Latest news with #Taree
ABC News
5 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Thousands rally in Taree to call for $75,000 government grants for flood recovery
Thousands of residents affected by record-breaking floods at Taree on the NSW Mid North Coast have rallied, calling for more financial support. Organisers of the rally say about 3,000 local farmers, business owners and affected families gathered outside the Manning River Rowing Club, on the banks of the Manning River, on Monday. At the height of the flooding in late May, the Manning River at Taree exceeded the 1929 flood level of 6 metres. In the wake of the floods, the MidCoast Council estimates there has been $100 million in damage to the region's public spaces and parks alone, with more than 600 homes and 100 businesses damaged. Currently, grants of up to $25,000 are available for small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits to help them recover. Residents are calling for Category D funding to be made available, which would provide grants of up to $75,000 jointly funded by the state and federal governments. So far the state government hasn't applied for this additional funding. A petition to the NSW parliament was circulated at the rally, calling for the additional funding. Rally organiser Rob Chapman's home was inundated during the floods. Mr Chapman said Monday's rally was about bringing the entire community together to push for greater support. "We've been affected in different ways, shapes and forms right along the river," he said. "We just need to show a force through our local politicians and federal politicians to the halls of Canberra and halls of NSW parliament that we aren't going to be forgotten up here. "Category D funding isn't a silver bullet, none of us think that. "But it will just [go] … a long way to help businesses get back on their feet, to help farmers help buy their feed and starting their process off again." Taree dairy farmer Douglas Schlenert said more financial support was urgently needed. "We are on a dairy farm over on the river here and we have lost 90 per cent of our cattle down to the ocean," he said. Taree local Robyne Keogh wasn't affected by the flood but attended the rally to show her support for the local farmers. "We had a flood in 2021, and we got Category D funding really quickly," she said. On Monday, Mid Coast Mayor Claire Pontin met federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain to present new flood-damage figures and push for the Category D disaster funding. "The argument is if a one-in-500 year flood doesn't result in a Category D declaration then what does, because we've experienced a huge amount of damage," Councillor Pontin said. "So many people's lives have been disrupted."
Daily Telegraph
16-06-2025
- Daily Telegraph
Jadison Ridgeway, Herbie Morcombe deaths near Harrington crash: latest
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mid-North Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News. The mum of one of the men discovered dead near a mysterious motorbike crash site on the Mid-North Coast has opened up on her theories about the deaths, and revealed the heartbreaking moment she learned they had been found. The Harrington deaths of cousins Herbert (Herbie) Morcombe and Jadison Ridgeway in August last year has been the subject of much speculation in the community of Taree – with questions whether they were chased in the lead up to the accident or possible victims of foul play. But authorities have closed the case, with The Daily Telegraph revealing in an exclusive last week that the matter will not be subject to an inquest, or any further investigation. Jadison's mother Alanie James said her son, if still alive, would have been celebrating his 21st birthday next month. She is the first to admit he had fallen foul of the law and the crashed bike was in fact stolen. The roadside memorial for Jadison Ridgeway and (at right) Jadison with his mother Alanie James. 'I was just waiting for him to find himself,' she tearfully told this publication. He had his 'partying habits' but was also a loving father to a baby girl, she said on Monday. Police at the scene of the crash last year along Harrington Road about 11km from Harrington. Picture: Janine Watson She also maintains a steadfast belief that the pair were being pursued. 'I am thinking they were chased,' she said. Herbert and Jadison were last seen leaving a home on Dunoon St, Taree about 3.30am on Friday, August 16 last year. Family and friends became worried and told police the disappearance was out of character. Herbert 'Herbie' Morcombe and his partner Kuliyah Simon. On August 20, the police were notified and two days later officers made a public appeal for information. Ms James joined the search for the pair in Taree, door knocking around various neighbourhoods. When, on August 26, she heard bodies had been located along Harrington Road not far from the Pacific Highway exit, family members drove her there. The roadside memorial for the two men - not far from highway turn off to Harrington. Picture: Janine Watson 'There was a woman police officer there and she took my hand and