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Sports infrastructure
Skatepark is a community achievement
Towong Shire Council and community members came together to celebrate the official opening of the Corryong Skatepark on Saturday. The event saw a tremendous turnout from residents and skatepark users with families, young skaters and community members enjoying the day.
Renewables
Transmission lines
App
Steven’s PowerBill and Compare apps: SaaS
Steven as a Service (SaaS) offers two game changing apps that can help you navigate your way to a competitive energy plan comparison and bill calculation - PowerBill™ and Compare.
Beef
Sizzle to return to beef prices as market is set to reach a “new norm”
There are golden times ahead for the nation's cattle producers with a "new norm" of 630c/kg liveweight for feeder steers next year as the markets enter a seven-year period of stability. Market analyst Simon Quilty ... forecast 2026 average prices to reach 630c/kg liveweight for feeder steers...
Indigenous
New yarning circle for Narrandera District Hospital
New outdoor spaces created specifically for Aboriginal patients, staff and visitors have been completed at Narrandera District Hospital. Featuring a mural by Narrandera-based Wiradjuri artist Uncle Owen Lyons, the project included the creation of a yarning circle and Sorry Business area.
Charity
Lasagna Love hits 1000 homemade meals in Australia
Lasagna Love, a global volunteer-led movement delivering homemade meals to neighbours in need, has reached a major milestone in Australia—1,000 homecooked lasagnas shared with local families ... Bega Lasagne Love Local Leader, Amy Whiter shares her most memorable delivery ...
Charity
BlazeAid sets up camp in Nhill
BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires, cyclones, droughts and floods. Working alongside the rural families, our volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed.
Youth
Brave Ava rings the bell after beating cancer twice
Last week, Nhill's own Ava returned home to a very special moment—ringing the bell to mark the end of her cancer treatment for the second time in four years. It was a hard-won milestone, celebrated with love and emotion at the Royal Children's Hospital, where staff gathered to honour her incredible bravery.
TV
Loxton’s Ben going it Alone
Sebastian Calderon. A well-known Riverlander will test his mental and physical limits as part of a popular reality TV series, premiering today ... “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really find your limits and we don’t get that opportunity often": Ben Grieger.
Commemoration
Community
Harmony Day 2025
Approximately 60 people of various nationalities attended the 2025 Harmony Day celebrations held at the Nhill Memorial Community Centre on Thursday 20 March 2025. Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ron Ismay, hosted the evening and explained that the event was being held to celebrate and acknowledge both Harmony Week and Cultural Diversity Week...
Land use
Youth crime
Police tackling youth crime crisis
The commander of about 200 officers from 17 police stations across 3 Local Government Areas that encompass the Coffs Clarence Police District, Superintendent Joanne Schultz, revealed some informative and interesting insights into crime in the region at Sunday's community meeting.
Grains
Hay Grains changes hands
Hay Grains storage facility in east Hay has changed hands, after JEK Rural Investments purchased the depot. Deniliquin-based Paul and Jenny Fellows have owned the business for the past seven years and say they have enjoyed their time as part of the business community.
Research - farmland
New data confirms broadacre farmland prices have levelled off: ABARES
Broadacre farmland prices across Australia have continued their plateau for a second straight year after decade of strong growth, which had seen broadacre farmland rates increase by more than 10 per cent per year on average.
Federal Budget
Report
Long-term timber demand shored up by increased supply: ABARES
Today’s publication of the Wood Volumes Analysis indicates Australia has reliable access to structural forest and wood products to meet future demand. The report provides an analysis of the long-run supply of and domestic demand for wood products in Australia, particularly those used in construction.
Sports infrastructure
Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre officially opens
It was a highly anticipated occasion for the Clarence Valley community who have waited more than two years to access the $29.1 million state-of-the-art facility.
Opinion - mandatory code
Time for some fact checks on Pioneer article
Jason Perrin. I refer to Andrew Weeks’ article in last week’s Murray Pioneer ... The article is negative, does a disservice to growers, and has glaring inaccuracies, and unless corrected, adds confusion to things we are lobbying for on behalf of growers.
Energy
Seven years for nuclear: Parker
A 1000 megawatt nuclear power station using South Korean expertise could be built in the Latrobe Valley in seven years, with a fleet possibly in 11 years, at an estimated cost of $10 billion each, according to an Australian nuclear expert, Robert Parker.
