Category: MIL-OSI

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Wastewater innovation expert named ACT Scientist of the Year

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Dr McGaughey’s work is based at the ANU’s Research School of Biology.

In brief:

  • The 2025 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Award has been awarded to Dr Samantha McGaughey.
  • Dr McGaughey is a wastewater innovation scientist based at the ANU’s Research School of Biology.
  • Her research focuses on harvesting clean water from wastewater.

Dr Samantha McGaughey has been named the 2025 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year.

Dr McGaughey is a postdoctoral research scientist. She has been recognised for her pioneering work in wastewater technology.

Her research focuses on creating new technologies that can safely and efficiently recover clean water – including valuable nutrients and minerals – from wastewater. Her work is based at the ANU’s Research School of Biology.

‘It’s a great honour to be named the ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year, and to be able to represent the incredible research and biotechnological innovation happening in the ACT,’ Dr McGaughey said.

‘My research aims to leverage nature’s extraordinary capabilities to develop technology to harvest clean water and critical resources from wastewater.’

About the award

The ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Award celebrates up-and-coming scientists.

The award:

  • recognises local scientists’ excellence in research and innovation.
  • celebrates work shaping a more sustainable future.
  • reflects the ACT’s shared commitment to building a more resilient and knowledge-driven future
  • build’s on the ACT’s strong history of scientific excellence.

Recipients may inspire students and young people to choose a career in:

  • science
  • technology
  • engineering
  • mathematics.

The award highlights the important role of research in improving everyday lives.

Read more like this

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Arrest – Aggravated robbery – Nightcliff

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police have arrested a 35-year-old male in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred in Nightcliff yesterday evening.

Around 6:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a male had allegedly assaulted a security guard at a supermarket on Dickward Drive before fleeing with stolen items.

It is alleged the male was seen stealing items from the store before attempting to leave. When approached by the security guard, the male allegedly assaulted the victim multiple times before fleeing the scene on foot.

The victim was not injured during the incident and did not require medical assistance.

Extensive patrols were conducted; however, the male was unable to be located at the time.

This morning, Strike Force Trident officers located and arrested a 35-year-old male who remains in police custody with charges expected to follow.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2500079202. You can report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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Grampians fire demonstrates power of shared responsibility

Source:

Ahead of the 2025-26 fire season, CFA is highlighting the exemplary co-ordinated community response shown in the west of the state last fire season.

The Yarram Gap Fire in the Grampians National Park burned more than 76,000 hectares of national park and 13,500 hectares of farmland in December 2024. 

Despite its scale, just four residential properties and 40 outbuildings were destroyed.  

Most notably, no lives were lost, a result CFA Assistant Chief Fire Officer Regional Commander (Grampians) Mark Gunning AFSM says was not down to chance.  

Speaking at the recent Emergency Management Victoria Conference, Mark credited the successful outcome to the remarkable cooperation and shared responsibility orchestrated between local communities, CFA and other Emergency Services agencies. 

“We need to acknowledge that there were some very significant impacts in a couple of areas, however we’ve never had a fire of this size in the Western District with such minimal loss,” Mark said. 

“That wasn’t luck. It was preparation, planning, and everyone working together. You make your own luck.” 

The Yarram Gap Fire, which was sparked by lightning on 16 December, merged with other large fires and at one stage threatened more than 5,200 homes. 

Mark said it was vital to ensure residents in Watch and Act and Emergency Warning areas understood that a fire truck could not be at every at-risk property. 

“The response we had from the community was a prime example of shared responsibility in action,” he said. 

“It only works if everyone knows their role, and this time people stepped up. Even an imperfect plan is better than no plan. The work you do before a fire starts will pay off when it arrives.” 

In the key days between 18–26 December, before the fire reached populated areas, CFA brigades, Indigenous Fire Teams, local governments, and residents worked side by side. Public information teams held community meetings in Stawell, Halls Gap, Pomonal, and Dunkeld, ensuring locals had timely, accurate information to act. 

Firebreaks were cut, properties prepared, and evacuation plans put into action.  

Mark said the Grampians response is a benchmark for all communities facing the threat of bushfire. 

“We don’t need a fire over the hill to start getting ready. We can start that work today. Clearing vegetation, talking to your family, checking in on your neighbours, it all makes a difference,” he said. 

