Category: MIL-OSI

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Heroic tradie honoured for life-saving rescue

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Nikki Gill, Jon Croft and CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan

A Melbourne man has been recognised for his extraordinary courage after rescuing a disabled woman trapped inside her burning home on New Year’s Day 2024.

When an illegal firework sparked a house fire in Tootgarook shortly after midnight, bystander Jon Croft acted without hesitation, smashing a bedroom window and pulling wheelchair-user Nikki Gill to safety moments before the room was engulfed in flames. 

Jon was awarded the CFA Citizen’s Commendation for Bravery in recognition of his selfless and life-saving actions at a ceremony in Rye on Saturday night (25 October). 

The award is presented to a community member who has performed a conspicuous act of bravery or provided exemplary service in connection with CFA operations or the wider community. 

Recalling the incident, the tradie said he didn’t have time to think before running towards the flames. 

“To be honest, nothing was really going through my head,” Jon said. 

“I just heard the scream and knew something was wrong. I didn’t think one bit, I just ran straight towards her. 

“I’ve always thought if something like that ever happened, I’d want to do something about it. I wasn’t willing to stand there and watch her die in the front window.” 

Jon said the award came as a surprise. 

“It’s a bit overwhelming, I’m just happy my kids can be proud of it,” he said.  

“It gives them a story to tell their friends when they’re older.” 

Saturday’s ceremony also brought an emotional reunion between Jon and Nikki, the first time the pair had seen each other since the incident. 

“It was great to see her again and to see her doing well. That’s the best outcome I could’ve hoped for,” Jon said.  

CFA Incident Controller and Rye Fire Brigade Captain Eddie Matt said Jon’s swift actions before crews arrived had already ensured the Nikki’s safety. 

“We didn’t even know he’d saved her on arrival,” Eddie said. 

“We were there in about three minutes by then he’d already done what he’d done, and the occupant was safe. We just dealt with the fire. 

“It speaks volumes of Jon that he performed that heroic act and then just stepped aside without saying anything.” 

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, who presented the award, commended Jon for his bravery. 

“The courage and selflessness Jon displayed that night was remarkable,” he said. 

“He put his own safety aside to save someone else, and that deserves the highest recognition.” 

Jon Croft is the eighth recipient of the CFA Citizen’s Commendation for Bravery since its introduction in July 2019. 

Submitted by CFA Media
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New approach for Hume Highway rehabilitation at Marulan

Source: Mental Health Australia

The next stage of Hume Highway rehabilitation at Marulan will feature a high-strength asphalt instead of concrete, with the new approach aimed at improving the roads long-term performance.

The change follows a successful trial of the asphalt on the northbound lanes earlier this year.

Transport for NSW Executive Director Partnerships and Integration South Cassandra Ffrench said the next stage of work will be carried out from Monday 10 November to Thursday 18 December on just over one kilometre of the highway from Highland Way southbound.

“The high-strength asphalt gives us the flexibility to work with the existing concrete road surface, allowing us to prioritise the sections most in need while opening up more options for future maintenance, including increasing pavement thickness where required,” Ms Ffrench said.

“Although the result may appear patchy initially, it’s a deliberate approach that reduces construction time, limits traffic impacts and provides a stronger, more adaptable foundation for future work.”

“The project also includes upgrading drainage to support the new pavement and its longevity.”

Ms Ffrench said concrete was originally selected for major routes such as the Hume Highway due to its strength and long life. However, the sub-base and pavement thickness on this section were built to older standards, making ongoing concrete replacement less effective.

“High-strength asphalt offers a faster construction time, as it can be laid and reopened to traffic more quickly than concrete. It also provides greater flexibility for future maintenance, helping ensure a smoother and more efficient travel experience for motorists,” Ms Ffrench said.

“The high-strength asphalt maintains load capacity even with reduced pavement thickness, allowing this section of highway to transition away from concrete. With more suppliers now producing this material, it’s also become a more cost-effective option for future maintenance.”

From 7am on Monday 10 November, southbound traffic will be diverted onto the northbound lanes under 24-hour contraflow arrangements. A reduced speed limit of 80 km/h will be in place, and motorists should allow up to 20 minutes of additional travel time. These arrangements will be in place until 7pm on 18 December.

Weekend travel times may vary but delays of up to 30 minutes may be experienced.  

Southbound access to Marulan from the Hume Highway will be closed with motorists detouring via Jerrara Road.

The southbound entry from Marulan town to the highway will also be closed, with detours available via Highland Way or Eagles Lane.