Power outage
Businesses seek compensation
Sarah Herrmann. A fight for justice has begun after revelations that neither ElectraNet nor SA Power Networks are required to compensate customers for the up to 20-hour power and telecommunications outages that hit Yorke Peninsula on Friday, March 14. Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis told the South Australian Parliament on Tuesday, March 18 there is no regulated compensation scheme for transmission network failures...
Energy
Confidence growing for new gas field
Lakes Blue Energy is increasingly confident that within a few months, its 21-year struggle to get a new big onshore gas field in South Gippsland up and running, will come to fruition. The company, previously Lakes Oil, has submitted plans to the state government for the Wombat 5 gas well, located a few kilometres west of Seaspray.
Banking
ANZ at cashless tipping point after fundamental change to bank business model
When does a bank cease to be a bank? ... As of March 2025, ANZ is just a handful of branches away from the majority of its banks in the most populated areas of Australia being cashless ... Regional Australia ... has lost 20 branches to cashlessness ...
Emergency management
Culgoa turns challenge into strength: Stronger together
This tight-knit town of 86 residents is deeply committed to supporting one another, with nearly half the community recently coming together at the community hall to strengthen connections, share perspectives, and build a Community Emergency Management Plan to face challenges with confidence.
Community
Safety
Regional shark mitigation project
Rachel Hagan. Community consultation on the Yorke Peninsula for the Regional Shark Mitigation Project has begun, with Surf Life Saving South Australia visiting southern YP.
Wilcannia
Wilcannia declared an RV Friendly Town
Central Darling Shire Council has announced that the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia Limited (CMCA) has declared Wilcannia an RV Friendly Town. The CMCA has grown since 1986 to become the largest recreational vehicle (RV) club in the southern hemisphere, now boasting over 68,000 members and a fleet of more than 34,000 vehicles.
Land Council
Yilabara
People who travel past the Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council will have noticed a new business sign outside – YILABARA. This is the new trading name for the NSW Local Aboriginal Land Council’s Employment and Training program - Yilabara Solutions, the new version of CDP (Community Development Program).
Infrastructure - Yass Valley
Infrastructure - Bendigo
Horse groups have grounds for complaint over planning schemozzle
The Bendigo Showgrounds – home of the Victorian Agricultural Shows Saddle Horse Championships and many other state and national equestrian events – is to have the size of its arena cut significantly under a Victorian Government redevelopment of the site.
Report response
ACCC identifies co-op supermarkets as alternative to major operators: BCCM
The Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) ... welcomes the ACCC recommendation which calls on the Government to support better prices and competition for Australian shoppers especially in regional and remote areas through measures to incentivise more community owned and co-operative stores.
Energy charges
Govt pressures energy companies to waive daily charge on outages during ex-cyclone Alfred, offers personal hardship payment
More than 84,000 homes and businesses in the Northern Rivers experienced power outages during ex-cyclone Alfred. Some lost power multiple times. The State Government has written to energy companies asking them to defer electricity bills...
Indigenous
Barkandji Rangers
The Barkandji Rangers are coordinated by the Barkandji Native Title Group Aboriginal Cooperation (BNTGAC). The program is a ‘career pathway for Barkandji Traditional Owners’, a stepping stone to further employment with organisations such as NSW National Parks.
Weeds
How do I stop gazanias invading my crops?
Dr Ali Bajwa. Gazanias, a popular groundcover plant, are increasingly invading cropping paddocks in South Australia and Victoria. Dr. Ali Bajwa of La Trobe University is studying their spread and control methods under the GRDC's National Grower Network.
Leadership & You
Rural leadership qualities that city leaders could learn from
Regional and rural leaders must navigate ongoing challenges that require resilience, creativity, and a strong sense of community. Indeed, the mere nature of living in the bush requires a timeless set of qualities which require constant practice and application. It seems many of these qualities are being lost or diminished with our next generation of city-based leaders.
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More below
LAST WEEK’S STORIES
Fire
Fox fire chaos
An uncontrolled fire sparked by lightning flared in thick scrub 20kms south of Lucindale, last week. At the time of press more than 110 firefighters had been involved in the Fox fire which had burned through more than 600 hectares of native vegetation.
Bravery
Brad’s bravery recognised: Firefighters win national medals
“Without the actions of Captain Burke, the driver of truck would have perished in the fire. His actions on this day were courageous, selfless and in the finest traditions of CFA volunteer firefighting. The CFA is pleased to award Captain Burke the Chief Officer’s Commendation for Courage.”
