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 […]

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 […]

ARTIFICIALLY intelligent cameras detected more than 1100 bushfires in Australia over summer, including some that would have been missed by humans until they posed a greater risk. One fire outbreak caused by lighting strikes, for example, could have damaged a pine forest if cameras had not alerted firefighters. Pano AI revealed the findings on Tuesday […]

FIRE and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) will be throwing its doors open to the public again next month with important safety advice for adults and fun opportunities for the kids. Gloucester Fire Station will be open from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 9 May, showcasing its fire trucks, equipment and highly-trained firefighters. There will be a […]

A VISITOR from the deep past is about to grace Australian skies. For those willing to rise before dawn, it offers something close to time travel. The long-period comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) – last seen when humans were shaping stone tools and learning to master fire – has returned after an absence of roughly 170,000 […]

THIRTEEN regional clubs have collectively raised more than $70,000 to support farmers impacted by the devastating floods of May last year. Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer said the fundraising effort brought together clubs from across the region with the support of Clubs NSW. “[It] highlighted the strong community spirit and commitment to supporting those […]

BUCKETTS Radio is Gloucester’s local radio station, broadcasting a rich mix of music and community content produced entirely by its dedicated volunteer announcers. According to Tim Carroll, one of the hosts of “The Old Mates Radio Show”, the station is “jumping with some exceptional input from the dedicated group of volunteers”. One such project, “Stories […]

A proud Toby Wilson OAM turns 99 on 19 April. A young Toby Wilson in his Navy days. GLOUCESTER RSL sub-Branch members gathered on Saturday to celebrate the birthday of branch patron Alan Laurie ‘Toby’ Wilson OAM. Mr Wilson turns 99 on 19 April. “It was truly heartening for all present to see Toby in […]

LYNE MP Alison Penfold has launched “Lyne’s Biggest Survey”, an electorate-wide consultation over local priorities. The survey is being delivered to households across the Lyne electorate. “This survey is about giving a voice to the concerns of each and every Lyne resident, whether you live in the big centres of the electorate, the small towns, […]

FUEL prices have increased markedly all over Australia since the start of the Iran war. The Federal Government has explained this increase by the fact that ships have been unable to transport oil through the Strait of Hormuz, but what is not so clear is why fuel prices sometimes vary significantly between retail outlets in […]