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 […]
AN E-PETITION is now available on the NSW Parliament website calling for upgraded support to assist Hunter and Mid North Coast communities devastated by the May flood. The petition calls on the NSW Government to maximise Category C funding and urgently declare Category D funding for devastated small businesses, primary producers and communities in the […]
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 […]
Some of the damage caused by May’s floods in Mid North Coast and Hunter State Forests. Photos: Forestry Corporation.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
2024 Power Trip winners from rural, regional, and remote Australia at Parliament House.
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 […]
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.
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 […]
A family runs towards the sea at Booti Booti National Park, where park entry fees for motor vehicles apply. Photo: John Spencer/DPIE.
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 […]
