NSW · Mid North Coast · Local council, made simple
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
A large Mid North Coast council on the Hastings River — around 91,000 people across Port Macquarie, Wauchope, the Camden Haven villages, Lake Cathie and Kendall. Port Macquarie is the region's main service, retail and visitor centre. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water, roads, libraries, parks, beaches, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.1%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyPort Macquarie-Hastings' recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
5 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Adam Roberts (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6581 8111
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~91,000
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council adopts 2026–27 Operational Plan and budget
At its June 2026 meeting the council adopted the Operational Plan 2026–2027, Delivery Program (Year 2), Long-Term Financial Plan and Revenue Policy, including the full IPART rate peg and a capital works program of more than $200 million.
What this means for you: This sets the council's rates, fees, charges and spending for 2026–27; water and waste charges rose about 7% and sewer fees about 9%, and the plan funds major water, wastewater and roads projects.
Source: Port Macquarie-Hastings Council — June Ordinary Council Meeting Summary
- Council meeting
Council resolves not to fill the Deputy Mayor role for the rest of the term
At its May 2026 meeting the council resolved, on a motion by the Mayor, to let the Deputy Mayor position lapse and not elect a replacement for the remainder of the 2024–2028 term.
What this means for you: The council is operating without a Deputy Mayor for the rest of the term; the Mayor's role and the nine-councillor makeup are unchanged.
- Waste
Port Macquarie-Hastings households among NSW's top waste performers
A 2025 kerbside waste audit found Port Macquarie-Hastings households diverting about 75% of waste from landfill, with a high share of food waste correctly placed in the green FOGO bin — above the state average.
What this means for you: The council's three-bin FOGO system (weekly food-and-garden organics collection) is keeping most household waste out of landfill; the audit result is the council's own reported figure.
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