NATIONALS Member for Lyne Alison Penfold has called the Labor Government’s Federal Budget a “bloodbath for regional Australia”. In her response to Labor’s Federal Budget, delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on 12 May, Ms Penfold said regional and rural communities like those in Lyne had been left behind. “Budgets can make or break the ability […]
Stroud Customer Service Point and Library.
REDUCED operating hours at the Stroud Customer Service Point and Library were adopted at MidCoast Council’s 29 April meeting. The facility will now operate from Tuesday to Thursday, 9am to 12pm. The move comes after a three month trial and a community feedback period open from Tuesday 27 January to Monday 2 March 2026. The […]
Pat Burrows explains the Community Garden’s composting method.
NEW Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) recycling requirements are coming into force. From 1 July, most large food businesses will have to recycle their food waste, with the aim of diverting it from landfill. The changes will also require all councils to provide household food waste recycling services from 2030. “Without action, NSW is […]
Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson with MGA Thermal Chief Scientist Eric Kisi and CEO Mark Croudace.
THE Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has provided $3.25 million to MGA Thermal in Tomago for up to five front-end engineering design studies to help commercialise its thermal energy storage technology and support industrial electrification. MGA Thermal’s technology stores renewable energy as heat, which can then be used on demand for industrial processes, aimed at […]
The XPT trains have been painted to reflect their history.
The XPT trains have been painted to reflect their history. The XPT trains have been painted to reflect their history. THE Sydney to Grafton XPT train service is set to return from 28 April, after a year of coach replacements during fleet upgrades. Sydney to Grafton train services – travelling through the Central Coast, Hunter […]
MIDCOAST councillors viewed reports on the progress and expenditure of capital works and roadworks programs at council’s last Ordinary Meeting. As of 13 March, Council is 70 percent of the way through the 2025-26 financial year, while the total maintenance expenditure is at just over 74 percent of the budget. Council says the effects of […]
Restoration of Scone Road.
RECOVERY continues across the MidCoast following the May 2025 flood event, however completion of works is not expected until 2029. The recovery program – one of the biggest in the region’s history – includes repairs to roads, bridges, drainage, and landslips. While work is underway, with Council working closely with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Mayor […]
MIDCOAST Council is seeking community feedback on its plans to change the rules around paper subdivisions. These are lots of land in non-urban areas that were historically recognised on paper but have no formed roads, drainage, sewerage or other infrastructure. Council is seeking to amend the State Environment Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) […]
Gloucester Preschool teachers and educators highlighting pay rate discrimination.
THOUSANDS of early childhood educators, including at Gloucester, wore pink to highlight the “Start Strong, Pay Fair” campaign on Wednesday 18 March, calling for urgent government action to address what has been described as a deepening workforce crisis in the sector. Rallies and community events were held, with educators, parents and advocates arguing that those […]
The prices of petrol and diesel at Tea Gardens on Friday, 20 March. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
GLOBAL events, most notably the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, have seen petrol and diesel prices skyrocket in the last few weeks, with a jump of 10 cents per litre (c/l) seen in a matter of days. As of Sunday 22 March 2026, crude oil prices are around US$122 per barrel – high by […]
