OPTIONS to reduce household insurance costs and fix an “unfair funding model” for emergency services will be put to a NSW parliamentary inquiry. While emergency services benefit everyone, most of their funding comes from a levy not everyone pays. The NSW Government says it is committed to removing this Emergency Services Levy (ESL) and replacing […]
Gun owners gathered in numbers in Kundabung, in what Mr Kemp described as a ‘united, bipartisan show of strength’.
Gun owners gathered in numbers in Kundabung, in what Mr Kemp described as a ‘united, bipartisan show of strength’. Oxley MP Michael Kemp said the new legislation is a ‘rushed, knee-jerk reaction’ to the Bondi attack. HUNDREDS of concerned residents attended a community information session about new NSW firearms laws on Tuesday in Kundabung. Organised […]
Dr Ben Gooden, CSIRO research scientist, surrounded by fleabane weed. Image GRDC
THE NSW Government has granted $1 million to Australia’s national science agency the CSIRO to carry out biocontrol research to help control invasive weeds. Biocontrol reduces weeds by deploying natural biological agents, such as fungi or insects, and is considered increasingly important as an environment-friendly, self-sustaining and cost-effective weed-management tool. Invasive weeds cost Australian agriculture […]
Port Macquarie Base Hospital to be upgraded. Photo: Port Macquarie Base Hospital website.
SPECIALIST survey works are now underway inside Port Macquarie Base Hospital and around its grounds, as the early planning stage of its $265m upgrade gets underway. These works involve the use of advanced, body-worn scanning camera technology to capture highly accurate measurements of existing hospital buildings, both internally and externally. A Health Infrastructure spokesperson said […]
Taree airport under review. Photo: MidCoast Council.
MIDCOAST Council has placed a new draft Strategic Plan for Taree Regional Airport on public exhibition, inviting the community to help shape how the airport develops over the next decade. Community members, aviation users and industry stakeholders can review the draft and provide feedback until Friday, 13 March 2026. The plan sets out a long-term […]
Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong launched the ‘Name and Shame’ list on 25 January. Photo: minister’s website.
THE State Government has launched a “Name and Shame” list of real estate agents, property managers and strata managing agents who have faced enforcement action. Available through the NSW Fair Trading website, it allows homeowners, buyers and renters to check if an agent has been fined, suspended or had their licence cancelled. It also includes […]
Even if parked in the shade with the windows partially down, dogs can die in a car in less than six minutes. Photo: GabesDotPhotos/Pexels.
DOG owners tempted to leave their pet in the car when they run to the shops, will soon risk tougher penalties. The State Government is delivering on its election promise to review the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA), flagging heavier fines and longer jail sentences. Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, […]
The Bluebottle, unmanned marine surveillance vessel. Photo: Ocius Technology - naval-technology.com
UNMANNED marine surveillance vessels known as Bluebottles will patrol Marine Parks between Coffs Harbour and Camden Haven over the Australia Day long weekend. The deployment aims to deter and detect illegal fishing activity in protected Green Zones along the Mid North Coast. Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer said the vessels will focus on detecting […]
The rain radar and weather map were at the top of the Bureau’s list of fixes. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
THE Bureau of Meteorology has implemented the first round of changes to its heavily-criticised $96.5m website. Since launching, the site has attracted 400,000 “items of feedback”. As a result, the rain radar and weather map have been improved and there is more information about daily temperature highs and lows on state, territory and district pages. […]
The number of emergency and urgent care patients is the highest since reporting began.
PUBLIC hospitals across the Mid North Coast are providing high-quality care despite high demand in emergency departments, according to the latest Bureau of Health Information statistics. The quarterly report is based on the period between July – September 2025. Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) Chief Executive Jill Wong praised staff for their commitment […]
