May 21, 2026
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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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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Forest industry future under review as NSW maps logging reform Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin, Premier Chris Minns and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe at the Great Koala National Park announcement last year. Photo: Penny Sharpe MP.
Regional

Forest industry future under review as NSW maps logging reform

THE forestry industry has been a contested space in NSW for many years, with some supporting the continuation of native hardwood logging and others strongly opposing it. The issue was brought into sharper focus recently with the announcement by the NSW Government of its intention to create the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). The establishment […]

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Police guard of honour farewells Retired NSW Police Asst Comm. Peter Walsh APM Hundreds gathered in Port Macquarie to farewell Peter Walsh, including NSW Commissioner Mal Lanyard, former colleagues, and extended family and friends.
Police

Police guard of honour farewells Retired NSW Police Asst Comm. Peter Walsh APM

Peter Walsh, NSWP #11722, served the state for 37 years. Hundreds gathered in Port Macquarie to farewell Peter Walsh, including NSW Commissioner Mal Lanyard, former colleagues, and extended family and friends. Hundreds gathered in Port Macquarie to farewell Peter Walsh, including NSW Commissioner Mal Lanyard, former colleagues, and extended family and friends. Hundreds gathered in […]

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Young artists on show in ARTEXPRESS exhibition Students artists travelled from across the state to be at the opening of the exhibition. Photo: Pauline Cain.
Local News

Young artists on show in ARTEXPRESS exhibition

Students artists travelled from across the state to be at the opening of the exhibition. Photo: Pauline Cain. MacKillop College HSC Visual Arts Teacher Loretta North and her daughter Grace with Charlie Penn’s 3D animation, ‘Eye of the Moth.’ Photo: Pauline Cain. HSC Visual Arts Teacher Lauren Barlow and her former student Meera Nirmalendran from […]

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