Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Premier of Victoria

After four months of searching, Elizabeth and Lorenzo found their first home in a suburb that’s fast becoming one of the most popular metro spots for home buyers in Australia, according to new NAB insights*.

Now settled in Truganina, the couple say the move has brought them closer to family, close to their son’s school, and gives them the space they wouldn’t find closer to Melbourne’s CBD.

“We were renting in Braybrook before, and rather than spend our money on rent, we wanted to build equity in a home we can then leverage to find our forever home in the future,” said Elizabeth.

Truganina tops NAB’s list of the most popular metro suburbs for home buyers in 2025, based on lending data so far this year.

The suburb is one of five Melbourne locations to make the national top ten, ahead of Roxburgh Park, which ranked second.

Top 10 metro suburbs*

1. Truganina, Melbourne
2. Roxburgh Park, Melbourne
3. Yarramundi – Londonderry, Sydney
4. Point Cook, Melbourne
5. Cranbourne East, Melbourne
6. Tarneit, Melbourne
7. Schofields, Sydney
8. Wentworthville, Sydney
9. Piara Waters – Forrestdale, Perth
10. Prestons, Sydney

“We’re close to public transport and family, which was important for us, and our son’s school is nearby,” said Elizabeth.

“We’ve been so busy settling in, we haven’t even had time to celebrate. We will make sure to have a proper celebration with our son’s birthday later in July.”

Elizabeth and Lorenzo are part of a growing number of home buyers re-entering the market as conditions continue to improve.

NAB Executive for Home Lending Denton Pugh said outer metro suburbs continue to appeal to buyers who want space and affordability while continuing to live close to the CBD.

“Many home buyers are looking further out. Not just for value, but because many of these areas are now better connected thanks to major infrastructure investments,” said Mr Pugh.

“Many are also spots where buyers can find the space they’re after without having to compromise on other things that matter such as  community spaces like parks and sporting facilities.

“Although many Australians will be disappointed with the RBA not cutting interest rates this month, NAB continues to expect further cuts in August and November, with an additional cut in February 2026.

“July’s expected rate cut aside, improving conditions are boosting buyer confidence and increasing borrowing power for many – translating to more home buyers entering the market.

“Typically, the winter months are quieter, but we’re seeing steady demand that should continue through to the busy spring buying season.

“Even with rates still relatively high, buyers feel the peak has passed and want to make their move before prices climb further. We expect capital city prices to continue their recovery through 2025, with stronger growth likely in 2026.”

More information:

• *NAB proprietary home lending data between January – May 2025
• Suburbs sorted by statistical area two

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 17 Jul 2025

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) is investigating the death of a dingo (wongari) on K’gari and is asking for public assistance.

On 1 June 2025, rangers found the deceased dingo at Ngkala Rocks on the eastern side of the island, north of Waddy Point.

An independent veterinary examination confirmed the dingo had died from a suspected vehicle strike and was then deliberately decapitated.

Anyone who was visiting the Orchid Beach and Waddy Point area north to Ngkala Rocks in late May or early June or has dashcam footage is urged to contact DETSI.

Rangers on K’gari are also asking people to drive cautiously on the beach following recent deaths of dingoes due to suspected vehicle strike.

Anyone with information about the recent deaths of dingoes on K’gari can provide it anonymously by calling 1300 130 372 or (07) 4127 9150, via the DETSI website, or by emailing dingo.ranger@detsi.qld.gov.au.

Dingoes are protected in Queensland National Parks as a native species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

The maximum penalty for wilfully killing a protected animal on K’gari is $483,900 or two-years imprisonment. The same penalty applies to the taking of parts of a deceased protected animal from K’gari.

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 12 Jul 2025

Eleven highly skilled fire-trained rangers from Queensland’s Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) are heading to Canada to support international efforts to battle the country’s devastating wildfires.

The rangers will join a contingent of Australian firefighters assisting Canadian crews in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and other affected regions, where intense wildfires are continuing to escalate.

It will be the first time DETSI has deployed female firefighters either outside Queensland or internationally to assist in fire operations, with four in the firefighting team.

Canadian authorities are currently managing around 500 active fires, with many classified as “out of control”.

The DETSI personnel have partnered with a further 10 firefighters from Western Australia to form a taskforce, taking their landscape fire management expertise to where it is needed most.

The Queensland team met their Western Australian counterparts at Brisbane Airport for a briefing on Saturday, 12 July, before flying out on Sunday, 13 July.

The DETSI team will work alongside Canadian and international fire agencies to protect communities, infrastructure, and vital environmental assets for the next 40 days.

