Source: Mental Health Australia
New bridges are being built, some timber bridges are being replaced with culverts, and multiple causeways are receiving treatments as part of a multimillion-dollar program in the Tweed to improve resilience against flooding.
Full release available here (PDF, 167.33 KB)
Source: Australian Green Party
A NSW Health investigation into the potential health risks of dust exposure from the Cadia gold mine in Central West NSW has found low community exposure to heavy metals, and no definitive evidence of health impacts from heavy metal exposure among volunteers who were assessed.
NSW Health commissioned an independent investigation and convened the Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel following community concern about potential dust exposure from the Cadia gold mine. The Panel consisted of expertise in toxicology, environmental and public health.
The Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel reviewed results from this investigation and reported they found no evidence of significant environmental contamination at volunteers’ properties. The heavy metal levels were below health-based guidelines and there was no evidence of health impacts from heavy metal exposure in the volunteers.
The Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel also concluded that there was no indication that broader community testing is required at this time.
NSW Health thanks the 14 volunteers from seven properties, who came forward through the Cadia Community Sustainability Network, for participating in this important investigation.
The 18-month investigation saw indoor dust, water, soil samples and home-grown produce collected from volunteers’ potentially impacted properties to be examined for possible exposures.
An expert clinical toxicologist assessed each volunteer to determine if they were impacted by heavy metals, and all household environmental and clinical assessments were reviewed by the Cadia Mine Expert Health Advisory Panel.
NSW Health can advise that every volunteer has been informed about the assessment outcomes, and the panel’s findings are being shared directly with the community, local General Practitioners, stakeholder groups, and local councils.
NSW Health will continue to provide advice and support to local GPs in the region surrounding Cadia.
NSW Health will continue to work closely with the NSW Environment Protection Authority, which is leading regulatory oversight of dust emissions at the Cadia mine.
Further information, including the panel’s statement and a summary report are available.
View the statement and report
Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
The ACCC has outlined its preliminary competition concerns with MicroStar’s proposed acquisition of the assets of Konvoy, which is currently in administration and receivership, in a Statement of Issues today.
MicroStar and Konvoy both supply keg pooling services to brewers across Australia. These services enable brewers to rent kegs from a shared pool on a short-term basis to supply alcoholic beverages to their customers. MicroStar and Konvoy also supply key leasing services. MicroStar operates under the name Kegstar in Australia.
“The proposed acquisition would combine the only two providers of keg pooling services in Australia,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.
“Many craft breweries appear to be reliant on keg pooling services to supply pubs and bars beyond local areas, and they are likely to have neither the ability nor the incentive to invest to self-supply and manage a fleet of kegs”.
Market feedback received by the ACCC indicated that alternatives to keg pooling services, such as key leasing or ownership, are not a close substitute and other businesses are not likely to start supplying keg pooling services in competition.
“Our preliminary view is that the proposed acquisition is likely to substantially lessen competition in the supply of keg pooling services in Australia,” Dr Williams said.
The ACCC invites submissions from interested parties in response to the Statement of Issues by 28 August 2025.
More information, including the Statement of Issues, can be found on the ACCC’s website at MicroStar – Proposed Acquisition of Konvoy.
Keg Pooling Services
Keg pooling is a model which enables brewers to rent kegs from a shared pool of kegs on a short-term basis. Customers can order and subsequently fill empty kegs from these providers for a fee. As is the case for brewers who use their own fleets of kegs, customers are responsible for transporting these kegs to licensed venues.
Because these kegs are part of a larger pool of kegs and are not owned by individual breweries, they can all be returned to the keg pooling service rather than needing to be collected by the customer.
Section 50
In considering the proposed acquisition, the ACCC applies the legal test set out in section 50 of the Competition and Consumer Act.
In general terms, section 50 prohibits acquisitions that would have the effect, or be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in any market.
Section 50 applies even in circumstances where one of the parties is in administration and/or receivership.
MicroStar is a keg services company incorporated in the United States and has operations in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. It entered the Australian market in 2021 via the acquisition of the Kegstar business from Brambles Limited.
