Government Archives - Port Stephens News Of The Area

Vision for Medowie Town Centre open for community feedback

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 […]

Government, Health

Record urgent care and surgery demand across Hunter New England Health district

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 […]

Government

Port Stephens Council release housing strategy report

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 […]

Government

Mayor Leah Anderson honoured with Women in Local Government Award

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 […]

Government

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 […]

Government, 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 […]

Community, Government

Port Stephens returns 1200 endangered seahorses to the wild in conservation effort

Local students assisted in deploying the hotels. A diver with the seahorse hotels. A RECORD 1200 White’s seahorses have been released in Port Stephens as part of an effort to save the endangered species. They are Australia’s only threatened seahorse and the second most endangered worldwide. The Minns Labor Government is committed to saving the […]

Government

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 […]

Community, Government

Flood recovery grant applications to be processed quicker

THE State Government last week announced it would immediately double the number of staff members working on the processing of Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) Recovery Grants for primary producers impacted by the May floods. Since June, the RAA has received almost 2,000 applications and has approved more than $23 million in payments, however the Government […]

Community, Government

Residents are demanding action on Oyster Cove Road’s potholes

Signs have been posted to warn drivers to slow down due to the dangerous conditions. Oyster Cove Road has been full of potholes for weeks now. PORT Stephens residents are once again voicing their concerns about hazardous road conditions. Oyster Cove Road has been a recent source of frustration, with potholes covering the full length […]