The southbound Heavy Vehicle Safety Station at Marulan will be closed for the duration of the work. Northbound access to Marulan and the northbound Heavy Vehicle Safety Station will remain open.

Over size over mass (OSOM) vehicles wider than 4.5 metres should use designated pullover areas and contact UHF Channel 21 to arrange safe passage through the work zone.

Transport thanks motorists for their patience while this essential work is carried out to improve safety and reliability on one of the state’s most important freight and passenger routes.

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Traffic changes on M7 Motorway in Prestons

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions on the M7 Motorway in Prestons from Thursday 6 November to Wednesday 12 November 2025, between 9pm and 5am for road resurfacing work.

The M7 Motorway southbound lanes will be closed to all traffic between Cowpasture Road and Camden Valley Way during these works. 

Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in their permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

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.

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Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade celebrate centenary with mural unveiling

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Credit: Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade

Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade has been serving their community for 100 years and this weekend they came together to celebrate the milestone.

The main event was held on Sunday 26 October with brigade members welcoming the community to their station for a day of festivities.

This included the long-awaited unveiling of the new mural that has been lovingly painted on the side of the station by artist Keira Slootjes.

The brigade has been operating since 1925, when a group of residents formed the initial Beaconsfield Upper Bush Fire Brigade. Local resident Ulick A’Beckett was the first Captain.

At this time there was no specialised firefighting equipment. Brigade members relied on horses to get to the fire and used gum boughs to beat out the flames.

In 1949, the brigade became one of the first to use radio communication to coordinate firefighting activities. While, in the early 1980s they continued to make history when they welcomed women.

Captain of the brigade, Ian Pinney said it was fabulous to be able to celebrate the brigade’s history and everything they have achieved in the last 100 years.

“We have a long history, and we have had many milestones, and many challenges,” Ian said.

“It has been great to be able to celebrate everything we have done for the community over that time, and everything they have done for us.”

One such challenge was when the town was completely destroyed by the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires that swept across Victoria.

The Upper Beaconsfield blaze took the lives of 21 people, including 12 firefighters.

“It certainly was a challenging time, but we try and focus on the good where we can, whilst remembering those we lost,” Ian said.

Now the brigade is stronger than ever with 54 members, and 31 of them as operational firefighters. The brigade also has a non-operational auxiliary that turns 50 this year.

Ian said the mural was a celebration of the brigade’s entire history, from the first truck, a 1920s T model Ford, all the way through to their most recent one.

“It is honouring our membership past and present, and it is something to be really proud of,” Ian said.

“We are hoping that people will actually come to visit the mural like they visit the silo art in the area, and it can become something really special for the whole town.”

“We would like to thank everyone who helped us put this together, our sponsors, and of course Keira, we are really so grateful.”

Alongside the mural unveiling on Sunday, they hosted their Get Fire Ready event, helping to inform the community about the upcoming season and what they can do to be best prepared.

“With everything that has changed in the past hundred years, we are still here to help the community, that will never change,” Ian said.

Submitted by CFA media
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$1 billion Mamre Road upgrade moves ahead: Design released and open for community feedback

Source: Mental Health Australia

Critical road link Mamre Road will be widened to two lanes in each direction as part of a $1 billion upgrade by the Australian and NSW Governments to ease traffic and improve safety in Western Sydney.

Early designs and an environmental assessment for Stage 2 of the Mamre Road upgrade between Erskine Park Road and Kerrs Road have been released today, showing its transformation from suburban road to major arterial link across the west.
 

Also released was a flythrough that shows how the 6.1 km route from St Clair to Kemps Creek will be developed to support the growth of local communities. Some 20,000 vehicles currently use the route daily and this is expected to double by 2041.
 

Mamre Road is a key link to Western Sydney’s growing employment areas, including the future Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, and the upgrade will support more reliable travel as the region continues to expand.
 

This project builds on the $290M, 3.8 km Mamre Road Stage 1, already underway, and will improve the connection between the M4 Motorway and Elizabeth Drive.
 

The community has been asked to have their say on the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) which considers project impacts including noise, traffic, air quality, flooding, biodiversity and heritage. Community feedback on the REF will help shape the final design and reduce potential impacts.
 

The Mamre Road 2 upgrade is proposed to include:
• New traffic lights with pedestrian crossings at Abbotts Road and Darrabarra Avenue
• Safer shared paths for walking and cycling
• Improved bus stops and drainage
• A smoother, safer drive with less congestion in peak times
 

Pending planning approvals, construction is expected to get underway in 2026 with construction expected to be completed in 2029.
 

