park. Photos: Kylie […]
PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council is among 16 organisations awarded grants under the NSW Government’s Youth Opportunities program. The Council’s Youth Excellence Program received a $10,000 funding boost, supporting young people aged 12 to 24 to connect with their community, build new skills, and take on leadership roles. The Youth Excellence Program delivers a series of five […]
Tropical Soda Apple. Photo: NSW DPI.
THE NSW Government will deliver $10 million to local councils to target high-risk weeds across the state. The Weeds Action Program funds local councils, known as Local Control Authorities (LCA), to detect and respond quickly to incursions of new high-risk weeds. The program focuses on prevention and early intervention to stop the spread of problem […]
A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry was established on 7 May to report on the illegal tobacco trade in New South Wales. Among a broad remit, the committee will inquire into links between organised crime syndicates and tobacconists, and the utilisation of money laundering schemes by tobacconists. The inquiry will also explore the impact of the illegal tobacco […]
