DEAR News Of The Area, I DON’T think that the fish kills in the Myall Lakes are attributable to the partial blockage of one of the channels around Corrie Island. Major fish kills always follow major flooding. In 1948, scientists estimated that there were 50,000 boxes of dead fish around the lakes. Throughout the 1970s, […]
Progress Association update
THE Hawks Nest Tea Gardens Progress Association is pleased to provide this mid-year update on our activities, advocacy, and upcoming plans for the rest of 2025-26. We hosted a successful, self-funded Seniors Festival in May and proudly supported this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations, including a donation to the local school in recognition of its role […]
The Write Direction: Pondering life and meaning
I WAS recently reminded that “by the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he is often too old to go anywhere”. As you get older, three things happen. First is that your memory goes, but I can’t remember the other two. So, I thought that it must be time to look […]
Letter to the Editor: Ratepayers deserve to have well maintained roads
DEAR News Of The Area, DURING a recent meeting with Port Stephens Council, regarding our local dirt roads at Swan Bay, at which 18 residents attended, Council made it abundantly clear they are now only undertaking road repairs based on a quick temporary fix and not repairing them properly. They say it is done this […]
On the couch with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, WHILE attending a car show on the weekend, I was almost ploughed down by a man on a mobility scooter. He looked at me as though I was the one in the wrong, even though I was just minding my own business on the footpath. What are the rules around mobility scooters and […]
Tax Rich
The Write Direction: AUKUS alarm bells
THE National Party’s Barnaby Joyce weighed in heavily on the present state of the three-party AUKUS defence contract last month, suggesting that a contingency plan is needed as a fallback in case present production levels fail to deliver these highly desirable submarines for our defence needs. As we know, the USA under President Trump is […]
From the Mayor’s Desk: Cr Claire Pontin
OUR flood recovery work is progressing, and I am continuing to request more financial assistance from the State and Federal Governments for the community and for Council. I was pleased to hear that our request for Category D funding was agreed. This provides access to a significant financial package of measures for our primary producers […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, Since the recent heavy rain events, we now have a flock of bin chickens in our yard. They are not a very attractive bird, but I can’t seem to shoo them away. How do I get rid of them? Jonathan R. Ah, Jonathon Using the term bin chicken tells me everything I need […]