Friday, March 29, 2024

CATEGORY

Infrastructure

Some practical tips for being prepared

At recent Birchip and Wycheproof Probus Club meetings, an intriguing question from the Buloke Shire Council’s Community Recovery Team kicked off an essential conversation: “If you had to leave your home in a hurry, what would you take?” This question opened up a broader discussion on emergency preparedness, emphasising the need to know what to pack and where to find reliable information.

Weir wants facilities upgrade

Member for Condamine Pat Weir has used a speech in Parliament to call for more investment to improve sporting facilities in the Toowoomba Region ... "The Toowoomba region was hopeful of a significant economic opportunity for its growing community with the announcement of the Olympic Games, especially given its close proximity to Brisbane and ongoing advocacy for a passenger rail connection to the south-east corner," he told Parliament.

Community update on Newstead solar farm

The Newstead Community Energy Project (aka solar farm) will be commissioned during the second half of 2024 (date TBC). The inverter, solar panels and most of the tracking system have been installed.

Farmers attack energy fast-track

The state government’s new policy to fast-track renewable energy projects by accelerating planning approvals has been strongly attacked by Victoria’s peak farming body and one of the state’s leading planning experts. The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) said the policy was a slap in the face after years of sham consultation with farming communities, while the RMIT Emeritus Professor of Environment and Planning, Michael Buxton, said it would lead to “terrible decisions”, with wind and solar farms being “placed in the wrong location".

VicGrid study area released

VicGrid has released its study area for the new transmission infrastructure through South Gippsland that will transport energy from offshore wind into the Latrobe Valley (LV) electricity grid. The study area starts about six kilometres from the coast near Giffard and travels north-west past Stradbroke West, to Willung, across to Flynns Creek and on to the Loy Yang power station.

Interstate farmers unite in the face of transmission lines

Victorian and Tasmanian farmer peak bodies have produced a policy for developers who want to build infrastructure, such as transmission lines for renewable energy, across their farmland. They warned that since the year 2000, Australia’s available arable land had been reduced by 15 per cent, much of it lost to infrastructure development and urban sprawl. The policy has been released as Gippsland farmers face plans for pipelines and transmission lines across their land as part of the state government’s energy policy, which aims to link offshore wind farms to the Latrobe Valley energy network.

“Delay 3G shutdown” after inquiry established: Roberts

The Senate has voted in favour of a One Nation motion establishing an inquiry into the looming 3G mobile network shutdown. One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts said telecommunications companies must delay the 3G shutdown until the inquiry concludes:...

Regional leaders ready to embrace net zero – but information void still a major hurdle: RAI

“The net zero transition will deliver a fundamental change to the way regional economies operate. Our research has found there is a deep thirst for information specific to how a low-carbon future will play out in a regional context”: Regional Australia Institute CEO, Liz Ritchie.

Smiles in the miles as Casino to Bentley Rail Trail opens

It’s been 10 years in the making – the rail trail is complete and you can ride, walk, take a trishaw, take the dog or run the Casino to Bentley Rail Trail. It is more than 13 km tracking through farmland with cows grazing against a backdrop of soft, green hills.

Toowoomba stadium upgrade quashed

Toowoomba’s 2032 Olympics future is in question following Monday’s announcement by Premier Steven Miles that plans to upgrade Toowoomba Sports Ground (Clive Berghofer Stadium) will not proceed. Premier Miles made the announcement on Monday, following the release of the 60-day Sport Venue Review of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venue infrastructure completed by an independent panel led by former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.

Haines pushes priority budget projects

Independent Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has made the case for significant investment in projects that benefit communities in the electorate in her submission to the federal government ahead of the May budget. The key themes of Dr Haines’ Indi Budget Submission reflect the widespread concerns of the electorate right now including increasing regional housing supply, providing cost-of-living relief and improving health outcomes.

Experts query wind plans costs and timing

The state government is accelerating planning approvals for renewable projects as several energy experts have predicted that Victoria's wind energy will be more expensive and will take longer to meet targets than the government has estimated. The Premier, Jacinta Allan, last week announced renewable projects will be eligible for an accelerated planning pathway under the Development Facilitation Program (DFP).

Liberals seek nuclear social licence

With the Latrobe Valley a possible site for a nuclear power station, the federal Opposition has upped the argument for nuclear as a possible way for the nation to lower greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a reliable and cheaper energy supply.

James Lister MP wants answers

Today (Tuesday 19th) in parliament I tabled a question to the Energy Minister Mick de Brenni about what’s going on. What plans discussions has the state government had with Wind Prospects Pty Ltd about renewable energy projects in our back yard?

Power poles

Walk out your front door and look down the street.  If you are in the regions or in suburbia, then you will look at a tall wooden pole that carries the cables that gives you electricity. Have you taken much notice of them?  Probably not, but the pole is native hardwood harvested from a native forest where, through the application of science, it was encouraged to grow that straight.  Timber power poles are selectively harvested from regrowth or working forests.

Three stars for Upper Yorke Road

Michelle Daw. Tens of millions of dollars will be spent upgrading Upper Yorke Road, following a determined five-year campaign by locals ... Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis hailed the announcement as a tremendous boost for YP’s road network.

Going solar suits some but those living near proposed Richmond Valley Solar Farm are not happy

Let’s go solar. Across the world, in Australia and NSW, there is a push for alternative energy including wind and solar power ... IndyNR.com spoke to a resident ... She is opposed to the Richmond Valley Solar Farm. She has many reasons for her opposition including the fire risk of the proposed large BESS.

The future is nearly here with biohub expected to be built by 2025

In years to come Casino could be known not only for its beef industry but for its innovation and sustainability. Visitors may still come to tour the Casino Food Co-op abattoir and packaging centre but there is likely to be great interest in seeing the workings of the biohub next door that creates energy from the nutrient-rich waste at the Co-op site.

Renewables fast-track steam rolls farmers: VFF

The VFF says the Victorian Government’s fast-tracking of renewable energy projects by accelerating planning approvals is a slap in the face after years of sham consultation with farming communities. VFF President Emma Germano said the green-lighting of major renewable projects adds to a poor-track record of consulting landholders set to be impacted and risks further alienating already frustrated farmers across Victoria.

Government hasn’t given up on Basin plan says Minister

"I’ve been very clear that my government does not support buybacks. This is not an empty promise – I have already demonstrated that I am taking action by releasing the NSW Alternatives to Buybacks Plan in February that clearly shows how we plan to minimise the exposure of regional communities to water buybacks": NSW Minister for Water, Rose Jackson.

Day of the outages

Sarah Herrmann. Several Wool Bay residents were frustrated by more than 30 momentary power outages ... which reportedly damaged appliances, adding to a steady stream of blackouts for the small township over multiple years ... "The biggest worry we’ve got is that we rely on CPAP machines at night time; medically, we’ve got to have it otherwise we could not wake up": Dave Norton, Wool Bay resident.

Mayoral matters

Cr Brett Ireland, Mayor. Congratulations to the community groups and businesses who received grant funding at our last council meeting through our Business Assistance Grants and Community Action Grants. We hope this money enhances or completes a variety of projects within our shire. We met with community members from Dimboola regarding the future of the senior citizens building in their town.

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