Volunteer crisis
Regional development
Moolort walk: planning decisions imminent
A collection of around 60 attendees met under bursting skies at the Moolort Silos on the morning of Sunday 16 March, to attend the 'Walk the Line' event which commenced at 9.30 am. The walk was arranged by Castlemaine to Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) and Central Goldfields Bushwalking and Hiking Club, offering the chance to ponder the past and the future of the Moolort Plains.
Commemoration
Avenue of Honour extension opening coincides with Chauvel’s Anniversary Light Horse Memorial Ride
Lockhart Shire Council and The Rock RSL Sub-Branch officially opened The Rock Avenue of Honour Extension, a project honouring the service and sacrifice of Australian Defence Force personnel. This significant event coincided with Chauvel's Anniversary Light Horse Memorial Ride, bringing together history, remembrance, and community spirit in a powerful tribute to Australia's military heritage.
Light Horse trail
Commemorative ride visits twin cities
Honor Auchinleck. Last Wednesday in Wodonga the Chauvel Australian Light Horse Memorial Ride made an impressive arrival ... Later on the same day, small groups gathered at the Albury War Memorial in the half hour or so before the midday Service for the Fallen.
Public art
Walking trail
A seat with a story: honouring history
A breathtaking 360-degree view now comes with a deeper connection to history at Gorman's Gap in Preston/Upper Flagstone, thanks to a newly installed seat that pays tribute to one of Queensland's most significant early transport routes.
Sculpture
Songlines and science journey together to Kwoorabup Park
Patricia Gill. Gnudju Menang Elder Aunty Carol Pettersen felt like a proud parent at the opening of the Genestreaming Journey Sculpture at Kwoorabup Park on March 8. She and artist and fellow project founder Ben Beeton were, at last, after eight years, endowing the sculpture to the people of Denmark.
Barber
Country barber bringing warmth and tradition to Narrandera
Carmine Cantone, a seasoned barber with over 50 years of experience, has carved out a niche for himself in Narrandera by opening his barber shop business and living in the town. His journey has taken him across different landscapes, from Adelaide to Bourke, Byrock, Cobar, and Wagga Wagga before finally settling in Narrandera.
Regional bank closures - WA
Banks leave seniors behind
Former pharmacist and Denmark Shire councillor Adrian Hinds, 87, wants banks to allow non-computer users to make cheque payments when cash is not appropriate ... He prefers to use cheques believing there are insufficient protections for bank customers from fraudulent electronic transfers from their accounts.
Help needed from overseas
An elderly Denmark man paid the airfares for his niece and her husband to come to WA from England so he could move his life savings from Bank West to the Commonwealth Bank. The couple’s airfares cost Kevin Doherty, 87, $6100 for the niece to help him with drawing up his will as well as the bank transfers for term deposits because he is unable to do online banking.
Communications
3G switch off “should have been handled better”
The senate's Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee inquiry into the shutdown of the 3G mobile network has found that the shutdown should have been handled better ... The evidence given by many rural Australians through this committee inquiry speaks to the loss of mobile phone access despite those promises,” Mr Pasin said.
Tariffs
Trump’s tariffs will hurt American farmers
As the U.S. escalates tariffs on key trading partners like China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, these nations are retaliating strategically—targeting Trump’s biggest supporters and one of the most powerful lobbying forces in America: its farmers.
Traffic management - Vic
Parade traffic management: change of direction
Preparation for the Maldon Easter Fair and the 148th Easter Parade are underway ... on Thursday 13 March the organisers used social media to share their concern that a traffic management company had informed them that it would no longer provide its services to the parade ...
Traffic management fees
Murray-Darling
Budget 2025
Inland rail
Wagga Wagga businesses to get on track for Inland Rail work
Representatives of Inland Rail and Illabo to Stockinbingal contractor John ... be at the session at The Rules Club, 188 Fernleigh Road, Wagga Wagga, between 9am and 11am on Tuesday 18 March ... The Meet the Contractor events are intended to provide local and First Nations businesses and communities with a greater understanding of the opportunities available with the project.
Wildlife
Flood resilience
Opinion - emergency info
Invasive species
Renewables - Qld
Fresh start for Queensland – Community consultation for additional wind farm proposals: Bleijie
The Crisafulli Government is ensuring local communities are consulted on two new wind farm developments, in line with the LNP’s election commitment. Wind farm development applications for the Marmadua Energy Park and the Middle Creek Energy Hub, 23km east of Tara, and 15km south of Wandoan respectively, have been issued with proposed ‘call in’ notices.
