New infrastructure protects ancient petroglyphs at Ewaninga
New infrastructure at a Central Australian conservation reserve will help protect prehistoric Aboriginal rock engravings and enhance visitor safety to the site. The new viewing platform and boardwalk at Napwerte/Ewaninga south of Alice Springs, enables visitors to have an optimal view of the petroglyphs which date back around 30,000 years, while preventing inadvertent damage to the works by visitors.
Conversation with Sanjeev
In a wide-ranging, exclusive conversation with Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin, GFG Alliance Executive Chairman Sanjeev Gupta has reiterated his passion for Whyalla; his green steel and hydrogen plans; and thanked the community and employees for their hard work and persistence.
Cape residents invited to hear about spaceport
A company's grand plans to launch rockets and satellites from Cape York will be revealed in Weipa this month. Space Centre Australia hopes to start construction of its facility in 2023 and be launching rockets by the start of 2025. Director James Palmer said preliminary discussions between SCA and Traditional Owners had been progressing well and hoped this month’s trip would result in further community consultation.
E-petition to support public interest journalism providers
Some news providers around Australia, including Yanchep News Online, are asking readers who want to support public interest journalism to sign an e-petition, which will be presented to the House of Representatives. The news providers have organised the e-petition because under the News Media Bargaining Code while Google and Facebook have struck deals with a small number of media outlets they have not negotiated with the majority of Australian news providers – including a range of outlets that meet the criteria set out in the code.
Inland Rail track upgrades completed in time for bumper crop season
Upgrades to a 29-kilometre section of the Narrabri to North Star section of the track are now complete ... Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said in a boost for the local industry, fully loaded trains are now departing from Moree.
Successful Sunwater trial returns rebates to irrigators
More than $3.13 million will be returned to growers in regional Queensland as part of a Sunwater trial related to water delivery services. Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said the rebates have already begun being provided to irrigators following the first 12 months of a three-year electricity cost passâ€through trial - developed in conjunction with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation.
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.
