Urban Solar Parks – unlocking rooftops, protecting farmland, and lowering energy costs: Cleeland
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP, has announced a major shift in Victoria’s energy planning, with a proposal to roll out Urban Solar Parks across industrial and commercial precincts if elected to government in November. The policy would transform large rooftops on warehouses, factories, shopping centres and industrial estates into energy hubs...
A new hope emerges to put Australians first under a Coalition government: Webster
Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said she is proud to see the strong theme of Nationals-driven policies in the Coalition’s vision for the budget, including enabling infrastructure for housing and putting an end to destructive ‘Net Zero’ ideology. “After four wasteful and divisive years of Labor government, by contrast the Coalition has demonstrated the competency and experience in Government to serve all Australians."
Timber Towns Victoria takes roads, AI fire cameras and policy to Parliament House: TTV
TTV met with six parties yesterday, calling for pre-election commitments on three policies, one of which proves technology that has already detected 90 unplanned fires across Victoria in two seasons.
Haines claims Budget victories
The Federal Budget on Tuesday night delivered on some of her key priorities but still falls short on addressing the basic needs and long-term prosperity of regional Australia, says the Federal Member for Indi, Helen Haines ... When outlining her priorities with the Treasurer ahead of the budget, Dr Haines had urged the government to deliver meaningful tax reforms, which she welcomed.
Mixed responses to the 2026-27 Budget
The May Budget delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers has elicited criticism, and some praise, from many quarters, as illustrated by the following statements from the National Party, Beyond Zero Emissions, National Farmers' Federation and the NFF Horticulture Council, National Seniors Australia, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals, TasFarmers, Grain Producers Australia and NSW Farmers.
The Coalition launches ‘Rescue our Rail’ petition: Canavan, McKenzie
The Coalition has launched a ‘Rescue our Rail’ petition, to fight for Australia’s critical Inland Rail project. Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said Labor’s decision to scrap the Inland Rail project halfway through was devastating for regional communities and must be overturned.
Scant detail for proposed Yanchep Police station relocation
Two days before the State Budget the Cook Government announced it was investing in providing the Yanchep Police station a new home ... Mr Whitby’s joint pre-budget statement with Butler MLA Lorna Clarke said the Yanchep Police station would move from its current location ... Under new initiatives the State Budget papers one item is listed for the Yanchep Police station.
Cook Labor Government delivering for regional Western Australia: Cook, Dawson
The Cook Labor Government is delivering for regional Western Australia in the 2026-27 State Budget through investments in health, housing and jobs for the regions, while providing significant cost-of-living relief for families.
Concern for historic artefacts
The sudden structural emergency that necessitated the closure of Maldon Museum has left the tenant organisation concerned about the building’s contents. The Maldon Museum and Archives Association says it was not given any notice that the building would be closed ... calling for a meeting with Council to discuss protecting the museum collection.
Sniffing out savings: Danny the detection dog to target hidden water leaks
Danny the leak detection dog and his handler set to arrive in the region this May, bringing technology typically used in major city networks to remote communities. “This is the kind of technology you’d usually see in large urban networks, and we’re now trialling it here in Cook Shire,” Mayor Holmes said.
Silkwood expansion set to take shape with landmark parks investment: Boothby
In an historic move, the Finocchiaro CLP Government last year purchased the 30,000 hectare Silkwood property near Litchfield National Park – the single-biggest expansion to the Territory parks estate in a generation.
Farmers betrayed as AusNet moves to compulsory acquire farms: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has labelled AusNet’s application for compulsory land acquisition powers for the Western Renewables Link (WRL) as a disgrace, warning it represents a huge escalation in pressure tactics against regional landholders.
NSW Farmers calls for answers on Inland Rail
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin says the Albanese Government needs to provide answers after it scrapped a multi billion dollar freight project that was poised to connect productive farming businesses and communities across the country. “NSW Farmers policy supported Inland Rail because moving freight more efficiently matters to farm businesses, regional communities, and the prosperity of the nation,” Mr Martin said.
Wrong corridor killed Queensland’s Inland Rail — A decade of failure demands a fresh start: Littleproud
The decision by the Albanese Labor Government to abandon the Queensland leg of the Inland Rail project is a devastating but not surprising blow to regional Queensland. Mr Littleproud said it was a failure that has its roots in a fundamentally flawed corridor decision made over a decade ago that has given the Albanese government the excuse to cut and run. When then-Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce selected the Queensland corridor, it was routed through flood-prone land that was always going to require hundreds of millions of dollars in additional engineering...
A new rail reality for New England
The reported decision by the Australian Government to scale back Inland Rail to Parkes has quietly reshaped the transport future of inland eastern Australia. For communities across the New England region, it raises an important question: what now fills the missing rail link to Queensland?
Record investment in the freight rail network and consolidating Inland Rail: King
The Albanese Government is today announcing a further $1.75 billion investment to improve the productivity, resilience and reliability of Australia’s freight rail network, alongside a $55 million incentive scheme to get more freight moving by rail and sea ... The Government has taken the decision to consolidate the Inland Rail project...
Queensland Fuel Security Plan – New fuel storage and refining projects to help restore fuel security: Crisafulli, Bleijie
The Crisafulli Government is restoring Queensland’s fuel security under a plan to drill, refine and store fuel locally, with plans to unlock additional fuel storage and refining at Queensland ports. The Government ... launched expressions of interest for the industry to bring forward fuel refining and/or storage proposals on Government owned sites and ports...
Not a luxury: Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association challenges ‘universal’ mobile coverage at Senate inquiry: ICPA
“Mobile connectivity in the regions is not a luxury; it is a critical and essential service.” That was the tone set at the Senate inquiry into the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025 where the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) gave evidence on behalf of remote families.
Renewables lift supply share as batteries re-shape energy markets: AEMO
Renewable generation growth and rising battery participation continued to reshape Australia’s east coast electricity system in the first quarter of 2026, alongside a year-on-year decline in wholesale prices, according to AEMO’s Quarterly Energy Dynamics (QED) report published today.
Students gain insight into engineering careers
Regional high school students have been given a hands-on look at the future of engineering, with a long-running Riverina program continuing to be a potential pathway to careers in the field ... Working in teams, they tackled problem-solving, applied engineering theory and gained first-hand insight into industry practices to construct a fully functional bridge...
Seven Cities to drive next wave of regional economic development: Cook, Dawson
The Cook Labor Government has today launched its Seven Cities vision for regional Western Australia - a long-term plan to unlock the next wave of regional economic development and deliver quality infrastructure and services throughout the State.
Securing more fuel and fertiliser: Albanese, Farrell, Bowen, Collins
Under the Albanese Government’s new Strategic Reserve powers, a further 200 million litres of additional diesel for Australia has been secured, and work has commenced with leading fertiliser companies to secure more supply at this critical time in the growing season.
