Month: September 2025

Source: Mental Health Australia

More than 1000 pieces of feedback were received by Transport for NSW in relation to the Yass Road, Bungendore Road and Ellerton Drive intersection in Queanbeyan East, with most supporting the need for an upgrade.

Source: Mental Health Australia

Transport for NSW is building the Pitt Town bypass to take traffic, including heavy vehicles out of the town centre. This will make travel safer and more efficient for all road users.

For upcoming work to relocate existing utilities and build the northern roundabout, Old Pitt Town Road between Cattai Road and Airstrip Road will be temporarily closed for approximately five months from 20 October 2025. While Old Pitt Town Road is closed in this area, temporary detours will be in place.

Road users will need to use the detours via Cattai Road, Pitt Town Dural Road and Airstrip Road.

Local access to properties on Old Pitt Town Road will be available at all times.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of road users and the community while these detours are in place.

View a larger version of the map here (PDF, 1.18 MB).

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A 28-year-old male has been arrested in relation to an assault police and escape custody incident yesterday afternoon.

The alleged offender presented at the Wadeye Police Station and was taken into custody without further incident.

He remains in custody with charges expected to follow. 

An additional two males and one female have been arrested in relation to the incident with charges expected to follow.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Albanese Government has re‑appointed seven eminent experts to advise the government on our broad and ambitious competition reform agenda.

Boosting competition and dynamism is one of the most important ways to make our economy more productive and lift living standards for workers.

That’s why we’ve reappointed Dr Kerry Schott AO (Chair), Dr John Asker, Mr Rod Sims AO, Mr John Fingleton, Mr David Gonski AC, Ms Sharon Henrick and Ms Danielle Wood as part‑time members of the Competition Taskforce Expert Advisory Panel.

The Panel was established in 2023 to provide expert guidance and advice on policy and implementation matters related to Treasury’s Competition Review.

Following their reappointments, their new terms will last until 24 February 2027.

The Panel has played a meaningful role in helping shape our competition agenda, from overhauling merger rules, revitalising National Competition Policy, banning non‑compete clauses and progressing a national licensing scheme for electrical trades people.

It will continue to play an important advisory role, particularly on the reform areas and ongoing work from the government’s Economic Reform Roundtable.

The government thanks them for their important contributions over the past two years, and for their continued service.

Source: Australian Green Party

As the weather continues to warm up, NSW Health is warning residents of the risk of asthma related to thunderstorms, particularly for people already prone to hay fever and asthma.
Thunderstorm asthma refers to episodes of asthma symptoms which occur when high pollen levels are combined with a thunderstorm.
In NSW, the peak period for a higher risk of thunderstorm asthma is between October and December, when pollen levels are higher and thunderstorms become more common with warmer weather.
Senior Staff Specialist in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Professor Connie Katelaris, explained that thunderstorm asthma requires very specific conditions to occur together.
“We do know that specific thunderstorm conditions related to moisture and airflow can increase people’s exposure to high concentrations of very small fragments of pollen,” Professor Katelaris said.
“This exposure can trigger symptoms wheeze, chest tightness, breathing difficulty and cough. Symptoms can escalate very quickly and may become life threatening”
In NSW, high levels of rye grass pollen appear to be associated with thunderstorm asthma in some areas.
“Anyone with diagnosed asthma should continue to use their preventor and have access to their reliever medication during this high-risk period,” Professor Katelaris said.
“Even if you don’t have asthma, pollen is at its highest throughout spring and may spark problems in people with allergies like hay fever or those who have undiagnosed asthma.”
Thunderstorm asthma events can occur anywhere where there are both high pollen levels and thunderstorms. The greatest risk of thunderstorm asthma is in areas across southern NSW and the Riverina but events have been recorded west of the dividing range from Tamworth to Albury.
Residents in the Riverina area can register for an automated notification system​ which notifies registered residents by SMS or email of high thunderstorm asthma risk in the area.
There are some simple steps people can take now to prepare. These include:

if you have ever been diagnosed with asthma or have hay fever, make sure you have an up-to-date action plan in place, including how you should manage your symptoms if they flare-up.
if your child has asthma, provide any updated asthma action plans to your child’s preschool, childcare centre or school
check that you or your child’s asthma reliever medication and spacer is up-to-date and stored in an easy spot for you to get quickly
know the warning signs of asthma like wheezing, breathlessness, feeling tight in the chest or persistent cough and when to seek advice from your doctor or urgent emergency care
when there is high pollen and a thunderstorm, where possible remain inside and keep windows and doors closed.​

The symptoms of thunderstorm asthma can escalate very quickly and may become life threatening. These include:

difficulty breathing, laboured breathing making it difficult to speak in full sentences, or lips turning blue
asthma reliever medication providing little relief.​

In an emergency dial 000 to call an ambulance.
For more information on thunderstorm asthma, visit the NSW Health website​.​

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

The number of Australians starting uni is at record levels, if you take out the two years of COVID. 

