June 24, 2025
State Forests reopening but users warned to check status Some of the damage caused by May’s floods in Mid North Coast and Hunter State Forests. Photos: Forestry Corporation.
Regional

State Forests reopening but users warned to check status

Some of the damage caused by May’s floods in Mid North Coast and Hunter State Forests. Photos: Forestry Corporation. THE region’s State Forests are progressively reopening following the floods and severe weather of May but the Forestry Corporation is urging users to check the status of trails and campgrounds in advance, and to exercise extreme […]

Read More
Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes The six-month Discovery Pass, previously available for $420, offered unlimited travel across NSW TrainLink’s regional train and coach network.
Regional

Backlash over ‘quiet cut’ to train passes

LIBERAL MLC Aileen MacDonald has called for the NSW Government to immediately reinstate three-month and six-month NSW TrainLink Discovery Passes, describing the removal as a “quiet cut” that disproportionately hurts regional communities. Speaking in the Legislative Council last week, Ms MacDonald moved a motion highlighting the significant impact of the removal of the passes on […]

Read More
First-ever DNA mapping of NSW river mouths and estuaries Dr Maarten De Brauwer of SCU and Fisheries Technician Kait Harris conduct estuarine monitoring in Yamba.
Regional

First-ever DNA mapping of NSW river mouths and estuaries

Dr Maarten De Brauwer of SCU and Fisheries Technician Kait Harris conduct estuarine monitoring in Yamba. Dr Maarten De Brauwer and Kait Harris collect samples to send to Wilderlab for processing. Dr Maarten De Brauwer and Kait Harris collect samples to send to Wilderlab for processing. A MAJOR study of NSW estuaries using a novel […]

Read More
MPs call for urgent timeline on Oxley Highway reopening
Regional

MPs call for urgent timeline on Oxley Highway reopening

THREE regional MPs are pressing the NSW Government for a clear timeline on the reopening of the Oxley Highway, which has been closed since a major wet weather event in May caused 100 new landslips between Forbes River and Clay Road. Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan, Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer and Member […]

Read More
Ex-PM lauded over honours gong but not everyone’s happy Former prime minister Scott Morrison has received the top gong in the King's Birthday Honours List. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Ex-PM lauded over honours gong but not everyone’s happy

FORMER prime minister Scott Morrison has been congratulated after receiving Australia’s highest civilian honour, but there is at least one call for him to decline the gong. Mr Morrison is one of 14 people named as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the annual King’s Birthday Honours List, alongside filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and […]

Read More
PM commits to ‘lasting change’ in second-term agenda The prime minister wants to see an economy that's more dynamic, more productive and more resilient. Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

PM commits to ‘lasting change’ in second-term agenda

ANTHONY Albanese has pledged to implement lasting and meaningful change in his second term as prime minister, promising his government can meet the moment against challenging circumstances. In his first major speech since winning an expanded majority at the May election, the prime minister said the government had a responsibility to disprove the doubters. Speaking […]

Read More
Animal advocates shoot down bill for enabling ‘yahoos’ Hunters would receive a bounty for killing invasive species like pigs, under a bill proposed in NSW. Photo: Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Animal advocates shoot down bill for enabling ‘yahoos’

ENVIRONMENTALISTS have opened fire on a bill which could pay recreational hunters for killing invasive pests, describing the plan as enabling a “fringe minority of men” to let loose. A bill before NSW parliament aims to establish a Conservation Hunting Authority, with debate in the upper house taking place on Wednesday. It would better enable […]

Read More
Mosquito numbers set to soar after long rains Aedes aegypti mosquito ready for a meal, followed by laying eggs in your birdbath. Photo: Dr Cameron Webb.
Health, Regional

Mosquito numbers set to soar after long rains

Aedes aegypti mosquito ready for a meal, followed by laying eggs in your birdbath. Photo: Dr Cameron Webb. This backyard birdbath, filled by the recent rains, contains dozens of mosquito larvae that can mature within a week. The black spots are mosquito eggs or pupae, ready to hatch. MOSQUITO numbers are set to soar due […]

Read More
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) […]

Read More
Tyrrell foster mum spared intimidation conviction William Tyrrell's foster mum has avoided conviction for intimidating and assaulting another child. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Regional

Tyrrell foster mum spared intimidation conviction

THE foster mother of missing toddler William Tyrrell has been spared conviction for intimidating and assaulting another child while mentally distressed over his disappearance. A magistrate in 2024 found her threats to slap the child on two occasions amounted to intimidation. The woman, who cannot be legally identified, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts […]

Read More