State politics

Construction is complete and Stage 2 of the Dwellingup Mountain Bike Trail network is now officially open for riding. The multimillion-dollar Dwellingup Adventure Trails project has now delivered a world-class 108-kilometre mountain bike trail network and contributed to establishing Dwellingup as a leading trails destination.

Never has a ‘38 Dodge had such applause on its arrival. When Mark and Sue Butler pulled into town with the 1938 Dodge Kyogle ambulance on the back of their tilt tray truck, everyone wanted to see it ... The Kyogle ambulance has been returned for three months to be part of the Kyogle Memorial Hospital centenary celebrations on November 15.

Steel power poles are being trialled in part of Yanchep with their installation expected to be completed at the end of October, according to Western Power. This week a Western Power spokeswoman said the trial of steel poles was aimed at increasing network resilience.

Don Fuller. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has been trumpeting the economic information provided by the latest CommSec State of the States Economic Report, claiming that this was clear evidence of the government’s success in rebuilding the NT economy.

Victoria has made history, but at what cost to democracy, equality, and social cohesion? Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur has condemned the Allan Labor Government’s Statewide Treaty Bill 2025, describing it as “a monument to division” that undermines equality before the law and the unity of all Victorians.

A small number of local stakeholders were invited by Parks Victoria to climb the scaffolding around Maldon’s Beehive Chimney and inspect the remedial works project on Monday 27 October. It was terrifying and informative, but some members of the community took the opportunity to express discontentment about how the process has been communicated.

The Murray Region Forestry Hub recently hosted its managers, representatives from relevant government agencies and industry groups at a conference. A number of items were listed for discussion as well as a packed field trip including the Visy Pulp and Paper Mill, Hyne Timber, Fire impacted plantation regrowth sites and a trip to Ardrossan to see first hand some of the fire infrastructure investment.

Farmers in the path of the controversial VNI West Transmission Project are set to be steamrolled following the issuing of Section 93 notices to landholders along the proposed VNI West transmission project route, effectively granting compulsory access to private land.

The latest national koala population estimates from CSIRO’s National Koala Monitoring Program (NKMP) have revealed a staggering leap in koala numbers that upends years of alarmism. The 2025 CSIRO report estimates the listed population between 398,000 and 569,000, a dramatic rise from the 2024 estimate of just 95,000 to 238,000.  

The controversy enveloping Clarence Valley Council was raised in the NSW Legislative Council last week, when Dr Amanda Cohn unleashed her opinion under parliamentary privilege, putting local Government Minister Ron Hoenig on notice. The statement follows the polarising “Wrecking Ball” leaked internal Clarence Valley Council email concerning a ‘suggested’ Council staff skit in the award-winning Jacaranda Festival.

Hugh Schuitemaker. Significant infrastructure upgrades at Renmark's Bookmark Creek – allowing for improved natural water flows, better conditions for native fish and other species, and greater recreational opportunities – have been completed.

Navigating through the forms and criteria for help with flood impacted homes can be complex and difficult. The NSW Reconstruction Authority, through the Resilient Home Program, is offering assistance for residents to protect their homes from future damage — whether that’s by raising, retrofitting, rebuilding or relocating their properties to safer ground.

Port Pirie Regional Council is delighted to announce that the State Government, through the South Australian Tourism Commission’s (SATC) Drought Relief Regional Event Fund, has committed support for Our Youth / Our Festival, a brand-new community celebration designed and delivered by young people in Port Pirie.

The Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (NT DAF) Livestock Industries team together with farm staff at the Old Man Plains (OMP) Research Station, are running an Artificial Insemination (AI) program to introduce new genetics to the OMP research cattle herd.

Neoen, one of the world’s leading producers of exclusively renewable energy, is today celebrating the inauguration of its 412 MW Goyder South Wind Farm in South Australia. Located on the lands of the Ngadjuri Nation near the town of Burra in SA’s Mid North region, Goyder South is the largest wind farm in the State and in Neoen’s portfolio.

South Australia’s Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Outback has been named one of the world’s top travel destinations for the year ahead; the only Australian place to make the list. Global travel authority, Lonely Planet, unveiled its top destinations with the release of its Best in Travel list for 2026 today with the Flinders Ranges & Outback listed among globally renowned tourist destinations...

Gulf and North West deserve service, not continued failures, Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger Robbie Katter has said. Mr Katter reiterated his call for genuine reform to air transport services in the region, noting that the fleet that the new American owners have acquired is not fit for purpose in the Gulf.

Aboriginal communities across NSW are working with Forestry Corporation to integrate cultural burning into government bushfire management frameworks. These local partnerships, under the Federal Government-funded program Fire, Country and People, aim to strengthen community resilience to major bushfire events and improve land management practices across traditional Aboriginal lands.  

Forest Fire Management Victoria’s (FFMVic) newest recruits are gearing up for the summer bushfire season, undertaking intensive training camps across the state.

Michelle Daw. Yorke Peninsula's commercial fishers have again called for a ban on all fishing in Gulf St Vincent to allow stocks to rebuild. Russell Boord, of Port Moorowie, said the extent of the damage caused by the bloom required drastic measures, and backed the request for a ban made by commercial fishers to the Senate's algal bloom inquiry committee in Ardrossan in early September.

White Cliffs dugouts are some of the most unique homes in the country, but the underground residents say the stress of ongoing ownership issues is affecting their health and stifling new businesses ... The ongoing land tenure dispute at White Cliffs, NSW, is a deeply complex problem, but behind the Native Title legalities are real people, and decades of frustrated community expectations. As expected, when homes and businesses are threatened, emotions run high.