CFA is encouraging all Victorians to review their Bushfire Plan and prepare their properties ahead of the 2025/26 Fire Danger Period. For more information, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

Submitted by CFA Media
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A new issue of What’s Happening has hit letterboxes

Source: South Australia Police

Check out the August-November 2025 edition of City’s newsletter – providing the latest updates on all the major projects within our boundaries.

The 16-page newsletter highlights an exciting period for the City, as two major projects – Dordaak Kepup library and youth innovation hub and the Alkimos Aquatic and Recreation Centre – reach milestones.

This edition’s cover story is a deep dive on the City’s acquisition of a fully intact lifeboat from private ownership. Recovered from the SS Alkimos, the lifeboat washed up in 1964 and was kept on a property in Two Rocks before recently coming into the City’s collection.

Read more about the mysterious mishaps of the SS Alkimos in the magazine. For example, did you know it originally ran aground near Two Rocks before it ended up in its final location in Alkimos?

In this edition, we also honour the City’s first Freeman, Nick Trandos OAM JP, who was also the last Shire President and first Mayor of the City of Wanneroo.

Our tribute to Nick explores his many achievements, including the legacy he leaves as founder of the Olympic Kingsway Sports Club.

And speaking of Kingsway, if you’ve watched any Australia Cup matches in recent weeks, you would have noticed the incredible quality of the pitch. That’s all thanks to our Turf and Irrigation Technical Officer, Cam, who talks you through his techniques for getting the sporting grounds in tip top shape in ‘5 Minutes With…’.

You’re welcome, Perth Glory, Wellington Pheonix and Melbourne Victory!

We’re sure the immaculate surface played a role in Olympic Kingsway’s triumphant underdog win over Melbourne Victory in the Cup last week.

Our vibrant Kid’s Zone is also back in this edition, with a mini-history lesson on honey and beekeeping around Yanchep.

Be sure to keep an eye out for a copy or visit any of the City’s libraries or Civic Centre to pick one up.

You can also see these stories come to life with video content on What’s Happening digital.

For just its second time, the digital edition of the newsletter contains in-depth interviews with City staff, and a catalogue of images and bonus content which didn’t make its way to print.

To see it, visit www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au/whatshappening

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Traffic changes along M7 Motorway in Eastern Creek

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions on the M7 Motorway in Eastern Creek from Monday 11 August to Friday 15 August 2025, between 9pm and 4am.

The M7 Motorway will be closed to all traffic in one direction at a time during works. The M7 Motorway will be open to all traffic in the opposite direction during each closure.

During the work we will:

  • close the M7 Motorway southbound between Great Western Highway and the M4 Motorway
  • close the M7 Motorway northbound between Mini Link Road and the M4 Motorway.
  • the on-ramps from the M4 Motorway to the M7 Motorway will stay open in both directions while this work takes place.

Vehicles travelling along the M7 Motorway in southbound direction between Great Western Highway and Old Wallgrove Road, Eastern Creek will be detoured via Great Western Highway, Wallgrove Road, M4 Motorway and Old Wallgrove Road during the work.

Vehicles travelling along the M7 Motorway in northbound direction between Mini Link Road and Great Western Highway, Eastern Creek will be detoured via Mini Link Road, Wallgrove Road and Great Western Highway during the work.

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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2.2 kilometre Elizabeth Drive upgrade opens as M12 Motorway remains on time and on budget

Source: Mental Health Australia

Government is continuing work to deliver the vital infrastructure rapidly growing Western Sydney communities need, with an upgraded section of Elizabeth Drive opening to traffic – a major milestone in the $2.1 billion toll-free M12 Motorway project.
 

Significant upgrades have taken a 2.2km stretch of Elizabeth Drive from a one lane road, to a three-lane dual carriageway. This transformation will increase road safety by significantly easing congestion for the 28,000 vehicles who drive this route daily.
 

As well as tripling the roadway for motorists, these upgrades also included a bridge that will stretch over the new Western Sydney Airport metro line, and Worimi Drive.
 

Elizabeth Drive is a key access route to the Western Sydney (Nancy-Bird) International Airport and rapidly growing Western Sydney communities including Bradfield, Badgerys Creek, Kemps Creek and greater Liverpool.
 

