October 17, 2026
MidCoast Council welcomes State Government decision to take ownership of Rural Fire Service assets MidCoast Council Mayor Claire Pontin. Photo: MidCoast Council.
Government

MidCoast Council welcomes State Government decision to take ownership of Rural Fire Service assets

MIDCOAST Council Mayor Claire Pontin has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to take back financial ownership of Rural Fire Service (RFS) assets, commonly known as the ‘Red Fleet’. The transfer of ownership will include around 150 RFS vehicles across the MidCoast region and is scheduled to take effect from 1 July 2027. The announcement follows […]

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MidCoast Council recognised for supporting primary producers through agritourism program MidCoast Council's Dennis Christensen and Rachel Pleasant accept the award.
Local News

MidCoast Council recognised for supporting primary producers through agritourism program

RECOGNITION has been awarded to MidCoast Council for its efforts in helping local primary producers diversify their businesses through agritourism. Council’s agritourism product development and mentoring program recently earned the economic development team a highly commended excellence award at the Local Government Professionals awards. The program was designed to help primary producers build the skills, […]

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Australian records first case of H5 bird flu
Health, National, Regional

Australian records first case of H5 bird flu

THE deadly H5 bird flu has been detected in Australia, the Australian Government confirmed on 20 June, 2026. A detection of H5 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) was confirmed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in a single brown skua (migratory seabird) in an isolated area in southern Western Australia. This is the […]

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Wilma’s crochet animals bring joy to children Some of Wilma’s many crochet animals.
Health, Regional

Wilma’s crochet animals bring joy to children

Wilma with her gifts of love. Some of Wilma’s many crochet animals. YOU never know what happens when you hand over a gift to someone. Will it be appreciated, loved, packed away, passed onto someone else or – worse – sent to the Op Shop? Wilma Whysall, a retired bank teller who had relocated to […]

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Kate Dunn appointed Local Connector for MidCoast under The Welcome Experience Kate Dunn has been appointed Local Connector for the MidCoast under The Welcome Experience program. Photo: communityconnector.com.au.
Local News

Kate Dunn appointed Local Connector for MidCoast under The Welcome Experience

REGIONAL Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) has appointed Kate Dunn as the new Local Connector for the MidCoast local government area, with the role commencing on 1 July. The appointment follows the NSW Government’s decision to expand The Welcome Experience into the MidCoast Local Government Area, with RDAMNC delivering the program across MidCoast, Port […]

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Healthy Cities Landcare Grants Program 2026 opens for community environmental projects Landcare group representatives in Port Stephens planting trees. Photo: @PortStephensCouncil
Health

Healthy Cities Landcare Grants Program 2026 opens for community environmental projects

A GRANTS program that last year helped plant 123,000 trees, shrubs and groundcovers will return in 2026. Grants of between $5,000 and $25,000 are available to support the native planting projects of Landcare groups, Bushcare, Coastcare and Dunecare groups, local governments, natural resource management organisations, not-for-profit organisations and First Nations organisations. It is the second […]

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Aussie Ark releases new Devils in the Wild tour dates at Barrington Tops Sanctuary Visitors can once again experience Tasmanian Devils up close when Aussie Ark resumes its popular Devils in the Wild tours at Barrington Tops in August. Photo: Aussieark.org.au
Local News

Aussie Ark releases new Devils in the Wild tour dates at Barrington Tops Sanctuary

BARRINGTON Tops wildlife sanctuary Aussie Ark will welcome visitors back to its popular Devils in the Wild tours from August, following a short winter break. The fully guided two-hour experiences take guests behind the scenes of the organisation’s conservation work at its Tomalla sanctuary in the Barrington Tops. Upper Hunter MP David Layzell highlighted the […]

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MidCoast Council announces more than $140,000 for community projects and events
Regional

MidCoast Council announces more than $140,000 for community projects and events

COMMUNITY groups, artists, volunteers and event organisers across the MidCoast will benefit from more than $140,000 in funding announced by MidCoast Council. The funding will support a wide range of projects designed to strengthen communities, encourage cultural participation and deliver events throughout the region. Council’s Manager Libraries, Community and Cultural Services, Alex Mills, said the […]

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