Stay alert and slow down for cattle when driving around the Central Highlands stock routes
Did you know Queensland stock routes cover around 72,000 km and 48 local government areas? Drovers are herding cattle along the stock routes passing through the Central Highlands at Yan Yan Road through to Lilyvale Road, Gregory Highway and Capricornia Highway through to Springsure and Rolleston areas. These roads are subject to change depending on conditions and motorists are urged to be patient and vigilant whenever they are driving along a stock route.
Businesses get behind buy local program
Locally owned and operated businesses in Geraldton have jumped at the opportunity to be part of the City of Greater Geraldton’s Buy Local Greater Geraldton Gift Card program, which officially launched to the public in October.
Industry feedback influences next steps on driver fatigue
The National Transport Commission has listened to industry feedback, and sought the views of jurisdictions, and will not propose a reduction in weekly hours of truck drivers to Ministers ... The NTC heard that reducing the weekly hours of truck drivers could have perverse safety and productivity outcomes. Some long-haul drivers couldn’t get back home in a 60-hour work week, while others may need to find a second job to bridge the pay gap – defeating the safety intent.
ALRTA rejects new standard hours
The ALRTA has rejected an NTC [National Transport Commission] proposal to reduce maximum weekly work time to 60 hours, increase the minimum daily continuous rest period to 8 hours and prohibit all driving 14 hours after the end of a long rest break ... ALRTA National President Scott McDonald said that the both the proposal and the consultation timeframe were naïve and unworkable.
Sunny outlook for Lord Howe’s sustainability initiative
LHI Board. Designed to protect the island’s World Heritage status and move Lord Howe Island towards a more sustainable future, the solar array project, underpinned by community-based Sustainable Energy Working Group, is designed to supply at least two-thirds of the electricity needs of the community each year, equating to at least a 67% reduction in diesel fuel consumption – a saving of around 360,000 litres of diesel a year.
Bank access concerns build
Sheryl Lowe. Banking is challenging in Millicent and Districts for some members of the community since the ANZ Bank reduced their business hours last year. With this week’s announcement the Naracoorte ANZ will close in November, the future of the ‘big banks’ is being questioned by customers. The Millicent ANZ Bank now only opens on weekdays from 9.30 am to 12.30pm which leaves little opportunity for businesses to bank the days takings ... When Banks announce they are reducing their trading hours or closure they often encourage clients to use the local Post Office for their banking needs, but this can be problematic too.
Port Fairy wins silver in Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town Awards
Port Fairy has claimed silver in Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town during a livestreamed event. Six small town finalists from across Australia have competed for the top honour, with Berrima, NSW receiving gold in the population of 5,000 or less category. Moyne Shire Mayor, Cr Daniel Meade, said that he was proud to see Port Fairy as a finalist in such prestigious awards.
Major economic loss due to farm worker shortage
The state’s agricultural worker shortage has wiped hundreds of millions from projected harvest income as farmers desperately plead for access to labour. NSW Farmers President James Jackson said reports of the state securing more farm workers would be welcomed if they came to fruition, but he warned the time for talk had passed.
New Whyalla airport flying high
Residents jetting into or out of Whyalla as of 1 November will be able to experience the impressive new Whyalla Airport, which is now open for flights!
Lovell seeks certainty to ensure running of Bendigo Easter Fair
The Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has sought a guarantee from the Andrews Labor Government that will ensure the running of the 2022 Bendigo Easter Fair.
New model of northern Australia illuminates exploration potential
Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt says our resources exploration industry can now access another world-leading dataset, revealing exciting new prospective regions across more than one million square kilometres of northern Australia.
Loud & clear
With just two days’ notice, community volunteers at the heart of the Koondrook Perricoota co-design welcomed a shiny entourage of politicians, bureaucrats and media. The whistlestop tour was part of a $330 million funding announcement with no less than five state and federal politicians ... The Koondrook Perricoota project has been a white elephant of government spending with the $120 million over-designed project sitting idle.
Scenic Rim named in Lonely Planet’s Top 10 regions in the world
Global travel authority Lonely Planet has announced their Best in Travel 2022, three lists encompassing the world’s hottest countries, cities and regions, and have included the Scenic Rim as number eight in the top regions to visit in 2022.
Solar farm powering jobs
Queensland’s Western Downs solar farm has reached a major milestone, with connection to the electricity grid now complete. Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni said Neoen’s $600 million Western Downs Green Power Hub is supporting more than 450 construction jobs and will generate 400 megawatts (MW) of solar energy.
Taskforce to probe bank branch closures in Cowper
A Regional Banking Taskforce established by the Liberal and Nationals Government will bring welcome focus on the impact of bank branch closures on regional communities Pat Conaghan Federal Member for Cowper has said.
Support for plantation estate in the south welcomed
The Tasmanian Government welcomes the announcement by the Federal Government to help grow and incentivise the plantation estate and support jobs in Tasmania ... unlocking the carbon farming market ‘water rule’ in the South of the State will help encourage private forester participants to fully participate in the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) across the State, including making the market more accessible to small scale landholders.
Post office owners are the new bank tellers as big banks leave country towns
Coraki Post Office owner Steve Taylor knows how difficult banking can be for residents when they are unable to travel to their closest bank in Lismore or Casino. “One lady in her 80s who is born and bred in Coraki got caught out with no cash,” Mr Taylor said. She banked with ANZ and with the bank’s branches closed in Coraki and Casino, she wanted to get money from the post office. She couldn’t because ANZ don’t have a banking agreement with Australia Post.
Milbi Festival kicks off this weekend! 29 October – 7 November
Join us for the annual celebration of all things art, culture and entertainment.
New app to guide self-drive holidays in the Pilbara
A new app developed by the Pilbara Tourism Association with support from the McGowan Government is helping self-drive tourists to explore Western Australia's vast and beautiful Pilbara region. The Warlu Way, named after a spirit snake featured in Pilbara creation stories, provides four routes between Exmouth and Broome, taking in the Pilbara's major tourism attractions on sealed and unsealed roads.
Surprise win for Wild Honey
Jasmine Phillips didn’t have a speech prepared. “I didn’t expect to be named as a winner,” Jasmine said. Four years ago, Jasmine started her design business Wild Honey Creative and this week won a Northern Rivers business award ... “We’re the smallest organisation and it was nice for a small studio in our little town to win.”
Trash to treasure: copper mine waste could hold key to renewable revolution
Queensland copper mine waste could deliver a key ingredient for the renewable energy revolution thanks to a three-year international study. Qld Resources Minister Scott Stewart announced a three-way agreement between the Queensland Government, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) and the University of Queensland which will examine whether cobalt – a globally-sought-after critical mineral and a key battery ingredient – can be retrieved economically from old copper mine tailings.
Climate Solutions Fund support for forestry jobs
In July 2020, the Government simplified access to carbon funding for forestry projects across five plantation growth regions. The Government is expanding access for four new regions in Tasmania, Gippsland (Victoria), the Green Triangle (Victoria) and Kangaroo Island (South Australia).
