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Forestry - Tiwi Islands
Forestry plan sets direction for local jobs and long-term careers: Charles Darwin University
The month of May marks the approaching end of the fiscal year for many businesses and a rush to find receipts and finalise financials, but for one Tiwi Islands organisation, the focus is firmly on planting for the future. Tiwi Plantations Corporation - based 80 kilometres north of Darwin on the Tiwi Islands - has released the Tiwi Forestry Workforce Plan 2026–2030...
Cane harvest - Qld
Harvesters ready to roll as growers brace for difficult season: Canegrowers
Queensland’s 2026 sugarcane crush will officially get underway this week, with harvesters rumbling into life across the state’s far north. Tableland crews will fire the starter gun on the 7 month harvest, with the first rakes of cane due to go through the rollers at MSF’s Arriga mill on 18 May.
Budget 2026-27
The party of the worker has become the party of the renters
This federal Budget reveals something far more significant than another round of tax fights over capital gains, family trusts and negative gearing. It reveals who modern Labor now governs for.
Flood recovery - Northern Rivers
Buyback land to be used for parks, hubs, environmental projects but never for houses
What will happen to land made vacant from buybacks? The NSW Reconstruction Authority said it will work with local councils to plan the future of buyback areas as parklands, community hubs, or environmental projects. In specific cases where flood risk is strictly managed, some sites may also be used for commercial or industrial purposes.
Murray-Darling
Menindee resident raises alarm over upper lakes releases as environmental concerns mount
A Menindee resident has raised concerns about water releases from the upper lakes of the Menindee Lakes system, warning they could contribute to ongoing environmental deterioration in the Lower Darling-Baaka River system.
Opal mining
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Regional migration
Ten million Australians chose the regions – The Iran oil shock is already pricing the next move: Find a Mover
As the country reaches a regional population milestone, Find a Mover’s decade of platform data shows what the diesel surge means for movers booking now — and what the structural floor reset means for the regional migration flow long-term ... For the regional Australians making the move right now, the window to do it at anything close to last year’s price is closing fast.
Bookselling
How I turned an empty supermarket window into a minimalist book display
My son sent me a link to an unusual bookshop in Japan known as the most minimal bookstore in the world. It sparked an idea to take the bookshop’s one room-one book approach to set up a display of my own book in the window of an abandoned supermarket in Kyogle.
Tourism
Festival sparks up Copper Coast
The Copper Coast was alight with art and creativity over the weekend, as locals and visitors flocked to FLAME Festival events at Wallaroo, Kadina and Moonta. A celebration of Food, Light, Art, Music and Entertainment, FLAME sparked into life on Friday, May 8...
Volunteers
Blaze Aid camp calls it a day
Rhiannon Govier. Every property owner has a story. That is just one of the reasons why Lyn and Stan Rasmussen became coordinators for Blaze Aid. During the four months of coordinating the Blaze Aid camp in Maldon to support those impacted by the Harcourt fires, the camp has spent $11,000 in groceries and $6,000 in fuel...
Farrer
Landslide victory for Farley
Sean Cunningham. The One Nation bandwagon continued to roll on with a landslide victory for Narrandera local David Farley in last Saturday's Farrer By-Election. On the back of One Nation's rise during the recent SA elections, the seat of Farrer became the party's latest conquest as voters chose to abandon the Liberals and Nationals and place their faith in Mr Farley.
Farrer by election
Historic win – One Nation romps in to claim Farrer seat
David Farley convincingly won last Saturday's Farrer by-election, becoming the first One Nation candidate ever elected to the House of Representatives. For the first time in the history of Farrer, the electorate will not be represented by a Coalition MP. Mr Farley broke through the glass ceiling with a whopping 57.4 per cent of the votes, well ahead of close rival, Independent Michelle Milthorpe's 42.6 per cent.
