CATEGORY

Business

Labor must stop any water from Elbow Valley going overseas: Littleproud

Leader of The Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has raised serious concerns about a proposed water extraction operation in the Elbow Valley region. Mr Littleproud said the Chinese-owned developers’ proposal to extract up to 96 million litres of water annually, in an area susceptible to drought, to bottle and potentially export overseas doesn’t make sense.

How to cook lamb roast in a camp oven with Jo Clews, plus Tara Bark joins us to answer your questions about life and...

And! We give you your weeks farming weather thanks to the BOM and your country news with Fiona L Fox from ARR.News.

Historic bank building earns its savings with new owner

The former ANZ Bank building in Walker Street, Casino looks like it will be back in action after sitting empty for many years ... Jade Finance Australia has offices in every major city in Australia and is expanding its Casino Barker Street office and moving to the historical Walker Street building.

Forty-two million dollars in the bank and a four million dollar operating surplus — How Carrathool Shire is managing its money

While its neighbour Central Darling Shire was appearing on the NSW Auditor General's watchlist of financially vulnerable councils at the same time, Carrathool Shire Council was reviewing a financial position that reads more comfortably than most local governments in the state could claim. 

Cheery Beetaloo gas prophesy needs second look

The NT Government’s cheery propaganda about enormous gas reserves in Beetaloo poised to elevate the Territory to unimaginable wealth calls for a second look. The future of the basin, about half-way between Alice and Darwin, is facing global issues of oversupply, uncompetitive gas prices, reserves being far from markets and opposition from nuclear and renewable electricity.

Business community welcomes high speed rail announcement

Terry Collins. Business NSW Central Coast has described the recent funding announcement to accelerate the Newcastle–Sydney High Speed Rail corridor as presenting a major opportunity to accelerate jobs, investment and long-term economic growth in the region.

Sheepish markets: Where futures go to die

As the WA sheep industry watches in disbelief the rollout of the federal government’s transition package — where $139 million seems to be evaporating before our eyes — one thing is becoming painfully clear. The design of the funding means the vast majority of sheep producers impacted by the end of live exports won’t see a cent.

Hunter-Central Coast REZ kicks off construction jobs: Sharpe

Construction is officially underway on the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), a project that will generate enough energy to power more than all the homes in the Hunter.

Closure of Beaufort River abattoir a devastating blow to Great Southern jobs and sheep industry: Hunter, Rundle

The Opposition has slammed the Cook and Albanese Labor Governments after the temporary closure of the Beaufort River meat processing facility in the Great Southern — coming just one day after governments announced supply-chain grants intended to "support" the sheep industry.

Success of Garage Sale Trail

For many households in Southern Downs and across Queensland, Garage Sale Trail conducted last year was a chance to clear out cupboards, make some extra cash and give pre-loved items a second life. Over two-weekends in November 2025, locals sold more than 11,972 items, generating $107,631 for households, community groups and charities, while also diverting items out of landfill.

Community celebrates Angourie National Surfing Reserve

Angourie National Surfing Reserve, the world's first gazetted National Surfing Reserve, was dedicated on January 12, 2007, following several years of work by a steering committee of locals. Steering committee foundation member Helen Tyas-Tunggal said 21 years ago there were some serious conversations going on in the community regarding whether or not to nominate Angourie to become the first gazetted surfing reserve in the world.

Nurse’s mercy mission

Patricia Gill. Registered nurse Yvette Caruso found joy in two, month-long stints aboard Mercy hospital ships offering African people life-changing surgery and medicine ... Over January, Yvette joined the surgical team aboard the Global Mercy berthed at Freetown in the west African nation, Sierra Leone.

District farmers fight back

Quill. Community spirit was alive and well at Marnoo on Sunday, February 22, as farmers and friends affected by mining and the renewable energy push came together in support and to share their stories – it was standing room only at the Marnoo Cricket Ground ... Across Victoria Alliance (AVA) has united 27 allied groups across the whole of Australia in the fight against the mining and renewables projects throughout the regions.

Join the Southbrook endurance ride

The Toowoomba Endurance Horse Riders Association (TEHRA) is encouraging local horse riders to try the sport of endurance riding for the first time. TEHRA is an affiliated club of the Queensland Endurance Riders Association (QERA), and the Southbrook ride is one of the earliest events on the endurance calendar each season.

Health service sees red over finances

Claims that Corryong Health will struggle to meet its immediate financial commitments have been refuted by board chairman, Ian Cesa. Liberal Member for Berwick, Brad Battin, alleged last Thursday that several hospitals in the North East including Corryong are operating with little cash on hand.

Transitions without the capacity

Since coming to power, the Federal Labor Government has presided over a sharp contraction in Western Australia’s sheep flock. Industry figures show numbers falling from roughly 12 million head in 2022 to around 8 million today — a drop of about one-third in just four years ... Just as the State Agriculture Minister was proudly announcing $20 million in grants to help farmers and processors adjust, Beaufort River Meats quietly announced it was moving into care and maintenance due to ongoing sheep shortages.

A budding friendship: Harvey Norman becomes major sponsor of rose fest

Madison Eastmond. A Renmark business has become a major sponsor of the reinstated 2026 Riverland Rose and Garden Festival after pledging of upwards of $5000 in support for the event. Locally owned business, Harvey Norman Renmark, has become one of the first major sponsors of the upcoming Riverland Rose and Garden Festival.

New leadership ensuring a rose festival revival

Madison Eastmond. A Renmark local has stepped up to lead the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival Committee, with her decision and recent community volunteer efforts saving the regional event for 2026 ... “It’s such an important event to the community and local businesses, and I am just delighted to be working with the fantastic Riverland Rose and Garden Festival Committee to once again bring the festival to the Riverland”: Vicki Dunhill.

Nhill’s forgotten hotel

John Williams. Nhill’s Royal Hotel once claimed to have lost a talking black cockatoo a bird that supposedly said far more than “pretty cocky.” According to the tale, it could recite: “Jack Kierse’s drinks are the coolest and best at the Hotel Royal Nhill” ... What can be explained is why the Hotel Royal was also known as the Royal Hotel.

Minor doctor share: Just three of 12 new interns based locally despite ‘major service centre’ status

The Malinauskas Labor government has unveiled a $13m election commitment to build a new medical school training centre in Mount Gambier -promising a stronger “pipeline of doctors” for regional SA. But of the 12 intern doctors recruited this year to the Limestone Coast Local Health Network, only three are based in Naracoorte - a town formally designated as a major service centre under the government’s ambitious Limestone Coast Regional Plan 2026.

Heritage hijacked – Moonta National Trust volunteers “locked out”

Michelle Daw. Moonta's beloved heritage attractions have been shut down for five weeks and its many local volunteers say they are banned from entering the premises. This follows a shock decision by the head office of the National Trust of South Australia to disband its Moonta branch and assume full management responsibility for the Moonta Mines State Heritage Precinct...

EnergyCo needs a shake-up

Securing social licence remains an ongoing challenge for councils as the region prepares for energy transition. The message was clear at a hearing in Hay last Wednesday into the impact of renewable energy zones on rural and regional communities and industries in NSW: EnergyCo is not doing enough ... EnergyCo, the NSW Government body responsible for upgrading the grid to build a reliable electricity system as coal-fired power stations retire, came under heavy fire from most witnesses in the hearing...

All categories