Barwon Labor

22/05/2026

Welcome to Barwon Electorate. Ron Hoenig MP
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ER8EmVfSS/

03/05/2026

The pub’s open, the river’s flowing, and the locals are always up for a chat.

If you’re still in town this afternoon… don’t rush off just yet.
Tomorrow’s a public holiday — take in the views, slow it right down.

The Back O' Bourke Information & Exhibition Centre are open from 9am, the Jandra will be cruising, Cafe and the sunrise will do its thing.

Slow down, stay a little longer, and back the locals — you’ll be glad you did.

03/05/2026

The Murray-Darling Basin plan is just as controversial as the day it was announced when people burned it in the street.

03/05/2026

A new species of skink has been confirmed 🤩 The Mutawintji Board of Management and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) found the endangered skink, named Kungaka, in the Broken Hill Complex Bioregion at Mutawintji National Park, with the Australian Museum formally identifying this lizard as a distinct species.

Recent surveys indicate there are less than 20 skinks in this national park, making it the rarest reptile in Australia, and at high risk of extinction 🫢

The Mutawintji Board, with the support of NPWS, will continue to survey the species unique population to better understand it and implement conservation actions to protect its critical habitat 💚

03/05/2026

DRAFT TRANSPORT BLUEPRINTS UNVEILED FOR THE NEW ENGLAND, NORTH WEST AND THE NORTH COAST.
Communities across the New England, North West and North Coast regions are being invited to shape the future of how they move across the regions with the release of a draft 20-year transport plan.

The Minns Labor Government has today unveiled the "Draft New England North West Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan" (SRITP) and the "North Coast SRITP", delivering on its commitment to partner with regional communities on long term transport planning.

Informed by data and extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders, including local councils, MPs, community groups and over 1,300 pieces of feedback received from across these three regions, the Draft Plan reflects the priorities and challenges facing these regional communities.

It is the first time in more than a decade regional communities have had access to a single, integrated plan that brings together evidence, local insight and long term planning in one place.

The draft outlines a mix of short and medium term initiatives, along with longer term outcomes, aimed at improving connections between towns, supporting population and industry growth, and making it easir for people to move within their communities.

The New England North West SRTIP and the North Coast SRTIP are just two of nine plans being developed across regional NSW. Key directions of the Draft Plan include enabling economic growth and emerging industries, improving travel between towns and regions, strengthening network resilience, increasing travel choices within towns and enhance amenity and commitment to safety.

The NSW Government is now calling on you to have your say. Feedback is open until 14 June 2026. Go to https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/new-england-and-north-west for New England and the North West and to https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/north-coast for the North Coast region.

Transport for NSW staff will also be travelling throughout the region hosting pop-up sessions to speak directly with locals.

To read both transcripts in full, go to www.nsw.gov.au/ministerial-releases .

(Source: media releases by the Minister for Roads, the Minister for Regional Transport dated 29 and 30 April 2026. Pictured: one of the original rail motors that once ran on NSW lines over 40 years ago.)

Editor's note: surely it's obvious what needs to be done - we need our passenger rail services reinstated so that outlying towns can connect to regional centres. Do that one thing and watch the regions grow and thrive.

03/05/2026

BROKEN HILL:
COUPLE CHARGED FOLLOWING THE THEFT OF HIGH-VOLTAGE CABLE FROM A MINE SITE.
A man and woman have faced court after allegedly stealing equipment from a mine in the state's Far West.

On Monday (27 April 2026), a break-in at a mine on Silver Peak Rd, Broken Hill, was reported to police. Officers attached to the Barrier Police District were told that approx 80 metres of high-voltage electrical cable, valued at around $10,000, had been stolen from the mine site.

Following inquiries, about 7.30am on Thursday (30 April 2026), police attended an address on Slag St, Broken Hill, where they arrested a 40 year-old man and a 37 year-old woman. They were both taken to Broken Hill Police Station.

While at that address, officers located and seized 4.2g of methylamphetamine, half a gram of ecstacy, two knives and an electronic device.

About 1.50pm the same day, police also executed a search warrant at a home on Wandoo St, Broken Hill, where they located and seized 13g of co***ne, 14g of cannabis leaf, 20 cannabis seeds, a knuckle duster, 10 metres of high-voltage electrical cabling, 80 metres of copper sheathing, an electric dog collar and several tools believed to have been allegedly stolen.

The man was charged with:
* Enter building/land with intent to commit indictable offence.
* Larceny value greater than $5000 and less than or equal to $15,000.
* Destroy/damage property value less than or equal to $2,000.
* Possess any non-prescribed electrical device.
* Use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibited order.
* Goods suspected of being stolen in/on premises (not MV),
* Possess prohibited drug.
* Custody of knife in a public place (first offence).

The woman was charged with:
* Possess prohibited drug (x3).
* Supply prohibited drug greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity.
* Supply prohibited drug greater than small and less than or equal to indictable quantity.
* BREACH OF BAIL.

Both were refused bail and faced Bail Division Court yesterday (Friday 1 May 2026).

The woman was formally refused bail to appear before Wentworth Local Court on 5 May 2026. The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Broken Hill Local Court on 19 May 2026.

(Source: NSW Police website. Pictured: map showing where the cable was stolen from, Google Maps.)

Editor's note: stealing cable for its copper wire content is on the rise. If you see anyone acting suspiciously around manholes, telephone exchanges or mine sites you need to report it to the police.

03/05/2026

A loophole in the NSW government's water restrictions in the northern basin of the Murray Darling means river water is still being sucked up by a handful of major licence holders.

03/04/2026

We’re working together with NSW Police Force to address recent break-ins, vehicle thefts and other crimes across the community.

Last week, Council leaders met with Regional Commander Superintendent Tim Chinn, Inspector Robert Bevan and Sergeant Shane Rankin to discuss current investigations, responses underway and further initiatives targeting youth-related offending.

Community safety remains our priority and we will continue working with Police and the community to support a coordinated response across the Shire.

Read the full media release for more details:
https://www.warren.nsw.gov.au/council/media-releases/detail/warren-shire-council-and-police-unite-against-local-crime

03/04/2026