Around 7:15pm on Saturday 28 December police officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District and Operational Support Group operatives from Central North Police District executed a search warrant at a property in Ross Street, Coonamble. A 19-year old man, who is subject to a prohibition order, was alleged to be in possession of a firearm. Police allege they also found ammunition, a flick-style knife and cannabis.  The man was arrested and taken to Coonamble Police Station where he was charged with acquiring ammunition contrary to his firearms prohibition order, possession of ammunition without holding licence, and possession of a prohibited drug.    The same address in Ross Street, Coonamble was subject to a tactical police raid on Wednesday 20 November, which saw heavily armed police arrest an 18-year-old wanted over an alleged break and enter in Arthur Street between 22 and 31 October.   On this occasion, the man was refused bail and appeared via audio-visual link before Parramatta Local Court on Sunday 29 December. He was then granted conditional bail and will appear before Coonamble Local Court on Tuesday 21 January 2025. 

NSW Health is warning the community about the dangers of unexpected drugs in cocaine after three recent overdoses including one death. Two people remain in intensive care and one person has died in NSW as a result of overdose in the past week. All cases experienced severe sedative effects and altered behaviour.The white powder associated with the cases was presumed to be cocaine by those using it, but was found to contain bromazolam, a type of benzodiazepine with strong, sometimes unexpected effects and 2C-B, a hallucinogen. NSW Poisons Information Centre Acting Medical Director Professor Andrew Dawson said the risk of severe overdose or death is increased when people use a drug that they are not expecting. “One of the dangers of illicit drug supply is the strength and contents of the substance you are getting is unknown and can be inconsistent,” Professor Dawson said.“Anyone who experiences unexpected sedative effects such as difficulty speaking or walking, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing/snoring and skin turning blue/grey should seek medical care immediately."“If you are feeling unwell, stay with friends or around other people. Don’t go home alone to sleep it off," Professor Dawson said.“Stimulants such as cocaine have also been found containing opioids. It's strongly recommended that anyone who uses illicit drugs carry naloxone.“Although naloxone does not reverse the effects of benzodiazepines or hallucinogens, if you are concerned that someone is having an overdose, naloxone is safe to use in these circumstances.”Take home naloxone is a life-saving treatment which can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose.Anyone who uses naloxone should call Triple Zero (000) for an Ambulance immediately after use for follow up care. You won't get into trouble for seeking medical care. If you feel unwell, or if your friend feels unwell, do something about it.Take home naloxone is available as an easy-to-use nasal spray or injection from some pharmacies and other health services. For more information on the take-home naloxone program visit: Your Room - Naloxone​.Naloxone is available from the NUAA via mail in a discreet package. Order via their online shop​​ or call (02) 9171 6650.Anyone who has concerns about adverse effects from drugs should contact the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, at any time 24/7.For support and information on drug and alcohol problems, contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 250 015. This is a 24/7 service offering confidential and anonymous telephone counselling and information.​NSW public drug warnings are available at Public drug warnings.​​

The historic mining region of Mount Hope, south of Cobar is the latest area in the neighbourhood to face renewed prospects, fuelled by high mineral prices and more savvy surveying tools.At its peak the copper mine at Mount Hope (pictured below) was serviced by a bustling community of workers, its own rail line and four hotels. It was lucrative in its copper production and helped establish the Cobar Basin’s prolific mineral beginnings.These days, the name is more ironic, with a population of nine, it is largely identified as the final stop on the Kidman Way as travellers move between Hillston and Cobar.But all that could change after the successful ASX listing by junior explorer, Mount Hope Mining Limited (MHM).MHM were the last company to list on the ASX this calendar year, and in what financiers would describe as ‘challenging’ conditions to raise, managed to attract $5 million in investment and found themselves oversubscribed.Company Managing Director, Fergus Kiley is excited about their prospects. “There is definitely renewed focus on mining in the Cobar region. For years, it’s been somewhat of a forgotten area in mining, but that’s not the case now.”MHM has purchased four mining tenements in and around the historic Mount Hope copper mine.  The metal prices currently on offer for gold and copper have been encouraging enough to begin plans for detailed exploration, utilising more advanced geophysical tools.“The region has a lot going for it. It has a prolific history in copper and is a ‘mine friendly’ area, which makes it easy for us to access. There is also a lot of support in terms of accommodation for our staff at a camp set up by a neighbouring pastoralist, and our aggregation is right next to the Kidman Way, making it ideal to get surveying equipment in and out of,” Mr Kiley said.“We had our land access agreements in place prior to listing on the ASX. In WA, mining has become a lot more challenging, so to be in this position now is a great advantage.”MHM will now unfurl a two-year exploration campaign across an area of 175 square kilometres, taking in five historic mines.“We have quality targets in mind,” Mr Kiley said, listing extensions of Mount Hope, Mount Solitary, Mount Solar, Comet and Great Central.The Comet mine, above, forms part of the tenement that will be explored over the next two years. (Image, supplied).Those plans consolidate a year of renewed fortunes in the mining sector within the Cobar Basin.As Polymetals moves ahead with planned production, bringing the historic Endeavor Mine out of care and maintenance mode, Helix Resources has actively begun exploration of the region east of Cobar for copper and gold.“Cobar is one of the most resurgent mineral provinces in Australia right now,” Mr Kiley said. “There’s a saying that the best place to find your next deposit is in the shadow of a head frame. It’s our intention not just to explore the region and get more knowledge on what’s underground, but I want to advance to the point of putting a mine into production.”A matter of time – Council GMPeter Vlatko, general manager of the Cobar Shire Council welcomed MHM’s plans in the south Cobar Basin.He said historically mining companies had ‘mined what they stumbled upon.”“The whole region is full of minerals and it’s just a matter of these companies being lucky enough to find them,” Mr Vlatko said.“I’m really excited and know the whole region has capacity, subject to investment and resources to find more and turn these prospects into a mine which will then make Cobar great.”

