THE latest Bureau of Health Information report shows increased demand for hospital care and urgent surgery across the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). The quarterly report is based on the period between July – September 2025. There were 108,152 presentations to emergency departments (EDs) across the district, which is 2174 fewer than in […]
Dungog Shire Council's Deputy Mayor Liam Ley, with Mayor Digby Rayward and Acting Director of Planning and Environment Jenny Webb.
Council endorses strategic planning strategies for public exhibition
DUNGOG Shire Council has endorsed a suite of major strategic planning documents to be placed on public exhibition under the Commonwealth Government-funded Housing Support Program – Stream 1. The draft documents form the foundation of Council’s long-term growth management framework and have been developed to guide how the Shire will meet the NSW Government’s Housing […]
Let’s talk rubbish: Dungog hosts recycling community session
DUNGOG residents are being invited to roll up their sleeves for National Recycling Week (10–16 November) with a free, hands-on evening about cutting waste and making the most of household recycling. Hosted by Dungog Shire Council’s Waste Management Team with community partners Boomerang Bags/Single Use Plastic Free and the Dungog Wholefood Co-op, the two-hour “Recycling […]
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 […]
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 […]
The HJO delegates met with senior NSW Government politicians and officials at Parliament House. Photos: HJO.
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Film director Ian Barry says EnergyCo is not offering fair compensation for acquiring his property. Photo: supplied.
‘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 […]
