FARMERS are calling for a government crackdown to stamp out fire ants in NSW after the pests were discovered in Tweed Heads this week. Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are prohibited under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and high-risk materials are restricted from infested areas of south-east Queensland. On Wednesday the NSW Government confirmed an immature […]
NSW residents urged to purchase firewood collection authorisations this winter
FORESTRY Corporation is reminding residents to purchase firewood authorisations before collecting wood from State forests. Recent updates have been made to Forestry Corporation’s online firewood permit page. The conditions for firewood collection have also been updated and should be understood prior to entering State forests. The system now distinguishes some locations between pine and native […]
Report paints ‘catastrophic picture’ of environment
THE NSW Government tabled the 2024 State of the Environment Report last week. Compiled by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the report is published every three years. According to EPA CEO Tony Chappel, the 2024 report indicates that climate change is already a major factor impacting many environmental trends. “In 2021-22, greenhouse gas emissions […]
Councils and state gov to address root causes of DV
LOCAL Government NSW (LGNSW) is partnering with the state government to support councils in addressing the root causes of domestic, family, and sexual violence. The initiative is part of the NSW Government’s Pathways to Prevention Strategy, which aims to address the drivers of violence. Under the three-year primary prevention partnership, the state government will provide […]
Upper Hunter Crown reserves secure funding
THE State Government will provide more than $54,500 in grants to maintain and upgrade Crown land reserves and community facilities across the Upper Hunter. The grants are being provided by Crown Lands in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund (CRIF). Upper Hunter electorate projects being funded include […]
Dungog camel racers depart for Boulia
Mathew Anderson competes at the 2024 Boulia Camel Races. Photo: Matt Williams/Queensland.com. Camel racer and trainer Mathew Anderson in action. Camel racer and trainer Mathew Anderson in action. Camel racer and trainer Mathew Anderson in action. DUNGOG locals Mathew and Taneal Anderson are setting off to Queensland this week to defend their 2024 Boulia Camel […]
Life-sized Doug Walters statue set for unveiling
DUNGOG will celebrate one of its most legendary locals on Saturday 19 July, with the unveiling of a life-size statue of cricket great Doug Walters. Set to be revealed at 2pm on Saturday, 19 July, the statue has been organised by a group of Walters’s friends, who travel with him to Dungog twice a year. […]
New PFAS guidelines released for drinking water
THE National Health and Medical Research Council has published updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which confirm new, lower values for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Australian drinking water supplies. PFAS are a class of more than 4,000 manufactured chemicals that are not found naturally in the environment. These chemicals have been widely used in […]
Business Hunter: Few surprises for Hunter in ‘conservative’ Budget
THERE were few surprises for the Hunter and little relief for businesses battling challenging economic conditions from a conservative NSW Budget handed down last week, according to the region’s peak business body. Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes described Treasurer Daniel Mookhey’s third budget as “anti-climactic for the Hunter”, with the big-ticket new investments having been […]
Scammers on prowl as Tax Time begins
A recently received scam email. A Commonwealth Bank infographic illustrates that Aussies are scam-aware, but a third of us still miss the clues. Image: CBA. THE clock is now ticking to get annual tax returns in before the 31 October deadline. Sadly, this window provides a veritable hunting ground for scammers, prompting warnings from the […]