THE NSW Government will deliver $10 million to local councils to target high-risk weeds across the state. The 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 on prevention and early intervention to stop the spread of problem […]
State awards to recognise emergency services volunteers
EMERGENCY services volunteers will be recognised for the first time in the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. The Centre for Volunteering added this seventh category to its annual celebration, following the announcement in March of the Premier’s Flood Emergency Citation. The citation ensures that the unique and vital contributions of emergency responders and […]
Inquiry launched into illegal tobacco trade in NSW
A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry was established on 7 May to report on the illegal tobacco trade in New South Wales. Among a broad remit, the committee will inquire into links between organised crime syndicates and tobacconists, and the utilisation of money laundering schemes by tobacconists. The inquiry will also explore the impact of the illegal tobacco […]

Climate target not safe after Nationals leadership vote
DAVID Littleproud has retained his position as leader of the Nationals following a challenge over climate policy but has refused to say whether the party remains committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. The rural party’s MPs and senators on Monday re-elected Mr Littleproud and backed Kevin Hogan as deputy leader. Queensland senator Matt Canavan failed […]

Top cop denies push as replacement search heats up
AN outgoing police chief has batted away suggestions she was pushed from her role, as taxpayers foot a hefty bill for a replacement. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb announced last week she will retire in September after a three-year stint as the first woman to lead the force. An interim commissioner has also been appointed […]
Council votes to change proposed toilet block footprint as deadline for works approaches
COUNCILLORS voted at Nambucca Valley Council’s general meeting last month to move the proposed footprint for a new amenity block at the end of Princess Street and River Street to the parking lot on the western side of the existing structure. In January of 2024, NOTA reported that Council had decided on a location and […]

Pat Conaghan secures third term as Cowper MP
NATIONALS MP Pat Conaghan says he is ready to “get to work” after retaining the seat of Cowper for the National Party after Saturday’s federal election. “With the polls results now locked and the last of the postal vote counts trickling in, it’s time to declare Cowper as ‘Nat Retained’ and accept the role of […]
Liberals call for more trainee tradies during Port Stephens site visit
A HOME under construction in Anna Bay was host to visiting politicians on Wednesday, 15 January. Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Sussan Ley was joined by NSW Senator Maria Kovacic and the Liberal candidate for Paterson, Laurence Antcliff. It was an opportunity for Mr Antcliff, who has worked in the building industry, to […]