May 20, 2026
Budget brawl escalates over rival tax cut proposals The federal government has continued back its budget tax reforms despite opposition criticism. Photo: Susie Dodds/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Budget brawl escalates over rival tax cut proposals

A ROW has broken out over the cost of cutting taxes for millions of Australians as Labor and the opposition try to sell rival economic plans to voters. After a week dominated by the state of the nation’s finances, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused the opposition of failing to properly price its plan to bake […]

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Forest industry future under review as NSW maps logging reform Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin, Premier Chris Minns and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe at the Great Koala National Park announcement last year. Photo: Penny Sharpe MP.
Regional

Forest industry future under review as NSW maps logging reform

THE forestry industry has been a contested space in NSW for many years, with some supporting the continuation of native hardwood logging and others strongly opposing it. The issue was brought into sharper focus recently with the announcement by the NSW Government of its intention to create the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). The establishment […]

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Revitalised regional coach network unveiled The majority of services will be operated by modern coaches featuring wheelchair accessibility, improved seating and seatbelts, mobile phone charging points, onboard defibrillators and toilets.
Regional

Revitalised regional coach network unveiled

NEW routes and modernised coaches have been unveiled as part of a major upgrade to NSW TrainLink coach services. A 36 percent funding increase across the NSW TrainLink coach network will lift total funding to $290 million over the next nine years. From 1 July, 14 coach operators will run 49 routes across the NSW […]

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Planning underway for major bicentenary bash in Stroud Veronica Frost speaks to the group at the Stroud Country Club. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Regional

Planning underway for major bicentenary bash in Stroud

Veronica Frost speaks to the group at the Stroud Country Club. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe. Quambi House, one of the oldest restored structures in Stroud. Photo: supplied, Emma Mellows A HOST of commemorative activities are being planned for Stroud’s 200th birthday celebrations in November. Settled less than 40 years after Sydney Cove, Stroud’s long history has […]

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Trains returning but no firm timeline on Regional Rail fleet
Regional

Trains returning but no firm timeline on Regional Rail fleet

WHILE trains between Sydney and Grafton resume next week, a date has yet to be set for the introduction of the long-awaited XPT replacement fleet. “A timeline for the new Regional Rail fleet’s entry into service on the North Coast line will be confirmed once the trains have progressed through testing and the relevant verifications […]

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New Giving Fund rules spark debate over charity system gaps in Australia Philanthropy Australia pushes for donations to be equal. Photo: Julia M. Cameron.
Regional

New Giving Fund rules spark debate over charity system gaps in Australia

MYALL Coast residents, like most in regional Australia, are known for helping others in need. But changes to charity funding rules have led to concerns that the system isn’t working as well as it could. The Federal Government has announced that “Giving Funds” will be required to distribute six percent of assets each year, up […]

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Practical insights for producers across the Hunter Measuring soil moisture is just one factor in responding to seasonal conditions.
Regional

Practical insights for producers across the Hunter

NEW analysis from Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) is providing practical insights for producers looking to make timely decisions as seasonal conditions tighten, with distinct patterns emerging between the Upper and Lower Hunter. The latest data combines Meat and Livestock Australia saleyard throughput, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) and soil moisture readings from the […]

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Liberals’ migration plan ‘strange’, from ‘another time’ Angus Taylor is being accused of trying to replicate One Nation's anti-immigration stance. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Liberals’ migration plan ‘strange’, from ‘another time’

THE coalition’s hardline migration plan has been lashed as divisive and Australia’s multicultural communities say they are tired of being dehumanised by all sides of politics.  Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a plan to boot migrants from the nation if they do not exhibit “Australian values”, shut the door on some asylum seekers and […]

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Port Stephens to Mid North Coast sees sustained migration as regional living remains in demand Port Macquarie’s Breakwall. Photo: @port.macquarie.01
Regional

Port Stephens to Mid North Coast sees sustained migration as regional living remains in demand

A NEW wave of internal migration is reshaping regional Australia, with coastal communities from Port Stephens through to the Mid North Coast continuing to attract strong interest from city dwellers. While Queensland’s Sunshine Coast remains the top destination nationally, the NSW corridor spanning Port Stephens, the MidCoast, Port Macquarie, Nambucca and Coffs Harbour is maintaining […]

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Report examines impact of ‘climate whiplash’ on MidCoast LGA Gloucester’s flooded main street in 2021.
Regional

Report examines impact of ‘climate whiplash’ on MidCoast LGA

Gloucester’s flooded main street in 2021. Gloucester District Park in January 2025 A NEWLY released report has highlighted how climate change is placing a significant strain on MidCoast Council finances, and on its residents.  The report released last week from the Climate Council, titled “Breakneck Speed: Summer of Climate Whiplash” examines what this just-gone summer […]

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