September 5, 2025
Additional communities eligible for Personal Hardship grants
Dungog Shire

Additional communities eligible for Personal Hardship grants

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 […]

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State Forests reopening but users warned to check status Some of the damage caused by May’s floods in Mid North Coast and Hunter State Forests. Photos: Forestry Corporation.
Local News

State Forests reopening but users warned to check status

Some of the damage caused by May’s floods in Mid North Coast and Hunter State Forests. Photos: Forestry Corporation. THE region’s State Forests are progressively reopening following the floods and severe weather of May but the Forestry Corporation is urging users to check the status of trails and campgrounds in advance, and to exercise extreme […]

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DA processing improves in Dungog Shire
Dungog Shire

DA processing improves in Dungog Shire

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 […]

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Council adopts key planning documents
Dungog Shire

Council adopts key planning documents

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 […]

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Dungog Shire off-leash dog area progressing
Community

Dungog Shire off-leash dog area progressing

FOLLOWING consultation which resulted in 276 submissions made by the community, Council has endorsed to proceed to investigate two primary locations to determine the feasibility of off-leash dog exercise areas. Key findings of the survey are: – 67.8 percent of respondents travel to exercise their dog; – 37.3 percent of respondents utilise a Council park/sportsground […]

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Leadership competition invites young leaders to life-changing Power Trip in Canberra 2024 Power Trip winners from rural, regional, and remote Australia at Parliament House.
Local News

Leadership competition invites young leaders to life-changing Power Trip in Canberra

YOUNG rural women and non-binary students in Years 10 to 12 from across Australia will have the opportunity to win a once-in-a-lifetime ‘Power Trip’ to the nation’s capital. Country to Canberra’s (C2C) prestigious Leadership Competition launched on Monday, opening the door for young rural leaders to embark on a four-day leadership experience designed to help […]

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Funding for ‘future economic development’ of four coal mining regions Minister Ryan Park says it's time to position the Hunter as a national leader in clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Photo: AAP Image/Pool, Nikki Short.
Regional

Funding for ‘future economic development’ of four coal mining regions

THE 2025-26 NSW Budget will include $27.3 million over four years to fund the Future Jobs and Investment Authority, initially focusing on the Hunter and Central West regions. “The Authority will help guide the future economic development of the four coal mining regions – the Hunter, Central West, Illawarra, and North West – from coal […]

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Veterans given free vehicle access to National Parks A family runs towards the sea at Booti Booti National Park, where park entry fees for motor vehicles apply. Photo: John Spencer/DPIE.
Local News

Veterans given free vehicle access to National Parks

THE Minns Government is extending free vehicle access to National Parks to all Commonwealth Veteran Card holders. Park entry fees for motor vehicles apply at 45 of NSW’s 895 national parks and reserves. A 2025-26 budget measure will enable veterans from around Australia to apply for a pass to enter for free. The pass is […]

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Household water bills to increase after IPART determination
Local News

Household water bills to increase after IPART determination

HUNTER Water bills for a typical household customer will increase by 6.9 percent next financial year including inflation and then by 3.8 percent each year plus yearly inflation in subsequent years. The rise comes after a pricing determination by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). Tribunal Chair Carmel Donnelly said IPART reviewed costs […]

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