_Dungog Shire Archives - Dungog Shire News Of The Area

Nerong fires continue to burn and smother towns in smoke

The 6500ha bushfire sits just a few kilometres north of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest. Image: Fires Near Me website. A water-bombing helicopter refills at a dam on a property near Nerong. Photo: Pindimar-Tea Gardens RFS/Facebook. Diggers clear burnt trees and open up hidden ground fires near the pine plantation. Photo: Pindimar-Tea Gardens/RFS Facebook. Grass […]

Regional

Atmospheric inversion causes thick smoke to linger over Myall Coast

MISERABLE grey skies in the morning, followed by daytime gloom, have joined the biting odour of smoke across the Myall Coast and regions nearby in the aftermath of the Nerong fires, lingering in place thanks to a natural meteorological pattern called the “inversion layer”. While ordinary atmospheric conditions usually see cooler air temperatures at higher […]

Regional

A passion for social justice inspires new event in Gloucester

LONGTIME Gloucester resident Julie Lyford and newcomer Sonja Duncan have discovered a common passion: social justice. The two women are organising an event in Gloucester titled ‘Hidden In Plain Sight: Connection with Purpose’, which aims to spark community conversation about social justice issues both locally and internationally. Both women bring more than 25 years of […]

Local News

Australian Wildlife Conservancy calls for Stroud landholders to join new Conservation Precinct

AUSTRALIAN Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is calling on private landholders in the Stroud district to join a proposed large-scale conservation precinct. The initiative aims to strengthen habitat connectivity across the region and increase protection for threatened species, including the koala and greater glider. One AWC project is the 3871-hectare Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Stroud, which […]

Government

$3.85m funding push targets international flights and tourism growth in the Hunter region

INTERNATIONAL tourism advocacy has taken centre stage in the Hunter region, with a united push for targeted funding to unlock new economic opportunities. Through a joint advocacy effort with Newcastle Airport and Destination Sydney Surrounds North, the Hunter Joint Organisation – of which Dungog Shire Council is a member – is calling for $3.85 million […]

Local News

Big year ahead for Paterson

A BUSY and exciting year is underway for Paterson and surrounding communities, with several new projects and initiatives rolling out in early 2026 that celebrate local history, support young people and strengthen community connections. Among the standout projects is The Famous Paterson River Orange, an arts and history collaboration funded by Arts Upper Hunter. Led […]

Local News

Dungog Shire locals encouraged to walk to work for mental health campaign

WALK to Work Day will take place on Friday, 26 March, encouraging Australians to build more walking into their daily routines while raising funds for better mental health outcomes nationwide. The annual campaign, led by the Pedestrian Council of Australia, highlights the physical and mental health benefits of walking and this year supports the Black […]

Police

Illegal, high-power e-bikes to be crushed in crackdown

POLICE will get extra powers to seize and destroy illegal e-bikes that officials say are fuelling anti-social behaviour. Mirroring a move made in WA, NSW Police will be able to crush non-compliant, high-powered e-bikes including so-called ‘fat bikes’ and other throttle-only devices. The move responded to a controversial social media video that showed a group […]

School

Schools across region come together to collaborate and celebrate

GLOUCESTER High School hosted Gloucester, Barrington, Stratford, Stroud Road and Stroud primary schools for a morning dedicated to fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and celebrating collective achievements within the public school community. Michael Wisely, Deputy Principal of Gloucester High School, set the tone for the gathering. “This morning brings us together to celebrate successes, look […]

Business

Wine and taxes: only one certainty for small producers

UNDER the shade of a weeping willow on the banks of a sparkling dam, wine lovers can look out across a sprawling national park while sipping chilled Chardonnay. Members of the Wombat Crossing Vineyard, in the heart of the NSW Hunter Valley wine region, can also stay in a cosy lodge with a fireplace, aptly […]