The Latest Breaking News from Dugald Saunders

A central coast beekeeper is petitioning to stop the eradication of beehives in response to varroa mite, arguing that Australia must learn to live with the pest like many other countries do.

A NSW MP is urging his government to create a rebate scheme for individuals and remove shark nets from the state's beaches.

The damage bill is mounting as floods inundate crops, leaving farmers unsure if they will even be able to harvest.

19 cane toads have been caught around Lake Macquarie in the last week.

After six months of waiting, flood-affected primary producers are eligible for government grants of up to $100,000 to help them get back on their feet.

"We are also working on additional support packages, which will be announced shortly,"

Berry growers in the region will be left without proper pollination services for at least six months, after confirmation around 1,000 beehives will be destroyed in the coming weeks.

All recreational and commercial beehives within an eradication zone around Coffs Harbour on NSW's north coast will be destroyed in the latest bid to contain the spread of varroa mite.

Logging operations in an area of key koala habitat on the NSW Mid North Coast have sparked an escalation of tensions between concerned locals and authorities, as questions are raised about the effectiveness of environmental regulations.

Fines issued for illegal logging in state forests were due to mapping mistakes made at computers, the CEO of the NSW native timber logging corporation says.

NSW apiarists must euthanise their bees before receiving compensation payments intended to support those affected by the varroa mite outbreak.