LOCAL organisations doing important work across the Hunter and Northern Rivers regions are being encouraged to apply for up to $5,000 in the latest round of Port Authority of NSW’s Community Grants Program. Funding is available to support eligible projects that strengthen community connections, promote sustainability, or enhance the wellbeing of people living and working […]
THE Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety has concluded its two-year inquiry into community safety in regional and rural communities. The Committee’s final report, tabled on 19 March, makes 15 recommendations. Committee Chair Edmond Atalla MP said he hopes that the inquiry will result in lasting change. “Communities in regional NSW deserve to feel […]
TOTAL household wealth rose by 2.5 percent ($453.7 billion) in the December quarter 2025, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The value of residential land and dwellings rose 3.2 percent ($368.6 billion). This contributed two percentage points to the growth in Household wealth, while Superannuation assets contributed 0.3 percentage points. […]
BUILDERS say they are under pressure from a ‘triple threat’ caused by spiking fuel prices. Matthew Pollock, Executive Director of Master Builders NSW, said builders are increasingly feeling pressure from fuel price rises from a triple pain point perspective. The cost of keeping diesel-fuelled commercial vehicles and equipment operating and getting to site. Rising transport […]
MISSION Australia’s annual Youth Survey is open now and the national charity is urging NSW young people aged 14-19 to share their views in the largest survey of its kind in the country. Celebrating its 25th year in 2026, the Youth Survey gives young people the chance to express themselves and share their opinions on […]
WESTPAC customers in Bulahdelah can now access face-to-face banking support with a new Community Banking Service. In November 2025 Westpac announced it will be piloting the new service with local communities and councils to deliver banking in regional towns. Bulahdelah is one of three initial towns in regional NSW involved in the pilot alongside Manilla […]
THE state government has extended funding for both the No Interest Loan Scheme (“the NIL Scheme”) and Aged-Care Supported Accommodation (“the ASCA Program”). The Government committed $21.5 million in funding to administer the NIL Scheme for another five years, continuing its history of providing fee and interest-free loans to low-income earners since its establishment in […]
MIDCOAST Council had the highest number of development applications lodged in regional NSW for the October-December 2025 quarter, representing a value of $392,358,034. Between 1 October 2025 and 31 December 2025, Council received 1,521 individual customer requests. During this period, Council assessed more applications than any other regional NSW council, at 469 applications. Decisions have […]
MIDCOAST councillors have thrown their support behind issues of funding for disaster recovery and increased financial assistance for pensioners. The issues will be raised at the Australian Local Government Association’s national conference to be held in Canberra in June. Mayor Claire Pontin proposed two motions to take to what is the largest annual gathering of […]
THE Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW has released the findings of its second inaugural Annual Women’s Survey, highlighting ongoing health and housing concerns. Building on the inaugural 2024 survey, the 2025 survey provides a year-on-year snapshot of women’s lived experiences across NSW. The 2025 survey opened in August last year and closed at the […]
