Broken Hill local news briefing: Tuesday, 3 November, 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in the Broken Hill region today.

Broken Hill City Council is continuing investigations into 15 poisoned gum trees near Sturt Park.

The council said drill holes had been found in the trunks of trees along Chloride and Wolfram streets.

General manager Jay Nankivell said several jacarandas on Morgan Street had also been damaged in the same way.

"A pattern is sort of starting to formulate in regards to some of the trees and the gardens in this city with some form of poisoning occurring," he said.

Trees near Sturt Park have drill holes visible in the trunks.  (ABC Broken Hill: Kristina Rosengren )

Essential Water says a tap installed at Menindee to give Sunset Strip residents clean water will stay as it is, despite residents' concerns.

The tap is at the Menindee Elevated Water Tank, 20 kilometres away.

Residents said it was too high and too slow to fill containers.

At a meeting with the state opposition last week, they discussed options including a new water treatment plant.

An Essential Water spokesperson said there was no funded long-term solution.

The company said it was willing to work with the community, council and government agencies on options and funding.

A spokesperson for State Water Minister Rose Jackson said they understood residents' frustration and concern and expected Essential Water to resolve the issues.

Firefighters have extinguished an overnight car fire on Wills Street near the Broken Hill Waste Management Facility, but the ute was destroyed.

The crew was called to the blaze just before 10pm and extinguished the fire in five minutes.

No one was in or around the vehicle. Police were also at the scene and are investigating.

Broken Hill Fire and Rescue putting out the blaze.  (Credit: Broken Hill Fire and Rescue )

Seven students from Menindee, Wilcannia and Ivanhoe are sitting their final high school exams.

They are among thousands of Year 12 students across New South Wales now in the final week of the HSC.

Head teacher Adam Bailey said the school was proud to support the students through the tests.

"Any time we get any of our students across the three schools to graduate, finish year 12, get their HSC, it's a tremendous achievement for all concerned, but especially by the students," he said.

Greg Wellington has won the top prize at the Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards in Broken Hill.

His painting, Dancing in the Rain, explores how wildlife, the environment and outback people all depend on water.

He encouraged people to visit the Broken Hill gallery and see all the entries, praising the young artists whose work is on display.

"The young artists coming through are absolutely amazing at the age what they're producing and I'm looking forward to watching their journey," he said.

Greg Wellington's winning painting 'Dancing in the rain'.  (Credit: Broken Hill City Art Gallery)

Central are top of the Barrier District Cricket League men's A-grade table after a 119-run victory over South in round one.

Opening batsman Brett Hannon scored 117 not out from 107 balls, leaving South needing 243 for victory.

Central bowler Scott Mateer took six wickets.

North beat West by 99 runs, with Ben Jurd scoring 113 from 87 balls.

In the women's competition, North defeated Central, with Steph Balman top-scoring with 85.

The West–South game was declared a draw after the Broken Hill Council kept the sprinklers on, leaving the field too wet to play.