Government Archives - Port Stephens News Of The Area

Community, Government, Local News, Regional

Port Stephens Council aims to deliver more affordable housing

The new action plan is designed to curb the increasing homelessness rates. Photo: Affordable Housing Action Plan, Port Stephens Council. While more than 20,000 households qualify for affordable housing in Port Stephens, very little is available. Photo: Affordable Housing Action Plan, Port Stephens Council. PORT Stephens Council (PSC) has put the new draft Affordable Housing […]

Community, Government, Health, Local News, Police, Regional

Port Stephens’ first refuge for women and children escaping violence opens

Minister Jodie Harrison speaks at the opening of Aunty Colleen’s Place, with Port Stephens MP Kate Washington looking on. Photo: Office of Jodie Harrison. The shared living room inside the newly opened refuge. Photo: Office of Jodie Harrison. One of the bedrooms prepared for children staying at Aunty Colleen’s Place. Photo: Office of Jodie Harrison. […]

Community, Government, Local News, Regional

New motorway extension to ease traffic away from Port Stephens

AFTER more than two years of construction, $2.24 billion in funding and 1.6 million cubic meters of earth removed, the M1 Pacific Motorway extension to Raymond Terrace has finally been opened more than a year ahead of schedule. Last month, locals got to walk on foot on a section of the newly completed road, but […]

Community, Government, Local News, School

Strong demand for new Medowie High School

MORE than 130 Year 7 students are set to make history at the opening of the new Medowie High School early next year. Medowie is one of the fastest-growing communities in Port Stephens, with the local population expected to increase by more than 4000 residents by 2040. For local families, the new high school means […]

Community, Government, Local News, National, Regional

Port Stephens residents urged to watch for bird flu as wildlife threat grows

PORT STEPHENS residents are being urged to keep an eye on local birdlife as Australia faces the ongoing spread of H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. During an online webinar on Monday 24 August, Professor Hugh Possingham, President of BirdLife Australia, and Kim Farley spoke about what the virus could mean for Australia’s […]

Community, Government, Health, Local News

Staffing is key as locals back push back on Tomaree Hospital upgrade

Kevin Lynch and Kate Washington MP at the community meeting discussing the future of health care in Port Stephens. Photo: Althea Guinsberg. Christen White, Julie Wildman and Tomaree Community Hospital Auxiliary President Jayne Kilbride at the community meeting. CALLS for Tomaree Hospital to be upgraded to a Level 3 facility were front and centre when […]

Community, Government, Health, Local News, Regional

Flying Doctor Service gets $15m funding boost

THE NSW government is investing $15 million to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to continue providing its lifesaving services across NSW. Part of the 2026-27 State Budget, the funding will enable the RFDS to deliver primary health care, dental and mental health services, retrievals, and patient and clinician transport in regional, rural and […]

Community, Government, Local News

Green light for Raymond Terrace river walk’s ‘missing link’

Map of the Raymond Terrace pathway. Photo: Port Stephens Council. Parkrun participants make use of the existing path. Photo: Supplied by Raymond Terrace Parkrun. The uneven dirt section of the Raymond Terrace waterfront path that will be paved. Photo: Althea Guinsberg. PUSHBIKE riders, pedestrians and people with prams in Raymond Terrace will soon be able […]

Community, Government, Local News

M1 Pacific Motorway extension approaches its opening, and locals got to walk on it

The 3.5 km walk along the new section of the highway left many quite winded. Photo: Nico Lombardo. The view from the new viaduct over the Hunter River. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Information stalls, family activities and free food were available at the end of the walk. Photo: Nico Lombardo. AFTER more than three years of […]

Community, Government, Local News, National, Regional

Gendered abuse is a threat to democracy

GENDERED abuse and intimidation is discouraging strong female candidates from standing for office or applying for executive roles, a NSW survey has revealed. The Women for Election survey found 89 per cent of respondents, or almost nine out of 10, had experienced online abuse. Three-quarters said it had worsened over the past two years, and […]