“OVER the past 40 years the share of votes going to independents and minor parties has risen in both state and federal elections,” the Australia Institute stated in a research article in October 2024. “In the 1980 federal election, the combined primary votes for minor parties and independents accounted for only eight percent.” At the […]
Recording notable old trees in Dungog Shire
ENVIRONMENTAL advocate and naturalist Ken Rubeli is calling for the development of a record of notable old trees in the Dungog Shire. “There are many old trees in the Shire that few people are aware of – especially those in our State Forests and National Parks,” Mr Rubeli told NOTA. “Who might take on the […]
Track work impacting rail routes
RAIL commuters planning to travel this weekend are advised to check travel alerts before heading to the station. Australian Rail Track Corporation will conduct essential maintenance and improvement works on both the Hunter Valley and North Coast rail lines. During the work, the track will be closed between Newcastle and Turrawan as well as Muswellbrook […]

Is it down? Strict rules for telcos that suffer outages
CONSUMERS must be told why their phone or internet service has been disconnected during major outages and when they can expect it to return under stricter telecommunication rules. Providers will also have to improve the way they deal with triple-zero outages under the regulations and issue detailed plans to prevent recurrences. The Australian Communications and […]

Overseas rates decision to dominate domestic chatter
WHEN the United States speaks, Australian investors listen. And they will be doing so very closely as the much-anticipated US rates decision is handed down on Thursday. Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell has previously indicated there will be no changes to the cash rate in May, while the bank waits for more information on the […]

Soul searching for coalition after poll thumping
THE coalition will be forced to carry out a “fundamental reorganisation” of the party’s structure to ensure its ongoing relevance to voters after its election wipeout, a leading pollster says. As votes continue to be counted after Saturday’s poll, figures show the coalition could slump to its lowest percentage of seats in parliament since the […]
Twelve new police officers hit the ground across the Hunter
TWELVE new Probationary Constables are beginning work in the Hunter region, allocated to Hunter Valley, Manning-Great Lakes, Mid North Coast and Port Stephens-Hunter Police Districts. NSW Police Force’s Class 365 officially attested at the Goulburn Police Academy on Friday, 2 May. The new recruits have now commenced duties at their new home stations across the […]
Dungog Shire Palliative Care Volunteers mark 30th anniversary
PALLIATIVE Care Week between 11-17 May, also marks the 30th anniversary of Dungog Shire’s Palliative Care Volunteers (DSPCV). Palliative Care Week raises awareness and improves the community’s understanding of what palliative care is, and how it can help people with a life-limiting illness, and support their families and carers. The theme for this year’s Palliative […]

Albanese takes victory lap after Labor landslide
ANTHONY Albanese has pledged unity in his second term as more Labor MPs are elected to parliament in a decisive victory for his government. Labor stormed home to victory in the federal election in an emphatic landslide, reducing the coalition to one of their worst performances at the polls and losing their own leader in […]
Dungog sets new daily rainfall record for NSW
DUNGOG recorded the state’s highest daily rainfall total of 192mm on Monday, 28 April. Just days after the tenth anniversary of the deadly floods of 2015, locals were again given cause for concern. On social media, river and creek levels were a hot topic, as was speculation about the amount of water still bucketing down. […]