September 27, 2026
Fire ants discovered in Tweed Heads Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). Photo: DPI.
Local News

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 […]

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Empowering communities through sustainable fishing Brice with one of his latest catches. Photo: supplied
Event, Fishing

Empowering communities through sustainable fishing

Brice with one of his latest catches. Photo: supplied Brice sharing his love of the ocean. Photo: Kim Ambrose/SaltyFoxFotography. CAMDEN Haven’s Brice Hayward has personal experience of the power of fishing and the ocean to change lives. A primary school teacher and facilitator of Indigenous cultural camps, Brice believes that fishing has the potential for […]

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Regional buses get real-time travel technology Bus users can use websites and apps to plan their journeys with up-to-date service information.
Local News

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 […]

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Councillor Nik Lipovac parts ways with Liberal Party Councillor Nik Lipovac (right) and former Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams. Photo: Cr Nik Lipovac FB.
Editor's Picks

Councillor Nik Lipovac parts ways with Liberal Party

PORT Macquarie-Hastings councillor Nik Lipovac has confirmed he is no longer a member of the Liberal Party, announcing he will once again serve as an Independent. “I’ve decided not to renew my Liberal Party membership,” Mr Lipovac said. “Frankly, I’m too progressive and my views don’t necessarily align with just one political party.” While a […]

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Council leaders discuss funding challenges LGNSW CEO David Reynolds, LGNSW President Cr Phyllis Miller OAM, Mayor Adam Roberts and Acting CEO Robert Fish.
Government

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 […]

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Legal Hypothetical: No bars on estate claim
Hypothetical

Legal Hypothetical: No bars on estate claim

MARVIN had been estranged from his family for several years and is now serving a lengthy prison sentence for a serious criminal offence. As a former legal officer in a national security agency, he was charged with leaking classified information. Following the death of his mother, Hilary, in 2023, her Will appointed her daughter, Emily, […]

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Laurieton league star takes on top opposition
Sport

Laurieton league star takes on top opposition

Jack Wilson was selected for the Under 15s NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Country Development Rugby League team. Photo: supplied. Jack in action at the conference. Photo: supplied LAURIETON’S Jack Wilson travelled this week to Sydney to represent the Under 15s NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) Country Development Rugby League Team. From 7-11 July the NSWCCC […]

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New pie shop in Wauchope stirs the pot with risky, and now viral, shop name
Food

New pie shop in Wauchope stirs the pot with risky, and now viral, shop name

EVERYONE loves a good pie. Well, everyone except for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) when Wauchope’s new bakery offering, the Phat Phuc Pie Shop, tried to register its business name. Forced to assume the registered business name of Double P Bakehouse following multiple failed attempts, the bright neon sign that hangs in the […]

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Letter to the Editor: Does the Treasurer own a calculator?
Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Does the Treasurer own a calculator?

DEAR News Of The Area, LABOR’S proposal to introduce an unrealized capital gains tax on superannuation funds has created quite a bit of attention since Chalmer’s Federal Budget back on 25 March. I don’t believe Jim Chalmers owns a financial calculator or has thought through the effect of his tax. Recently the Government estimated that […]

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