Highlands News

Wildlife Recovery Australia, which has purchased the Higher Ground Raptor Centre at Fitzroy Falls intends on providing a dedicated veterinary wildlife service for the Southern Highlands and South Coast. This will be a smaller version of a mobile hospital built for the Byron Bay region. Director Dr. Stephen Van Mill says they'll...

The rollout of the covid19 vaccine in the Southern Highlands continues to evolve. Just days after we reported that the pfizer vaccine wouldn't be available in the Highlands until October, the Mittagong Respiratory Clinic is now taking appointments for patients aged 40-59. Vaccinations will start on July 5. To book an appointment, get...

NSW Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont has included 20 recommendations in a report about some of the challenges faced by businesses in the Wingecarribee Shire. Some of those recommendations relate to more opportunity for local businesses through council procurement, the establishment of a small business reference group and addressing skills and...

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor is encouraging men's sheds across his electorate to apply for funding under the latest round of the National Men’s Shed Development Program. They can apply for financial support across the following funding categories: Category 1: Health, Wellbeing, and Events $8,000 maximum Category 2: Shed Improvements $8,000...

There's a change of hands happening at the Higher Ground Raptor Centre at Fitzroy Falls. Co - Founder Peggy McDonald has sold the the property to Not-for-profit organisation Wildlife Recovery Australia which is chaired by former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry. The organisation is a joint venture between the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital...

Construction work on the $6.6 million dollar Bowral Memorial Hall refurbishment is now underway and as a result, the hall's immediate street frontage on Bendooley Street will be restricted to construction zone parking only. The street will remain open to through traffic, but where possible motorists are being asked to avoid...

Our Member for Whitlam Stephen Jones is welcoming a decision to free a Tamil family from detention, saying jail is no place for kids who haven't committed a crime. The family has been released into the community in Perth while litigation continues. But...that doesn't mean the family will be permanently settled. Mr. Jones...

The Pfizer vaccine for under 50's will unlikely be available in the Highlands until October, so any eligible residents in the 1a or 1b category will have to travel up to Campbelltown or Liverpool. Chair of the Southern Highlands Division of General Practice Dr. Vince Roche has now had a thousand...

A new concrete bridge to be built over the Wollondilly River at Towrang is expected to improve access for residents and emergency services. For years locals have been left isolated for days after flood events. But this will change with the new two lane bridge to be 4.5 metres higher. Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor...

Two bushwalkers have been found safe and well, after they went missing in the Illawarra overnight. At about 2pm Monday, a 43-year-old man and his 15-year-old stepdaughter, set off for a bushwalk along the Clover Hill Track/Cascades area within Macquarie Pass. The pair was reported missing when they failed to return home...

The United Services Union has been meeting with workers at Wingecarribee Council to discuss a number of issues since the appointment of the Internal Administrator and Acting General Manager. The Union is welcoming the intervention and believes there's a real cultural change underway. However staff have raised concerns about job security and...

A number of Highlands residents were recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours list with a Medal of the Order of Australia. That includes Peggy McDonald from Australian Raptor Care and Conservation at Fitzroy Falls, for service to conservation and the environment. Dr. Stephen Della-Fiorentina from Mittagong for service to oncology. Prudence Armstrong for...

The Wingecarribee SES Unit and Police Rescue were called to rescue two groups of bushwalkers who got lost on the Box Vale Walking Track. Crews responded around 6pm on Sunday and it wasn't until 3 the next morning, that all six people were brought back to safety. Manager of Operational Response Dylan...

Paramedics across the Southern Highlands held industrial action yesterday. They're calling for better pay and tougher penalties for anyone who attacks or injures a paramedic on the job. Health Services Union delegate Ian Quigg said there are also a number of additional challenges they face here in the Highlands. '' We're are required...

An independent review will be carried out into Wingecarribee Council’s response following the 2019/20 Black summer bushfires. This will be done by former NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens, who's been a State and Regional Recovery Coordinator and has extensive knowledge into the establishment and running of Recovery Committees and funding...

Four males have been arrested following an alleged pursuit in the state’s Southern Region. About 10.15am today, Police clocked a Subaru speeding on the Illawarra Highway at Burrawang. Officers tried to catch up with the vehicle, but it evaded them. Ten minutes later, officers saw the vehicle on the Illawarra Highway at Moss...

Harbison Care in Burradoo has suspended all visitors until further notice. The suspension is due to a suspected infectious outbreak of gastroenteritis. It's NOT related to COVID-19. The aged care facility is following its outbreak management plan and working with public health authorities. Management will provide further information as soon as possible. IMAGE CREDIT: Harbison...

A man missing from Moss Vale has been located safe and well. 50 year old Bradley Davies was last seen on Range Road, Mittagong, about 7am last Saturday. He was then reported missing to officers from The Hume Police District who began a search. Following inquiries, he was found at Mount Gibraltar in...

The NSW Government's Dine and Discover initiative has been extended until July 31. Every adult is eligible for four $25 vouchers to spend at participating local businesses and so far patrons across the State have been spending on average $41 for every $25 voucher used. Figures also show more than 4.23 million...