June 4, 2026
NSW Farmers: Farmers confidence ‘plummets’ amid cost crisis
Dungog Shire

NSW Farmers: Farmers confidence ‘plummets’ amid cost crisis

NSW FARMERS is warning state and federal governments must urgently respond to an acute cost-of-production shock with new data showing spikes in fuel and fertiliser prices caused by global shortages have slashed confidence. The latest NSW Farmers Farm Business Sentiment Survey suggests 80 percent price increases for fuel and fertiliser have flowed through to freight […]

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Budget brawl escalates over rival tax cut proposals The federal government has continued back its budget tax reforms despite opposition criticism. Photo: Susie Dodds/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Budget brawl escalates over rival tax cut proposals

A ROW has broken out over the cost of cutting taxes for millions of Australians as Labor and the opposition try to sell rival economic plans to voters. After a week dominated by the state of the nation’s finances, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese accused the opposition of failing to properly price its plan to bake […]

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Fuel transparency differing between regions NSW Fair Trading’s compliance inspections have taken place across the state. Photo: NSW Government.
Government

Fuel transparency differing between regions

THE NSW Government’s ongoing FuelCheck inspection program has revealed which regions across the state have the best and worst compliance rates for price transparency. While approximately half of all inspections have taken place outside of Sydney, around 70 percent of all fines have been issued in regional NSW. The Central Coast comes out on top […]

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Farmers urged to act early on feral pig control Feral pigs are highly adaptable and reproduce rapidly, making ongoing control essential.
Local News

Farmers urged to act early on feral pig control

WITH dry seasonal conditions being experienced in many parts of the region, Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) is urging producers to act early on feral pig control. As feed and water become limited, feral pigs are concentrating around remaining resources, increasing the risk of damage to crops, pastures and infrastructure, and putting additional pressure on […]

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Zonta launches online club for regional and rural members An online meeting of the Zonta e-Club of NSW and ACT.
Community

Zonta launches online club for regional and rural members

THE Zonta e-Club of NSW and ACT has been established as a new online branch of Zonta International, a global organisation with over 100 years of history. The small but growing group is looking for others who want to help build an effective online advocacy community focused on key issues affecting women and girls. This […]

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Stargazing: Animals in space
Local News

Stargazing: Animals in space

LONG before humans walked on the Moon and planted their footprints in lunar dust, others made the journey first – silently, bravely, and often without return. Animals were the earliest pioneers of spaceflight, sent ahead to answer a simple but vital question: could life survive beyond Earth? The story begins in 1947, not with a […]

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Forest industry future under review as NSW maps logging reform Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin, Premier Chris Minns and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe at the Great Koala National Park announcement last year. Photo: Penny Sharpe MP.
Regional

Forest industry future under review as NSW maps logging reform

THE forestry industry has been a contested space in NSW for many years, with some supporting the continuation of native hardwood logging and others strongly opposing it. The issue was brought into sharper focus recently with the announcement by the NSW Government of its intention to create the Great Koala National Park (GKNP). The establishment […]

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Cut to rail route sparks fury from farmers and regions
Dungog Shire

Cut to rail route sparks fury from farmers and regions

A MAJOR freight rail line intended to connect Melbourne and Brisbane will be left half-finished after its cost nearly tripled in six years, sparking anger from farmers and regional leaders. The federal budget will include plans to pare back the Inland Rail project and instead end it at Parkes in central NSW. Independent analysis shows […]

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Critical renewable energy projects to be fast-tracked under new law
Dungog Shire

Critical renewable energy projects to be fast-tracked under new law

PROPOSED legislation currently before the NSW Legislative Assembly would allow the Energy Minister to identify the highest-priority renewable energy projects in the planning pipeline and prioritise them for streamlining. The NSW Government says it would result in more streamlined approvals for generation, storage and network projects that will power homes, industry and economic growth. However, […]

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A celebration of volunteers in Paterson
Community

A celebration of volunteers in Paterson

RESIDENTS of Paterson and surrounding communities will come together on Sunday, 24 May for a National Volunteer Day Community Celebration. The event, to be held in John Tucker Park, Paterson from 10am to 1pm, will recognise local volunteers and encourage more people, especially young people, to get involved. Volunteer organisations from Paterson, Martins Creek, Vacy, […]

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