THE NSW Labor Government has voted down the Opposition’s Crimes Legislation Amendment (Youth Crime) Bill 2025, which proposed changes to bail and sentencing laws. The Coalition’s bill sought changes including: – Expanding the definition of repeat offences beyond break and enter and car theft, to include serious indictable crimes like murder and sexual assault. – […]
THE Federal Government has announced it will deliver 20,000 Home Care Packages in the next eight weeks. A further 20,000 packages are set to be released between November and the end of the year, with the remainder of the promised 43,000 to be delivered by mid-2026. The Australian Government subsidises organisations to provide home care […]
PORT Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) is now accepting applications for its Major Events and Community Grants Program. Major Events Sponsorship offers up to $5,000 for events occurring between January and June 2026 that attract visitors from outside the region, boost the local economy, and enhance community wellbeing. PMHC is especially keen to support “standout, unique […]
MEMBERS of the Port Macquarie Branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) hosted an international day in their rooms on Wednesday 20 August, focusing on this year’s Country of Study, the Republic of Korea. International Officer Christa Lobb was instrumental in organising the day, decorating the CWA rooms and tables with Korean colours and presenting […]
MORE than 10,000 Australian households and businesses will be asked to share ways they generate and use electricity for research to accelerate the net-zero transition. The nation’s science agency CSIRO on Thursday launched the National Energy Analysis Centre that will capture real-world energy use, which has been modelled on a similar body in the UK. […]
A NATIONAL childcare worker register should show the employment history of staff after revelations an accused child abuser was sacked from one facility but continued working unimpeded. Joshua Dale Brown, 26, has been charged with more than 70 sex offences against eight alleged victims aged under two at a childcare centre in Melbourne. Authorities have […]
PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council says it is committed to engaging with the community as the Laurieton Regional Play Space project progresses. In last Friday’s edition of NOTA, Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce president Luke Hadfield expressed concern over the process which had led to the selection of Bruce Porter Reserve, Laurieton as the site for the […]
AN Upper House inquiry has been established to examine the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025, a private members’ bill introduced by Robert Borsak MLC of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party. The bill proposes a number of amendments to the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002, including to abolish […]
MAYOR Adam Roberts is calling on locals to support small businesses to get back on their feet after recent flooding. Trading has now resumed for several impacted businesses along low-lying areas such as Short Street, Hastings River Drive and Settlement Point. “As the dust starts to settle on a tumultuous four weeks for the region, […]
FAILURE to vote notices will be issued this week to electors who appear not to have voted at the Port Macquarie by-election on Saturday, 15 March. NSW Electoral Commissioner Rachel McCallum encourages recipients of these notices to respond via the Electoral Commission’s online self-service portal. “The NSW Electoral Commissioner is required by law to issue […]
