Kerrie casts off with visitors in Tea Gardens for the Hot Rods Run on 7 March. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
LOCAL business the Original Tea Gardens Ferry is a finalist in the 2026 Australian Small Business Awards. The owners of this much-loved local service, which carries a large chunk of local tourism back and forth across Port Stephens Bay, will head to Sydney on 2 May for the awards. “The ferry has such a special […]
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 […]
An antique hauling an antique, with another antique car trailing behind. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
An antique hauling an antique, with another antique car trailing behind. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Pindimar/Tea Gardens RFS firefighters showed off their new Tatra truck and its fire-stopping power. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Two Jaguars from very different times. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. This centenarian Nash Tourer was not the oldest on the field. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. TGHN […]
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 […]
HUNTER residents are being urged to change a child’s life and become a foster carer, with the State Government launching a local foster carer recruitment drive. Right now, there are over 160 children and young people across the Hunter who cannot live safely with their families. There is a particular need for people to care […]
Rachel and her family, including new twins, at the Bower Collective near Stroud. Photo: supplied.
STROUD author Rachel Barry has released a new children’s book inspired by the creeks, wildlife and landscapes of the region. Set in Worimi Country, the story invites children to slow down and observe the quiet beauty of a bushland creek. It was inspired by Rachel’s own experiences exploring local waterways with her children. “‘Where Ripples […]
The Repurposing for Resilience volunteers with Kate Haynes from Essential Energy.
CHARITIES, community groups and not‑for‑profit organisations delivering community‑led projects across Essential Energy’s network area are encouraged to submit their applications for the 2026 Essential Grants program before the end of March. The program is offering grants of up to $15,000 to help eligible organisations bring their initiatives to life and deliver real benefits for people, […]
MIDCOAST Council’s Bootawa koala research program has yielded some fantastic results, especially for one koala nicknamed “Drake”. Drake was caught along with 37 other koalas when Council partnered with The University of Sydney’s Koala Health Hub team to conduct the research program in 2025. When caught, Drake was in poor condition, tested positive for chlamydia, […]
IN August 2023, NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig announced that pensioners could apply for up to $250 in rebates on their ordinary council rates and waste charges. Further rebates of $87.50 for water rates and another $87.50 for sewerage rates, were also available. But the rebates were not new. They were introduced in […]