Once opened the M12 will provide direct access to the Airport and connect the Northern Road in the west with Elizabeth Drive and the M7 Motorway in the East.
Delivered in partnership with the Federal Government the M12 Motorway is on Budget and on time, with 14km of 16km of roadworks now completed opening of the motorway is on track for early next year. This road will remain in public hands.
 

The NSW and Australian Government are also investing a further $800 million for additional improvements on another section of Elizabeth drive, which will see the widening of an additional section from Devonshire Road towards the Airport from one to two lanes in each direction.
 

Planning for this work which will address congestion and increase reliability and safety for the community is currently underway.
 

The Government is investing over $2.7 billion for road infrastructure which will ensure the Aerotropolis meets its full potential, and growing local communities are receiving their fair share. These works which will complement the M12, include:
 

• $50 million for critical road upgrades across the Aerotropolis, including traffic lights and signals at the Elizabeth Drive and Luddenham Road intersection and a new turning lane at the Mamre Road and Kerrs Road intersection.
 

• $39 million to plan three key routes – Devonshire Road, Devonshire Link Road and Bradfield Metro Link Road – including a $12.5 million contribution from the Federal Government.
 

• $29.6 million for an incident management and response team to deploy rapidly to accidents and traffic delays. The new team will support key routes to and from the airport, along with the broader South Western Sydney road network.

•$30 million for more than 1000 new green directional signs across Sydney directing to the Aerotropolis and Western Sydney Airport.
 

For more information about the M12 Motorway and the Elizabeth Drive projects, go to nswroads.work/M12 and nswroads.work/elizabethdrive

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Design plans revealed as early work set to begin for Liverpool’s key link to Western Sydney Airport precinct

Source: Mental Health Australia

The Australian and NSW Governments are building better communities in Western Sydney with design work set to begin on the now funded $1 billion upgrade of Fifteenth Avenue in Sydney’s growing south-west.

The Government has awarded a contract for concept design to WSP, a major step forward in this precinct shaping project, which will be an essential link to the Western Sydney International Airport precinct.

The Government can also share with the community for the first time the proposed scope of the long-awaited upgrade. Key features of the design will be:

  • a four-lane carriageway, with two traffic lanes in each direction
  • new active transport connections and pedestrian paths
  • new signalised intersections, including one at Second Avenue, with dedicated turning lanes making it safer for locals
  • a land reservation for future expansion, including for a dedicated bus transitway to support future rapid bus services from Liverpool to the Bradfield City Centre and new airport.

The land reservation and future rezoning will ensure that new buildings can no longer be built in the future corridor of this arterial route.

Transport for NSW will also begin the process of engaging with property owners about land needed for the upgrade and future expansion.

Whilst there is still some way to go on the design, these discussions are starting early to help provide a level of certainty for affected property owners and ensure the project can be delivered as rapidly as possible.

To ensure construction can commence as soon as possible, the Fifteenth Avenue Upgrade will be delivered in a number of stages. Stage one will be completed in three sections, the first involving duplication between Second Avenue and Cowpasture Road, ahead of works moving onto the second section between Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

The third section of stage one will involve duplication between Fourth Avenue and Devonshire Road, while future stages will include the full connection through to the Bradfield City Centre and Aerotropolis precinct, and delivery of the dedicated bus transitway.

Design plans revealed as early work set to begin for Liverpool’s key link to Western Sydney Airport precinct This staged approach will help to ensure the fastest and most cost-effective delivery of this long overdue upgrade.

The NSW Government has expedited the design and planning processes so the project can go to construction tender in 2026, ahead of major construction commencing in 2027.

For further information visit the Fifteenth Avenue project page.

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Roll into spring with revamped trial of bikes on Dubbo XPT

Source: Mental Health Australia

As spring approaches, bike users are invited to explore the state’s west as part of NSW TrainLink’s revamped trial of roll-on bikes on long distance trains.

Under the trial, the XPT on the daily service between Sydney and Dubbo (and return) is fitted with a dedicated bike space, in which two bikes can be secured, meaning they don’t need to be dismantled, boxed and checked in as luggage. 

Bookings for this phase of the trial are now open. This follows a more limited trial in September last year. 

In this new phase, there is more flexibility for cyclists and the trial is being expanded to include weekends and school holidays. 

