Farmers and residents near Lue in New South Wales fear the proposed Bowdens Silver mine could poison their land, water and health. The NSW government has recommended approval of the project, which the Independent Planning Commission is considering at a public hearing this week. Lead and zinc make up most of the ore, with silver less than 1 per cent by weight. Critics point to a suppressed government report on childhood lead exposure in Broken Hill and argue that lead has no safe level of exposure.
The NSW and federal governments have jointly bought Pulgamurtie Station, a 74,000-hectare property 235 kilometres north-east of Broken Hill. The site holds two pink lakes and habitat for more than 70 threatened species. NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe called the purchase a once-in-a-generation conservation and tourism opportunity. Pastoralists and Barwon MP Roy Butler have criticised the move over pest animals, fencing, job losses and tourism claims. Butler has introduced a bill requiring future park purchases to assess local economic impacts.
A new bus service called The Monty Express has launched between Mildura and Adelaide, via Renmark, along the Sturt Highway. The route had no direct bus service since 2020, and the only direct flight ended in 2023. The service will run twice a week and pick up passengers at Mildura, Renmark, Adelaide Airport and the Adelaide Central Bus Station. Under an agreement with the South Australian government, it cannot pick up South Australian residents unless they travel to Mildura. Operator Stuart Saunders said he hopes the service will also help Riverland residents reach Mildura.
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The NSW and federal governments have purchased Pulgamurtie Station, a 74,000-hectare outback property featuring pink lakes. The acquisition marks the first time such lakes will be part of the NSW National Parks estate, offering potential tourist visits. The site is home to over 70 threatened species, including brolgas and pink cockatoos, and will undergo ecological and cultural heritage surveys to determine visitor experiences.
Aqua aerobics classes have resumed at Gloucester Olympic Pool, continuing a 40-year tradition. The sessions, which began as an initiative by Maureen and Aldo Tiogas, offer physical and social benefits, including reduced joint strain and improved cardiovascular fitness. Current instructor Julie Reay says the classes remain free for pool patrons and include monthly social lunches. The sessions run Monday to Thursday mornings, welcoming new participants.
Men with prostate cancer across western NSW could lose specialist nursing care when federal funding for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia nursing service ends in June 2027, Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey says. The Government will redirect $46.5 million over five years to the McGrath Foundation. The Prostate Cancer Foundation says it was not consulted, and a voluntary survey found 96 per cent of affected specialist nurses oppose the decision. Mr Chaffey called on the Government to release its evidence and guarantee no regional community loses access.
An 88-year-old woman has died in hospital after she was struck by a car in Pyree, in the NSW Shoalhaven region. Police were called to Pyree Lane at about 1:45 pm on Saturday, 24 October, after reports of a pedestrian being hit. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene before she was flown to St George Hospital in a critical condition. Police were told on Sunday, 25 October, that she had died. The 43-year-old driver returned a negative result on a roadside breath test and was taken to Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital for mandatory testing.
A whale calf carcass has washed ashore at Malabar Beach in Sydney, the third landing spot for the same animal. Randwick Council workers moved the remains up the sand, roped off the area and closed the beach on Tuesday. Council said strong currents moved the carcass from Lurline Bay and that it will be removed and disposed of on Tuesday 27 October. Earlier, Coogee and Maroubra beaches were shut after the carcass became stuck against rocks at Lurline Bay.
Kiama Community Radio is hosting Blues in the Night, a fundraising event on Saturday 7 November at Kiama Leagues Club. The station, run by volunteers, is seeking support to fund its equipment, technology and facilities. Headliner Frank Sultana will perform alongside Shane Flew and Matt Ross, and Jr and the Jewel-Tones, which includes Kiama musician Dave Shaw. Doors open at 5 pm. Tickets cost $50, or $40 for station members, plus a booking fee. Every ticket sold supports the station, which has operated since 2020.
Police are searching for a man in a balaclava after a suspected arson attack on a house in Abbotsford, in Sydney's inner west. Four people were taken to hospital. An 88-year-old woman was rescued by a 49-year-old man who climbed a ladder. A neighbour confronted the man while he was allegedly setting the house alight. Police believe he fled in a red Holden Astra and had suffered burns. About 40 firefighters attended the blaze, which spread to an adjoining house.
Mini has unveiled the Lucky 13 Edition, an Australian-exclusive limited-run model based on the John Cooper Works three-door hatch. It honours the 1966 Bathurst 500 victory by Rauno Aaltonen and Bob Holden in a factory-backed Morris Mini Cooper S. The special edition's name comes from Mr Holden drawing number 13 from a hat and adopting it as his lucky number. Design cues include white bonnet stripes, a white roof and circular 13 decals. Just 26 cars will be built for Australia, with arrival expected in the first quarter of 2027. Pricing starts at $71,990 before on-road costs.