Regional health
“Our story to tell”
Eight months after the death of 46-year-old Naracoorte man Cody Williams, his family says they are still searching for answers - and demanding accountability so no other family experiences the same heartbreak. In a confronting and deeply personal letter to The News, local resident Donna Armoogum details the final days of her brother’s life...
Innovation
New machine set to revolutionise Australian cropping
The Seedbed Conditioner creates the perfect seedbed and root zone for crops at a fraction of the current power (HP/KW) requirement and cost of seeding. Over 15 years of paddock-scale research this machine always produced large yield increase, which averaged 25 per cent with a range of 10–40 per cent.
Cuppa for a cure
Australia gears up for its biggest cuppa yet!
Cancer Council is calling on Aussies to rally their family, friends, and especially their workmates, for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, the nation’s iconic fundraiser hoping to turn a cuppa into a cure! ... Cancer fighter Jessica Giddens is organising Nannup's Biggest Morning Tea.
Forgotten Australians
Forgotten Australians stories brought to life through new awareness resources
More than 500,000 Australian children were placed into institutional or out-of-home care during the last century, with many experiencing neglect, abuse and a loss of identity that continues to shape their lives today. Often referred to as Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers, this cohort includes Stolen Generations, former child migrants, and former Wards of the State, including more than 400,000 non-Indigenous children.
Child care
After-school special: Monash OSHC celebrates first year of operation
Madison Eastmond. A Riverland out of school hours care (OSHC) program has recently celebrated one year of success. The Monash Primary and Preschool OSHC program has now been offering their service to the local community for over a year, with the initiative recording double the numbers of enrolments during the last school-holiday period since they opened their doors.
Budget 2026-27
Delivering a Budget focused on resilience and reform: Chalmer, Albanese, Gallagher
This is a responsible Budget that is all about resilience and reform. It’s all about getting Australians through the global oil shock and building an economy that works for more people. We’re delivering more cost-of-living help and building a more productive economy, a better tax system, a fairer housing market and a stronger and more sustainable budget.
Budget response
Last night’s Budget left freight operators with more questions than answers: Loadshift
Matt Barrie. The freight industry doesn't ask for much attention on Budget night. But when the shelves are stocked, the construction sites are running, and the mines are operating – a truck driver made that happen. Last night's Budget should have done more for them.
Budget responses
Mixed responses to the 2026-27 Budget
The May Budget delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers has elicited criticism, and some praise, from many quarters, as illustrated by the following statements from the National Party, Beyond Zero Emissions, National Farmers' Federation and the NFF Horticulture Council, National Seniors Australia, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, TasFarmers, Grain Producers Australia and NSW Farmers.
Budget responses
The government’s health budget tinkers around the edges for rural communities: NRHA
“The real test with the Budget is whether the dollars announced reach rural people, First Nations communities and primary care in thin markets where healthcare access is hardest”" Susi Tegen, NRHA Chief Executive.
Victorian election 2026 - renewable energy
Urban Solar Parks – unlocking rooftops, protecting farmland, and lowering energy costs: Cleeland
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP, has announced a major shift in Victoria’s energy planning, with a proposal to roll out Urban Solar Parks across industrial and commercial precincts if elected to government in November. The policy would transform large rooftops on warehouses, factories, shopping centres and industrial estates into energy hubs...
Budget response - Coalition
Forestry & timber - Vic
Critical minerals - public consultation
Critical minerals - Vic
Fisheries compliance - WA
Firearms - NSW
$39 million Firearms Registry bailout exposes Labor failure: Banasiak
Mark Banasiak MLC has slammed the Minns Labor Government’s $39.3 million Firearms Registry announcement as a taxpayer-funded bailout for a system collapsing under the weight of Labor’s own bureaucracy. “This is not reform. It is damage control,” Mr Banasiak said. “Labor created the mess, buried the Registry in red tape, and now hardworking taxpayers are being forced to pay $39 million to keep the system afloat.
