Ensure burn offs are out ahead of windy weather

Source:

Landowners are also encouraged to check their recent burn-offs from the last 24-48 hours and ensure they are completely extinguished. 

There are widespread damaging gusts between 90 and 110km/hour forecasted for most of the state, which have the potential to grow into destructive gusts of up to 125km/hour on the southwest and central coasts.  

The winds will be north-westerly to westerly before changing to a south-westerly direction in the evening, which will make any fire in the landscape difficult to for firefighters to control.  

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said conditions over the next 24 hours are dangerous for burning off. 

“We’re asking the community to be aware of your local conditions and stop burning off activities until safe to do so,” he said. 

“We know burn-offs can flare-up several days afterwards, so it is important residents are consistently monitoring wind conditions before and after their burning day, while also notifying their neighbours to be mindful of smoke. 

“If you light a fire to burn-off, you own it. Please don’t leave your burn-off unattended and always make sure it is extinguished properly with water. 

“Victorians should be registering their burn-offs online through the Fire Permits Victoria website to help agencies manage fire risk effectively.” 

Before burning off, ensure: 

Extended closure of The Driftway and night work from 26 October 2025

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions on The Driftway, between Blacktown Road and Londonderry Road for major construction starting on the New Richmond Bridge Stage 1 project.

The Driftway between Luxford Road and Londonderry Road will be temporarily closed for around nine months, starting from Wednesday 29 October. Road users will need to make a short detour via Londonderry, Reynolds and Luxford roads.

Ongoing construction activities will continue at The Driftway intersections with Blacktown Road and Londonderry Road. The daytime work hours are between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and between 8am and 1pm, Saturdays.

There will also be night work between 8pm and 5am from Sunday 26 October to Thursday 6 November on Sundays to Thursdays only. 

While we complete our work there will be temporary traffic changes including lane closures and 40km/hr or 60km/hr reduced speed limits as required within work areas.

Traffic control will assist road users and pedestrians through the work area if required. 

Please keep to the speed limits and follow the direction of traffic controllers and signs.

Transport for NSW thanks road users for their patience during this time.

For the latest traffic updates across the network download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Awards recipients strengthening disaster resilience and mental health recovery

Source: Australian National Party




Awards recipients strengthening disaster resilience and mental health recovery – Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate

















As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.


Released 15/10/2025

Two ACT Government initiatives that are building stronger, more prepared communities in the face of increasing emergency risks and a changing climate have been recognised with 2025 Resilient Australia ACT Awards.

The awards recognise projects that strengthen disaster resilience across all sectors, from government and health services to community organisations and education providers. Sponsored by the Commonwealth Government and managed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, the awards are open to individuals, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, businesses, schools, research bodies and government agencies.

Winners from each jurisdiction go into the mix for national awards later this year.

This year’s ACT recipients are:

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Award: Canberra Health Services, for the Stormbirds Disaster Recovery Program. In October 2024, Canberra Health Services funded the training of 41 child and family workers in the Stormbirds program, a small-group wellbeing initiative for children aged 6–14 affected by natural disasters.

    The program treats grief as a normal response to change and loss, building mental health resilience by embedding support capacity across government and non-government services. The Stormbirds network now enables co-facilitation with schools, libraries, early childhood centres and general practices, delivering timely and coordinated care for Canberra’s youngest residents.

  • Government Award: The Justice and Community Safety Directorate’s, Security and Emergency Management Division, for the ACT Disaster Resilience Strategy 2024-2030. The Strategy is the first of its kind in the ACT and has transformed how disaster resilience is addressed across the Territory.

    It establishes a shared vision for resilience and embeds it across policy settings including the economy, environment, infrastructure and community wellbeing. Developed through extensive consultation, the Strategy is already driving new partnerships and initiatives to strengthen Canberra’s ability to resist, manage and recover from disruptive events.

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson, congratulated the ACT winners ahead of the national awards ceremony in November.

“We are proud to support these awards, which foster whole-of-community resilience. It’s through collaborative efforts like these that we can truly build a stronger, more prepared Canberra,” Minister Paterson said.

“As the impacts of climate change become more evident, it is vital that we work together to prepare for and mitigate the effects of disasters. These awards celebrate the proactive steps our awardees have taken to ensure a safer, more resilient future for all Canberrans.”

For more information about the Resilient Australia Awards 2025, visit http://www.aidr.org.au/raa.

