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.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Port Macquarie-Hastings Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Closes in 270 days
Creative Industries Survey
Have your say →
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
26 updatesAuto-collected from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Places to Play Plan (Sporting Field Facilities)
Learn more Places to Play Plan (Sporting Field Facilities) What are your priorities for sports field facilities? Is it better lighting, surfaces, drainage, parking, shade, seating or improved accessibility?
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Asset Management Policy 2026
Learn more Draft Asset Management Policy 2026 Council's Asset Management Policy guides how community assets are planned, managed, and maintained. Have Your Say on the 2026 draft policy until 20 July 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Betterment of Stoney Creek Bridge
Council is improving the road safety of Stoney Creek Rd by replacing the current temporary bridge with a new concrete bridge structure to improve flood resilience during major flood events
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Cowarra Water Supply Scheme
To sustain our growth, we’re constructing a water treatment plant (WTP) and trunk main
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Fixing Country Bridges Program
The Fixing Country Bridges Program was a NSW Government initiative, enabling councils to replace timber bridges in poor condition and better connect regional and rural communities
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Community Spaces Plan (Public Toilets, Halls & Sports Field Amenities)
Learn more Community Spaces Plan (Public Toilets, Halls & Sports Field Amenities) What do you like or dislike about plans for community halls, public toilets and sports field amenities? Could they be improved?
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Social Strategy & Activation Plan 2026
Learn more Draft Social Strategy & Activation Plan 2026 Create stronger communities and welcoming places. Have Your Say on Council's draft Social Strategy and Activation Plan.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Laurieton Town Centre Master Plan
The objective of the LTCMP is to create an active, vibrant and bustling community heart that is the centre of the Camden Haven, and an attraction for both employment and tourism creating a sustainable future for the community.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Findlay Park Subsurface Drainage Works
Council is undertaking subsurface drainage works at Findlay Park to improve field performance and minimise impacts during wet weather.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Annual Road Renewals Program 2026-27
As part of the Annual Road Renewals Program, we will be undertaking road maintenance works at multiple locations throughout the region during the 2026-27 financial year.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Beach to Beach Shared Path
The Beach to Beach Shared path is a community driven project to provide a shared cycle/walking path between the North Haven breakwall and Pilot Beach in the Camden Haven.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Development
Beechwood Road Upgrade Stage 6 including Steels Bridge Wauchope
Council is upgrading Beechwood Road between Waugh Street and Glenview Drive (Stage 6) including replacing the existing timber bridge (named Steels Bridge) at Yippin Creek
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Procurement Policy
Learn more Draft Procurement Policy Share feedback on our framework for the efficient, transparent & ethical procurement of goods, services & works by Council. Closes 7 September 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Queens Lake Foreshore Trail Master Plan
Go to project Queens Lake Foreshore Trail Master Plan Have your say on the Queens Lake Foreshore Trail Master Plan. Closes 5 October 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Investment Policy 2026
Go to project Draft Investment Policy 2026 The annual review of our draft investment policy is now open for feedback. Closes 2 October 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Compliance and Enforcement Policy
Go to project Draft Compliance and Enforcement Policy Have your say on Council's framework for dealing with reports of alleged unlawful activity.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Contaminated Land Policy 2026
Go to project Draft Contaminated Land Policy 2026 Guiding how contaminated land is identified and managed across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region. Closes 21 September.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Laurieton Town Centre Master Plan: Public Exhibition
Learn more Laurieton Town Centre Master Plan: Public Exhibition Have your say on the Laurieton Town Centre Master Plan. Closes 5 June 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Waste
Draft Waste Services Policy 2026
Learn more Draft Waste Services Policy 2026 Service provisions and levels, waste related fees and charges, waste management at events, new services and new developments. Closes 3 June 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Swimming Pool Barrier Inspection Program
Learn more Swimming Pool Barrier Inspection Program Council's proposed program to lower drowning risk by improving compliance with pool barriers and design features. Closes 22 June 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Creative Industries Survey
Learn more Creative Industries Survey Your feedback will help our programs, actions and investments to support a sustainable creative sector.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Road and Reserve Naming Policies
Learn more Road and Reserve Naming Policies Our Road and Reserve Naming and Renaming Policies are being reviewed. Closes 5pm 13 April 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Reclassification of land - 52 John Oxley Drive
Learn more Reclassification of land - 52 John Oxley Drive Share your feedback on the reclassification of land at 52 John Oxley Drive. Closes 4 July 2026.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- 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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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Port Macquarie-Hastings Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.