December 5, 2025
Fears ‘free’ electricity could come with hidden costs Chris Bowen says you don't have to have solar panels on your roof to reap the benefits. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
Regional

Fears ‘free’ electricity could come with hidden costs

ENERGY retailers say they’ve been blindsided by reforms promising free electricity to hundreds of thousands of Australians during peak solar power hours. The Solar Sharer program, announced by the federal government last Tuesday, would give consumers free access to electricity for three hours each day as part of the default offer available. Households in NSW, […]

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Investigation into damaged Optus tower The fibre break impacted Optus customers in Port Stephens, Maitland and surrounding areas. Photo: Optus.
Police

Investigation into damaged Optus tower

AN investigation is underway in relation to an Optus communications tower being damaged at Hexham. About 3.15pm on Wednesday 5 November, officers from Newcastle City Police District responded to reports of a communications tower situated along Maitland Road being maliciously damaged. The fibre break impacted Optus customers in Port Stephens, Maitland and surrounding areas. Mobile […]

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Stinker’s History: Eric Holliday Eric Holliday ploughing the fields.
Local News

Stinker’s History: Eric Holliday

The Holliday’s family home on Marsh Road. Eric Holliday ploughing the fields. WHILE writing my book “Marsh Road” I was to learn, in great depth, the way of life experienced by the residents of Bobs Farm in the early days of the community. Recording interviews with Eric Holliday and his brother Gordon was a part […]

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Newcastle Airport showcased on international stage Airport representatives at the Future-Proofing Airport Development workshop in Singapore.
Local News

Newcastle Airport showcased on international stage

Airport representatives at the Future-Proofing Airport Development workshop in Singapore. Burcak Sezer GAICD, Executive General Manager People Communications at Newcastle Airport. NEWCASTLE Airport was represented on the international stage last week at the Future-Proofing Airport Development workshop in Singapore, hosted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Bringing together decision-makers from across […]

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Longevity expert to discuss how purpose, movement and connection are the ‘superfoods’ of healthy ageing Longevity strategist Marcus Pearce.
Community, Event, Health

Longevity expert to discuss how purpose, movement and connection are the ‘superfoods’ of healthy ageing

LONGEVITY strategist Marcus Pearce believes that the secret to a long, happy and purposeful life, lies not in genetics or miracle diets but in purpose, movement and connection – the true “superfoods” of healthy ageing. He is bringing his message of vitality and longevity to Latitude One in Anna Bay on Saturday 8 November, in […]

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Mayor Leah Anderson honoured with Women in Local Government Award Mayor Leah Anderson and Director of Community Futures Steven Peart.
Government

Mayor Leah Anderson honoured with Women in Local Government Award

MAYOR Leah Anderson was presented with the prestigious Minister’s Award for Women in Local Government at the Port Stephens Council meeting on Tuesday, 28 October. Now in its 18th year, the award celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of women in NSW Councils. Mayor Anderson was honoured with the Elected Representative Award, which celebrates female councillors […]

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Stinker’s History: German mine washed ashore at Anna Bay A German mine of the type washed up at Anna Bay.
Local News

Stinker’s History: German mine washed ashore at Anna Bay

A SIGNIFICANT local event in Port Stephens occurred on 21 May 1919 when a German mine was washed ashore at Birubi Beach, Anna Bay. The Newcastle Sun (22 May 1919, page 2) was the first paper to break the story that was to attract much local attention, and which could have ended in tragedy. “An […]

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Three southbound lanes now open on Hexham Straight Three southbound lanes are now open on the Hexham Straight.
Government

Three southbound lanes now open on Hexham Straight

THREE southbound lanes now open on the Hexham Straight, assisting to alleviate one of the region’s most frustrating bottlenecks. The milestone marks significant progress on the State and Federal Governments’ $2.24 billion investment to bust congestion and improve safety through the M1 to Raymond Terrace extension and Hexham Straight Widening projects. For the 50,000 motorists […]

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‘We need energy’: leader touts gas to save smelter jobs Tomago Aluminium in NSW may be saved from closure in 2028 by a possible billion-dollar bailout. Photo: Michael Gorton/AAP PHOTOS.
Local News

‘We need energy’: leader touts gas to save smelter jobs

THE premier could use compulsory acquisition powers to increase gas supplies for industry and help secure the future of the nation’s biggest aluminium smelter. Federal and NSW government leaders have been scrambling to keep the Tomago Aluminium facility running, with a bailout reportedly worth more than $1 billion on offer. The operators of the Hunter […]

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Inaugural Worimi and Birrpai Youth Gathering heading to Saltwater The organising committee at Murrook Culture Centre planning the event. Photo: supplied.
Regional

Inaugural Worimi and Birrpai Youth Gathering heading to Saltwater

The organising committee at Murrook Culture Centre planning the event. Photo: supplied. THE inaugural Worimi and Birrpai Youth Gathering is being hosted by the Goori-Bugg family later this week at Saltwater, near Old Bar. Activities will include weaving, grass skirt making, emu egg carving, canoe and gunya building, and a Goori song and dance. The […]

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