As people all over the nation rise and shine this New Year's Day, it is for most, a time of reflection and quiet excitement for the year ahead.At the top of the list for a high number of people is taking back control of health and lifestyle, for weight loss, new fitness goals and a better and improved new year moving forward.It is also a busy time for gyms and fitness centres as people flock to join and start their new fitness journey.Rani Dunn of ‘Fitness Shed’ in Nyngan said the beginning of a new year is always exciting as new people step through the door keen to get to work.“At this time of year, we usually see an increase of new members wanting to get active and join for a gym membership.memRani Dunn with a group of members at The Fitness Shed in Nyngan - Image courtesy The Fitness Shed New members usually range in ages from 50 plus all the way down to 17-year-olds wanting to get a kick start into the new year.“Some years I have found people joining but not using the gym as frequently as they have said initially, to help with this, especially if they have never used equipment or programs before in a gym, I like to give people a run-down of the equipment so they can feel confident to get started with what they want to achieve.The Fitness Shed run club in Nyngan.Rani offers the following advice, “getting there is the hardest part, once you get yourself to the gym and have a program to follow it is easier to keep motivated and determined to go,” she said.“I have found, and even for myself, I love a group environment especially one that is friendly and non-judgemental. Daniel Thornton of Flexible Fitness Solutions - Image supplied.“At the start of a new year, people often think about what they want to do differently – like breaking bad habits, improving their physical and mental health, or finding a better work-life balance says Daniel Thornton of Flexible Fitness Solutions.“Things like fitness, nutrition, and mental health are all a big part of that, so we see more people jump on the New Year’s resolution band wagon and an increase in membership during this time.“We love that our gym caters to clients of all ages and abilities, including the disabled community, so everyone has access to a fitness journey if they wish.“Many clients see great results when they start in the new year, if they follow the program and nutrition plan and stick to it, they will see progress.“Working one-on-one with clients for both fitness and nutrition, motivating and holding them accountable makes a big difference.According to Daniel there are a few things that may help people ease in gym use and staying on track for their fitness goals.“Firstly, make sure you’re serious about making a change. If you’ve trained before, you know how great you feel afterwards and how it positively impacts your mental health, but you need to be fully committed.“Having support helps, whether it’s from friends or couples working together – this can really make a difference.“Consistency is key, so aim for at least two to three gym sessions a week along with a solid nutrition plan, which we can help with.“Stay positive and keep reminding yourself why you want to do this. It’s not going to be one of those New Year’s resolutions you forget in a month – it’s a life change,” he said.Whether it’s off to the gym, joining a run club, cycling, swimming, dancing or chair yoga in your home, the key takeaway is consistency and the best advice – JUST START.Happy new year to all our Western Plains readers!!

Rural doctors are hoping that residents enjoy themselves in a safe and healthy way as they ring in the New Year celebrations tonight.At traditionally one of the busiest times in our remote and regional emergency departments, the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) said most reasons behind a visit to hospital at this time are avoidable with common-sense.“Unsurprisingly, over-indulging in alcohol is one of the biggest reasons why patients come to the hospital over the festive season” RDAA President, Dr RT Lewandowski, said.“Many choose to drink more alcohol at this time of year than they normally would – and this leads to problems.“Make sure you take a safe and measured approach to your alcohol intake during the New Year festivities, to avoid a trip to the hospital ED,” Dr Lewandowski said.“Ensure you are swapping out some of your alcoholic drinks for things like water, juice, soft drinks and even alcohol-free beer, and pace yourself on your alcohol intake.“It also goes without saying that you shouldn’t attempt to drive, swim, ride a bike or do anything that requires extra co-ordination or focus if you have had too much to drink…it’s a sure fire way to injure yourself and others.“Unfortunately, the festive season is also a time when recreational drug users may take more drugs than usual – this is definitely something to avoid.”A Western Plains healthcare worker who locums in the region said many of the injuries he saw at this time of year were preventable.“Our regional and remote health facilities are there to support you, but let’s not put undue pressure on them. And if we all play it safe, that’s the best approach.“On a night like New Year’s Eve let’s aim for fun, mixed with good sense. Having a designated driver is something I would suggest is essential if you are travelling off-property. And definitely, rehydrate as you celebrate,” he said.“There is a higher propensity for road accidents in remote areas, and to a large degree those incidents are avoidable. “Stay safe, stay happy, enjoy your community.”Unexpected dangersOther dangers lurk around the New Year’s Eve party, too…“We often have people presenting with stomach pain at hospital EDs, either because they have over-indulged with their food intake at Christmas and New Year parties or have fallen victim to food poisoning” Dr Lewandowski said.“Over-indulgence is easy to avoid – as with alcohol, pace yourself with your food intake, and ensure you are leaving a few of those tasty nibblies until later.“Food safety, however, is a critical responsibility that falls on everyone, from the party host through to the invited guests – make sure you are only preparing and eating food that has been properly stored and cooked (particularly when it comes to cooking meat), ensure you wash your hands thoroughly before helping in the kitchen and before eating, and make sure those leftovers are not left in the fridge past their safe eating date.”Dr Lewandowski said all advice was something our communities were aware of, but needed to keep at the forefront of their minds. "We want people to have fun, but they're not going to be having fun if they are sitting in an ED."

