ABC Western Plains

23/06/2026

The rock shelter near Mudgee was demolished during construction of the Central West Orana Renewable Energy Zone.

ACEREZ introduces strict cultural heritage protocols after a rock shelter was irreparably damaged.

22/06/2026

The poultry industry is bracing for the spread of a deadly strain of avian influenza, but is confident the planning has been done to prevent any widespread egg shortages.

The poultry industry says it is concerned but prepared as the deadly H5 avian influenza variant reaches Australian shores for the first time.

21/06/2026

A splash of green has returned to NSW paddocks that were bare and barren just a few weeks ago - but the soil is still depleted and so are farmer's bank accounts.

A splash of green has returned to New South Wales paddocks were bare and barren just weeks ago, but the soil is still depleted and so are farmers' bank accounts.

21/06/2026

A veterans charity has awarded quilts to three Bourke residents including Vietnam soldier Victor Bartley.

The handmade quilts are given to nominees from all over Australia.

Anyone can make quilts or donate to them through Quilts of Valour Australia.

It took Wiradjuri man Victor Bartley 16 years to be recognised for his military service. Now, 55 years after he came home, a charity has tracked him down to offer him thanks.

20/06/2026

Congratulations to Dubbo’s Joy McAllister who won the ABC Western Plains prize with ‘No Mail’ at Art Unlimited, Dunedoo NSW!

Pictured is Alicia Leggett, one of the judges, with the winning piece.

The judges said “This work highlights the importance of information and how we receive news.

It reflects on the sentimentality of our contemporary news culture, which often feels fast, fleeting and at times irrelevant.

In contrast, the work proudly reminds us that receiving mail remains part of our world and, like a mailbox, the radio still plays a vital role in news, stories and our communities.

It speaks to the enduring importance of being informed.”

You can pop in to the Dunedoo Central School Hall today between 9:30 and 4, or next weekend to experience the more than 300 entries.

Our own Kim Goldsmith MC’d opening night on Friday and tomorrow at 9:10am on the Brekky show, you’ll find out all the winners and hear from 2 of the judges about what makes a winning artwork.

18/06/2026

Last month a lesser known rain indicator, a tiny creature known as a slater or rolly polly, was proved correct with the so-called “flood bugs” spotted crawling in their thousands before much-needed rain finally fell.

Walgett's Enid Coupé saw them before rain last month, and now the slaters are on the move again - crawling all over the road away from the Namoi River, initially looking like spilt grain.

She says it’s “unbelievable how many there were”

The “flood bugs” are actually crustaceans that breathe through gills, making moisture essential for their survival. It’s more typical for them to become more active after rain but many swear they can be spotted before it becomes wet - yet another part of nature that seems to know the rain’s on the way!

Did you spot any at your place before the current rain started to fall?

18/06/2026

Congratulations to Armatree's Peta Bradley who successfully completed a swim of nearly 50km through the three rivers of New York, USA.

She finished the 45.9km Twenty Bridges Swim Around Manhattan in 7hr 41 minutes.

Ms Bradley said it was a "fantastic day on the water" and that she was looking forward to a slice of pizza and sleep.

Read more about her preparation for the swim in the 25m local pool in Gulargambone: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-12/peta-bradley-20-bridges-swim-manhattan-island-training/106764324

17/06/2026

Police are investigating the cause of a damaging fire at an education facility in Warren last night, saying it is being treated as suspicious.

Emergency services were called to the TAFE on Burton Street around 9:15 pm following reports of smoke coming from the building.

The blaze was extinguished early Wednesday morning and there were no reports of injuries, but Fire and Rescue Zone Commander Anthony Hojel says the building sustained severe damage before crews arrived at the scene.

“It was quite considerably advanced by the time that firefighters arrived due to the makeup of the building being a weatherboard building. It did take hold quite quickly. It had a common roof void which allowed the fire to spread laterally thorughout the building which made it quite hard to stop the spread of fire.”

17/06/2026

Lynette is one of 69,000 people in NSW and 85,000 nationally who are on a waiting list for social housing.

As the number of people waiting for social housing continues to grow, the amount of available homes is falling as a proportion of Australia's total housing stock.

15/06/2026

Armatree's cold-water swimmer Peta Bradley travelled over 16,000 kms to New York to swim around Manhatten Island.

She has previously swum the English Channel as part of a team and completed a number of ice swims, including an ice mile at Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains in 2022.

While training in a small NSW country town, cold-water swimmer Peta Bradley is preparing to tackle one of the world's most demanding open-water challenges, a 45-kilometre circumnavigation of Manhattan Island.