$240m battery
A $240m Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is proposed for a site 3.5km west of Naracoorte by renewable company ACE Power. The project will be known as the Kincraig Battery and 60 people are expected to be employed during its construction phase, with two to four people required long term to maintain it.
Australian Hay Mini Nationals continue to grow in numbers and popularity
For more than 50 years, Mini enthusiasts have been flocking to Hay over the June long weekend for three days of fun, bonding and testing their driving skills. Rally director, Declan Dwyer from Adelaide is pictured leading the parade on Saturday morning, which also included Vanguard and BnS vehicles.
Kaniva welcomes a touch of luxury with new Japanese Head Spa
Have you heard about Kaniva's newest wellness experience — a Japanese Head Spa? Chelsey Merrett has called Kaniva home for the past seven years. Two years ago, she launched Chelsey Merrett – Head Spa + Scalp Care...
Action against mining demanded
United voices from scientists and experts, residents, farmers, and regional environment groups demanded action against mining in the Clarence catchment as they stood with Gumbaynggirr Traditional Owners at a packed public meeting in Dorrigo last weekend.
Birchip hosts renewables and mining meeting
The community of Birchip, an epicentre of three wind farm proposals and four significant mineral sands mining retention licences, played host to a community meeting addressing turbines, lines, mines and property rights ... Three key speakers addressed an audience exceeding three hundred people from across Western Victoria, who filled the Birchip Leisure Centre to capacity.
Home Care delays endanger seniors
Independent members of Parliament including Indi representative Helen Haines are concerned about the impact the Albanese government’s decision to postpone the commencement of 80,000 new Home Care packages will have on older Australians ... Ten independent parliamentarians have signed an open letter calling on the government to ....
Global dairy commodity prices rise strongly in early 2025, but face growing supply and fragile demand: Rabobank
Global dairy commodity prices have continued to climb in most key exporting countries in recent months, defying expectations and economic headwinds. But ‘downside’ risks are expected to emerge in the second half of the year, Rabobank says in a newly-released report.
New report warns dairy industry faces devastating impacts from Basin Plan: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says a Ricardo report commissioned by Dairy Australia raises serious concerns over the future of the dairy industry, with water buybacks potentially leading to a further 270 million litre decline in milk production.
VFF condemns $63 million Commonwealth water buy as reckless and damaging to farmers: Victorian Farmers Federation
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has slammed the Federal Government for paying a staggering premium of $1,000 per megalitre above the seasonal average in its recent purchase of Goulburn water, calling it a reckless move that distorts the market and punishes farmers.
Buybacks to push dairy farmers to the brink: NSW Farmers Association
Milk production could plummet by up to 15 per cent in the southern Murray Darling Basin if water buybacks are not halted immediately, a new study has shown. The Dairy Australia report … Australia’s annual milk production could plummet by up to 270 million litres if the federal government pressed on with water buybacks that would strip dairy farms of vital water supplies.
‘Find your path’ – NSW Great Walks put on the map: Sharpe, Kamper
The Minns Labor Government is rolling out a new ‘Find Your Path on a NSW Great Walk’ campaign that highlights seven spectacular multi-day walks across the state to address the growing interest in nature-based visitor experiences. The new campaign highlights an impressive 275km of walking tracks in regional NSW that have opened to the public within the last two years.
New tech gives second life to plastic farm waste: La Trobe University
Researchers from La Trobe University in Bendigo have developed an innovative recycling solution for synthetic bale twine, helping to address the growing problem of agricultural waste. In a study published in the journal Recycling, the research team analysed the thermal, physical and mechanical properties of various plastic waste materials...
We’re not in Kyogle anymore – Hiking the Bibbulmun Track
Debbie McQueen and Rebecca Scott. Have you heard of the Bibbulmun Track? It is one of the world’s great long distance walk trails. It stretches more than 1000km from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast, winding through the heart of the scenic southwest of Western Australia.
Aged care takeover claims 17 positions in Far West NSW regional aged care provider faces staff cuts as Queensland organisation completes acquisition
Seventeen workers at Southern Cross Care facilities in Broken Hill have lost their jobs following the organisation's acquisition by its Queensland counterpart, with the takeover finalised this month. Southern Cross Care Queensland confirmed the completion of its buyout of Southern Cross Care Broken Hill operations, with affected positions described as administrative…
Goods Shed looking good
Residents who have taken the train from Castlemaine Station in the past few months will have noticed scaffolding and works taking place at the nearby Castlemaine Goods Shed which is managed by Castlemaine State Festival. The Festival announced an update on Thursday 29 May, saying that the maintenance and upgrade project is on track to be completed by the end of 2025.
Sledgehammer taken to housing affordability
The State Government has taken a sledgehammer to the construction industry, introducing the Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 which will push the cost of building a home up by as much as $30,000 ... Shadow Assistant Minister for Planning and the Building Industry, Wayne Farnham, said the bill was just the latest example of Labor siding with fringe parties instead of backing Victorian families.
Council rejects VNI West project in its current form
Northern Grampians Shire councillors will call on the State Government to find an alternative to its VNI West transmission line project amid fears for the nation’s food security along with community mental health and wellbeing. Victoria to NSW Interconnector West – known as VNI West – is a proposed new 500kV double circuit transmission line connecting high-voltage electricity grids in New South Wales and Victoria.
Labor risks trading beef industry away in US trade talks: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said he feared the Albanese Government was prepared to trade away Australia’s biosecurity advantage to appease the Trump Administration, after reports the Government had put beef imports on the negotiating table. Mr Littleproud said Australia’s strong biosecurity must remain a priority, instead of being used as a bargaining tool by Labor.
Need for speed at Clifton State High
The only Queensland high school that will have a team compete at the Australian Human Powered Vehicle Super Series is Clifton State High School - and it has not one, but two. Clifton State High School (CSHS) has had human powered vehicle (HPV) teams for several years and so far 2025 is shaping up to be easily the best year yet, even after the girls' team became state champions last year.
New technology for timely identification of foreign pests: DAFF
A breakthrough in how we identify pests entering Australia has now been successfully tried and tested in Sydney. ‘MALDI-TOF’ and ‘MinION’ are new diagnostic systems being adopted in our border biosecurity operations that use protein and DNA profiles to rapidly identify species through automated data matching.
‘Positive start’: luxury hotel gains approval
A bold initiative by Sunshine Coast Council to attract more luxury hotels to the region has made a successful start with the approval of an exciting hotel project - complete with rooftop bar - in the heart of Caloundra. The project is intended to comprise of shops and cafes at Ground Level, restaurant and hotel amenities on Level 1, 160 suites over Levels 2-10 and a rooftop restaurant and bar with outdoor dining and function rooms on Level 11.
Orbost corn popped across globe
In many European countries right now - Spain, France, Hungary and Poland - farmers are just putting the finishing touches on planting their sweet corn. Similar plantings occur in other parts of the world - from South Africa to Chile, Uruguay and New Zealand - at a different time of the year. They have one key thing in common: they source their sweet corn seeds from Snowy River Seeds in Orbost.

