A man has been accused of murdering his 79-year-old neighbour and their relative at a northern NSW property.

A horror weekend of suspected domestic violence-related deaths in NSW has exposed a huge gap in the response to the issue plaguing Australia, after police revealed they didn't know the alleged offenders.

The owner of an EV chauffeur service learned a valuable lesson when he found himself in a bushfire zone with a dwindling battery. 

Community effort transforms a degraded waterway, reducing erosion, increasing fish breeding and improving the quality of water that flows into the Great Barrier Reef. 

There are some big changes coming for credit and debit card holders, but not all of it is good news. Here's what you need to know and how it could affect you.     

The latest new releases from some of the world's biggest literary stars, including Emily St John Mandel, RF Kuang and Kate Atkinson, are among this month's best books.

Calls for a council investigation: Clarence Valley Council Deputy Mayor Cristie Yager is calling for an independent investigation by the Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig to consider an investigation into the governance, administration, operations and financial management of council, due to concerns and complaints raised over a number of years. Ms Yager says the recent mayoral election process and subsequent termination of the general manager's contract highlight longstanding concerns. She wants the investigation to assess whether any problems are systemic and to identify what the council must do to restore community confidence.

Plane escape: NSW Fire and Rescue units responded to reports of a plane crash at Murwillumbah airfield last Saturday morning. On arrival, crews found a small plane wedged in a drain at the end of the runway. The pilot of the plane was able to escape the plane and was treated on scene by NSW Ambulance.

Semen theft: A Grafton man has pleaded not guilty to stealing wagyu cattle from his employer. Eric Keddie Fraser, 35, was arrested last year and charged over the allegedly fraudulent purchase of 45 cattle, and the alleged theft of wagyu embryos and semen. In the Coffs Harbour District Court this week Mr Fraser pleaded not guilty to 24 charges, which include taking and using others' cattle, obtaining property and financial gain by deception, and intending to pervert the course of justice. The matter will be heard in the Sydney District Court next month.

Saw mill to close: The chair of Timber NSW says the closure of the Kyogle Timber Mill next month is a direct result of the creation of the Great Koala National Park. Andrew Hurford says his industry warned the government that a moratorium on logging in state forests on the Mid North Coast would cost jobs. Mr Hurford says the mill at Kyogle, owned by Pentarch, processed dry boards and the supply from saw mills has now dried up. He says around 25 jobs will be lost at the end of October. The Minister for the North Coast and Small Business Janelle Saffin says any employee of a mill affected by the creation of the Great Koala National Park can apply for a government redundancy package.

Bushfire ready: Communities are being urged to make sure they're prepared as the bushfire danger period officially gets underway across most of the state. Rural Fire Service crews have responded to more than 2,700 bushfires since July. The RFS says it's crucial people prepare their properties now, and have a plan in place if they're threatened by fire.