IN NSW, the recovery of energy from the thermal treatment of waste is prohibited, unless a facility is located in a designated Energy from Waste precinct. Under a proposed change to the NSW Energy from Waste framework by the Environmental Protection Authority, Tomago could become one such precinct. Port Stephens Council (PSC), however, has reported […]

Greg Smith in flow through a Tai Chi sequence. Photo: Supplied. Tai Chi Port Stephens students practicing the long form. Photo: Supplied. FOR more than 20 years, local resident Greg Smith has been sharing the ancient practice of Tai Chi with community members, helping people discover a gentle form of movement that combines exercise, relaxation […]

Jess Hodge is an expert in turning waste plastic into 100 per cent recycled materials that can be used for all sorts of purposes. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Some old plastic can be given new life in a sandwich press. Photo: Nico Lombardo EVERYONE knows that recycling plastic is important: bottles go in the yellow bin, […]

NOTA columnist and writer, John ‘Stinker’ Clake was rescued after a boating accident. News Of The Area will bring you more on Stinkers status and story in due course. What we know… About 6pm (Wednesday 24 June 2026), emergency services were alerted after a fisherman failed to return home. A multi-agency marine search and rescue […]

“WHEN our grandson was taken, locked away in a room, we thought the Department of Community and Justice would intervene. They didn’t.” These are the words of local author Denis Bright, who saw his family torn apart by an abuser who, after the end of a toxic marriage to his daughter, attempted to get her […]

AGAINST his wishes, it was organised for young Ken, at the age of five years, to move back into Newcastle to live with his grandparents through the week and attend The Junction Primary School and later Newcastle Boys High School. Ken only ever wanted to become a fisherman like his dad so when he turned […]

VISITORS to some of the Hunter and MidCoast region’s most popular national parks could benefit from improved facilities and infrastructure under a new $130 million funding commitment announced in the NSW Budget. The NSW Government says the funding will be used to upgrade and maintain national park infrastructure across the state, including walking tracks, campgrounds, […]

Camille Scott suddenly found herself running the farm, alongside her sisters Alexis and Bridie, and she’s determined to give back to the community. Photo: Redgate Farm Seaham. One acre of land on the farm might be turned into a free, inclusive community space. Photo: Redgate Farm Seaham. REDGATE Farm Seaham operates on a guiding premise: […]

Oyster Cove with the Stella Maris hard at work. Photo: Supplied. Before hardwood oyster racks, black mangroves were used to grow oysters. Photo: Supplied. IT is difficult to believe that the tiny hamlet of Oyster Cove on the shores of Port Stephens was, at one time, considered to be the focus of the “biggest oyster […]