Locals at the heart of a devastating fish kill say politicians lack the vision or intent to overcome water management deficiencies, as the ABC visits towns from Goolwa to Menindee to find out who, if anyone, is in control of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Amid the mass fish kills and the ongoing drought, residents of Menindee in outback NSW hope a festival will be the first of many positives that draw tourists back to the region.

Indigenous children are about 10 times more likely to be in foster care than non-Indigenous children, so how can they stay connected to culture and country?

A commercial fisher has been fined $15,000 and had his boat confiscated after pleading guilty to seven charges of illegal fishing in the Darling River.

Where aspiring artists often leave home to pursue a career in a big city, this group of young Indigenous artists from western NSW have made the choice to stay on country to make and sell their art.

Menindee residents say the New South Wales Government is moving too slowly to prevent the loss of important native fish breeding stock in the Darling River, as authorities warn of further large-scale fish kills in to summer.

In the old tin mosque in Broken Hill, Samia made a discovery that disproved what historians had thought for more than 40 years.

A new art exhibition opening in Sydney today brings together some of the nation's leading artists who offer an urgent message about the destruction of the beleaguered Murray-Darling basin.

Once an outback oasis, Copi Hollow is now almost all that's left of the Menindee lakes system, but its future is uncertain.

An empty station homestead in drought-stricken outback New South Wales may look unassuming but has gained renown by being featured on the new $20 banknote.

Locals are worried for the future of the small NSW town of Ivanhoe, but a colourful truck and tractor show brought in crowds about three times the size of its population.

Authorities have confirmed it's likely there's been a mass die-off of fish in Western New South Wales

New aerial footage appears to show thousands of dead fish at Lake Pamamaroo in the Menindee Lakes System, near Broken Hill, nine months after a mass fish kill event on the nearby banks of the Darling River.

There appear to be further fish kills in the Menindee Lakes on the Darling River, with drone footage showing thousands of fish carcasses.

Western Australian gold explorer Ausgold is launching a capital raising effort, which it says will facilitate further expansion of its Katanning project.

Consumer Protection is urging people to look beyond the price tag when shopping online this Christmas.

Did you know that the native Christmas Tree that is in prolific flower in Western Australia this month can produce a mildly alcoholic Christmas potion?

The PGA says food security should not be the focus in the planned national review of agriculture with the country exporting surpluses every year.

An investor, who has been left waiting months for the return of rare bank notes he owned through a collapsed Albany dealer, says further delays to that process are distressing.

A campaign is being launched to improve public awareness of the dangers of rock fishing in an effort to substantially reduce the number of fatalities across Western Australia.

The Department of Fisheries has released the results of a survey of WA's recreational fishing take, which has found the blue swimmer crab is the most commonly caught species.

The plan to set out bait for large sharks near popular WA beaches has been criticised over concerns it could attract them into swimming areas, but others back the move.

The Royal Life Saving Society says WA's latest drowning figures, which reveal a 50 per cent increase on the previous year, should serve as a warning ahead of the festive season. A new report shows 31 people drowned in the state in 2012. Children under the age of four were the highest risk group for drowning and near drowning. Older people over the age of 55 were also at risk.

The charity food provider, Foodbank, says there has been a big increase in middle class people seeking help in regional WA this holiday period.

Demand on accommodation pushes tourists out from hotspots

The Town of Narrogin says the latest proposal to merge with the neighbouring Narrogin Shire is just weeks from being finalised.

The City of Albany is launching a new tourism marketing campaign in Perth, aimed at attracting visitors in off-peak periods through the south coast's cooler climate.

The outgoing Mental Health Commissioner says the state's Indigenous population is over-represented in the suicide rate.

New data has identified a substantial jump in housing sales in Albany but an increase in the time properties are taking to sell.

Aboriginal teaching assistants whose jobs have been axed, have appealed directly to the Education Minister for their jobs to be reinstated.

The Jerramungup Shire says it is working with Bremer Bay residents to address concerns about proposed bushfire safety measures.

A reward of $50,000 is re-offered after firefighters battle more than 700 suspicious fires this season.

A 55-year-old man has been charged after police allegedly uncovered a hydroponic set-up being used to grow cannabis at an Albany house.

Former WA chief scientist Lyn Beazley says she is honoured to be named patron of an agriculture program in Manjimup.

Police have seized a Taser, disguised as a torch, and drugs during a raid of an Albany house.

An eastern Wheatbelt farming group says it is extremely frustrating for struggling growers in the region to see limited demand for a Government support package.

The Department of Fisheries says as part of its second recreational fishing survey, it has begun interviewing recreational boat fishers.

WA nickel miner Western Areas is attempting to raise about $100 million in a venture designed in part to reduce debt.

Western Australian Wheatbelt nickel producer Western Areas says it will make significant savings after raising the funds to pay off a $110 million bond.

WA grain growers are being told they must take the initiative to market their own grain if the industry is to survive.

The Shire of Plantagenet is facing a shortfall of nearly $1 million in its funding for a major sporting precinct upgrade, after receiving a smaller than hoped for Western Australian Government grant.

A regional business lobby group says the Federal Government should recognise how important skilled foreign worker visas are in country areas.

A parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme wants to hear your experiences with the initiative.

The Member for Moore, Shane Love, is hoping a parliamentary inquiry will address issues with a scheme which helps regional people travel to get medical treatment.