Western Plains wetlands are at the heart of ongoing research into bird life and ecosystems, shedding light on the vital link between water management and wildlife in the Murray-Darling Basin.As part of the FLOW-MER (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research) program led by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CWEH), scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) are closely monitoring the outcomes of water delivery and management across the basin.This year, the Lower Balonne River system which includes the internationally significant, Ramsar-listed Narran Lakes (Dharriwaa) joined the network of study areas which also includes the Macquarie Marshes, located north of Warren.Heading the Lower Balonne Flow-MER project team is UNSW’s Dr Kate Brandis, who collaborates with researchers and stakeholders to maximise the impact of water management on bird breeding success.According to Dr Brandis, conditions following the floods two years ago have been ideal for aggregating waterbirds—species that breed in large colonies.“These species include ibises, pelicans, egrets, cormorants, and herons,” Dr Brandis said.“They are opportunistic breeders, nesting only when conditions are suitable."Natural flooding, combined with environmental water management, has led to significant breeding events throughout the northern and central southern Murray-Darling Basin.”The team’s work included fortnightly visits to wetlands and rural sites, enabling real-time updates to water managers to help decision making that would best sustain healthy wetlands and support thriving bird populations.A flock of pied stilt can be heard calling in the Narran Lakes audio recording.Cutting-Edge Monitoring TechniquesFrom mid-August to early September this year, advanced acoustic monitoring was deployed at Narran Lakes.Three recorders at Back Lake, Long Arm, and South Arm collected approximately two weeks of data.Using Cornell University’s BirdNET artificial intelligence models, researchers identified 190 bird species.Highlights of the findings include:Back Lake: 129 species, with 15 unique to the site.Long Arm: 131 species, with 17 unique to the site.South Arm: 145 species, with 25 unique to the site.As more data is retrieved, researchers will analyse seasonal shifts in species composition, weather impacts, and water availability.The vast amount of data anticipated will require UNSW’s High-Performance Computing system for processing.Dr Brandis emphasised the broader significance of the observation work.“By focusing on indicator species like ibis and cormorants, we can ensure conditions are suitable for a wide range of waterbirds and maintain robust ecosystems,” she said.Keen bird lovers can test their knowledge by listening to the UNSW recording of the bird calls at Narran Lake.Experienced ears can hear little grassbirds, black swans, Eurasian coots, pied stilts (a flock flying over) and Australian reed warblers in the recording.

Residents of Western NSW are being warned to protect themselves from mosquito bites, following the detection of the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) virus in Narromine Shire.The virus was detected in feral pigs in the region, during routine surveillance prior to Christmas.The discovery follows a similar detection in the Murrumbidgee area, and has been linked to the hotter, wetter build up to summer. Experts say the La Nina weather patterns experienced in inland NSW and Victoria have created prime mosquito breeding conditions.NSW Health's Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Jeremy McAnulty said the detections were concerning as the number of mosquitoes will increase over coming months.“We remind everyone in NSW to protect themselves against mosquito borne diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, Murray Valley encephalitis, Ross River virus and Barmah forest virus," Dr McAnulty said. “The detections of JE virus near Griffith and Narromine indicate that the risk for JEV transmission is likely broad, particularly in the 55 NSW LGAs that have been identified to be at higher risk of JE in the inland regions of NSW.”Growing number of regions at riskGraph provided by NSW Health.A large number of the ‘at risk’ areas include LGA’s in the Western Plains region. Including:BoganBourkeBrewarrinaCentral DarlingCobarCoonamble​​NarromineWalgettWarrenWarrumbungleJE can have affect people differently. Impacts range from:Mild symptoms: Fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, or abdominal painSevere symptoms: Neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, coma, seizures, or paralysisChildren: Gastrointestinal pain and vomiting may be the initial symptomsSymptoms usually appear five to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. If you experience symptoms, contact a doctor right away. “There is a safe, effective and free vaccine to protect against JE which is available to anyone who lives or routinely works in these 55 LGAs and for people who work in some other high-risk occupations,” Dr McAnulty said. The JE vaccine is available through local General Practitioners, Aboriginal health services and pharmacists. People who meet the eligibility criteria should make an appointment ahead of time and let them know it is for the JE vaccine. These providers may require a few days’ notice so they can order the vaccine.  Take preventative action Actions to prevent mosquito bites include:  Applying repellent to exposed skin. Use repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Check the label for reapplication times Re-applying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming. Be sure to apply sunscreen first and then apply repellentWearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, long pants and covered footwear. and socks Avoiding going outdoors during peak mosquito times, especially dawn and dusk Using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas) Covering windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps Removing items that may collect water such as old tyres and empty pots from around your home to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed Using repellents that are safe for children. Most skin repellents are safe for use on children aged three months and older. Always check the label for instructions Protecting infants aged less than three months by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting, secured along the edges While camping, use a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering or sleep under a mosquito net   Information on eligibility for a free JE vaccine is available on Japanese encephalitis vaccination. For further information on JE virus and ways to protect yourself visit Mosquito borne diseases.​​  

