The Editor

More than $3.13 million will be returned to growers in regional Queensland as part of a Sunwater trial related to water delivery services. Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said the rebates have already begun being provided to irrigators following the first 12 months of a three-year electricity cost pass‐through trial - developed in conjunction with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation.

Did you know Queensland stock routes cover around 72,000 km and 48 local government areas? Drovers are herding cattle along the stock routes passing through the Central Highlands at Yan Yan Road through to Lilyvale Road, Gregory Highway and Capricornia Highway through to Springsure and Rolleston areas. These roads are subject to change depending on conditions and motorists are urged to be patient and vigilant whenever they are driving along a stock route.

Lismore City Council will install temporary signage to reduce the number of koalas being hit by vehicles at six identified koala-strike hot spots around Lismore. “Since the beginning of this year 33 koalas were killed on roads in the Lismore Local Government Area – this is 33 too many,” said Council’s Environmental Strategies Officer Angie Brace.

Locally owned and operated businesses in Geraldton have jumped at the opportunity to be part of the City of Greater Geraldton’s Buy Local Greater Geraldton Gift Card program, which officially launched to the public in October.

A mass rescue effort in the Illawarra has unfortunately resulted in the death of a man and six other males receiving CPR or first aid after their boat overturned at Bulli Point on Sunday morning.

The National Transport Commission has listened to industry feedback, and sought the views of jurisdictions, and will not propose a reduction in weekly hours of truck drivers to Ministers ... The NTC heard that reducing the weekly hours of truck drivers could have perverse safety and productivity outcomes. Some long-haul drivers couldn’t get back home in a 60-hour work week, while others may need to find a second job to bridge the pay gap – defeating the safety intent.

The ALRTA has rejected an NTC [National Transport Commission] proposal to reduce maximum weekly work time to 60 hours, increase the minimum daily continuous rest period to 8 hours and prohibit all driving 14 hours after the end of a long rest break ... ALRTA National President Scott McDonald  said that the both the proposal and the consultation timeframe were naïve and unworkable.

Port Fairy has claimed silver in Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town during a livestreamed event. Six small town finalists from across Australia have competed for the top honour, with Berrima, NSW receiving gold in the population of 5,000 or less category. Moyne Shire Mayor, Cr Daniel Meade, said that he was proud to see Port Fairy as a finalist in such prestigious awards.