walked me over there and I collapsed. I was off tap, banging my head on the ground.' But she said after the 'big heads' got involved she was told to get off the road and she said it has been a strained relationship with police ever since. The bodies of missing Taree men Herbert Morcombe, 21, and Jadison Ridgeway, 20 were found on Monday, August 26 last year, near a crashed motorbike on Harrington Road. Emergency services at work at the Harrington crash scene in August last year. Picture: Janine Watson. Police determined the motorbike they were on lost control on a corner and smashed into trees. The NSW Coroner's Court has confirmed it will not be pursuing the matter. Ms James said that unlike the police in the Karuah and Newcastle area where she lives, Taree police 'haven't been involved with the community enough'. Jadison with his mother at Saltwater Reserve near Taree. 'Here police play footy with the kids and they (the kids) get to know them as adults not just police. 'In Taree they are 300 years behind.' Ms James said she was not surprised the case had been closed on the young men's deaths. 'I knew we would be put on the backburner.' Got a news tip? Email:
ABC News
14-06-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Wingham still relying on temporary water solution after Mid North Coast floods
In the wake of record-breaking floods on the New South Wales Mid North Coast, a community is still relying on a vulnerable temporary water supply after a major pipeline was destroyed at the height of the disaster. The force of the floodwater in late May tore through the pipeline that supplies water to Wingham, connecting its reservoirs with the region's Bootawa water supply dam near Taree. MidCoast Council director of infrastructure and engineering services Rob Scott said the pipe broke where it crossed the deepest part of the Manning River. "Some of that riverbank lost 20 metres or more of earth. That left one of our water mains almost completely unsupported on that southern side," he said. Mr Scott said the council had created a temporary solution, using an alternative pipeline to pump water from a reservoir near Taree to Wingham's reservoir. He said a permanent fix was urgently needed because there was no other backup system. He said if the backup pipeline broke the water supply to residents in Wingham, Taree and towns to the north, including Harrington and Coopernook, would be "significantly impacted" due to their connected system of reservoirs. "We don't know how long it would take to repair … and from then on, whatever is left in the reservoirs is all that we would have," Mr Scott said. "Within a day the high areas would start to have low water pressure … by the end of the second and third days some people would be without water, and that would progressively spread as the reservoirs depleted. "For example … Wingham's reservoir has about 10 megalitres at any point in time, and the daily use is 2 megalitres." Mr Scott said it took days for council crews to secure the temporary solution and in the meantime, emergency measures were taken to support residents. "During that time we used water carting and water bottles being delivered … water was also carted to Wingham Hospital," he said. Wingham resident Colleen Williams said her water was cut off for four days. "There were access points where we could drive into town … and collect bottled water," she said. "There were a few times where we did have to go to the Tigers [Rugby League Club] and boil the water for basin baths." The MidCoast Council has resolved to spend $4.1 million to urgently replace the damaged section of pipeline. Councillors supported a recommendation to fast-track the project, with the goal of completing it in six months. Mr Scott said the new infrastructure would be more secure during floods. "The existing pipeline was built in the 1960s and trenched into the bottom of the Manning River," he said. "New technology means we can literally drill a hole through the rock below the riverbed … by doing that we can avoid the risk of the pipeline being damaged by flood debris or impacted by riverbank erosion. Engineers Australia College of Environmental Engineering chair Kala Senathirajah said there was a considerable amount of aging water infrastructure across the country. "A lot the assets have been put in post World War II and are now quite old," she said. "It's getting to a stage where there needs to be a lot of assets renewed or replaced at the same time and due to funding and resource constraints, we will need to stagger that. "When we have floods or other natural disasters, they [the aging water infrastructure] are more vulnerable … to the situation that has happened at Wingham." Mr Scott said other councils with aging water infrastructure should be aware of the possible issues. "There's been several similar cases to ours over the years, where [pipe] river crossings have been lost during flood events, and then the council or water authority is faced with the expensive prospect of having to rush a project through to replace it," he said. "The problem is it's also high cost, so it's whether you can really balance risk with costs."