Law & order - NT
Alice mourns death of Kumanjayi Little Baby
The town's embracing of the family struck by tragedy came to its culmination at a sunset vigil yesterday to say farewell to Kumanjayi Little Baby, dead at just five years old. There were no less than 1500 locals on Anzac Oval, the 20-80 black-white mix about the same as the whole town’s. The pain of the recent events had united them.
Law & order
Research - dingoes and wild dogs
Most Australian ‘wild dogs’ are predominantly dingoes: Adelaide University
A new genetic test has revealed that most of the free-roaming canines in Australia, often labelled ‘wild dogs’, carry a significant amount of dingo ancestry. A team of Adelaide University researchers from the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA and the Environment Institute analysed more than 300 free-roaming canines across Australia, and found that, on average, just 11.7 per cent of their DNA comes from domestic dogs.
WA Budget
Scant detail for proposed Yanchep Police station relocation
Two days before the State Budget the Cook Government announced it was investing in providing the Yanchep Police station a new home ... Mr Whitby’s joint pre-budget statement with Butler MLA Lorna Clarke said the Yanchep Police station would move from its current location ... Under new initiatives the State Budget papers one item is listed for the Yanchep Police station.
The Pirate Queen and the sinking department
Last week I wrote that Budget Number Ten would tell us everything we needed to know ... it’s worse than expected. For all the Government’s talk about farm resilience, diversification and food security, when it came time to fund the department that actually underpins those things, the treasure chest was empty.
Textile artists
Fibre artists spin creativity from wool
Janet Heenan and Cheryl Lowe share a love of wool, fibre and the slow, skilled art of spinning. The two fibre artists, who both began spinning in the late 1970s, are members of the local spinning group ... Their early spinning days began with raw fleece...
History & heritage
Equestrian
State show jumping champions crowned at Talunga Park
Strong fields across all divisions highlighted the depth of local talent and growing interstate presence at this year’s Equestrian South Australia State Showjumping Championships at Talunga Park, Mount Pleasant. The event drew entries from across South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory, with more than 130 combinations converging on the Adelaide Hills venue...
Archery
Pennas claim archery gold at Archery Nationals
Peter Argent. Moonta Bay siblings Brock and Ava Penna have returned from the Archery Australia 2026 National Youth Archery Championships with multiple gold medals, a national record and national recognition after outstanding performances in Launceston, Tasmania in April.
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Leadership
Exclusive interview with cricket legend Nathan Lyon
Cricket legend Nathan Lyon talks about the “Have You Got What It Takes Tour” ... "it’s a coordinated effort to influence leadership at every level of the community. By bringing together elite sport, leadership principles, and grassroots development, David and I want to support leaders across regional Australia to tackle their most important challenges. This isn’t just about building better athletes or better leaders, it’s about building stronger communities that can thrive."
Renewables - power imbalance
Fast-tracking renewable energy approvals risks sidelining farmers: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers is calling on the NSW Government to pause plans to fast-track renewable energy projects in regional NSW, warning that rushing approvals will deepen community distress, entrench an unfair power imbalance between large developers and landholders, and generate more objections and conflict.
Ag adaptation
New roadmap to help primary producers navigate energy transition: AgriFutures Australia
Australia’s primary producers have new guidance to navigate the shift in energy systems, with national research outlining both the challenges ahead and the practical pathways available. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Energy Transition Roadmap (2026–2036), released by AgriFutures Australia, provides a system-wide view of how agriculture, fisheries and forestry can adapt to changing energy markets and technologies while maintaining productivity.
Water skier
Our world record holder
Naracoorte’s Ben Copping is not only a familiar face at Woolworths - he is now officially a world record holder, defying a lifetime of challenges with grit, resilience, and an unshakable love for sport. The 42-year-old, who grew up on a small farm outside Lucindale, has turned what many would see as limitations into a story of extraordinary determination - culminating in a world-record performance on the water last month.
