Port Macquarie News Of The Area

28/03/2025

(almost) EIGHT newspapers along the NSW coast:
Family owned and run. Independent local news.

News Of The Area (NOTA) papers are growing, while the large media groups are shrinking, closing papers, losing community readership and trust.

Starting with one paper in 2014, the NOTA group will launch an eighth paper in May 2025.

More and more people are seeing what NOTA offers and are picking up a copy every week.

Join the club, and pick up a NOTA next time!

FREE, in print and online (always).

Pic 1 - The Wright family who own and operate.
Pic 2 - NOTA's eight mastheads.
Pic 3 - NOTA's NSW huge coverage and readership.

oh.. if you made it this far, give one or more of our FB pages a LIKE. Click below links.
Free News - No Paywalls!

Coffs Coast News Of The Area
Nambucca Valley News Of The Area
Myall Coast News Of The Area
Port Stephens News Of The Area
Camden Haven News Of The Area
Port Macquarie News Of The Area (launches 2 May, 2025)

28/03/2025

FREELANCE WRITERS wanted:
To all Scribes, Reporters and Writers...

The new lFREE weekly paper is coming soon and we have been busy developing a team of reporters.

This is paid work. It is also very flexible. It enables you to write as much or as little to fit your current commitments and lifestyle.

You don't need a journalist background. You do need to be passionate about the area, the people, the issues and local topics.

If you want to be a part of the community's new paper - you can be!

Email us for more on it.
[email protected]

Port Macquarie News Of The Area

27/03/2025

“MONEY for nothing”, “financial mismanagement”, and “what happens” when there are rate freezes; this is how some sports clubs and players have described Council’s resurrected plans to charge ground fees.

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“MONEY for nothing”, “financial mismanagement”, and “what happens” when there are rate freezes; this is how some sports clubs and players have described Council’s resurrected plans to charge ground fees. The pay-to-play model is back on the table – just a year after community backlas...

24/03/2025

DELIVERY PEOPLE wanted:
We are seeking people to bulk drop the new Port Macquarie newspaper into news stands all around the area.

The role is for a couple of hours every Friday morning.
It is ‘bulk drop’ delivery to selected outlets and business where our news stands are located, not house to house.
It is a paid role.

Interested people, please email us today. [email protected]

We are making sure Port Macquarie has it own free media representation. Your new local free newspaper.

Port Macquarie News Of The Area

21/03/2025

Community update:
Thank you for so much for the support for this new free paper. Port Macquarie certainly deserves its own free paper - in print and online. Friday 2nd May 2025.

News stands arrived today!

We are now seeking people to do bulk drop deliveries.

Must be available every Friday morning.
2-4 hours depending on the run size.
More info and interested people please email us: [email protected]

Other ways to get involved...

We are after more and more businesses to advertise.
(Let's make this paper large and great!)

We are seeking just a couple more news writers.
(Write as many or a little to suit your lifestyle)

Any high foot-traffic locations to have a news stand.
(People will soon know where to collect their paper)

Give our FB Page a Like too.
Port Macquarie News Of The Area

19/03/2025

Chan can give local businesses all of the exciting advertising options we have available within this new free newspaper. Low rates - High Distribution.
Reach out today and get your business involved.

17/03/2025

Liberal candidate Robert Dwyer has declared victory in the Port Macquarie by-election.

"With the majority of votes counted, the Liberals have won 53 percent of the two-party preferred vote," the NSW Liberals said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

"It marks the first time a non-incumbent Liberal has won the seat of Port Macquarie.

A Mr Dwyer said that he’s honoured to have been elected as the next member for Port Macquarie.

“I’d like to thank our community for their support and for their trust in allowing me to continue Leslie Williams’ hard work for our region,” Mr Dwyer said.

“I’m joining the NSW Liberals, a team that fights for, and represents all of NSW.

"I’m determined to get straight to work and deliver funding to upgrade Wrights Road roundabout, improve local healthcare, tackle crime in our community and preserve and enhance our environment.”

15/03/2025

THREE things we are now looking for to get this new paper started:
1. Reporters ([email protected])
2. Advertisers. ([email protected])
3 Outlets. ([email protected])
Can you help? Know someone interested?
Email us today! Let's get this paper going!
FRIDAY 2 MAY 2025

14/03/2025

THE Port Macquarie by-election, set for this Saturday (15 March 2025), has generated discussion among local constituents due to its financial burden and timing.

PORT Stephens has experienced the biggest drop in the Hunter in development application (DA) approvals, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data. There were 277 approvals across the local government area (LGA) in 2024. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business...

14/03/2025

Voters head to the polls for Port Macquarie by-election

VOTERS in the Port Macquarie electorate will cast their ballots tomorrow (Saturday 15 March) to determine their next state representative, following the resignation of long-serving MP Leslie Williams.

The by-election campaign has been brief, with less than eight weeks elapsing since Ms Williams announced her departure.

Despite the short timeframe, six candidates from diverse backgrounds have stepped forward, each hoping to secure the seat.

