THE Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone project has received planning approval after a review of environmental impacts and consultation. The project has an intended network capacity of one gigawatt (GW) and stretches from the Upper Hunter in the north to the Central Coast in the south. It is set to be the first renewable energy […]

THE NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) has voted to accept the NSW Government’s offer of a three percent interim wage increase and enhancements to working conditions. “At the conclusion of the vote on the public sector interim offer from the NSW Government, branches have accepted the offer, with 88.2 percent of participating branches with […]

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is becoming more invasive by the day, with one local businessman receiving unsolicited and deeply concerning robocalls last week. Tea Gardens indoor/outdoor electrician Wil Davies told News Of The Area that he answered a call from a number that looked genuine but was just unknown to him. “The female voice on the […]

HUNTER Water maintains that local drinking water remains safe to drink, and “robust treatment processes continue to be effective”, following a high detection of blue green algae in a sample collected from Grahamstown Dam. The sample was collected from raw untreated water in the middle of Grahamstown Dam and contained high numbers of cyanobacteria (Microcystis), […]

PORT Stephens Suicide Prevention Network (PSSPN) will be holding its annual Remembrance Walk at Iluka Reserve, Boat Harbour, on Saturday 13 September. The charity aims to increase awareness of suicide and its impacts on the community. “The tragic consequences of suicide ripple very broadly and deeply throughout our community and are felt for many, many […]

THE Nelson Bay community has been shocked by the sudden passing of Peter Gordon, Captain of the Nelson Bay Croquet Club and a much-loved member of the community. Peter was drawn to the game of croquet after attending some sessions when his wife Sherry was playing. It was an activity they could enjoy together. He […]

A NEW National Youth Parliament program has been launched, designed to inspire greater civic participation among Year 10 students across Australia. Students aged 16–17 are invited to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent their federal electorate in an immersive five-day parliamentary experience in Canberra. One student from each of Australia’s 150 electorates will be […]

THE NSW Government has begun consultation on potential offences for landlords who knowingly lease premises to retailers selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes. The consultation includes engagement with landlord representatives, retailers, health advocates, partner government agencies and other key stakeholders. The outcomes of the consultation will be reviewed by the Government’s cross-agency NSW Illicit Tobacco […]

Volunteers, local artists, MP Kate Washington and mural artist Jennifer Stelco. A small section of the colourful mural painted by Jennifer Stelco. THE old Rural Fire Brigade building in Lemon Tree Passage, where the Tilligerry Arts Group Gallery is homed, has had its modest frontage transformed into a vibrant work of art. Thanks to the […]

CITY of Newcastle will seek the final tick of approval from the NSW Government for a $63 million plan to buffer Stockton’s coastline from erosion. Councillors voted unanimously at last week’s Council meeting to endorse the Extended Stockton Coastal Management Program (CMP) and formally submit it to the NSW Environment Minister for certification. City of […]