April 24, 2026
Liberals’ migration plan ‘strange’, from ‘another time’ Angus Taylor is being accused of trying to replicate One Nation's anti-immigration stance. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Liberals’ migration plan ‘strange’, from ‘another time’

THE coalition’s hardline migration plan has been lashed as divisive and Australia’s multicultural communities say they are tired of being dehumanised by all sides of politics.  Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a plan to boot migrants from the nation if they do not exhibit “Australian values”, shut the door on some asylum seekers and […]

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M1 extension set to open a year earlier than planned Local MPs celebrate the progress with the project team.
Local News

M1 extension set to open a year earlier than planned

THE M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace is now expected to open to traffic in late 2026, more than a year earlier than originally planned. The accelerated timeline comes as the project reaches a major milestone, with the northern section, the Heatherbrae Bypass, now complete. The M1 Pacific Motorway extension and Hexham Straight widening […]

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Sydney to Grafton XPT service to resume this month The XPT trains have been painted to reflect their history.
Government

Sydney to Grafton XPT service to resume this month

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 […]

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MP launches survey to gauge electorate’s priorities
Local News

MP launches survey to gauge electorate’s priorities

LYNE MP Alison Penfold has launched “Lyne’s Biggest Survey”, an electorate-wide consultation over local priorities. The survey is being delivered to households across the Lyne electorate. “This survey is about giving a voice to the concerns of each and every Lyne resident, whether you live in the big centres of the electorate, the small towns, […]

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Stargazing: Dreamtime astronomy
Community

Stargazing: Dreamtime astronomy

HAVE you ever wondered who the first astronomers were? What an interesting question. Astronomy is the oldest science, but it’s also the newest. Everything we know about the night sky has been passed down through history, and we find the oldest continuous culture on Earth, the Australian Aboriginal people, were very likely the world’s first […]

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Council hosting another series of Community Conversations
Community

Council hosting another series of Community Conversations

MIDCOAST Council is calling on residents, community groups, and business owners to attend the next round of “Community Conversations”. A series of open forums have been scheduled, designed to give locals a chance to hear from and talk to councillors and senior council staff in person. These upcoming sessions provide an opportunity for the community […]

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Senate releases report into climate change disinformation
Local News

Senate releases report into climate change disinformation

THE Senate Select Committee on Information Integrity on Climate Change and Energy recently released its report about the causes and effects of climate change disinformation. The report was welcomed by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), which warns that lies are already harming communities. The ACF wants tougher action to stop falsehoods derailing climate progress. ACF […]

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Thursday Walkers pound the pavement through March Getting wet on the way to Johnson’s Beach. Photo: Jane.
Community, Health

Thursday Walkers pound the pavement through March

Newcastle’s spacious new art gallery was a March destination. Photo: Bea. Newcastle’s spacious new art gallery was a March destination. Photo: Bea. Getting wet on the way to Johnson’s Beach. Photo: Jane. WALKING has become an apt pastime with recent world events, and the Thursday Walkers group has relished the regular return to their long-established […]

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Bitou Busters begin season with strong turnout Before the Bitou Busters: Volunteer Adrienne Ingram helped remove invasive asparagus fern beside Peter Sinclair Gardens.
Community

Bitou Busters begin season with strong turnout

Before the Bitou Busters: Volunteer Adrienne Ingram helped remove invasive asparagus fern beside Peter Sinclair Gardens. Bitou Busters volunteers Trish and Brian show what a morning of work can achieve. The rest of the Bitou Busters team win another asparagus weed battle. ELEVEN enthusiastic Bitou Buster volunteers braved unseasonable cold and strong winds at their […]

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Top marks for sports uniform proposal to boost students’ physical activity University of Newcastle’s Belinda Peden of HMRI’s Population Health Research program.
School

Top marks for sports uniform proposal to boost students’ physical activity

NEW research suggests most Australians support a simple change that could significantly boost children’s physical activity levels: letting students wear sports uniforms every day. The majority of young Australians are still not active enough, despite well-established evidence that regular physical activity improves children’s physical and mental health. Schools are seen as an important setting to […]

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