Month: November 2025

Source: Mental Health Australia

A two-and-a-half-year project to upgrade the Great Western Highway at the foot of the Blue Mountains has come to an end, with all work now completed.

The $232 million Coxs River Road Upgrade at Little Hartley has been jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments and features a new 2.4-kilometre four-lane alignment of the Great Western Highway and 70-metre long road bridge to take local traffic, pedestrians and cyclists safely over the highway.

Traffic switched to the new highway alignment in April this year and since then crews have been putting the finishing touches to the project, including new landscaping, completing more than two kilometres of shared path that connects local roads, and installing new signage for passing motorists.

The upgrade has also delivered a realignment of the old highway to create a service road for local businesses, upgraded intersections at Browns Gap Road, Coxs River Road, Ambermere Drive and Baaners Lane, and a U-turn bay on Baaners Lane.

“The Great Western Highway is the key route linking Sydney to the state’s Central West and the Coxs River Road Upgrade is already reducing congestion and improving accessibility for local and highway road users,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

“In addition, the new road bridge on Coxs River Road – with its own shared cycle and pedestrian path – quickly and safely takes local traffic over the four-lane highway, meaning an end to the long waits that local traffic often endured trying to join or cross the highway, particularly in busy holiday periods.

“New landscaping work featuring native species has created a visually appealing section of highway for passing motorists and we’re also proud of the new retaining walls that have been finished in materials selected by the community to reflect the local environment.”

The new highway alignment and bridge were built from locally sourced materials including concrete from Lithgow and quarry materials from Oberon.

The Coxs River Road Upgrade supported more than 530 jobs with 30 per cent of that workforce coming from surrounding local government areas.

More information on the upgrade of the Great Western Highway at Coxs River Road is available on the Transport for NSW website.

Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

05 November 2025

Who does this notice affect?

All importers and customs brokers who will be required to lodge imported cargo documentation to the department for biosecurity assessment during this planned maintenance period (e.g. clients required to use the Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS).

Information

Due to urgent scheduled infrastructure maintenance, there will be a scheduled service disruption (service degradation) to COLS between 23:00 to 23:45 Thursday 06…

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

City of Greater Bendigo Statutory and Strategic Planners are delighted to be among key exhibitors at the McKean McGregor Building & Living Expo, taking place from 2.30pm to 7.30pm this Friday, November 7 at the Novo Centre, Bendigo Baptist Church, Junortoun.

The free expo brings together a wide range of experts including builders, land developers, finance professionals, designers, and product suppliers to help demystify the home-building and planning journey.

Attendees are invited to speak with City Strategic Planners and Statutory Planners about the proposed Managed Growth areas in Greater Bendigo and gain a better understand of the planning permit process.

Manager Statutory Planning Ross Douglas said the event provided a great opportunity for the community to connect directly with planning professionals.

“Whether you’re looking to build, renovate or make changes to a site, this is a fantastic opportunity to ask questions, explore different options and gain a clearer understanding of how the planning process works. The City will also be showcasing new and improved planning services available to help community members,” Mr Douglas said.

There are many ways to engage with City planners:

• The City’s new free online planning tool, known as myLot provides insights on zoning, lot sizes, and planning overlays. This allows people to receive instant answers to preliminary planning enquiries, available 24/7. City planners can also view enquiries on myLot to continue the conversation seamlessly if a follow-up with a customer is required
• Customers can now book a free appointment with a Duty Planner to discuss general planning enquiries in person at Galkangu-Bendigo GovHub in Lyttleton Terrace
• Duty Planners are available daily to provide free general planning advice for enquiries lodged either online or via Customer Service
• A Duty Planner will research your enquiry and respond within three working days
• Planning Information Requests (a paid service) is available for written confirmation on permit requirements
• Pre-application meetings (a paid service) for complex developments are available to clarify requirements and avoid delays
• The revamped planning pages on the City’s website provides valuable tips and information on the planning process. There is also a list of all planning permit applications lodged, including those on public notice

Source: Mental Health Australia

The speed limit on two local roads in the Lithgow City Council area will be reduced for the safety of all road users.

The speed limit on a three-kilometre section of McKanes Falls Road in South Bowenfels will be reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h and the speed limit on a one-kilometre section of Magpie Hollow Road will be changed from a mix of 70 km/h and 80 km/h to a consistent 60 km/h.

Transport for NSW recently finished restoration work on historic McKanes Bridge over the Coxs River and conducted a speed zone review of the area after community members raised concerns about trucks travelling too quickly through the windy sections of the road, and about sight distances and visibility on approach to the bridge.

The review covered the full length of McKanes Falls Road between the Great Western Highway and Jenolan Caves Road, assessing a number of factors including location, crash history, road environment, the number of access points, road usage, traffic mix and traffic volumes.

“McKanes Falls Road is a quiet, sealed rural road that provides a bit of a short cut for people coming from Lithgow and heading to the famous Jenolan Caves,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

“It is a winding road with a number of high-risk curves, narrow lane widths that provide little margin for driver error, and steep declines on both approaches to McKanes Bridge.

“Currently the road has an 80 km/h speed limit along its entire 7.4 kilometres but the review determined that a 60 km/h limit through the most challenging middle section of the road would be more appropriate.”

