Letter to the Editor: A vicious cycle of inflation
DEAR News Of The Area, AUSTRALIA is being told inflation is the nation’s biggest economic threat, yet the actions of the Federal Government suggest something very different. Australians are tightening their belts, cutting household spending, struggling with mortgages, rent, groceries and power bills, while Canberra continues to spend at record levels. The question many ordinary […]
Letter to the Editor: Dangers of nuclear submarine base
DEAR News Of The Area, ARE there secret plans for an AUKUS nuclear submarine base in Newcastle? It would appear so, according to documents obtained under NSW Freedom of Information (“Nuclear Sub Base Secrets”, Newcastle Herald, Friday, May 8). Apparently, Newcastle is on a short list of potential east coast bases for nuclear-powered submarines, but […]
Letter to the Editor: Lingering legacy of nuclear disaster
JUST over 40 years ago, on 26 April 1986, Reactor No. 4 at the Chornobyl (Chernobyl) nuclear power plant in Ukraine exploded, blasting tonnes of radioactive debris one kilometre high into the atmosphere over the Soviet Union, Europe, Britain and North America. The clouds of fallout spread 200 times more radioactive material than the Hiroshima […]
From the Mayor’s desk: Cr Leah Anderson
OUR region’s population is growing and changing. As more people choose to call Port Stephens home, the demand for essential services continues to rise. With over 25 percent of residents aged 65 and over, which is above the state average, we need to ensure our local healthcare keeps pace with the needs of every generation. […]
The long-period comet C/2025 R3 has returned after an absence of roughly 170,000 years.
EXPLAINER: Comet returns after roughly 170,000 years
A VISITOR from the deep past is about to grace Australian skies. For those willing to rise before dawn, it offers something close to time travel. The long-period comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) – last seen when humans were shaping stone tools and learning to master fire – has returned after an absence of roughly 170,000 […]
‘On the couch’ with Jasminda
DEAR Jasminda, MY 70-year-old mother has expressed an interest in learning the electric guitar. How can I encourage her to try something more age-appropriate? Gerard H. Dear Gerard, Well, don’t you sound like a wet sock. And when I say wet sock, I mean one of those sports socks that ends up stuck behind the […]
Trump Pope
Letter to the Editor: The facts on migration numbers
DEAR News Of The Area, IMMIGRATION is seen by some as our most important issue, not just now, but for some years. However there have been some rubbery figures tossed around recently. It’s not too difficult to find the facts. Following the closure of the Australian borders due to the pandemic, the Coalition in 2022/23 […]
From the Mayor’s desk: Cr Leah Anderson
PORT Stephens’ natural beauty attracts many visitors each summer. While that seasonal boom is a welcome boost for local businesses, we must focus on attracting visitors and spending during the quieter months to sustain jobs and keep our towns thriving. Events are among the most effective tools we have to reduce the impacts of seasonal […]
