February 1, 2026
Aboriginal Business Roundtable comes to Murrook
Port Stephens

Aboriginal Business Roundtable comes to Murrook

THE next NSW Aboriginal Business Roundtable will be on 3 July at the Murrook Cultural Centre in Williamtown. This free event is specifically designed for Aboriginal business owners and operators, or those with an interest in the industry. This year’s theme is “Walking Together to Create Cultural Tourism Experiences”. The roundtable will give business owners […]

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Potential breakthrough to tackle ‘forever chemicals’ in water
Port Stephens

Potential breakthrough to tackle ‘forever chemicals’ in water

RESEARCHERS are attempting to develop a device capable of degrading a carcinogenic form of the so-called “forever chemicals” PFAS in water in as little as six minutes using low-wavelength ultraviolet light. PFAS – used in firefighting foam, products such as non-stick pans, and by many industries – repel oil, grease and water, but persist in […]

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Report paints ‘catastrophic picture’ of environment
Port Stephens

Report paints ‘catastrophic picture’ of environment

THE NSW Government tabled the 2024 State of the Environment Report last week. Compiled by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the report is published every three years. According to EPA CEO Tony Chappel, the 2024 report indicates that climate change is already a major factor impacting many environmental trends. “In 2021-22, greenhouse gas emissions […]

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Councils and state gov to address root causes of DV
Port Stephens

Councils and state gov to address root causes of DV

LOCAL Government NSW (LGNSW) is partnering with the state government to support councils in addressing the root causes of domestic, family, and sexual violence. The initiative is part of the NSW Government’s Pathways to Prevention Strategy, which aims to address the drivers of violence. Under the three-year primary prevention partnership, the state government will provide […]

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Business Hunter: Few surprises for Hunter in ‘conservative’ Budget
Port Stephens

Business Hunter: Few surprises for Hunter in ‘conservative’ Budget

THERE were few surprises for the Hunter and little relief for businesses battling challenging economic conditions from a conservative NSW Budget handed down last week, according to the region’s peak business body. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes described Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s third budget as “anti-climactic for the Hunter”, with the big-ticket new investments having been […]

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E-petition launched to secure additional flood support
Port Stephens

E-petition launched to secure additional flood support

AN E-PETITION is now available on the NSW Parliament website calling for upgraded support to assist Hunter and Mid North Coast communities devastated by the May flood. The petition calls on the NSW Government to maximise Category C funding and urgently declare Category D funding for devastated small businesses, primary producers and communities in the […]

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NSW Gov committee investigating access to public land and waterways
Port Stephens

NSW Gov committee investigating access to public land and waterways

A NSW Government committee has begun investigating access to publicly owned land and waterways in New South Wales, including national parks, marine reserves, crown land, state forests, water catchments and Aboriginal land. The Select Committee on Access Restrictions to Public Lands and Waterways was established by a resolution of the NSW Legislative Council on Wednesday […]

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Potential breakthrough to tackle ‘forever chemicals’ in water
Port Stephens

Potential breakthrough to tackle ‘forever chemicals’ in water

RESEARCHERS are attempting to develop a device capable of degrading a carcinogenic form of the so-called “forever chemicals” PFAS in water in as little as six minutes using low-wavelength ultraviolet light. PFAS – used in firefighting foam, products such as non-stick pans, and by many industries – repel oil, grease and water, but persist in […]

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Youth crime committee tables first report
Port Stephens

Youth crime committee tables first report

THE first report of an inquiry into community safety has been tabled, highlighting an urgent need for early intervention to deal with the complex social drivers of youth crime in regional and rural NSW. Since adopting the inquiry on 20 March 2024, the Committee of Law and Safety received almost 200 submissions and conducted hearings […]

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