As a result of the review, a 60 km/h speed limit will come into effect from Thursday 6 November on the three-kilometre section of McKanes Falls Road running from 2.4 kilometres south of the Great Western Highway to 5.4 kilometres south of the Great Western Highway.

The change will add 45 seconds to trips along McKanes Falls Road with the existing 80 km/h speed limit to be retained for the rest of the road.

A separate speed zone review on Magpie Hollow Road, requested by Lithgow City Council in response to safety concerns raised by local residents, also recommended a lower speed limit in recognition of increasing development in the area.

As a result of the review, the 70 km/h zone that runs for 160 metres on Magpie Hollow Road from the intersection with the Great Western Highway will be reduced to 60 km/h, with the reduced 60 km/h speed limit to extend for a further 840 metres into the existing 80 km/h speed zone.

The change will also come into effect from Thursday 6 November and will add about 13 seconds to trips on Magpie Hollow Road.

Lithgow City Council and local police support all the proposed changes.

Members of the community can sign up here to receive the latest updates on speed limit changes in their nominated area.
 

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police have arrested a 30-year-old male in relation to an disturbance in Leanyer overnight.

Around 9:20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received multiple reports of an adult male allegedly yelling threats of violence involving a firearm and an edged weapon while walking along Rosewood Crescent.

Police deployed to the area and located the male on VRD Drive, where he was arrested without incident.

The alleged offender was not found to be in possession of any weapons at the time of his arrest.

He was conveyed to the Watch House where he underwent drug and alcohol testing, returning a positive drug result.

He remains in police custody and investigations are ongoing.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444 quoting reference number P25297263. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information after an alleged sexual assault occurred in Alice Springs on Friday 31 October 2025.

Investigators are appealing for the public’s assistance, specifically to identify a vehicle of interest.

The vehicle, a black Hilux, is alleged to have been in the vicinity of The Gap around 11pm on Friday 31 October. The Hilux is believed to have been stationary on Gap Road, near the intersection of Bagot Street, and facing in a northerly direction.

Anyone with information, including dash cam footage or CCTV footage which may have captured this black Hilux, is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2500109225. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

The Northern Territory Police Force is committed to ensuring the safety of all community members and take allegations of this nature very seriously.

Source: Tasmania Police

Drink drivers caught during targeted traffic operations in North-West

Wednesday, 5 November 2025 – 10:25 am.

Western Road Policing Services conducted 362 random breath tests during targeted traffic operations at Spreyton, Latrobe and Quoiba yesterday afternoon.
Acting Inspector Martin Parker said while the majority of road users were doing the right thing, police detected four drink drivers, one speeding driver, and one suspended driver in an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.
“Police conducted traffic operations for three hours following Melbourne Cup celebrations, and were disappointed with the number of drink drivers detected,” he said.
“If you are going to celebrate an event, or plan to drink, organise a designated driver. Don’t bet on your own life or the life of others by driving while under the influence of alcohol. Please make good choices.”
Police also issued three defect notices and an infringement notice for one driver failing to display their P2 plates.
Tasmania Police is out on the roads every single day enforcing the road rules, and members of the public are urged to do their part to help police keep our roads safe for all motorists.
Members of the public are encouraged to report dangerous driving incidents witnessed on Tasmanian roads, to Tasmania Police.
Dangerous driving incidents currently unfolding should be reported if safe to do so to police by phoning 131 444. In a life-threatening emergency phone Triple Zero (000).

Source: South Australia Police

About 5pm yesterday Tuesday 4 November, police were called to an area about 40km from Amata to reports a vehicle had utilised an online mapping app causing the car to leave the main highway where the car became bogged.

Police were in attendance and assisted when a second car also reported being bogged where police assisted with the second rescue.

Fortunately, there were no reports of any injuries.

This is a timely reminder to the community when travelling in remote areas to plan a route before you travel and not to rely on apps, be aware of the conditions of where you are travelling and tell someone where you are going.

For more travel tips please head to our website Remote-Travel-Safety.pdf

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Toolern Vale will celebrate their 100th anniversary on 9 November

Toolern Vale Fire Brigade is set to celebrate its century of service this Sunday (9 Nov) and is inviting the community to be part of their special day.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Government of Queensland

Issued: 4 Nov 2025

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is asking people to stay out of Blackdown Tableland National Park while rangers work to contain two bushfires.

Blackdown Tableland National Park was temporarily closed on 27 October for public safety reasons when lightning strikes sparked two separate fires.

Since the temporary closure was implemented, people have cut locked gates to get in, and rangers have ordered more than 10 people to leave the park.

Project Officer Eliza Wheeler said rangers are disappointed and frustrated with people illegally entering the national park.

“This closure is in place to keep people safe and support crucial firefighting efforts,” Ms Wheeler said.

“Entering a closed section of a national park is dangerous, especially when rangers are fighting bushfires.

“Ignoring temporary closures stops rangers from doing their job and people and properties in danger.

“Anyone caught illegally entering a restricted access area can face an on-the-spot fine of $667.

“People are advised that they should never enter closed areas, they should obey all signage and follow directions from rangers.”

If you’re planning to visit a national park or State forest this bushfire risk period, check Park Alerts before leaving home.