Quote attributable to Catherine King, A/Executive Group Manager, Security and Emergency Management Division, ACT Government:

“The ACT Disaster Resilience Strategy outlines what all of us can do to build resilience to disasters and make the ACT a safer place to live. We’re honoured to have received an award for this important work.”

– Statement ends –

Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases

«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

Suspects identified in Torrensville arson attack

Source: New South Wales – News

Investigations are continuing into an arson attack at Saray Market and Butchery, Torrensville, on Saturday that injured several people, including the suspects.

At 11.35am on Saturday 18 October, the suspects entered the Henley Beach Road business via the rear car park off Jervois Street, Torrensville, where they had been parked for about four minutes.

Two suspects exited the vehicle, one wearing a motorcycle helmet and the other a balaclava. One suspect was seen to have a red plastic jerry can and the other carried a Molotov cocktail. A short time later there was an explosion.

Six employees were in the store at the time.  Two 24-year-old employees sustained burns and were admitted to hospital for treatment.

The three suspects left in a black Lexus station wagon, New South Wales registration DJ94PQ, which collided with a number of parked cars on East Street as it fled the scene.

About midday on Saturday, emergency services were called to Blenheim Street, Angle Park where a 40-year-old man reported burn injuries from an alleged barbeque explosion. He remains in hospital with serious injuries and police are waiting to interview the man.

The black Lexus was found abandoned in Danby Street, Torrensville, near Ashley Street, about midnight Saturday night and has been seized for forensic examination.  It was reported stolen from a Findon address earlier this month.

This was not a random attack.  Investigation is ongoing to determine if the incident relates to the illicit tobacco market or there is an alternative motive.

The damage to the building is approximately $150,000.

Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said that police believe they have identified the three suspects and are gathering evidence to charge those responsible for arson and acts to endanger life.

“I warn anyone involved in such offences, or considering involvement, the maximum penalty for arson is imprisonment for life and acts to endanger life carries an 18-year sentence,” Detective Chief Inspector Featherby said.

Police have collected a large amount of CCTV from various scenes which is continuing to be analysed.

Investigators are seeking any dashcam or CCTV footage from the public from Saturday 18 October in the vicinity of Henley Beach Road, East Street and Danby Street at Torrensville.

Police would also like to know about the movements of the black Lexus SUV, registration DJ94PQ, since it was stolen on 5 October.

Police would also like any information on a black WRX seen meeting or travelling in convoy with the black Lexus on Saturday 18 October.

If anyone knows anything about this attack, or who might be involved please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.

Reference 268819

Airdrop kick starts Million Year Ice Core drilling season

Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

More than 600 kg of ice core drilling supplies have been airdropped to Casey station in preparation for the Million Year Ice Core (MYIC) project summer drilling season.
The supplies included flatpack benches, rubber flooring mats, ice core trays, driller suits, mechanical parts and frozen food.
They were part of a nine tonne delivery of station supplies, including fresh food and medicines, dropped by a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III, from 1500 metres.
The airdrop officially kick-started the 2025-26 season for ‘Operation Southern Discovery’ – the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the Australian Antarctic Program’s scientific and logistic capabilities.

Million Year Ice Core project Science Lead, Dr Joel Pedro, said the airdrop and other logistic support was critical to the project’s success in drilling the longest, continuous ice core record of Earth’s past climate and atmospheric composition.
“The one to two million years of climate information that this ice core will provide will improve understanding of long-term climate and ice sheet stability and aid in testing climate models,” Dr Pedro said.
Director of the Australian Antarctic Division’s Operations Management Centre, Mr Simon Owen, said the airdrop was the first step in a “three-phase approach” to supporting the MYIC project.
The second phase involves a fly-off from RSV Nuyina to Casey station, of additional drilling equipment, sensitive scientific instruments, and the 10-person tractor-traverse team, who will haul everything 1200 km ‘uphill’ to the drill site at Dome C North.
Phase three involves delivery of a four tonne ice core drill winch, and associated deep ice core drilling equipment, to the French station Dumont D’Urville, on the L’Astrolabe.
The winch will then travel by French traverse to the Australian ice-core drilling site.
“The airdrop, together with the Casey fly-off will enable Australia’s traverse team to de-winterise the tractors and other plant and equipment, and depart Casey approximately four weeks earlier than would ordinarily be available via other logistics pathways,” Mr Owen said.
“All things going to plan, the drill winch will arrive at Dome C North shortly after they do.”
Dr Pedro said the phased delivery ensured equipment could be pre-positioned prior to the arrival of the eight*-person team of ice core scientists and drilling engineers in late November.
“The multiple pathways for getting cargo to the drill site this season, aim to safely deliver our equipment at the right time to support two months of science and ice core drilling,” Dr Pedro said.
“There is narrow window of opportunity from late November to late January when conditions are warm enough to work at the site, which sits over 3200 metres above sea level.
“Outside this period temperatures drop below -50 to -60°C and it is not possible to work, or logistically support operations, at the remote location.”
Last season the traverse and scientific drilling teams spent a month at Dome C North.
They installed a large drilling shelter, tested and trouble-shot their ice-core drilling equipment under extreme conditions, and drilled 150 metres of a planned 3000 metres into the ice sheet.
The recovered ice cores are now being analysed at Australian Antarctic Program laboratories in Hobart.
The team also conducted geophysical surveys at the site to refine their understanding of the physical properties of deep ice.
“This season a lot of our work will involve setting up our big, cable-suspended, electro-mechanical drill, which can reach 3000 metres-deep and tolerate the -55˚C temperature in the ice,” Dr Pedro said.
 “The Australian Antarctic Division has spent nearly six years developing this new drilling system, in collaboration with other international research groups.
“We’ll aim to drill 400 metres this season. After that, the target is to drill 1000 metres per year, which will put us on track to reach bedrock by 2029.”
This content was last updated 11 minutes ago on 21 October 2025.