 With Australia being the driest inhabited continent, drought is an expected and accepted part of life on the land. However it can hit families, businesses, communities and regional economies hard and like other disasters, being prepared and ready to respond is paramount.With this in mind the Australian Government has drafted a new drought plan. “Farmers can’t control markets or the weather, but they can (and do) prepare for shocks." "For drought, that means getting ready when times are good, making informed decisions as the weather becomes drier, drawing on reserves in drought, and bouncing back when conditions improve,” says Julie Collins Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in her foreword of the new Drought Plan. Image courtesy NSW Government Water The Australian Government has co-signed National Drought Agreement 2024 to 2029 with state and territory governments, released the Future Drought Fund Drought Resilience Funding Plan 2024 to 2028, and delivered the Drought plan for proactive preparation for future drought conditions.With climate models predicting more and longer lasting droughts, the plan has been devised by experts and stakeholders via several streams of consultation and agreement.A National Drought Forum in conjunction with the National Farmers Federation in September 2023 featured panel discussions and workshops on building the financial resilience of farmers, improving community engagement, supporting better decision-making by stakeholders and improving information flows. The findings of these sessions informed the plan. The drought policy aims to: build the drought resilience of farming businesses by enabling preparedness, risk management and financial self-relianceensure an appropriate safety net is always available to those experiencing hardshipencourage stakeholders to work together to address the challenges of drought. The Plan aims to support the agricultural sector to manage drought by preparing (before drought, for drier times ahead), responding during drought (implementing plans and strategies to manage impacts) and recovering after drought (to recover and consider lessons learned).  Figure 1 Timeline of Australian Government drought policy  It is based on a four-pillar guideline, which includes: Evidence based decision making, helping farming businesses and communities to plan along with a drought response framework.Strategic drought support across the drought cycle, enabling preparedness and risk management, providing support during drought and facilitating recovery.Working together through shared responsibilities.Learning and improving - a framework to guide the implementation of the Plan. The comprehensive document looks at all aspects of drought by also linking to other areas such as water, climate adaptation and mitigation, health, animal welfare, biosecurity, pest and weeds, regional investment, natural resource management and biodiversity and disaster response and resilience. According to a Western area farmer this drought plan can only be a good thing. “Over the years the bureaucrats have seemed to flounder when it comes to preparation for drought due to a disconnect between those in suits in the city who make policies and those on the ground battling the fallout that drought causes to both farmers and community,” he said. “A higher understanding of what happens in regional and rural areas in terms of the food making belt would go a long way to educating people that farmers are not just a pack of whingers but have a vital role to play in feeding the nation, which is sorely tested in times of drought. “Hopefully a true consultation with farmers has played a part in the new plan and it will make a positive difference moving forward." Julie Collins Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. IMAGE: Julie Collins MP instagramMinister Collins says the government has taken the time to listen to develop this Drought Plan. “It is the culmination of a review of the previous plan, public consultations, and ongoing discussions with a broad range of government and non-government stakeholders. “It proposes a way to help farming businesses and communities continue to adapt. I encourage everyone with an interest in the future of Australian agriculture to read and share this plan."

The NSW Government has given 14 councils access to upfront natural disaster recovery payments through new funding arrangements including the shires of Walgett, Coonamble, Warren and Brewarrina. With 19 other councils already having signed Tripartite Agreements with Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority, the program will give councils the opportunity to receive accelerated funding for repairs to roads and transport infrastructure caused by natural disasters. Prior to this arrangement, councils were forced to spend money from their own coffers to undertake repairs and afterwards claim the costs back through the Australian and NSW Governments Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, in many cases placing heavy strains on council finances. When councils sign the Tripartite Agreement, they are then able to access funding in advance, for the start of each project, rather than at the end, therefore leading to less financial pressure on councils, better collaboration between state and local government agencies and much faster repairs for communities after natural disasters.Image courtesy NSW Parliament Warren Shire Council has been placed in Tranche three of the Tripartite Agreement according to Sylvester Otieno – Divisional Manager Engineering Services Warren Shire Council. “The agreement would ensure we get paid before, during and after completing flood recovery works, thus better cashflow for us,” said Mr Otieno."In the current arrangement, we are required to use our own money to implement the flood recovery works then claim at the end. The works take a while to implement, then there is a lengthy and rigorous claim process before any payment is made. "The impact of all these is that we might exhaust our funds and reserves before we get paid. Noting that the cost of our 2021 and 2022 flood recovery works is over $13 million - more than double our rate revenue," he added. NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison - Image courtesy NSW Parliament“Following a natural disaster, road infrastructure is one of the things most affected and needing to be repaired quickly so communities can reconnect, and goods and services can start moving again,” according to NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison. “Prior to the terrible natural disasters in 2022 only $190 million a year was allocated for disaster recovery for roads. “Under these new agreements, we have already seen more than $304 million in fast-tracked funding roll out to repair roads and transport infrastructure damaged in natural disasters,” Ms Aitchison added. Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin - Image courtesy NSW ParliamentAccording to Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin, this is a great example of the NSW Government working with local communities to get them back on their feet quickly after a disaster. “In the past councils might have had to wait months, sometimes years, before being reimbursed for the cost of disaster-related repairs. Councils that have signed up to the Tripartite Agreements can now get it without delay. “Clearing financial and some of the administrative hurdles will make an enormous difference and I am pleased to be part of a government that has listened to the needs of communities and acted.” 

Western bee keepers will benefit from a team of 48 trainers who have been deployed to help prepare for Varroa mite. The trainers have been upskilled and appointed across every state and territory to hold Varroa management workshops aimed at helping keepers tackle the parasite, which can cripple hives. The announcement on trainer deployment, made 16 December, comes just over 12 months after the National Management Group decided Varroa mite eradication was no longer possible. “Following the decision to transition to management, the National Management Group agreed that widespread education and training was essential for industries to continue to move forward”, National Varroa Transition to Management Coordinator Tamara Prentice said. “This is a positive outcome for all beekeepers, and I urge them to take advantage of the trainers' expertise, even if the parasite has yet to be detected in their area.” The free workshops were first held in February 2024. No new workshops are scheduled so far for the Western Plains region, although trainers are able to come and present tailored sessions to groups of beekeepers if asked. A hotspot map of Varroa mite detections since June 2022. The cooler colours indicate no detection from inspection IMAGE: NSW GovernmentVarroa mite were first detected in June 2022 in the Port of Newcastle. They have also been detected in at least one hive in the Narromine area in the last 16 weeks, according to the NSW government's Varrao mite heat map. Narromine recreational beekeeper Ross Campbell, who has been keeping bees since about 1969, said he is concerned for the future of his hives."You can get rid of American foulbrood, you can get rid of European Foulbrood, you can get rid of all the other stuff. You can't ever get rid of mites. Never, never, ever will we get rid of mites," Mr Campbell said. "People come to me and they say, 'well you're a very experienced beekeeper. What do we do?' "I generally say I am just as much in the dark as you guys are regarding these mites. It's a learning game for all of us." The workshops run under the National Varroa Mite Management Program, while the NSW government says another 272 have been locked in across Australia for 2025. 

