Source:
We’ve reviewed our advice and continue to advise do not travel to Libya due to the dangerous security situation and the high threat of terrorism and kidnapping. If you’re in Libya, you should leave as soon as possible if it’s safe to do so. Due to the ongoing unrest, our ability to provide consular assistance to Australians in Libya is severely limited.
Source: Australian Green Party
NSW Health is warning people to take precautions as smoke from hazard reduction burns in and around the Blue Mountains may affect air quality today and into the weekend, especially in the mountains and Western Sydney.
NSW Health’s Director of Environmental Health Dr Stephen Conaty said smoke can have serious health effects, especially for people with existing heart and lung conditions.
“Smoke particles in the air can irritate the eyes and airways, and for most people, this causes temporary symptoms like a cough and a sore throat,” Dr Conaty said.
“However, smoke particles that get into the lung can worsen pre-existing health conditions like angina, asthma, emphysema and diabetes, potentially causing serious illness.
“In particular we’re urging people to take precautions with infants, young children, and people over 65 years of age who may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke.”
People across Sydney should monitor the air quality levels where they are and follow the recommended health advice. Air quality information and health messages are available at NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Air Quality Index (AQI) data.
General tips to decrease risk from smoke:
Follow your doctor’s advice about medicines and your asthma management plan if you have one. Keep your medication close at hand. Consult your doctor if symptoms worsen. In an emergency always call 000.
Monitor air quality: Air quality information and a health activity guide are available at Air quality concentration data.
Avoid vigorous outdoor activity when it’s smoky, children especially should avoid unnecessary outdoor activities including vigorous exercise, sightseeing and outdoor play when it is smoky.
Spend more time indoors: Keep doors and windows closed in your home until the smoke clears. Air quality is also generally better in air-conditioned venues such as cinemas, libraries and shopping centres.
Keep indoor air cleaner by ensuring if you have an air purifier with a high efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter or an air-conditioner that it does not draw in air from outside to keep indoor air cleaner.
Spend time in air-conditioned buildings like public libraries and shopping centres or the home of a friend or family member where there is less smoke.
Wear a P2 or N95 mask to protect from some of the smoke if you are unable to avoid it. To be effective the mask must fit your face well with an air-tight seal.
More information can be found at the NSW Health website: Protect yourself from bushfire smoke.
Source: New South Wales Community and Justice
Police investigating vehicle rollover, Carlton
Friday, 11 April 2025 – 12:10 pm.
Police are investigating the circumstances of a vehicle rollover involving a white Ford Falcon utility on Carlton River Road, Carlton last night.
Police were called to the scene near the intersection of Moomere Street shortly before 7:30pm, following reports a vehicle had rolled.
The two occupants were reportedly removing property from the vehicle, including its registration plates, and loading it into a nearby burgundy Ford Falcon sedan.
The pair then left the crash scene prior to police arrival.
Hooning and burnouts in the Carlton and Lewisham areas were reported immediately before the crash.
Police are investigating, and are following a particular line of enquiry.
Anyone with information about the crash, or dashcam or CCTV footage of either vehicle in the area at the time, is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote ESCAD 347-10042025.
Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously.
Source: New South Wales Community and Justice
Boating Incident – Roaring Beaches, South Arm
Friday, 11 April 2025 – 12:10 pm.
Sadly, a man has died after a boating incident at Roaring Beach in Southern Tasmania this morning.
Police and other emergency services were called to the scene about 8.45am after reports a boat had experienced engine failure and was struck by large waves.
Two men were on board the boat at the time of the incident.
One man was able to return to shore safely before raising the alarm.
He was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment for non-life threatening injuries.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter, police and civilian vessels searched the area for the missing man who was sadly located along with the overturned boat about 9.40am.
Our thoughts are with the man’s loved ones.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Source: New South Wales Government 2
11 April 2025
This notice affects importers of live plants (nursery stock), customs brokers and departmental staff.
The department has identified a scientific publication by Ahmad et al. (2024) reporting that the plant pathogenic bacteria, Xylella fastidiosa (Xylella), was detected overseas in commercial, field grown Cannabis crops.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry…
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
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 11/04/2025
From Monday 28 April 2025, JJ’s Waste and Recycling will start as the new service provider for the collection of household bins in the ACT.
In 2024 the ACT Government announced the consolidation of all household waste collection services into one contract. This contract was awarded to JJ’s Waste and Recycling.
Over the past 12 months JJ’s Waste and Recycling has been acquiring a new fleet of vehicles, including one electric collection truck, and preparing staff and facilities for the commencement of service delivery.
Under the new contract, JJ’s Waste and Recycling will be responsible for delivering the following services:
As part of the new arrangements there will only be one change to the household waste collection calendar. This change will be for the suburb of Charnwood (see details at the bottom of this media release).
The scheduled collection day for all other suburb collections will remain the same.
While there are no further formal changes to the bin collection schedule, Canberrans are asked to be patient during the transition process. While every effort is being made to ensure a smooth transition between service providers, there is potential for some temporary service impacts.
Important things for ACT households to note include that:
Prior to Monday 28 April 2025
From Monday 28 April 2025
For more information, including to view the current collection schedule, visit www.act.gov.au/bins.
Change to Charnwood collection day
From Monday 28 April 2025, household bin collections in Charnwood will move to Wednesdays.
This is for all three household bins including recycling, landfill and green waste. Recycling and green waste are collected on alternate weeks.