Kegstar was founded by Adam Trippe-Smith and entered the market in 2012 offering keg leasing services. Kegstar was subsequently acquired by Brambles Limited in 2015, and then acquired from Brambles Limited by MicroStar in 2021.
After leaving Kegstar, Adam Trippe-Smith founded Konvoy in 2019, which offered keg pooling services. Soon after Konvoy’s entry, Kegstar also started to offer keg pooling services.
Konvoy is currently in voluntary administration and receivers undertook a sales process in which MicroStar was successful. On 11 March 2025, FTI Consulting and McGrathNicol were appointed, administrators and receivers of Konvoy respectively.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia
Generative AI to augment and advance the way we work in Australia
Linda
Source: Premier of Victoria
NAB is providing $1,000 grants and additional financial relief to eligible customers impacted by the severe storm in NSW earlier this month.
The grants will help NAB customers who have suffered significant damage to their home, farm or business cover emergency expenses.
NAB Executive Retail, NSW, Tony Story said a range of support measures – from grants to loan payment deferrals and other relief measures – were in place to help impacted NAB customers.
“The message for families, communities and businesses in impacted areas who have suffered damage to their homes, farms and premises is that we’re here to help,” Mr Story said.
“Some of these communities are still recovering from severe flooding in May. We’re providing much needed assistance and making $1,000 grants available to help those most affected.
“NAB customers impacted in the following LGAs are encouraged to contact us as soon as possible: Gunnedah, Narrabri, Tamworth, Uralla, Walcha.”
Further support is available for NAB customers directly impacted, including:
NAB colleagues who have been evacuated from their place of residence or cut off from support services can also access funds to assist with accessing temporary accommodation and everyday essentials.
For further assistance, impacted customers are encouraged to visit Natural Disaster Relief and Support at nab.com.au. If a customer is unable to access the internet, over the phone assistance is available by calling:
All enquiries will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the NAB Assist team to determine eligibility. disaster relief grants for severely impacted eligible NAB customers will remain open until 11 September 2025.
Grants are not available for minor damage to homes or for damage to personal items and appliances, sheds, garages, gardens, or loss or damage to investment properties or holiday homes. NAB also has a longstanding policy to provide employees who are emergency service volunteers as much paid crisis leave as they require during emergencies.
For all media enquiries, please contact the NAB Media Line on 03 7035 5015
Source:
Ron Hewlitt joined Maffra fire brigade in 1945 as a 14-year-old.
The now 94-year-old Ron said the camaraderie he has shared with brigade members throughout the eight decades has been the highlight.
“It’s been really good to be a member of CFA,” he said.
“I still get together with them all twice a week for meetings, we have a cup of coffee and some biscuits and it keeps me going.”
CFA was only three months old when Ron signed up in July 1945 and he said he signed up because a work friend who was foreman of the brigade invited him to join.
Ron said he walked into the station and never looked back.
“I was 14 and that was that,” he said.
Ron attributes many of the skills he has gathered throughout his life to CFA and said he still enjoys learning new things.
“It keeps me learning, there are so many people to meet,” he said.
Among his favourite memories is getting called to service during the annual fireman’s ball in fancy dress uniform.
Ron said one of the worst fires he attended was for a local garage which caught fire after some staff members spilled petrol all over the showroom floor.
“We lost a couple of people in that one,” he said.
“It was really a huge fire, it just swept up everything.”
Deputy Chief Officer South East Region Trevor Owen presented Ron the medal in a ceremony in Maffra on Saturday to acknowledge his service and said it was an honour to have Ron as a big part of CFA for so many years.
“To have a member who has seen CFA through from the very beginning is a huge privilege,” he said.
“The knowledge and skills he is able to share with not only his brigade but with the whole organisation is invaluable.
“Congratulations Ron on your remarkable dedication and service to CFA and your community.”
Ron was also awarded life membership as a part of his 80-year service award.
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
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Source: Mental Health Australia
Another major milestone has been reached on the $2.2 billion Coffs Harbour bypass project. Blasting crews have completed their work on the 160-metre Roberts Hill tunnel, the third and final tunnel on the transformational project.
