October 22, 2026
You can help make NSW roads safer
Community, Government, Health, Local News, Police

You can help make NSW roads safer

MOTORCYCLISTS on NSW roads are at far greater risk of being killed in a crash than other motor vehicle users, according to the NSW Government’s Towards Zero campaign. Motorcycle fatalities accounted for 20.7 per cent of all road fatalities and nearly 4,500 injuries in 2024 despite motorcycles making up only 3.7 per cent of registered […]

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New motorway extension to ease traffic away from Port Stephens Motorists using the M1 extension will save 10 minutes of travel time, avoiding the notorious Hexham bottleneck. Image: Transport for NSW.
Community, Government, Local News, Regional

New motorway extension to ease traffic away from Port Stephens

AFTER more than two years of construction, $2.24 billion in funding and 1.6 million cubic meters of earth removed, the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace has finally been opened more than a year ahead of schedule. Last month, locals got to walk on foot on a section of the newly completed road, but […]

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MidCoast students urged to dive in and enter student writing competition Kids who take part in the writing comp could win some handy pocket money. Photo: magnific.
Community, Government, Local News, Regional, School

MidCoast students urged to dive in and enter student writing competition

PRIMARY school, high school and homeschool students across the MidCoast are encouraged to get their entries in soon to the National Water Week Junior Writing Prize. Students are encouraged to submit a short story, poem or work of creative non-fiction that explores the theme ‘Water Connects Everything’, with the competition closing on Friday, 25 September. […]

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Coalition call to make tobacco products legal and affordable to smash black market
Community, Government, Local News, National, Regional

Coalition call to make tobacco products legal and affordable to smash black market

AUSTRALIA must smash the illicit tobacco market that is fuelling organised crime, hurting legitimate businesses and making a mockery of our laws, according to Federal Member for Lyne, Alison Penfold. “Illicit tobacco is not a victimless crime,” Ms Penfold said. “It has become big business for organised crime.” Ms Penfold says she has backed a […]

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Keep the lifeline flying On the ground in Gloucester. Photo: Supplied.
Community, Government, Health, Local News

Keep the lifeline flying

Helicopter approaching Gloucester. Photo: Supplied. On the ground in Gloucester. Photo: Supplied. MANY regional residents are accustomed to hearing or seeing the Westpac helicopter in the skies above or near their town. Unfortunately, the presence of the helicopter indicates that someone is in urgent need of medical care. Over the past three years, the Westpac […]

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New dads in NSW set for more support
Government, Health

New dads in NSW set for more support

NEW fathers in NSW will benefit from new health and mental health checks thanks to a $1 million donation from the NSW Government to men’s health charity Movember. The funding will allow NSW Health to partner with Movember to pilot health and wellbeing checks for new and expecting dads. The initiative will focus on the […]

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Roadworks may bring minor delays in Gloucester, Wingham
Community, Government, Local News

Roadworks may bring minor delays in Gloucester, Wingham

MOTORISTS can expect minor delays from roadwork planned in Gloucester and Wingham over the coming fortnight. In Gloucester, reconstruction work is planned for King Street between the railway and Ravenshaw Street. Roadwork crews will also repair Wingham’s Isabella Street roundabout. Pothole patching is also planned for both towns and others throughout the MidCoast Council LGA, […]

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Flying Doctor Service gets $15m funding boost Additional funding will allow the RFDS to do more for regional, rural and remote communities. Photo: RFDS.
Community, Government, Health, Local News

Flying Doctor Service gets $15m funding boost

THE NSW government is investing $15 million to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to continue providing its lifesaving services across NSW. Part of the 2026-27 State Budget, the funding will enable the RFDS to deliver primary health care, dental and mental health services, retrievals, and patient and clinician transport in regional, rural and […]

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M1 Pacific Motorway extension approaches its opening, and locals got to walk on it Information stalls, family activities and free food were available at the end of the walk. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
Community, Government, Local News

M1 Pacific Motorway extension approaches its opening, and locals got to walk on it

The 3.5 km walk along the new section of the highway left many quite winded. Photo: Nico Lombardo. The view from the new viaduct over the Hunter River. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Information stalls, family activities and free food were available at the end of the walk. Photo: Nico Lombardo. AFTER more than three years of […]

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Honour history by nominating a person or place for a Blue Plaque commemoration A Blue Plaque commemorating the historic 1965 Freedom Ride advocating for Aboriginal rights. Photo: Heritage NSW.
Community, Government, Local News

Honour history by nominating a person or place for a Blue Plaque commemoration

AN opportunity exists to help preserve and honour history by nominating inspiring people and defining moments that have helped shape the state of New South Wales. The NSW Government is inviting everyone, from individuals to community organisations, to share a story that deserves to be immortalised with a Blue Plaque. There are more than 70 […]

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