Consultation attracts Olympic-size response
Queenslanders have responded in their thousands to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s call for ideas and feedback on plans and legacy projects for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. The 100 Day Review attracted more than 5,000 submissions from a broad array of groups including residents, infrastructure and planning experts, sporting and community organisations and aspiring Olympians of tomorrow.
Centre faces funding shortfall
Two unforeseen acts just prior to Christmas have placed the future of the Corryong Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) and the community bakery in financial jeopardy. Firstly, the Australian government delayed providing $85,000 of grant funding, which had already been spent, until May 2025.
Pilots came from all four corners
The Corryong Cup Hang Gliding Competition concluded on the weekend with 76 pilots vying for the honours. Competitors came from all over Australia and also included international pilots from Norway, PNG, Poland, New Zealand, Indonesia, Austria, America, England, Ireland and Tasmania.
Cohuna Vet Clinic returns
It has been a little more than 12 months since Karen Rogers closed the Cohuna Vet Clinic following the tragic death of her husband Paul. However, there is great news for Cohuna and surrounding districts with the practice reopening just last week on January 6 with Dr Carly Brownlow and Dr Adrian Coghill joining forces to reestablish the clinic.
500 animals, fire and feed. Life for the Treweek family
Bushfires are stressful enough, but having a zoo of 500 animals and 23 staff adds a whole new level for the Treweek family. Former Wakool family Mark and Lisa Treweek and their kids Cooper and William have finally been able to open their 52-acre Halls Gap Zoo after the challenges of the Grampians bushfire. Their second fire in 12 months.
$7.2 billion for a new Kwinana port
On November 11 last year the WA Premier all but confirmed the project will go ahead. The only question is how much the Feds will stump up and how much influence will the unions have on the final design.
Clarence Valley hospitals experience high activity in recent months
The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) continued to improve planned surgery performance during the July to September 2024 quarter, despite hospitals with the locality experiencing some of the highest activity levels on record.
Brooms Head foreshore to return to the community
Clarence Valley Council has announced the Brooms Head foreshore will be returned to the community with sites adjacent to the beach no longer available to families who have camped there for more than 50 years, across generations.
Strengthening Hindmarsh Holiday Parks
In September 2024, Hindmarsh Shire Council resumed management of the Nhill Holiday Park, bringing operation of all four parks across the Shire back in-house, as well as Four Mile Beach Camping area ... Hindmarsh Holiday Parks play a crucial role in the Shire’s tourism and economic development strategy, driving increased visitation and longer stays in our region.
Solar heating for new pool: Council considers options for renewable energy at replacement pools
Heating options for two of the replacement pools at the John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool are currently being investigated by the contractor, ELM Aquatics. Works are due to commence late next month, with the pool closing on February 24, to be completed for re-opening late November 2025. General Manager, David Webb said the replacement project includes three new pools, filtration equipment, solar heating, renewable energy supply, recreational facilities and landscaping.
Bush Bursary students enjoying the calm and friendliness of Hay
Hay Shire Council is continuing its efforts in attracting medical staff to Hay with a commitment to the Bush Bursary program. Current recipients are Zali Beuzeville and Charlie Jackson, pictured with Lyla Quinn during their placement at Japp’s Pharmacy last week.
Sarah’s long ride to healing
The loss of a parent is devastating. Losing both is unimaginable, but photographer and horse lover Sarah Wheeler is turning her grief into hope for others suffering from liver, pancreatic, stomach, bile duct and oesophageal cancers.
Jumping for joy – Progress associations to the rescue of pontoons
Rachel Hagan. An icon of Port Vincent is staying afloat, after insurance costs threatened to dismantle the town’s summer fun. Small towns across the state have been forced to remove their pontoons because insurance companies are unwilling to provide cover for public liability.
Conflict over camping ban
Rachel Hagan. Local residents are up in arms after the dunes at trending Yorke Peninsula camp spot, Wauraltee Beach, were left covered in rubbish and human waste ... NSW resident Stephanie Ramirez, who was visiting Yorke Peninsula for the first time, said she saw Wauraltee Beach on social media, and her family decided they had to stop on their way to Esperance, especially before camping was banned.
Battery like a charger on a huge scale
The 150 megawatt battery installed by Engie at the old Hazelwood power station site has just had its first birthday – and the company is very happy with its ability to produce electricity when needed and its financial performance.
Wallaroo artist shines in Mallee
Joanna Tucker. Self-taught Wallaroo artist Debbie Seater has her art projected on the iconic Karoonda Silos in the Murray Mallee for all of January. Her eleven artworks have been created in multiple mediums —which is not uncommon for Ms Seater.
NSW Independent Forestry Panel process
In August 2024, the NSW Government announced the appointment of an expert panel to lead consultation on a Forestry Industry Action Plan. The final report of the Independent Forestry Panel has been provided to the NSW Government. Whether the report will be made publicly available and the shape of the future Forestry Industry Action Plan is a matter for the Government.
Foreign owned and controlled TransGrid is disconnected from regional Australia
The ever-increasing number of stories of the difficulties faced by landowners when dealing with transmission network builder, TransGrid, points to an organisation with no knowledge of, and no interest in learning about, the land, and the peoples living on that land, through which they are building those networks.
Time to trial fire vehicles: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers are urged to take part in a trial of Farm Fire Units in NSW as unprecedented bushfires continue to burn in the United States. Under a NSW Government trial in place until 31 March, private farm vehicles used for firefighting purposes known as Farm Fire Units – or Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles (FFFVs) – can be used unregistered under certain conditions.
How much gas talk is hot air?
Take out the hype and Beetaloo gas is a pretty thin project. The sub-basin, 900 km north of Alice Springs, is “estimated” to contain 500 trillion cubic feet of gas. The NT Government refers to this estimate as being “by industry”.
New bollards protect supermarket window from cars, but not vandals
Shoppers going to Aldi supermarket in Casino will have noticed changes at the front of the shop. New bollards are in place to prevent cars going through the window. As unlikely as that may sound, this happened in January 2023 when an 88 year old man’s car crashed into the glass frontage.
Refreshed 2025
Maldon’s historic postbox has had a lick of lovely fresh paint and it seems like the perfect symbol of renewal to say: Happy New Year! But the inspiring story of how the pillar box came to be painted by Mick Slocum OAM also speaks of regeneration and rejuvenation at any time and any age.