Full release available here (PDF, 200.85 KB)
Source: New South Wales Community and Justice
Police target illegal weapons: Five charged, 33 firearms seized
Thursday, 14 August 2025 – 8:41 am.
Five people have been charged, and police have seized more than 30 firearms and other weapons following a targeted operation in Western District last week.
Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said the operation focused on reducing the risk posed by illegal and improperly stored weapons in the community.
“In just one week we executed five search warrants and seized 33 firearms and close to 6,000 rounds of ammunition,” she said.
“The seized firearms included shotguns and handguns, some of which were unsecured or improperly modified.”
“We also seized silencers, a crossbow and tasers.”
“Among the firearms seized were several held by licensed owners who were found to be in breach of storage and usage regulations.”
“With more than 37,000 firearms licenses and over 155,000 registered firearms in Tasmania, these results highlight the importance of ongoing vigilance around firearm safety and compliance.”
“Every unsecured or illegally held firearm represents a potential threat to community safety.”
“Concerningly, at a local business officers also located a manufactured firearms part, and equipment that could be used to manufacture ammunition.”
Those charged are a 26-year-old North Motton man, a 66-year-old Sheffield man, a 37-year-old Burnie man, a 46-year-old Devonport man and a 32-year-old Rocherlea woman. They will appear in court at a later date.
Inspector Elmer reiterated Tasmania Police’s commitment to keeping the community safe.
“Our officers are working tirelessly to remove dangerous weapons from circulation and hold people accountable, because community safety is our highest priority.”
Tasmania Police encourages anyone with concerns about illegal firearms or unsafe storage practices to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444, or Triple-Zero (000) in an emergency.
People can also contact Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers website.
For more information about firearms licensing and registration in Tasmania, visit https://fas.police.tas.gov.au/
Source: New South Wales Community and Justice
Fatal crash, Midland Highway
Wednesday, 13 August 2025 – 6:18 pm.
Sadly, a person has died following a crash on the Midland Highway this afternoon.
Police and emergency services were called to the scene at northern exit/entrance to Ross about 2.15pm.
Initial inquiries indicate the person was travelling in a small sedan exiting the Ross township, when it crashed with a heavy vehicle which was travelling south. They were the sole occupant of the sedan.
The driver of the heavy vehicle was not physically injured. As is standard practice, they are assisting police with their enquiries and will be subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
The highway remains closed with diversions in place through the township of Ross.
Anyone with information in relation to the crash, is asked to contact Launceston Crash Investigation Services on 131 444 and quote ESCAD 236-13082025.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the crash.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Source: Premier of Victoria
Greater Western Sydney is leading Australia’s next wave of economic growth, with the region outperforming the state in business investment, infrastructure development and community satisfaction.
NAB’s Greater Western Sydney Horizon’s Report: Spirit of Growth highlights a region on the rise, with new cities, transport links and commercial precincts reshaping the economic landscape of Sydney’s west.
NAB Metro and Specialised Business Banking Executive Julie Rynski said the region’s momentum was undeniable.
“We’ve seen historic levels of investment pour into Greater Western Sydney in recent years – and this is only just the start,” Ms Rynski said.
“From Parramatta’s transformation into Sydney’s second CBD to the emergence of Bradfield City Centre, we’re seeing a new economic engine take shape.
“Businesses are investing, families are settling, and communities are flourishing.”
The report also outlines a wave of infrastructure projects reshaping the region and driving this growth:
“These projects aren’t just about transport – they’re about transformation,” Ms Rynski said.
“They’re unlocking new business districts, shortening commutes, and creating opportunities for every kind of enterprise.”
NAB Head of Behavioural and Industry Economics Dean Pearson said residents scored higher on life satisfaction drivers, such as education (62%), personal safety (54%) and family life (54%).
“Greater Western Sydney continues to stand out as a region where economic momentum is matched by personal wellbeing and cultural vibrancy,” he said.
“As infrastructure and investment reshapes the west, it’s clear that people and communities are thriving, not just surviving.”
Notes to editors
For all media enquiries, please contact the NAB Media Line on 03 7035 5015