Southern suburbs man charged over child exploitation material

Source: New South Wales – News

A southern suburbs man has been arrested today for online child sex offences.

On Tuesday 21 October 2025, investigators from SA JACET, a joint task between SAPOL’s Public Protection Branch and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), attended and conducted a search of a southern suburbs home.  Electronic devices have been seized for forensic analysis.

A 27-year-old man was arrested and charged with possessing child exploitation material.  He was refused police bail and is expected to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court later today.

“Child exploitation material in any form is a serious offence, the SA JACET remain committed to protecting children by identifying, removing and prosecuting those who produce, share or possess this abhorrent material,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Luke Smith, JACET Investigations Manager.

Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000 or online at www.accce.gov.au/report. You can remain anonymous.

If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on Triple Zero (000).

Firearms seized in Tasmania as part of national operation

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Firearms seized in Tasmania as part of national operation

Tuesday, 21 October 2025 – 12:07 pm.

Police have seized firearms, gun parts, ammunition and gel blasters during a series of searches across Tasmania involving local officers and members of Australian Border Force.
The operation formed part of a targeted crackdown on illicit firearms, including privately manufactured weapons, which resulted nationally in more than 1000 firearms and parts being seized and 184 arrests.
Multiple searches were conducted in Tasmania, with properties at Glenorchy, Sorell and Burnie among those targeted.
A 42-year-old man from Glenorchy is facing 12 firearms-related charges after officers seized three firearms, parts and two gel blasters during a search of a Glenorchy property last week.
Four people in total were arrested across the week-long operation and items seized included firearms, firearms parts and ammunition.
Tasmania Police Joint Organised Crime Task Force Acting Inspector Leah Adams said police conducted searches on five days at various locations.
“Four of those days were in conjunction with ABF, where in a number of the searches conducted we were looking for illicit firearm parts, and manufactured firearms” Acting Inspector Adams said.
“There were five firearms seized, numerous imitation firearms such as Glock-style gel blasters, and parts for manufacturing firearms. Also located were numerous quantities of cocaine with one northern offender to be charged with trafficking.”
Acting Inspector Adams said it was concerning to see a number of gel blasters being held illegally.
Gel blasters are considered firearms in Tasmania, under the Firearms Act 1996.
To lawfully possess a gel blaster, you must possess a Category A licence (air rifle) or Category H licence (air pistol) is required.
A person needs a genuine reason to possess a gel blaster, in the same way that they need a genuine reason to possess any other firearm.
Australian Border Force Commander Graeme Campbell said ABF officers across the country were skilled in targeting suspect consignments, detecting firearms and removing these dangerous items from circulation.
“The importation of firearms and firearm parts is of concern to law enforcement across the country, as the dangers of these weapons falling into the wrong hands is extremely concerning,” Commander Campbell said.
“Imported firearm parts can be constructed with other privately manufactured parts, creating dangerous and untraceable weapons filtering onto our streets.
For further firearms information, go to www.tas.police.tas.gov.au
To report illegal firearms, or the use of firearms to commit a crime, contact police on 131 444 or you can report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au

Council adopts 2025-2029 Gastronomy Action Plan

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Council last night adopted the UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy Action Plan 2025-2029 which outlines key projects and initiatives that focus on culture and tourism, events, food security, economic development drivers and environmental sustainability.

