The Great Express wreck
John Williams. "Hang on, we are going to crash, look out", was the dramatic warning given to the driver of the second engine of the Adelaide-bound Express a few seconds before one of the biggest railway smashes in the history of Victoria. On the foggy night of September 7th 1951, Kaniva and Nhill fire brigades rushed to a reported train wreck involving two Expresses at Serviceton, just near the South Australian border.
Infighting over renewables rush: “Mallee farmers are not pawns”
Regional communities must not become collateral damage as Federal and Victorian Labor fight over their reckless renewables rush, Member for Mallee Anne Webster warns. The Albanese Labor Government last week blocked the Allan Labor Government’s plan to build a plant to assemble wind turbines for offshore wind farms, while Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio accused the Federal Government of sitting back and making the states do all the work in the energy transition.
Better energy consultation vital say farmers: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers are backing calls for the Federal Government to review community engagement on renewable energy projects to ensure smarter, safer and more sustainable solutions to power the nation ... “To date, many farmers have had a very disappointing experience with the community consultation – or lack thereof – around the transmission lines set to run through their properties," Ms Bowman said.
Tractors to be connected
Starlink is a low orbit satellite internet constellation operated by American aerospace company SpaceX ... John Deere will begin equipping new and existing machines across the United States and Brazil with Starlink to help connect farmers with high-speed internet so they can fully leverage precision agriculture technologies.
Mildura Weir named best maintained and managed asset along River Murray: MDBA
The 2023 JS Collings Trophy for excellence in maintaining major water management infrastructure on the River Murray has been awarded to Mildura Weir by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) ... "Mildura Weir comprises 24 steel trestles, each weighing approximately 11 tonnes, that can be winched from the river to allow maintenance, or to allow the safe passage of flood waters": MDBA’s Executive Director River Management, Andrew Reynolds.
Accessible Abrolhos infrastructure opens new world of possibilities: DBCA
Join wheelchair user Chris Kerr as she samples new disability-friendly infrastructure and equipment at Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park. You can't help but delight in her wonder and excitement as she's able to don mask and snorkel and descend into a magical underwater world at the Abrolhos for the first time.
Far North Queensland recovery works forge ahead: Mellish
Following a dedicated focus and significant effort from Department of Transport and Main Roads crews over the Christmas and New Year period, the Captain Cook Highway will reopen between Ellis Beach and Port Douglas ... Single lane closures however should be expected for an initial time period.
Florence gets on the move
A tunnel boring machine (TBM) working on the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project is operational again, 12 months after getting stuck in soft ground creating a large sinkhole above it.
Airport parallel taxiway project abandoned due to high costs
Narrandera Shire Council has discontinued the Narrandera-Leeton Airport parallel taxiway project after refusing to accept any of the tender submissions for the bulk earthwork, drainage and associated services required for construction of the taxiway due to all tendered prices exceeding the allocated budget.
Road repair funding needs reviewing
Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has backed recommendations for the federal government to review its funding to local government on road maintenance to improve rural roads following natural disasters.
Reckless renewables rush threatening energy grid
The State Government’s reckless rush to renewables is threatening Australia’s energy grid and the livelihoods of farmers and their communities, Member for Mallee Anne Webster says. In its draft 2024 Integrated System Plan (ISP) … (AEMO) has brought forward the expected exit of the network’s coal-fired power stations to 2038 - five years earlier than the 2022 ISP.
Large tree crushes car with five people inside
In a sudden storm several trees fell down on the Summerland Way at Leeville at 1.30pm, Saturday December 16. Emergency services were called to reports of a crash on the roadway near Crawford Road.
No-cost electricity can solve grid problems
Providing zero or low-cost energy during the solar peak is a way of dealing with stability problems in the Alice Springs electricity grid, says Anthony Seipolt of Cadency Consulting, an international expert on renewable power. The Alice Springs News asked him to comment on the two-year $12.5m Future Grid research project...
Greater protection of farmer rights needed under new transmission code: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is concerned not enough is being done to protect the rights of landholders when it comes to the development and operation of transmission lines across farmland … newly released Land Access Code of Practice falls short of offering farmers the protections they need.
Merivale Street to open soon
Work is nearing an end at the Merivale Street crossing on the western side of Allora. After being washed out by flooding the crossing will have a larger, more solid culvert.
Broadcasting plenty of birthday cheers
There wasn’t enough room to fit such a large number of candles on the cake, but the team at local radio station 2GF are proud to celebrate its 90th birthday this month ... 2GF has been a valued resource within the Clarence Valley community, and is widely renowned...
St Patrick’s get $2.9m boost
St Patrick’s School in Nhill is set to undergo significant improvements ... The funding, totalling $2,901,375, will enable the construction of a new general learning area, a covered outdoor area, and an administration area.
Community benefit fund for Campbells Bridge wind farm
Energy leader, RWE Renewables Australia, has announced details of a generous local Community Benefit Fund for the Campbells Bridge Wind Farm, if the project proceeds to operations ... Funding will be calculated at $3,200 per megawatt of project capacity.
Much ado about nothing, as it happens
The mooted Toowoomba North South Transport Corridor, first announced in July, has been scrapped by the Queensland Government following significant community backlash ... Under the proposed corridor, hundreds of properties would have been directly affected, including dozens at Westbrook, Wyreema and Vale View.
GBH redevelopment commitments confirmed amidst community concerns
A spokesperson for NSW Health Infrastructure has revealed planning for the Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) redevelopment is continuing, and confirmed there has been no change to the NSW Government’s $263.8 million investment commitment to improve health outcomes for residents of Grafton and surrounding communities ... following the recent release of the updated Clarence River Flood Model by CVC, there has been an increase in the Probable Maximum Flood Level across Grafton.
Locals put the wind up multinational energy company
The Southern Wimmera Renewables Research Association (SWRRA) formed in response to the announcement of plans for a wind facility at Campbells Bridge ... The association, made up by farmers and residents from the Southern Mallee, aims to accumulate and communicate information relating to the government’s plans for Renewable Energy (RE) within the region and the potential impacts, so that affected communities are adequately informed.
Buloke Times editorial: Nuclear power – is it time?
We have believed for a long time now that Australia’s ban on the use of nuclear energy, for the manufacture of anything but medical isotopes, was not justified. Politicians will generally not talk about it. But now we have some data put on the table, for consideration by the powers that be ... Taking Finland as a guide, their power station when it came online produced a drop of 75 per cent in the price of electricity.
