Regional coverage
Agriculture
A common sense exemption via amendments to the Water Management Regulation means red tape which has stifled farmers’ ability to fight fires on their own property has been reduced. During a fire emergency, a landholder can now take water from surface water and groundwater sources on their land without needing to have a water licence [...]
Inland Rail Update
NEXT Monday, January 20, Inland Rail will start a series of field investigations across the Narrabri to North Star Phase 2 section. Planned activities include soil erosion testing, geotechnical investigations, biodiversity surveys and flood-level surveys. Soil erosion testing will be conducted at four locations along the alignment north of Moree, with work expected to take [...]
Police News
UPDATED: Police have located the body of a man following an extensive search and rescue operation at Beardmore Dam, St George. The body was located in the water within the search area, just before 6am this morning, January 14. A report will be prepared for the coroner. PREVIOUSLY: A search-and-rescue operation continues to locate the [...]
Agriculture
FARMERS across the district are encouraged to take part in a trial that exempts vehicles used to fight fires from registration, in a move that supports rural landholders during bush fire season. Under a NSW Government trial in place until March 31, private farm vehicles used for firefighting purposes known as Farm Fire Units – [...]
Regional News
NSW Police are urging country-music fans to plan their trip and travel safely on the roads as they make their way to Tamworth for the annual Toyota Country Music Festival. A high-visibility policing operation will be in place from Friday, January 17 until Sunday, January 26. Tamworth Country Music Festival is Australia’s largest music festival, [...]
Law and Order
THE largest rapid response unit in Queensland policing history has been unveiled, with the new Queensland Police State Flying Squad targeting the worst juvenile and adult offenders. The specialist team comprises 58 officers, will triple the size of former flying squads and integrate Taskforce Guardian and Operation Whiskey Legion. The State Flying Squad will bolster [...]
Agriculture
GREENHILLS Pastoral at Willow Tree near Quirindi has taken out the state’s top prize for wheat growers in the 26th annual Suncorp Dryland and Field Wheat competition, with an awards dinner held at Dubbo last week. Rob Cropper’s crop was victorious in a field of strong contenders following a highly successful winter grain harvest across [...]
The Smith Family
NINE out of 10 parents and carers of students supported by The Smith Family are worried they will not be able to afford all items their children need for school this year, a Smith Family survey has found. In the New England north-west region during the 2023-24 financial year, where The Smith Family partnered with [...]
Regional News
INNOVATORS, educators, musicians, healthcare professionals, elite athletes and environmental advocates are among 80 inspirational Australians who will take part in events across NSW as Australia Day Ambassadors on January 26, 2025. Co-founder and president of Bangalow Koalas, Linda Sparrow, has been named Moree Plains Shire Australia Day Ambassador. Ms Sparrow is a passionate environmental advocate [...]
Tourism
AS thousands of country music fans begin descending on Tamworth, more 250 Elvis Presley fans – many sporting blue suede shoes – today climbed aboard the NSW TrainLink Elvis Express for the seven-hour pilgrimage to the annual Parkes Elvis Festival. During the 365km train service, passengers will engage in a little less conversation as they’re [...]
