THE NSW Government has launched an intensive pilot program for women leaving prison, which provides accommodation and employment in the Hunter. Funded with a donation from the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation, the new residential facility will provide wrap-around support for women leaving custody. Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington MP said, “This is an […]
PALLIATIVE Care Australia (PCA), the peak body for palliative care in Australia, has suggested ideas on how to relieve “bed block” in public hospitals in its 2026 Federal Budget submission. PCA CEO Camilla Rowland said palliative care is a practical, compassionate way to free up hospital beds while giving people the care they need at […]
THE State Government has launched a “landmark strategy” to respond to the perpetration of domestic and family violence (DFV) in New South Wales. “Building Better Responses: NSW Strategy to Respond to the Use of Domestic and Family Violence 2026–2030” is NSW’s first dedicated plan aimed at disrupting DFV and focusing on those who cause or […]
IMPROVED methane capture at six high-emission coal mines appears the state’s best bet to hit climate targets. A report released by climate advisory group Common Capital said NSW could help reach emissions targets with best-practice abatement at the six mines, which produce half the state’s coalmine emissions despite delivering less than 10 percent of the […]
LOCAL parents have raised concerns after discovering that Physics will not be offered to Years 11 and 12 students at Irrawang High School in 2026 and 2027. The decision has prompted broader questions about subject availability in regional public schools. University of Newcastle sociologist Dr Karen van Lonkhuyzen said common challenges for regional students include […]
THEY said it couldn’t happen, but the Federal Labor Government has worked with the Greens to pass reforms to the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act after negotiations fell through last November. The reforms include a new environment watchdog agency; national standards to safeguard nature; federal laws to apply to native forest logging by mid-2027; […]
THE Bourke Street pump station will be upgraded through funding delivered by the Federal Government and Port Stephens Council, aiming to improve flood resilience in Raymond Terrace. Large rainfall events in recent years have resulted in flooding which impacts local businesses, residential properties and critical infrastructure. The capacity of the Bourke Street flood pump station, […]
AN emergency meeting will be held on Monday, 1 December to decide the future of the Tomaree Residents and Ratepayers Association (TRRA). At the Annual General Meeting of the TRRA on 20 October, there were insufficient nominations to form a committee for the 2025–26 year. “Without a functioning committee, TRRA cannot continue to operate,” the […]
THE NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is encouraging everyone to be alert to signs of avian influenza in commercial and domestic poultry, and wildlife. Australia remains free from the H5N1 strain that is causing concern globally, however there is a risk the disease may be introduced by wild birds that migrate […]
THE State Government has allocated $2.1 million across 17 new projects to tackle pests and weeds across the state, including in the Hunter Estuary Wetlands Ramsar area. In the wetlands, Local Land Services is supporting public agencies and private landholders to deliver a cross-tenure pest and weed management project. This program aims to create a […]
