August 20, 2025
AEC formally declares Alison Penfold as Lyne MP Member for Lyne Alison Penfold, who represents the National Party.
Government, National

AEC formally declares Alison Penfold as Lyne MP

ALISON Penfold is now officially the Federal Member for Lyne, after the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) formally declared the ballot result last Wednesday. In an electorate reeling from the recent flood disaster, Ms Penfold said the news came at a time when it was difficult to focus on anything other than supporting the community on […]

Read More
MidCoast Mayor pays tribute to former councillor Dheera Smith Dheera Smith, a former teacher and journalist, served on MidCoast Council since 2021.
Government

MidCoast Mayor pays tribute to former councillor Dheera Smith

MIDCOAST Council has announced the passing of former Greens councillor Dheera Smith. Mayor Claire Pontin said she shared the news with a “heavy heart”. “Dheera served on MidCoast Council from 2021 until earlier this year,” Mayor Pontin said. “She gave so much of herself during her time with us – always guided by her caring […]

Read More
Kerbside waste collection only targeting flood-impacted areas Waste piles have been seen outside of the flood-impacted areas. Photo: supplied.
Government

Kerbside waste collection only targeting flood-impacted areas

AS the enormous clean-up effort from the flood continues, MidCoast Council is asking people outside of the flood-impacted areas not to put their waste on the kerbside. Over 15,000 tonnes of waste have already been picked up from kerbsides in areas impacted by flooding and that volume is expected to climb considerably as affected residents […]

Read More
Voters abandoning the two major parties in Lyne
Government, Regional

Voters abandoning the two major parties in Lyne

“OVER the past 40 years the share of votes going to independents and minor parties has risen in both state and federal elections,” the Australia Institute stated in a research article in October 2024. “In the 1980 federal election, the combined primary votes for minor parties and independents accounted for only eight percent.” At the […]

Read More
Countback process dates given
Government

Countback process dates given

THE countback process to fill the Councillor vacancy on MidCoast Council is now underway by the NSW Electoral Commission. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Dheera Smith, who stepped down due to health reasons last month. Instead of holding a by-election (estimated at around $700,000), a countback process will be undertaken, as agreed […]

Read More
NSW Gov funds $10m for weed control and eradication Tropical Soda Apple. Photo: NSW DPI.
Government, Regional

NSW Gov funds $10m for weed control and eradication

THE NSW Government will deliver $10 million to local councils to target high-risk weeds across the state to protect the state’s primary production and public land. The NSW Government Weeds Action Program funds local councils, known as Local Control Authorities (LCA), to detect and respond quickly to incursions of new high-risk weeds. The program focuses […]

Read More
Historic mine sites reveal critical minerals and high-tech metals A map of the sampled sites. Image: supplied.
Government

Historic mine sites reveal critical minerals and high-tech metals

FOLLOWING a sampling project, 28 current and historic mine sites in NSW have been identified as potentially having critical minerals and high-tech metals deposits hidden inside their old waste, including Stratford. For mines that have closed, the NSW Government says the results could mean new opportunities for production, bringing more jobs and investment opportunities to […]

Read More
Albanese takes victory lap after Labor landslide Anthony Albanese spoke of unity not division on a victory lap of his home electorate of Grayndler. Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS.
Government

Albanese takes victory lap after Labor landslide

ANTHONY Albanese has pledged unity in his second term as more Labor MPs are elected to parliament in a decisive victory for his government. Labor stormed home to victory in the federal election in an emphatic landslide, reducing the coalition to one of their worst performances at the polls and losing their own leader in […]

Read More