Former NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens.
FORMER NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens has been appointed as the Recovery Coordinator for the Hunter and Mid-North Coast in the wake of devastating floods. Mr Owens commenced the role last week and will be based out of Taree. “Dave Owens has a lot of experience helping communities after natural disasters, so I am […]
Repairs to Shoal Bay Beach, August 2024.
AFTER two disastrous events hit Shoal Bay in 2024, Port Stephens Council (PSC) was again urged by concerned locals to provide an alternate access road to Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay. Following a series of meetings with local groups, the Council released its Delivery Program (2025-2029) and Operational Plan (2025-2026). In response, the Tomaree Headland […]
Dedicated waste crews have been deployed across the region.
PORT Stephens Council has launched a coordinated waste management response to support residents impacted by the recent natural disaster. Council teams have been working closely with emergency services and impacted communities to assess damage, and help residents safely manage waste from flood-affected properties. Mayor Leah Anderson said the recovery effort is focused on making it […]
The brilliantly-coloured sixspine leatherjacket is common over the shallow reefs.
OF all the fishing articles I have written over the past 40 years, very few have featured leatherjacket. Appropriately named, this weird looking fish has sandpaper skin and no scales with a spike protruding from the head. They have a mean set of dentures which they are keen to use if you get too close, […]
Leanne and Kent Sansom in the flooded park grounds. Photos: Oakvale Wildlife Park.
Leanne and Kent Sansom in the flooded park grounds. Photos: Oakvale Wildlife Park. Kent with the flood pump in the background. Ellen is part of the ‘fantastic’ team at Oakvale. The koalas were safe in their trees as they waited for the water to recede. Some of the animals kept comfy and dry indoors. OAKVALE […]
PSP Managing Director Charles Andrea, Mayor of Port Stephens Leah Anderson, Koori Colours Art Gallery artist Jason Russell, PSP Manager Kerri Russell and General Manager Rob Peel.
A COLOURFUL new addition to the Taylors Beach industrial landscape is set to be unveiled on 20 June 2025. A strikingly large mural has been completed on the PSP Hospitality Supplies (PSP) building on Port Stephens Drive, owned by Basma and Spiro Andrea. The mural, titled “Creating Connections” and measuring 30m x 10m, was created […]
Fodder is being air-dropped to farmers in need.
HELICOPTERS have provided isolated farmers with emergency fodder for their stranded livestock, as part of a range of support available to flood-affected farmers across the Mid North Coast, North Coast and Hunter. As of midday Saturday, 24 May, there had been 43 helicopter aerial drops of fodder, and nearly 131 emergency fodder drops by other […]
CWA members from Nelson Bay: Byril Cossini and Evelyn Wilson (Nelson Bay CWA Evening Branch), Deb Schaefer (Hunter River Group President), Lee Bootland and Nell Carter (Nelson Bay CWA Branch). Photo: Pauline Cain.
NEWS Of The Area joined more than 600 delegates and another 200 observers at the Country Women’s Association’s 103rd State Conference in Wagga Wagga last week. In a statement to media ahead of the conference, CWA of NSW president Joy Beames said, “The high number of motions delegates will be asked to vote on this […]
The survey seeks to evaluate speed behaviour and community attitudes to speeding.
FOLLOWING on from National Road Safety Week (May 11-18), Port Stephens Council is encouraging the community to participate in a survey about road safety as part of the Community Action for Safe Speeds (CASS) study. The CASS study, led by researchers from The George Institute for Global Health, aims to find innovative ways to reduce […]
CWA member Kerry Jacobs setting up slices for a previous fundraising fete.
THE Nelson Bay Branch of the Country Women’s Association of NSW (CWA) is preparing for its annual Winter Fete. The Winter Fete will be held from 8:30am to 1pm on Saturday, 7 June at the CWA Hall, on the corner of Achilles and Gowrie Streets in Nelson Bay. The branch regularly fundraises for local outreach […]
