Grocery prices soar during Easter
Sebastian Calderon. Recently released data revealed price increases across a range of items, including those in the Riverland, adding extra pressure on household budgets during the current cost-of-living crisis. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, from December 2024, revealed a significant increase in the prices of common grocery items.
Cyclists to enjoy Great Western wineries, heritage on new tourism trail
Great Western residents and visitors can now enjoy an iconic cycling experience that showcases world-class wineries alongside historically significant aspects of the renowned wine village. Senator Jana Stewart officially opened the Great Western Wine and Heritage Cycle Trail, which connects Best’s and Seppelt wineries and incorporates the township...
Mt. Wycheproof stickers have landed: “Big ideas stick”
Whether you are a proud local, a passing traveller, or just love flaunting the smallest registered mountain in the world, now is your chance to grab a unique sticker souvenir of Mount Wycheproof. Friends of Mount Wycheproof (FoMW), recently launched the promotional marketing souvenir over the March long weekend...
Nothing but winners for Wimmera racing clubs
Wimmera racegoers and visitors will have even more reasons to visit their local track thanks to an infrastructure funding boost ... Minister for Racing, Anthony Carbines, visited the Ararat Turf Club, Donald and District Racing Club and St Arnaud Turf Club, which are all receiving upgrades to deliver high-quality racing events all year round in the region.
At Australia’s largest heritage festival… Victorian stories unearthed
Victoria’s biggest celebration of heritage returns on Friday, April 18, with the launch of the Australian Heritage Festival (Victoria) – presented by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and proudly supported by the Heritage Council Victoria and the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid.
Red Centre to the Reef – Alice Springs–Cairns flight takes off: Cahill, Yan
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering on its commitment of 2025 being a year of action, certainty and security as the first Alice Springs-Cairns direct flight takes off ... In a major boost for the Red Centre, the new Alice Springs to Cairns route offers greater connectivity for international visitors coming into Alice Springs and beyond.
Full steam ahead: Cruise ships return to Wallaroo
Joanna Tucker. Cruise ships are returning to the Copper Coast following a four-year campaign by Copper Coast Council. The Seabourn Quest, operated by Carnival Corporation’s Seabourn brand, will dock in Wallaroo on March 20, 2027. The booking marks the first return of cruise vessels since 2020.
Toxic algae found along coast
Michelle Daw. An algae toxic to marine life has been detected in water samples collected from Edithburgh and Coobowie ... The PIRSA spokesperson said the algae could cause mass deaths of marine life and particularly affect the gills of fish. "This is a dynamic situation as the bloom travels depending on weather and water conditions, and the impact therefore is unpredictable."
Old language creating a new future
Rachel Hagan. The Nharangga Language Learning App is expected to launch within the next two months, following nearly two years of planning and community consultation led by the Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association.
Play, ride, explore: Wingello’s Forest Recreational Park reopens
Get ready for adventure, the brand-new Wingello Forest Recreational Adventure Park is officially open, and it’s better than ever ... Located in the heart of Wingello State Forest, the park was designed by Nicholas Bray Landscapes to offer a more inclusive and accessible outdoor experience.
Wel.Co breaks ground on $100M Gracewood community in Mallala
Wel.Co has officially commenced construction on the $100M Gracewood residential community in Mallala, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of much-needed housing in regional South Australia.
Rainbow Walk questions answered
Diana Roberts. The concept for walking paths around Nimbin was originally envisaged as a three-stage project in 2007. Stage one connected Cullen Street to Alternative Way and Cecil Street. The exact route for this stage was defined in 2013, after extensive consultations with the community and affected private landholders.
Music, trucks, fish, beef – Six big events coming to Richmond Valley
The busy time for events in Richmond Valley is May–August. Mark these events in your calendar because you won’t want to miss them.
Aboriginal land council: It’s their way or the highway
Transparency is a very one-sided proposition for the Central Land Council (CLC): It wants the news media to publish its positions but it won't give answers to questions the media put to them. That's certainly the experience of the Alice Springs News with this secretive organisation which, like other Aboriginal land councils and land trusts, are not subject to freedom of information requests.
High time to end the war on weed
MardiGrass Organising Committee. For 33 years, MardiGrass has given voice to the Oz weed resistance, tirelessly educating and agitating for an end to the war on weed. As usual, MardiGrass offers mind-blowing ideas and education all weekend at the 2025 Hemposium, and is an extraordinary chance to share and learn about our favourite plant ally and healing herb. The Hemposium will showcase an impressive line-up of speakers ...
What’s your plan?
As the debate over rare earth mining in our district intensifies, concerns have been raised about the state government's commitment to conducting an independent investigation into the potential risks of the operation. Independent member for MacKillop, Nick McBride, put a spotlight on the issue during the March sitting of the House of Assembly, pressing Energy and Mining minister Tom Koutsantonis to outline his plan.
Radiotherapy essential
Radiotherapy for our region is essential, regardless of who forms government after the May 3, federal election. That is the key message from Limestone Coast Radiation Therapy Working Group chairman … "South Australia still remains an outlier as one of the only Australian states without the provision of radiation cancer treatment outside of its capital city, being Adelaide," Mr Haynes said.
The brutal cost of ignoring the bush: Australia’s rural collapse
Government changes have reallocated 3,200 gigalitres of irrigation water to environmental flows, much of it unmetered and flowing out to sea, creating dire consequences for regional food production. The Gannawarra Region alone is losing $1.3 billion annually – and these impacts are expected to worsen.
Farmers say “No” to REZ
Wimmera and Mallee farmers have mapped over 600,000 hectares of farmland where landholders have indicated they do not want to be in a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The farmers that are in opposition have had their paddocks marked darkest.
Eternal optimism
It has been a long summer, resulting in dry dams and yellow paddocks that are visible to everyone. And in an unusual development, agriculture has featured recently in world headlines thanks to discussions of world trade and tariffs.
Opinion – Bauxite mine expansion approval exposes double standards for forest conservation in Western Australia: Lachlan McCaw
Dr Lachlan McCaw AFSM. Federal environmental approval recently granted for expansion of the South 32 Worsley bauxite mine has given the green light to clearing of a further 3855 hectares of native forest around Boddington south-east of Perth ... the community should question how much bauxite mining is enough, and whether closure of the native forest timber industry is simply a convenient smokescreen for increased mining in the jarrah forest.
Seven red flags of a poor team culture
I was talking to the owner of my local coffee shop, and he told me he had just wrapped up a team meeting with his staff to talk about the importance of their energy and enthusiasm and its impact on the ambience they create for their customers ... so refreshing to hear how a young business owner places so much importance on team culture and the impact it has on the success of the business.
