PORT Macquarie can expect to be in the national spotlight after polls close in this Saturday’s Federal Election, 3 May.
It is in the most marginal Nationals seat in the country and could play a key role in determining whether there will be a hung or majority parliament.
As was the case in 2022, Nationals MP for Cowper Pat Conaghan is going toe-to-toe with Independent candidate Caz Heise, although they are among a record 11 candidates on the House of Representatives ballot paper.
The neighbouring electorate of Lyne is considered a “safe” Nationals seat, however 10 candidates are hoping to replace retiring MP Dr David Gillespie.
This election is historically significant for the Port Macquarie-Hastings.
It’s 10 years since an electoral redistribution cleaved the local government area (LGA) in half; moving everyone north of Lake Innes into Cowper and leaving Wauchope and the Camden Haven in Lyne.
It also marks 50 years since Dr Peter Simpson became the area’s first Independent federal candidate to pose a very real threat to the major parties.
Until then, elections were typically a two-horse race between the Country Party and Labor.
1975 was the year of the Whitlam Government’s dismissal, and when the Country Party became the National Country Party. And while Simpson didn’t win, records held by the Port Macquarie Museum show he recorded the “best effort by far of any Independent in the country”.
More details about the region’s political history can be found in the books and other materials published by the Port Macquarie Historical Society.
Honorary Archivist Clive Smith told News Of The Area that, “the town’s written history is in the extensive personal, business and organisation archives held in the Port Macquarie Museum’s collection – including local newspaper archives.
“These are being continually added to, and are a rich resource for people wanting to know more about our town.
“Archives information can be viewed on the ‘Collections’ page on our website and original materials viewed by appointment.”
The history and current maps of the Cowper and Lyne electorates can also be found on the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website.
Pre-polling ends Friday, 2 May, leaving election day voters to attend the following locations on Saturday, 3 May, between 8am and 6pm.
While wheelchair access varies, all are listed as having “unimpeded, step-free access to the building” and access to a “virtual Auslan interpreter”.
As listed, some locations will have an inquiry officer available and an alternative voting room.
See the AEC’s website at aec.gov.au/assistance/ for more detailed advice.
COWPER
Port Macquarie area
– PCYC: 12 Owen Street. Accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
– Port Macquarie Public School: 1 Grant Street. Assisted wheelchair access.
– 1st Port Macquarie Sea Scout Hall: 9 Buller Street. Inquiry officer; assisted wheelchair access.
– Port Macquarie Girl Guides Hall: 54 Hollingworth Street. Assisted wheelchair access.
– Hastings Public School: Braemar Drive. Inquiry officer; assisted wheelchair access.
– Tacking Point Public School: 77-105 Bangalay Drive. Inquiry officer; accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
– The Point Community Church: Emerald Downs Community Centre 1/100 Ocean Drive. Inquiry officer; accessible parking; assisted wheelchair access.
– MacKillop Senior College: via Lochinvar Place. Alternative voting room; accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
– St Columba Anglican School: Iona Sports Centre. Accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
– Hastings Secondary College (Westport): 30 Findlay Avenue. Accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
– Lions Club Hall: 3/176 Hastings River Drive. Accessible parking; assisted wheelchair access.
– St Josephs Regional College Creative and Performing Arts Centre: 1 College Drive, Thrumster. Accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
– North Shore Rural Fire Brigade Building: 351 Shoreline Drive, Riverside. Assisted wheelchair access.
– Telegraph Point Public School: 177 Mooney Street. Wheelchair accessible.
LYNE
Rollands Plains
– Rollands Plains School of Arts Hall: corner of Rollands Plains and Bril Bril roads. Alternative voting room; assisted wheelchair access.
Wauchope area
– King Creek Bushfire Brigade Building: 33 Narran Close, King Creek. Alternative voting room; assisted wheelchair access.
– 2nd Wauchope Scout Hall: 4 Tallowood Avenue. Assisted wheelchair access.
– Wauchope High School: 1 Nelson Street. Accessible parking; wheelchair accessible.
– Huntingdon Public School: 2876 Oxley Highway, Huntingdon. Assisted wheelchair access.
– Beechwood School of Arts Hall: 725 Beechwood Road. Assisted wheelchair access.
– Long Flat Public School: 5077 Oxley Highway. Wheelchair access not listed.
