Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Krista Schade, Back Country Bulletin

35 POSTS

NSW Budget – what’s in it for the Back Country

The Minns Government has handed down the NSW State Budget. Here is what is on the cards for communities living in the Back Country... $12.0 million Broken Hill Hospital Emergency Department Upgrade ... Continuing $24.8 million for the Wilcannia Weir Refurbishment Project ...

Public meeting on Pottinger Wind Farm scheduled for Hay and Deniliquin

The community will be able to have its say at a public meeting on the Pottinger Wind Farm, a State significant development application (SSD-59235464) by Someva Renewables and AGL Energy to develop a 1,300 megawatt (MW) wind farm comprising 247 wind turbines, a 500 MW battery energy storage system and associated infrastructure.

Roy Butler MP action leads new guide for councils

A new guide for NSW councils is set to strengthen consultation practices with regional, rural and remote communities. The guide is designed to build stronger regional communities by delivering solutions tailored to local communities and informed by local knowledge and follows the introduction of the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Act 2024, by Independent Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.

Election 2025 – Jamie Chaffey to become the next member for Parkes

Political experts are projecting the Nationals will retain the Parkes electorate with 79.3 per cent of the votes counted. Nationals candidate, former Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey currently has more than 63 per cent of the votes despite a slight swing to Labor.

Four renewables projects announced for South West REZ

Four wind, solar and battery projects have been granted the right to connect to new power lines in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The projects are Origin Energy’s Yanco Delta wind farm, Spark Renewables Dinawan Energy Hub, Someva’s Pottinger Energy Park and BayWA’s Bullawah Wind Farm.

Election 2025 – Watch the Better Border Health candidate forum

The Better Border Health Albury Wodonga group held a health forum for Farrer candidates last week, and has published the forum on YouTube for those who were unable to attend.

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.

White Cliffs hit with water restrictions

Central Darling Shire says the restrictions will remain in place until drought conditions improve. Level two restrictions came into effect on March 3, and will remain in place until conditions improve.

Barwon MP calls for review on weirs

Member for Barwon Roy Butler MP has moved a notice of motion at the most recent sitting of NSW Parliament. In a statement made on social media Mr Barwon said weirs are integral in Western NSW.

Minister Plibersek concedes that the accreditation of water resource plan is unlawful

Legal action taken by MLDRIN, a Confederation of First Nations from the southern half of the Murray-Darling Basin, has led to the Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek conceding she made a mistake in accrediting the NSW Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan.