Three North Coast businesses are being highlighted for Small Business Month. Deano Hill runs Urunga Mowing & Maintenance, offering lawn, garden and home repair services to local residents, particularly older people. Layla Berlanga founded Persona Web Development, building hand-coded websites for small businesses and solo practitioners. Rachel Brown runs Rachel Brown Nourishment in Uralla, creating an online community for women focused on nutrition and wellbeing through different stages of life.
Uralla, NSW, has enhanced its water infrastructure through a state-funded initiative targeting leak detection and network efficiency. The project, completed by Uralla Shire Council, introduced advanced monitoring systems and upgraded measurement tools to minimise water loss and bolster supply reliability. Mayor Robert Bell highlighted the long-term advantages, including improved decision-making for future investments and proactive management of water resources. The upgrades encompass new technology at the treatment plant and better mapping of underground pipes, with ongoing assessments to identify and address potential issues. This initiative aims to strengthen the town's water security and ensure responsible resource management for residents.
Steven Head has been appointed as the new interim CEO of Parramatta Council, replacing Gail Connolly, who left a year ago. Head has held leadership roles in several NSW councils and Transport for NSW. Lord Mayor Cameron MacLean said Head’s experience will guide the council through Parramatta’s growth. Head’s appointment follows a recruitment process and will last 12 months, starting October 26.
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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.
Three in four Australians say a $20 weekly rise in rent or mortgage would force them to cut back, according to an Everybody’s Home survey of 1,150 people. Of those, 41 per cent said they could not afford it or would need to cut essentials such as food, medication or bills. Many respondents also said they had delayed major life decisions, including saving for retirement. Everybody’s Home has called for minimum standards for rental homes, limits on unfair rent increases and more public and community housing.
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.
Forty-four per cent of GPs now name medical misinformation as a challenge in their work, up from 35 per cent last year. The figures come from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners' 2026 Health of the Nation report, based on a survey of more than 2,700 GPs. RACGP president Dr Michael Wright said patients increasingly turn to online platforms, social media and AI tools for health information before seeing a doctor. He said inaccurate advice can delay diagnosis and put health at risk.
Community groups and councils in the Parkes electorate have until 5pm on Monday, 2 November to seek up to $20,000 for small infrastructure projects. Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey says expressions of interest for Round 10 of the Stronger Communities Programme close on that date. Each electorate has $150,000 available. Eligible not-for-profit groups can receive funding covering up to 100 per cent of project costs, while councils must contribute at least 50 per cent. Expressions of interest go to Mr Chaffey's office.
Telstra maintenance in Tamworth's central business district will temporarily reduce mobile coverage, starting on Monday, 26 October, and lasting two days. The mobile site serving the area will be switched off for short periods, which could disrupt calls, mobile data, mobile EFTPOS terminals and medical or personal safety devices. Businesses can check with their bank or payment provider about processing payments through the NBN or Wi-Fi. Telstra customers with Wi-Fi can enable Wi-Fi Calling. Emergency calls to Triple Zero (000) may still connect through another mobile network. NBN, satellite, landline and other providers' mobile services will not be affected.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
Credit Corp Group, which buys bad debts at a discount and collects them, is on track for another record result this year. The listed business posted a record $105.5 million net profit in 2025/26 and is targeting between $112 million and $120 million this financial year. Chief executive Thomas Beregi told shareholders the purchase of one of HSBC's run-off credit card books was a key driver. Its consumer lending arms grew almost a fifth in the September quarter, led by its Wallet Wizard loans, which carry an annual interest rate of 47.8 per cent.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Cycleway Ramp has been officially named Patyegarang, after a Cammeraygal woman who helped bridge colonial and Indigenous communities. The name was chosen through a collaborative process with local Aboriginal community members. Transport for NSW has also unveiled new bronze signage and a cyclist counter board, which shows live usage statistics. The ramp's opening in January has led to a 30% increase in cycleway usage, averaging 1,600 daily riders over the past six months.
