Infrastructure

In this article Robert Onfray details the lack of environmental scrutiny of the wind factories and pumped hydro projects built or planned in Queensland as the state sanctions the wholesale clearing of remnant native forest on the coastal ranges straddling the Great Dividing Range ... 10,178 hectares of koala and 6,744 hectares of greater glider habitats are set to disappear if all the renewable proposals in Queensland are approved ... "blunt force trauma" is to be used to euthanise injured animals or those that cannot be relocated, particularly koalas.

Even though additional funding for local road maintenance was welcomed last week by Member for Indi, Helen Haines, and she said it must be made available as a matter of urgency. A case in point is the Murray Valley Highway between Corryong and Wodonga where motorists continue to face delays at two locations near Old Tallangatta where traffic lights have been installed and one lane closed where subsidence has occurred.

As a part of the ongoing “Charging the Regions” project, Donald has seen the completion of its very own electric car charging station, located at 68A Woods Street.

The State Government cut $230 million from road safety programs across the past two years. At the same time it failed on its own targets to fix the road network, a Parliamentary inquiry heard last week ... This comes as Victoria is facing another horror road toll, with road deaths already 20 per cent higher than last year.

Today many in the Euroa community are celebrating a win for all who value the heritage and the broader history of their town.  Just as importantly the Euroa Community has again proven the strength of a strong community voice in dealing with a large uncaring corporation.  

Cambooya Landcare will host a workshop dealing with flood resilience and recovery at the Felton Hall this Saturday, 25th November. Intense rainfall events can damage farm, road and other infrastructure and lead to severe soil loss, with long term consequences for pasture and crop production and the health of creek systems.

The Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to apply to ICAC for a Special Rate Variation of 48.1 per cent to be introduced over two years, going against its general manager’s recommendation in favour of one year at 41.5 per cent. It will seek approval under section 508A of the Local Government Act 1993...

Construction on Australia’s newest major water infrastructure asset is now complete. The $568.9 million Rookwood Weir, west of Rockhampton, will yield 86,000 megalitres each year to boost economic growth, agricultural production and industry in Central Queensland.

GrainGrowers has welcomed the Federal Government's commitment to increase the Roads to Recovery funding program ... GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said last year’s repeated flood events and persistent and unprecedented rainfall has deteriorated critical road infrastructure across Australia’s grain-growing regions and exacerbated systemic underfunding of the regional road network.  

The National Farmers’ Federation has welcomed news the Federal Government will double the Roads to Recovery funding program, providing a much needed shot in the arm to dilapidated regional roads ... NFF President David Jochinke said this increased funding would provide key resources to local government to maintain local road networks.  

A renewables future is one step closer for the Tiwi Islands, with construction underway at the Wurrumiyanga Solar Infill and Energy Storage Pilot Project. Wurrumiyanga is home to over 2000 people, and soon it will be powered by 50 per cent renewable energy.

All NSW State Highways are now sealed, the Mount Manara stretch of the Ivanhoe-Wilcannia section of the Cobb Highway having the honour of being the last section, and it may be that NSW is the first state to have all highways sealed. Hon. Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, in a refreshing move away from the usual speech, began by acknowledging the work of previous governments and all those involved in the long campaign ...

Kyogle Council released its 2022/2023 Annual Report and it makes for interesting reading ... The numbers in the report tell a story about the council and the community it serves...

Southern Downs Regional Council has awarded the construction tender to redevelop the Warwick Saleyards with the primary objective of addressing animal welfare and workplace health and safety concerns ... Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said works are expected to commence shortly and the necessary upgrades will secure a sustainable future for the saleyards and support the region’s biggest industry.

Emma Pritchard & Rodney Stevens. Across the country, more than 10 million Optus customers were left red-faced on November 8 when one of Australia’s leading telecommunications networks experienced a nationwide outage, leaving many without phone and internet access for more than 12 hours ... Following the Optus outage, Australia’s transition to a cashless society has continued to fall under scrutiny.

The Albanese Government has released the Infrastructure Policy Statement to guide the Commonwealth’s funding of properly planned and targeted infrastructure to help unlock a range of significant economic, social and environmental objectives. For too long under the Coalition, Commonwealth infrastructure spending focused on electoral rather than national benefit … That needs to change: Catherine King

“When can we go back?”– a mother said her daughter keeps asking when she can return to school. The mother was speaking at the community meeting in June about reopening St Joseph’s Primary School in Woodburn that was flooded in February last year.

Longridge Board of Governance … have become increasingly concerned about the forecast of intermittent power outages … Given that Longridge does not have a generator ... Bill Vine, recently contacted Tony Pasin … asking the question “why should Longridge need to go to the market to fund a generator?”

“What a difference a year makes,” said Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross, reflecting on his first 12 months as a civic leader. Tough economic conditions are gouging deep into the lives of many – a direct contrast to that leading up to last year’s November 10 SA local government elections.