This is one of several major road projects transforming travel in Western Sydney, including:
• The new toll-free $2.1 billion M12 Motorway (opening 2026)
• $800 million in upgrades to Elizabeth Drive
• A $1 billion overhaul of Fifteenth Avenue between Cowpasture and Devonshire roads
 

The local community is invited to the view plans and environmental report, and have their say by visiting www.transport.nsw.gov.au/mamreroadupgradeS2, emailing mamreroadupgradeS2@transport.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 696 564.

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Changed traffic conditions in Mount Annan

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions on Narellan Road west of Waterworth Drive, Mount Annan.

The changes are necessary to install new Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) as part of the Network Efficiency Program.

We will work for up to four-night shifts between Tuesday 11 November and Friday 19 December 2025, weather permitting, to install the foundation for the Narellan Road site.

Installation of all three VMS structures will then be completed over 12-night shifts (four nights at each location) from Monday 17 November 2025, weather permitting.

  • Narellan Road west of Waterworth Drive, Mount Annan
  • The Northern Road south of Fairwater Drive, Harrington Park, and
  • Camden Valley Way south of Anderson Road, Smeaton Grange.

Night working hours will be between 8pm and 5am. No work will occur on Friday or Saturday nights. 

There will be five-day shifts for final testing from Monday 15 December 2025, weather permitting. The boards will become operational after testing.

Our day work hours are 7am to 5pm.

There will be temporary traffic changes while we complete this work. This includes lane closures, and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h. Traffic control will help road users and pedestrians through the work area if required.

Please drive and ride to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic controllers. 

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

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Management Plan developed for Rosalind Park

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

With community input the City of Greater Bendigo has developed a Rosalind Park Management Plan: Coexistence with Flying Fox and Ibis that is now available to view on the City’s Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo website until November 30, 2025.

City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director Brian Westley said the management plan developed by consultants Ecosure, was informed by the results of a 2024 community survey on the City’s Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo website that was completed by over 300 people.

“The management plan outlines a range of actions to foster coexistence, minimise human-wildlife conflict and maintaining public use of the park whilst ensuring conservation of the protected wildlife that reside in Rosalind Park,” Mr Westley said.

“While the City already has a masterplan that guides the future development of the entire Rosalind Park precinct, the development of a management plan is about meeting the day-to-day management requirements of the park and ensuring we are fulfilling our obligations under the Wildlife Act for the protected species being the Grey Headed Flying Fox and White Ibis that live in the park.

“Rosalind Park is one of Greater Bendigo’s premier parklands for recreation and major events and the City is obligated under legislation to ensure we are not doing anything that impacts the animals which means finding a balance between people and the native animals.”

The management plan includes a range of short, medium and long-term actions to reopen the historic fernery, reduce nesting and numbers of Ibis in the park, foster co-existence with flying foxes and Ibis and prepare for large influxes of Flying Fox.

Some key action recommendations include:

  • Undertake staged works to re-open the fernery
  • Remove old Ibis nests across the park once all chicks have fledged
  • Prune nesting trees prior to each nesting seasons to reduce nesting platforms
  • Continue routine maintenance to clean fences, gates, walkways, park benches, rotunda, lawns and vegetation
  • Continue regular tree health assessments to ensure tree health and safety of park users
  • Investigate additional resources for periodic flying-fox influxes and ibis nesting periods to allow additional cleaning/blowing of footpaths and chairs/path sweeping, etc.
  • Limit mess on paths through a combination of strategic minor tree trimming and path covers/shelters in key areas
  • Consider deterring flying-foxes from strategic areas with canopy-mounted sprinklers on a rotational basis, if required, to allow areas to recover whilst also allowing flying-foxes to remain in the park. Canopy-mounted sprinklers, and/or selective trimming, may also be used where flying-foxes are roosting in highly undesirable areas, such as the schools
  • Plant additional jasmine on the entire fernery fence line to assist in masking odour and increase shading around the periphery to improve conditions for ferns

The City recognises the ecological and cultural importance of flying-foxes and ibis in sustaining the region’s unique biodiversity. The City also acknowledges the impact flying foxes and ibis may have on the community and is committed to implementing management actions that minimise impacts while also encouraging co-existence.

The City faces significant challenges in managing Rosalind Park which is home to a number of important heritage trees and other attractions such as the poppet head tower, the conservatory, the cascades and the fernery.

