June 25, 2025
Farming body welcomes NSW Gov ag funding Premier Chris Minns with students at Tocal College last Friday.
Government

Farming body welcomes NSW Gov ag funding

Premier Chris Minns with students at Tocal College last Friday. The state government has committed more than $140 million to the agriculture sector. Photo: DPIRD. THE State Government will invest over $140 million of new funding to “safeguard the future of NSW’s agricultural industry”. On Friday NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Agriculture Minister Tara […]

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More support sought for flood-affected farmers Cowper MP Pat Conaghan and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.
Community, Government

More support sought for flood-affected farmers

THE Liberal and National parties are continuing calls for Federal and State governments to urgently amend Category C and D disaster recovery funding to the maximum thresholds of $50,000 for small businesses and $75,000 for primary producers. Local MPs say the current $25,000 threshold is simply not enough, however Labor Ministers have urged primary producers […]

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Make-up of Australian Senate confirmed The writs were returned to Governor-General Sam Mostyn on 12 June by Acting Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope. Photo: AEC.
Government, National

Make-up of Australian Senate confirmed

RESULTS of the 2025 Federal Election have been finalised and the writs returned to the Governor-General Sam Mostyn. This marks the end of the electoral process for the House of Representatives and Senate and paves the way for the opening of the 48th Parliament on 22 July. Acting Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said the election […]

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Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way Private insurers will soon cover some complementary treatments. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Government, Health

Cheaper complementary health treatments are on the way

WHEN Peter Hill walked into his first pilates class, he had to warm-up for the warm-up. With a feeble lower back and taut hamstrings, the then 63-year-old was hoping the therapy could aid his pain. Six years later, he can dart and dash with little-to-no trouble. “Occasionally I might have a bit of a twinge […]

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NSW Gov announce funding to expand crisis and transitional housing
Government

NSW Gov announce funding to expand crisis and transitional housing

THE State Government has announced $30.4 million for a new crisis intervention package to “ensure more vulnerable people can access homelessness services and find a safe place to live”. The 2025-26 NSW Budget will include $20 million to expand existing crisis and transitional housing, and $10.4 million over four years for homelessness charity the Bill […]

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Disaster relief extended for small businesses, primary producers
Government

Disaster relief extended for small businesses, primary producers

STATE and Federal governments are delivering more funding to help communities recover from the recent severe flooding. Support available includes: ● Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible small businesses (with fewer than 20 employees) and non-profit organisations to help clean up and restore their business. ● Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible primary […]

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Landslips close Oxley Highway at Mt Seaview in both directions Photos taken by the operators of the Ginger’s Creek Roadhouse, show the damage from one of last week’s landslips.
Community, Government, Regional

Landslips close Oxley Highway at Mt Seaview in both directions

THE Oxley Highway between Forbes River and Clay roads will remain closed until further notice because of landslips. More than 100 new landslips have been detected on this section of the highway since heavy rainfall over the past week. Engineers are urgently assessing damage and planning clean-up operations and long-term repairs. Transport for NSW (TfNSW) […]

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NPWS responds to fears families will lose out if camping fee changes go ahead Local favourite, the Diamond Head campground. Photo: NSW National Parks.
Community, Government

NPWS responds to fears families will lose out if camping fee changes go ahead

WITH the cost-of-living already making holidays inaccessible for many families, there are fears a proposed increase in National Park camping fees is set to deliver another blow. Member for Oxley Michael Kemp says some fees could increase so dramatically that a week-long stay at a national park campground may exceed $600, potentially pricing out local […]

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Street count shows surge in homelessness across Port Macquarie LGA Sixty-nine people were sleeping rough in February across the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area. Photo: AAP Image/Darren England.
Community, Government

Street count shows surge in homelessness across Port Macquarie LGA

THE NSW Government’s annual street count shows the number of people sleeping rough across the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area (LGA) has increased over the past 12 months. Sixty-nine people were sleeping rough in February, up from 53 in 2024 and 43 in February 2023. Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer said the increase was […]

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Inquiry launched into illegal tobacco trade in NSW
Government, Police

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 […]

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