April 13, 2025
Murder rate soars as killers claim multiple victims The murder of six people in a stabbing rampage is among incidents driving up the homicide toll. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS.
Police

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. […]

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Urgent mental health help needed in agriculture The agricultural sector is facing a mental health crisis.
National

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 […]

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NSW Gov launch crackdown on fire ants A Red imported fire ant raft. Photo: Invasive Species Council.
Local News

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 […]

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Bushfire prevention program takes to the skies A helicopter on a bushfire prevention patrol.
Dungog Shire, News

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. […]

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Dungog trivia night to support tea party Erika Seck is looking forward to the Trivia Night and Tea Party.
Dungog Shire, News

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 […]

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‘Save Balickera’ launches appeal against Stone Ridge Quarry site development The proposed quarry development is located in State Forest, 10 minutes north of Raymond Terrace. Photos: Joseph Richards, Independent Planning Commission.
Dungog Shire, News

‘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 […]

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Coronation Park play area at Dungog completed Violetta exploring the quiet corner.
Dungog Shire, News

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 […]

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Clarence Town Community Workshop set to spark new opportunities 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.
Dungog Shire, News

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 […]

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Rapid response units to tackle regional youth crime Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the fear of crime is having a significant impact in rural communities. Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi.
Dungog Shire, News

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 […]

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Hearings underway for Martins Creek Quarry appeal Many in Paterson are not pleased with Daracon’s plans for the quarry site or the village.
Dungog Shire, News

Hearings underway for Martins Creek Quarry appeal

DARACON’S appeal for approval of the proposed expansion of the Martins Creek Quarry continues, with hearings now underway and continuing until 28 March. On 17 March, the public portion of the case hearings were held at Tocal Hall. The commissioners heard from seven local speakers representing the Paterson/Martins Creek community. After the hearing, the commissioners, […]

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