THE Australian Government is seeking input from community and industry stakeholders on the “On Farm Connectivity Program” to ensure it is delivering the best possible outcomes for primary producers through the upcoming third round. Through over $30 million in rebates provided over the first two rounds, the government says thousands of primary producers have been […]
The NOTA needs you! News Of The Area is seeking quality writers to join the team
TELLING the incredible stories of Gloucester is what News Of The Area (NOTA) is all about. The independently-owned NOTA is proud to keep locals up to date with the happenings of the area. Now, NOTA is seeking more enthusiastic locals with a background in writing to join the team in Gloucester. “If you have a […]
Mayor: More funding required for flood recovery
MIDCOAST Council Mayor Claire Pontin has celebrated the announcement of Category D funding for primary producers impacted by recent floods, but said more funding is required for others in the community too. Cr Pontin wants to see increased funding extended to business owners, homeowners, renters and for public infrastructure. “The Category D funding for primary […]
Community Engagement Strategy adopted by MidCoast Council
MIDCOAST Council’s Community Engagement Strategy 2025-2029 was adopted at the June 2025 Council meeting. The Strategy guides how and when residents and ratepayers can have their say on council plans and decisions. “Our teams are consistently speaking with the community about a range of different projects,” said Paul De Szell, Director of Liveable Communities. “We […]
Inquiry launched into conservation hunting bill
AN Upper House inquiry has been established to examine the Game and Feral Animal Legislation Amendment (Conservation Hunting) Bill 2025, a private members’ bill introduced by Robert Borsak MLC of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party. The bill proposes a number of amendments to the Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002, including to abolish […]
Council adopts delivery program, operational plan and budget
MIDCOAST Council formally adopted its four-year Delivery Program for 2025-2029, Operational Plan and budget for the 2025-26 financial year at its 30 June Council meeting. The budget provides a boost for local roads, with Council redirecting funds from other operational areas to allocate an additional $6.7 million to roadworks in 2025-26, bringing total road investment […]
MidCoast Council addressing housing roadblocks
MIDCOAST Council is attempting to make it “easier and faster to build homes in the region”, with progress discussed at last week’s Council meeting. Council has been addressing the recommendations identified in the 2023 Housing Barriers Review, which identified problems that slow down the building process and offered ways to fix them. A statement from […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]