Church
St Alban’s church decommissioned
"It was a short service and concluded with Archdeacon Robert Murphy saying 'it is a new beginning for the Booligal Community Church'. However, the decision and haste in which the Riverina Diocese acted in putting St Alban's Anglican Church on the market and the decommission of the church has left the community feeling totally disheartened": Jenny Sheaffe.
Opinion - regional health
Opinion - mandatory code
Looking at the bigger wine industry issues?
Andrew Weeks. I write in response to the commentary about the recent Senate Committee hearing, and the impact that a mandatory code for winegrape purchases will have on the Riverland wine sector. It is not surprising there is a strong voice among growers calling for a mandatory code ... However, it is misleading to suggest that installing a mandatory code of conduct will be the answer to all problems, nor is it guaranteed to only have positive impacts.
Power outage
Losses all over the peninsula
Rachel Hagan. Businesses across Yorke Peninsula went dark and many closed their doors on Friday, March 14, after the peninsula was hit with a complete power and phone outage. However, some managed to stay open with the use of back-up generators and some out-of-the-box thinking.
Energy security - SA
Power outage knocks out Yorke Peninsula
Joanna Tucker. Last week, about 25,000 Yorke Peninsula residents were without electricity for almost 20 hours ... SA Power Networks said ElectraNet, South Australia’s main transmission network service provider, advised them that insulator pollution had caused a fault at its Hummocks substation.
Storm response - Qld
‘Amazing’ race against time to save little miracles
As extreme weather threatened our coastline, TurtleCare volunteers worked tirelessly to safeguard the future of endangered baby turtles. Wildlife Conservation Team Leader Kate Hofmeister said their quick action and commitment ensured many nests were relocated to safer areas, giving hatchlings a better chance of survival.
Award
Top awards for Donald Bakery
The Donald Bakery left the 2025 Victorian Baking Show, hosted in Bendigo, with a tray full of awards. The awards were handed out earlier this month and Donald was once again firmly placed on the map thanks to the incredible efforts of the team at the Donald Bakery.
Small business
Something special: the squeaky clean, peachy keen Meg and Simon Griffiths
The dynamic duo is at it again! Megan and Simon Griffiths have forayed into an additional business venture. They have bought the laundromat on the corner of Lachlan and Leonard Streets, and have given it an amazing rebrand.
Tourism
Visions to Tram-sform Donald’s Railway Precinct
Donald is known as a hub for innovation, and this spirit was on full display as the Donald 2000 committee brought the community together for its recent “Tram-sformation” event ... a wave of fresh ideas and creative visions for the newly positioned tram at the Donald Railway Station...
Resilience
Hemp defies cyclone’s big blow
An experimental crop of industrial hemp proved too strong for Cyclone Alfred when it pounded paddocks at Gatton last week. Only one week ahead of harvest, the small plot of low-THC hemp withstood winds gusting up to 125 km/h and the floods accompanying the once-in-50-year weather event.
Flood recovery - biosecurity
Flood damage
Neighbour builds flying fox to get supplies to farm cut off when bridge washed away in floods
When the access bridge to a farm is washed away by flooding caused by ex- Cyclone Alfred, who is responsible for fixing it? On a property at Upper Duck Creek, near old Bonalbo, a woman in her 80s living with her son, in his 60s (both asked not to be named) have no access in and out of their farm because the bridge was washed away during recent flooding. The damaged bridge is not on their land.
Flood damage - fish kill
OzFish fears large fish kill after reports from locals about fish gasping for air
Reports from the public about fish gasping for air have been coming in to fish habitat charity OzFish ... The organisation has received messages and photos from locals who said thousands of fish were gasping for air, or washing up dead, following the recent cyclone and flooding.
Law & order
Farmer mental health
Murray-Darling
Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, has declared South Australians to be Australia’s worst water wasters.
She is arguing they don’t need, or deserve, access to water from NSW and Victoria. In her new social media video Mrs. Dalton contends that the reason South Australians don’t have enough water is because the State wastes the water it already has.
Open for comment - forestry and fire debate
Robert Onfray’s response misses core scientific realities – logging makes forests more flammable for many decades: David Lindenmayer
Robert Onfray completely confuses fire intensity (the amount of heat generated) with fire severity (damage to vegetation and soil). He also misunderstands the difference between empirical studies (based on evidence and real-world data) and modelling (theoretical simulations). Additionally, he fails to understand the difference between a literature review and an empirical study.
SETA’s claims ignore established science and economic realities: David Lindenmayer
SETA suggests that my research on the relationship between logging and fire is merely “opinion”. It is anything but ... SETA makes an absurd comparison between the flammability of national parks and state forests. The proper scientific comparison is between logged and unlogged state forests ...
