Chris Minns has urged activists not to overreact to a high court ruling that invalidated the approval of a coalmine expansion in the NSW Hunter region. The premier said the government has no plans to change state laws or regulations in response to the decision, which found the Independent Planning Commission failed to consider emissions from the coal when sold and burnt overseas. The court's ruling has sparked debate about its potential impact on other coalmine expansions in the state, including the Hunter Valley Operations extension.
A High Court ruling in New South Wales has raised concerns in Western Australia's energy industry about future investment. The decision blocked the expansion of MACH Energy's coal mine after three judges sided with a community group, requiring planners to consider emissions from exported coal. WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti said the government is seeking legal advice on the potential impact on projects like Woodside's $30 billion Browse gas proposal. Industry experts warn the ruling could deter international investors and shift projects to countries with lower environmental standards.
A retired Australian couple and their neighbours have won a legal battle against a coalmine expansion in New South Wales. The High Court ruled the state government must consider emissions from burning exported coal. The decision invalidates the approval for MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant coalmine expansion, which would have doubled output. The case marks the first time Australia’s highest court has ruled on climate change. The community group, Dams Heg, has fought the proposal for over four years.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
The NSW and federal governments have announced a $1.7 billion investment in regional roads across New South Wales. The funding will upgrade key freight corridors, including the Golden Highway from Newcastle to Dubbo, Muswellbrook to Armidale, and Tocumwal to Euston. Projects will include safety and capacity upgrades, such as overtaking lanes and resurfacing, to accommodate increasing freight and recreational vehicle traffic. The governments aim to complete the projects within four years, with 59 projects alone in the Newcastle to Dubbo corridor.
The Albanese and Minns Labor governments will invest $1.74 billion to upgrade three key regional road corridors in New South Wales. The funding will improve safety and efficiency, supporting regional communities, freight operators, and industries. Upgrades include road, shoulder, and intersection widening, new overtaking lanes, and intelligent transport systems. More than 1,000 jobs will be supported across the state, with work already underway on the Newcastle to Dubbo corridor.
Australia’s highest court has ruled that the approval of a coalmine expansion in NSW was invalid, setting a precedent for fossil fuel projects. The court found the state’s Independent Planning Commission failed to consider imposing conditions to minimise greenhouse gas emissions generated by the mine when the coal is sold and burnt overseas. NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson said the judgment could lead to legal challenges for other coalmine approvals, including the Hunter Valley Operations extension.
The High Court has blocked the expansion of the Mount Pleasant coal mine in NSW, ruling that project approvals must account for broad environmental impacts. The decision follows a years-long community campaign and is the first of its kind in Australia. Environmental campaigners have welcomed the ruling, calling it a victory for all Australians and urging the government to move away from fossil fuels. MACH Energy, which sought to extend the mine's life, has accepted the court's decision.
A Hunter Valley community group has won a landmark High Court case against the expansion of the Mount Pleasant coalmine in Muswellbrook. The court ruled the approval was invalid because the state’s planning commission failed to consider how to mitigate the mine’s greenhouse gas emissions. The decision sets a national precedent for fossil fuel projects in New South Wales. The Mount Pleasant expansion would have doubled the mine’s coal output to 21 million tonnes per year until 2048, with 98% of the projected emissions being scope 3 emissions.
The High Court has ruled that planning authorities must consider climate impacts of downstream emissions when reviewing projects, in a case involving a coal mine expansion in NSW's Hunter region. The 3-2 split decision upheld a state appeals court ruling, with Justice James Edelman citing expert estimates that the project would be one of the 650 largest greenhouse gas-emitting projects worldwide. The mining industry fears the judgment's wider implications, while the NSW government has sought to reassure the sector that coal mine extensions can still be approved.
The High Court has ruled that planning authorities must consider emissions from burning fossil fuels overseas when approving projects. Three judges supported a Hunter Valley residents' group that halted the Mount Pleasant mine expansion. The mine's extension would release roughly twice Australia's annual greenhouse gas emissions. MACH Energy, which operates the mine, plans to extract 444 million tonnes of coal until 2048. The ruling could impact other fossil fuel projects nationwide.
The New England Highway between Muswellbrook and Armidale will receive $849.8 million in upgrades, the largest portion of a $1.74 billion package for three regional road corridors. The funding will go towards road, shoulder, and intersection widening, turning lanes, overtaking lanes, and intelligent transport systems. More than 1,000 jobs will be supported across New South Wales. The Australian and NSW governments are jointly funding the upgrades, which will be accelerated under the NSW Government’s Project Swift initiative.
