July 22, 2025
Ex-PM lauded over honours gong but not everyone’s happy Former prime minister Scott Morrison has received the top gong in the King's Birthday Honours List. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Ex-PM lauded over honours gong but not everyone’s happy

FORMER prime minister Scott Morrison has been congratulated after receiving Australia’s highest civilian honour, but there is at least one call for him to decline the gong. Mr Morrison is one of 14 people named as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the annual King’s Birthday Honours List, alongside filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and […]

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Disaster relief extended for small businesses, primary producers
Regional

Disaster relief extended for small businesses, primary producers

STATE and Federal governments are delivering more funding to help communities recover from the recent severe flooding. Support available includes: Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible small businesses (with fewer than 20 employees) and non-profit organisations to help clean up and restore their business. Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible primary producers directly […]

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Qantas launches direct flights between Newcastle and Perth
Regional

Qantas launches direct flights between Newcastle and Perth

QANTAS has announced it will be the first airline to offer direct flights from Newcastle to Perth. The new route will launch on 8 September and flights will operate on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. “These flights will boost connectivity for Newcastle residents and mean they no longer have to drive to and from Sydney when […]

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King tides add to coastal flooding The corner of Cunningham St and Curlew Ave shows sand washed over the low beach, cutting access.
Community, Regional

King tides add to coastal flooding

KING tides flooded the coastlines and estuaries around Port Stephens from Thursday 29 May, coinciding with the riverine flooding that rocked the hinterland and Mid North Coast. Masses of seaweed and sand were lifted by the tides over the roads at Pindimar North and South, leaving salty flooding, seaweed and debris in its wake. This […]

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Myall Coast locals rally to support flood victims A strong collection initiative began at Galleries in the Gardens even before the rains abated.
Community, Regional

Myall Coast locals rally to support flood victims

Widespread flooding occurred in the wetland areas of Tea Gardens near Myall Way. A strong collection initiative began at Galleries in the Gardens even before the rains abated. Stroud SES units have done flood assessments around the area, such as here in Nerong. MASSIVE rainfall over the last few weeks has led to widespread flooding […]

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Residents urged to be aware of mould impacts after floods This roof leak went unnoticed until the heaviest rains fell, again using wood as transmission to the lowest point.
Health, Regional

Residents urged to be aware of mould impacts after floods

HIDDEN dangers exist in practically every house and property, many only exposed after an incident like the heavy rainfall that the region received over the last weeks. Mould, which naturally exists almost everywhere, loves moisture and poorly-lit areas that lack decent ventilation, such as walls or wallpaper, ceilings, bathroom tiles, carpets, insulation material and wood. […]

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Mosquito numbers set to soar after long rains Aedes aegypti mosquito ready for a meal, followed by laying eggs in your birdbath. Photo: Dr Cameron Webb.
Health, Regional

Mosquito numbers set to soar after long rains

Aedes aegypti mosquito ready for a meal, followed by laying eggs in your birdbath. Photo: Dr Cameron Webb. This backyard birdbath, filled by the recent rains, contains dozens of mosquito larvae that can mature within a week. The black spots are mosquito eggs or pupae, ready to hatch. MOSQUITO numbers are set to soar due […]

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Timber ‘tipping point’ threatens housing affordability Housing targets could be difficult to achieve if Australia is unable to secure its timber supply. Photo: James Ross/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Timber ‘tipping point’ threatens housing affordability

AUSTRALIA’S chances of hitting nationally agreed housing targets and bringing down the prices of new homes are being hurt by challenges to the timber industry. Thousands of regional jobs are facing the axe unless a new national forest policy is delivered, including an expansion of plantations, a report provided to AAP has found. Native forest […]

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Voters abandoning the two major parties in Lyne
Government, Regional

Voters abandoning the two major parties in Lyne

“OVER the past 40 years the share of votes going to independents and minor parties has risen in both state and federal elections,” the Australia Institute stated in a research article in October 2024. “In the 1980 federal election, the combined primary votes for minor parties and independents accounted for only eight percent.” At the […]

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Marking the 10th anniversary of region’s devastating storms The chook pavilion was obliterated in 2015. Photo: Stroud SES.
Regional

Marking the 10th anniversary of region’s devastating storms

The chook pavilion was obliterated in 2015. Photo: Stroud SES. Houses in Stroud were also damaged by falling debris from trees. Photo: Stroud SES. A reminder to never drive into flood-waters. Photo: Stroud SES. Fallen trees and storm damage in Pindimar. Photo: Stroud SES. A road and front yard in Stroud became a raging flooded […]

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