THE deadly H5 bird flu has been detected in Australia, the Australian Government confirmed on 20 June, 2026. A detection of H5 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) was confirmed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in a single brown skua (migratory seabird) in an isolated area in southern Western Australia. This is the […]
Some of Wilma’s many crochet animals.
Wilma with her gifts of love. Some of Wilma’s many crochet animals. YOU never know what happens when you hand over a gift to someone. Will it be appreciated, loved, packed away, passed onto someone else or – worse – sent to the Op Shop? Wilma Whysall, a retired bank teller who had relocated from […]
The CMP will result in a combined effort from Council and external organisations. Pictured, Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson and Mike Shaw from the Shoal Bay West Landcare Group. Photo: Port Stephens Council
A PLAN to protect and improve the coastline from Fingal Bay to Stockton Beach has been certified by the State Minister for the Environment, marking a significant milestone for Port Stephens Council. Council’s Coastal Management Program (CMP) is a long-term strategy to address coastal hazards, safeguard community assets, and increase resilience to climate change. The […]
The cover image of the Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan remains on Council's website. Community groups say the key area affected by Council's proposal is the strip of bushland visible behind the shopping centre on the left of the image - the land adjoining the Worimi Drive Estate that is now being offered for Expressions of Interest.
PORT Stephens Council has defended proposed changes to the Salamander Bay Town Centre, insisting strong environmental protections remain in place, while community groups argue the plans threaten one of the area’s most important environmental buffers. In a statement released recently, Council said proposals affecting land at 155 Salamander Way and 10 Central Avenue had been […]
LGBTQ+ families across New South Wales will benefit from expanded antenatal education and pregnancy support services after the NSW Government announced $250,000 in funding for a statewide program. The one-off funding contribution will support LGBTQ+ organisation Rainbow Families to deliver culturally appropriate antenatal education and pregnancy support throughout the next three years. NSW Minister for […]
University of Newcastle alumni receive King’s Birthday Honours. Photo: newcastle.edu.au
UNIVERSITY of Newcastle staff and alumni were among those recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, with ten individuals acknowledged for their contributions across education, health, public service, community welfare and defence. University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO congratulated the recipients and praised their achievements. “Each year, the King’s Birthday Honours highlight the […]
COMMUNITY concerns about Salamander Bay’s wetlands continue to rise with the development application for the Salamander Bay Town Centre Place Plan set to be lodged within weeks. The Plan seeks an expansion of the town centre and further development in 155 Salamander Way, a five-hectare area that is being investigated for retail, local services and […]
Artist’s rendering of the Newcastle Airport Terminal Expansion. Photo: supplied.
WORLD Environment Day arrived with a major milestone for Newcastle Airport, with its Terminal Expansion becoming the first airport terminal in Australia to achieve a 5 Star Green Star Buildings ‘As Built’ certification under ’s new rating tool. The certification, awarded by the Green Building Council of Australia,utilised its green-star rating tool to recognise the […]
Cr Roz Armstrong, Cr Giacomo Arnott, Professor Tim Roberts, MP Kate Washington, Botanic Gardens founding member Kevin Stokes, Mayor Leah Anderson, Cr Jason Wells and Cr Nathan Errington. Photo: Nico Lombardo.
Cr Roz Armstrong, Cr Giacomo Arnott, Professor Tim Roberts, MP Kate Washington, Botanic Gardens founding member Kevin Stokes, Mayor Leah Anderson, Cr Jason Wells and Cr Nathan Errington. Photo: Nico Lombardo. Educational talks were held throughout the day, including one on bonsai-making. Photo: Nico Lombardo. The location of the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens was selected […]
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled his economic vision in a budget reply. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
AUSTRALIA’S tax system would be overhauled, welfare restricted to citizens and immigration slashed under a future coalition government. In his first budget reply speech, Angus Taylor has conceded the Liberals and Nationals still have a long road to win back the confidence of voters, but asked Australians to “begin to believe again”. The opposition leader […]
