Transport

Angry Angourie locals have taken it upon themselves to clean up kilos and kilos of debris from the 15-metre steel ketch Chinook that ran aground on Saturday July 8, on rocks near Spooky Beach, after the boat’s owner abandoned the vessel ... Angourie local Kim said as the yacht was left scattering debris for six days in the ocean and surrounds.

Viv Markham. Many thanks to VGR volunteer Brendan Barry, who took this photo recently of the self-propelled Bluebird (but coloured red!) diesel rail car being loaded up to leave the yards at the Maldon railway station ... The bogies from the Bluebird will be used during the restoration of a very special carriage: the Mount Lofty Pullman car.

Bonza has shared an open letter to customers communicating changes it will be making in order to “earn the respect of Aussie travellers”. The letter, shared on the airline’s social media channels, outlines changes to its route map and schedule that are designed to set the airline up for long-term success and reduce the likelihood of cancellations.

Nexus Airlines will take its inaugural flight on Monday 10 July when it departs Geraldton Airport at 10.20am to commence the first commercial flights on the expanded Inter Regional Flight Network ... With bases in Geraldton and Broome, Nexus Airlines is Western Australia’s newest truly regional airline, offering residents, local businesses, and visitors increased travel opportunities with reliable, affordable, and consistent air services between the Mid-West, Pilbara, and Kimberley.

I thought [Naracoorte Community] News readers might get a kick out of this 1930's version of a 'Hybrid vehicle' from the Sheeps Back Museum photo collection. I found it while searching the museums 3500 photo collection in preparation for a new exhibit on 'working horses'.

Rapid electric vehicle charging options are opening across the state, with multiple DC rapid-charging sites launching on 4 July 2023 ... The South Australian Government and the RAA is switching on the first of 54 DC rapid and ultra-rapid charging stations in the Statewide EV Charging Network, in Nuriootpa.

After 33 years in business, the family-owned and operated business Kaniva Bus Service owned by Steve and Annie Austin, has been sold to Wimmera Roadways. Kaniva Bus Service was originally begun by Norm Austin, Jack and Sandy Goldsworthy in 1953 whilst they were running Kaniva Motors.

The NSW Government has rolled out 80 new four-wheel drive ambulances across the state, which will allow paramedics to access patients in challenging terrain, the NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park announced on 13 June 2023. These purpose built 4WD ambulance vehicles are used to access patients in situations where standard ambulances would not be able to, particularly in regional and remote areas.

Local train enthusiasts couldn’t believe their eyes or good fortune on Tuesday morning, when an enormously long train, estimated to be up to a kilometre-and-a-half in length, passed through Donald, heading north, towards Mildura ... There was no official word on what was the purpose of the train might be, but one theory was that is was a test run to check the suitability of the Mildura to Melbourne line to transfer freight.

The State Government is being urged to provide funding certainty for the Mode Shift Incentive Scheme (MSIS) to encourage more freight on to rail. The MSIS is an incentive program providing financial support to rail freight companies to make the cost of transporting goods on rail more competitive ... Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said the MSIS program allowed regional rail freight operators to offer competitive transport options for exporters, encouraging them to use rail instead of road transport to get their goods to the Port of Melbourne.

Fin Hansen. Elderly people and those with disabilities are being encouraged to sit back while someone else pedals. Wallaroo Community Development Association has launched a Cycling Without Age chapter and purchased a trishaw bike to transport people across the Copper Coast comfortably.

Barkly Regional Deal Backbone Team has secured five tractor packages to improve services in the bush. The funding package from the Barkly Regional Deal Community Projects Fund will enable communities to look after their Country in a range of ways including slashing grass, building fire breaks, moving wrecked cars and rubbish to make their communities safer.

Electric vehicles were the focus of a Totally Renewable Denmark showcase on May 21 at Berridge Park with keen interest among the group. Apart from promoting ‘electrify everything’ running off ‘renewable energy’, TRD’s objective is ‘reduction revolution’ which means considering resource consumption when swapping goods for electric ones.

LifeFlight Australia’s highly anticipated, brand new Roma helicopter base has officially opened its doors, with a formal ceremony on 30 May 2023, to mark the momentous occasion ... “For people in real need in isolated circumstances – there is no sight better than the vision of a LifeFlight rescue helicopter coming into view during an emergency”: Australian Country Choice CEO Anthony Lee.

Following Rex Airlines’ decision to exit its operations from Whyalla, Qantas has announced additional flights to help address the gap that will be created by Rex’s departure ... “There is still a lot of work to be done to fill the gaps in service, so we are working extensively with the broader airline industry to explore options to help minimise the impact of Rex’s decision”: Mayor Phill Stone.

Over the past month, eleven planes from ‘Flight Training Adelaide’ have flown into Nhill. The pilots are all trainees from Hong Kong, sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airlines. Flying Austrian-built Diamond Star aircraft, with their 180 hp Lycoming engines, the pilots have been doing flying navigation exercises, learning to use maps rather than GPS technology.

Two 52-year-old Queensland-built, 2000 class ‘Silver Bullet’ railmotors are part of 29 new Outback Queensland visitor experiences for 2023. Longreach-based Outback Rail Adventures’ facilities including workshop and storage area and rail sidings were officially opened by Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy.

The significant transformation of Australia’s agricultural industry is represented by the extraordinary McDonald ‘Imperial’ oil ‘EB’ tractor, which is going on display in the Museum’s Gandel Atrium ... “The McDonald ‘EB’ oil tractor represents a theme of Australian innovation in a revolutionary era for engineering. This acquisition represents our agricultural history, and we are thrilled to share it with Australia": Dr Mathew Trinca, National Museum Director.

Will Hunter. Trucking businesses across the country will have less money in their wallets following the federal government’s budget announcement to raise the heavy vehicle road user charge ... Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the change would disproportionally affect regional Australians who relied heavily on trucking for the delivery of goods. He said it was unconscionable for truck drivers to be lumped with an increase to the road user charge despite there being no significant investment back into road infrastructure.

The Classic is being held at the Toowoomba Aerodrome on Sunday 21 May ... The day attracts some 400 vehicles and 30 to 40 aircrafts with some 4,000 people attending. The mix of classic vehicles and warbirds make for a unique atmosphere and this year the Jensen Car Club will hold its Club National Rally.

Alyssa Walker. The Charlton Show ‘N’ Shine started with a sound. A low roaring, a rumbling you could feel in your chest, reverberated throughout the community, as the Ford Coupe Club of Australia drove down the highway. It was one of those whims of chance that Craig, the Ford Club president, had chosen to stop in at the Charlton bakery; and it was even more coincidental that Greg had happened to be in said bakery when he heard the thrum of the engines.