NEW data suggests that rates of rough sleeping have remained steady across parts of the Hunter region in the past 12 months, while significant increases have been seen in the MidCoast local government area. Each year the NSW Government partners with local organisations across the state to complete “street counts” to provide a point-in-time count […]
Additional Police Academy class to be added in 2026
MORE recruits are being sought for the NSW Police Force, with a new Police Academy class to be added in 2026. The NSW Police Academy will move from three attestation classes to four, aiming to create a larger, faster pipeline of new probationary constables for commands across NSW. Premier Chris Minns said NSW simply “needs […]
Nurses and midwives receive backpay after pay increase
PUBLIC sector nurses and midwives across NSW should have now received backpay payments, following a pay increase decision by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) in April. The IRC ruling delivered nurses and midwives a pay rise of between 16 and 28 percent over a period of three years, backdated to 1 July 2025. Backpayments […]
ABS data highlights economic impact of Strait of Hormuz closure
FUEL prices and supply availability have negatively impacted 72 percent of Australian businesses, according to new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). According to Head of Business Statistics Tom Lay, the data from the Survey of Business Conditions and Sentiments helps the ABS better understand the economic impacts of the closure of […]
Lions Club members were on hand to share information about the Children’s Mobility Foundation. Photo: supplied, Lions Club of Stroud.
Event showcases the many faces of Stroud Lions
THE Lions Club of Stroud held a community information event in Allen Park on Sunday 17 May. Residents were treated to a free morning tea and BBQ lunch and were invited to have their say on two proposed projects: the installation of outdoor exercise equipment in a local park and a new walking trail. The […]
Welcome Experience expanded into local government sector
WORKERS will now be assisted to relocate to local government jobs in regional and remote areas, through an expansion of the NSW Government’s Welcome Experience program. Launched as a pilot in 11 local government areas (LGAs) in 2023, the Welcome Experience is a free service supporting workers and their families to relocate for roles in […]
Confidence in justice system has declined since 2019
PUBLIC confidence in the NSW criminal justice system has declined over time, with a pronounced fall since 2019, according to new research by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Based on a representative survey of 2,000 NSW adults, the study found that public confidence fell across all key measures from 2012 to […]
Recovery Centres and Recovery Access Points were open from Raymond Terrace to Macksville in the wake of the May 2025 flooding. Photo: NSW RA.
Review into response of Reconstruction Authority to floods
A REPORT has been published examining the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s response to the severe weather event that hit the east coast in May 2025. The review was undertaken by the Joint Select Committee on the NSW Reconstruction Authority, composed of MPs from across the political spectrum. “This inquiry had a focus on the severe weather […]
3M to fight lawsuit over ‘forever chemicals’ at defence sites including Williamtown
MANUFACTURING heavyweight 3M is vowing to fight a multibillion-dollar lawsuit over widespread use of “forever chemicals” at Australian defence sites – including the RAAF base at Williamtown. The federal government is suing 3M for more than $2 billion to recover costs from the per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foam that contaminated 28 defence […]
Index compares connectivity quality across NSW regions
THE NSW Government has released an online tool for comparing connectivity quality across the state, producing some surprising results for Dungog Shire. The NSW Digital Connectivity Index, accessible via the NSW Government website, breaks digital connectivity down into three key areas: – Access: how strong is the coverage, how well the network performs and how […]
