March 14, 2026
Highway Patrol seize over $1 million worth of illicit drugs at Nabiac
Police

Highway Patrol seize over $1 million worth of illicit drugs at Nabiac

HIGHWAY Patrol officers have charged a driver and seized over $1 million worth of cocaine and cannabis during a vehicle stop at Nabiac. About 12.40am on Saturday 21 February, officers attached to Port Stephens–Manning Highway Patrol stopped a Toyota Camry on the Pacific Highway for roadside testing. The driver – a 22-year-old man – allegedly […]

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Arts Mid North Coast back NSW Government’s plan for regional creativity Warren Mason performing at Tin Camp Studio at Lightning Ridge. Photo Outback Outloud Rainy King.
Local News

Arts Mid North Coast back NSW Government’s plan for regional creativity

ARTS Mid North Coast (AMNC) has welcomed the NSW Government’s launch of “Heartland: A Plan for Regional NSW Arts, Culture and Creative Industries 2026–2035”, backed by a $5.2 million investment aimed at strengthening arts, culture and creative industries across regional NSW. AMNC is the Regional Arts Development Organisation (RADO) and peak body for arts and […]

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On-site wastewater strategy on public exhibition
Government

On-site wastewater strategy on public exhibition

AN updated MidCoast Council strategy guiding how on-site wastewater systems are managed across the region is now on public exhibition. The draft 2026–2031 On-site Wastewater Management Strategy is on public exhibition until Thursday 12 March, setting out a proactive, risk-based approach to regulating around 13,000 septic systems across the MidCoast. Under the strategy, Council will […]

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$15 million investment in state’s renewable energy workforce
Gloucester District

$15 million investment in state’s renewable energy workforce

THE NSW and Federal governments are investing $15 million over four years to train the skilled workforce needed for the state’s renewable energy rollout, set to create thousands of jobs in regional NSW. The investment underpins the state’s Renewable Energy Skills Strategy, launched last week by Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe and Minister for Skills, […]

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Permanent closure of Bretti Reserve a huge loss for Gloucester community Bretti Reserve, on the banks of the Barnard River, as seen by travelling YouTubers Tom and Ash McCarthy. Photo: MCCRAM Adventures.
Local News

Permanent closure of Bretti Reserve a huge loss for Gloucester community

Bretti Reserve, on the banks of the Barnard River, as seen by travelling YouTubers Tom and Ash McCarthy. Photo: MCCRAM Adventures. Bretti Reserve, on the banks of the Barnard River, as seen by travelling YouTubers Tom and Ash McCarthy. Photo: MCCRAM Adventures. Gavin Clayton’s photo from six weeks ago shows grass has returned to the […]

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Additional public holiday to follow Anzac Day
Gloucester District

Additional public holiday to follow Anzac Day

AN additional public holiday has been announced for NSW this year. It falls on the Monday following Anzac Day, 25 April, which falls on a weekend. “Each year, thousands of families rise before dawn on Anzac Day to commemorate and remember those who have served,” Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said. “The additional holiday […]

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A Valentine’s Day celebration remembers Dave Snowden A picnic in Billabong Park remembering Dave Snowden.
Community

A Valentine’s Day celebration remembers Dave Snowden

AS reported by NOTA (14 January 2026) before his untimely death, well-known Gloucester identity Dave Snowden was planning the first Bucketts of Pride Festival for this year’s Valentine’s Day. “I really thought it would be a great idea to celebrate the wonderful diversity of Gloucester, and I can say that festival-goers will be in for […]

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Workshop to explore flood response on the MidCoast
Local News

Workshop to explore flood response on the MidCoast

FOLLOWING the significant impacts of the May 2025 weather event, MidCoast Council is hosting a “Community and Service Hubs Workshop” facilitated by the Australian Red Cross. “Following large scale events like the May 2025 floods it is important for the organisations that responded to unpack and workshop the experience to identify improvements for future events,” […]

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Emergency Services Levy reform to face parliamentary inquiry
Government

Emergency Services Levy reform to face parliamentary inquiry

OPTIONS to reduce household insurance costs and fix an “unfair funding model” for emergency services will be put to a NSW parliamentary inquiry. While emergency services benefit everyone, most of their funding comes from a levy not everyone pays. The NSW Government says it is committed to removing this Emergency Services Levy (ESL) and replacing […]

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