Nick McLaren
Wollongong, NSW
Nick McLaren is the Deputy Chief of Staff and a multiplatform Senior Journalist with ABC Illawarra based in Wollongong.
On any given day Nick can be heard presenting the local breakfast radio news, crossing to News Channel with a breaking news story or working on an in-depth digital feature to be shared via social media.
Nick has special interests in climate change, energy, crime, manufacturing, transport infrastructure, and politics and is often referred to as ABC Illawarra's surfing correspondent.
He started out working in community radio in Sydney and Newcastle, then with SBS Radio, ABC Sport and ABC Radio National in Sydney. He has also worked for ABC mid north coast and as a freelancer based in Germany.
Nick is a graduate of the University of NSW, UTS and the University of Wollongong.
He would like to acknowledge the Dharawal, Yuin, Wadi Wadi and Gundungara people as the traditional owners of the Illawarra.
Latest by Nick McLaren
Councillor claims ICAC referral 'weaponised' amid ongoing feud over council finances
A NSW councillor suggests her referral to the Independent Commission Against Corruption could be politically motivated ahead of local government elections.
Radioactive waste comes under spotlight as Coalition moves to embrace nuclear future
Australia currently produces a relatively small amount of radioactive waste due to its limited nuclear industry, so what would happen to the waste generated by seven nuclear reactors if they were built under a Coalition government?
Opposition vows to scrap NSW offshore wind farms in Labor heartland
During a rare visit to Wollongong, National Party leader David Littleproud confirms that, if elected, the opposition will scrap both offshore wind zones in New South Wales.
Residents cut off, major flood warnings issued amid torrential rain in NSW
Residents in Sydney’s south-west fear they will be cut off from their homes for several days as floodwaters continue to rise.
Rescues, risky road conditions as heavy rain lashes Illawarra and NSW South Coast
Residents are urged to stay off the roads and prepare for more storms and potential flooding as heavy rain batters coastal regions, then moves north.
Landowner fined $125,000 after ignoring orders to stop clearing native bush, 200-year-old trees
Unauthorised bulldozing of "really important" native vegetation has landed NSW Southern Highlands property owner Chaza Khouzame a $125,000 fine, plus costs.
Firefighters work to limit explosion risk as grain silo continues to burn in NSW
Firefighters are still working to contain the blaze that broke out at food manufacturing facility in Bomaderry yesterday.
'People are still buying … regardless of the risks': Insurers warn hundreds of thousands of homes are under threat
Extreme weather linked to climate change risks negatively affecting coastal property market values, as storm-related damage and erosion take their toll and insurance premiums soar.
Former NSW minister Gareth Ward's sexual assault trial delayed
The NSW MP's trial was set to start on Monday, but that date has been vacated by the District Court in Sydney.
Fast rail could be delivered to Newcastle and Nowra within 20 years, former transport minister says
Former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance is critical of the government's delays in delivering regional rail improvements and wants a report finished under his government in 2020 to be released.
Liberals endorse Andrew Constance to run again in marginal federal seat
The Liberal party has chosen veteran New South Wales politician Andrew Constance to contest the next federal election in Gilmore after he narrowly lost in 2022.
South32 to divest itself of Illawarra coal, but the $2.5b deal must be approved by BlueScope
Miner South32 signals a further transition to a low-carbon business announcing plans to sell Illawarra Metallurgical Coal to an Asian-based resources company.
Woman calls for increased reward in bid to solve cold case murder of her 23-year-old sister
The body of Kristy Morris's sister, Rachelle Childs, was found in a ditch on the NSW South Coast in 2001. A coroner ruled that she had been deliberately killed, but the culprit has never been found.
Ship searching for sunken containers stumbles upon 120-year-old shipwreck
The discovery of a ship lost off Wollongong 120 years ago sparks calls for relatives of those lost to come forward.
BlueScope posts steady profit result while positioning for ongoing carbon transition challenges
The steelmaker continues to work on its "decarbonisation journey" while revealing plans to diversify the use of 1,200 hectares of land it owns in New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand.
Major upgrade of road linking south-west Sydney to thousands of new homes approved after five-year wait
A major road linking south-west Sydney to Wollongong has received NSW government approval for a long-awaited upgrade that accounts for impacts on a growing koala colony.
Fake lawyer Alexander Pinnock identified as gunman killed by police at Nowra medical centre
The man shot dead by police on a street in Nowra yesterday has been identified as 34-year-old Alexander Stuart Pinnock, known to authorities after pleading guilty to offences relating to unqualified legal practice last year.
Man shot dead by police in Nowra's main street after confronting police with gun
New South Wales Police say the man was shot and killed in the main street of Nowra after he confronted police with a handgun.
Julian Assange 'will not survive' US extradition if last UK court appeal fails, lawyer warns
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is at risk of suicide if the UK High Court next month rejects his final appeal against extradition to the US, his lawyer warns.
Is it time for a rethink of the red and gold flags? After a spate of beach drownings, some lifesavers believe so
Veteran lifeguards in New South Wales say more education about beach safety is required for tourists and people from non-English speaking backgrounds, along with a shake-up of patrolling strategies.
Despite alleged confession and new witness, Cheryl Grimmer cold case inquest ruled out
NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley has rejected calls for a fresh inquest into the 1970 disappearance of the three-year-old, as well as other requests made by her family and the detective who worked the case.
'Horrendous' year of koala deaths in NSW prompts calls for lower speed limits, better road design
A coalition of koala conservation groups calls on NSW Roads Minister John Graham to take action after a spike in koala road deaths.
New witness emerges in Cheryl Grimmer's disappearance, prompting calls for fresh investigation
A man tells a BBC podcast he saw a young man "in full stride with this baby on his hip" back in 1970, with a former detective into the three-year-old's disappearance from a Wollongong beach calling for the claims to be investigated.
'Jumped the gun': Offshore wind farm plan withdrawn as debate rages in NSW
Spanish firm BlueFloat Energy says it intends to resubmit its proposal for the controversial project off the Illawarra coast, which it lodged before the government declared the area designated for that purpose.
Sydney to Gong charity bike ride cancelled for thousands as bad weather closes transport links and beaches
An intensive weather system that hit Wollongong on Saturday night temporarily closed roads and the south coast rail line, caused significant damage to properties, and the cancellation of an annual charity bike ride.