_Port Stephens Archives - Page 16 of 96 - Port Stephens News Of The Area

Index compares connectivity quality across NSW regions

THE NSW Government has released an online tool for comparing connectivity quality across the state, producing some surprising outputs for the Hunter and MidCoast regions. The NSW Digital Connectivity Index, accessible via the NSW Government website, breaks digital connectivity down into three key areas: – Access: how strong is the coverage, how well the network […]

Government

Medowie Town Centre Masterplan finally endorsed by Port Stephens Council

MEDOWIE will finally get its own town centre, with a final masterplan endorsed by Council during its 26 May meeting. The plan, placed on public exhibition from December 2025, was revised after community feedback and is now ready to be put into action to support a growing population of over 20,000 residents by 2041. “It’s […]

Port Stephens

3M to fight lawsuit over ‘forever chemicals’ at defence sites including Williamtown

MANUFACTURING heavyweight 3M is vowing to fight a multibillion-dollar lawsuit over widespread use of “forever chemicals” at Australian defence sites – including the RAAF base at Williamtown. The federal government is suing 3M for more than $2 billion to recover costs from the per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foam that contaminated 28 defence […]

Community

Shoal Bay named People’s Choice Winner in tourist town awards

SHOAL Bay has been recognised as the People’s Choice Winner in the Small Tourism Town category at the 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards. Presented by the NSW Tourism Association, the People’s Choice Award is determined by public vote, recognising destinations that create memorable visitor experiences and meaningful connections with both visitors and locals. Destination […]

Local News

Report released into response of Reconstruction Authority to floods

A REPORT has been published examining the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s response to the severe weather event that hit the east coast in May 2025. The review was undertaken by the Joint Select Committee on the NSW Reconstruction Authority, composed of MPs from across the political spectrum. “This inquiry had a focus on the severe weather […]

Government

Port Stephens Council considers EV charging stations to attract more visitors

PORT Stephens Council is exploring the idea of electric vehicle chargers in the area, noting market trends and economic opportunities. During the latest Council meeting, Cr Roz Armstrong and Cr Jason Wells put forward a motion requesting that EV charging installations be included in future strategic plans. “People who own an EV plan their trips […]

Regional

Celebrating 40 years of the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

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 […]

National

Magpies ‘swoop’ into top spot in national bird count

THE results of the 12th national bird count are in, with the Australian Magpie taking out top spot. The Aussie Bird Count was held last October and saw a record breaking five million birds counted over one week. Organiser, Birdlife Australia, said 64,000 citizen scientists took part in the event. Half of all surveys included […]

School

Maths star Eddie Woo inspires Irrawang High students

Plenty of selfies were taken with internationally celebrated maths whiz, Eddie Woo. Photo: Irrawang High. Students picked up valuable tips during the maths workshop. Photo: Irrawang High. Eddie Woo took centre stage at an enrichment workshop at Irrawang High School. Photo: Irrawang High. STUDENTS, teachers and visiting educators were given a fresh perspective on mathematics […]

School

Medowie’s new high school reaches ‘topping out’ milestone

CONSTRUCTION has “topped out” on the new high school at Medowie, with Port Stephens MP Kate Washington joining future students onsite last week to celebrate the highest concrete pour of the school’s brand-new three storey building. Medowie’s first public high school will serve a community whose population is expected to increase by more than 4,000 […]