Part two of our Bad Numbers investigation: one local MP’s push to require evidence and consultation before any bill passes NSW Parliament, to fix a problem they’ve known about for decades.
Politics
Posted inHealth, Local News, NSW News, NSW Politics
New England hospitals to share in $400m maintenance blitz
A $400 million hospital maintenance blitz is coming to the New England — but with Moree’s redevelopment taking shape and Glen Innes still waiting for answers, the bigger picture is far from settled.
Posted inLocal politics, Moree Plains Shire, Narrabri Shire, Roads and Infrastructure
Country mayors push back on Inland Rail decision
Narrabri and Moree are among those communities “devastated” by the axing of Inland Rail — but country mayors say there is still a path to completion, and they’re taking their case straight to the minister.
Posted inHealth, NSW News, NSW Politics, Women
Anti-abortion fight evolves into ‘noxious brew’
The pro-life movement is incorporating anti-immigrant sentiment in its latest fight against abortion and reproductive healthcare.
Posted inGlen Innes Severn Shire, Local politics, Money, Uralla Shire
Glen Innes, Uralla rate rises approved
IPART has approved major rate rises for Glen Innes Severn and Uralla Shire councils, with both citing infrastructure costs, underfunding and long-term financial sustainability pressures.
Posted inEmployment, Politics
Welcome Experience program expands to help regional councils tackle worker shortages
Regional councils across the New England and North West are set to receive extra support in attracting and retaining staff, following the expansion of the NSW Government’s Welcome Experience program into local government.
Posted inArmidale, Investigation, Long Read, Politics, Roads and Infrastructure, Transport and Freight
Transport planning assumptions unravel across all levels of government
In this New England Times investigation by RK Crosby, we look at how bad numbers, assumptions and guesses, and misrepresentations of old documents, have led to plans at all levels of government being not worth the paper they are printed on.
Posted inLocal News, NSW Politics, Public Transport
Community transport trial expands access to education and jobs across regional NSW
A new trial across regional New South Wales is set to broaden the role of community transport services, with the aim of helping more people access education, training and employment opportunities.
Posted inHealth, NSW Politics, Social issues and services, Tamworth
‘Almost didn’t survive’: the fraught path to parenthood
A NSW Parliamentary Inquiry hearing in Tamworth today will hear how rural families are disadvantaged ‘at every turn’ while trying to access fertility care.
Posted inGlen Innes, Grants and funding, Local News, Local politics
Budget leaves regional councils facing impossible choices
Regional councils say the federal budget still leaves country communities behind, warning shrinking grants and rising costs are forcing councils to “operate on the smell of an oily rag”.