Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture
05 November 2025
All importers of plants, cats and/or dogs who will be required to use the check status function within the Post Entry Biosecurity System during the period of this service disruption.
Start time:
As of: 11:52 Thursday 09 October 2025 (AEDT).
The Post Entry Biosecurity System is currently experiencing an unplanned service disruption. As a result, users are unable to check the…
Source: South Australia Police
From tomorrow, South Australia Police will be targeting people who consume cocaine and drive.
Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said cocaine effects may last a short time but can be detected up to 24 hours after consumption.
“We know that consumption of cocaine can lead to overconfidence and aggression, reduced inhibition, increased risk-taking behaviours, agitation and loss of concentration, delusion, and affected vision, all traits you don’t want in a person driving,” Commissioner Stevens said.
“It is crucial that roadside drug testing includes cocaine to keep these dangerous drivers from our roads.”
So far this year, drug driving contributed to eight people losing their lives, and 76 received life changing serious injuries. More than 2,600 drug drivers have received expiation notices.
This is compared to 2024, where drug driving was a factor in 14 of the lives lost on our roads and 129 lifechanging serious injuries.
A new road safety campaign to educate road users about the consequences of driving under the influence of cocaine will launch statewide.
“This new campaign highlights the overconfidence that taking cocaine induces, causing offenders to overlook the risk they pose to themselves and other road users,” Commissioner Stevens said.
Roadside random drug testing (RDT) has been in operation in South Australia since 1 July 2006 and up to 50,000 tests are conducted each year. Drug testing currently detects methamphetamine, THC (the active component of cannabis) and MDMA (ecstasy).
“The new drug test will reinforce our existing capabilities and become the new norm for our random drug testing campaigns, including the blitz operations conducted throughout the year,” Commissioner Stevens said.
Severe penalties apply to drivers who commit drug driving offences including an immediate loss of licence along with the potential to immediately impound the vehicle. The penalty is a $875 fine, a $102 victim of crime levy, a minimum of three months of disqualification, and four demerit points.
Refusing, or failing to comply to a random drug test is also an offence, incurring an immediate loss of licence, six demerit points, and a court imposed penalty with a minimum of 12 months disqualification.
Source: Tasmania Police
Presentation of Southern District Medals and Awards
Wednesday, 5 November 2025 – 2:42 pm.
Officers involved in complex search and rescue operations are among those recognised today for their courage and skill as part of the Tasmania Police medals and awards for the Southern District.
Commissioner Donna Adams attended the Tasmania Police Academy today to present commendations to members of Tasmania Police Marine and Rescue for their efforts at:
• The Franklin River, in November 2024, where search and rescue officers were part of a multi-agency team which raced against the clock to save the life of a Lithuanian adventurer whose leg had become wedged between rocks and required amputation. The team then extracted multiple people from the wilderness area, including other members of the group of kayakers.
• Fortescue Bay in November 2024, where officers on board police vessel Dauntless battled large swells, strong wind and driving rain during a challenging night mission to safely recover two men from a stricken boat.
• Fossil Bluff, Wynyard, in February 2025, where police rescue swimmer Constable Phillip Vanderwal entered rough surf from a helicopter winch and conducted multiple swims between a stricken yacht and the rocky shoreline to guide a man and woman to safety.
Commissioner Adams also awarded a Commendation to a Lauderdale man and his father who, on July 20 this year, were responsible for the rescue of two 14-year-old boys whose boat capsized in Frederick Henry Bay.
Police consider the quick-thinking actions of Matthew Bell, 35, and James Bell, 64, was crucial to saving the boys, who were found in the water holding on to each other, exhausted from paddling and showing the early effects of hypothermia.
In other main awards, Detective Senior Constable Mark Wilby received a Commissioner’s Certificate of Commendation in recognition of his commitment to the investigation of sex crimes and historical child sexual assaults in Tasmania.
Constable Mary Bacic and Constable Joshua Hardy received a Certificate of Commendation in recognition of their arrest of an attempted murder suspect, and the initial support and scene management at a serious incident in Dowsing Point in February this year.
Special presentations were also made to officers with outstanding length of service.
A Commissioner’s Medal 3rd Clasp was presented to Senior Constable Paul Hyland for his 40 years with Tasmania Police, serving in the north and south of the state in areas such as traffic, general duties, criminal investigation, drug investigation and forensic services.
Senior Constable Hyland, whose first posting was to Hobart in 1985, is currently based at Nubeena Police Station.
