ABC Illawarra

13/08/2025

Hosted by Screen Illawarra, the 2026 Creative Wollongong Short Film Festival launch took place last night in Wollongong. 🎥

Attended by the Lord Mayor Tania Brown and Federal MP for Cunningham Alison Byrnes, the venue was full of passionate film makers and was both practical and fun.

Ms Brown revealed that the signature theme for the 2026 festival is 'birds', and announced funding provided by Wollongong City Council will assist in the production of five short films.

Screen Illawarra members can submit their scripts to be independently judged, and five scripts will be matched with a local professional production company.

13/08/2025

The New South Wales road toll is on track to be the worst in 15 years following a series of fatal crashes in the state's north.

In just three days, six people lost their lives in separate crashes between Friday and Sunday.

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A sudden spike in fatalities has pushed the state's road toll tragically higher as police urge drivers to take care.

12/08/2025

Shellharbour Council has voted to terminate the employment of its Chief Executive Officer, Mike Archer.

The council considered a confidential report on personnel matters for more than hour last night.

No councillors voted against the termination with one abstaining.

The Council's Executive manager of corporate governance and risk, Flora Lepouras read the outcome of the vote in the chamber after the vote.

"That council terminates the contract of employment of Mr Mike Archer Chief Executive Officer pursuant to sub clause 10.345 of the contract of employment," Ms Lepouras told council chambers.

"Such termination is effective from when Mr Archer receives written notice that his contract of employment has been terminated and as soon as practicable for Mayor Chris Homer."

12/08/2025

Wingecarribee Shire Council has confirmed its opposition to the proposed Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility after deciding not to join the Land and Environment Court appeal as a party.

The council held an extraordinary meeting last night to consider whether to formally join the court proceedings

A report to council warned joining as formal responded could cost council half-a-million dollars and delay infrastructure projects

In the chamber, Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick revealed the decision not to join after a four-hour debate in closed session, but stressed the council still remained opposed.

"Council reaffirmed its strong opposition to the proposed Moss Vale plastics recycling facility has set out in council's submission dated 30 October 2024 and in previous council resolutions," Cr Fitzpatrick said.

Kylie Roberts-Frost, a national sustainability program manager and Southern Highlands resident, has expressed disappointment.

She addressed the council before the meeting and said its involvement was vital to protect the community and described the forecast $500,000 legal cost as a "protective spend" against future risks.

She said the decision is a missed opportunity to ensure local voices are heard during critical negotiations over site conditions that directly affect the community.

"It is a little bit disappointing because I felt the community really put forward... why we think it's important," Ms Roberts-Frost said.

"For me, I'm so appreciative that they sat there to 11pm and really obviously did take it incredibly seriously.

"But I'm disappointed. We've got people in this community working on this for years and years and I'm sure they're incredibly disappointed this morning."

12/08/2025

Patients and their families navigating the mental health system in regional NSW say critical gaps in care are leading to deadly consequences for people with complex needs.

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Patients and their families navigating the mental health system in regional NSW say critical gaps in care are leading to deadly consequences for people with complex needs.

12/08/2025

A by-election occurs whenever a vacancy appears in the House of Representatives because of a death, resignation, absence without leave, expulsion, disqualification or ineligibility of a member.

In this case, this by-election is occurring due to the resignation of Gareth Ward.

He resigned shortly ahead of a NSW parliament vote to expel him last Friday.

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12/08/2025

Voters in Kiama will head to the polls on 13 September in a by-election to replace disgraced former MP Gareth Ward.

The Speaker of the NSW Parliament, Greg Piper, confirmed the date after receiving advice from the Electoral Commission, following Ward's resignation last Friday after his conviction on sexual assault charges.

Mr Piper said he will issue the writ on August 22 with nominations opening the same day and closing on the 28th.

The Liberals will have the Coalition spot to themselves after the Nationals ruled out contesting, despite earlier hints they might.

The senior Coalition partner allowed just 24 hours for nominations, which closed at midday.

Labor, the Greens and the Community Independent group are all expected to field candidates.

12/08/2025

Shoalhaven City Council says a by-election will be held if no eligible Ward 3 candidate is found to replace Natalee Johnston, who resigned as councillor on Monday.

Ms Johnston cited ineffective governance and cultural issues within the council as reasons for her resignation.

Ms Johnston, the Royal Australian Navy's first female pilot, said she felt unable to properly serve the community.

"There are a lot of reasons but the key ones that have driven the decision are basically the culture in the elected body," she said.

"It comes down to a combination of behaviours in the council - what I see as bias in treatment of councillors and also an inconsistent, and somewhat questionable decision making."

The council confirmed it will notify the NSW Electoral Commissioner of the vacancy and request a countback of the September 2024 election results.

If no eligible candidates emerge from the countback, a by-election will be triggered.

Mayor Patricia White told the ABC it was unfortunate that Cr Johnston had resigned and that additional councillor training to enhance how councillors work together is being arranged.

11/08/2025

There's got to be something in the water in Gerringong. 🏈🐉

Hayden Buchanan has become the eighth Gerringong Lions junior currently playing in the NRL after making his debut for the Dragons in their 22-14 win over the Sharks on Saturday.

Playing in the centres, Buchanan scored a try off a pass from fullback Clint Gutherson in the first half, before returning the favour in the second as St George Illawarra ended a 10-game winless run against their local rivals.

Speaking after the game, Buchanan described the feeling of playing in front of his family as "special".

"I can't put into words how much those people mean to me and what they've done for me over the past 10 years," he told St George Illawarra Dragons media.

11/08/2025

FIRST LOOK AT CALDERWOOD SCHOOL

New images of a primary school and preschool being built in Calderwood have been released ahead of construction commencing next year.

The school will take on almost 700 students when it opens in 2028.

Minister for the Illawarra Ryan Park shared the design images for the school this morning at the build site, which is opposite Calderwood Christian School.

He said the school will include 27 specialty classrooms, a library, a covered outdoor learning area and a canteen, as well as a public preschool.

Image designs also show sports fields and a basketball court and the proposed entrance.

Minister Park said the campus will open in Term 1, 2028.

The school was an election promise of the Minns Labor Government and will be funded under the $2.1 billion state budget for new builds and upgrades to regional public schools.

Calderwood has grown to more than 1,500 homes in recent years, and Minister Park said the school was designed to expand over time.

"Particularly in a suburb like this we need that school to continue to grow and there will be scope in this project for that," he said.

11/08/2025

Police charge an 18-year-old after seizing fi****ms and electronic devices at the University of Wollongong's Keiraville campus.

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Police charge an 18-year-old after seizing fi****ms and electronic devices at the University of Wollongong's Keiraville campus.

11/08/2025

You've heard the name Walt Disney... but who would you name as Australia's answer to the world-renowned animator?

Born and raised in Dapto on the NSW South Coast, Michael Cusack now has an established career in Hollywood as the creator of animated series Smiling Friends on US Network HBO Max, YOLO on Adult Swim and Koala Man on Disney Plus.

At age 34 the animator, writer, producer, director, musician and voice actor has a list of credits to rival the creators of animated shows like South Park, Family Guy and The Simpsons...which are all names of animated shows you'd heard of before....

But if this is the first time you're hearing the name Michael Cusack, we're about to get to know the person behind that name.

You've heard the name Walt Disney....but who would you name as Australia's answer to the world-renowned animator?