November 5, 2025
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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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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Mayors advocate for shared Hunter priorities The HJO delegates met with senior NSW Government politicians and officials at Parliament House. Photos: HJO.
Community, Government

Mayors advocate for shared Hunter priorities

The HJO delegates met with senior NSW Government politicians and officials at Parliament House. Photos: HJO. DUNGOG Shire Council’s Mayor and General Manager joined other members of the Hunter Joint Organisation (HJO) at NSW Parliament House on Thursday, 16 October to advocate for greater investment in the Hunter’s communities, industries, jobs, and economic future. The […]

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Leaders urged not to mess with criminal responsibility Changing a long-standing youth conviction principle would only lead to future criminal offending, advocates say, following the release of a review. Photo: NSW Police.
Government, Police

Leaders urged not to mess with criminal responsibility

LEGAL advocates have welcomed a report’s recommendations into a presumption that children under 14 are “incapable of evil”, urging a state not to tinker with the long-standing principle, despite a drop in youth convictions. A NSW review of doli incapax was released on Saturday after it was launched by the state Labor government in May […]

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Ley sets sights on roads, housing and community growth
Government

Ley sets sights on roads, housing and community growth

COUNCILLOR Liam Ley was elected Deputy Mayor of Dungog Shire at the September Council meeting and will officially step into the role on 16 October 2025 for a 12-month term. Cr Ley says the position comes with a clear sense of responsibility. “For me, this role is about making sure our community is represented strongly […]

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Nationals call for firefighting scheme to be made permanent When a fire breaks out, farmers are often the first to respond. Photo: DPIE.
Government

Nationals call for firefighting scheme to be made permanent

NSW NATIONALS MPs are calling on the NSW Government to immediately deliver its promised Farm Fire Fighting Vehicle scheme, months after the second of two trial periods ended. In January 2024 Labor committed to provide conditional registrations that would enable farmers to drive unregistered vehicles on public roads in an emergency, but is yet to […]

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‘Bullied and exploited’: dying man lashes energy group Film director Ian Barry says EnergyCo is not offering fair compensation for acquiring his property. Photo: supplied.
Government

‘Bullied and exploited’: dying man lashes energy group

A MAJOR powerline project has caused distress and heartache for Hunter locals, prompting allegations of exploitation and bullying. The 100 kilometre Hunter Transmission Project on the NSW east coast will include 500-kilovolt above-ground transmission lines between Bayswater Power Station and a proposed switching station at Olney, near Eraring Power Station. Some residents are set to […]

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Mayor thanks councils for flood support
Government

Mayor thanks councils for flood support

MAYOR Digby Rayward has sincerely thanked several local councils which offered support to Dungog’s recovery efforts after the May flooding event. The councils who offered direct support include: · Lake Macquarie City Council: coordination of resourcing and logistical support · Muswellbrook Shire Council: pothole and patching crews · Tamworth Regional Council: pothole and patching crews […]

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XPT replacement trains unlikely to arrive in Dungog anytime soon An artist’s impression of the XPT replacement trains. Photo: TfNSW.
Community, Government

XPT replacement trains unlikely to arrive in Dungog anytime soon

THE wait for XPT replacement trains looks set to continue for the foreseeable future, with Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Camilla Drover unable to put a date on when the new trains would come into service.  “I’m not willing to commit to a hard and fast date,” she said at a recent Parliamentary budget estimates […]

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