More trees on farms to benefit landowners: Spence
The Allan Labor Government is encouraging Victorian farmers and landowners to take advantage of a new program to plant more trees on their farms – helping to boost timber supply, increase biodiversity and prevent soil erosion. Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today announced the Victorian Trees on Farms Program at Parliament House, alongside industry members at the Victorian Forest Products Association’s Timber Plantations showcase.
CAPA Conference takes flight: Powell
For the first time, the flagship event – CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific 2025 – is being held outside a capital city, highlighting Cairns’ growing importance as a hub for regional aviation and tourism.
Independent inquiry must examine concerns with US beef import rules: Cattle Australia
Dr Chris Parker. The recent decision by the Federal Government to accept that the United States has met our biosecurity standards has created immense anxiety within our beef industry, given our strong belief in rules-based trading and science-based protections.
Labor signs Australia up to WHO IHR
The Australian Federal government has adopted the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement, while other countries rejected the treaty, citing risks to civil liberties, sovereignty, censorship and even incompetence and corruption at the WHO ... Critics of the agreement aren’t as sure the benefits outweigh the risks.
Better big bank abandons communities, again
Just two years after local towns of Barham and Cohuna had their Bendigo Bank agencies ripped from their clutches the Better Big Bank is at it again. In 2024 the Bendigo Bank reported a net profit, after tax for 2024, of a meagre $545.0 million, up 9.7 per cent.
Don’t get sick as you age
People living with age-related illnesses are falling through the cracks of a system designed to support the elderly ... Carer’s exhaustion and burn out, jeopardized safety, greater pressure on hospital emergency services, family conflict, incidents and accidents, delayed medical intervention have all reached breaking point for sufferers and carers thanks to a backlog of unprocessed applications.
Council responds to pay dispute
Towong Shire Council has expressed disappointment that some of its outdoor staff have chosen to engage in industrial action regarding the current Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiations. In response to last week's industrial action, council said in a statement that it had made a two-stage pay offer to staff which would see them on average get a 4.23 per cent increase on current hourly rates and applicable allowances.
Trail receives international recognition
The Sculpture by the Sea project, incorporating the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, was the recent recipient of the prestigious Gratias Agit award in Prague. Founding CEO and artistic director, David Handley, travelled to Prague as a guest of the Czech government to receive the award on behalf of Sculpture by the Sea.
Australia’s largest transmission project moves into next phase
Australia's largest energy transmission project, EnergyConnect, has moved into its next phase with specialist teams making significant progress constructing the eastern alignment of the project across the Riverina. More than 1600 personnel are working on the critical project, with construction of two sections of new high-voltage transmission line, stretching 540 km from Buronga to Wagga Wagga, more than 70 per cent complete.
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.