Last year 388,890 Australian students commenced an award course degree last year, up 4 per cent on the year before. Even more started a degree this year and more still are expected to commence a degree in 2026.

Growth for 2024 was even stronger for students from low SES backgrounds (5 per cent), First Nations students (7 per cent), students from regional and remote areas (4.5 per cent) and students with disability (11 per cent).

The number of domestic students commencing study in the critical professions of engineering and teaching were also both up by 10 per cent for the year.

More students are sticking with their degrees as well. Attrition rates for domestic undergraduates are at a ten year low at 12 per cent in 2024, down from 15 per cent in 2023.

Expanding access to university education is what the Universities Accord is all about with a goal for 80 per cent of the workforce to have a tertiary qualification by 2050, up from around 60 per cent today.

The only way to do that is to get more people from the suburbs, from the regions and from disadvantaged backgrounds into uni and to succeed when they get there.

This data shows that we are making progress.

The next step is Needs-based Funding which will roll out from next year so students from disadvantaged backgrounds, First Nations students and students on regional campuses get the extra support to succeed at university.

An overview can be found here and the data here.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“I don’t want us to be a country where you can guess where someone grew up based on whether they have a uni degree or not. 

“More jobs are going to require more skills in the years ahead. 

“Opening the doors of our universities wider to more people from the suburbs and the regions and poor families isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s what we have to do. 

“Otherwise, we won’t have the workforce we need and the economy will be stuck in second gear.

“This data shows we’re making progress, but there’s still a lot more work to do.”

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Footy fans urged to celebrate AFL Grand Final Day safely tomorrow

Friday, 26 September 2025 – 10:54 am.

Police are urging football fans to be responsible if they’re celebrating the AFL Grand Final tomorrow.
Acting Inspector Martin Parker said AFL Grand Final Day is typically busy for police and other emergency services, and it’s imperative anyone drinking has a plan to get home safely.
“Police will have officers out across the state tomorrow and we’re encouraging safe and responsible celebrations for AFL Grand Final Day,” he said.
“Over recent years, AFL Grand Final Day has traditionally been a busy time for police, with 18% more incidents logged in the day compared to an average day of 440 incidents.” 
“If you’re planning to enjoy a few drinks while watching the game tomorrow – please remember to act responsibly, look out for one another, and if you’re attending a licensed premises behave in an appropriate manner.”
“Driving under the influence is one of the fatal five causes of fatal and serious crashes on our roads, and it’s imperative that anyone who drinks tomorrow has a plan for how to get home safely.”
“Tragically so far this year we’ve had 35 people die in crashes on our roads, and we don’t want to add to this number.”
“Being involved in a crash that results in serious injury or death is not the way we want anyone to end their Grand Final celebrations.”
“As police, our goal is always for everyone to get to their destination safely.  
“Please celebrate responsible, and if you’re watching the grand final – enjoy your day.”

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Youth charged following alleged crime spree across southern Tas

Friday, 26 September 2025 – 10:53 am.

A 17-year-old girl has been detained to appear in the Hobart Youth Justice Court later today after being arrested and charged by police for:• 1 x Destroy Property• 10 x Stealing• 21 x Breach of Bail• 1 x Injure Property• 1 x Assault Police• 1 x Possess a Dangerous Article in a Public PlaceIt will be alleged that the girl stole over $2,500 in alcohol and cosmetics, across the past fortnight in Hobart, Moonah, Battery Point, Howrah, Sandy Bay, Rosny, and Glebe Hill.“Tasmania Police is committed to protecting the community and local businesses and detecting and preventing anti-social and criminal behaviour with the aim of making our public spaces safer for everyone,” Inspector John Toohey said.“Our community deserves to feel safe at home, out in public and in their workplaces.“We will continue to target anti-social and criminal behaviour and where appropriate, necessary and authorised by law, we will be charging those who offend, and putting them before a Magistrate.”Anyone who witnesses illegal or anti-social behaviour should report it to police on 131 444, or triple-zero (000) in an emergency.Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au. You can stay anonymous.