A LOW-PRESSURE system off the northern NSW coast caused widespread rainfall and strong winds across the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions, including the Dungog Shire. With floodwaters now subsiding, the local community is shifting its focus to cleaning up and recovering from the damage caused by the severe weather event. By 10:02am on […]
Dangerous beach conditions close Bennetts Beach
DANGEROUS surf conditions in the wake of gale-force winds and rain closed Bennetts Beach last weekend. ‘Beach Closed’ signs in the middle of the school holidays are never a happy sight, but the visible churning of the waters, and waves averaging two metres in height, were more than enough to bring out the signs […]
Gloucester District’s gardeners talking ‘Permaculture at the Pub’
WHEN the word “permaculture” is uttered, some readers might have a vision of someone clad in well-worn gardening gear, with an old tattered hat, clutching a freshly dug bunch of carrots or spuds. Few would imagine a smartly dressed group, beers in hand, chatting animatedly at the local pub about gardening in general, […]
Urgent action sought at North Arm Cove hoon hotspot
THE North Arm Cove Community Association (NACCAi) continues to push MidCoast Council for action on an infamous hoon hotspot, with council recently deciding against the installation of CCTV surveillance at the site. The intersection of Gooreengi Road and Somerset Avenue, North Arm Cove has been the site of ongoing anti-social behaviour, illegal burnout gatherings […]

Farmers welcome plans to attract more vets to regional NSW
THE state’s peak farm body has welcomed a new government initiative to address acute shortages of vets across rural NSW. Under the NSW Government’s Welcome Experience program, vets, vet nurses, vet technicians and their families are now eligible to receive assistance with sourcing housing, childcare and other services when moving to rural NSW. NSW Farmers’ […]
Royal Hotel reigns as most popular NSW pub name
THE most popular names for NSW pubs have been revealed, with Royal Hotel taking the top spot as the most common watering hole in 2025. The latest data from Liquor & Gaming NSW shows that 73 out of the state’s 2,112 licensed hotels share this prestigious name, reflecting its iconic status in Aussie pub […]
Wildfires and other weather extremes raising new climate alarms
WILDFIRES in Los Angeles, heavy snow in other parts of the US, floods in Saudi Arabia and heatwaves across Australia have all confirmed the fears of climate scientists. The Climate Council, an independent organisation formed after the Abbott Government abolished the Climate Commission in 2013, says scientists have confirmed 2024 was the world’s hottest since […]