News

Topical 19/2/26

Premier Chris Minns announced NSW will have an extra Monday public holiday for Anzac Day in 2026 and 2027 and defended the decision as “important”. The hospitality sector has previously raised concerns about covering wage bills and penalty rates on another public...

Packer ton extends Tatts’ lead in second grade competition

Narrabri District Cricket Association’s leading run-scorer in the second grade competition was at his brilliant best again on Saturday as Jesse Packer blasted his second century of the 2025/26 campaign. The Tatts skipper struck 133 runs off 102 balls to guide his side...

Progress on national parks bill

Member for Barwon Roy Butler has delivered his second reading speech on legislation that would impose new conditions on land acquisitions for National Parks. The National Parks and Wildlife Amendment (Land Boundaries and Acquisitions) Bill 2026 is a response to...

Rescue helicopter responds to Gunnedah accident

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance to Gunnedah at 8am on Wednesday, February 11. A man aged in his 20s, with multiple injuries from an accident, was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics. He was then stabilised by the helicopter’s critical care...

Chaffey acknowledges importance of regional newspapers in parliament

Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey has acknowledged the important role regional newspapers play in keeping local communities informed. Mr Chaffey also used his speech to acknowledge recent publishing milestones, including the fifth anniversary of the Gunnedah...

Police seek information after trailer stolen from Narrabri

Oxley Police District are seeking information in relation to a stolen sandy taupe and black, Ox Flat Top Trailer. The trailer was stolen from Narrabri on the evening of February 16, 2026. If you have any information, please contact Narrabri Police on 6792 7199 or...

Clean up safely: Free household waste drop-off at local CRCs

Drop off your common household problem wastes like paints, oils and batteries for free at your nearest CRC. Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) are permanent drop-off centres for common household problem wastes that can’t be collected via council kerbside waste and...

Principal back in ‘classroom’ on ABC TV’s Muster Dogs

Muster Dogs, the hit show from ABC TV, has a familiar face this season. Principal of Quirindi High School, Ian Worley threw his hat in the ring and had a crack at learning to train a working dog. The premise of this season is a little different to previous ones. This...

Country Mayors, minister progress Red Fleet issue

The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has met with NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib about the Red Fleet issue, which refers to local councils currently having ownership of Rural Fire Service (RFS) assets, on paper. Councils do not own RFS plant and...

MP urges stakeholders to have say on Basin Plan Review

The 2026 Basin Plan Review is now open for public consultation, and it is critical for all stakeholders to have their say, according to federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey. Mr Chaffey said the 2026 Basin Plan Review put the spotlight on a key guiding document for...

Cotton picking starts following mixed season

Cotton picking kicked off in central Queensland recently, with the first crops producing average results in what is shaping up to be a steady season despite mixed conditions. Picking has also gotten underway in the Brisbane Valley. Other growers in the Central...

Charlie’s Charts 13th February 2026

The local market was very close to making an all-time high this week. Big falls in US markets overnight have carried over here. Did the Dow Jones Index just peak near the big round number of 50,000? The worry that AI will make it difficult for a lot of software...