August 20, 2025
Mayor thanks councils for flood support
Government

Mayor thanks councils for flood support

MAYOR Digby Rayward has sincerely thanked several local councils which offered support to Dungog’s recovery efforts after the May flooding event. The councils who offered direct support include: · Lake Macquarie City Council: coordination of resourcing and logistical support · Muswellbrook Shire Council: pothole and patching crews · Tamworth Regional Council: pothole and patching crews […]

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XPT replacement trains unlikely to arrive in Dungog anytime soon An artist’s impression of the XPT replacement trains. Photo: TfNSW.
Community, Government

XPT replacement trains unlikely to arrive in Dungog anytime soon

THE wait for XPT replacement trains looks set to continue for the foreseeable future, with Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Camilla Drover unable to put a date on when the new trains would come into service.  “I’m not willing to commit to a hard and fast date,” she said at a recent Parliamentary budget estimates […]

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Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes
Government

Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes

LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald has called for the NSW Government to immediately reinstate three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes, describing the removal as a “quiet cut” that disproportionately hurts regional communities. Speaking in the Legislative Council last week, Ms MacDonald moved a motion highlighting the significant impact of the removal of the passes on […]

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Nationals MPs slam disaster relief funding after Barrington visit Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell and Nationals leader Dugald Saunders met with primary producers in Barrington.
Government

Nationals MPs slam disaster relief funding after Barrington visit

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell and Nationals leader Dugald Saunders met with primary producers in Barrington. NSW NATIONALS Leader Dugald Saunders has slammed the NSW Government over a “complete lack of urgency” to help flood-impacted businesses and primary producers, after visiting residents in Barrington last week. On Wednesday, 11 June, applications opened for grants of […]

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Farming, biosecurity boost announced at Tocal Premier Chris Minns with students at Tocal College last Friday.
Government

Farming, biosecurity boost announced at Tocal

Premier Chris Minns with students at Tocal College last Friday. Premier Chris Minns with students at Tocal College last Friday. The state government has committed more than $140 million to the agriculture sector. Photo: DPIRD. THE State Government will invest over $140 million of new funding to “safeguard the future of NSW’s agricultural industry”. On […]

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Make-up of Australian Senate confirmed
Government, National

Make-up of Australian Senate confirmed

RESULTS of the 2025 Federal Election have been finalised and the writs returned to the Governor-General Sam Mostyn. This marks the end of the electoral process for the House of Representatives and Senate and paves the way for the opening of the 48th Parliament on 22 July. Acting Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said the election […]

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AEC formally declares Alison Penfold as Lyne MP Member for Lyne Alison Penfold, who represents the National Party.
Government, National

AEC formally declares Alison Penfold as Lyne MP

ALISON Penfold is now officially the Federal Member for Lyne, after the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) formally declared the ballot result last Wednesday. In an electorate reeling from the recent flood disaster, Ms Penfold said the news came at a time when it was difficult to focus on anything other than supporting the community on […]

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Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way Private insurers will soon cover some complementary treatments. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Government, Health

Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way

WHEN Peter Hill walked into his first pilates class, he had to warm-up for the warm-up. With a feeble lower back and taut hamstrings, the then 63-year-old was hoping the therapy could aid his pain. Six years later, he can dart and dash with little-to-no trouble. “Occasionally I might have a bit of a twinge […]

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