May 27, 2026
50 new ‘Return and Earn’ bins placed across Port Stephens Fifty baskets have been placed throughout Port Stephens to encourage the recycling of drink containers. Photo: Port Stephens Council.
Government

50 new ‘Return and Earn’ bins placed across Port Stephens

PORT Stephens Council has launched a new initiative to support the recycling of reusable resources and the delivery of services to the community. Fifty baskets have been placed in high-traffic areas across Port Stephens, including at Raymond Terrace, Medowie, Karuah, Lemon Tree Passage, Salt Ash, Corlette, Soldiers Point, Salamander Bay, Fingal Bay, Nelson Bay, and […]

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Fuel transparency differing between regions NSW Fair Trading’s compliance inspections have taken place across the state. Photo: NSW Government.
Government

Fuel transparency differing between regions

THE NSW Government’s ongoing FuelCheck inspection program has revealed which regions across the state have the best and worst compliance rates for price transparency. While approximately half of all inspections have taken place outside of Sydney, around 70 percent of all fines have been issued in regional NSW. The Central Coast comes out on top […]

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Council endorses funding requests for community priorities The Anna Bay and Tilligerry Creek Floodplains Risk Management Study and Plan is still under review. Photo: Port Stephens Council.
Government

Council endorses funding requests for community priorities

PORT Stephens councillors have unanimously endorsed a set of community advocacy priorities to put to state MPs ahead of the NSW Budget. The priorities outline key funding needs and were discussed at their latest meeting. They include support for road repairs, drainage infrastructure, housing, employment and economic growth, liveable communities, tourism, and sport and recreation. […]

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Port Stephens Council votes for changes to Code of Meeting Practices The 28 April Port Stephens Council meeting. Screenshot: PSC.
Government

Port Stephens Council votes for changes to Code of Meeting Practices

CHANGES to Port Stephens Council’s Code of Meeting Practices have divided councillors, with amendments formally endorsed at their April meeting. In October 2025, Council started reviewing the time councillors and the public were allowed to consider business papers ahead of meetings. It has now voted to amend clause 3.8 of the Code of Meeting Practices, […]

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Housing questioned answered in livestreamed Port Stephens Council event A Port Stephens Council map showing infill housing opportunities.
Government

Housing questioned answered in livestreamed Port Stephens Council event

THE ongoing housing crisis across the region was discussed in a livestreamed event hosted by Port Stephens Council on Wednesday, 22 April. Utilising a Facebook Live stream, Mayor Leah Anderson was joined by Council staff Zoe Pattison, Ryan Falkenmire and Brock Lamont in an hour-long conversation, attempting to answer the community’s questions about housing supply […]

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Funding for Tomago’s MG Thermal to commercialise energy storage tech Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson with MGA Thermal Chief Scientist Eric Kisi and CEO Mark Croudace.
Government

Funding for Tomago’s MG Thermal to commercialise energy storage tech

THE Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has provided $3.25 million to MGA Thermal in Tomago for up to five front-end engineering design studies to help commercialise its thermal energy storage technology and support industrial electrification. MGA Thermal’s technology stores renewable energy as heat, which can then be used on demand for industrial processes, aimed at […]

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Sydney to Grafton XPT service to resume this month The XPT trains have been painted to reflect their history.
Government

Sydney to Grafton XPT service to resume this month

The XPT trains have been painted to reflect their history. The XPT trains have been painted to reflect their history. THE Sydney to Grafton XPT train service is set to return from 28 April, after a year of coach replacements during fleet upgrades. Sydney to Grafton train services – travelling through the Central Coast, Hunter […]

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Works on East Seaham Road now complete Port Stephens Council Mayor Leah Anderson, State Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington and Federal Lyne MP Alison Penfold.
Government

Works on East Seaham Road now complete

ROADWORKS on East Seaham Road are now complete, following investments from all levels of government. The project included reconstructing the entire 3.1km unsealed section of East Seaham Road to become sealed and match road widths of previously constructed stages; upgraded drainage infrastructure to cater for large storm events and flooding; and installation of road safety […]

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1800 petrol stations inspected for fuel price compliance
Government

1800 petrol stations inspected for fuel price compliance

THE NSW Government has inspected just under 1800 petrol stations for fuel price compliance, issuing 93 penalty infringement notices. Over the last fortnight, the government fast-tracked a statewide fuel price compliance blitz to “strengthen fuel price transparency and protect motorists from misleading pricing”. Around 75 percent of stations in NSW were inspected by the beginning […]

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MidCoast Council proposes tighter controls on paper subdivisions
Government

MidCoast Council proposes tighter controls on paper subdivisions

MIDCOAST Council is seeking community feedback on its plans to change the rules around paper subdivisions. These are lots of land in non-urban areas that were historically recognised on paper but have no formed roads, drainage, sewerage or other infrastructure. Council is seeking to amend the State Environment Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) […]

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