TWELVE-YEAR old Jasper O’Keefe has a work ethic second to none. As reported by News Of The Area, in April Jasper travelled with his sister, Remi, to Orlando where he competed in the International Cheer Union World Championships as part of Team Australia Youth Pom, and The Summit Championships held in early May. They were […]

Dungog Pool Filter Beds. Gresford Multipurpose Hall Flooring replacement. DUNGOG Shire Council has published its latest Roads and Infrastructure update on its Facebook page, outlining where crews will be working across the Shire during the week commencing 29 June as road, bridge and community infrastructure projects continue. Road rehabilitation work will continue on Cory Street […]

The fungi project is expected to reveal hundreds of Hunter Region fungal species that are currently undocumented. Photo: Supplied. Professor Tim Roberts and volunteer Louise Watterson soil sampling to compare DNA and understand how healthy ecosystems function. Photo: Supplied. THE Hunter Region Botanic Gardens has secured a significant $148,984 grant from the NSW Government’s Environmental […]

“WHEN our grandson was taken, locked away in a room, we thought the Department of Community and Justice would intervene. They didn’t.” These are the words of local author Denis Bright, who saw his family torn apart by an abuser who, after the end of a toxic marriage to his daughter, attempted to get her […]

ALL NSW rivers and streams are now closed for trout fishing until the start of the October long weekend. The annual closure applies from the end of the June long weekend until the start of the October long weekend on Saturday, 3 October. The annual closure is designed to protect trout and other species during […]

FUEL prices and supply availability have negatively impacted 72 percent of Australian businesses, according to new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). According to Head of Business Statistics Tom Lay, the data from the Survey of Business Conditions and Sentiments helps the ABS better understand the economic impacts of the closure of […]

ROAD naming and budget reviews were on the agenda at Dungog Shire Council’s latest ordinary meeting on Wednesday 20 May. Following is a summary of some of the key matters discussed. Quarterly planning and development Council received its Quarterly Planning and Development Report for the January to March 2026 period, highlighting continued development activity and […]

Chichester Dam, April 2026. Grahamstown Dam, April 2026. HUNTER Water is urging customers to make smart water choices as the Lower Hunter records its highest April water usage in 20 years, alongside declining dam levels and ongoing dry conditions. Residential water use topped 3.7 billion litres in the month, equating to 189 litres per person […]

MORE than 708 drivers have been detected allegedly driving with drugs in their systems during a statewide police traffic operation. Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers), which ran from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 May, focused on roadside testing to identify people who may be driving while affected by alcohol and drugs. During the operation, […]

WITH dry seasonal conditions being experienced in many parts of the region, Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) is urging producers to act early on feral pig control. As feed and water become limited, feral pigs are concentrating around remaining resources, increasing the risk of damage to crops, pastures and infrastructure, and putting additional pressure on […]