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 […]

VISITORS planning to drive on the Worimi Conservation Lands at Stockton Bight, between Anna Bay and Stockton, should be aware of a new Beach Vehicle Permit (BVP) system. From 3 March 2026, permits will be purchased online. Existing paper and sticker permits will remain valid until they expire. The cost of permits will not change. […]

A FORMER traffic engineer has expressed urgent safety concerns over two infamous highway intersections, describing the level of risk as “unacceptable”. As reported in NOTA on 21 January 2026, the NSW Government currently has no firm plans to fix the busy and dangerous Bucketts Way/Pacific Highway intersection in the foreseeable future. “Further investigations are underway […]

FOUR-YEAR funding is being made available to local organisations to combat the impact of priority weeds, updating a previously annual grant program. The new $40.7 million NSW Weeds Action Program (WAP) is a key component of the NSW Government’s Biosecurity Action Plan, with funding being provided to 97 Local Control Authorities (LCA). Minister for Agriculture […]

A MID NORTH COAST logging company has been ordered to pay over $34,000, and its director placed on a two-year good behaviour bond, in the Taree Local Court for a range of private native forestry offences at a property in Belbora in 2023. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) launched a prosecution against O’Connor Logging […]

FEDERAL Member for Lyne Alison Penfold is encouraging not-for-profit organisations to apply for funding under the Australian Government’s 2025–26 Volunteer Grants Program, with expressions of interest now open. Volunteer Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to eligible community organisations that rely on volunteers. The program is designed to strengthen local volunteering by helping […]

The event will showcase some of the region’s finest automotive craftsmanship. The event will showcase some of the region’s finest automotive craftsmanship. The event will showcase some of the region’s finest automotive craftsmanship. THE waterfront at Tea Gardens will come alive as the Reflections Rod Run Show and Shine brings together classic cars, markets, live […]

PORT Stephens Council has reaffirmed its position on potential offshore wind development off the Hunter coast. At Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 24 February, councillor Mark Watson moved a multi-faceted motion which called for a series of actions from the Federal Government. Council has confirmed it does not currently support an offshore wind project off […]

HUNTER trainee Tilley Murgatroyd is taking her first steps into a maritime career as a Port Officer with Port Authority of NSW, after completing a hands-on traineeship delivered through a unique collaboration with Port of Newcastle and Svitzer. Through the Newcastle-based industry traineeship, Ms Murgatroyd rotated across towage, pilotage support, on-water safety and port operations, […]

FED up farmers and families facing poor regional, rural and remote mobile services are being encouraged to “keep complaining”. The latest report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) revealed an increase in complaints in NSW, with almost a quarter coming from regional areas. A total of 4,285 complaints were made by people in NSW, up […]