DETSI Deputy Director General, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Ben Klaassen, said the department was proud to contribute to the international effort.

“Current weather conditions in many parts of Queensland mean we have the capacity to deploy a crew of our fire-trained rangers to assist our Canadian colleagues,” Mr Klaassen said.

“Our team’s experience will not only help protect communities and the environment in Canada, but it will also provide some much-needed relief to local crews who have been working tirelessly in incredibly challenging conditions.

“We wish our rangers every success and a safe return, and our thoughts are with the communities and firefighters affected by these devastating fires.”

DETSI Fire Behaviour Analyst Senior Officer Bluey Harris said the deployment was a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and develop international firefighting skills.

“We’re proud to lend a hand to our Canadian counterparts.

“Wildfire fighting is something Queensland rangers know well, but this deployment will allow us to experience a different environment and learn from global approaches to managing large-scale incidents.
“It’s a chance to exchange knowledge, improve our skills, and bring valuable lessons back to Queensland.

“I’m interested to experience completely different ecosystems and learn an entirely different approach to fire management,” Ms Harris said.

The DETSI team is expected to return to Australia on 17 August.

The eleven DETSI personnel deploying to Canada are:

• Ranger Ben Finnerty – Cairns, Northern Region
• Senior Officer Bluey Harris – Rockhampton, Fire Services
• Ranger Bradley Childe – Tewantin, Coastal & Islands Region
• Senior Ranger Chris White (Strike Team Leader) – Atherton, Northern Region
• Ranger Emily Gentle – Toowoomba, South West Region
• Ranger Emma Stievano – Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Marine Parks Region
• Ranger in Charge Lindie Pasma – Diamantina, Central Region
• Senior Ranger Miles Pritchett – Gold Coast, South East Queensland Region
• Ranger in Charge Paul Harris – Boonah, South East Queensland Region
• Ranger Peter Humphriss – Clermont, Central Region
• Senior Ranger Terry Peschek – Manly, Coastal & Islands Region

Source: New South Wales – News

The single vehicle collision occurred on Philip Highway, Elizabeth South at 6.40pm on Thursday 17 July.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

Emergency crews are expected to remain at the scene for several hours.

Source: New South Wales – News

About 4.20am on Sunday 6 July, the victim rode his e-scooter to a service station on Salisbury Highway, Salisbury Downs.  He was confronted on the forecourt by an unknown man armed with a hammer who demanded his e-scooter.

The victim was assaulted and had his scooter stolen.  The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries.

The suspect is described as a man with a medium build, dark hair shaved on the sides and appears to have tattoos on the front of his neck and right hand.

Anyone who recognises the suspect caught on CCTV footage or has information that may lead to his identity is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

Source: New South Wales – News

Police and paramedics were called to Laurence Street, South Plympton at 4.45pm on Thursday 17 July by reports of an assault.

The victim sustained serious injuries and is being taken to hospital by ambulance.  His condition is not believed to be life-threatening at this time.

Anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested two males, aged 18 and 14-years-old, in relation to two incidents of an aggravated robbery and burglary that occurred at a Katherine café on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Around 8:40pm on 15 July 2025, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of several people unlawfully entering a café on Katherine Terrace, before leaving location with various stolen food and drink items.

Early yesterday morning, two males entered the same cafe and assaulted staff inside, before fleeing from the location with stolen food and drink items. Two witnesses stopped to render assistance and confronted the two males before they were allegedly assaulted in the process.

Katherine general duties responded and with the assistance of the two witnesses, arrested an 18-year-old male a short time later. Later in the day, members from the Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch and Strike Force Cerberus located and arrested a 14-year-old male youth.

The 14-year-old male was charged with:

• Aggravated Robbery

• Aggravated Burglary

• Assault Worker

He was remanded to appear before court tomorrow, 18 July 2025.

The 18-year-old male was charged with:

• Aggravated Robbery

• Aggravated Burglary

• Recruitment of a Child

• Assault Worker

He was remanded to appear before Katherine Local Court on 21 July 2025.

It is unknown at this stage of the investigation if these incidents are linked to a group of people who were involved in an alleged aggravated burglary that took place later in the night involving a stolen motor vehicle.

The Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch and Strike Force Cerberus have carriage of the two incidents.

Anyone with information, including dashcam or CCTV footage, are urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference NTP2500071849. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New South Wales – News

Just before 1pm today (Thursday 17 July), police and emergency services were called to Anzac Highway near Grassmere Street after reports of a two-car crash.

Citybound traffic is down to one lane.

Please avoid the area if possible.