The newest stories across general, sport, community, and business 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, [...]
Parkes Electorate
I would like to wish everyone in the Parkes electorate a very happy New Year! I hope the Christmas period was one full of rest, relaxation and opportunities to reconnect with loved ones. Here’s to 2025 being a great year for all, bringing plenty of joy, good health and prosperity. Now that we have entered [...]
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 [...]
Informing the Agenda
ABORIGINAL and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss will visit Moree next week as part of her Informing the Agenda project. Ms Kiss will present the project at Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre between 10am and 1.30pm on Monday, January 20. The commissioner is embarking on a landmark listening tour to consult and discuss Informing [...]
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 [...]
