North West News

Fierce storms battered parts of the North West overnight. These pictures show hail that fell in Tamworth and Delungra, unfortunately limiting rainfall in some areas. But notor Tambar Springs, which recorded the highest rainfall in the region, with 25-millimetres. There were lighter falls around Gunnedah, Barraba and Armidale. And there wasn’t much in it for Moree and Narrabri, seeing less than 5-millimetres each. NOTE: VISION ONLY PHOTOS COURTESY: HELENA MCDONALD, SAM LOBSEY, PHILIPPA RAW  

Local police union delegates have taken to the streets of Tamworth to collect signatures for a statewide petition. The Police Association is calling for an extra 2500 officers on the beat across the state – including 25 for Tamworth. Executive Member, Jeff Budd, says extra resources are needed to tackle ongoing ice abuse issues and the monitoring of child sex offenders. “There’s a huge amount of child sex offenders living in our communities who aren’t being managed properly. We’re borrowing police from other areas to manage that, so those other areas suffer as well.” NOTE: AUDIO IN PARTS ONLY

A Victorian teenager has been charged after allegedly robbing a service station in Tamworth on Tuesday night. Just after midnight, police allege the 16-year-old entered a service station on Goonoo Goonoo Road, threatened the attendant and demanded cash. He was arrested at the scene. NOTE: VISION ONLY

Three people have been charged over an alleged aggravated break-and-enter in Wee Waa on Tuesday evening. An off-duty officer and a witness helped to detain two people – a 26-year-old man and 16-year-old girl – after they allegedly robbed a home on Rose Street. A third man was arrested around midday yesterday.

Those living on the land, battling the drought, could soon be given some much needed lee-way by the major banks. Special Envoy for Drought Assistance Recovery, Barnaby Joyce, has announced a new taskforce to look at how banks are dealing with drought-affected customers. The taskforce will include the Treasurer and the Minister for Agriculture. “What we must do here is make sure that the major finance companies, the major banks understand the realities of the drought- that is that there is no cash.”

Rising cricket stars and footy fanatics in Moree will soon have access to a new sporting precinct. A $1.5-million revamp of Ron Harborne Oval has been announced, including a new round oval and better lighting. The move will allow Moree athletes to train in the much cooler hours of summer. “Also, it’ll create Moree’s second turf cricket pitch which is really important for Moree local cricket, but also for hosting cricket competitions in country NSW and also state competitions,” Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall. Moree Suns have found a new home as part of the precinct, after their clubhouse was destroyed by fire last month. “The whole precinct will encompass their needs, you know, we’ll have a new amenities block and canteen area and things like that,” Cr Katrina Humphries, Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor. NOTE: AUDIO IN PARTS …

The federal government says council drought relief grants could be released as early as tomorrow – in time for Moree Plains Shire Council’s next meeting. The Mayor expects a late report to be passed, in order to fast-track assistance for the drought-ravaged community.

The man who murdered Tamworth-based environmental officer Glen Turner died from natural causes in custody according to a coroner’s report. Ian Robert Turnbull was serving a 35-year sentence for Turner’s murder when he died in prison in March. He shot and killed Mr Turner on a Croppa Creek property near Moree, back in 2014. Today, a coroner found Turnbull died of acute kidney failure due to possible sepsis or cardiogenic shock. He spent less than a year behind bars, after being convicted in 2016. NOTE: VISION ONLY  

The Member for the Northern Tablelands is going for a trifecta of hospital redevelopments, launching a petition for a brand new health service for Moree. But members of the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers Party say it’s all smoke and mirrors.

Already a region known for its farming, Tamworth will soon be home to a different kind of crop. Cann Pharmaceutical’s $8-million medicinal cannabis farm has been given the green light… but not everyone supports the move.