July 6, 2025
Leadership competition invites young leaders to life-changing Power Trip in Canberra 2024 Power Trip winners from rural, regional, and remote Australia at Parliament House.
Government

Leadership competition invites young leaders to life-changing Power Trip in Canberra

YOUNG rural women and non-binary students in Years 10 to 12 from across Australia will have the opportunity to win a once-in-a-lifetime ‘Power Trip’ to the nation’s capital. Country to Canberra’s (C2C) prestigious Leadership Competition launched on Monday, opening the door for young rural leaders to embark on a four-day leadership experience designed to help […]

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New PFAS guidelines released for drinking water
Government

New PFAS guidelines released for drinking water

THE National Health and Medical Research Council has published updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which confirm new, lower values for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Australian drinking water supplies. PFAS are a class of more than 4,000 manufactured chemicals that are not found naturally in the environment. These chemicals have been widely used in […]

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Development surge coming to Raymond Terrace Raymond Terrace has also been included in the NSW Government’s latest housing reforms, allowing for increased building heights around town centres.
Government

Development surge coming to Raymond Terrace

PORT Stephens Council says Raymond Terrace is experiencing a “wave of development growth”, with a sharp rise in applications and renewed interest from investors. In the past financial year, Port Stephens Council has approved 77 new residential homes in Raymond Terrace. A further 27 units are currently under assessment. Mayor Leah Anderson said the current […]

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Council backs drainage review across Port Stephens Undrained water at an exercise park in Nelson Bay.
Community, Government

Council backs drainage review across Port Stephens

DRAINAGE across Medowie will be evaluated following unanimous support for a motion put forward at last week’s council meeting. Port Stephens councillors Chris Doohan and Ben Niland, and Port Stephens Deputy Mayor Jason Wells, said that poor drainage was particularly impacting residents in Medowie, Salt Ash, and in the Hinterland. “We need to get community […]

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Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes The six-month Discovery Pass, previously available for $420, offered unlimited travel across NSW TrainLink’s regional train and coach network.
Government

Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes

LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald has called for the NSW Government to immediately reinstate three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes, describing the removal as a “quiet cut” that disproportionately hurts regional communities. Speaking in the Legislative Council last week, Ms MacDonald moved a motion highlighting the significant impact of the removal of the passes on […]

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Budget funding for Stockton sand erosion Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe and Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp take a stroll at Stockton Beach.
Government

Budget funding for Stockton sand erosion

A TOTAL of $21.5 million has been allocated in the 2025-26 NSW Budget to continue sand renourishment works at Stockton Beach. According to the City of Newcastle, Stockton suffers from coastal erosion as its sand naturally moves north, but the Newcastle Breakwater impacts this movement from the south. “Beaches naturally move – not only landward […]

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Nationals MPs slam disaster relief funding after Barrington visit Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell and Nationals leader Dugald Saunders met with primary producers in Barrington.
Government

Nationals MPs slam disaster relief funding after Barrington visit

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell and Nationals leader Dugald Saunders met with primary producers in Barrington. NSW NATIONALS Leader Dugald Saunders has slammed the NSW Government over a “complete lack of urgency” to help flood-impacted businesses and primary producers, after visiting residents in Barrington last week. On Wednesday, 11 June, applications opened for grants of […]

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Flood clean-up efforts continue in Port Stephens
Community, Government

Flood clean-up efforts continue in Port Stephens

CLEAN-UP efforts continue following severe flooding in the Port Stephens area. Lake Macquarie City Council offered its support in clearing flood-affected waste in Raymond Terrace this week. Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson was grateful for the help. “It is greatly appreciated by our community and Port Stephens Council,” she said. Minister for Emergency Management Kristy […]

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Council approves plan to accelerate road improvements
Community, Government

Council approves plan to accelerate road improvements

PORT Stephens Council has approved a motion that will see up to $9 million made available for the improvement of roads across the local government area (LGA). The motion was introduced at the most recent council meeting on Tuesday 10 June by Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson. Reading from a prepared report on the matter, […]

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Council to investigate shuttle bus proposal for Tomaree Headland Shoal Bay Jetty with the Tomaree Headland in the background.
Community, Government

Council to investigate shuttle bus proposal for Tomaree Headland

PORT Stephens councillor Mark Watson successfully moved a motion on 10 June requesting that Council investigate trialling a Shuttle Bus Service at the Tomaree Headland and Shoal Bay, in order to address traffic and parking issues at peak times. The Tomaree Headland Heritage Group (THHG) strongly supports the proposal, as the issues were identified during […]

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