“I have continued in the career because of the opportunities, friendships and challenges,” he said. “There are so many aspects of policing that one can get involved in without having to change career paths.”
Senior Constable Hyland said policing was a rewarding career.
“Crash investigation and police diving were always challenging areas to work in,” he said.
“In most instances the jobs you attended were mentally and physically challenging however, you work through it for the best outcomes for the victims and their families.”
And a Commissioner’s Medal 4th Clasp was presented to retired Inspector Glen Woolley in recognition of 50 years’ service.
Mr Woolley retired from Tasmania Police in 2015 however, he has continued to serve the organisation as an ancillary officer in the role of Tasmania Police Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Governor of Tasmania.
And First Class Constable Dean Hodge, of the Crime and Intelligence Command, received a National Medal 3rd Clasp, recognising 45 years’ service.
During his time with Tasmania Police, Constable Hodge has performed roles with investigative support, radio dispatch and specialist operations.
Constable Phil Vanderwal receives his commendation from Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams. Picture: Tasmania Police.
Source: Mental Health Australia
A two-and-a-half-year project to upgrade the Great Western Highway at the foot of the Blue Mountains has come to an end, with all work now completed.
The $232 million Coxs River Road Upgrade at Little Hartley has been jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments and features a new 2.4-kilometre four-lane alignment of the Great Western Highway and 70-metre long road bridge to take local traffic, pedestrians and cyclists safely over the highway.
Traffic switched to the new highway alignment in April this year and since then crews have been putting the finishing touches to the project, including new landscaping, completing more than two kilometres of shared path that connects local roads, and installing new signage for passing motorists.
The upgrade has also delivered a realignment of the old highway to create a service road for local businesses, upgraded intersections at Browns Gap Road, Coxs River Road, Ambermere Drive and Baaners Lane, and a U-turn bay on Baaners Lane.
“The Great Western Highway is the key route linking Sydney to the state’s Central West and the Coxs River Road Upgrade is already reducing congestion and improving accessibility for local and highway road users,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.
“In addition, the new road bridge on Coxs River Road – with its own shared cycle and pedestrian path – quickly and safely takes local traffic over the four-lane highway, meaning an end to the long waits that local traffic often endured trying to join or cross the highway, particularly in busy holiday periods.
“New landscaping work featuring native species has created a visually appealing section of highway for passing motorists and we’re also proud of the new retaining walls that have been finished in materials selected by the community to reflect the local environment.”
The new highway alignment and bridge were built from locally sourced materials including concrete from Lithgow and quarry materials from Oberon.
The Coxs River Road Upgrade supported more than 530 jobs with 30 per cent of that workforce coming from surrounding local government areas.
More information on the upgrade of the Great Western Highway at Coxs River Road is available on the Transport for NSW website.
Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture
05 November 2025
All importers and customs brokers who will be required to lodge imported cargo documentation to the department for biosecurity assessment during this planned maintenance period (e.g. clients required to use the Cargo Online Lodgement System (COLS).
Due to urgent scheduled infrastructure maintenance, there will be a scheduled service disruption (service degradation) to COLS between 23:00 to 23:45 Thursday 06…
Source: New South Wales Ministerial News
City of Greater Bendigo Statutory and Strategic Planners are delighted to be among key exhibitors at the McKean McGregor Building & Living Expo, taking place from 2.30pm to 7.30pm this Friday, November 7 at the Novo Centre, Bendigo Baptist Church, Junortoun.
The free expo brings together a wide range of experts including builders, land developers, finance professionals, designers, and product suppliers to help demystify the home-building and planning journey.
Attendees are invited to speak with City Strategic Planners and Statutory Planners about the proposed Managed Growth areas in Greater Bendigo and gain a better understand of the planning permit process.
Manager Statutory Planning Ross Douglas said the event provided a great opportunity for the community to connect directly with planning professionals.
“Whether you’re looking to build, renovate or make changes to a site, this is a fantastic opportunity to ask questions, explore different options and gain a clearer understanding of how the planning process works. The City will also be showcasing new and improved planning services available to help community members,” Mr Douglas said.
There are many ways to engage with City planners:
Source: Mental Health Australia
The speed limit on two local roads in the Lithgow City Council area will be reduced for the safety of all road users.
The speed limit on a three-kilometre section of McKanes Falls Road in South Bowenfels will be reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h and the speed limit on a one-kilometre section of Magpie Hollow Road will be changed from a mix of 70 km/h and 80 km/h to a consistent 60 km/h.
