Transport

Sam Freeman. I wanted to personally share with you today’s news that the Australian Government announced an $80m financing facility to support the continued operations of the Rex network and their intention to extend the Federal Government Regional Flight Booking Guarantee. This is great news for Rex.  It provides resources for investment needed to improve the business and the operational performance of the regional network including increasing the size of the active regional Rex fleet.

A single bus route in a small community might seem trivial to the Cook Labor government, but for the families who depend on it, it’s far more than just transport. It’s a lifeline that keeps communities viable, allowing families to live and work on the land while ensuring their kids can attend school without spending hours commuting each day ... This decision underscores the growing divide in our state ...

Every generation has its automotive obsession, and for farmers, it often revolves around a ute. Farmers can almost be defined by the aspirational utes they dreamed about owning in high school—often working long hours to pay for their first one, then adding custom touches to make it their pride and joy.

The Victorian Goldfields Railway (VGR) has welcomed a new depot in Castlemaine for the historic trains that run between Castlemaine and Maldon … The many benefits of the new depot buildings include greater space and more comfortable indoor environs for VGR volunteer workers to maintain locomotives and prepare them for service.

John Williams. Foaming horses galloping four-in-hands over the West Wimmera tracks, day and night, in burning sun or drenching rain; washing down damper and salt meat with pannikins of strong tea….this was the lot of Nhill Cobb and Co driver William Nesbitt. Despite this strenuous life, Bill had a romance for the open road, and for many years drove the coach between Bordertown and Nhill with a reputation for being a gentleman and obliging to his many passengers.

Qantas customers will continue to be able to fly between Sydney and Lord Howe Island for years to come as part of an agreement with regional airline Skytrans. With the national carrier retiring the Q200 aircraft it currently operates on the route, Skytrans has been awarded the licence to fly to the island by the New South Wales Government exclusively from 26 February 2026.

The NSW Government has announced that licences have been issued to airline operators to provide flights from Sydney to Lord Howe Island and Sydney to Moree. These two routes are the only regulated routes in NSW that require licences under the Air Transport Act (NSW) 1964.

Did you know there are two different sizes of aircraft in three different configurations that the Royal Flying Doctor Services uses in NSW? ... we are investing in developing a comprehensive database of airstrips we attend so that we have up to date information about the current state of existing airstrips, but also to provide a platform to share updates and consult with airstrip owners in the future.

Rachel Hagan. Viterra's proposed purchase of the Maitland AWB Grainflow site, along with two other facilities, has been reported to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission by T-Ports. The proposed acquisition of Grainflow sites at Maitland and Crystal Brook, and Cargill’s mobile shiploader at Port Adelaide, has caused backlash from T-Ports…

...the administrators for Rex Airlines have advised the sale of Pel-Air, part of the Rex business, to Helicorp Pty Ltd, part of Toll Aviation. Pel-Air is the contractor supplying ambulance services to Ambulance Victoria and NSW Ambulance, along with specially-modified aircraft for international and domestic aeromedical transfers.  

Birrang Enterprise Development Company is bringing its Driver Licence Access Program (DLAP) to the back country, in the final outreach services for 2024. The program will be available in Wilcannia ... and Balranald … a free program providing support to people in NSW who face extra challenges in getting a licence.

It’s well known that one of the best way to fight mental illness is to begin the conversation and the Westbrook Truck Drivers Association is doing exactly that with a get-together on 16th November at Nobby’s iconic Rudd’s Pub. Spokesperson for the group, Darren Eyers said truck drivers in particular are reluctant to talk about any form of mental illness and hopes that the day at Rudd’s Pub will provide an avenue for discussion.

Main Street Maldon was treated to an informal parade of early Ford Falcons on Saturday, as a stream of gleaming colour glided through town. The 23rd Early Falcon Nationals, an Australia-wide classic car enthusiasts club event, took place over the weekend in Bendigo with a day drive to Maldon for lunch.

The Cohuna Fire Brigade has a new appliance that will improve the services the brigade provides to the district. The new Hino rescue appliance was delivered and presented to brigade members on September 19 and replaces the Isuzu appliance that has been in use locally for seven years.

Hundreds of attendees admired the 107 vehicles on display at the Moulamein Car Club’s annual Show and Shine. Owners and their prized possessions had travelled from as far as Melton to be a part of the unique event that offers free attractions for the kids and live music courtesy of ‘Dementia’.

Long, long ago, in the early 1980s, a group of Western Australian farmers decided they had had enough of the growing spread in tractor prices between what was on offer at their local dealer and what American farmers were paying. So, they decided to bypass the local dealer network and order directly from the land of the free, thereby proving that middlemen exist only if you allow them.

Over the past 20 years, RFDS has operated across more than 300 airstrips throughout Far West and Western NSW. Some of these, such as the service's regular clinic airstrips, are part of routine flights, whilst others are access in emergency situations. With so many airstrips available to the RFDS, it is crucial they maintain up-to-date information for each location.

The Snowy Valleys region is set to become an even better destination for electric vehicle (EV) owners with the installation of ten public EV charging stations. Snowy Hydro is supporting Snowy Valleys Council (SVC) to install and maintain the new charging stations which will be strategically located in Khancoban, Adelong, Talbingo, Tumbarumba and Tumut.

Serena Kirby. The Denmark St John community transport service capabilities have expanded with the recent purchase of a second vehicle. Established in late 2018 to transport residents to non-urgent medical, hospital and allied health appointments, the service has made more than 2700 trips around Denmark and Albany ... “We have nearly 20 volunteer drivers on the roster and all hold a first aid certificate but more importantly they all have a strong desire to help others and enjoy meeting and talking to people”: Yvonne Hortin, Service coordinator.

The vehicles are part of a fleet of 29 ultra heavy tankers rolling out across regional Victoria ... The new tankers will provide a valuable boost to the capability of the brigades ahead of the upcoming fire season. Valued at $440,000 each, the ultra heavy tankers have a 10,000-litre water tank, improving the ability to fight fires in rural areas with open grasslands…

During the week beginning 9th September, there were celebrations on the Island to mark the completion of the Lord Howe Island airstrip in September, 1974. Around 50 members of the Australian army and navy, with family members, who were part of the project, visited to mark the anniversary.