Yanchep line station – access maps released
Metronet has released maps showing the preferred access to the three stations on the Yanchep rail line. A Metronet spokeswoman said preferred access to Yanchep station was along Marmion Ave and then via a new road called Botanical Blvd leading to parking facilities.
Steve Sun can see after doctors diagnose loss of sight in brain tumour op
When Steve Sun set off from Casino in his Sunseeker 4WD in October 2021, his mission was to see as much of Australia before he lost his sight. Steve had a brain tumour and needed an operation. Doctors told him the op would save his life but it would leave him blind.
All aboard for vintage train trips from Casino
Lachlan Valley Railway is bringing a 1960s vintage train to Casino next month. LVR is a rail preservation society in Cowra that was established in 1974. The society aims to preserve and operate former NSW Government Railways locomotives and rolling stock.
Weedkilling Gunbower Creek drone trial: Stage one complete
A trial using a drone to tackle invasive weeds clogging Gunbower Creek is looking promising. A $100,000 Victorian Government investment allowed North Central CMA and Goulburn Murray Water to trial drone spraying technology alongside conventional boat based spraying to tackle the highly invasive pale yellow water lily in a section of the creek over summer.
Expansion one step closer – community precinct to be created
Last Wednesday’s meeting of the Southern Downs Regional Council decided unanimously to remove the old Allora Fire Station building from the site and go ahead with the future redevelopment of the Allora Community Precinct. This leaves the way open for the Sports Museum and the Allora Library to make a move.
Kooka’s welcomes cookers
A great deal of activity is happening at the new factory site of Kooka’s Country Cookies. Along with earthworks preparing the ground outside of the building, on the inside, the multimillion dollar factory fit out has commenced. Brand new equipment stands wrapped and ready for installation under the guidance of Raffaele De Fazio, who is staying for a month to oversee the furnishing of the production line.
Being a tourist in our own hometown
Wayne Hawthorne. It was a case of previously not having been there, not having done that, or at least in recent times. Touring one of the town’s lesser-known tourist attractions was a first for some Naracoorte Men’s Probus members and their wives. Narracoorte Homestead is a gem amongst us.
Investigation reveals Westpac’s serious breaches of banking code of practice in closing Tennant branch
After a thorough investigation, the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC) has found that Westpac breached its obligations under the Banking Code of Practice over its handling of its Tennant Creek branch closure in September 2022. The BCCC has determined that Westpac failed to comply with the ABA Branch Closure Protocol and did not provide adequate support to affected customers in the remote Tennant Creek community during the transition period.
Tennant Creek Transport ceases operations, citing insurmountable challenges
The Board of Tennant Creek Transport announced this week that all their services, including the door-to-door service, town bus, and the Greyhound Connect service, will cease operations effective from Sunday. Despite being financially stable, the service has encountered persistent issues that finally rendered its continuation impossible, chiefly the ongoing struggle to recruit and retain an adequate number of drivers.
Baby it’s cold outside, and inside
The recent frosty mornings in our area might inspire us to cosy up inside by a fire or with a loved one, but university studies have found that Australians have colder houses than people in similar climates around the world. Experts from RMIT commented last week about the phenomenon in which Australians have lower standards for warmth in their homes, leading to health risks.
Goodness, gracious, great night of fire
Maldon in Winter Festival started last Friday with a full moon, a rush of steam and sparks flying from the enormous bonfire hosted by the Maldon Lions Club ... The bonfire was planned to coincide with the winter solstice, but a full moon on the same night only happens every 20 years.
Ninox Robotics to count koalas with new ultra-compact hi-res infrared camera
Australian drone operator Ninox Robotics has boosted its capability for capturing aerial intelligence to be used for conservation efforts with the acquisition of the Sierra-Olympia Vayu HD longwave infrared (LWIR) camera. Ninox Robotics will put this high resolution compact camera to the test for the first time this month in the second phase of its koala spotting program ... ARR.News asked Daniel Vogelnest of Ninox Robotics more about drone monitoring of koalas.
Local pub does its bit for hospice
The local pub at Greenmount, which sports the unusual name Get Chopped, threw its hat into the ring to help raise funds for the Toowoomba Hospice during this year’s Hang Ya Boss Out To Dry event. Publican Brendon Quirey volunteered to be hoisted skywards and became part of a highly successful event for 2024.
Whisky barrels roll up at Karri Mia
Serena Kirby. The recent arrival of nearly 60 barrels of premium whisky marks major progress in the development of a new distillery on Mt Shadforth. The establishment of Nullaki Distillery has been the long-term dream of Michael Tomasz and his business partner who did not wish to be named that’s taken a decade to come to fruition.
Curtains close on Rockin’ on East
Narrandera's Rockin’ on East Festival has unfortunately been discontinued following the sudden disbandment of its organising committee. The festival has been attracting visitors from far and wide to Narrandera during the October long weekend since its inception a little over nine years ago ... Ultimately, it was decided that the festival could not proceed.
Telstra helping customers say goodbye to 3G
Telstra is giving some customers complimentary handsets to ensure they stay connected after the 3G network closure on 31 August 2024. Around 12,000 complimentary mobile devices will be given to some customers who are in difficult situations, live rurally or are elderly.
End in sight for shooting of ‘When the House is Empty’
After a year of filming When the House is Empty: The Journey of Four Seasons is finally nearing its long-awaited completion. The film comprises over 200 hours of footage, spanning three locations, four major shoots and twenty-seven additional ones, telling a story of desire, love, loss and humour.
AMTA launches “Check my Device” tool to help Aussies prepare for 3G networks shutdown
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) today announced the launch of a new web-based tool, Check my Device to help Australians determine if their mobile device will be fully supported on Australian mobile networks after 3G networks close, including the ability to make emergency calls to Triple 0. Check my Device can be found on the website, www.3Gclosure.com.au, is available to all Australians, on any mobile network…
Cyber safety – Do you like me?
Tick the box for Yes or No. The handwritten note we would have our friends pass on to those we were sussing out as potential ‘boyfriends and/or girlfriends’ when we were at school ... With the introduction of smart phones and other handheld devices, social media and a whole lot of angry, jealous, nasty, cruel and self-indulgent sick human beings, we are now faced with a new type of bullying called ‘sexploitation’.
By the book – New database collates Australian Ag sustainability regulations: DAFF
A new online database has been launched to assist Australian agricultural stakeholders, including farmers and agribusiness operators, in identifying sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulations relevant to their business. The Sustainability-related Regulations Database (SR-Database) collates and explains current Australian laws relating to agricultural sustainability.
Genetics and AI approaches to power-up pulses: GRDC
Chickpea, lentil and faba bean growers across Australia can expect significantly more productive crops within the next decade thanks to a new collaborative, international research project to improve crop yields ... Project leader Professor Rajeev Varshney FRS ... said chickpea, lentil and faba bean production is currently hamstrung due to limited genetic diversity, resulting in meagre yield improvement of less than 0.5 per cent each year.
Concern at Climate Change Authority announcement: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers is urging the new head of the Climate Change Authority not to forget the critical importance of agriculture in feeding the future. This week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that Matt Kean, former NSW treasurer and energy minister, would now head the Climate Change Authority. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the announcement was concerning to those in rural communities who were still dealing with the consequences of Mr Kean’s decisions as minister.