In developing the next four-year Gastronomy Action Plan, community and stakeholder consultation was undertaken to understand perceptions of the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation and to identify priorities for its future use in regional development. Feedback revealed a growing desire to harness the designation as a driver of local and regional economic prosperity, particularly through tourism and destination development, trade and supply chain opportunities.

Building on the momentum of the first four years as Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy designation, the new Gastronomy Action Plan introduces a refreshed focus shaped by themes identified during public consultation:

  • Local Prosperity Driving Initiatives
  • Events and Recognition
  • Sustainable Development Goals
  • Community Connection
  • Education
  • Advocacy and International Relations
  • Marketing and Branding
  • Culture and Tourism

The Action Plan is underpinned by the existing four pillars that embrace the new themes.

  • Celebrate and elevate First Nations culture, creativity and knowledge
  • Recognise our creativity, cultural diversity and innovation
  • Improve health and wellbeing particularly through healthy eating
  • Prioritise environmental sustainability, sustainable agriculture and food production

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the 2025-2029 Gastronomy Action Plan had taken a holistic and collaborative approach.

“The City would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge all those involved including the other eight Local Government Areas, tourism associations, Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Traditional Owner groups, local industry, global partners, the Victorian Government and the wider community.

“This is an exciting milestone for our region, recognising the success of the first four years of our coveted designation, and continuing to evolve as a leading destination of gastronomy through a strong collaborative effort from stakeholders”, Cr Metcalf said.

Run for firies: Raising funds and spreading safety message

Source:

Born out of the camaraderie formed between two brigades after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, the Run for the Firies is this year reminding people of the importance of being fire ready.

Run for the Firies is the primary fundraising event that supports the Research and Kangaroo Ground Volunteer Fire Brigades, both of which play a vital role in protecting the communities of Melbourne’s outer north-eastern suburbs. 

Kangaroo Ground Fire Brigade member Glenn Law who is on the organising committee said this year they would have a focus on providing fire and summer safety messaging. 

“Black Saturday, in 2009, was a long time ago and people’s memories have faded quite a lot so it is important we are making them generally aware that while we do live in a beautiful part of the world it does come with a risk,” Glenn said.  

The run began after the Black Saturday fires when both brigades stationed a truck at Kinglake West to assist with the ongoing large number of call outs the brigade was receiving. 

“Out of that came a very close collaboration between Research and Kangaroo Ground,” Glenn said.  

“We decided to do a run to raise money for the brigades and since then it has just grown and grown.” 

Glenn said being involved in the run is a tremendous feeling.  

“You have people come through and you tell them thank you for participating, for helping raise money, but then they say thank you in return, for volunteering and protecting the community,” Glenn said. 

The event includes a 10.6km run, a 6km run, a 4km run or walk, and a half marathon. On site there will be a Mobile Education Unit, helping to spread the message about having a bushfire plan in place, understanding what actions to take to prepare their property and learning how to stay informed via the VicEmergency app and local sources.   

“People need to be aware of bushfire risk, they don’t need to be paranoid or panicked but just aware and responsible,” Glenn said. 

“It is also our primary fundraiser for the two brigades so it really is working both ways, we can provide the community with advice, and they can support us to make sure we have the equipment we need.” 

With the last weekend of events still to come, CFA is urging Victorians to look out for their nearest Get Fire Ready event by visiting www.cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready.   

Submitted by CFA Media

Arrest – Police assault – Wadeye

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police have arrested a two people in relation to a disturbance that occurred in Wadeye yesterday afternoon.

Around 2pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a large group of females allegedly fighting outside the town store.

Police attended, and the group dispersed upon their arrival; however, officers identified a 27-year-old male who was allegedly behaving disorderly and arrested him. During his arrest, the male began to resist, drawing the attention of nearby bystanders who allegedly began assaulting police, allowing him to flee the scene.

During the incident, it is alleged a 40-year-old female assaulted one of the attending officers’ multiple times, punching them to the head, while a second officer was also assaulted and had his police-issued shirt ripped.

Additional resources were deployed, and a 40-year-old female was arrested at the scene. The 27-year-old male was also located and arrested.

One of the officers sustained minor injuries and was treated at the Wadeye Clinic.

Both alleged offenders remain in police custody with charges expected to follow.

Senior Sergeant Ian Young said, “Assaults on our officers will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

“Our members work tirelessly to keep the community safe, and anyone who chooses to attack police can expect to be held accountable for their actions.”