THE NSW Government has released a new guide to support councils to undertake land audits to identify vacant operational land that could be used to deliver affordable housing projects. The “Council Led Affordable Housing on Operational Land Guide” released by the Office of Local Government provides step-by-step guidance for councils on identifying and managing affordable […]

NOMINATIONS for the 2026 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards are now open, with family, friends and work mates urged to help celebrate the enormous positive impact of volunteers across the state. The awards are in their 20th year and are run by The Centre for Volunteering to recognise the outstanding work of volunteers in […]

Merchants Road in Martins Creek. Photo: supplied. Clipping from local newspapers highlight the family’s gatherings over the years. Photos: supplied. Clipping from local newspapers highlight the family’s gatherings over the years. Photos: supplied. DESCENDANTS of the Merchant family will gather in Paterson on Saturday, 21 February, to share anecdotes of a clan with significant historic […]

AN additional public holiday has been announced for NSW this year. It falls on the Monday following Anzac Day, 25 April, which falls on a weekend. “Each year, thousands of families rise before dawn on Anzac Day to commemorate and remember those who have served,” Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said. “The additional holiday […]

THE state’s peak body for farmers has presented the state government with a range of suggestions for improvements to firearms regulations. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said that “sudden, sweeping changes” to firearms laws had created adverse and unintended consequences, with ongoing uncertainty causing major problems for food and fibre producers. “At the moment I’m […]

THE NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has confirmed the first case of Varroa mite pyrethroid resistance in the state. Laboratory testing at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute identified a known genetic mutation, L925I, which causes pyrethroid resistance in Varroa mites. DPIRD Honey Bee Technical Specialist, Elizabeth Frost, said L925I significantly reduces […]

DUNGOG RSL sub-Branch has received a $1400 grant to go toward its display of veterans’ uniforms. A project is underway to ensure that uniforms gifted to the sub-Branch by veterans and their families, from all services, are displayed properly. The uniforms range from WWII to those worn more recently in Afghanistan. Funds will be used […]

CHARGES have been laid as detectives investigate fraud and stealing offences allegedly committed in car parks in dozens of locations across NSW, including in Port Stephens and the Mid Coast. Officers attached to North West Metropolitan Region established Strike Force Pitstop to investigate incidents reported across the state, from Newcastle to Wagga Wagga and including […]

MORE than 600 drivers were detected allegedly driving with drugs in their systems during a statewide police traffic operation last week. Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) commenced at 12am on Thursday 12 February and concluded at 4am on Sunday 15 February, targeting people driving while affected by alcohol, drugs and fatigue. During the operation, […]

AUSTRALIAN Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) is calling on private landholders in the Stroud district to join a proposed large-scale conservation precinct. The initiative aims to strengthen habitat connectivity across the region and increase protection for threatened species, including the koala and greater glider. One AWC project is the 3871-hectare Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary, located near Stroud, which […]