Residents of Warrumbungle Shire Council are being called on for community feedback of its Draft Crown Reserves Generic Plan of Management following changes to The Crown Lands Management Act.  All NSW Councils have now been handed the care and control of physical management and maintenance of Crown Reserves, which includes the responsibility to categorise and prepare Plans of Management for their current and future uses. With the abolishment of the previous Reserve Trusts, The Crown Land Management Act 2016 has made important changes which will see individual councils manage certain Crown Reserves directly. Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Kathryn Rindfleish. “This draft Crown Reserves Generic Plan of Management consolidates the management of multiple Crown Reserves into a single, accessible document,” according to Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Kathryn Rindfleish. “These Reserves are now classified as community land under the Local Government Act 1993 and include areas dedicated for community and public purposes right across our Shire.” Binnaway Len Guy Park - Image courtesy Warrumbungle Shire CouncilCouncil has placed its Draft Crown Reserves Generic Plan of Management on public exhibition to allow the community to view, read, understand and provide feedback on the plan, following the Minister’s consent and approval by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to do so. “Engaging with our community is vital in shaping how we manage our shared spaces,” said Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor Councillor Kathryn Rindfleish. “The Draft Crown Reserves Generic Plan of Management represents a significant step in our transition to more effective management of Crown lands. We encourage all residents to review the plan and provide their feedback.” The areas of Coolah, Coonabarabran, Leadville, Dunedoo, Baradine, Neilrex, Merrygoen, Mendooran, Ulamambri and Greenbah have all been taken into account and objectives put in place.Nicole Benson Director Technical Services Warrumbungle Shire Council.The Plan was adopted by Council at their meeting on Thursday and will be placed on the website, according to Nicole Benson Director Technical Services Warrumbungle Shire Council. "Council has not yet identified which projects will be undertaken as a priority. Works identified within the PoM will compete against other projects within Council’s Delivery Program and subsequent Operational Plans for resources. Other sources of funds include developer contributions and/or grant funding and these will be sought where applicable," said Ms Benson.Coonabarabran - Image courtesy Visit NSW“Warrumbungle Shire has 56 Crown reserves in this Plan under its care as Crown Land Manager. This is in addition to Council-owned parcels of community land which Council manages on behalf of the community,” according to the Planning document. Residents are able to submit written feedback via the “Have Your Say” tab on Council’s website. The Council is committed to transparency and welcomes all voices in this crucial planning process. https://www.warrumbungle.nsw.gov.au/

If you’re planning to explore any of our local NSW National Parks this holiday season, be aware of possible closures, which can be announced at short notice.Fire danger is the main reason for closure at this time of year, and National Parks NSW advises that this can bring about rules and restrictions for the safety of visitors and protection of parks.This can include full or partial closures of specific areas.Over Christmas, the weather has been on the boil across the Western Plains.Currently, the Bureau of Meteorology is warning of a ‘three-day heatwave situation’, that will affect parts of the state from Saturday, December 28 until Monday December 30.Some Western Plains locations are already sweltering with 40 degrees predicted at Coonamble and 42 degrees at Walgett today.Bourke is expecting 40 degrees on New Year’s Eve.With high temperatures, comes extreme fire danger.Warrumbungle National Park walking tracks and remote campsites are closed today, Friday December 27 and will reopen on Saturday December 28 at 9am.The following walking tracks will remain open today - White Gum Lookout walking track, Wambelong nature trail and Gurianawa circuit.The following campsites remain open: Blackman, Walaay, Wambelong.Camp Blackman in Warrumbungle National Park was still open today, while other parts of the park were closed due to fire danger.Pilliga National Park is currently entirely closed and is also scheduled to reopen tomorrow, Saturday December 28 at 9am.This closure affects all Pilliga Forest visitor areas, including popular locations such as Sandstone Caves walking track, Sculptures in the Scrub visitor area, walking track, picnic and camping area, Salt Caves visitor area, picnic and camping area and PilligaForest Visitor Lookout Tower.The Boonalla Aboriginal Area, which is situated approximately 20 kilometres of Gunnedah is also currently closed and will re-open tomorrow, Saturday December 28 at 9am.Jasmine Offerman from the Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre in Baradine, said the precautionary closure looked on track to be lifted as planned tomorrow, due to a downgrade in fire danger.“At this stage, fire danger is extreme,” Ms Offerman said.“Tomorrow, it looks like the fire danger will be downgraded, but will still be high."At this stage, we are expecting the Pilliga and Boonalla Aboriginal Areas should reopen as planned tomorrow.”Conditions change quickly, and Ms Offerman said the best way to be across any closures, was to head to the National Parks NSW website.“You can search up particular parks or campsites and it will bring up any closure alerts,” she said.“These are updated as soon as things change, so are very accurate.“Our parks are really popular, and get busy over the summer period, and any closures are done for good reason.”To check current National Park closures, visit the website and search for your desired park: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/alerts/alerts-list

Farmers are being reminded of new wage theft laws that will come into play from 1 January 2025.  Under the new laws, harsh criminal penalties will now apply for businesses that intentionally underpay their employees, regardless of the degree of the underpayment.  NSW Farmers workplace relations spokesperson Peter Wilson said the changes come as an opportunity for farm businesses to not only review their compliance with workplace laws but also to reinforce their reputation as fair and responsible employers.  “Whether you have one employee or 50, it’s important to remember that farms, like any other professional enterprise, need to stay ahead of these important changes to workplace law,” Mr Wilson said. “Ensuring employment agreements are compliant with the relevant award and the Fair Work Act is a solid first step to take before the new year. “With most farm roles covered by modern awards, it’s essential to ensure any pay arrangement that deviates from the award is agreed to in writing, to protect both you and your employee into 2025 and beyond.” Navigating employment laws could be daunting, Mr Wilson said, but NSW Farmers Members were reminded support was available from the workplace relations service offered by the state’s peak farm body.  “Whether you need help reviewing your employment agreements or tailored advice on managing employees, NSW Farmers has a team of workplace relations experts ready to help,” Mr Wilson said. “By taking proactive steps now, farm businesses can ensure compliance, safeguard their operations, and build a reputation as a great place to work.  “If you need assistance, the team is just a phone call away to help demystify these laws and guide you through the changes.”