The Age
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Tips and race-by-race guide for Goulburn on Friday
Selections based on a soft track. Race 1 9. Magical Elegance broke through to score a win on the Beaumont track at Newcastle at her third start and was then spelled. She resumes here on the back of two trials and finished fourth in the latest of them at Warwick Farm. She should be primed to run a bold race. 4. Miss Backchat was first-up from a spell at this track when last produced and she managed to score a strong win after racing on the speed. She can go on with the job here. 3. Let's Go Brandon is a last-start maiden winner at this track after leading throughout and has claims again on that effort. 2. Twin Telepathy resumes and is a first-up winner. How to play it: Magical Elegance to win. Race 2 8. Everlasting Stars won at this track in a small field when resuming from a spell. She was then just behind the placings on the Kensington track before a last start third here. She will benefit from the apprentice claim here. 3. A Book Of Days is resuming from a spell for a new stable. He's a former Victorian with a solid record and bears close watching fresh. 2. Voigner won at Quirindi last October then was midfield at Taree before being spelled. He's had two solid trials to prepare for this return. 5. Vella's Best is resuming from a long break and won a recent trial on the Acton track at Canberra in preparation. How to play it: Everlasting Stars to win. Race 3 10. Offenbach resumed from a spell with a solid second at Newcastle but then disappointed at Hawkesbury at his latest start. He can be forgiven for that performance and given another chance to atone in this. 7. Yvette finished third in both her starts at Canterbury and resumes from a lengthy spell in this with two trials under her belt. 4. Sweet About Me is on debut and finished midfield in a trial at this track. 2. Cloud Of Dust ran second on the Acton track two starts ago at Canberra and will find this easier than a last start seventh at Warwick Farm. How to play it: Offenbach to win. Race 4 9. Stormy Malice has had plenty of chances but has been racing well enough of late with two seconds from her latest three starts. 1. London Boy has shown ability with three placings from four starts. He hit the line well for a last-start second at Warren and warrants thought again. 2. The Bus is on debut from a good draw and has had one trial at this track. 5. Darken is a last-start third placegetter that could get into the minor money again. How to play it: Stormy Malice to win.
Sydney Morning Herald
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tips and race-by-race guide for Goulburn on Friday
Selections based on a soft track. Race 1 9. Magical Elegance broke through to score a win on the Beaumont track at Newcastle at her third start and was then spelled. She resumes here on the back of two trials and finished fourth in the latest of them at Warwick Farm. She should be primed to run a bold race. 4. Miss Backchat was first-up from a spell at this track when last produced and she managed to score a strong win after racing on the speed. She can go on with the job here. 3. Let's Go Brandon is a last-start maiden winner at this track after leading throughout and has claims again on that effort. 2. Twin Telepathy resumes and is a first-up winner. How to play it: Magical Elegance to win. Race 2 8. Everlasting Stars won at this track in a small field when resuming from a spell. She was then just behind the placings on the Kensington track before a last start third here. She will benefit from the apprentice claim here. 3. A Book Of Days is resuming from a spell for a new stable. He's a former Victorian with a solid record and bears close watching fresh. 2. Voigner won at Quirindi last October then was midfield at Taree before being spelled. He's had two solid trials to prepare for this return. 5. Vella's Best is resuming from a long break and won a recent trial on the Acton track at Canberra in preparation. How to play it: Everlasting Stars to win. Race 3 10. Offenbach resumed from a spell with a solid second at Newcastle but then disappointed at Hawkesbury at his latest start. He can be forgiven for that performance and given another chance to atone in this. 7. Yvette finished third in both her starts at Canterbury and resumes from a lengthy spell in this with two trials under her belt. 4. Sweet About Me is on debut and finished midfield in a trial at this track. 2. Cloud Of Dust ran second on the Acton track two starts ago at Canberra and will find this easier than a last start seventh at Warwick Farm. How to play it: Offenbach to win. Race 4 9. Stormy Malice has had plenty of chances but has been racing well enough of late with two seconds from her latest three starts. 1. London Boy has shown ability with three placings from four starts. He hit the line well for a last-start second at Warren and warrants thought again. 2. The Bus is on debut from a good draw and has had one trial at this track. 5. Darken is a last-start third placegetter that could get into the minor money again. How to play it: Stormy Malice to win.
