Hay Shire Council welcomes $45M feedlot development
A $45 million development application which will create 147 direct jobs in the district was unanimously approved by Hay Shire Council at its monthly meeting last week. General Manager, David Webb said Council staff supported the application to intensify the cattle feedlot capacity at Ravensworth from 60,000 head to 100,000 standard cattle units (SCU), and recommended it be approved. There will be no change to existing infrastructure (pen space) at the Ravensworth feedlot which currently employs 35 to 40 people.
Families praise West Wimmera early years services
A West Wimmera Shire Council survey on maternal and child health and support playgroup services has highlighted the overwhelmingly positive experiences from families in the community. The survey, which gathered responses from parents and caregivers from across the shire, showed strong satisfaction with the support and care currently provided.
The standard you walk past is the standard you accept: A reflection of leadership
When the leaders of large brands or Government agencies are dragged in front of any parliamentary enquiry, you get the same infuriating behaviour when they are caught out ... “It is not my fault! We did not know! We broke no laws! I cannot remember!” ... Leadership, at its core, is about setting and upholding standards that define a team, organisation, or community.
Silo art goes indoors
Creativity within the silo world will take a new twist in Rainbow’s addition to the Silo Art Trail. Contractors are preparing to start construction of the Llew Schilling Silo Tourism Development within the next week or so. However, this innovative project will offer much more than one large-scale painting on the outside of a silo, according to Hindmarsh Shire CEO Monica Revell.
Advertising concerns after lengthy debate sees motion lost
Clarence Valley Councillor Lynne Cairns has expressed her disappointment after a Notice of Motion (NOM) she put forward during the Ordinary Council Meeting on November 21 proposing, “council increase the amount of advertising to a full or half page contribution (depending on requirements) in the highest circulating, printed, local, weekly newspaper, the Clarence Valley Independent ... The NOM was ultimately lost following a lengthy debate in the Maclean Council Chambers.
No plan for wind turbine fire threat
Despite a wind turbine fire in June having the potential to have caused widespread devastation, the Victorian Government has no plan to address and prevent future catastrophes … the Minister for Emergency Services was unable to report to Parliament or the thousands of CFA volunteers which turbines are fitted with fire suppression equipment, and what resources will be available to CFA volunteers to combat potential fires across any of the thousands of turbines distributed across some of the most fire prone areas in Victoria.
Buloke Times editorial: For Northwest and Central Victoria Rail … an absolute game changer
As communities throughout Victoria, and beyond, lament the downgrading of the Melbourne to Mildura rail line, a report has come to light at the “Buloke Times” office. It was more than two years ago (on September 21, 2022) by the not-for-profit Ouyen Inc. In common with towns including Birchip, Donald and St. Arnaud, Ouyen is located on the Melbourne-Mildura line, and the media release from there at the time was as follows, under the heading, For Northwest and Central Victoria Rail ... An Absolute Game Changer ...
Lord Howe Island businesses winning awards
Love Lord Howe. Recently won Gold at the NSW Tourism Awards. Benny’s Fish Truck. Recently awarded second-best fish and chips on offer nation wide. Thornleigh Farm Marmalade. Recently won Gold at the Australian Marmalade Awards.
AI, leadership, and the guest experience: must-see sessions at the Agriculture Shows Australia 2025 Conference
Renowned industry professionals Heather Ellis, Linda Tillman, and Shaun Leisegang will share their expertise and insight on day one of the national gathering of Australia's 582 agricultural shows. In ‘AI for the Show Movement: Simplifying Operations for Better Focus’, Shaun Leisegang, General Manager at award-winning technology services provider, Tecala, will show attendees how artificial intelligence can streamline key tasks in the show movement.
Beating the heat – Hive Haven V10’s breakthrough in sustainable native beekeeping: AgriFutures Australia
Australian native stingless bees are vital for pollinating many of the country’s unique native plants, but these bees may be facing challenges due to rising temperatures. Recognising the important role these bees play in the ecosystem, an AgriFutures Australia Business Innovation Grant supported Ann Ross and her team at Hive Haven to develop an innovative solution: the Hive Haven V10.
