April 20, 2026
Stargazing: All aboard the space elevator The concept of a space elevator is simple but astonishing. Photo: supplied, Dave Reneke.
Local News

Stargazing: All aboard the space elevator

IMAGINE stepping into an elevator, pressing the “up” button, and eight days later stepping out into space. No rocket roar. No fiery launch. No crushing G-forces. Just a ride straight up. It sounds unbelievable, yet the idea of a space elevator is beginning to look surprisingly real. The concept is simple but astonishing. Picture a […]

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Market information sought to inform fuel contingency planning
Local News

Market information sought to inform fuel contingency planning

NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has written to the chief executives of the major fuel companies to seek information to inform the state’s response to fuel distribution challenges arising from the war in the Middle East. While the Federal Government has confirmed that fuel deliveries to Australia continue to arrive as planned, NSW and other […]

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Calls continue for cultural centre in Port Stephens Singer Jennifer Kaye and pianist Anthony Chen recorded Sea Pictures to showcase the beauty of Port Stephens. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Calls continue for cultural centre in Port Stephens

A POWERFUL night of music at the Nelson Bay Community Centre struck a chord far beyond the stage, raising both funds and momentum for a long-standing vision to bring a dedicated arts and entertainment precinct to Port Stephens. Held back in 2024, the concert featured acclaimed local soprano Jennifer Kaye and the Philomel of Sydney […]

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Towing experts talk road safety in Port Stephens Towing expert John Eggenhuizen using a model to demonstrate how to brake a towed caravan safely and effectively.
Local News

Towing experts talk road safety in Port Stephens

TOWING experts shared potentially life-saving road safety advice at a community workshop in Raymond Terrace on Sunday, 22 March. To ensure the sizeable population of campervan and caravan users across the region is properly informed of best practices for towing vehicles, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) funded a series of workshops around the Hunter. On Sunday […]

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Stinker’s History: The growers of Tilligerry Creek Tilligerry Creek oyster growers Barry Sheppard, David Brown, John Brown, Gordon Holliday and Norm Glover.
Local News

Stinker’s History: The growers of Tilligerry Creek

HISTORICALLY the farmland along Tilligerry Creek was considered fertile. Magnificent crops were expected if the land could be protected from the salt water that flooded the farms at certain times of the year when King Tides washed across Marsh Road. Not all residents were dependent on the land. The rich waters of Tilligerry Creek, which […]

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Technology transforming fire responses in rural NSW RFS volunteers now have improved access to real-time imagery, particularly in remote and high-risk areas.
Local News

Technology transforming fire responses in rural NSW

Footage captured by an AI-powered camera system on a watch tower. Photos: supplied. RFS volunteers now have improved access to real-time imagery, particularly in remote and high-risk areas. Drones provide volunteers with live vision of firegrounds. RURAL firefighters in NSW are utilising a new technology helping to detect fires earlier, improve situational awareness and strengthen […]

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Statewide compliance blitz on fuel prices FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel price transparency tool and provides motorists with instant access to prices from around 2,400 service stations across the state. Photo: NSW Gov.
Local News

Statewide compliance blitz on fuel prices

THE NSW Government has fast-tracked a statewide fuel compliance blitz to “strengthen fuel price transparency” and protect motorists from misleading pricing. At the NSW Fuel Security Roundtable held last week, retailers agreed to use the FuelCheck app to inform the Government when they have run out of fuel. FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel […]

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Train manufacturing jobs coming back to the Hunter The official handover of the Tangaras in Broadmeadow in 1988. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Train manufacturing jobs coming back to the Hunter

ALMOST 40 years since the Tangara trains were built in Newcastle, the work to extend their life is coming back to the Hunter, with the establishment of two new production lines at the rail facility in Cardiff. This NSW Government investment will create around 100 new jobs and 20 apprenticeships in the Hunter region. The […]

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New hub expands wellbeing services for Hunter veterans RSL LifeCare staff at the launch. Photo: Meryl Swanson MP FB.
Local News

New hub expands wellbeing services for Hunter veterans

THE new Hunter Veterans’ and Families’ Hub was officially opened on Tuesday, 17 March, offering support to the 22,000 current and former serving veterans and their families who call the Hunter home. Located at 48 Ken Tubman Drive in Maitland, the Hub is centrally situated for Australian Defence Force personnel based at the Singleton Military […]

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New recruits for state’s transport and roads agency Bridge Construction and Maintenance apprentice Maddi Ormsby. Photo: NSW Gov.
Local News

New recruits for state’s transport and roads agency

SEVENTY-ONE new apprentices and trainees are kicking off their careers at Transport for NSW worksites this month. From filling potholes to rebuilding flood‑damaged roads, planning major works and maintaining heavy vehicles, the new Roads Maintenance and Resilience recruits will join and support frontline teams strengthening the state’s transport network. Following group inductions in Wollongong, Newcastle […]

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