Transport for NSW recently finished restoration work on historic McKanes Bridge over the Coxs River and conducted a speed zone review of the area after community members raised concerns about trucks travelling too quickly through the windy sections of the road, and about sight distances and visibility on approach to the bridge.
The review covered the full length of McKanes Falls Road between the Great Western Highway and Jenolan Caves Road, assessing a number of factors including location, crash history, road environment, the number of access points, road usage, traffic mix and traffic volumes.
“McKanes Falls Road is a quiet, sealed rural road that provides a bit of a short cut for people coming from Lithgow and heading to the famous Jenolan Caves,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.
“It is a winding road with a number of high-risk curves, narrow lane widths that provide little margin for driver error, and steep declines on both approaches to McKanes Bridge.
“Currently the road has an 80 km/h speed limit along its entire 7.4 kilometres but the review determined that a 60 km/h limit through the most challenging middle section of the road would be more appropriate.”
As a result of the review, a 60 km/h speed limit will come into effect from Thursday 6 November on the three-kilometre section of McKanes Falls Road running from 2.4 kilometres south of the Great Western Highway to 5.4 kilometres south of the Great Western Highway.
The change will add 45 seconds to trips along McKanes Falls Road with the existing 80 km/h speed limit to be retained for the rest of the road.
A separate speed zone review on Magpie Hollow Road, requested by Lithgow City Council in response to safety concerns raised by local residents, also recommended a lower speed limit in recognition of increasing development in the area.
As a result of the review, the 70 km/h zone that runs for 160 metres on Magpie Hollow Road from the intersection with the Great Western Highway will be reduced to 60 km/h, with the reduced 60 km/h speed limit to extend for a further 840 metres into the existing 80 km/h speed zone.
The change will also come into effect from Thursday 6 November and will add about 13 seconds to trips on Magpie Hollow Road.
Lithgow City Council and local police support all the proposed changes.
Members of the community can sign up here to receive the latest updates on speed limit changes in their nominated area.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Police have arrested a 30-year-old male in relation to an disturbance in Leanyer overnight.
Around 9:20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received multiple reports of an adult male allegedly yelling threats of violence involving a firearm and an edged weapon while walking along Rosewood Crescent.
Police deployed to the area and located the male on VRD Drive, where he was arrested without incident.
The alleged offender was not found to be in possession of any weapons at the time of his arrest.
He was conveyed to the Watch House where he underwent drug and alcohol testing, returning a positive drug result.
He remains in police custody and investigations are ongoing.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444 quoting reference number P25297263. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information after an alleged sexual assault occurred in Alice Springs on Friday 31 October 2025.
Investigators are appealing for the public’s assistance, specifically to identify a vehicle of interest.
The vehicle, a black Hilux, is alleged to have been in the vicinity of The Gap around 11pm on Friday 31 October. The Hilux is believed to have been stationary on Gap Road, near the intersection of Bagot Street, and facing in a northerly direction.
Anyone with information, including dash cam footage or CCTV footage which may have captured this black Hilux, is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2500109225. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.
The Northern Territory Police Force is committed to ensuring the safety of all community members and take allegations of this nature very seriously.
Source: Tasmania Police
Drink drivers caught during targeted traffic operations in North-West
Wednesday, 5 November 2025 – 10:25 am.
Western Road Policing Services conducted 362 random breath tests during targeted traffic operations at Spreyton, Latrobe and Quoiba yesterday afternoon.
Acting Inspector Martin Parker said while the majority of road users were doing the right thing, police detected four drink drivers, one speeding driver, and one suspended driver in an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.
“Police conducted traffic operations for three hours following Melbourne Cup celebrations, and were disappointed with the number of drink drivers detected,” he said.
“If you are going to celebrate an event, or plan to drink, organise a designated driver. Don’t bet on your own life or the life of others by driving while under the influence of alcohol. Please make good choices.”
Police also issued three defect notices and an infringement notice for one driver failing to display their P2 plates.
Tasmania Police is out on the roads every single day enforcing the road rules, and members of the public are urged to do their part to help police keep our roads safe for all motorists.
Members of the public are encouraged to report dangerous driving incidents witnessed on Tasmanian roads, to Tasmania Police.
Dangerous driving incidents currently unfolding should be reported if safe to do so to police by phoning 131 444. In a life-threatening emergency phone Triple Zero (000).