Every Shire Council meeting in the Western Plains region is bound by a Model Meeting Code.Suggested reforms aim to increase 'dignity' in the chamber.According to the Minns Labor Government, their proposed changes to the Model Meeting Code are about strengthening local government, ensuring greater transparency, and increasing community confidence in council decision making. One suggested reform is to ensure councillors make decisions in full view of the communities they are elected to represent.  “Council meetings are where a council’s most important decisions should be made,” Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said.“It concerns me that these decisions are increasingly being made behind closed doors in private briefings, locking out the community and protecting councils from public scrutiny.  “As a former mayor, I want to see all councils conducting their business in an open and public forum, where communities can engage with their council on issues that directly affect them.“These changes are part of the government’s commitment to restoring public trust in local government which has been eroded by years of neglect and a cultural shift towards secrecy over public service.” Council meetings are the place for important decisions, according to Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig.Ewan Jones has been Mayor of Narromine Shire Council since last September's election and said the incoming council had received extensive training.“We had training around the responsibilities that come with the position of councillor."As part of that, it was clear that meetings not held in the public domain are not something we involve ourselves in,” he said.Another aim of the reforms is to increase the dignity of the council chamber and also to remove the general manager’s involvement in council politics. Changes have been suggested by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in consultation with the State government.They includepreventing councils from holding private councillor briefing sessions requiring councils to give reasons when making decisions on planning matters that depart from staff recommendationsde-politicising the role of the General Manager by removing the requirement for them to prepare reports on councillors’ notices of motionexpanding the powers of the Mayor to expel councillors from meetings for acts of disorderrequiring information considered at closed meetings to be made public after it ceases to be confidential requiring councillors to stand when the Mayor enters and when addressing the meeting“Expelling councillors from meetings is not something I think we will ever need to do in Narromine,” Cr Jones said.“At Narromine, we have a good, responsible group of people that don’t do anything silly."I also don’t expect anyone to stand up for me while I speak or when I enter the chamber. I have got to know several other mayors, and I don't think they would expect it either."Perhaps it happens in the city, but not here.”As for requiring confidential topics to become public after they cease to be confidential, Cr Jones said that is problematic.“Sometimes it’s hard to gauge where confidentiality ends,” he said.“In small communities often people know what it is going on in a situation and who is involved, but keeping things confidential is important in some cases.”Submissions on the new reforms will be accepted until Friday 28 February 2025.To learn more and provide feedback, click here.

State government promises to allow farmers to permanently use unregistered vehicles during a fire emergency have been shelved.While drawing ire from some quarters, local fire officials say volunteer numbers are still strong.At times, farmers will have fire-fighting equipment and water stored on unregistered vehicles only intended for paddock use, but when an emergency arises, every drop counts.The NSW Opposition has been calling on the Minns Labor Government to permanently allow conditional registrations for farm fire fighting vehicles, to boost capacity this firefighting season.After a trial last year, which enabled farmers to use unregistered vehicles during an emergency, there were expectations it would be a permanent change, but instead Government has opted for a second trial to run between December 13 and March 31,2025.Farmers at the fire forefront Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Gurmesh Singh said the delay is disappointing given Labor promised to make the scheme permanent before the start of the bushfire season. “When a fire breaks out, farmers are often the first to respond, and they can play a key role in protecting properties, particularly before emergency crews arrive,” Mr Singh said. “In paddocks and sheds across regional New South Wales, there’s an army of privately owned firefighting assets known as the "mosquito fleet."They are ready to swarm and help contain a blaze, but they are stuck in red tape because they are not always registered.” When pushed on the issue by Nationals Upper House MP Scott Barrett in Parliament, Minister for Roads John Graham refused to honour the commitment.“We cannot afford to kick it down the road any further; we need some action now," Mr Barrett said in response."We need the scheme implemented so that, in the words of Minister Graham when the first trial was announced, we can support the farmers 'to continue their vital, life-saving work.'"Farmers join in the battle against the Sir Ivan Bushfire, which burned for a whole month in 2017. Photo: NSW Farmers, Fairfax, Nick MoirRegardless of the to-ing and fro-ing in Parliament, the vital thing is efficient fighting fire on the ground, something Luke Robinson, RFS District Commander at Coonamble is all too aware of.He said he has not noticed a reduction in the numbers of farmer fire-fighting units on local fire grounds this summer.“This issue is about the different agencies making sure they get it right and to ensure vehicles are safe, not just for the person driving it, but for other road users," Mr Robinson said.“We have definitely not seen a reduction in farm firefighter units coming out to assist during fires."They are a fantastic help, and the majority own registered vehicles."Having a totally unregistered vehicle that's a fire-fighting unit, would be pretty unusual in our area."There'd be a couple around, especially when farmers start buying old fire trucks."There's a lot of take up by farmers throughout regional New South Wales of old RFS vehicles."In Walgett, Coonamble, Warren, and Bogan, which are the LGA's I look after, we've seen significant attendance from our farmers this season and they've been absolutely fantastic with working and communicating with our crews," Mr Robinson said."Ultimately, whether they're RFS members or not, they're still covered under our worker's compensation.”Industry body encourages inclusionNSW Farmers are encouraging farmers to take part in the second trial. Business Economics and Trade Committee Chair, John Lowe said the scheme had come as welcome news to farmers across the state, who relied on farm fire units to respond to bushfires quickly and effectively.  “Stopping fires as soon as we can is essential, and farm fire units play a key role in these firefighting efforts in rural communities,” Mr Lowe said. “Farmers need to be able to use these vehicles legally on the road when moving between farms and under the protection of third-party insurance. We hope that through this trial, we can secure a permanent solution to make that possible.“If you’ve got a vehicle that’s in safe operating condition and has firefighting equipment permanently attached, then we strongly encourage you to nominate it for the trial as soon as possible." 

