Contributor, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

Patrick Tucker. Gannawarra Shire Mayor Garner Smith said communities hosting major renewable energy projects should receive more in return for the changes they will bring to the district. The comments come as projects including VNI West, solar farms and battery developments continue to expand across northern Victoria.

Patrick Tucker. After more than a decade of planning, lobbying and volunteer effort, Cohuna’s upgraded aerodrome will officially open on July 7. Driven by community volunteers and later overseen by the Cohuna Lions Club, the project has delivered a longer runway, new lighting, a terminal building and improved facilities for emergency services and visiting aircraft.

The highly anticipated Barham Lakes lifestyle resort has officially received Development Approval from Murray River Council and is now one step closer to becoming a reality. The CluBarham Riverina project, a 236-home over-55s land lease community in collaboration with Villawood Properties, will offer resort living unmatched for its pristine lake systems, proximity to the Murray River and range of facilities on offer.

Patrick Tucker. Murrabit farmer Simon Morton was left scratching his head last weekend when he discovered his bull Speckles stuck in the verandah decking. Mr Morton said 'Speckles' had been having a rough time of it in the paddock.

Patrick Tucker. Towering murals, bold colour and a striking riverside sculpture are drawing fresh attention to the Murray, with the River Country Art Trail ... Spanning Barham, Mathoura, Moulamein, Moama and Tooleybuc, the trail transforms everyday infrastructure into a region-wide gallery.

A soil aeration trial on a Caldwell farm has delivered strong gains in feed production, helping carry more cattle through dry periods. Working across his 1100-acre farm east of Barham, Don Hearn has spent several years trialling soil aeration, a process designed to relieve compaction and improve pasture growth.

Patrick Tucker. Farmers across the region are preparing for a series of VicGrid visits to properties in the coming weeks, as part of ongoing efforts to conduct ecological studies linked to the proposed VNI West transmission project ... "This is the second attempt from VicGrid to get access to our properties to do the ecological study," he said.

Cohuna is back on the national barefoot waterskiing map, with Sunday's Oz Open drawing locals to Gunbower Creek ahead of the Australian titles' long-awaited return to town. The free exhibition event gave spectators an early look at the speed and spectacle to come before the 64th Australian National Barefoot Waterski Championships got under way on Tuesday at the Cohuna Ski Run Reserve.

Patrick Tucker. A local farmer has been left out of pocket and frustrated after more than 1000 litres of diesel is believed to have been stolen from his property. Benjeroop farmer Lindsay Schultz said the fuel went missing sometime in March after a fresh delivery ... he believed the scale of the incident pointed to something more organised.

A forum highlighting the negative impacts of the basin plan on rural communities was held in Barham recently – hundreds were in attendance or have watched the forum online. Southern Riverina Irrigators (SRI) joined the Central Murray Environmental Floodplain Group, The Bridge Newspaper and Upper Goulburn Catchment Alliance to organise the event which included a variety of speakers across industry, science and agriculture.