Community chimes in on World Heritage bid
Sarah Herrmann. Calls for increased local consultation as part of the progressing Moonta Mines World Heritage bid were made at a community forum last week. The forum gave those interested the opportunity to quiz UK-based World Heritage consultant Barry Gamble, who had travelled to the Copper Coast for the official celebration of the tentative listing...
Global dairy market – Further milk supply growth and farmer margin gains expected in 2025: Rabobank
A new RaboResearch report expects milk supply growth from the biggest exporting regions in the second half of 2024. Growth is expected to continue into 2025, with gains anticipated in all major regions for the first time since 2020.
Building community and town pride
Rachel Hagan. Price is a town with a deep history and has been a key part of Yorke Peninsula, but one key feature it has been missing is a museum — that is until now. By mid to late January, the Price Museum will be structurally ready to go ... Price Progress Association secretary Karen Newbold says it all needs to be finished by April 20, 2025, and she is confident all the work can be achieved by that deadline.
Drug and alcohol-related deaths in Western NSW tackled by new group of specialists
The Rural Applied Drug and Alcohol Research group (RADAR) will tackle the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse in Western NSW, which is higher than most other parts of NSW ... Core priorities of RADAR include addressing the specific, geographical issues those afflicted by substance misuse in western NSW often experience.
Mailing a letter set to rise to $1.70
Australia Post has lodged a draft notification with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), proposing an increase to the Basic Postage Rate (BPR) of $0.20 for small letters, from $1.50 to $1.70, and to the prices for ordinary large letters, delivered at the regular timetable – to take effect from July 2025.
One butcher shop + six moustaches = $5000
The butchers at Metcalf Quality Meats in Evans Head, Tom Karry, Jacob Lane, Mark Simeoni, Riley Stothard, Nathan Scully and Wade Goldthorpe, grew moustaches to raise money for men’s mental health. Wade said the young fellas didn’t stand a chance in the moustache-growing race.
DIY welfare group puts numbers to its proud record
The Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council is a bit of a mouthful, so just call them NPY and be amazed at its achievements since 1980, spreading across 350,000 square kilometres in the south-west of the NT, the Top End of SA and a big patch of eastern WA ... As the airwaves are full of talking from politicians, activists and coroners, mostly about dollar figures with lots of zeros, Alice Springs based NPY is putting real numbers to its accomplishments in 2024.
Community unites against rare earth mining threat
A coalition of regional agricultural and business leaders has launched a new advocacy group focussed on protecting the Limestone Coast’s high value agricultural resource, finite water assets and cultural heritage from the imminent threat of mining activities. The Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association has launched an awareness campaign to inform the community about the invasive nature of rare earth strip mining which it believes will threaten the economic viability of the food and fibre sector and jeopardise biodiverse value including underground water resources.
It’s a very Goode thing – Donald trike team holds its own
Karen Medlyn. That’s a wrap! The 2024 Donald High School Energy Breakthrough Team and “It’s a Goode Thing!”, completed an impressive 485 laps, covering a total distance of 766.3 kilometres. The 24-hour endurance has students pedalling over a specific circuit, through the streets of Maryborough.The debut of the new trike was thrilling ...
2025 Australian of the Year for Queensland
Allora born and bred Geoffrey Smith, was named Queensland Australian of the Year at the recent awards ceremony held in Brisbane. Proud parents Debbie and Alan Smith said Geoffrey was born in 1989 and went to Allora Kindergarten, Allora Pre-School and Allora P-10 School until Year 7 when he moved to Toowoomba Grammar.
Newstead solar: so far, so good
The Newstead solar project that was launched in August is rolling out and has been holding regular information sessions at the Newstead Rural Transfer Centre. The project, a partnership between Renewable Newstead and retailer Flow Power, centres around the newly operational Newstead Solar Farm.
MS Australia launches major EBV research platform to combat MS
MS Australia is bringing together the nation's top researchers to unlock the complex link between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and multiple sclerosis (MS); with the potential to revolutionise how we treat, prevent, and ultimately cure MS. The EBV in MS National Collaborative Platform, launched today at MS Australia's inaugural Frontiers in MS Research Symposium at the University of Sydney, aims to unify and strengthen Australian research efforts into EBV and MS.