Cobar Shire Council raised over $3200 this month as part of an annual Christmas T-Shirt Day fundraiser. Staff raised money for the Macquarie Home Stay on 12 December with efforts including a morning tea, 100 clubs and raffle items donated by local businesses.  The Shire has taken part in the fundraiser every year since 2022, when Moree Plains Shire challenged other councils to be see who could be the "Merriest Christmas Council Champion." "The actual competition was on hold (this year) because the lady who hosts it is on extended leave, but our staff decided that they would still like to continue regardless to try and raise the money," Cobar Shire Council Human Resources Manager Summer Patterson said. "I think it's really exciting that our staff get behind it every year and are willing participants. It's getting bigger and bigger." Macquarie Home Stay and provides low-cost accommodation for patients who have to come to Dubbo for treatment. The service is planning to increase its units to keep up with demand. Other councils who have taken part in the competition include Walgett, Coonamble, Narrabri and Armidale. "The biggest benefits and the biggest asset of our community is our community spirit and our ability to dig deep and help each other out when times are tough," Ms Patterson said. "So, I think fundraising has always been something that we do very well."

High fuel prices are the unwanted Christmas gift that every motorist receives, but some states will fare better than others this year.The National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) has predicted motorists will need deeper pockets in Brisbane and Melbourne, while prices in Sydney fuel prices are tipped to fall during the Christmas period.Sydney fuel prices hit a high point of 200.6 cents per litre for regular unleaded on Monday December 2.By Thursday, December 19, almost one-third of Sydney service stations were selling regular unleaded for under 183 cents per litre while 22 per cent of service stations were still charging over $2 per litre.According to the NRMA, prices in Sydney are falling at half the usual rate.Sydney’s wholesale fuel price is currently 166.5 cents per litre and rising.Mogas - Australia’s international benchmark price - is currently trading at just over $US 86 a barrel.Changes in international benchmark prices can take around two weeks to work their way through the supply chain in Australian cities and are determined by changing global demand and supply factors.Last week, prices in Melbourne continued to climb at 192 cents per litre and Brisbane neared the high point at 203.8 cents per litre.Western Plains App journalists spoke to Coonamble Fuel Centre, Ampol Nyngan and Powerfuel at Condobolin to gauge the pricing and supply across the Western Plains.While choosing not to comment on pricing, each spokesperson confirmed they will be well stocked for fuel over the Christmas period."It's one of the busiest times of year, but we don't expect to run short on fuel," a spokesperson at Condobolin's Powerfuel outlet said."We just treat this period as normal, it's busy but we are ready for it," was the word from Coonamble Fuel Centre.NRMA Spokesperson Peter Khoury said the difference in petrol prices across our major cities highlighted the need for motorists to stay informed and look for the best prices available.Current fuel prices, such as these at Coonabarabran, can be displayed at the click of a button on the FuelCheck app.“It’s pleasing the cycle is falling in Sydney, what’s less pleasing is that those falls are happening at a snail’s pace at two-thirds of a cent per day, – the oil companies must fix this now,” Mr Khoury said.“Brisbane and Melbourne have had less luck with the price cycles as their local prices with spike just as families are heading away."Cost of living pressures continue to hurt families who desperately need a break and unfortunately, geography will largely dictate how much they pay this Christmas."Factors affecting regional fuel pricesIn what is no surprise for Western Plains residents, the NRMA state that regional fuel retailers may not sell their fuel stocks as quickly as city retailers.This means when there is any change in the international benchmark and wholesale prices of fuel, it generally takes longer to impact on country retail prices.As a result, while prices in regional areas might fall slowly, they also tend to rise slowly. Cities also have price cycles come into play which rarely happens in the regions.A petrol price cycle is a movement in retail price from a low to high point to a subsequent low point.In these cycles, prices steadily go down for a period, followed by a sharp increase.Price cycles are the result of deliberate pricing policies of petrol retailers in metro areas and are not directly related to changes in wholesale costs.The duration of petrol price cycles in Sydney varies from each time.What has changed in recent years?Until around 2020, unleaded fuel prices in regional NSW towns tended to be about five to seven cents a litre more expensive on average than in Sydney.But since the pandemic, more people have moved to regional areas.This extra traffic outside metro areas has created more demand for fuel regionally and higher margins over time have enabled some regional service stations to sell cheaper fuel.Whereas global factors, like geopolitical events and global supply and demand, determine the price of fuel that arrives in Australia and federal government taxes add extra costs, local factors – like the location of a service station, the type of service stationand competition in the local area - determine local price differences.Monitoring fuel prices in real time is a great way to keep on top of prices and fuel up most economically.FuelCheck is a free online service from the NSW Government that will provide you with real-time information about fuel prices.This handy tool helps you find the cheapest fuel and lets you know the best day of the week to fill up your vehicle.It will bring up all towns across the Western Plains on a map, showing where fuel is available and the current price of all types of fuel.It can be downloaded as an app or used by clicking here.

