PESKY plastic tags on loaves of bread, tiny soy sauce fish bottles and detachable bottle tops are all being binned by a state government battling a mounting rubbish crisis. The ambitious clean-up is part of an expanded ban by NSW coinciding with the start of National Recycling Week. The NSW Plastic Plan 2.0, will see […]
Flooded farms in need of fencing volunteers.
BLAZEAID is calling for volunteers to lend a hand rebuilding fences in communities still recovering from the devastating floods that hit the Mid North Coast earlier this year. A dedicated team is now based at Nabiac, working hard to restore fencing on local farms between Bulahdelah and Kempsey. BlazeAid Coordinator Lisa Abdoo said anyone can […]
Supermoons are the closest to earth. Photo Greg Higgins.
Supermoons are the closest to earth. Photo Greg Higgins. The moon was 30 percent brighter than normal. Photo: Sis Higgins. SKYWATCHERS across the region looked to the heavens last Tuesday night as the biggest and brightest moon of 2025 rose over the horizon. Amateur astronomer Dennis Hughes explained to News Of The Area why the […]
The fibre break impacted Optus customers in Port Stephens, Maitland and surrounding areas. Photo: Optus.
AN investigation is underway in relation to an Optus communications tower being damaged at Hexham. About 3.15pm on Wednesday 5 November, officers from Newcastle City Police District responded to reports of a communications tower situated along Maitland Road being maliciously damaged. The fibre break impacted Optus customers in Port Stephens, Maitland and surrounding areas. Mobile […]
THE Hunter New England Local Health District team has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to health care at the 2025 NSW Health Awards. The annual event celebrates the dedication, kindness, innovation and achievements of those who make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of their communities. “I’m incredibly proud to celebrate the […]
Tocal students competing at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza.
Tocal students competing at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza. Tocal students competing at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza. Tocal students competing at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza. Tocal students competing at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza. STUDENTS from NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) Tocal College have demonstrated their skills at the […]
DUNGOG residents are being invited to roll up their sleeves for National Recycling Week (10–16 November) with a free, hands-on evening about cutting waste and making the most of household recycling. Hosted by Dungog Shire Council’s Waste Management Team with community partners Boomerang Bags/Single Use Plastic Free and the Dungog Wholefood Co-op, the two-hour “Recycling […]
Chris Bowen says you don't have to have solar panels on your roof to reap the benefits. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
ENERGY retailers say they’ve been blindsided by reforms promising free electricity to hundreds of thousands of Australians during peak solar power hours. The Solar Sharer program, announced by the federal government last Tuesday, would give consumers free access to electricity for three hours each day as part of the default offer available. Households in NSW, […]
Tocal College horse husbandry students and educators with the top selling gelding and mare from the 2025 Approved Australian Stock Horse sale.
ELEVEN stock horses bred and trained by students at Tocal College have fetched a total of $168,000 in winning bids at the annual Approved Australian Stock Horse (ASH) Sale held over 2 and 3 November. Now in its 17th year, the sale event showcased the strength of Tocal College’s equine training program and dedication of […]
The cost to farmers of grain for feral pig trapping and baiting can be significant. Photo: supplied.
LANDHOLDERS across NSW are being encouraged to take advantage of $850,000 worth of free grain and bait on offer as part of a statewide crackdown on feral pigs. The funding is part of the Government’s Feral Pig and Pest Program with funding from the State’s more than $1 billion biosecurity budget. It is the third […]
