Regional Victorian Power Alliance visits Murrabit
It was a full house as Victorian and NSW community members gathered in the Murrabit Hall to hear from Vicki Johnson and Gavin Ronan from the Regional Victorian Power Alliance (RVPA). The RVPA was created in May 2023 after communities who had been battling the Western Renewables Link … expanded to include VNI West impacted communities.
Undergrounding report released
As state and federal governments continue their push to renewables, the mad scramble to build 10,000 kilometres of new power lines by 2030 has rural communities across the eastern seaboard not only gravely concerned about the social and environmental impacts, but also methodology. Last week, the NSW parliamentary inquiry into the feasibility of undergrounding HumeLink was released...
Drayton shopping centre approved
Toowoomba Regional Council has given its approval to a development application requesting to build a shopping centre on Brisbane Street, Drayton ... The shopping centre is set to include a supermarket, two specialty shops, an alfresco dining area, main entry foyer and 105 car spaces.
East Gippsland Shire Council votes 5-2 in support of timber ban reversal: FWCA
Last night (5 September), in the heartland of the Victorian sustainable native timber sector, East Gippsland Shire Council sat in consideration of a motion supporting the world class Victorian sustainable native timber sector. After hearing an emotional public submission from FWCA Executive Officer Mick Harrington, alongside a desperate plea from local councillor Sonia Buckley for council (who authored the motion), Council voted 5 to 2 in favour of the motion, cementing East Gippsland Shire as another Victorian council calling on the Andrews Labor government to repeal the statewide ban on sustainable native timber harvesting.
Narrandera woman among complainants against birthing care
Women behind a slew of hospital complaints that led to a statewide inquiry into birth trauma say an investigation into their claims "glossed over" their pain. The complaint was filed on behalf of 30 women who say they had traumatic birthing experiences at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.
Experience like no other on new skywalk
The Narrandera Skywalk installation has been successfully completed and is already proving popular with locals and visitors keen to take a look. The design features a fully accessible walkway that extends 15 metres over and above the tranquil waters of Lake Talbot...
Non-GMO food market red tape slashed: DAFF
Meeting the export premium market certification requirements for non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) produce has just been made cheaper, easier, and more efficient for Australian farmers. Continuing its ongoing focus on export reform … DAFF has phased-out the use of manual processing for non-GMO certification to 37 countries...
Australian farm fertiliser outlook: a recovery in demand and application rates: Rabobank
Improved affordability of agricultural fertiliser is set to prompt a recovery in demand and application rates by farmers next season, Rabobank says in a recently-released report. In its Australian Fertiliser Outlook 2024/25, the specialist agribusiness bank says Australian farm fertiliser consumption had declined 20 per cent in 2022...
Schools close, teachers take industrial action
Will Hunter. Educators across Yorke Peninsula called for better pay and conditions as part of industrial action … The strike followed a breakdown in negotiations between the state government and the Australian Education Union ... Educators across the state assembled in key locations to voice their frustrations, with local teachers uniting in Victoria Square, Kadina, to broadcast the AEU’s live stream from Parliament House, Adelaide.
Guards clock on at Wallaroo Hospital
Michelle Daw. Security guards have begun work around the clock at Wallaroo Hospital in a six-month trial to combat violence and aggression against staff ... ANMF SA branch chief executive Professor Elizabeth Dabars said the trial of security guards was a great result.
A long-awaited start for the Baaka Cultural Centre
Bob Constantine. It was wonderful to see the Chairwoman of the Baaka Corporation, Rhonda (Lee) Hynch celebrate the Ground-breaking Ceremony on the site of the future Baaka Cultural Centre. I thought it a memorable occasion for all citizens of Wilcannia ... The Aboriginal owned and operated centre provides the opportunity to revitalise Baakantji culture, create jobs and boost tourism.
Store opens at Wilcannia to offer affordable quality clothing locally
The Wilcannia fashion store Cooee Clothing had its first trading days earlier this month and attracted residents needing a wardrobe refresh ... The recycled clothing store complements another CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes Cooee social enterprise. Cooee Cuts is an affordable hair salon that operates one week every month ...
New Lismore private hospital
Clarence Valley residents will benefit from an increased level of health and aged care in the Northern Rivers with the news a new private hospital will be built in the region. The Catholic Diocese of Lismore has announced a new private hospital will be built at Lismore and the existing St Vincents private hospital will be transformed into an aged care facility.
Clarence biodiversity in global spotlight
The globally unique extraordinary biodiversity of the Clarence Valley has been on show for 30 of the world’s top botanists who have sampled the region’s spectacular flora from the headwaters of the Clarence River to Yuraygir National Park. The botanists have descended on the region to attend the International Association for Vegetation Science 65th Annual Symposium...
Marinus Link cable agreement another significant step forward: Barnett
…Marinus Link has agreed to a capacity reservation agreement for a high-voltage direct current cable with Prysmian Powerlink … “This agreement ensures production and offshore installation capacity for one cable of the Marinus Link project, a 750MW cable system, with negotiations continuing for the second 750MW phase": Minister for Energy and Renewables, Guy Barnett.
Bullockies skills to shine as they compete for Teamsters Trophy at Barellan’s Good Old Days Festival
Bullockies from around Australia will compete for the prestigious Teamsters Trophy while goats in harness will vie for the inaugural Little Teamsters Trophy at the 2023 Good Old Days Festival at Barellan in southern NSW on September 30 - October 1. The festival is the nation’s largest gathering of draught animals working in harness as they did on Australian farms over a century ago.
Labor have lost their way on energy: Young
Liberal Member for Franklin, Dean Young, said Labor’s thought bubble of a price cap is a dangerous threat to our energy security. “Labor talks up supply issues but want to interfere in the market with price caps, damaging competition and causing supply to drop,” Mr Young said.
Timber Towns Victoria calls for certainty for the future of forestry in Victoria
Timber Towns Victoria (TTV) and its member councils have released a Position Paper on the cessation of native forest harvesting in Victoria. The TTV members … have closely considered the implications of the cessation of harvesting of native forests in Victoria from the end of 2023.
Showdown at farms along VNI West
Jacinta O'Sullivan. Wednesday, August 30, Transmission Company Victoria ran into approximately 30 farmers and local supporters as they continue to stealthily door knock landowners in the area of the VNI West. Several pensioners, isolated and absent landowners have been targeted by the state appointed company Transmission Company Victoria in an attempt to blindside locals who will live with the 80-metre transmission lines in their local community.
Regional innovations, global connections
As Australian looks towards exploring new export markets, MENA region presents a wealth of trading and investment potential for Australian regional businesses. Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, the MENA region is a hub for global trade and commerce providing a unique opportunity for regional businesses in Australia to expand and diversify into new markets.
Agricultural sector remains strong despite drier conditions to come: ABARES
Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry are set to have the third-highest yearly gross value on record in 2023-24, with production value predicted to reach $86 billion. Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said release of the ABARES Agricultural Commodities and Crop Reports shows the sector is remaining strong despite challenging conditions.
Premier Cook addresses WA-Indonesia Energy Forum: Cook, Johnston
The Western Australia-Indonesia Energy Forum held in Jakarta is a timely opportunity for both regions to collaborate and support future energy transition. The forum also offers a chance for WA energy delegates and Indonesian stakeholders to discuss each market's capabilities in new and renewable energies and critical minerals.
