Rabobank commentary: Slower food price inflation, but key categories still heading up
Annual food price inflation slowed to 3 per cent in the June 2025 quarter, the latest quarterly Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, has shown. This is down from 3.2 per cent year-on-year food price inflation recorded in the March 2025 quarter.
Regional banks and supporters launch campaign to keep branches open in regional Australia: RBIA
A group of 25 regional banks and supporters have banded together to advocate to keep face-to-face branches open in regional towns. The organisations have formed the Regional Banking Investment Alliance (RBIA) and want essential bank branch services such as cash handling and fraud advice to be supported by a community service obligation (CSO) on the wider Australian banking sector to share the cost burden.
Interruption to Council services due to industrial action
Scenic Rim Regional Council is taking all possible steps to minimise disruption to the community during industrial action planned by three unions this week. Council CEO David Keenan has received notices of protected industrial action ... from three of the six unions representing Council employees...
Green Gold Australia’s River Road solar farm approved by Council
The latest in renewable energy projects went before the July meeting of Hay Shire Council, where the development was approved. Green Gold Energy is proposing a five-megawatt solar farm on the property of Cameron and Lyn Clark, on the Murrumbidgee River Road.
Muchea Livestock Centre wins national industry award: Jarvis
Muchea Livestock Centre (MLC) has been recognised at the 2025 National Saleyard Conference, winning the 2025 Industry Advocate Award by Saleyards Australia. The Western Australian Government owned and operated saleyard received the prestigious award for its outstanding leadership and quiet advocacy for the saleyards sector.
Energy Minister must reconsider Central North REZ says Lovell
Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called on the Minister for Energy and Resources to reconsider the size and location of the Central North Renewable Energy Zone. Following the recent release of the draft Victorian Transmission Plan for public consultation, numerous objections have been raised by community members and local government...
Great quality squash at Naracoorte Open
Roger Dickenson. The 2025 Naracoorte Open was held on July 19-20, with 34 players from all over SA and Victoria competing across five divisions. Spectators were treated to some great quality squash over the weekend, with 68 matches played, including several close finals.
Murra Warra Wind Farm community grants
More than $103,000 of community grants have been awarded to not-for profit and community groups across the Horsham, Yarriambiack and Hindmarsh Shires, under the Murra Warra Wind Farm Grants Fund ... The Murra Warra Wind Farm Community Grants program is administered by Wimmera Southern Mallee Development on behalf of Squadron Energy, with an independent selection committee ...
Kealy calls for investigation into land tax assessments
Several flawed land tax assessments across the Wimmera and south-west have prompted The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, to call for an investigation. Ms Kealy said dozens of residents had contacted her office in the past few months regarding errors in their land tax assessments, including incorrect land classifications and relevant exemptions not being applied for primary production land and not-for-profit uses.
A new kidney, a new life for Will
As Australia marks DonateLife Week, and local neighbourhood houses in Buloke encourage everyone over the age of 16 to sign up, the Hogan family from Birchip have shared their life-changing moment and the gift of a kidney from father to son.
Wimmera community to benefit from local auto auction
A “deceased” auction, August 10, has considerable personal interest to families living in the wider Wimmera region. The auction features some exceptionally rare passenger vehicles, circa late 1930s to the mid-1960s.
The search for copper, zinc and silver in village with complex gold mining history
Chris Byrne from Legacy Minerals was at the Lunatic Hotel to answer questions from the community about mining exploration in the Drake area. It was a casual meet and greet ... IndyNR.com wanted to ask Mr Byrne some questions about his company’s exploration of mineral licences.
Soft, snuggly and in the spotlight – The Australian Alpaca National Show is back to celebrate 35 years of alpaca excellence: Australian Alpaca Association
The Australian Alpaca Association (AAA) is thrilled to announce the return of its most anticipated event, the Australian Alpaca National Show, proudly celebrating 35 years of alpaca excellence. Running from 8 to 10 August 2025 at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds in Bendigo, this iconic event is free and open to all.
Bendigo agency move part of community bank cull
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has continued its assault on its community bank network, forcing the closure of 28 agencies run by community franchises. All the agencies are in regional Australia and 17 of the affected towns will be left with no banking services after the closures. Bendigo Bank made no mention that the agencies were all operated by the owners of community banks when making the announcement last week that it was “retiring” its agency network.
Mayor Paterson’s secret second job
Retiring Mayor Matt Paterson is coy about his second job, in addition to his $116,000 a year gig heading up the council. It’s conveniently just across the road from the civic centre, at the office of Amentum, a Pine Gap defence contractor. We texted him on December 16: “Do you work for Amentum? Just checking a rumour.” No answer. Last week we asked him again...
Katamatite welcomes new live-in police officer – son of Bill Ryall
So, after more than a year without a resident police officer, Katamatite's single-member station is about to spring back to life. Detective Senior Constable Charles Ryall is trading his role with Cobram's Crime Investigation Unit for something entirely different – becoming Katamatite's first live-in police officer in about 12 months.
Lead in kids blood – Maari Maa calls for action
Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation has renewed calls as a matter of urgency for a new government approach to address high lead levels in Aboriginal children in far west New South Wales. The call comes after the Far West Local Health District released the latest report into lead levels in Broken Hill children.
J Robotics selected as finalist in Australia’s first AI and Robotics Sprint
J Robotics has been selected as a finalist in the inaugural Propel-AIR program ... with their chemical-free vineyard treatment platform. The Ocean Grove-based agricultural technology company has developed a smart platform that uses targeted UVC light to treat grapevines for powdery mildew without chemicals.
Energy transition must not trample farmers’ rights: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has reacted with concern following recent comments from Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, warning that the State Government’s energy transition risks alienating the very communities it needs most.
EU lumpy skin outbreak a reminder of Australia’s vulnerability: Cattle Australia
Dr Chris Parker. The threat of lumpy skin disease (LSD) to Australia’s beef cattle industry may have fallen off the front pages, but the current outbreak in Europe proves the risk of this horrid disease remains very real. It is my view that LSD is by far and away the most likely exotic disease of ruminants to enter Australia.
Territory Energy Link: Why Tennant Creek’s central role is non-negotiable
The Barkly Regional Council today issued a strong call to action, urging the Northern Territory Government, Infrastructure Australia, and all stakeholders to reinstate Tennant Creek as a core component of the Territory Energy Link (TEL) corridor. The Council asserts that bypassing Tennant Creek risks squandering decades of strategic planning and undermining critical regional development.
Fraser Island’s darkest day: The 1970 tourist bus tragedy
Fraser Island can certainly tell a few tales, and here is one of the saddest. On July 22, 1970, a routine sightseeing trip to Fraser Island turned into a disaster that claimed seven lives, marking the darkest day in the island’s tourism history.
