Local News Archives - Myall Coast News Of The Area

Community, Government, Local News, Regional

New community notification requirements for development

A NEW Statewide Community Participation Plan came into force from 1 September 2026, changing the way councils let the community know about development. MidCoast Council is the local planning authority responsible for assessing development applications in the MidCoast local government area under NSW planning legislation. A range of lower-impact development applications no longer require mandatory […]

Community, Government, Local News, Regional

Port Stephens’ first refuge for women and children escaping violence opens

Minister Jodie Harrison speaks at the opening of Aunty Colleen’s Place, with Port Stephens MP Kate Washington looking on. Photo: Office of Jodie Harrison. The shared living room inside the newly opened refuge. Photo: Office of Jodie Harrison. One of the bedrooms prepared for children staying at Aunty Colleen’s Place. Photo: Office of Jodie Harrison. […]

Business, Community, Government, Local News, Regional

Free advice for Myall Coast local small businesses

SMALL businesses across the Myall Lakes electorate can now access free, independent advice through the new Service NSW Business Bureau Small Business Advisory program. The program provides eligible business owners and people considering starting a business with up to four hours of free one-on-one advice each financial year. Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson said […]

Business, Community, Government, Local News, Regional

MidCoast Council stands to lose $5 million per year.from July 2027

MidCoast Mayor Cr Claire Pontin. Photo: MidCoast Council. MAYOR Claire Pontin has warned that proposed changes to the distribution of Federal Government Financial Assistance Grants by the NSW Government will force MidCoast Council to look at cutting services to the community. MidCoast Council says it stands to lose $5 million annually from July 2027 and, […]

Community, Government, Local News, Regional

Pollies put people first in fight for pool

WINGHAM Memorial Swimming Pool will be rebuilt following a rare but successful collaborative campaign involving grassroots community advocates and elected representatives from all levels of government. The pool was irreparably damaged during the May 2025 one-in-500-year flood event and has remained closed since. The rebuild will now proceed, thanks to $15 million in Federal and […]

Community, Health, Local News, Regional

Port Stephens Council plans pest rabbit eradication program

A wild rabbit spotted in Nelson Bay. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Hole dug by a rabbit in Lorraine Broadway’s garden, Lemon Tree Passage. Photo: Lorraine Broadway. THEY may be cute, but rabbits are one of Australia’s most destructive pests. They cause significant damage to native plants and animals, dig dangerous holes and multiply uncontrollably. After receiving […]

Community, Government, Health, Local News, Police

You can help make NSW roads safer

MOTORCYCLISTS on NSW roads are at far greater risk of being killed in a crash than other motor vehicle users, according to the NSW Government’s Towards Zero campaign. Motorcycle fatalities accounted for 20.7 per cent of all road fatalities and nearly 4,500 injuries in 2024 despite motorcycles making up only 3.7 per cent of registered […]

Community, Local News

MidCoast Council’s Community Conversations coming to town

MIDCOAST Council will hold a series of community conversations from October to December, giving residents the opportunity to hear updates, ask questions and talk directly with Council representatives on their own patch. A group of councillors and senior staff will visit 13 locations, from Harrington in the north to Hawks Nest in the south. Every […]

Community, Health, Local News

Entries open for Humans of Aged Care photo contest

IT’S time for aged care workers around the country to strike a pose, because Ageing Australia is looking to showcase photographs of the best in the sector. So many people contribute in positive and amazing ways to the care of older Australians, and Ageing Australia is holding a Humans of Aged Care photo competition to […]

Community, Local News

Jan Winn celebrates 90th with family and friends

Jan Winn (centre) with her children Michele Winn, Kathy Jones, Graham Winn and Alison Winn. Photo: Michele Winn. Jan’s beautiful birthday cake was made by her granddaughter Lauren Winn. Photo: Michele Winn. Jesse Motum and his son, Horace (Jan’s Father) with their livelihoods in the form of oyster sticks. Photo: Michele Winn. The descendants of […]