Bike riders can take journeys in both directions between Dubbo and Sydney with the added option to roll on and off at Bathurst and Orange stations.

Larger bikes with larger dimensions can now be accommodated.

The Dubbo XPT is the only NSW TrainLink service taking part in the trial and on all other services, including coaches, bikes still must be boxed as per current   operational procedures.

NSW TrainLink Chief Executive Roger Weeks said he was pleased to announce this second, expanded phase of the trial, following feedback from cyclists.

“We’re continuing to explore ways we can make regional journeys more convenient and accessible for cycling enthusiasts by allowing bikes to roll on and off our trains without the need for boxing,” Mr Weeks said.

“In this second trial we’re expanding options for cyclists to travel onboard with us by allowing the use of larger bikes, seven-day bookings and adding mid-journey stops at Bathurst and Orange.

“The ability to roll a bike on board makes it easier for cyclists to enjoy parts of beautiful regional NSW which is a win for both passengers and the environment. 

“We’re combining public transport with active transport, and we welcome bike user groups across the community to join the trial. We have been pleased to work with the bike community to test a solution and now look forward to gathering further feedback.”

Cyclist John Fuller, who took part in the phase one trial, said he’s pleased by the expanded options now available under phase two.

“We hope it will be an incentive for more people to take part in the trial, by allowing larger bikes and the option to travel on every day of the week,” Mr Fuller said.

“The process is quite simple to roll the bike on, put it in the right spot and strap it up.

“We’d like to call on any of the cyclists going into the regions to use the service. I think they’ll be surprised at how convenient it is and how enjoyable the trip will be.” 

Bike spaces must be pre-booked. Booking can be made by calling NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32 between 7am and 10pm daily.

Information on the trial including bike dimensions is available here www. transportnsw.info/news/2025/roll-into-spring-with-your-bike-onboard-sydney-dubbo-xpt-service

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$500,000 to boost community road safety across NSW

Source: Mental Health Australia

Funding applications open for round 11 of Community Road Safety Grants.

Transport for NSW continues its strong commitment to supporting grassroots groups working to improve road safety, today announcing $500,000 in funding for the latest round of its Community Road Safety Grants program.

Chadi Chalhoub, Executive Director for Transport Safety at Transport for NSW, said this funding matches the significant investment made in 2024 and reflects the importance of community-led efforts to help make roads safer.

“Local communities know how to improve safety on their roads,” Mr Chalhoub said. “With $500,000 available in this round alone, we are backing local champions who understand the unique challenges their areas face and are well placed to deliver effective solutions.

“I encourage every eligible organisation to apply and help us drive positive change on NSW roads.”

Eligible not-for-profit and charity organisations in NSW can apply for grants of up to $5,000 or up to $30,000 to fund local road safety initiatives.

Last year saw a record response, with more than 75 groups applying – more than double the number from the previous round. From these, 35 projects across 17 metropolitan and 18 regional areas received funding between $5,000 and $30,000. Due to the high number and quality of applications, the total funding was increased from $380,000 to $500,000.

“Since its inception in 2015, the program has distributed over $3.7 million to not-for-profit and community organisations across NSW,” Mr Chalhoub said.

“Whether it’s a small awareness campaign, an education program, or practical safety improvements, grassroots road safety initiatives play a crucial role in reducing crashes and saving lives.

“Last year’s surge in applications reflects the passion and commitment of local groups to build a stronger road safety culture in their communities.”

Applications for Round 11 open on Monday, 4 August and close at 4pm on Monday, 15 September 2025. Successful projects will be announced in December 2025.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/community/community-grants.

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Sydney roads roll out the red carpet as 90,000 runners hit the streets for annual City2Surf

Source: Mental Health Australia

Major route preparations are underway to safely deliver the world’s largest fun run this Sunday.

A sold-out field of 90,000 people are expected to power across Sydney’s streets on 10 August for the 55th annual City2Surf – a 14km fun run from the CBD to Bondi Beach.

The Minns Government is asking the public to prepare for road closures and detours, with strict parking restrictions to be enforced along the entire course.

The Government is also calling on motorists to prepare for significant delays across the Eastern Suburbs while roads are closed to keep runners safe.

Read the full media release here (PDF, 90 KB).