Letter to the Editor: Dangerous ideas on climate change
DEAR News Of The Area, ONCE again David Lawrence from Dunbogan is making erroneous claims that climate change is a conspiracy promulgated by the United Nations and that the Covid vaccine was ineffective and unsafe. This disinformation is dangerous and completely unhelpful as we face the dire threats from the increase in CO2 in our […]
Port Macquarie Historical Courthouse Museum has copped a massive increase in Crown land fees by the State Government. Photo: Matt Taylor
Council to lobby MPs over ‘outrageous’ Crown land fee increases
PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council will push back against “outrageous” increases to Crown land lease and licence fees, warning the changes could threaten community access to key heritage, cultural and recreational facilities across the region. The move follows fee increases introduced by NSW Crown Lands in August 2024, after the council had already finalised its 2024-25 operational […]
Code-of-conduct complaints cost council more than $47,000
CODE-of-conduct complaints cost Port Macquarie-Hastings Council more than $47,000 over the past year, according to an annual report tabled at last week’s council meeting. The Code of Conduct Complaint Statistics report, covering the period from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025, details the number of complaints made against councillors and the general manager, how […]
Dolphin friendships can last decades - they surf waves together, rest side-by-side and build deep, stable alliances that look remarkably like human relationships. Photos: Dr Simon Allen, Shark Bay Dolphin Research.
Friends with benefits: Social connections slow ageing in dolphins, too
Dolphin friendships can last decades – they surf waves together, rest side-by-side and build deep, stable alliances that look remarkably like human relationships. Photos: Dr Simon Allen, Shark Bay Dolphin Research. Dolphin friendships can last decades – they surf waves together, rest side-by-side and build deep, stable alliances that look remarkably like human relationships. Photos: […]
A new report shows drinking water is safe across the Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA.
Report confirms drinking water across the Hastings is safe
THE region’s drinking water continues to meet health and safety standards, with Council noting strong performance across all water supply systems during the past financial year. The Drinking Water and Recycled Water Reports for 2024-25, which assess water quality across five supply systems servicing Port Macquarie and Camden Haven, Wauchope, Comboyne, Telegraph Point and Long […]
Printed Edition 02 JANUARY 2026
The silver Toyota RAV4 seen leaving the area.
Police re-release security video of car near Port Macquarie shooting
DETECTIVES have re-released security video as investigations continue into a shooting in Port Macquarie in October. About 2.10am Friday 17 October, police were called to Park Street following reports of a home invasion. They were told multiple people had entered a home and confronted a 26-year-old man. Shots were fired by the intruders, who fled […]
Martin Newell with members of Lorne RFS.
Donation to RFS Lorne to help volunteers during bushfire season
PORT Macquarie-based Real Estate Agent Martin Newell loves Lorne. “I have been a real estate agent in the area for more than 23 years. I lived in Lorne for many years and have had family living there; it is quite simply one of my favourite places in Australia,” he told News Of The Area. To […]
Free camping is available at Chichester State Forest, near Dungog. Photo: NSW State Forests.
Free dog-friendly camping from coast to high country
NSW State Forests are open for free, pet‑friendly camping from the coast to the high country. There are almost 500 State Forests and many offer camping facilities where dogs, under their owner’s control, are welcome. Campfires are also permitted, outside of fire bans. “State Forests are a fabulous resource for the community,” Manager Tourism and […]