Will Lee has served 56 years with the NSW Rural Fire Service, which he began after helping fight a major fire in the northern Illawarra in 1968. He joined the Austinmer Bushfire Brigade in 1970 and went on to hold several leadership roles, including Group Captain. He was recognised with a National Medal with a fourth clasp at a recent ceremony, where his daughter Belinda Lee also received a 40-year Long Service Medal. Will now focuses on training young firefighters. He says the job of an old firefighter is to teach young firefighters to become old firefighters.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern will lecture and mentor at the University of Sydney, beginning this month. Her work will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Based in the school of public health, she will host guest lectures and masterclasses, although the university says it is not a full-time teaching role. Vice-chancellor Mark Scott praised Ardern's leadership, saying empathy and resolve can strengthen each other. Ardern moved to Australia earlier this year.
Sexual assault complainants could face less distressing questioning in court under proposed changes. Wollongong District Court is one of three NSW courts chosen to trial new rules on how long questioning can last and what topics can be covered. The trial would run from 2027 to 2030 if passed by NSW Parliament. The Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre has welcomed the reforms, backed by $4.8 million in government funding. Attorney General Michael Daley said the changes would minimise trauma for complainants.
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Local Government NSW is calling for a $5 billion interest-free loan scheme to help councils build roads, drainage and other infrastructure needed for housing. Councils would repay the loans through developer contributions as development progresses. The peak body says thousands of homes are being delayed by inadequate infrastructure, particularly in outer metropolitan Sydney and regional areas. LGNSW president Darcy Byrne urged all political parties to back the proposal ahead of the state election. The plan also includes $3 billion in upfront state and regional infrastructure funding and allows developer contributions to fund community facilities.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has been hired as a professor of practice at the University of Sydney. The 46-year-old joins the faculty of medicine and health, where the role will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Ardern will explore ways to address global health challenges, inclusion and wellbeing, and will lead guest lectures and masterclasses. The university says the position is not a full-time teaching role. Ardern and her family moved to Australia in February, reportedly buying a $5.3 million home on Sydney's northern beaches.
The Rotary Club of West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook is running its Trees of Joy campaign again this year, aiming to deliver more than 1,000 Christmas gifts. Shoppers choose a gift from a bauble bearing a person's story and wish, then return it to a drop-off point. The club works with more than 10 local charities to reach children and adults who may otherwise go without. Trees are at four shopping centres in Cherrybrook, Westleigh, Pennant Hills and Thornleigh from 2 November until 10 December. Rotary asks people to return gifts early to ease distribution.
A Halloween night event will be held at the historic Mangrove Mountain Hall on Saturday, October 31. The evening is aimed at friends and families looking to celebrate together.
Kariong Eco Garden is holding a Green Living energy information day on November 7. The event runs from 10am to 2pm at Kariong Hall and will feature several Central Coast experts.
Randwick Council has closed Malabar Beach in Sydney's east after whale remains washed up there. The juvenile whale carcass had earlier drifted onto the shore at Lurline Bay last week. Council lifeguards fenced off the area over concern the carcass could attract sharks. Council moved the remains further up the beach and is arranging contractors to dispose of them. The beach will stay closed until further notice.
NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig is considering suspending the Mayor and councillors of Moree Plains Shire Council for three months. The proposed move follows concerns about meeting conduct, repeated police involvement and strained relationships between councillors. No suspension has been ordered. The council and individual councillors have until Friday 6 November to respond. Mayor Susannah Pearse says the council will consider its response at an extraordinary meeting on Monday 2 November. An interim administrator would be paid by the council, and the cost has not yet been established.
A man in a balaclava may have set himself on fire while torching a home in Sydney’s inner west, leaving four people hospitalised. Police believe the offender, who fled in a red Holden Astra, acted alone. A 49-year-old resident and police officers rescued an 88-year-old woman from the flames. The house on Weddle Ave was destroyed, and the hunt for the offender continues.
Rafael Bonachela, artistic director of Sydney Dance Company for nearly 20 years, will premiere his final work for the company in its 2027 season. The new piece will appear in a triple bill called Wild Order. Bonachela announced in March that he would leave the company in mid-2028, saying it was time for someone else to lead it. The 2027 season also includes Future Reverie, a collaboration between four choreographers, and tours to regional New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and overseas.
