CLEAN-UP efforts continue following severe flooding in the Port Stephens area. Lake Macquarie City Council offered its support in clearing flood-affected waste in Raymond Terrace this week. Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson was grateful for the help. “It is greatly appreciated by our community and Port Stephens Council,” she said. Minister for Emergency Management Kristy […]
Council approves plan to accelerate road improvements
PORT Stephens Council has approved a motion that will see up to $9 million made available for the improvement of roads across the local government area (LGA). The motion was introduced at the most recent council meeting on Tuesday 10 June by Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson. Reading from a prepared report on the matter, […]
Council to investigate shuttle bus proposal for Tomaree Headland
PORT Stephens councillor Mark Watson successfully moved a motion on 10 June requesting that Council investigate trialling a Shuttle Bus Service at the Tomaree Headland and Shoal Bay, in order to address traffic and parking issues at peak times. The Tomaree Headland Heritage Group (THHG) strongly supports the proposal, as the issues were identified during […]
Disaster relief extended for small businesses, primary producers
STATE and Federal governments are delivering more funding to help communities recover from the recent severe flooding. Support available includes: ● Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible small businesses (with fewer than 20 employees) and non-profit organisations to help clean up and restore their business. ● Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible primary […]
Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way
WHEN Peter Hill walked into his first pilates class, he had to warm-up for the warm-up. With a feeble lower back and taut hamstrings, the then 63-year-old was hoping the therapy could aid his pain. Six years later, he can dart and dash with little-to-no trouble. “Occasionally I might have a bit of a twinge […]

Ex-PM lauded over honours gong but not everyone’s happy
FORMER prime minister Scott Morrison has been congratulated after receiving Australia’s highest civilian honour, but there is at least one call for him to decline the gong. Mr Morrison is one of 14 people named as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the annual King’s Birthday Honours List, alongside filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and […]
Off-duty cop charged after refusing to leave premises in Shoal Bay
AN off-duty police officer has been charged after allegedly refusing to leave a licenced premise. About 12.55am on Saturday 28 December 2024, police were called to a licenced premises in Shoal Bay, following reports a group were refusing to leave. Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District arrived and were told three people were physically […]
Community urged to participate in road safety study
FOLLOWING on from National Road Safety Week (May 11-18), Port Stephens Council is encouraging the community to participate in a survey about road safety as part of the Community Action for Safe Speeds (CASS) study. The CASS study, led by researchers from The George Institute for Global Health, aims to find innovative ways to reduce […]
Call for patience as area’s long road to recovery begins
PORT Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson has thanked community members for their patience as the flood emergency makes way for a long and messy clean-up. The priority, she shared, is to “work through recovery – safely, thoroughly, and as quickly as possible”. “Sadly, for many of our residents across Port Stephens, the impacts of this natural […]

Regional collaboration key for airport expansion
MAYORS and council general managers from across the Hunter took an exclusive tour of Newcastle Airport’s international terminal development on Monday 12 May. The local governments represented are members of the Hunter Joint Organisation (HJO), a collaborative body that brings together the ten councils in the region. The tour was led by Newcastle Airport Director […]