We’re starting from 62
Hugh Schuitemaker. The announcement of a "worst-case" water allocation scenario for SA River Murray irrigators – the first in five years – is set to compound the region's economic struggles, according to a senior irrigation figure, and a Riverland politician. The DEW last week announced South Australian River Murray irrigators were projected to receive minimum opening water allocations of 62 per cent for the 2026-27 water year.
Low-interest drought loans open with a warning for growers
Sebastian Calderon. Riverland farmers are being urged to look closely at South Australia's newly opened drought loan scheme, with Riverland Lending Services agribusiness (RLS) senior manager Jeff McDonald warning the concessional finance could bring both short term relief and long-term complications.
BPS going into the future
A Riverland school has become the first in the region to introduce Virtual Reality (VR) education into the classroom, allowing students to now completely immerse themselves in their learning – whether that includes being launched into space, walking through ancient civilizations, or exploring a world of their own digital creation.
Radio saved the Easter Carnival
Madison Eastmond. Radio station 5RM has performed an Easter miracle, with the broadcaster coming to the rescue of Berri’s iconic long weekend carnival.
Preference irony as Labor helps Tim over the line
Hugh Schuitemaker. Tim Whetstone's election eve claim that One Nation was "preferencing Labor" in Chaffey came just hours before Labor preferences delivered him a fifth term as MP. On Friday, Mr Whetstone said One Nation candidate Jenny Troeth was preferencing Labor in Chaffey, following the discovery of an undisclosed number of pre-poll voters with One Nation how-to-vote cards preferencing Labor ahead of Liberal.
Tim still on top
Hugh Schuitemaker. The Riverland's returned State MP says the weekend's election result, which saw a 19 per cent swing away from his party, was a "humbling experience" for him. Tim Whetstone was able to secure his fifth term as Chaffey MP with victory in last Saturday's State Election, where as of late yesterday he had received 6543, or 35.5 per cent, of first preference votes.
