An underground fire at a Chinese-owned mine in Broken Hill re-ignites and spreads to multiple levels, as nearby residents are warned to stay inside for their safety.

NSW graziers who have been waiting five years to see a 32-kilometre-wide hole fixed in the wild dog fence that runs through their sheep and goat station say they are fed up and are being forced to sell.

A rider who was thrown from his bike when it struck wire that was deliberately strung across a popular cycling path in Adelaide's south last week says it was only by luck that he "backed off the pace" moments before impact.

Next week, more than two-thirds of NSW's psychiatrists working in its public hospital sector are set to resign, potentially causing serious harm for the state's healthcare system. But how did we get here?

The average out-of-pocket cost for a GP visit has risen by 4.1 per cent nationally over the past year, with patients in Tasmania, the ACT and NSW paying the most.

Families are facing crippling costs to educate their kids — even at public schools. It has led some to withdraw their children from hobbies and plan carefully simply to get them through school. 

Emu family in Silverton: Have you seen large mobs of emus lately? This group of 11 was out and about for a family stroll looking for water in Silverton. Local photographer Helen Murray says there are hundreds of emus around at the moment.
 

Image credit: Helen Murray
 

Mine fire update: Operations at Perilya's South Mine are still suspended after a fire earlier this week. The mine's emergency rescue team has accessed the source of the smoke and heat, directing water and foam to fully extinguish the source. Management is continuing to work with the resources regulator to asses the level of risk. Employees will continue to be notified separately for when they are required to attend work.
 

Man allegedly caught with cocaine: A 44-year-old man faced court in Broken Hill on Tuesday after allegedly being caught with a sizeable amount of cocaine. The man was driving west on the Sturt Highway on December 20 last year when he was stopped by police. Police say he failed a drug test and allege they found 1.6 kilograms of cocaine during a subsequent search of the vehicle, worth at least $450,000, as well as a small amount of MDMA. He was charged with a number of counts of drug supply, was refused bail, and will appear before the Broken Hill Local Court on February 18.
 

Doctor's heat warning: Locals are being urged to stay safe as temperatures soar across the region. New South Wales Health District public physician Dr Victor Carey says residents should keep their fluids up and try to avoid the heat by staying indoors. Dr Carey says symptoms like headaches, dizzy spells and confusion can be warning signs and recommends residents check up on elderly neighbours and keep an eye on young children. 
 

Pastoralist association seeks dog fence update: The Pastoralists' Association of West Darling plans to follow up with the state agricultural minister after works to fix the wild dog fence carried into the new year. Five years after more than $37 million was allocated to repair the dog fence, only 19 kilometres of a 32 kilometre gap between the South Australian and New South Wales fences has been completed. Association president Terry Smith says after last speaking to minister Tara Moriarty about the project in November, it's time for an update.
 

Broken Hill Airport misses out on funding: Parkes federal MP Mark Coulton says he's disappointed the Broken Hill City Council missed out on recent funding to support upgrades at the local airport. The council had applied to the federal government's Growing Regions Program to help strengthen the Broken Hill Airport runway, which would have enabled larger aircraft to land. But despite the Dubbo Regional Council being successful in its application for a similar project, the Broken Hill council wasn't. Mr Coulton, whose electorate covers both council areas, says he'll work with the council to seek feedback as to why.
 

CatholicCare chief questions timing: The timing of the Central Darling Shire Council's works on Wilcannia's filtered water system as temperatures hit 40 degrees Celsius has been questioned by the chief executive of CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes. The system was turned off on Saturday between 10am and 4pm for essential repairs and maintenance, and will be turned off again on January 18. CatholicCare chief Anne-Marie Mioch says she's happy to work with council to support the residents of Wilcannia during scheduled maintenance. In a statement the shire said while it understands the timing is inconvenient, the work involves valve replacement and will mean if future issues occur, only a section of the town's system will be turned off.
 

Funding for endangered bird species: A new project to protect a critically endangered bird species in north-west New South Wales will receive $800,000 in funding over five years from the Australian Government Heritage Trust. The project, which is being delivered by Western Local Land Services, will protect and restore biodiversity for the grey range thick-billed grasswren. Thought to be extinct in 2008, the grasswren was later sighted in Mutawintji National Park. Western Local land Services general manager Erlina St Vincent says the grasswren relies on saltbush and bluebush for survival. 
 

Lifeline's Christmas toy run success: Lifeline Broken Hill's annual Christmas toy run delivered toy hampers to more than 170 families in the Far West. For the first time, toy hampers were delivered to children in Ivanhoe after Ivanhoe Central School's assistant principal reached out to Lifeline. Lifeline marketing and communications coordinator Ruby Eckert says it's good to see the community come to together to help each other. 
 

If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
 

Jubilee Oval named heritage site: The Jubilee Oval has been recognised as a heritage site by the New South Wales Australian Football History Society. To be considered a heritage site, a location must have at least a 100-year association with Australian football. The society's vice-chairman Dr Rod