DUNGOG Shire Council will write to the Environment Minister to express concerns over the impacts of the Biodiversity Conservation Act. At Council’s July 16 meeting, Mayor Digby Rayward said the Act has resulted in a high number of Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports (BDARs) being required for minor developments such as single dwellings or small subdivisions. […]
SEVERAL middle-aged men have been arrested for trying to get child-like sex dolls shipped to their homes in rural towns. Australian Border Force officers raided and searched properties around the Newcastle and Hunter Valley area arresting four people over the span of about a year in their crackdown on the “disturbing rise in attempted importations.” […]
THE Australian Government is seeking input from community and industry stakeholders on the “On Farm Connectivity Program” to ensure it is delivering the best possible outcomes for primary producers through the upcoming third round. Through over $30 million in rebates provided over the first two rounds, the government says thousands of primary producers have been […]
‘I'm feeling very energised about parliament coming back,’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
PRIME Minister Anthony Albanese has backed a greater role for the government in childcare as he prepares to push through legislation tightening up the sector following horrifying allegations of child abuse at Melbourne early learning centres. Universal affordable childcare was identified by the prime minister during the recent federal election as the one reform he’d […]
A NATIONAL childcare worker register should show the employment history of staff after revelations an accused child abuser was sacked from one facility but continued working unimpeded. Joshua Dale Brown, 26, has been charged with more than 70 sex offences against eight alleged victims aged under two at a childcare centre in Melbourne. Authorities have […]
DUNGOG Shire Council, in partnership with Dungog Regional Tourism, is inviting the community to help find the perfect location for a new scenic viewing platform that will showcase the region’s stunning natural landscapes and rich heritage. Renowned for its rolling hills, sweeping ridgelines, and tranquil river valleys, Dungog Shire boasts some of the most stunning […]
THE Brig O’Johnston Bridge at Clarence Town has reopened to traffic following the early completion of essential maintenance and safety improvement work. Pedestrian and vehicle access across the bridge returned to normal on Friday. For more information on this work, visit www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/240007, download the Live Traffic NSW app or call 132 701. To receive updates […]
Grants of up to $3000 are availanble to community groups across rural, regional and remote Australia.
THE Regional Tech Hub has announced a new grants program, offering up to $3000 to community groups across rural, regional and remote Australia. The Connect Grants are open to grassroots projects that help people navigate the complex world of phone and internet connectivity. Regional Tech Hub General Manager, Jennifer Medway, said the program is about […]
LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald OAM has sponsored a petition to the NSW Legislative Council demanding the reinstatement of three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes. The six-month Discovery Pass, previously available for $420, offered unlimited travel across NSW TrainLink’s regional train and coach network. The longer term passes have recently been paused by the state […]
RURAL Aid has launched the sixth annual Spirit of the Bush Photo Competition, inviting Upper Hunter residents to share striking images that capture the strength, resilience, and beauty of life on the land. Running from 14 July to 31 August 2025, the much-loved competition provides a powerful platform for rural and regional Australians to tell […]
