Libertarian Councillor Mark Hornshaw. Photo: supplied. The Cowarra Water Supply Scheme is one of Council’s key infrastructure projects. Photo: PMHC. THE only councillor to vote against the draft budget for the Port Macquarie-Hastings is warning of a cumulative blow-out in rates and charges, while Council is warning of a reduction in services if the increases […]
Labor backs above-inflation wage bump for low-paid
LABOR has thrown its weight behind an above-inflation wage rise for low-paid workers, but business groups warn the move could worsen price pressures and fuel further interest rate rises. The federal government repeated its 2025 call for a pay bump above the inflation rate in its submission to the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review. […]
Community shows understanding in the face of rising business costs
WHILE rising fuel prices continue to create challenges for households and businesses across the country, one Camden Haven business owner says the response from his customers has been a reminder that community support remains strong during difficult times. Jake Thrash, owner and operator of Coastside Gardens, recently made the difficult decision to introduce a temporary […]
Less pain at the power point. Interest in electric cars is rising as petrol prices soar. Photo: Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS.
Shock at the petrol pump sparks electric vehicle surge
DEMAND for second-hand electric vehicles is rising with the price of petrol, attracting more than double the number of enquiries since the fuel crisis began. But automotive experts say the record interest also extends to new vehicles and could cause delays as motorists buy electric cars still en route to Australia. Pickles released details of […]
Alexander Robert MacDonald has been extradited on armed robbery and hostage-taking charges. Photo: New South Wales Police Force.
Man extradited to face historical armed robbery charges
A 76-YEAR-OLD man has been extradited interstate to face historical armed robbery charges. Alexander Robert MacDonald was arrested on Monday and extradited to NSW on Tuesday charged with armed robbery and hostage-taking relating to incidents from nearly 30 years ago. Police allege MacDonald entered a bank on October 28, 1996, in Coonabarabran, west of Tamworth, […]
The fuel excise will be temporarily cut to ease the pain of high petrol prices for motorists. Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS.
Relief for struggling motorists as fuel tax slashed
AUSTRALIANS under the pump from sky-high fuel prices will get some financial relief after the federal government succumbed to pressure to halve the tax on petrol and diesel. The decision to cut the fuel excise from the start of April will save motorists about $19 on a 65-litre tank, or 26.3 cents a litre, Prime […]
The punishment dished out for minor drug possession can vary significantly, analysis shows. Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS.
‘Poorly designed’ minor drug diversion scheme panned
LESS than a quarter of people eligible for a diversion program for minor drug possession incidents are having their matters dealt with outside of court. Crime statistics analysis from NSW, the last Australian jurisdiction to introduce a drug diversion program, shows nine per cent of nearly 12,000 relevant drug events between February 2024 and March […]
Hastings SES volunteers honoured at awards night
Award recipients from across the Hastings SES cluster. Photo: supplied. Long service and courage award recipients with NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns and local dignitaries including Port Macquarie MP Robert Dwyer, Mayor Adam Roberts and Port Macquarie Council General Manager Robert Fish. NSW STATE Emergency Service (NSW SES) volunteers from the Hastings Cluster were […]
Vale trailblazer Janet Cohen
Janet Cohen fought for the right for the terminally ill to die with dignity. Janet outside State Parliament with MP Alex Greenwich, who introduced the VAD Bill, and former Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams. Janet with partner Glenn Brewer looking at plans for the historic Pilot Station Lookout at Camden Head. Photo: Sue Stephenson. CAMDEN […]
Mid North Coast CWA branches gather for Group Council meeting
Mid North Coast Group members at the Group Council meeting. Treasurer Janella Leotta, President Lynn Moore and Secretary Eunice Roberts. Kathryn Jeanes from Wingham Branch admiring some of the handicraft on display. BULAHDELAH Country Women’s Association hosted the Mid North Coast Group Council Meeting on Wednesday 11 March. President Belinda Moore welcomed visitors to the […]
