The largest addition to the New South Wales national parks network in almost a decade is welcomed by traditional owners of the land, who say it is a monumental cultural milestone.

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.

Researchers flock to study birds and desert species at Fowlers Gap in the arid zone of New South Wales, where it is remote and isolated but where you can still find friends.

The drought takes its toll on organic farmers who say the big dry has ruined their ability to meet the conditions of their licences, so they cannot sell their livestock as organic.

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.

WA Police have charged a 45-year-old man with attempted murder after he allegedly shot at officers with a sawn off shotgun last week.

The president of WA Farmers is calling for higher standards to be met before proposed foreign investments are given the green light.

Officials are hoping for a big turnout at the restart of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in Albany today.

Western Australian farmers have welcomed the State Government's announcement to relax the controversial laws on land clearing.

Western Australia's s Minister for Agriculture and Food will have an opportunity to sign up to the long-awaited federal farm finance package this week.

An organisation which has been highly critical of Western Australia's land clearing regulations says the way the issue is approached needs to significantly change.

For generations they have been the champions of rural communities, providing tried and true recipes from the nations favourite cooks. Country Womens Associations across the state have been doing it tough lately.

The City of Albany has chosen to hold an extraordinary election in February, to fill the vacancy created after the sudden resignation of the former deputy mayor.

A former West Australian Football League player, charged with assaulting another player during a country match, has had the charge against him dropped in a Narrogin court.

Officials involved in the construction of Katanning's new sheep saleyards say the first sale at the facility will have to be pushed back to next autumn due to project delays.

Real estate agents say Albany's rental market has tightened significantly in recent times.

The new Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development says he expects improving conditions for elderly residents in Western Australia's south-west and Great Southern will be a key focus.

Western Australia's peak farm lobby group says having the Minister of Agriculture and Food take up a second portfolio may mean agricultural issues actually get more attention.

Western Australia's bulk grain handler says it has already received about 12.5 million tonnes of grain during this year's harvest and there is still more to come from southern areas.

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 Education Minister says the completion of a major upgrade should ensure Denmark High School can continue its strong performance while dealing with a growing school population.

The receivers of the collapsed Rare Coin Company say the return of stock, owned by customers caught up in the company's demise, will not begin until next year.

A new strategy to reduce fatal shark attacks is being implemented with baited drum lines to be set along popular beaches in Perth and the South West. Sharks will also be caught and killed if they enter zones near those beaches because they will be considered an imminent threat. The measures follow six fatal attacks by sharks in WA in two years. Opponents say sharks deserve respect and protection.

The farm gate art trail is currently bringing something a little different to paddocks across the Shire of Ravensthorpe.

Western Australian quarantine officers have intercepted a number of pests in products imported from other states and say, if released, they could have had damaging effects on local industries.

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.

The Police Commissioner has paid tribute to a senior Walpole policeman as an "outstanding officer" after he won WA's Police Officer of the Year Award.

The president of Albany's biggest surfing club says the funds spent on the Western Australian Government's new shark strategy would be better used researching shark repellents.

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 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.

This week on backyard farmer, we go in search of the best grub from the bush with the help of a local Noongar man.

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.

Travel back through time with us and take a look at 2013 in the South Coast and Great Southern.

Police in Albany suspect an attack on an automatic teller machine may be linked to a similar incident on the south coast a a few months earlier.

Nationals MP Wendy Duncan says the State Government is paying the price for the shortage of doctors in regional Western Australia. She says the Commonwealth should fund efforts to attract doctors to regional areas.

With extremely hot inland conditions being experienced and forecast in Western Australia, farmers are warned of potential threats to livestock.