š” Your local news in 6 mins
Including: Why the hydrotherapy pool in Kempsey failed to reopen after the pandemic, top picks for cheap eats in Port, and how reducing impact of disasters could make flood cover more affordable.
Brad Esposito
March 11, 2026
ā±ļø The 102nd edition of our newsletter is a six-minute read.
ā Hello, it's Ellie ā your Mid North Coaster reporter.
š¢ Todayās call out: Iām looking to speak with people in the seafood industry to find out how much locally caught seafood stays here on the Mid North Coast.
Lately Iāve been wondering: where does the rest of it go?
Simply reply to this email to get in touch.
Our top story in todayās newsletter actually came from a reader getting in touch.
This time last week, Kempsey Shire resident, Helen Miles, responded to the morning newsletter and said:
And so I spoke to Helen over the phone, asked the Mid North Coast Local Health District what happened, and spoke to another resident who was around when the pool hydrotherapy pool opened in 1987 and was a member of just one of the many community groups that raised money to fund the project.
āIt was community money that was put into the pool, and it should still be open for the community,ā Loma Baker told the Mid North Coaster. āIt shouldāve been kept up to date, thereās no two ways about it.ā
Weāll take a look at that story soon, along with a list of cheap eats in Port Macquarie and a video about how reducing the risk of disaster impact could make insurance more affordable.
But first, a couple of community announcementsā¦
š COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
Members of the public can have their say online about the section of the Oxley Highway between Wrights Road and Lake Road in Port Macquarie ā a stretch of road notorious for traffic jams.
@midnorthcoaster Will anyone fix the traffic jams?#portmacquarie #midnorthcoast #NSW #australia #traffic
Anyone can submit feedback directly through the Transport for NSW website at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/north-coast
šļø Something happening this weekend
Port Macquarie dog enthusiasts and their pooches (on leads) are invited to a Woof & Wine afternoon at Cassegrain Wines this Sunday.
RSPCA NSW Port Macquarie Supporter Group will host the event to help fund its desexing and emergency care programs, helping low-income pet owners in the community to care for their pets.
The day includes competitions like the waggiest tail and the best sit-and-stay as well as lucky door prizes.
šļø Sunday 15 March
š 12.30pm - 4pm
šļø Tickets from $10. Buy online at Humanitix or on the day for an extra $5.
TOP STORY
š” Six years on and the hydrotherapy pool at Kempseyās hospital remains closed
After a significant operation on her back in 2011, hydrotherapy made a āmassive differenceā to recovery for Helen Miles. Living in Frederickton, it was a less than 10-minute drive to the hydrotherapy pool at Kempsey District Hospital.
But that was until the facility was closed.
In 2020, the hydrotherapy pool in Kempsey ā as well as the two in Port Macquarie Base Hospital and Coffs Harbour Health Campus ā were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
And while lockdowns have long been lifted, Kempseyās therapy pool has remained shut.
So whatās taking so long ā and why havenāt Kempsey locals seen a change?
The pool was provided through the generosity of the citizens of Kempsey Shire. Picture supplied.
Grand opening to closure: The Mid North Coast Local Health Districtās (MNCLHD) hydrotherapy pool opened at Kempsey District Hospital in 1987.
A plaque remains in place today commemorating the generosity of the Kempsey community who helped fund the project.
Not up to scratch: The reason for long-term shutdown began in the early 2020s. While the pools were closed, compliance and suitability assessments were undertaken as part of the local health districtās regular maintenance. It found the Kempsey pool was not up to scratch and would cost too much to fix.
āThe reports identified that the hydrotherapy pools were non-compliant with Australian standards and therefore unsuitable for public use,ā a Mid North Coast Local Health District spokesperson told the Mid North Coaster. āThese assessments identified that substantial capital investment would be required to ensure the pools could meet compliance standards.ā
āGiven Kempsey hydrotherapy pool was constructed almost 40 years ago, it does not meet minimum standards of the National Construction Code or the Australian standards for hydrotherapy pools or design for access and mobility,ā the MNLHD spokesperson said.
Not good enough: For Kempsey resident Loma Baker, this reasoning doesnāt cut it.
Baker was a member of the Kempsey Quota Club (now dispersed) that helped fund the pool project along with other community organisations.
A list of community contributors that āmade the pool a realityā still hangs on a wall at Kempsey District Hospital. Picture supplied.
