Harwood Marine’s $1.3m barge refit for accommodation
A huge vessel being guided into the Port of Yamba by two tugs and a pilot boat last weekend is now berthed at its temporary home, Harwood Marine ... “Harwood Marine previously has done work for TSA and have now been engaged to build a floating accommodation block for the vessel”: Harwood Marine owner Ross Roberts.
As Coen receives a resupply, Council urges communities to ‘Get Ready!’
Cook Shire Council worked with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, local businesses and wholesale suppliers to coordinate delivery of essential supplies to the regional land-locked community of Coen, the Shire’s second largest township, and northern-most hub.
Bonza set for takeoff: King
The Australian Government welcomes the entry of a new airline into the Australian market, with Bonza today being granted its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) following a rigorous assessment process. This is a significant milestone for Australian aviation, marking the first new high-capacity entrant into the Australian market since the launch of Tiger Airways over 15 years ago.
E-scooters trial has some beaming, others boiling
Patricia Gill. Eighty shared e-scooters began operation in Denmark this month to a mixed response about safety concerns. Over the Christmas/New Year holidays residents reported on social media about young people riding the scooters at night and on roads disregarding road rules.
Youths smash Memo bus windows twice in a week
Passengers aboard the Memo Club’s courtesy bus last Saturday received a shock when a rock came flying through the side window, shattering glass everywhere. Luckily the passengers were uninjured, however it meant the Memo was without a bus for a few days while it was in for repairs.
Firefighting choppers arrived
In preparation for summer fires, two firefighting helicopters arrived in Bendigo this week. The helicopters will be used throughout the bushfire season by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) to respond to fires across Central Victoria.
Cane grower’s plea for assistance
The NSW sugar industry is putting out a call for truck drivers, in a race to finalise the harvest and crushing of this years’ northern rivers sugarcane crop. Thousands of tonnes of sugarcane remain unharvested due to a shortage of truck drivers.
Railway history
A History of the Castlemaine to Maryborough Railway is a recently published book written by Ken James and David Langley. At 428 pages, it’s a doorstopper of a book that is painstakingly researched, well-illustrated and comprehensive in its scope. For railway tragics and history buffs, it’s a must-buy; and for others, it’s a cracking good read.
Boats torn to shreds by sudden off-shore storm
Sarah Martin. Seasoned sailors have warned of the importance of remote telecommunications and being prepared following a freak storm that left dozens of yachts damaged at Lizard Island. Watson’s Bay, a popular anchorage on the northern side of Lizard Island and home to some of the world’s most pristine reefs, had about 25 vessels anchored when a freak storm with winds over 100km/h burst in from the north.
The debacle of Ansett flying boat, Pacific Chieftain
On the evening of 2nd of July 1963, Pacific Chieftain was moored overnight - just south of Blackburn Island - when a gale snapped its mooring and the aircraft was washed up near Windy Point.
ARTC Inland Rail opens track between Narrabri and Moree: King
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has opened 83km of upgraded Inland Rail track between Moree and Narrabri, with the first grain train set to run in the coming days. With trains now running on this section of track for the first time in seven months, ARTC is urging people travelling on roads between Narrabri and Moree to take extra care near the rail line and at all level crossings.
Detour distress
On any given day, the streets of Moulamein would see the odd fisherman or ute laden with dogs trundling by, but not last week. Moulamein was the highway of detour distress ... From road trains to hot rods, race cars to caravans, Moulamein exploded with Sturt Highway traffic desperately trying to find their way without the traditional Sydney to Adelaide route.
Lake Macquarie welcomes e-scooter trial: Stokes
Lake Macquarie will be the first council area in the state to welcome shared e-scooters, with a 12-month trial along selected routes to begin from Monday December 5. Minister for Active Transport Rob Stokes said the NSW Government has worked closely with Lake Macquarie’s economic development company Dantia and e-scooter provider Beam to ensure the trial will benefit their community and put safety first.
Have your say on the future of cycling in regional WA: Saffioti
People living in regional Western Australia are being invited to complete a Department of Transport survey to help shape the future of bike riding in their local community. Three surveys targeting people who live in or visit the Gascoyne, Great Southern, and Kalgoorlie-Boulder regions are now open for comment on the My Say Transport website, with the resulting feedback used to shape long-term cycling strategies for each region.
Victorian Goldfields Railway
2022 has been a busy year for the staff and volunteers of the Victorian Goldfields Railway. In addition to operating trains every Wednesday and Sunday throughout the year, 2022 has seen a very popular program of special trains operated, including Murder on the Orient Express Driver Experiences and the ever-popular Ales on Rails trains.
Floods impact businesses as supplies run short
Major flooding of the Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera is having such a detrimental effect on local business that some have been forced to close their doors. One of the main problems these businesses are facing is delivery trucks being unable to access the town due to flood-affected roads being closed. One business which has been badly affected this week was the Early Opener, which could have temporarily changed its name to the Early Closer on Monday.
Upwards trend in airport travellers
There has been a positive trend of increasing Regional Express passenger numbers at Narrandera-Leeton Airport since the beginning of 2022. Narrandera Shire Council’s General Manager George Cowan advised that positive comments continue to be received from Regional Express that the Sydney – Narrandera/Leeton – Griffith route was one of their most profitable routes flown.
Trains return to Kerang
Kendall Jennings. It has been nearly a month since public transport was available from the Kerang Railway Station, halted by the floods. The Swan Hill line was reactivated on Saturday, November 12, running trains for the entire service after the line was inspected and passed last week.
More funding for patients who must travel for specialised treatments
There’s more financial support for Northern Rivers residents who have to travel a long way for specialist medical treatment. The state government recently added $150 million to the Isolated Patients Travel Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) that is for regional patients.
Reconsider all travel as floods wreak havoc on roads in regional NSW: Farraway
Motorists are being urged to reconsider their travel plans, after floodwaters closed or damaged major roads and highways across the Central Tablelands, Central West, Orana and Far West. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said heavy storms on Sunday and Monday morning brought falls of 120 millimetres of rain from the Blue Mountains to the Far West, causing significant damage to roads, bridges and transport infrastructure.
Electric vehicles travel to the moon and back on NSW charging network: Kean, Farraway
The NSW Government and NRMA charging network has enabled more than 13 million zero emission kilometres – or the distance to the moon and back more than 30 times – of electric vehicle (EV) travel across the state. The impressive milestone was reached as the network continues to expand, with new chargers along the Mitchell Highway at Nyngan and Bourke and out to Brewarrina along the Kamilaroi Highway.
Lady Ningaloo casts off on the Gascoyne coast: MacTiernan
Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan has launched Dive Ningaloo's new dive charter vessel at an official naming ceremony in Exmouth. The newly restored Lady Ningaloo will provide tourists with access to the underwater wonderland of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef and Muiron Islands.