Since 2010 the park has also been home to a colony of native protected Grey Headed Flying Fox who have established a breeding and maternity camp at the site and more recently White Ibis have taken up residency in the fernery.

The Grey Headed Flying Fox is protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth), the Wildlife Act 1975 (Vic) and the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic).  White Ibis are protected in Victoria under the Wildlife Act 1975.

The City doesn’t have the authority to remove or relocate the bats as they are a protected species. It is also illegal to scare, harm or disturb them without permission or a permit from the relevant responsible authorities.

To view the plan, visit:

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Monaro Highway upgrade traffic changes

Source: Australian Capital Territory – State Government




Monaro Highway upgrade traffic changes – 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 27/10/2025

The Monaro Highway is being upgraded to deliver improved safety, freight efficiency and faster and smoother travel for Tuggeranong, the Woden Valley and southern NSW.

There will be an off-peak weekend closure of Monaro Highway (southbound only) between Hindmarsh Drive and Lanyon Drive required. The closure is scheduled from 7pm, Friday 14 November to 5am, Monday 17 November 2025, weather dependent.

The closure is in place to allow reconstruction of pavement along sections of the Monaro Highway’s southbound carriageway (within the project area).

During the closure, the following detours will be in place:

  • Travelling west on Hindmarsh Drive, left on to Mugga Lane and continue onto Monaro Highway.
  • Travelling east on Hindmarsh Drive, right on to Canberra Avenue right on to Lanyon Drive and continue to Monaro Highway. NB: Heavy vehicles will be diverted to this detour.
  • Travelling west along Canberra Avenue, left on to Sturt Avenue and Jerrabomberra Ave, right on to Hindmarsh Drive.

Traffic management will be in place during the closure to allow access for emergency services vehicles and access to the Alexander Maconochie Centre and ACT Government facilities along David Warren Road.

This closure improves the safety of both road users and project workers whilst works are undertaken.

Road users are reminded to follow all signage and directions from traffic controllers, and to be aware that reduced speed limits apply throughout the project site.

About the project

The Monaro Highway upgrade is part of a long-term series of road improvements that will create improved safety, freight efficiency and faster and smoother commutes.

It will also include:

  • A new southbound flyover on the Monaro Highway over Lanyon Drive (including three-metre-wide sealed shoulders).
  • The highway road pavement upgraded from David Warren Road, near the Alexander Maconochie Centre, through to Sheppard Street in Hume (including 3-metre-wide sealed shoulders).
  • A new widened bridge on the northbound carriageway over Dog Trap Creek/Woden Creek just north of Lanyon Drive. This includes an improved northbound merge from Lanyon Drive on to the Monaro Highway.
  • The new bridge structure will have Indigenous artwork applied to some of the external elements.

Construction of the flyover and interchange is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

The Monaro Highway upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments through the Infrastructure Investment Program.

To stay up to date on the impacts visit www.act.gov.au/builtforcbr/travel-impacts

– Statement ends –

Infrastructure Canberra | Media Releases

«ACT Government Media Releases | «Directorate Media Releases

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364-2025: Action Required: New pre-arrival reporting obligations for non-commercial vessels and aircraft (non-scheduled flights)

Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

27 October 2025

Who does this notice affect?

  • All international non-scheduled flights arriving in Australian territory.
  • All non-commercial vessel (recreational vessels, yachts and motor cruisers) owners or vessel operators arriving in Australian territory to visit or stay, including any returning Australians intending to arrive in Australian territory.
  • All shipping agents who represent international non-commercial vessels arriving in Australian territory.…
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Car rollover in Adelaide

Source: South Australia Police

A driver and passenger escaped serious injury after their car rolled in the city this evening.

About 7.10pm Sunday 26 October, police and emergency services were called to the intersection of O’Brien and Gilbert Street, Adelaide following reports of a single vehicle crash.

Patrols arrived to find a Nissan sedan had rolled after colliding with and tree, road sign and front of a building. The facade of the premises fortunately sustained only minor damage.

The driver, a 21-year-old man from Davoren Park, and his female passenger sustained minor injuries and were assessed by SA Ambulance paramedics at the scene. They were both taken to hospital for treatment.

The man was subsequently issued with a $333 fine for failing to maintain control of his vehicle.

Anyone who was witness to the crash and has no spoken with police or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage is asked to contact Crime Stoppers online at www.cimrestopperssa.com.au or free call 1800 333 000.

The sedan was towed from the scene.