Scientists warn 'critical' koala habitat under threat from mine expansion
By Hamish Cole
Scientists mapping koala habitat in the NSW central west find it is larger than previously thought, but concerns remain over expansion plans at a nearby coal mine.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-17/mudgee-koala-mapping-finds-critical-population/105977120
Man arrested after allegedly holding three people hostage during siege
By Hamish Cole
A man has been arrested after allegedly holding three people hostage with an axe at a home on the NSW south coast. The siege lasted four hours before police stormed the home.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-15/nowra-siege-man-arrested/106013528
Man who drove through floodwater causing 5yo's death avoids jail
By Hamish Cole and Bridget Murphy
A man has been sentenced to a one year intensive corrections order, to be served in the community, after attempting to drive through floodwater in the NSW central west, resulting in the death of a five-year-old.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-14/floodwater-dangerous-driving-death-sentencing/105999200
Court documents reveal sickening threats by Molly Ticehurst's killer
By Hamish Cole and Bruce MacKenzie
Court documents reveal shocking details about the murder of childcare worker Molly Ticehurst at the hands of her former partner in the NSW last year.
Passenger trapped after bridge collapses in truck crash
By Hamish Cole
A passenger has been trapped inside a truck after it crashed into a bridge in Lithgow in NSW.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-06/bridge-collapses-after-truck-crash-lithgow-nsw/105977736
Court delays bring 'sadness and heartache' to Molly Ticehurst's family
By Joanna Woodburn and Hamish Cole
The father of murdered childcare worker Molly Ticehurst breaks down while expressing his frustration at the delays in the case against her alleged killer.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-03/daniel-billings-molly-ticehurst-court-delays/105074740
#DomesticViolence #Courts #Homicide #JoannaWoodburn #HamishCole
How The Dish reintroduced Australia to the Moon landing
By Hamish Cole
The film The Dish helped reintroduce a new generation of Australians to the critical role the Parkes Observatory played in the Moon landing. Twenty-five years after its release, the film has had a lasting impact.
Family of missing woman hopes Bathurst 1000 can uncover answers
By Hamish Cole
With more than 200,000 people expected to attend this weekend's Bathurst 1000, the family of Janine Vaughan wants a billboard raising awareness about her disappearance uncovered.
Negotiations 'fragile' in Molly Ticehurst murder case, court hears
By Xanthe Gregory and Hamish Cole
Daniel Billings's defence lawyer tells the court negotiations are in a "fragile place", as the case over the alleged murder of the 28-year-old mother is adjourned.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-03/daniel-billings-court-adjourned-molly-ticehurst/105848224
Sister's anguish as police suspend probe into homeless man's killing
By Hamish Cole
Police have suspended an investigation of a homeless man's brutal murder in Bathurst a decade ago, prompting a fresh plea from his family for information.
Push for wind farm safety assessment after turbine snaps during storm
By Hamish Cole and Emily Middleton
After a wind turbine blade snapped in half during a storm, the NSW Nationals Party has called for a safety audit into the renewable technology.
Man who drove into floodwater tells court of grief after boy's death
By Hamish Cole
A man whose car was swept away by floodwater, killing a five-year-old boy, has told a court driving across the flooded causeway was the worst decision of his life.
Fears passing wind turbines could 'butcher' Anzac memorial trees
By Hamish Cole
Trees were planted almost 100 years ago at the entrance to a tiny New South Wales town to recognise locals who served in WWI, but residents say a proposed wind farm could "butcher" the living memorial.
WWII anti-aircraft guns blocked off after injury sparks insurance claim
By Hamish Cole and Alex James
A World War II anti-aircraft emplacement at Lithgow in New South Wales has been fenced off after an injury at the site led to an insurance claim against the local council.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-25/lithgow-anti-aircraft-guns-fenced-off-after-injury/105676480
Farmer fears region may become 'industrial junkyard' amid wind farm boom
By Hamish Cole and Xanthe Gregory
Two regional NSW councils that already host 42 per cent of the state's wind turbines push back over more projects in the pipeline.
#WindEnergy #SolarEnergy #SheepFarming #RegionalCommunities #HamishCole #XantheGregory
NSW police seek fourth driver after fatal multi-vehicle crash
By Hamish Cole
Police believe one of the vehicles involved in a fatal collision failed to stop and was last seen travelling north along the Newell Highway.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-01/fatal-newell-highway-crash/105599794
Man sentenced over fatal minibus crash that killed elderly man
By Hamish Cole
Scott Death, 34, is sentenced after hitting a minibus and killing 84-year-old Raymond Padgett in the NSW central west.
Police concerned by drivers' need for speed on famous racetrack
By Hamish Cole
Mount Panorama-Wahluu is regarded as one of the greatest racetracks in the world and home to the Bathurst 1000, but police say it has a speeding problem.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-27/police-concerned-by-drivers-speeding-mount-panorama/105558500
Lamb price record smashed again as drought impacts supply
By Kim Honan, Hamish Cole, and Laurissa Smith
Lamb prices are continuing to reach record highs in Australian saleyards as drought conditions impact supply amid high demand.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-23/national-lamb-price-record-smashed-in-nsw/105562136
#AgriculturalPrices #AgriculturalMarketing #SheepFarming #KimHonan #HamishCole # #LaurissaSmith
