August 20, 2025
Streets paved with gold in alleged roadworks corruption
Police

Streets paved with gold in alleged roadworks corruption

CASH, cryptocurrency and even gold nuggets are among the alleged spoils of a long-running scheme to rig and inflate contracts for roadworks. A former department officer is believed to be in hiding, after a failed attempt to leave Australia on a US passport. The alleged rigging and inflation of contracts by Transport for NSW procurement […]

Read More
Concerns Bucketts Way traffic could worsen due to quarry usage Traffic queuing to turn from Bucketts Way onto the Pacific Highway.
Community, Government

Concerns Bucketts Way traffic could worsen due to quarry usage

BOORAL resident Kieran Fraser has expressed concerns that traffic issues on Bucketts Way are likely to become much worse if the proposed Hillview Hardrock Quarry in Maytoms Lane, near Booral, is approved. According to the application, when operational, there will be 272 two-way truck movements, six days per week, over an eleven-hour day due to […]

Read More
Bright spots in agriculture amid market volatility Demand for Aussie beef looks set to remain strong, with reason for "cautious optimism" across agriculture after months of extreme weather and trade uncertainty.
Regional

Bright spots in agriculture amid market volatility

WITH droughts on one side of the country, floods on the other, and political volatility overseas, Australia’s agriculture industry has been right in the thick of it. But there is reason for “cautious optimism” in the $90.7 billion sector as uncertain conditions create both threats and opportunities for the nation’s producers, according to Bendigo Bank’s […]

Read More
Gloucester High’s musical brings the community together
School

Gloucester High’s musical brings the community together

The Cast of Shrek: The Musical. Photo: supplied. Matilda Troope as Farquaad. Photo: supplied. A GLOUCESTER High School biennial tradition continued this year with a vibrant production of “Shrek: The Musical”. “Not only does Shrek give students the chance to belt out “I’m a Believer”, but the show carries a powerful message,” said director Scott […]

Read More
Garden club honours ‘exceptional contributions’ Life memberships were presented to Judy Holstein and Robyn Henderson by fellow life member and past president Shirley Hazell.
Community

Garden club honours ‘exceptional contributions’

Life memberships were presented to Judy Holstein and Robyn Henderson by fellow life member and past president Shirley Hazell. Appreciation awards were presented to Sharyn Blanch for her work as competition organiser and ‘keepers of the kettle’ Kim and Kevin Arny. GLOUCESTER Garden Club recently met to honour a number of members who have made […]

Read More
Stroud market calls on local producers to join the buzz The Magpie Market at Stroud is looking to talk to local producers.
Local News

Stroud market calls on local producers to join the buzz

FOLLOWING the success of its debut on 15 June, the Magpie Market at Stroud District Country Club is calling on local growers and producers to take the market to the next level. Organised by new Stroud local Victoria Henderson, the market drew a strong crowd and a vibrant mix of stalls showcasing handmade goods, art, […]

Read More
Wollongong and Newcastle councils pitch in for flood recovery A pothole filling crew from Wollongong Shire Council.
Government

Wollongong and Newcastle councils pitch in for flood recovery

MIDCOAST Council has offered thanks to Wollongong Shire Council for sending manpower and resources to help with the flood recovery process. Two pothole filling crews of four staff in each team did one-week stints on the MidCoast, doing their bit to help the local road work crews. A spokesperson from the Wollongong Shire Council said […]

Read More
MP calls for NDIS pricing changes to be revoked Lyne MP Alison Penfold recently met with NDIS providers from across the region.
Regional

MP calls for NDIS pricing changes to be revoked

FEDERAL Member for Lyne Alison Penfold is calling on the Federal Government to urgently revoke the latest National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) pricing changes, warning of the “significant negative impacts on people with a disability living in regional and remote areas”. The changes, announced following the Government’s NDIS Annual Pricing Review, came into effect on […]

Read More
Access to Barrington Tops from Gloucester ‘unavailable’ for months Barrington Tops National Park. Photo: NPWS.
Regional

Access to Barrington Tops from Gloucester ‘unavailable’ for months

ACCESS to the Barrington Tops National Park from Gloucester is presently unavailable because of severe damage to the Scone Road during May’s flooding rains. Access to the Polblue Campground and Thunderbolts Lookout is currently only possible from the Scone side via Tomalla, on the western side of Barrington Tops. Otherwise, the Park is open as […]

Read More
Inquiry launched into conservation hunting bill
Gloucester District

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 […]

Read More