A NEW paper co-authored by Macquarie University lecturer and renowned whale scientist Dr Vanessa Pirotta highlights the importance of ‘citizen scientists’ who have been integral in exposing a newly observed Humpback whale behaviour. The paper released by Macquarie University on 4 May, ahead of Australia’s annual Humpback Day (6 May), explores the distinct action of […]

Tucker and his mother. Tucker has been deemed fit to transition to a new pre-release enclosure. AS A celebration of Wild Koala Day (3 May), meet Tucker, a joey born through Koala Conservation Australia’s (KCA) Wild Koala Breeding Program at Guulabaa – Place of Koala in the Cowarra State Forest.   Tucker is one of seven […]

A SPATE of fire bombings could be just the beginning as concerns mount the tax system is driving a burgeoning alcohol black market putting lives and the budget bottom line at risk. Police have not confirmed whether illicit alcohol was behind 15 incidents at hospitality venues across inner Melbourne since 14 April, but the industry […]

A MAJOR freight rail line intended to connect Melbourne and Brisbane will be left half-finished after its cost nearly tripled in six years, sparking anger from farmers and regional leaders. The federal budget will include plans to pare back the Inland Rail project and instead end it at Parkes in central NSW. Independent analysis shows […]

POTENTIAL changes to negative gearing or capital gains tax in the federal budget would not be breaking the trust of voters, the treasurer says. As Jim Chalmers prepares to hand down his fifth budget, the government faces accusations it is coming after “mum and dad” investors as family trusts join capital gains tax discounts and […]

Closure order stickers on the front of Fusian Asian Groceries and Confectionary in Short Street, Port Macquarie. Photo: Sue Stephenson. Some of the closure orders will expire in June. Photo: Sue Stephenson. FIVE stores have now been temporarily shuttered in the Hastings and Camden Haven as part of the NSW Government’s tough new crackdown on […]

COCOS Palms will be gradually removed from selected streets, parks and reserves in coming months, as part of a long-term council program to protect native wildlife and ecosystems. Classified as an environmental weed, Cocos Palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) are known to negatively impact flying-foxes – a species that plays a critical role in pollinating and dispersing […]

THE third rendition of the Draft Laurieton Town Centre Master Plan has officially gone on public exhibition. Residents are now being encouraged to carefully review the document and make formal submissions as debate around the town’s future intensifies. The latest draft became publicly available on Monday, 20 April and will remain on exhibition until Friday, […]

THE new Laurieton play space is set to open by July, with construction commencing last week. The play space project, located at Bruce Porter Reserve in Short Street, Laurieton, is funded by a $302,250 grant from the NSW Government’s Local Small Commitments Allocation Program with additional funding from Port Macquarie Hastings Council. The project aims […]

Inundation along the Hastings River in May 2025. Photo: Port Macquarie SES. Hastings River Drive, Port Macquarie in May 2025. Photo: Port Macquarie SES. THE State and Federal Governments have committed more than $56 million in new funding to support Mid North Coast communities as they continue to rebuild following the severe weather of May […]