The murder of six people in a stabbing rampage is among incidents driving up the homicide toll. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Murder rate soars as killers claim multiple victims
MURDERS have spiked in Australia’s most populous state, driven by multiple-victim homicides including a shopping centre massacre in which six people were killed. A total of 85 people were murdered in NSW in 2024, up from 56 in the previous year and the highest toll since 2014, the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reports. […]
The agricultural sector is facing a mental health crisis.
Urgent mental health help needed in agriculture
A COALITION of rural organisations has called for immediate action to address the mental health crisis in agriculture. More than 30 rural and healthcare organisations launched a joint statement to address the crisis this week. Ahead of a federal budget and election, the group is calling on the Government to make an immediate investment of […]
A Red imported fire ant raft. Photo: Invasive Species Council.
NSW Gov launch crackdown on fire ants
THE state’s peak farming group has welcomed a fresh crackdown on biosecurity controls in the wake of ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred. On Friday NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty announced measures to keep Red Imported Fire Ants out, with a temporary ban on soil and hay coming into the state from infested areas in southeast Queensland. “We’ve […]
A helicopter on a bushfire prevention patrol.
Bushfire prevention program takes to the skies
TRANSGRID has launched its annual bushfire prevention program, including helicopter inspections and 3D laser scanning, to ensure the safe operation of the transmission network in the lead-up to next summer. LiDAR inspections by plane are underway across parts of the network and will wrap up in March, with helicopter inspections to follow in coming months. […]
Erika Seck is looking forward to the Trivia Night and Tea Party.
Dungog trivia night to support tea party
TEST your knowledge, have some laughs, and help a local organisation by attending the upcoming Trivia Night at the Dungog Memorial RSL. The Dungog Tea Party is holding one of their two Trivia Nights per year at 6.30pm on Saturday 5 April 2025. Group secretary and Dungog local Erika Seck said the event would be […]
The proposed quarry development is located in State Forest, 10 minutes north of Raymond Terrace. Photos: Joseph Richards, Independent Planning Commission.
‘Save Balickera’ launches appeal against Stone Ridge Quarry site development
AN appeal has been lodged in the Land and Environment Court against an approved quarry development. The Stone Ridge Quarry is located in Balickera, which is 10 minutes north of Raymond Terrace. Covering 189-hectares of the Wallaroo State Forest, it will be used to extract, process, and transport 1.5 million tonnes of hard rock per […]
Violetta exploring the quiet corner.
Coronation Park play area at Dungog completed
NEAR the corner of Abelard and Mackay Streets in Dungog, the Coronation Park playground is now officially completed. An accessible seesaw called “the Dragonfly”, and springy “soft fall” surfaces are the most recent additions. The changes to the area make it more inclusive, as well as safer for a range of users. Coronation Park originally […]
The Clarence Town Community Builders Task Team: Terry Anns, Robyn McKenzie, Heather Kilparick, Sue Shillington, Cathy Schneider, Trudy and Tobi Balstad, Sacha Anderson, Karen Drinan, Sandra Hastedt, Rose and Dusty Roberts. Absent: Chris O’Neill, Alan Green, Bec Towers, Christine Penderson and Michael Anderson.
Clarence Town Community Workshop set to spark new opportunities
THE Community Builders Program has been making waves across Dungog Shire and Stroud over the past 12 months, inspiring residents to think critically about what it means to build a strong and thriving community. The program is now entering its next phase, and locals are invited to take part in shaping their towns through a […]
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the fear of crime is having a significant impact in rural communities. Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi.
Rapid response units to tackle regional youth crime
NSW Police have launched rapid response units to tackle youth crime across the state. Operation Soteria is a high-profile strategy involving around 60 officers. Deputy Commissioner Paul Pisanos said that over the next three months, police will target offenders aged between 11 to 16 years of age and specifically focus on aggravated break, enter and […]
