Hundreds of Darwin bus services were cancelled last month, including during peak hours, as more drivers quit their jobs due to intensifying violence and ongoing anti-social behaviour of passengers, drivers have revealed.

A highly pathogenic and aggressive roundworm that is difficult to eradicate and  thrives on sweet potato, cucumber, capsicum, butternut pumpkin, snake bean, zucchini and chilli plants, has been detected by biosecurity staff on several farms in the Northern Territory, and could have already been present in Darwin areas for as long as a year, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade has said.

The Cavenagh Street “shade” structure is expected to cost taxpayers more than $100,000 to maintain this financial year – up from $13,400 last financial year – government figures obtained by the Opposition show, with Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler ruling out replacing the vines that have still not covered the structure in four years.

The Fyles Government’s new annual “retention payment” of $3,500 for Katherine-based teachers to subsidise their rent will not solve the high turnover rates and housing problems afflicting the Territory’s educators, the NT Education Union said.

NT WorkSafe has appointed Ms Peggy Cheong as its new executive director after holding the role in a temporary capacity since June.