This means there will be a change to the current collection day for some households in Charnwood. There will be no change to collection schedules for multi-unit dwellings.
The change is happening to improve collection efficiency. Currently, collection of household bins in Charnwood is split over four days. From 28 April 2025, there will be one single collection day for Charnwood.
The ACT Government will provide all affected households with a new collection calendar in their letterbox.
– Statement ends –
ACT Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate | Media Releases
«ACT Government Media Releases | «Directorate Media Releases
Source:
We’ve reviewed our advice for China and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution. As previously advised, authorities have detained foreigners on the grounds of ‘endangering national security’. Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention or harsh enforcement of local laws, including broadly defined National Security Laws.
Source:
Werribee Fire Brigade members are gearing up for the Good Friday Appeal
Fundraising as a brigade since 1977, the brigade begins planning months before the day itself, taking into account where members will be stationed, transport for the day and most importantly who will be cooking the fish on the BBQ to keep them fueled.
Having raised well over $1 million for the cause over the years, the Appeal is a key event in the brigade’s annual calendar.
Werribee Fire Brigade Captain Michael Wells has been a CFA member for 36 years and has fond memories of fundraising with the brigade in the late 1980s right through to today. He said fundraising is a joint effort between the brigade itself and the wider community.
“We rely on our members to get involved, both in the lead-up to and on the day itself, and we rely on our community to be generous enough to allow us to do that,” Michael said.
“Everyone gets behind the cause and it really inspires us to keep doing this.”
For the brigade members, fundraising for the Appeal is a proud extension to their volunteerism with CFA.
“As firefighters, we often see devastation that can occur and incidents where children might end up needing the services of The Royal Children’s Hospital, whether it’s a burn or an injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident,” Michael said.
“We volunteer with CFA because we are community-minded and like giving back, so this is just another way we can contribute. We understand the importance of having the best facilities available, and if we can contribute to this in some way, it is worthwhile.”
The cause hits close to home for the team, with many brigade members using the services of The Royal Children’s Hospital over many years.
Werribee Fire Brigade firefighter Mick Davie is one of those members. Mick has done everything and more over his last 20 years of fundraising, from door-knocking, tin-rattling, to sitting on the organising committee.
“My family has a long history with both CFA and the Good Friday Appeal. Both my kids and my wife get there early in the morning with me, and we spend the day helping to raise as much money as we can for the cause,” Mick said.
“We’ve seen the impacts the Appeal can have firsthand, with both of our kids needing treatment.
“Our son, Jake, has needed two head reconstructions and our daughter, Charlotte, is currently going through cancer treatment, so we are at the hospital weekly. We can’t speak highly enough about them and what they have done for our family.
“We are so lucky to have the Royal Children’s Hospital so close and accessible to us. The staff there are the best in the world at what they do, they are so good at finding the best treatment for each individual and what will work best for each child.
“There is a reason that people come from around the world to see specialists there.
“We need the hospital to have the best gear possible so our kids can be looked after.
“You can see the impact that the Good Friday Appeal can have as soon as you visit The Royal Children’s Hospital. It is really important to keep the support going.”
This year, CFA volunteers are aiming to surpass $40 million in total funds collected for the Good Friday Appeal across 74 years.
On Good Friday, call 1300 APPEAL between 9am and 11pm.
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
|---|
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
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 11/04/2025
On the one-year anniversary of the ACT Disability Strategy, the ACT Government is reinforcing our commitment to fostering a more inclusive city for people with disability.
The development of the 10-year Strategy and associated action plans set a high bar as an example of extensive community-led co-design approaches with people with disability, advocates, carers and service providers.
The Government has committed more than $5.5 million to support delivering on the Strategy’s priorities to continue removing barriers and enhancing accessibility for people with disability in the ACT.
Key achievements in the first year of the Strategy and First Action Plan include:
The Government acknowledges there is still more to do to ensure Canberrans living with a disability have full and equal participation in all aspects of community life.
Key focus of the work ahead includes:
The progression of this important work will continue to be guided and informed by the experiences of people with disability and the broader ACT Disability Community.
Quote attributable to Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services Suzanne Orr:
“Today marks an important milestone in our journey to ensuring Canberra is as inclusive as it can be and a place where people with disability can fully and easily participate in all aspects of our community.
“I would like to thank everyone who has shared their time, expertise and experience in the last year to ensure the needs of people with disability are heard and we are making the change that is needed.
“Making our city truly inclusive won’t happen straight away and I look forward to working with the community as we continue to build on our work to date.”
Quote attributable to Renée Heaton, Chair of Disability Reference Group:
“It has been 12 months since the ACT Disability Strategy was launched and with so much reform yet to come the DRG are pleased that the Strategy and first action plan is delivering for Canberrans with disability now.
“The actions delivered to date cross directorates and interlink to make sure that however a person with disability wants to live their life, they can.
“For example, if they want to go out to the multicultural festival, they can knowing there’s an accessible changing places bathroom available.
“People with disability deserve to have great lives so we look forward to the ACT Government continuing to deliver on the First Action Plan and showing the rest of Australia how it’s done.”
– Statement ends –
Suzanne Orr, MLA | Media Releases
Source: New South Wales Ministerial News
Please be aware that our Payment Portal, Online Customer Requests and Building Application lodgment portal will be unavailable between:
Starts: 5.00pm on Friday April 11, 2025
Ends: 12.00am on Saturday April 12, 2025
For any payments please refer to your invoice or statement for other payment options during this period.