December 16, 2025
Fears ‘free’ electricity could come with hidden costs Chris Bowen says you don't have to have solar panels on your roof to reap the benefits. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
Regional

Fears ‘free’ electricity could come with hidden costs

ENERGY retailers say they’ve been blindsided by reforms promising free electricity to hundreds of thousands of Australians during peak solar power hours. The Solar Sharer program, announced by the federal government last Tuesday, would give consumers free access to electricity for three hours each day as part of the default offer available. Households in NSW, […]

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Tocal College showcases student excellence at annual stock horse sale Tocal College horse husbandry students and educators with the top selling gelding and mare from the 2025 Approved Australian Stock Horse sale.
Regional

Tocal College showcases student excellence at annual stock horse sale

ELEVEN stock horses bred and trained by students at Tocal College have fetched a total of $168,000 in winning bids at the annual Approved Australian Stock Horse (ASH) Sale held over 2 and 3 November. Now in its 17th year, the sale event showcased the strength of Tocal College’s equine training program and dedication of […]

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Free grain and bait on offer in statewide offensive on feral pigs The cost to farmers of grain for feral pig trapping and baiting can be significant. Photo: supplied.
Regional

Free grain and bait on offer in statewide offensive on feral pigs

LANDHOLDERS across NSW are being encouraged to take advantage of $850,000 worth of free grain and bait on offer as part of a statewide crackdown on feral pigs. The funding is part of the Government’s Feral Pig and Pest Program with funding from the State’s more than $1 billion biosecurity budget. It is the third […]

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Newcastle Airport showcased on international stage Airport representatives at the Future-Proofing Airport Development workshop in Singapore.
Local News

Newcastle Airport showcased on international stage

Airport representatives at the Future-Proofing Airport Development workshop in Singapore. Burcak Sezer GAICD, Executive General Manager People Communications at Newcastle Airport. NEWCASTLE Airport was represented on the international stage last week at the Future-Proofing Airport Development workshop in Singapore, hosted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Bringing together decision-makers from across […]

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‘We need energy’: leader touts gas to save smelter jobs Tomago Aluminium in NSW may be saved from closure in 2028 by a possible billion-dollar bailout. Photo: Michael Gorton/AAP PHOTOS.
Local News

‘We need energy’: leader touts gas to save smelter jobs

THE premier could use compulsory acquisition powers to increase gas supplies for industry and help secure the future of the nation’s biggest aluminium smelter. Federal and NSW government leaders have been scrambling to keep the Tomago Aluminium facility running, with a bailout reportedly worth more than $1 billion on offer. The operators of the Hunter […]

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Nationals ditch net zero as Liberals ponder policy The Nationals make their net zero at Parliament House. Photo: supplied.
Government

Nationals ditch net zero as Liberals ponder policy

THE Nationals have set up a possible showdown with their political ally the Liberals after unanimously agreeing to scrap their commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. The regional party argues Australia is doing more than its fair share to reduce carbon pollution, and emissions reductions should instead be tied to an average of similar […]

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Military memories and morning tea bring veterans together
Community

Military memories and morning tea bring veterans together

One of the military vehicles on display at Lara. A beautiful handmade blanket gifted to a Lara resident. RESIDENTS of Lara Aged Care in Dungog, part of RSL Lifecare, enjoyed a special visit and morning tea on Wednesday 30 October, as part of the activities surrounding the 10th Annual Clarence Town Swim In and Rally. […]

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Three southbound lanes now open on Hexham Straight Three southbound lanes are now open on the Hexham Straight.
Government

Three southbound lanes now open on Hexham Straight

THREE southbound lanes now open on the Hexham Straight, assisting to alleviate one of the region’s most frustrating bottlenecks. The milestone marks significant progress on the State and Federal Governments’ $2.24 billion investment to bust congestion and improve safety through the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension and Hexham Straight Widening projects. For the 50,000 motorists […]

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Paterson Reverse Vending Machine proposal canned PPA members Andrew and Julie recycle bottles into Remembrance and Anzac Day flowers.
Regional

Paterson Reverse Vending Machine proposal canned

STATE government-appointed Return and Earn network provider, Tomra, has rejected a proposal to install a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) in Paterson. Since March last year, locals have tried to persuade Tomra to install an RVM, similar to those in Dungog. Paterson locals can drive 33km to Dungog, only to find that the machine is not […]

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New online tool to support farmers prepare for and recover from natural disasters The platform brings together functions that previously existed in a suite of existing tools such as the Drought and Supplementary Calculator, DroughtPack, Feed Cost Calculator and Drought Feed Calculator.
Regional

New online tool to support farmers prepare for and recover from natural disasters

A NEW online tool is available to help NSW farmers better prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters including fire, flood, and drought. The platform, called myStockPlanner, enables farmers to provide details of their farm, risks and resources to access tailored response options to consider and implement with their feed and livestock. Federal […]

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