The federal and NSW governments are jointly investing $1.2 billion to upgrade regional roads, including routes between Newcastle and Dubbo, Muswellbrook and Armidale, and Euston and Tocumwal. The funding will improve freight movement, add overtaking lanes, and enhance rest stops. NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the upgrades would support various industries, not just renewable energy projects. Premier Chris Minns said the investments would boost the economy and improve safety.
Parramatta Lanes recorded its biggest year yet, attracting more than 386,000 visitors over four nights from 21 to 24 October. The free festival used the city centre's streets, laneways and car parks for more than 400 performers, 70 food vendors and 10 stages. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said the event showcased the city's cultural diversity and its growing appeal in Western Sydney. The City of Parramatta said the festival was funded by the council and the NSW Government, with a $350,000 Open Streets grant to help deliver the event over three years.
Brendon and Emma Reynolds have put the historic Junee Hotel on the market so they can move closer to family. The couple took over the lease in 2023 and later bought the property, restoring its rooms, bathrooms and bar. They have added community events, including a singles night that Emma says led to five relationships. Emma criticised government taxes on regional pubs and staffing rules that limit backpacker workers. The couple plan to live in the hotel while a sale progresses, which they say can take six to 12 months.
Blacktown pilot Aglaya Papadokokolakis flew the first commercial aircraft out of Western Sydney International Airport on Sunday. She said the milestone was a career highlight, launching operations in her home region. Her father is also a pilot, and she encouraged young women to pursue aviation despite its male-dominated reputation. The airport opened after about eight years of construction and is set to run around the clock. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened it at a Sunday morning ceremony, and its first international flight arrived on Monday.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
As part of Small Business Month in October, three New England and North Coast businesses are being highlighted. Steve Shaw runs GH Innovations in Thrumster, helping local firms attract customers through online search and sales improvement. Di Wade runs Rawspice Boutique in South West Rocks, offering independent fashion and lifestyle products. Meagan Hudson and Rory Taylor run Beardy Downs in Emmaville, making small-batch tallow and beeswax products through BD Collection.
Drivers travelling between Armidale and the coast on Waterfall Way should allow extra time from Monday, 26 October, to Sunday, 8 November. Transport for NSW says a string of maintenance jobs and projects may cause cumulative delays, with some sections of up to 10 minutes. Vehicles wider than 3 metres face restrictions on parts of the route, and a permit is needed. Motorists can follow signs and directions from traffic controllers, or use alternative routes including the Oxley Highway, Gwydir Highway or New England Highway.
A black-and-white cat named Max has been reunited with his family in Cherrybrook after two anxious weeks. His owner, Katy, put up 200 missing posters and searched local streets, reaching out to schools, daycares and students. After Max was sighted, animal rescue volunteer Jen safely captured him and returned him to Katy within 24 hours. Katy then posted Found posters to thank the community for its kindness and teamwork.
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has taken up a part-time professor of practice role at the University of Sydney. She will guest-lecture, run masterclasses and mentor students and researchers in the school of public health. Her work will focus on empathetic leadership, social cohesion and civic trust. Ardern, who led New Zealand from 2017 to 2023, said she has been focused on leadership since leaving office. University vice-chancellor Mark Scott said her leadership showed that empathy and resolve can strengthen each other.
A 28-year-old man has been charged after an alleged fight on Banna Avenue in Griffith. Police allege he threw punches at another man in the middle of the street at about 2 am on Sunday, October 25, after being refused entry to pubs. Officers had earlier told him to leave, and police say he later swore at them and kept approaching despite being directed to leave. He was arrested, charged with behaving in an offensive manner in a public place, and granted bail. He is due to appear before Griffith Local Court on November 18.
Sydney will host the 2027 Super Netball Grand Final for the first time since the competition began. The event is expected to attract more than 8,000 visitors and inject more than $4 million into the NSW visitor economy. The match will be played on Saturday 31 July at Afterpay Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, and is proposed rather than confirmed. Netball Australia chair Liz Ellis said the event would celebrate the sport's passion across New South Wales. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state would invest more in netball, one of its biggest participation sports.
New South Wales Police Minister Yasmin Catley has defended the state's gun buyback scheme after 150 applications were lodged in its first hours. Bookings opened on Monday, and the government plans to remove up to 274,000 firearms from the community. Catley said fewer guns in circulation would make the community safer, pointing to firearms stolen across the state. Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has criticised the scheme, arguing it focuses too heavily on licensed owners rather than illegal guns used by organised criminals.
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.
