March 23, 2026
Foster care recruitment drive across the Hunter
Local News

Foster care recruitment drive across the Hunter

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 […]

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Hardwood supply chain at risk from soaring fuel prices Sawmill operator Anthony Dorney. Photo: Dorney Group.
Local News

Hardwood supply chain at risk from soaring fuel prices

A FIFTH-GENERATION family timber operation in Bulahdelah says it is absorbing an almost $8000 weekly fuel surge to keep hardwood moving to Australia’s cities. Anthony Dorney and his brothers operate two hardwood sawmills, SA Relf and Newells Creek, continuing a timber cutting tradition which has lasted for more than a century. Last week, Anthony pulled […]

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Tea Gardens churches combine for prayer service Attendees at the 99th World Day of Prayer, held locally this year at the Tea Gardens Baptist Church.
Local News

Tea Gardens churches combine for prayer service

AROUND 40 people from the four Christian churches in Tea Gardens gathered to celebrate the 99th World Day of Prayer at the Tea Gardens Baptist Church on Friday. World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement which will celebrate its centenary in March 2027. Australia was part of the first International World Day of […]

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Motoring group puts brakes on city fuel ration push The cost of fuel has shot up amid concerns about shortages stemming from the war in the Middle East. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
Local News

Motoring group puts brakes on city fuel ration push

RATIONING fuel in Australia’s major cities to supply the regions would cause unnecessary economic and social issues, a peak motoring body says. Iran has closed the strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil corridors, after the country was attacked by US and Israeli forces. The conflict in the Middle East has spiked […]

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Connectivity boost for Karuah, Taree and Wauchope
Local News

Connectivity boost for Karuah, Taree and Wauchope

THE Federal Government will provide grant funding for new mobile base stations at Karuah, Taree and Wauchope in the latest round of the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP), delivering 4G and 5G mobile coverage to these areas. Each site will include back-up power, with some also incorporating additional hardening measures to reinforce mobile telecommunications infrastructure. […]

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Hunter and Central Coast housing approvals expand in 2025
Local News

Hunter and Central Coast housing approvals expand in 2025

THE latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures indicate that total home approvals for the Hunter grew two percent in 2025 compared to the 2024 calendar year. On the Central Coast, total home approvals grew by 16 percent in the same period. Craig Jennion, HIA Hunter Executive Director, said the overall growth in approvals is […]

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Review into feral animal management in NSW Minister Moriarty with landholder Andrew McIntyre.
Local News

Review into feral animal management in NSW

A TECHNICAL review will be undertaken into feral pig and deer management in NSW. The move follows the announcement of a $40 million investment in feral animal management from the NSW Government, and almost a quarter of a million pigs culled across the state in the past three years. The control program has been built […]

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Hunter landholders urged to plan through tough conditions Real-time data through tools such as Farming Forecaster supports decision-making in dry seasonal conditions.
Local News

Hunter landholders urged to plan through tough conditions

WITH parts of the region experiencing dry conditions, patchy rainfall and the likelihood of more hot weather still to come, Hunter Local Land Services says planning ahead for pastures and livestock has never been more important. Across the region, producers are reporting tightening feed availability, uneven pasture growth and declining soil moisture reserves following a […]

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Key office-holder positions going unfilled as groups face shutting down Hawks Nest and District Probus Club’s newly elected committee (L-R): Geoff Scully, Ian Elsholz, Jan Green, Hugh Ross, Rose Elliot, Barbara Ross, John Lamb (President), Annie Scully, Barbara Smith, Rod Smith, Rozz Albon, Sherrie O’Keefe, Denise Lamb and Trish de Clifford (absent: Dawn Nealon).
Local News

Key office-holder positions going unfilled as groups face shutting down

ORGANISATIONS of all kinds across the Myall Coast are suffering from a lack of volunteers willing to take on critical office-holder positions. Even groups that have no problem attracting members are having a hard time motivating people to assume leadership roles. Every legitimate community group has at least four roles that must be filled in […]

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Council aims to speed up road and bridge repair Road repairs on Thunderbolts Way.
Local News

Council aims to speed up road and bridge repair

MIDCOAST Council has endorsed a streamlined approach to contracting out flood repair works. Attempting to speed up the process of repairing roads and bridges, councillors at Council’s 25 February meeting voted unanimously to endorse a new procurement approach for the delivery of Essential Public Asset Reconstruction Works (EPA-RW), including the use of existing Council contractor […]

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