Energy Minister Penny Sharpe speaks in Kurri Kurri.
CONSTRUCTION is officially underway on the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), a project the state government says will generate enough energy to power more than all the homes in the Hunter. REZs aim to group new wind and solar power generation and batteries into locations where it can be efficiently stored and transmitted across […]
A review led by Transport for NSW will recommend a legal minimum age between 12 and 16 for riding an e-bike in NSW. Photo: NSW Gov.
A MINIMUM age to ride an e-bike is being introduced in NSW. Under current NSW Road Rules, a child of any age can ride an e-bike and bicycle riders of any age can carry passengers if the bike’s design allows. A review led by Transport for NSW will recommend a legal minimum age between 12 […]
OPTIONS to reduce household insurance costs and fix an “unfair funding model” for emergency services will be put to a NSW parliamentary inquiry. While emergency services benefit everyone, most of their funding comes from a levy not everyone pays. The NSW Government says it is committed to removing this Emergency Services Levy (ESL) and replacing […]
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin addresses the media. Photo: NSW Farmers.
THE state’s peak body for farmers has presented the state government with a range of suggestions for improvements to firearms regulations. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said that “sudden, sweeping changes” to firearms laws had created adverse and unintended consequences, with ongoing uncertainty causing major problems for food and fibre producers. “At the moment I’m […]
Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong launched the ‘Name and Shame’ list on 25 January. Photo: minister’s website.
THE State Government has launched a “Name and Shame” list of real estate agents, property managers and strata managing agents who have faced enforcement action. Available through the NSW Fair Trading website, it allows homeowners, buyers and renters to check if an agent has been fined, suspended or had their licence cancelled. It also includes […]
The rain radar and weather map were at the top of the Bureau’s list of fixes. Photo: Sue Stephenson.
THE Bureau of Meteorology has implemented the first round of changes to its heavily-criticised $96.5m website. Since launching, the site has attracted 400,000 “items of feedback”. As a result, the rain radar and weather map have been improved and there is more information about daily temperature highs and lows on state, territory and district pages. […]
Council says the draft plan marks an ‘exciting step forward in creating a vibrant, modern and welcoming heart for Medowie’.
THE draft Medowie Town Centre Masterplan is now on public exhibition until 1 March 2026. Port Stephens Deputy Mayor Chris Doohan said the plan sets out a clear, ambitious direction to create a town centre residents of Medowie can be proud of. “This masterplan will provide a blueprint for the future development of the Council-owned […]
The number of emergency and urgent care patients is the highest since reporting began.
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 […]
Council has published its Port Stephens Housing Strategy Annual Report 2024/2025.
THE Port Stephens Housing Strategy Annual Report 2024/2025 is now available to be viewed by the community. Mayor Leah Anderson said the report is a “great way to show the community insights on where Council is at in meeting our housing strategy targets”. The Annual Report has been developed and published as an action of […]
Mayor Leah Anderson and Director of Community Futures Steven Peart.
MAYOR Leah Anderson was presented with the prestigious Minister’s Award for Women in Local Government at the Port Stephens Council meeting on Tuesday, 28 October. Now in its 18th year, the award celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of women in NSW Councils. Mayor Anderson was honoured with the Elected Representative Award, which celebrates female councillors […]