āIt was community money that was put into the pool, and it should still be open for the community,ā Baker told the Mid North Coaster. āIt shouldāve been kept up to date, thereās no two ways about it.ā
The MNCLHD said the Kempsey hydrotherapy pool was partially funded by a $152,000 donation made by the Kempsey Sesqui-Centenary Committee.
Travel for treatment: Baker said there are many elderly people in the Shire who would benefit from hydrotherapy treatment, but canāt drive themselves and canāt afford to get to the closest alternative in Port Macquarie.
Great option for those who can get it: Miles underwent a knee replacement last year and was determined to get hydrotherapy treatment to recover and rehabilitate.
With Kempseyās hydrotherapy pool still closed, she had no option but to drive 40-minutes to Port Macquarie Private Hospital where the treatment was available.
āI was lucky I had private health insurance, but a lot of people donāt have that advantage,ā Miles said.
While her knee was recovering, Miles relied on others to drive her the 120-kilometre return trip ā saying she counted herself lucky again to have family close by to help.
āMany people donāt have that. I needed more [treatment] but was not up to the drive or the expense,ā Miles said.
Community hydrotherapy pools at Port Macquarie Private Hospital, Lake Cathie Medical Centre, Mid North Coast Allied Health at Woolgoolga and Baringa Private Hospital in Coffs Harbour are currently available for patients.
A spokesperson for MNCLHD recommended public heated pools like at the Kempsey McElhone Swimming Complex, South West Rocks, and Crescent Head.
š¹ VIDEO OF THE DAY
Reducing the risk and impact of extreme weather events could bring insurance premiums down. So, whatās the government doing to see this happens?
@midnorthcoaster Reducing risk of extreme weather impact could bring premiums down. So whatās the government doing? #australia #midnorthcoast #disasterimpa... See more
š” The ultimate guide to cheap eats in Port Macquarie
Eating out doesnāt have to mean blowing the weekly budget.
Port Macquarie has plenty of places serving fast takeaway, generous deals and pub classics without the premium price tag.
Here are five local favourites worth trying including Japanese, pizza, a great pub and fish and chips.
š£ MakiMoto
If youāre craving Japanese but donāt want a big bill, Makimoto Express is a reliable go-to in the Port Macquarie CBD on the corner of Horton and Clarence Street.
The ready-to-eat options include sushi rolls, sashimi packs, bento boxes, rice paper rolls, and bao buns. For example, two sushi rolls come under $10.
If youāre not on the go, the MakiMoto restaurant is situated just next door serving lunch and dinner.
Teriyaki chicken meal $30
California Maki Roll $18.90
š 2/22 Horton Street
š HomeSlice Pizza Bar
HomeSlice has built a loyal following for its relaxed vibe and New Yorkāstyle pizza.
On Tuesdays, the venue offers a ātight assā deal where $25 per person gets you bottomless pizza.
And just FYI, cocktails are $10 on Wednesdays.
HomeSlice is open in the evening, seven days a week, offering takeaway and dine-in dinner
Woodfired pizzas range from $24-$32
Pastas are $28
š 3/14 Clarence Street
š Settlers Inn Hotel
For classic pub value, Settlers Inn is hard to beat.
The bistro runs regular weekly specials and weekday lunch deals, with pub favourites like schnitzels, burgers and fish and chips often priced around the mid-teens.
The standout bargain is Monday night with its $16 menu, including burgers, tacos, and the schnitty.
Tuesday: $20 rump with fries and salad
Wednesday: $18 ribs and wings
Thursday: $18 chicken schnitzel with fries and salad
Friday: Ā½ price chicken wings
Sunday: $16 burrito bowls and $5 tacos
š 101 Hastings River Drive
š Oriental Spoon
Oriental Spoon in the heart of Port Macquarie offers a weekday lunchtime special where bento boxes are $26.50.
Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, the restaurantās menu includes carpaccio, salads, dumplings, sushi, sashimi and sizzling plates.
Ramen $22.50
Fresh salmon avo large sushi roll $21
Itās also popular for takeaway and delivery, making it a convenient option when youāre not in the mood to be out in public.
š Shop 1/138 William Street
š¦ Off the Hook
Off the Hook fish and chips on Horton Street currently has a fresh prawn roll special for $8.
The takeaway venue has lots on offer under $20. For example:
Beef burger $10.90
Snack box for $13.50
Fish and chips $13.65
š 5/2 Horton St
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this edition. Iāll be back on Friday with another newsletter.
In the meantime, make sure youāre following along on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and our website to keep up to date with local news throughout the week.
Cheers,
š Ellie