As we celebrate Christmas today, the community is being called on to support the more vulnerable residents.There are many reasons why some people find the festive season challenging - high expectations, financial stress, threats of domestic violence, family dynamics, loneliness, depression, emotional triggers, and pressures to celebrate.Kellie Maxwell is based at Lightning Ridge in the role of Mission Australia Program Manager.Ms Maxwell focusses on the “Staying home, leaving violence” program and homelessness programs including the Walgett Women’s Safe House which opened in September this year.She said, while many local drop-in centres will be closed over the Christmas break, emergency numbers are listed at all facilities.However, some will remain open across the holiday period.“Where we have the women's refuges, in Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Brewarrina, they're still open," Ms Maxwell said."These are the only refuges that Mission Australia has across the Western Plains, but there are others, such as in Bourke, which are run by different NGOs.”To combat loneliness at this time of year, Ms Maxwell said they have been running events to help spread Christmas cheer, and lift spirits of those who may be alone during the festive season.“In more vulnerable communities, we've had different events, including Christmas lunches for people who won't necessarily celebrate Christmas with somebody else,” she said.“We have had quite a few events leading up to Christmas Day and hand out presents, gift vouchers and have a meal together, so people aren’t forgotten at Christmas.”Christmas isn't joyous for everyone, but help is only a phone call away. (Image: Mission Australia)“At this time of year, we have a bigger response from families who are doing it tough and feel the pressure of having to provide Christmas presents for children,” she said.“We provide for all our clients with food vouchers and meat vouchers, and a present for all the children as well.”Where previously food hampers were provided, Mission Australia now gives out food vouchers to also support local businesses.“This way, people have more choice about what they want to buy, and the vouchers are for the local butcher or grocery shops," Ms Maxwell said.We want to encourage people to shop locally, rather than do the big shop away at a Big W somewhere.”The local touch extends to the on-call counsellors, available across the Christmas period.“The contact numbers on our doors include all our services, as well as those of other organisations, such as Lifeline,” Ms Maxwell said.“The on-call numbers for Mission Australia are directed to a local person, or as close to local as possible."For example, Coonamble is covered by somebody who's working in Walgett at the moment, but who knows Coonamble well."Dubbo covers Coonabarabran because that's closer to them."Lightning Ridge, Walgett and Bre all have somebody working in those areas."In the areas with no open facilities, we've tried to place a contact in the closest town, where people understand each of those communities.”One-on-one assistance via online chat, email, or phone is accessible through eheadspace.org.au or by calling 1800 650 890.These services ensure you are never alone, even when local offices are closed. For emergencies or immediate assistance, always call 000.If you need to speak with someone urgently, there are several trusted resources available: Lifeline: 13 11 14 13 Yarn: 13 92 76 (providing culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 

Farm advocacy groups are united in their frustration on connectivity gaps.Both NSW Farmers and the National Farmers’ Federation say the findings of a recent federal review into telecommunications were not unexpected, and greater work needs to be done to amend the nation-wide black spots.This comes after the Federal Government committed to processing the recommendations provided by the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) 2024 and taking action to improve connectivity in the regions.Undertaken every three years, the review is an opportunity for people living and working outside major cities to share their experiences, views and expectations regarding connectivity and telecommunications services. The community response to the 2024 review was unprecedented, with a four-fold increase in participation on the 2021 review.In total, more than 4,000 stakeholders took part and more than 3,000 survey responses were received. The report’s 14 recommendations address enhanced mobile coverage and affordability, universal service, First Nations inclusion and digital literacy.  Greater investment needed – NSW Farmers The Committee noted how recent technology developments have resulted in new and emerging services that could be considered as part of a modernised Universal Service Obligation (USO). NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee Chair Deb Charlton said the findings of this latest telecommunications review were no surprise. “Major telecommunications challenges remain for rural communities, and those challenges include poor connectivity.“NSW Farmers is calling for investment to drive reliable, expanded connectivity for farming communities, so we can conduct our business and go about our lives,” she said.“Work to increase mobile network capacity, service quality and resilience is essential, as is work to reduce black spots in rural areas.”Frustration is at boiling point - NFFWhile welcoming the report, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) said urgent action was needed to address connectivity gaps at a time when frustrations at a high. NFF President David Jochinke said: “frustration over rural connectivity is at boiling point, and the four-fold increase in engagement in the 2024 review proves that.” “Systemic frustration with connectivity in rural areas has blown up following the 3G network shutdown. “It’s the perfect storm for farmers at the moment – navigating mobile blackspots, changes to service quality and the loss of some coverage which wasn’t guaranteed post 3G shutdown while managing harvest logistics and bushfire season.  “It’s an incredibly busy and stressful time of year and throw connectivity issues into the mix and you have farmers fed up to the back teeth.”  The NFF is calling on the major providers to step up their efforts to address coverage concerns, but acknowledge they can’t act on problems if they aren’t reported. “This is a two-way street. It’s on farmers to bring issues to the providers’ attention. But equally we are calling on the major providers to step up – get out in these communities and be proactive. We need to know that if farmers go out of their way to raise issues, they will get a timely explanation,” Mr Jochinke said. Solutions needed yesterdayThe NFF is also calling for urgent public investment to accelerate regional connectivity outcomes. “The time is now to supercharge this agenda. We recognise the Federal Government’s substantial investment in the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia. “Supercharging initiatives like the Mobile Black Spot Program, the On-Farm Connectivity Program, Regional Roads Australia Mobile Program and the Regional Tech Hub will be critical coming into the next federal election. “Telecommunications services are essential for farm safety, healthcare, education and productivity. “Our rural communities need solutions and, frankly, we needed them yesterday.” View the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee here.