A federal inquiry examines the worsening financial state of Australian local governments, with Hunter councils highlighting unsustainable costs from climate change, tourism, and state mandates. Will it lead to real change?
Over 5100 deaths a year in the Hunter are linked to chronic disease, with experts warning the crisis will deepen without urgent Medicare reform and targeted funding. Read more.
Shocking data reveals only 52% of Hunter New England adults saw a dentist last year. Experts warn preventable dental diseases are worsening due to systemic gaps and underfunding. Read more.
Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti outlines the WA Government's ongoing commitment to health, housing, and economic stability as core priorities for 2026. Read the full plan.
New WA Health data reveals alarming declines in diet, exercise, and mental health, with the Opposition blaming the Cook Government's five health ministers for failing to deliver. Discover the full impact of the cost-of-living crisis on West Australians.
A visionary plan to repurpose disused Upper Hunter mining pits into interconnected lakes gains momentum, promising water security, tourism, and jobs. Read about the innovative solution.
As a severe heatwave looms, we revisit the Hunter's 1939 furnace that killed scores, halted work, and left a tragic mark on local records. Discover the history to understand the present.
A critical shortage of veterinary services is leaving hundreds of thousands of Australians and their pets in the lurch. Discover the regions most affected and what's being done.
Calls grow for PM Albanese to launch a Royal Commission into the Bondi Junction stabbing, examining mental health and security failures. The nation demands answers.
The Bureau of Meteorology issues a severe thunderstorm warning for the Hunter region, with damaging winds, hail, and heavy rain expected. This comes ahead of the first major heatwave of 2026, with temperatures forecast to soar above 30°C in Newcastle and
Canberra's housing shortage is forcing patients to languish in expensive hospital beds or be discharged into motels, straining the health system and leaving vulnerable people without support. Read the full investigation.
A jack-up barge has positioned itself off Nine Mile Beach, signalling the start of complex offshore works for the Belmont Desalination Plant. The project will secure the Lower Hunter's water future.
Hunter SES crews faced their busiest year ever, responding to over 5000 incidents and 10,000 volunteer hours in 2025's severe storms and floods. Read about their heroic efforts.
A look at the Hunter region's clean energy transition in 2026: battery storage surges, coal lingers, and offshore wind faces delays. Discover the key projects shaping NSW's power future.
From a fatal beach shooting to devastating floods and a major health initiative, revisit the stories that defined the Hunter region in 2025. Read the full year in review.
A petition with over 8,000 signatures calls for urgent reform of the Queensland Health Travel Scheme, citing unfair costs for regional and rural health workers. Advocates demand change.
State projections reveal the Hunter Region is set to grow by over 184,500 people in two decades, nearing a million residents. Local leaders warn housing and infrastructure must keep pace.
A look back at a tumultuous 2025 in Western Australia, featuring a major health system crisis, a landmark defamation victory for Senator Linda Reynolds, and the passing of iconic couple Ozzy and Eileen Bond. Read the full recap.
A man in his 60s was flown to John Hunter Hospital with chest and back injuries after a glider crash near Ravensworth. Emergency services, including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, responded to the incident.
A rollercoaster year for Hunter sport gets its own awards. From the Knights' wooden spoon to the Jets' Cup win and Kalyn Ponga's bizarre endorsement, we recap the highs, lows and wacky moments of 2025.
As the Hunter Region looks towards 2050, three critical issues—coal mining's legacy, unchecked urban sprawl, and lagging education—will define its future success. Explore the cumulative impacts.
A NSW Rural Fire Service volunteer was hospitalised after a stick lodged near his eye while fighting the Hollydeen blaze. He has since been released after surgery.
Ambulance ramping crisis worsens at Townsville University Hospital, with a record four-hour handover delay revealed. New data shows system under severe strain. Read the full report.
Upper Hunter farmers celebrate as the critical Coulsons Creek Road reopens just before Christmas, ending a costly five-year detour. The $60 million project fixes a botched council upgrade.
Construction on the $600m Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone begins early 2026, creating nearly 600 jobs and connecting 1.8GW of clean power. Read about the region's energy future.
Construction on the $4 billion Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone will begin early 2026, creating nearly 600 jobs and connecting 1.8GW of clean power. Read more about this major NSW project.
Newcastle's vibrant theatre community celebrated a record-breaking 47th CONDA Awards, with Opera Hunter's 'Sweeney Todd' and local talents taking top honours. Discover all the winners.
A jack-up barge has positioned itself off Nine Mile Beach, signalling the start of complex offshore works for the Belmont Desalination Plant. The project will secure the Lower Hunter's water future.
Cairns Hospital's surgical capacity is under immense strain. A new surgical centre is urgently needed to serve the growing Far North Queensland population. Read why this is a critical priority.
A new report warns NSW faces a critical gas shortage, threatening Hunter industries and jobs. Urgent investment in alternatives like biomethane is needed to secure the state's economic future.