PREDATORY scammer activity is predicted to skyrocket in the wake of the recent rains and flood disasters. In the aftermath of severe flooding, the State Government is urging people to remain vigilant when donating to recovery efforts. As communities recover and rebuild, authorities are warning that scammers may attempt to exploit the situation through fake […]

SOME years ago, the Family Research Group and the Historical Society were asked if we had any information on Mr Ivar Gronfors, who was thought to have lived in our area. We certainly did as Jan Winn’s grandfather had lived in a house that Mr Gronfors sold to him in 1915. On checking further we […]

Stroud Street in Bulahdelah remained flooded at its lowest point as of Sunday, while causeways further out were impassable through the week, cutting off Markwell. Nerong’s bus stop and Community Centre sit low near the marina, and remained under water on Sunday. Waterhen Park boat launch area at Nerong was under a few feet of […]

The southern accessway to Bennetts Beach at Hawks Nest was cordoned off by Surf Club volunteers. Large rivulets formed along The Boulevarde at Winda Woppa, adding to the erosion zone from the other side this time. The road stabilising mass underneath Winda Woppa’s erosion zone is now completely exposed, with no chance for sand renourishment […]

THE Albanese and Minns Governments have activated disaster assistance to communities in Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the Hunter and Mid North Coast following severe weather, including heavy rainfall. The NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration applies to the LGAs of Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Nambucca, […]

DANIEL Fitzgerald slept in his car for five days, watching helplessly as floodwaters slowly destroyed everything inside his home for the second time. Deadly flooding has lashed parts of NSW, resulting in five deaths, damaging up to 10,000 properties and cutting off more than 50,000 people in regional towns. The deluge did not spare Mr […]

IT could take weeks to confirm the members of Australia’s next parliament, with one seat sitting on a margin of only eight votes and an incumbent in another requesting a second tally. Independent MP Zoe Daniel has requested a recount in the Melbourne seat of Goldstein. The Australian Electoral Commission finalised a margin of 260 […]

COUNCIL has increased pothole patching crews across Port Stephens in response to ongoing wet weather. While permanent road network improvements remain the priority for Council and the community, Mayor Leah Anderson said recent heavy rainfall has forced a temporary shift towards critical pothole patching and driver safety. “After a month or more of rain, potholes […]

NSW AMBULANCE has welcomed eight new paramedics to the Hunter, following their official induction into the service. The new paramedics will be based across Hunter Zones 1 and 2, where they will begin 12-month on-road placements to consolidate their training. “We’re thrilled to welcome eight new paramedics to the Hunter – a boost that will […]

APPLICATIONS are now open for MidCoast Council’s Water Wiser Grants. Schools, community groups and other eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to co-fund projects and activities that increase water conservation or sustainability through education, efficiency improvements or awareness-raising initiatives. Now in its second year, the program awarded more than $45,000 to […]