Appearing in order on the ballot paper, the candidates are Sean Gleeson (The Nationals), Robert Dwyer (Liberal), Breelin Coetzer (Libertarian Party, formerly Liberal Democrats), Megan Mathew (Legalise Cannabis Party), Stuart Watson (The Greens), and Warwick Yonge (Independent).

Key local issues shaping the election include upgrades to the Wrights Road intersection, improvements to the Houston Mitchell Drive/Pacific Highway intersection, and the proposed Harrington Road overpass.

However, there has been a notable lack of engagement from the electorate, with many voters either unaware of the by-election or uncertain about its significance.

The impending Federal election has also caused some confusion among the public.

The local contest between the Liberal and National parties has been reignited, with both sides fiercely campaigning to win the seat they lay claim to.

Traditionally allies, the two parties have been locked in a battle for dominance in Port Macquarie following Ms Williams’ 2020 defection from the Nationals to the Liberals.

Port Macquarie has had just five representatives since its inception - three men and two women, representing two political parties and two independents.

Polling stations will be available on Saturday from 8am to 6pm.

Early voting locations are open until 5:30pm Friday, 14 March.

For a full list of where to vote, visit https://elections.nsw.gov.au/elections/state-elections/2025-port-macquarie-state-by-election

Click through for photos of all candidates.

13/03/2025

AN extraordinary meeting of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has ended with the resignation of CEO Dr Clare Allen.

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AN extraordinary meeting of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has ended with the resignation of CEO Dr Clare Allen. Dr Allen, who has led the organisation for four and a half years, will vacate the position of Chief Executive Officer on 21 March. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it ...

13/03/2025

Hi everyone. We are launching a free newspaper for Port Macquarie.

The paper is not only free to collect, but all of the online stories and content will be free as well. No paywalls!

It will be full of local content, local news, happenings, sport... you name it. All about Port Macquarie!

We are a family owned and operated, independent newspaper group. We launched a free paper back into Camden Haven last year.

We will be looking for local writers. And local people to distribute the paper. I'll share more info soon.

Anyone can make contact by emailing [email protected]

30/05/2024

I HAVE two fully grown adults living at home because they are students, but they are so grotty I feel like I need to leave home so I can have a clean, organised space.

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DEAR Jasminda, I HAVE two fully grown adults living at home because they are students, but they are so grotty I feel like I need to leave home so I can have a clean, organised space. Help! Gerry L. Dear Gerry, Housing affordability has meant that many of us are living in shared accommodation situati...

22/05/2024

‘On The Couch’ With Jasminda: My husband bought me a bike for my birthday so we can share an activity together.

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DEAR Jasminda, My husband bought me a bike for my birthday so we can share an activity together. I’m a bit nervous as I rode bikes when I was young, but I haven’t ridden for years. Any tips? Mandy P. Dear Mandy, There’s a saying, ‘it’s like riding a bike’ meaning it’s a skill that...

10/04/2024

MAN AND WOMAN CHARGED - AGGRAVATED ROBBERY:

Police have charged a man and a woman following an armed robbery in Port Macquarie.

At about 10.30pm on Saturday 30 March 2024, emergency services were called to Horton Street, Port Macquarie, following reports of an aggravated robbery.

Police were told a man, allegedly armed with a knife, approached a 20-year-old man from behind and demanded cash.

A female associate of the armed man allegedly prevented other bystanders from intervening.

The couple fled with a sum of money. The man was shaken but not injured during the incident.

Following inquiries by officers from Mid North Coast Police District, at about 10.40am on Tuesday 9 April 2024, police located a 43-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman walking along Gordon Street, Port Macquarie.

They were arrested and taken to Port Macquarie Police Station where the man was charged with robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon and custody of a knife in a public place.

The woman was charged with robbery in company, custody of a knife in a public place and possess prohibited drug.

They were both refused bail to appear before Port Macquarie Local Court today (Wednesday 10 April 2024).

The woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on Thursday 23 May 2024. The male was refused bail and remanded into custody to appear at Port Macquarie Local Court on the same date.

09/04/2024

MY husband is completely obsessed with Taylor Swift, and plays her songs constantly in the car.

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DEAR Jasminda MY husband is completely obsessed with Taylor Swift, and plays her songs constantly in the car. Personally I do not like Taylor Swift, and ask him to turn it off. To this he replies, “I am expanding your musical horizons.” However, I don’t want to ‘expand my musical horizons’...

20/03/2024

My husband insists on having his window down in the car, regardless of the weather.

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DEAR Jasminda, My husband insists on having his window down in the car, regardless of the weather. He says he feels stifled with the windows up and the air-conditioner on. I prefer to regulate the temperature. How do we compromise? Belinda W. Dear Belinda, I wonder if it’s a short-haired thing. Pe...

14/03/2024

What are the expectations for Easter presents this year?

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DEAR Jasminda, What are the expectations for Easter presents this year? I just went to the shops for my grandchildren and there are Easter trees, Easter decorations, Easter wreaths, Easter clothes, and on it goes. Brian W. Dear Brian, Wreaths? Trees? Decorations? It’s beginning to look a lot like ...