PAULA Flack and Lyn Orrego have been fighting to protect Mistake State Forest (SF), and other forests across the Nambucca Valley, for more than three decades. With the NSW Government committing in 2023 to a process to create a Great Koala National Park (GKNP), an area of around 176,000 hectares
Author: Doug Connor
‘Shocked and dismayed’: Environment group fumes at Eagleton quarry approval
THE approval of a hard rock quarry at Eagleton/Balickera has left a local environment group “shocked and dismayed”. Last Monday the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) approved a state significant proposal by Eagleton Rock Syndicate Pty Ltd for the development of a new hard rock quarry to extract, process and
Anti-coal protesters continue direct action across Hunter
LAST Friday, on day four of a “sustained campaign of disruption at the Port of Newcastle”, anti-coal activist group Blockade Australia promised to make “no compromises”. “Ongoing extraction equals ongoing disruption” a media statement from the group read. Advertise with News of The Area today. It's worth it for your
Hunter offshore wind project takes next steps
AUSTRALIA’S first floating wind farm is one step closer to becoming a reality, with a licence issued to explore the feasibility of a large-scale renewable energy project in the Hunter offshore wind zone. Equinor and Oceanex Energy’s Novocastrian Wind Pty Ltd is the only project to be offered a feasibility
NSW Gov rejects proposal for transitional housing at Kew
A PETITION calling on the NSW Government to support the purchase of a decommissioned motel at Kew to serve as transitional accommodation for the homeless was debated in Parliament last week, with local supporters of the project left disappointed by the outcome. Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams tabled the
Coffs Coast ecologist alleges series of targeted incidents by Forestry Corporation
COFFS Coast ecologist and logging activist Mark Graham has accused the Forestry Corporation of NSW of a series of incidents targeting him and his Billys Creek property adjoining the Clouds Creek State Forest. One Forestry Corporation staff member has already faced Coffs Harbour local court over an alleged physical assault of
Up to 450 dwellings proposed for Jetty Foreshores
RECENT Budget Estimates discussions have revealed that current NSW Government plans for the revitalisation of the Jetty Foreshores include up to 250 residential dwellings and 200 short stay units being built in the precinct. On February 20 2024, both Greens MLC Sue Higginson and Liberal MLC Scott Farlow questioned Lands
Energy sector calls for community to remain engaged on offshore wind
REPRESENTATIVES of the offshore wind industry and the nation’s energy sector are urging Port Stephens residents to actively engage with ongoing consultation on the Hunter offshore wind zone, citing immense economic benefits for the region if projects can be advanced in an environmentally conscious way. A large contingent of Port
Maitland City Council discuss offshore wind impacts
WITH offshore wind debate playing out in local councils across the Hunter in recent months, last week it was Maitland City Council’s turn. At the Council’s 27 February meeting, Councillor Sally Halliday moved a motion for Maitland City Council to submit a motion to the 2024 Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)
Ampcontrol partners with major offshore wind developer to explore manufacturing, job opportunities
A MAJOR Australian offshore wind developer has partnered with Tomago’s Ampcontrol to explore opportunities for innovation and the creation of local jobs as the region’s fledgling offshore wind industry takes flight. Destiny Wind is a proposed offshore wind farm off the Hunter coast, led by the team behind Star of