Inspiring new artist
BNW a debut for artist Obi
Patricia Gill. Obi Manuel wants to be an artist when he grows up. The 14-year-old made his debut into the art world at the Brave New Works Festival at the end of March. Obi lives with Down syndrome and attends the Albany Secondary Education Support Centre and started drawing and colouring in on bus trips...
Apprenticeships
From classroom to career: Local students get a head start
The North Central LLEN is celebrating a major milestone since partnering with the Department of Education to support sixty local students to commence school-based apprenticeships and traineeships through the Head Start program over the past three years.
Detection dog
Sniffing out savings: Danny the detection dog to target hidden water leaks
Danny the leak detection dog and his handler set to arrive in the region this May, bringing technology typically used in major city networks to remote communities. “This is the kind of technology you’d usually see in large urban networks, and we’re now trialling it here in Cook Shire,” Mayor Holmes said.
Nuclear Test medallist
Samuel Darke held a unique position
A Grafton man thought to be the last surviving link to an undercover British nuclear operation has passed away. Samuel Darke was a teenager when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was subsequently given orders to participate in a top-secret mission known as Operation Totem where a pair of British atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted in the South Australian outback in October 1953.
Farrer by election
Murray-Darling
Murray-Darling Basin Plan review
Bushfire inquiry - Vic
Inquiry hears some of us out
Following considerable community pressure and lobbying by Towong Shire Council, the Victorian Parliament’s summer fires inquiry decided to hold a dedicated ‘open mic’ session for Towong residents. "While this session will be held online and not physically in the shire, it will at least provide an opportunity for the inquiry to hear the voices of our communities directly," said Towong mayor, Cr Peter Tolsher.
Homelessness - Central Coast
Rough sleepers continue to cause concern
Denice Barnes. Central Coast Councillor Doug Eaton has called on the State Government to help with the growing problem of people camping illegally at public parks and reserves. His call comes as Toukley and Norah Head residents continue to raise concerns over people camped illegally at Wallarah Point Peace Park at Gorokan...
Inland Rail - Qld
Inland Rail - New England
Inland Rail decision
Record investment in the freight rail network and consolidating Inland Rail: King
The Albanese Government is today announcing a further $1.75 billion investment to improve the productivity, resilience and reliability of Australia’s freight rail network, alongside a $55 million incentive scheme to get more freight moving by rail and sea ... The Government has taken the decision to consolidate the Inland Rail project...
Regional health - Wilcannia
RFDS 90 years of service
Chris Elliott. To help the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) celebrate their 90th Anniversary, local member Roy Butler rode a small motor bike, towing a message board trailer from Sydney, via Bourke to Broken Hill. Roy was in Wilcannia on Friday 1st for lunch in the park to catch up with locals and get them to write a message on the trailer.
Regional life
Innovative industry
All about alpacas this National Alpaca Week, 2-10 May 2026
Alpaca studs across Australia are opening their gates to show their flocks and share their wisdom about all things alpaca. Still a comparatively young industry in Australia, the Australian Alpaca Association, founded in 1990, organises National Alpaca Week to promote their favourite farm animal and its diversity of uses ... Learn a lot about alpacas by listening to the ARR.News interview with Taryan Mathews from Precision Alpaca Group.
Listen
Fiona Fox from Australian Rural & Regional News learnt a great deal about alpacas from Taryan Mathews from Precision Alpaca Group:
Winter weather
Pests
Locusts land in SA
Caitlin Menadue. Recent reports from farmers during the early stages of seeding have indicated an increase in locust activity across several cropping regions in South Australia, Grain Producers South Australia has warned. GPSA chief executive Brad Perry said producers from Yorke Peninsula, the Riverland, Eyre Peninsula and Flinders Ranges had reported locusts on farms.
