Marine Rescue Lemon Tree Passage volunteers work together with the visiting kayakers to complete the mission. Shallow water around Fenninghams Island restricted rescue vessel LT 30 from getting closer to the stranded boaters. The boaters are taken safely aboard LT 30. A SATURDAY afternoon on the water quickly turned challenging when two adults were left […]

WITH the prospect of paying at least $1 million for a home in many of Australia’s capital cities, buyers are once again looking to escape to the country. The regional property market surged in the three months to January, outpacing the capitals, according to figures from data firm Cotality released on Wednesday. Dwelling values rose […]

THE NSW Government has released a new guide to support councils to undertake land audits to identify vacant operational land that could be used to deliver affordable housing projects. The “Council Led Affordable Housing on Operational Land Guide” released by the Office of Local Government provides step-by-step guidance for councils on identifying and managing affordable […]

THE NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has confirmed the first case of Varroa mite pyrethroid resistance in the state. Laboratory testing at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute identified a known genetic mutation, L925I, which causes pyrethroid resistance in Varroa mites. DPIRD Honey Bee Technical Specialist, Elizabeth Frost, said L925I significantly reduces […]

MORE than 600 drivers were detected allegedly driving with drugs in their systems during a statewide police traffic operation last week. Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) commenced at 12am on Thursday 12 February and concluded at 4am on Sunday 15 February, targeting people driving while affected by alcohol, drugs and fatigue. During the operation, […]

ONE of my favourite parts of my role with the NOTA is sharing incredible local history accounts, often directly from those who experienced it firsthand! The story below came from Rob Robinson, who shares memories of life as the son of a lightkeeper on Fingal Island at the completion of World War One. “Five and […]

RAYMOND Terrace has welcomed home one small yet extremely adventurous local. One-year-old budgerigar “Guinness” staged what can only be described as an attempt at a one-bird pub crawl to meet his namesake. The bright yellow youngster, hand-raised by Robin Dualsky’s grandson Jakk, was gifted to fill Robin’s heartache after she lost her cockatoo companion “Cookie”, […]

WALK to Work Day will take place on Friday, 26 March, encouraging Australians to build more walking into their daily routines while raising funds for better mental health outcomes nationwide. The annual campaign, led by the Pedestrian Council of Australia, highlights the physical and mental health benefits of walking and this year supports the Black […]

A 21-YEAR- OLD man has died following a crash in Anna Bay. About 4.40pm on Friday 6 February, emergency services responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes of Nelson Bay Road, near Frost Road, Anna Bay. Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District found two vehicles – a Toyota Yaris and […]

THE final quarter of 2025 delivered Newcastle Airport’s highest ever passenger results for any quarter. A total of 340,778 passengers travelled through the terminal in October, November and December, ending a successful year for the airport which included the completion of the expanded terminal and new direct flights to Bali, Perth and Hobart. December alone […]