THE State Government has launched a “landmark strategy” to respond to the perpetration of domestic and family violence (DFV) in New South Wales. “Building Better Responses: NSW Strategy to Respond to the Use of Domestic and Family Violence 2026–2030” is NSW’s first dedicated plan aimed at disrupting DFV and focusing on those who cause or […]
THE Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) will require newly connecting retail gas customers to pay the upfront cost of their connection, often more than $2000, moving away from the old system where these costs were often shared across all customers. The recent final determination responds to a rule change request from Energy Consumers Australia and […]
A $92 MILLION price tag to build a new wastewater treatment plant has driven Port Macquarie Hastings Council’s decision to instead upgrade the existing Wauchope facility, despite concerns about flooding at the site. Councillors last week endorsed proceeding with Stage 1 upgrades to the Wauchope Wastewater Treatment Plant – focused on inlet works – while […]
SOME elderly rural cancer patients live on farms with limited connectivity, hundreds of kilometres from the closest computer and even further from their doctor. These are the kinds of marginalised patients who will be helped by hard-fought new telehealth Medicare rebates, allowing for longer telephone consultations with specialists, medical oncologist Christopher Steer says. The new […]
LYNE MP Alison Penfold has announced her intention to provide a pre-Budget submission to the Federal Government’s Treasury Department to highlight community and infrastructure funding needs across the electorate. Ms Penfold said pre-Budget submissions offer an opportunity to highlight local priorities for consideration in the 2026-27 Federal Budget. “The Albanese Government needs to hear loud […]
MEMBER for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer, has welcomed the Minns Government’s introduction of a new licensing scheme designed to crack down on the illegal sale of tobacco and vaping products across NSW. The new laws require all retailers and wholesalers to hold a valid licence to sell tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products. The three-month grace […]
Professor Anne Tiedemann from the University of Sydney.
WOMEN across NSW are being invited to take part in a major government-funded health initiative designed to support active, independent ageing. The program, Active Women over 50, is led by Professor Anne Tiedemann from the University of Sydney and supported by the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund. It will provide free, tailored support to […]
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 […]
