THE National Health and Medical Research Council has published updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which confirm new, lower values for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Australian drinking water supplies. PFAS are a class of more than 4,000 manufactured chemicals that are not found naturally in the environment. These chemicals have been widely used in […]
THERE were few surprises for the Hunter and little relief for businesses battling challenging economic conditions from a conservative NSW Budget handed down last week, according to the region’s peak business body. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes described Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s third budget as “anti-climactic for the Hunter”, with the big-ticket new investments having been […]
RESEARCHERS are attempting to develop a device capable of degrading a carcinogenic form of the so-called “forever chemicals” PFAS in water in as little as six minutes using low-wavelength ultraviolet light. PFAS – used in firefighting foam, products such as non-stick pans, and by many industries – repel oil, grease and water, but persist in […]
AN E-PETITION is now available on the NSW Parliament website calling for upgraded support to assist Hunter and Mid North Coast communities devastated by the May flood. The petition calls on the NSW Government to maximise Category C funding and urgently declare Category D funding for devastated small businesses, primary producers and communities in the […]
MORE locations in the Upper Hunter Electorate have been added to the impact area for the East Coast Severe Weather Personal Hardship Assistance grant. The one-off payment provides $180 for eligible individuals, or up to $900 per household. As of the Thursday 19 June update, residents of 29 communities are now eligible for the personal […]
COUNCILLORS have congratulated Dungog Shire Council’s Planning and Environment team for overseeing an increase in development applications (DA) processed in the first quarter of 2025. A quarterly report was offered at Council’s 18 June meeting, providing an overview of development activity across the Shire. A total of 57 development applications were lodged in the quarter […]
DUNGOG Shire Council has adopted the Community Strategic Plan 2035 and Operational Plan 2025-2026 (which includes the Resourcing Strategy, Budget and Fees & Charges 2025-2026), and an alternate motion of the Delivery Program 2025-2029. The latter was progressed following a foreshadowed motion put forward by Councillor Fred Paton to adopt option two in the Delivery […]
DUNGOG Shire Council will reinstate its Rural Lands Steering Committee, following a motion at its 18 June meeting. Originally established in 2019, the Committee was designed to inform and guide the development of the Rural Lands Strategy. With the strategy now being revisited under the Commonwealth’s Housing Support Program, Council has endorsed to re-activate the […]
A NSW Government committee has begun investigating access to publicly owned land and waterways in New South Wales, including national parks, marine reserves, crown land, state forests, water catchments and Aboriginal land. The Select Committee on Access Restrictions to Public Lands and Waterways was established by a resolution of the NSW Legislative Council on Wednesday […]
THE first report of an inquiry into community safety has been tabled, highlighting an urgent need for early intervention to deal with the complex social drivers of youth crime in regional and rural NSW. Since adopting the inquiry on 20 March 2024, the Committee of Law and Safety received almost 200 submissions and conducted hearings […]
