May 2, 2026
Calls continue for cultural centre in Port Stephens Singer Jennifer Kaye and pianist Anthony Chen recorded Sea Pictures to showcase the beauty of Port Stephens. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Calls continue for cultural centre in Port Stephens

A POWERFUL night of music at the Nelson Bay Community Centre struck a chord far beyond the stage, raising both funds and momentum for a long-standing vision to bring a dedicated arts and entertainment precinct to Port Stephens. Held back in 2024, the concert featured acclaimed local soprano Jennifer Kaye and the Philomel of Sydney […]

Read More
Towing experts talk road safety in Port Stephens Towing expert John Eggenhuizen using a model to demonstrate how to brake a towed caravan safely and effectively.
Local News

Towing experts talk road safety in Port Stephens

TOWING experts shared potentially life-saving road safety advice at a community workshop in Raymond Terrace on Sunday, 22 March. To ensure the sizeable population of campervan and caravan users across the region is properly informed of best practices for towing vehicles, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) funded a series of workshops around the Hunter. On Sunday […]

Read More
Stinker’s History: The growers of Tilligerry Creek Tilligerry Creek oyster growers Barry Sheppard, David Brown, John Brown, Gordon Holliday and Norm Glover.
Local News

Stinker’s History: The growers of Tilligerry Creek

HISTORICALLY the farmland along Tilligerry Creek was considered fertile. Magnificent crops were expected if the land could be protected from the salt water that flooded the farms at certain times of the year when King Tides washed across Marsh Road. Not all residents were dependent on the land. The rich waters of Tilligerry Creek, which […]

Read More
Technology transforming fire responses in rural NSW RFS volunteers now have improved access to real-time imagery, particularly in remote and high-risk areas.
Local News

Technology transforming fire responses in rural NSW

Footage captured by an AI-powered camera system on a watch tower. Photos: supplied. RFS volunteers now have improved access to real-time imagery, particularly in remote and high-risk areas. Drones provide volunteers with live vision of firegrounds. RURAL firefighters in NSW are utilising a new technology helping to detect fires earlier, improve situational awareness and strengthen […]

Read More
No new mines but coal expansions given green light Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos (left) talks through the coal industry outlook for 2026-2050. Photo: Courtney Houssos MP.
Port Stephens

No new mines but coal expansions given green light

COAL mine expansions are on the cards for at least another 25 years under NSW’s new mining road map at odds with its environment commission. The NSW government announced its coal industry outlook for 2026-2050 on Thursday, saying it will no longer consider new coal mines but applications to extend existing mines will be assessed. […]

Read More
Statewide compliance blitz on fuel prices FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel price transparency tool and provides motorists with instant access to prices from around 2,400 service stations across the state. Photo: NSW Gov.
Local News

Statewide compliance blitz on fuel prices

THE NSW Government has fast-tracked a statewide fuel compliance blitz to “strengthen fuel price transparency” and protect motorists from misleading pricing. At the NSW Fuel Security Roundtable held last week, retailers agreed to use the FuelCheck app to inform the Government when they have run out of fuel. FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel […]

Read More
Train manufacturing jobs coming back to the Hunter The official handover of the Tangaras in Broadmeadow in 1988. Photo: supplied.
Local News

Train manufacturing jobs coming back to the Hunter

ALMOST 40 years since the Tangara trains were built in Newcastle, the work to extend their life is coming back to the Hunter, with the establishment of two new production lines at the rail facility in Cardiff. This NSW Government investment will create around 100 new jobs and 20 apprenticeships in the Hunter region. The […]

Read More
What goes into your petrol pump price? The prices of petrol and diesel at Tea Gardens on Friday, 20 March. Photo: Thomas O’Keefe.
Government, National

What goes into your petrol pump price?

GLOBAL events, most notably the closing of the Strait of Hormuz, have seen petrol and diesel prices skyrocket in the last few weeks, with a jump of 10 cents per litre (c/l) seen in a matter of days. As of Sunday 22 March 2026, crude oil prices are around US$122 per barrel – high by […]

Read More
New hub expands wellbeing services for Hunter veterans RSL LifeCare staff at the launch. Photo: Meryl Swanson MP FB.
Local News

New hub expands wellbeing services for Hunter veterans

THE new Hunter Veterans’ and Families’ Hub was officially opened on Tuesday, 17 March, offering support to the 22,000 current and former serving veterans and their families who call the Hunter home. Located at 48 Ken Tubman Drive in Maitland, the Hub is centrally situated for Australian Defence Force personnel based at the Singleton Military […]

Read More
New recruits for state’s transport and roads agency Bridge Construction and Maintenance apprentice Maddi Ormsby. Photo: NSW Gov.
Local News

New recruits for state’s transport and roads agency

SEVENTY-ONE new apprentices and trainees are kicking off their careers at Transport for NSW worksites this month. From filling potholes to rebuilding flood‑damaged roads, planning major works and maintaining heavy vehicles, the new Roads Maintenance and Resilience recruits will join and support frontline teams strengthening the state’s transport network. Following group inductions in Wollongong, Newcastle […]

Read More