REPRESENTATIVES of local businesses and community groups recently met online for a workshop covering the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW). These workshops, or webinars, are being run by Arts Upper Hunter, led by Susannah Jones, in collaboration with the Dungog Visitor Information Centre. The ATDW is a nation-wide database for the tourism sector. It distributes […]
Hunter hospitals rolling-out safe staffing in EDs
TWENTY-SEVEN more hospitals across NSW are rolling-out safe staffing levels in their emergency departments. In the broader Hunter region these include Manning Base Hospital, Maitland Hospital and John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. This brings to 40 the number of hospitals across the state that have started operating with safe staffing levels as a result of […]
Rising baking star adds international win to growing list of accolades
Dungog baker, Connor Beisler. Connor Beisler holds the trophy for Team Australia, winners of ANZBake. DUNGOG’S Connor Beisler is baking up a storm, adding another major win to his name after claiming a trophy for Team Australia at the prestigious ANZBake competition. The 20-year-old TAFE NSW graduate – who recently won gold at the WorldSkills […]
Restaurant, bar and function centre approved for Clarence Town
DUNGOG Shire Council has approved a $6.02 million development application to construct and operate a new bar, restaurant and function centre at 29–35 Grey Street, Clarence Town. The proposal, lodged in February 2025, was brought before Council due to its high estimated development cost and the number of public submissions received. Twelve submissions were lodged, […]
Council records increase in development activity over April to June quarter
DUNGOG Shire Council has reported a significant uplift in development activity over the April to June 2025 quarter, with 62 development applications (DAs) determined – an increase from 47 in the same period last year. Lodgements also rose, with 63 applications submitted compared to 49 in the previous year. The total value of approved development […]
No plans to improve Barrington’s mobile phone service
LOCAL resident Shelley Faull has described the Telstra mobile phone service to the village of Barrington and its surrounds as being “woeful”. According to Telstra’s Network Coverage Map the whole village of Barrington is covered by its mobile service, and there is nothing to indicate that Barrington residents are likely to experience issues using their […]
Police blitz on drunk and drugged drivers
NSW POLICE have targeted motorists affected by alcohol, drugs and fatigue during a three-day operation. Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) ran from 21-23 August across all NSW roads. During this period, police conducted more than 87,000 breath tests and 9166 drug tests. There were 186 drink driving offences detected and 660 positive drug samples. […]

Reforms begin to close working-with-children loopholes
PARENTS and advocates say reforms to improve working-with-children checks are a step in the right direction but they want more action to keep kids in childcare safe. Fast-tracked reforms unveiled on Friday will ensure that by the end of the year, anyone prevented from holding a working-with-children check in one state or territory will be […]

Quad bike standards saving lives as crackdown urged
FARMERS, their families and workers are returning home safely after a day on the land due to stronger quad bike safety standards, but tougher enforcement could save even more lives. Quad bikes have long been a leading cause of deaths on farms, with 10 fatalities in 2024 and 46 reports of injuries, according to Farmsafe […]
Local author awarded MidCoast Arts Grant for children’s platypus book
Illustrator Estelle Leishman, Uncle Justin Ridgeway, and Author Rachel Barry. Photos: supplied by Rachel Barry. Illustrations from the book. Illustrations from the book. Illustrations from the book. The book is titled ‘Where Ripples Rise’. STROUD local Rachel Barry has been announced as a successful recipient of the 2025 MidCoast Arts Support Program, receiving a $1500 […]