News Showcase | Free

Health advocates are concerned the government may remove Medicare funding from initial telehealth specialist appointments in a proposal that has been sharply criticised for its potential impacts on rural and remote Australians. The Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Advisory Committee’s (MRAC) is … [Read more...] about Telehealth specialist appointments could be on the chopping block

Authorities have warned if you are in the Glengarry and Grawin areas and your plan is to leave, or you are not prepared, leave now towards Lightning Ridge. Leaving early is your safest option. The Hudson Fire is burning in the Narran Lake Nature Reserve to the east of Narran Park Amaroo Rd and to … [Read more...] about Glengarry urged to evacuate if unprepared as fire conditions worsen

PHOTO: Remote air strips offer a lifeline in emergency situations, so new funding is welcome. It's not an exaggeration to say that remote air strips can be a lifesaver. In cases of emergencies, a medical air flight retrieval by the Royal Flying Doctor Service is the only way to get appropriate … [Read more...] about Air strip funding up for grabs

PHOTO: Walgett Shire Council introduced a new water technician to assist with the increasingly complex infrastructure. (Walgett Shire Council) The Minister for Water is confident that in the case of a drought, Walgett will keep access to clean, drinkable water.  Walgett’s water conditions … [Read more...] about Minister confident in Walgett’s drinking water supply in drought

PHOTO: Aftermath of the 2013 Coonabarabran fire. Image: Australian Government The Rural Health Alliance has told the Western Plains App that there is likely to be an increase in emotional distress and acute mental disorders because there are going to be more frequent natural disasters as the … [Read more...] about “More frequent natural disasters”: impact of hotter temperatures on rural Australians revealed

PHOTO: The Optus phone outage has brought many issues to the forefront. Last week's communications outage which affected Optus customers showed just how reliant we have become on the mobile communications for day to day activities. The outage, which impacted 10 million Australians meant … [Read more...] about Optus outage has critics “cashing in”

PHOTO: Refresher workshops on the correct use of child car restraints are being offered at Lachlan Shire. Correct selection, installation and adjustment of child car seats is vital in ensuring children's safety when travelling in vehicles according to Lachlan Shire Council Road Safety and Injury … [Read more...] about Safety workshop to keep your most precious cargo safe

PHOTO: Many sources claim solar battery storage is the way of the future. Home battery storage is a hot topic for energy-conscious consumers, or those seeking more reliable and affordable power options, and are poised to become hugely popular as coal-generated power prices rise. Local … [Read more...] about Solar batteries the “way of the future”against rising electricity prices

PHOTO: Commissioner Karen Webb said that the issue of crime spikes is 'more complex' than getting more feet on the ground. (NSW Parliament) Mayors from 84 NSW councils banded together with NSW Farmers and the NSW Police Association to lobby for a parliamentary inquiry on regional and rural crime, … [Read more...] about Not promising for rural and regional crime

The network of criminals preying on rural properties across the western plains has taken another blow following the arrest of a man in Nyngan this week as part of an ongoing investigation. In March 2023, Strike Force Dozer was established by officers from the Rural Crime Prevention Team and Orana … [Read more...] about Another arrest for Strike Force Dozer