Back Country Bulletin

Publisher details

News from Hay, Balranald, Central Darling and
Carrathool shires.

Launched September 2024.

Online news

BCB news app:
App Store I Google Play

Murray-Darling water allocations: where things stand heading into winter 2026

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin
Dams & water
For irrigators across the Riverina and communities across the Far West, the water picture heading into winter 2026 is one that demands close attention. The key dam levels as of 25 May paint a mixed picture. Burrinjuck Dam, which drives allocations for the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and surrounding districts centred on Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera, is at 38 per cent.

White Cliffs mining saved: Federal native title deal ends mining freeze

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin
Business
The Commonwealth Government has formally issued a Native Title Determination for the White Cliffs opal fields, bringing to an end a period of administrative gridlock that had threatened the economic viability of the historic mining outpost. The declaration of the White Cliffs Main Field as an "Approved Opal or Gem Mining Area" under Section 26C of the Native Title Act 1993 now provides a legal framework for the granting and renewal of mineral claims.

Menindee resident raises alarm over upper lakes releases as environmental concerns mount

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin
Federal politics
A Menindee resident has raised concerns about water releases from the upper lakes of the Menindee Lakes system, warning they could contribute to ongoing environmental deterioration in the Lower Darling-Baaka River system.

Body found in 109-day hunt for Lake Cargelligo shooting suspect Julian Ingram

Council Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -
A body believed to be Julian Ingram, the Lake Cargelligo man sought over a triple murder in January, has been found in bushland near Mount Hope, ending a 109-day search that spanned hundreds of thousands of acres of remote Central West New South Wales.

Dry winter looms: NSW drought footprint set to expand

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin
Agriculture
New South Wales is facing an increasingly parched winter outlook as latest data reveals a looming expansion of drought conditions across the northeast, southeast, and western regions of the state. The latest Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) map ... paints a sobering picture of the state's agricultural landscape.

Rare native lilies spotted flowering on stock reserve north of Deniliquin

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin
Flora
A striking patch of native Garland lilies has been found flowering on a Travelling Stock Reserve north of Deniliquin, discovered by a NSW Government Murray LLS staff member during routine work in the area. The lilies, known scientifically as Calostemma purpureum and also referred to as Wilcannia lilies, are a native species...

Articles

Murray-Darling water allocations: where things stand heading into winter 2026

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

White Cliffs mining saved: Federal native title deal ends mining freeze

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin -

Menindee resident raises alarm over upper lakes releases as environmental concerns mount

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Body found in 109-day hunt for Lake Cargelligo shooting suspect Julian Ingram

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Dry winter looms: NSW drought footprint set to expand

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin -

Rare native lilies spotted flowering on stock reserve north of Deniliquin

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Gun buyback hits wall as majority of states refuse to sign up

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Will the grey nomads come this winter? The fuel crisis puts outback tourism on the line

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Broken Hill council wins millions in Supreme Court battle over impossible legal bill

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -

Nursing body demands urgent Medicare overhaul for remote Australia

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin -

“A tough operator”: Bob Katter heads south to back Michelle Milthorpe in Farrer by-election

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin -

Irrigators face tighter rules as NSW lifts Menindee threshold for floodplain harvesting

Kimberly Grabham, Back Country Bulletin -
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About Back Country Bulletin

The Back Country Bulletin (BCB News app) covers the local government areas of Hay, Balranald, Central Darling and Carrathool shires.

We are committed to covering the news, sport, events and people who make up these incredible back country towns and regions.

As social media continues to serve up unverified information we strive to deliver factual information relevant to you and your community.

To stay informed we suggest you leave notifications on – we’ll keep you informed on key stories, emergency alerts and the information you need.

The Back Country Bulletin (BCB News app) is owned and managed by The Riverine Grazier Pty Ltd, 95 Lachlan St Hay NSW 2711.

Editor/ App Manager: Krista Schade
Advertising and design: Cheyenne Hurst
Reporters: Tertia Butcher, Kimberly Grabham, Krista Schade and Cheyenne Hurst.

BCB – Back Country Bulletin – News from the Back Country

https://backcountrybulletin.app
App Store I Google Play

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