September 22, 2026
Letter from the Editor: Fond farewell
Letter to the Editor

Letter from the Editor: Fond farewell

By Doug CONNOR, Group Editor AFTER just shy of six years manning the News Of The Area news desk, I have made the difficult decision to leave my role as Group Editor. Before I officially depart next Friday (29 May), I wanted to take the opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who has […]

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Budget brawl escalates over rival tax cut proposals The federal government has continued back its budget tax reforms despite opposition criticism. Photo: Susie Dodds/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Budget brawl escalates over rival tax cut proposals

A ROW has broken out over the cost of cutting taxes for millions of Australians as Labor and the opposition try to sell rival economic plans to voters. After a week dominated by the state of the nation’s finances, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused the opposition of failing to properly price its plan to bake […]

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NSW Farmers: Farmer confidence ‘plummets’ amid cost crisis
Camden Haven

NSW Farmers: Farmer confidence ‘plummets’ amid cost crisis

NSW FARMERS is warning state and federal governments must urgently respond to an acute cost-of-production shock with new data showing spikes in fuel and fertiliser prices caused by global shortages have slashed confidence. The latest NSW Farmers Farm Business Sentiment Survey suggests 80 percent price increases for fuel and fertiliser have flowed through to freight […]

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Business case completed for upgrade of Port Macquarie’s Wrights Road
Local News

Business case completed for upgrade of Port Macquarie’s Wrights Road

THE business case for the Oxley Highway upgrade between Wrights Road and Lake Road has been completed, according to Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer. “[This is] an important milestone toward delivering a long-term solution to one of our region’s biggest traffic headaches,” Mr Dwyer said after a meeting with Regional Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison. […]

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Awards night caps off successful season for surf club
Community

Awards night caps off successful season for surf club

  Wauchope Bonny Hills SLSC life members Keith Charles (left) and Wayne Gill (right) congratulate George Fowler on his elevation to Life Governor.   George Fowler congratulates Jason Sawyer on his prestigious Club Person of the Year award.   WAUCHOPE-Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) held its Awards of Excellence presentation on 9 May, […]

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Ex-Liverpool star Craig Johnston shares footballing philosophy Former Liverpool legends Ian Rush and Craig Johnston. Photo: AAP Image/Mark Dadswell.
Sport

Ex-Liverpool star Craig Johnston shares footballing philosophy

Former Liverpool legends Ian Rush and Craig Johnston. Photo: AAP Image/Mark Dadswell. Mid North Coast hotelier Alistair Flower and Craig Johnston during the ex-footballer’s visit to Port Macquarie last week. Photo: Alistair Flower. Former West Bromwich Albion player Mark Trenter, Richard McGovern from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Craig Johnston and Mick Day from the […]

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CWA branches debate record number of motions at state conference in Forster State President Tanya Jolly with Mid North Coast Group President Lynn Moore (Port Macquarie).
Regional

CWA branches debate record number of motions at state conference in Forster

Delegates at this year’s conference. Doreen Burns, President of CWA Wauchope accepting items from the Hospital Support Committee. Just under 500 entries for Land Cookery were judged at the conference. Mid North Coast Group Conference Committee: Eunice Roberts and Chrystine Bouffler (Lake Cathie-Hastings), Jan Sullivan (Forster), Julie Deer (Wingham), Rhonda Merchant (Gloucester Evening) and Janella […]

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Proposal for cycling track to link Port Macquarie town centre and the Googik Track Better By Bicycle Port Macquarie members at the end of the proposed Town to Googik Link Trail.
Community, Government

Proposal for cycling track to link Port Macquarie town centre and the Googik Track

THE National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Draft Lake Innes Plan of Management (February 2026) proposal to extend the Googik Track to Lake Cathie received more than 300 submissions in support of extending the trail. This has prompted a local Bicycle User Group [BUG], Better By Bicycle Port Macquarie, to lodge a new proposal to […]

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Aboriginal rangers to play key role in GKNP Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe announces next steps in the creation of the GKNP. Photo: DCCEEW.
Government

Aboriginal rangers to play key role in GKNP

Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe announces next steps in the creation of the GKNP. Photo: DCCEEW. Glenn Storrie from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe with representatives of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. NSW ENVIRONMENT Minister Penny Sharpe was in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday, 12 May to outline progress […]

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