Infrastructure

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.