March 25, 2026
Stargazing: All aboard the space elevator The concept of a space elevator is simple but astonishing. Photo: supplied, Dave Reneke.
Local News

Stargazing: All aboard the space elevator

IMAGINE stepping into an elevator, pressing the “up” button, and eight days later stepping out into space. No rocket roar. No fiery launch. No crushing G-forces. Just a ride straight up. It sounds unbelievable, yet the idea of a space elevator is beginning to look surprisingly real. The concept is simple but astonishing. Picture a […]

Read More
Market information sought to inform fuel contingency planning
Local News

Market information sought to inform fuel contingency planning

NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has written to the chief executives of the major fuel companies to seek information to inform the state’s response to fuel distribution challenges arising from the war in the Middle East. While the Federal Government has confirmed that fuel deliveries to Australia continue to arrive as planned, NSW and other […]

Read More
Statewide compliance blitz on fuel prices FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel price transparency tool and provides motorists with instant access to prices from around 2,400 service stations across the state. Photo: NSW Gov.
Local News

Statewide compliance blitz on fuel prices

THE NSW Government has fast-tracked a statewide fuel compliance blitz to “strengthen fuel price transparency” and protect motorists from misleading pricing. At the NSW Fuel Security Roundtable held last week, retailers agreed to use the FuelCheck app to inform the Government when they have run out of fuel. FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel […]

Read More
New hub expands wellbeing services for Hunter veterans RSL LifeCare staff at the launch. Photo: Meryl Swanson MP FB.
Local News

New hub expands wellbeing services for Hunter veterans

THE new Hunter Veterans’ and Families’ Hub was officially opened on Tuesday, 17 March, offering support to the 22,000 current and former serving veterans and their families who call the Hunter home. Located at 48 Ken Tubman Drive in Maitland, the Hub is centrally situated for Australian Defence Force personnel based at the Singleton Military […]

Read More
No new mines but coal expansions given green light Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos (left) talks through the coal industry outlook for 2026-2050. Photo: Courtney Houssos MP.
Local News

No new mines but coal expansions given green light

COAL mine expansions are on the cards for at least another 25 years under NSW’s new mining road map at odds with its environment commission. The NSW government announced its coal industry outlook for 2026-2050 on Thursday, saying it will no longer consider new coal mines but applications to extend existing mines will be assessed. […]

Read More
Global recognition for Gresford regenerative farm leader Kristen Nicol, a finalist in the Woman Changing the World Awards, co-owns and runs Allynview Farm. Photo: supplied.
Business, Community

Global recognition for Gresford regenerative farm leader

AN AGRICULTURAL innovator from Gresford is gaining international recognition, with Allynview Farm co-founder Kristen Nicol named a finalist in the prestigious Woman Changing the World Awards. The award winners will be announced in Paris on 11 April. Kristen, who runs Allynview Farm alongside her husband Ben just outside Gresford, has been shortlisted in multiple categories, […]

Read More
What goes into your petrol pump price? The prices of petrol and diesel at Tea Gardens on Friday, 20 March. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Local News

What goes into your petrol pump price?

GLOBAL events, most notably the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, have seen petrol and diesel prices skyrocket in the last few weeks, with a jump of 10 cents per litre (c/l) seen in a matter of days. As of Sunday 22 March 2026, crude oil prices are around US$122 per barrel – high by […]

Read More
Train manufacturing jobs coming back to the Hunter The official handover of the Tangaras in Broadmeadow in 1988. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Train manufacturing jobs coming back to the Hunter

ALMOST 40 years since the Tangara trains were built in Newcastle, the work to extend their life is coming back to the Hunter, with the establishment of two new production lines at the rail facility in Cardiff. This NSW Government investment will create around 100 new jobs and 20 apprenticeships in the Hunter region. The […]

Read More
Stroud author’s new children’s book celebrates the platypus and connecting to Country Rachel and her family, including new twins, at the Bower Collective near Stroud. Photo: supplied.
Regional

Stroud author’s new children’s book celebrates the platypus and connecting to Country

STROUD author Rachel Barry has released a new children’s book inspired by the creeks, wildlife and landscapes of the region. Set in Worimi Country, the story invites children to slow down and observe the quiet beauty of a bushland creek. It was inspired by Rachel’s own experiences exploring local waterways with her children. “‘Where Ripples […]

Read More
Gresford Show ‘ticks all the boxes’ 2026 Gresford Show Junior Young Woman winner Tiahnee Eldridge and runner up Lexie Rayfield.
Community

Gresford Show ‘ticks all the boxes’

2026 Gresford Show Junior Young Woman winner Tiahnee Eldridge and runner up Lexie Rayfield. Mary Kealy Perpetual Trophy winner Jodi Pender and runner up Janelle McKenzie. Guests at the Showgrounds on Thursday night for the opening night of the art show and the Young Woman Presentation. Guests at the Showgrounds on Thursday night for the […]

Read More