After the rain
Tropical low: Rewards and risks
Mike Gillam. On March 3 the Bureau of Meteorology recorded an impressive monsoon trough containing four tropical lows each with the potential to develop into a cyclone, hugging the coast of northern Australia ... Moths and butterflies are everywhere and I don’t believe it’s an exaggeration to say that every genus of plants is supporting at least one distinctive species of caterpillar.
Infrastructure - museum
Concern for historic artefacts
The sudden structural emergency that necessitated the closure of Maldon Museum has left the tenant organisation concerned about the building’s contents. The Maldon Museum and Archives Association says it was not given any notice that the building would be closed ... calling for a meeting with Council to discuss protecting the museum collection.
Travelling museum
A museum in a caravan: Tweed brings world-class learning to remote NSW classrooms
A vintage caravan packed with interactive exhibits, real historical objects and immersive storytelling is setting off from Murwillumbah ... bound for some of the most remote classrooms in NSW. Connected: Signal to the Stars, created by Tweed Regional Museum...
Algal bloom language - SA
Labor’s algae spin exposed: Centofanti
An investigation by the State Opposition has uncovered multiple examples of Government spin doctors banning the words ‘outbreak’ and ‘harmful’ from communications about the algal bloom. The Freedom of Information documents reveal instructions coming from staff within the Premier’s own department, as well as the Environment Department’s PR team.
Coastal erosion - WA
Shane Love says there is no clear plan to beat Lancelin’s coastal erosion
Hayley Primmer & Seth Carter. Foreshore erosion in Lancelin is becoming an increasing concern for the Shire of Gingin, with the Opposition warning ongoing changes to the coastline threaten the future of several businesses in the town, as well as the long-term safety of some residents’ homes. Lancelin Sands Hotel owner Glen Trebilcock said he had lost 40m of land in 12 months due to Lancelin’s increasing coastal erosion.
Leadership
Despair is easy, hope requires effort
Despair is easy, but hope requires effort—real leadership means choosing action, connection, and progress, especially when times are toughest ... Leaders in regional areas don’t have the luxury of hiding behind corporate layers or distant decision-making structures.
Seedbed Conditioner
New machine improves soil fertility and increases crop yields
A new machine designed and exhaustively tested at a field-scale over 15 years and 32 sites in Western Australia, Queensland and Pakistan has been shown to increase crop yields by 25 per cent, on average (range 10 to 40 per cent).
Indigenous - SA
SA Liberals move to repeal Voice to Parliament: Hurn, Teague
The State Liberals will introduce legislation to repeal the First Nations Voice when Parliament resumes this week. The First Nations Voice Repeal Bill will make way for its replacement - practical, targeted support for Indigenous South Australians and a revived Aboriginal Lands Committee.
Meat exports
New market access to Indonesia for five export meat establishments: Collins
... the approval of five additional export beef establishments for exports to Indonesia, including one establishment also receiving approval for sheep and goat meat ... is a boost for Australia’s trade relationship with Indonesia where more high-quality Australian halal red meat will now be available.
Gas reserve
National park - NT
Foreign investment
Fuel security - Vic
Energy security
Strengthening energy security with Japan: Albanese, Wong, Bowen
Australia and Japan have reached an agreement to further strengthen energy security in our region ... will work together to support the flow of essential goods – including fuel and gas – between our countries.
Energy - WA
Review
Review – Hot Ground
Set in Western Australia's goldfields, Hot Ground is the second crime fiction novel by author Lisa Ellery ... "Hot Ground" is a well-paced police crime novel that blends a clever plot with a vivid outback setting. If you enjoy crime fiction that mixes outback grit with gold fever and buried secrets, "Hot Ground" could be just the read you’re looking for.
Online dating
Finding love in the country
Anyone who’s ventured into the world of online dating is sure to have countless stories of mismatches, mishaps, misconceptions and misunderstandings ... Dawn LaPuma was just one of those ‘over 60s’ living beyond the city lights who dipped her toe in the waters of online dating and it didn't take long for her to start keeping a journal of the various characters she encountered...
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