September 24, 2026
New motorway extension to ease traffic away from Port Stephens Motorists using the M1 extension will save 10 minutes of travel time, avoiding the notorious Hexham bottleneck. Image: Transport for NSW.
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 […]

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Staffing is key as locals back push back on Tomaree Hospital upgrade Christen White, Julie Wildman and Tomaree Community Hospital Auxiliary President Jayne Kilbride at the community meeting.
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 […]

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Flying Doctor Service gets $15m funding boost Additional funding will allow the RFDS to do more for regional, rural and remote communities. Photo: RFDS.
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 […]

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Green light for Raymond Terrace river walk’s ‘missing link’ Parkrun participants make use of the existing path. Photo: Supplied by Raymond Terrace Parkrun.
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 […]

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M1 Pacific Motorway extension approaches its opening, and locals got to walk on it The view from the new viaduct over the Hunter River. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
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 […]

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Gendered abuse is a threat to democracy Women should not have to choose between public office and personal safety. Photo: Magnific.
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 […]

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6,000 subsidised new washing machines available to eligible concession-card holders Be quick - last time this program ran, all available washing machines were snapped up within a week. Image: pvproductions on Magnific.
Government

6,000 subsidised new washing machines available to eligible concession-card holders

IF you have a top-loading washing machine and are a pensioner, veteran, social housing tenant or part of a low-income household, you may be eligible to trade your machine in for a brand new 8kg water and energy-efficient front-loader for just $250. The NSW Government’s Washing Machine Exchange Program is back with another 6,000 discounted […]

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Medowie’s Ferodale Road and Peppertree Road intersection to receive $1.5 million upgrade
Community, Government, Local News

Medowie’s Ferodale Road and Peppertree Road intersection to receive $1.5 million upgrade

MEDOWIE residents can expect changes to one of the suburb’s busiest intersections after funding was announced for upgrades to Ferodale Road and Peppertree Road. The announcement was made on Friday by Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington, after Port Stephens Council secured $1million through the NSW State Government’s Faster Assessment Incentive Program to help fund […]

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