NT
Debt, crime, gallery make heavy lifting for Bill Yan
The debt exceeding $11 billion and growing, costing the taxpayer “a million bucks a day” in interest. The number of people in prison at an all time high. Crime exceeding the courts’ capacity to deal with it … Who would want to be a minister of the current Territory Government?
Innovation
Cancer nanotech nurtures sustainable agriculture innovation: UNSW Sydney
Cancer drugs and agrichemicals can be powerful, but toxic, tools. Now, UNSW scientists are applying nanomedicine insights on a project to make greener agrichemicals more affordable.
Technology
LifeFlight capability clear with night vision goggles
LifeFlight’s specially trained aeromedical crews must learn to see in the dark. New data released this week shows 32 per cent of airlifts in the year’s first quarter so far have taken place at night.
Public art
Yates mural to become local Riverland attraction
Sebastian Calderon. A large mural was recently completed at Yates Menswear, in Renmark, painted by local artist Jarrod Loxton, and portraying SA entrepreneur R.M. Williams.
History & heritage
‘Clarkie’ Memorial Statue officially unveiled at Ganmain
The official opening of the ‘Clarkie" statue in Ganmain was held last Saturday in conjunction with the Ganmain Historical Museum’s open day. Renowned artist Andrew Whitehead designed and constructed the statue, which is named after Ganmain identity the late Kelvin ‘Clarkie’ Clarke as a tribute to the farmers and farm labourers who worked in Ganmain’s sheath hay industry.
Art
Trinity’s board gains global recognition
Austinn Lane. A Wallaroo student has received world recognition for her hand-painted surfboard. With help from her neighbour, who had experience in fibreglassing, 11-year-old Trinity spent six months painting her board during the 2024 season in preparation for 2025.
Festival - Dackels
Festival - Drag
Photography
Birchip connection with regional photo finalists
Forty-two entrants from Toogoolawah to Beulah have been chosen as finalists in regional Australia’s richest photography prize for regional artists, and two have a strong connection to the Birchip P-12 School. Naomi McKenzie (nee Ferrier), ex-student of Birchip P-12…
Festival
Children's books
Yanchep author writes children’s picture books
Yanchep author Calum Greenall, who writes children’s picture books will be at Perth Upmarket next Sunday with signed copies of his books ... His already published books include Sam’s Stormy Night and Barry’s Broken Dam – they’re part of a series of four that go together.
New release
A new chapter in Barossa’s food story
The legacy of Australia’s most enduring cookbook, The Barossa Cookery Book, is being honoured with the launch of the companion edition, Rolling Up Their Sleeves. The creative inspiration of Those Barossa Girls, Sheralee Menz and Marieka Ashmore, Rolling Up Their Sleeves explores the remarkable history of the iconic cookery book, which was compiled in 1917 as a war fundraiser.
The Archibald
SHOWS & PICNICS
Coming up - Bourke
Events calendar
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Harness racing
“Country” theme headlines Pacing Cup: Ladies’ dress codes among the winners
Jenny Pollard. The dress code was “Relaxed Country” and the marketing called on race-goers to kit up in “Akubras and boots”. The 2025 Charlton Pacing Cup homed in on all things rural with the theme “We’re All Country” as patrons responded with gusto at last Sunday’s premier meet of the year.
Maitland
The show must go on
Michelle Daw. The Maitland community and many others pulled together to ensure the town's annual show went ahead on Saturday, March 15, despite sweltering heat, hot winds, and an extensive power outage across Yorke Peninsula the previous day.
Sheep racing
Wakool Sheep Races bleating successful
Crowds flocked to Wakool for the Annual Sheep Races on Saturday night. Frocks, fleeces and fine attire all made their way onto the ground to watch the sold-out races. Track conditions were favourable, the firm but forgiving ground boded well for competitive racing action.
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Netball
Hay Lions 17s win netball tournament
Jade Auldist. The Hay Lions Under-17s delivered an outstanding performance at the Swan Hill Junior Netball Tournament, securing the Grand Final win after a day of fierce competition, teamwork, and determination.
Medieval
Warriors bring medieval glory to the Riverland
Madison Eastmond. More than 30 armoured local and visiting warriors went to battle at the Mallee Dragons’ newest Barmera ‘Lair’ last weekend. Hosting 25 medieval fights between five Buhurt teams from around Australia, the Mallee Dragons have officially held their first rookie tournament, Mallee Mayhem, since establishing the sport in the Riverland less than a year ago.
