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 […]
Regional consultation guide released by NSW Government
A NEW guide has been released which aims to strengthen NSW Government consultation practices with regional, rural and remote communities across the state. The “Regional Communities Consultation Guide” outlines the Government’s approach to consulting with regional, rural and remote communities, including Aboriginal communities. The release of the guide follows the introduction of the Regional Communities […]
Gloucester Rotary celebrates its 75th anniversary
THE Gloucester Rotary Club is proudly celebrating a significant milestone this year – 75 years of service to the local community. Since receiving its charter in 1950, the club has promoted the values of Rotary International, including service above self, fellowship, integrity, diversity, and leadership. “Rotary is a community-binding organisation,” said Denver Webb, who was […]
Nominations open for Aboriginal reference group
ABORIGINAL community members are invited to nominate for MidCoast Council’s Aboriginal Reference Group. The reference group provides an opportunity for an Aboriginal voice to guide Council on strategic decisions that affect the Aboriginal community. “The key focus of this group is to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people in the MidCoast region,” Council’s Manager of Libraries, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Embedded batteries now accepted at recycling centres
MIDCOAST Council has expanded its Community Recycling Centre (CRC) Battery Collection Program, which now includes the collection of embedded batteries. Embedded batteries, which are often difficult to remove without the use of tools, can now be recycled through participating CRCs across the MidCoast region. These types of batteries are commonly found in products such as: […]

Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group providing ‘Ripples of Change’
FOR over 35 years, the Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group (BWNG) has supported Gloucester residents. This year’s Neighbourhood Centre Week, which runs until 18 May, is giving BWNG the chance to stop and reflect on the nationwide theme, “Ripples of Change”. “Every action, no matter how small, has the power to create a ripple effect — […]
Twelve new police officers hit the ground across the Hunter
TWELVE new Probationary Constables are beginning work in the Hunter region, allocated to Hunter Valley, Manning-Great Lakes, Mid North Coast and Port Stephens-Hunter Police Districts. NSW Police Force’s Class 365 officially attested at the Goulburn Police Academy on Friday, 2 May. The new recruits have now commenced duties at their new home stations across the […]

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 […]