Proposed investment plan for secure and reliable electricity supply into the future
Power and Water has released its proposed investment plan to deliver essential power services to Territorians on the Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Darwin-Katherine electricity networks for the 2024 – 29 period. After significant customer and stakeholder engagement, Power and Water has submitted the plan, the Regulatory Proposal, to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), who will undertake a review of the proposed expenditure and revenue.
AirAgri helping to bring Aussie farmers home safely every night
A safety tracking and alert solution developed by a northeast Victorian agtech start-up is giving farming families peace of mind, whilst protecting loved ones and their assets. Brothers James and Paul Diamond, of Mansfield, operate AirAgri and have launched a mobile app which works in conjunction with a pocket-sized iOT (Internet of Things) tracking device.
“Motels” revival “OK” for Charlton
Jenny Pollard. It starts with a road trip and bridges the city / country divide. There’s a playlist for the road and it brings some of the biggest names in indie music to the “bush”. But above all, what makes the “OK Motels Festival” such a hit is the positive focus it brings to Charlton and the energising momentum that results.
Aboriginal jobs: Time for action, not talk, says Cr Marli Banks
More than a third of the Alice Springs population, some 10,000 people, identify as Indigenous but less than 5% of the Town Council workforce of about 300 is Aboriginal, according to Cr Marli Banks. This makes a mockery of commitments such as the council’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.
2023 Antique Fair
The annual Antique Fair, now in its 15th year, was a resounding success last weekend, drawing in delighted sellers and buyers alike. The event saw an increase in attendance compared to last year, with an estimated 4,000 people passing through the gates.
Era ends after 27 years
Our four visiting surgeons - Drs Rob Padbury, Bill McLeay, Andrew Hunter and Tom Wilson – were the stars of a small farewell planned recently. But the farewell soon snowballed into a dinner meeting: ‘Some Thank yous, Farewells and Welcomes’ for 40 doctors who had contributed to our region’s health-care for 30-50 years.
$10m plan debated
A town Centre Rejuvenation Plan has been described as “fantastic” but should not ignore Naracoorte is a service centre with an economy underpinned by agriculture. Explaining his concerns, Cr Peter Ireland believed expenditure featured in the plan – a maximum of $9.7 million in the first three years – had a focus on tourism at the expense of Naracoorte being a service centre for agriculture.
Charles Sturt hotel welcomes new owners
The Charles Sturt Hotel have new owners who are excited to take on the challenge of keeping Narrandera’s last remaining pub alive. The new owners are a family owned company by the name of Sorella Group which is made up of three sisters and their partners.
Kerr bucks broken back to win at Narrandera
Jeff Hanson. The thrills and spills of the time-honoured Narrandera rodeo returned on Saturday night, with thousands of locals on hand to witness some of the best bronc bucking, bull riding, and rodeoing seen in years. The premier event on the program was the open saddle bronc, and cowboy Tom Kerr returned from a broken back to win on the well-performed mare, Secret Sister.
Shane Wormington’s lucky break
Shane’s lucky break came as a result of his carer Samantha De Jersey’s encouragement for Shane to apply for a stable hand position with Clear Mountain Fairview Thoroughbred Horse Stud at Greenmount ... Mick liked the boy’s enthusiasm, respectful nature and willingness to learn and he soon became an important team member.
Our future on show
The launch of ‘The Future of the Upper Murray’ project in Corryong last Thursday drew an audience of more than 60 people who heard what plans are in place for the region’s growth ... "It will focus on the development of strategic and innovative long-term plans to take advantage of local regional strengths, natural assets and community passions": Dr Juliette Milbank.
Forest closures continue to hamper community recovery
As communities work diligently to recover from the recent flooding, local businesses are concerned that continuing forest closures are hampering the local economy’s recovery ... Further upstream, the Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh said despite the Moama Water Sport Club delaying the world’s biggest ski race until March 24-26 because of the floods, there is still no guarantee the banks of the Murray will have been reopened to the public. He says there is no reason beyond the usual government indifference, regional Victoria is “out of sight, out of mind.”
Native forestry set for the chop
Under the direction of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, native forestry throughout the state of Victoria is set to be banned by 2030. The move has alarmed rural communities right across Victoria as the regenerative, carbon sequestering resource is not only a sustainable natural product, but provides significant employment, bushfire prevention and a boost to the economy.
Westpac delay welcomed
Patricia Gill. Denmark’s Westpac Bank is among eight regional Westpac banks Australia-wide whose closure has been postponed ... The closure of Westpac would leave the town with one bank operating, BankWest. Denmark’s NAB branch closed on February 9 after scaled-back opening hours and the bank citing a ‘new model’ affecting 114 small regional Australian branches.
Congratulations to Southern Cross Care Allora
Following a recent audit conducted by the State Government into Aged Care food ratings, Southern Cross Care in Allora was awarded Second place in Queensland. This is no mean feat when 570 Homes across Queensland were judged by the residents and their families.
Big smiles at ‘big shed’ opening
Located at Nymboida Camping and Canoeing, the big shed offered many residents a safe place to stay following the catastrophic bushfires which devastated the region in 2019 ... “We housed locals in the cabins, and very importantly, Nymboida Camping and Canoeing provided a space for people to come and share their experiences and stories with others who understood": Laena Stephenson.
Super way to light community interaction
A vibrant and decorative space has been created in Grafton’s Market Square as part of Clarence Valley Council’s (CVC) Rediscover Grafton project ... Between 6-11pm each night, attendees are welcome to bring their picnic blankets and deck chairs into Market Square and lie or sit below a pair of entwined trees, and engage with the extraordinary experience.
Open letter to Albo: Apparently you have the power to pause bank closures
Just five months ago, a petition calling for an immediate moratorium on regional bank closures was signed off on by your government, published and subsequently received 5000 signatures. Yesterday, in defiance of a direct request by a senate committee investigating the economic and welfare impacts of regional bank closures to pause all planned closures while the inquiry was in progress, Westpac shut the last banks in the South Australian towns of Coober Pedy and Tailem Bend.
Better than “OK”!
Bouncing back from the flood-enforced cancellation last October, Charlton's "OK Motels" Festival was back with a bigger and better impact as visitors soaked up the relaxed country lifestyle last weekend. With the focus firmly set on “community” and the town presenting an array of add-on activities, there was a tangible feeling of homecoming, as friendships were rekindled, new ones made, and former attendees introducing newcomers to what could viewed as a “lifestyle” event.
Prime Minister must show leadership on regional WA’s crime crisis: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud is calling for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to urgently visit the Western Australian town of Carnarvon while he is in the state this week. Mr Littleproud said the Prime Minister should spend a night in Carnarvon, rather than holding a $1,500 a head fundraiser in Perth to appreciate what’s needed in this community and others across regional WA.
SA’s primary industries continue to experience record-breaking growth: Scriven
The release of the Primary Industries Scorecard 2021-22 illustrates the resilience of the sector in overcoming Covid 19, extreme weather, floods and bushfire events, the Russian invasion of Ukraine along with Chinese trade tensions to generate a revenue of $17.3 billion in 2021-22, an increase of 12% and accounting for 51% of the South Australia’s merchandise exports: Claire Scriven.
CEO’s report advised leaving Guilderton café lessee out of tender process
The Shire of Gingin says claims the former Guilderton café lessee was discouraged from applying for a lease renewal are false but the Enright family was only invited to join the closed tender process when councillors amended an officer’s report to include them.
