Government Archives - Camden Haven News Of The Area

Government flags tougher penalties for animal cruelty including jail time for leaving dogs in hot cars

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, […]

Government

Autonomous Bluebottle vessels to patrol Mid North Coast marine parks over Australia Day long weekend

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 […]

Government, National

Weather Bureau updates unpopular $96.5m website

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. […]

Government, Health

Staff praised as Mid North Coast hospitals deliver strong results in quarterly report

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 […]

Government

Anger and fears over Council’s sudden closure of Kindee Bridge

Kindee resident Chris O’Brien. Photo: supplied. The Kindee Bridge was closed without warning on Tuesday. KINDEE resident Chris O’Brien, 73, lives on his own since his wife passed away earlier this year. A resident of the area for more than 35 years, he is fiercely independent. But as the survivor of a triple bypass, heart […]

Government

PMHC releases Disability Inclusion Plan featuring Town Beach Mobi Mats

INTERNATIONAL Day of People with Disability on 3 December, was marked by the release of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Community Inclusion and Disability Inclusion Action Plan for 2025-2029, alongside the NSW Government’s Disability Inclusion Plan 2025-2029. The Port Macquarie Hastings plan is named, “Make a bigger circle”. It originated from a community forum where a participant […]

Government

Nationals ditch net zero as Liberals ponder policy

THE Nationals have set up a possible showdown with their political ally the Liberals after unanimously agreeing to scrap their commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. The regional party argues Australia is doing more than its fair share to reduce carbon pollution, and emissions reductions should instead be tied to an average of similar […]

Government

Councillor Nik Lipovac takes on the role of Port Macquarie-Hastings’ Deputy Mayor

A NEW deputy mayor was elected at the October meeting of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, following the conclusion of Councillor Lauren Edwards’ term. Unlike the mayoral position, which is decided by popular vote at council elections, the deputy mayor is chosen annually by councillors. This year, Councillor Nik Lipovac was elected to the role. Cr Lipovac […]

Government, Police

Leaders urged not to mess with criminal responsibility

LEGAL advocates have welcomed a report’s recommendations into a presumption that children under 14 are “incapable of evil”, urging a state not to tinker with the long-standing principle, despite a drop in youth convictions. A NSW review of doli incapax was released on Saturday after it was launched by the state Labor government in May […]

Government

Cowarra Dam milestone highlights need for expansion

Mayor Adam Roberts with council staff and guests at the Cowarra Off-Creek Storage Dam. Photos: PMHC. PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council is celebrating two decades since the opening of Cowarra Dam – a critical source of the region’s water supply. Council staff and guests gathered at the site in the Cowarra State Forest earlier this week to […]