New plan outlines the Gannawarra’s flood recovery targets
A new plan developed by Gannawarra Shire Council in partnership with more than 30 agencies will guide the Gannawarra’s recovery from the October-December 2022 floods. The Gannawarra Municipal Flood Recovery Plan features 48 priority actions across 11 recovery target areas that Council and other agencies will work on to guide recovery efforts.
New SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework an Australian first: Powerlink
Powerlink has developed a new framework – the SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework - that significantly boosts payments to landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure. Under the new framework, Queensland landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure will receive higher payments.
Enabling a stronger and more resilient defence industry: Fyles
The Northern Territory is currently on show at the Northern Australia Defence Summit – a key industry event to promote opportunities and enhance support for the defence industry. The Northern Territory is positioned as a key enabler for defence in the Indo-Pacific region and the Northern Territory Government is undertaking a range of strategic investments to support a capable and resilient defence industry.
Warwick to have less playgrounds
Playgrounds are important spaces for the community to enjoy, and the Southern Downs Regional Council has a duty of care to maintain equipment so it is safe to use and compliant with Australian standards and guidelines. Council’s Manager Parks and Operations Chris Collingwood said Council’s unwavering priority is community safety.
Inland Rail Review outcomes for Gowrie to Kagaru projects: ARTC
In line with the Government’s response to the independent Inland Rail review, ARTC is now taking a staged approach to deliver Inland Rail. The section of Inland Rail between Beveridge in Victoria and Parkes in New South Wales (NSW) has been prioritised for completion by 2027.
The Nationals shine light on renewables impact: Littleproud, Boyce, Landry
Leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud, Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce, and Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, and have joined local Kalapa graziers in central Queensland to see first-hand the impact renewable projects will have on the region’s environment and communities. It comes amid concerns over a planned 10,910-hectare Moah wind farm project, 30 kilometres west of Rockhampton.
Diesel tax to hit truckies in the hip pocket
Will Hunter. Trucking businesses across the country will have less money in their wallets following the federal government’s budget announcement to raise the heavy vehicle road user charge ... Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the change would disproportionally affect regional Australians who relied heavily on trucking for the delivery of goods. He said it was unconscionable for truck drivers to be lumped with an increase to the road user charge despite there being no significant investment back into road infrastructure.
Old meets new: Rail Trail takes out top gong in National Trust Heritage Awards
A commitment to preserving and celebrating the heritage of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) has been acknowledged with an award at the prestigious National Trust Heritage Awards. The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail took out first place in the Conservation – Landscape category of the Awards at a ceremony in Sydney on Friday 12 May.
Yellow lights won’t fix potholes: Bev McArthur
... Victoria, the state whose debt is greater than the combined debt of NSW, Queensland and Tasmania, will illuminate multiple iconic venues across Victoria in yellow this week. It is being done in the memory of those “impacted by road trauma, to mark National Road Safety Week.” While the symbolism and education is worthy, Member for Western Victoria and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Road Safety, Bev McArthur, said the Government’s money would be better spent actually fixing the state’s dreadful roads.
Buloke calls for better lines of consultation on VNI West Project
Buloke Shire Council has publicly expressed its concern about the consultation processes in relation to the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) Project and called for the project to be suspended.
Barkly on top of NT Budget: Paech
Nyinkka Nyunyu is set for a $7 million upgrade, announced in this week’s Territory Budget ... Speaking to the Tennant & District Times, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech said works include a new artist studio, upgraded gallery, performance and storage spaces and immersive audio visual displays and experiences that share history, stories, arts and culture.
Scrapping dam will hold back food production: NSW Farmers
Farmers say scrapping Dungowan Dam is a short-sighted move that will limit future food production. State Water Minister Rose Jackson announced Dungowan Dam would not proceed in the wake of the federal budget, saying it would save taxpayers $632 million.
Turf Club secret: What`s in that box?
The Alice Springs Turf Club is hosting Chinese satellite navigation equipment with potential military use and apparently without the knowledge of the Federal Government. This is alleged by a source, formerly linked to the company that supplied it, speaking with the Alice Springs News on the condition of not being named.
Dismal dollars in Budget for rural roads: NFF
Three peak bodies representing famers and transporters have raised concerns about the lack of sufficient additional funding in the Federal Budget to address the perilous state of flood impacted rural roads. In the lead up to the Budget, GrainGrowers, National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) called for an emergency funding package of nearly $5.5 billion, a call the Government answered with just $250 million in new funding.
Fix disability access to shops
A local disability advocate has called on some businesses in Naracoorte to fix access to their shops for people with mobility disabilities. Julie Brodie of the Naracoorte Counselling Association says the area of contention for people with mobility disabilities is by far the lack of access to certain shops in Naracoorte.
Local producers excited as micro abattoir draws closer
Eight years after its inception and almost 12 months after construction began, the Murray Plains Meat Co-Operative’s micro abattoir is reaching the final stages of licensing approval. The project will enable producers to have full control of the supply chain to ensure the ethical treatment of their animals and to value add their produce.
New youth detention centre to be built at Woodford: Linard
The first of two new youth detention centres for Queensland will be built at the Woodford Correctional Precinct north west of Brisbane ... The Palaszczuk Government has also committed to building a new youth detention centre near Cairns.
Construction of new cabins underway
West Wimmera Shire Council is pleased to announce that construction has commenced on the new cabins for the Kaniva Caravan Park. The new cabins are part of the 'Cabins Across the Wimmera Mallee: Strengthening the Visitor Economy' initiative, a collaboration between Council, the Wimmera Development Association, and Hindmarsh, Buloke, and Yarriambiack shires.
Budget 2023-24: Supporting a strong, secure and sustainable regional Australia: King
Developing the Regional Investment Framework - outlined in the 2023-24 Budget - puts regions and the people who live in them, at the heart of decision making. The Framework will establish a new regional development forum for Australian Government agencies, with regular engagement to better inform Commonwealth decisions ... The Framework identifies four key priority areas to support regional development – investing in services, people, places and industry.
Federal budget “falls short” for farmers and regional NSW: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers’ Association is disappointed the federal government has missed key opportunities in the federal budget to strengthen Australian agriculture and rural communities. President of NSW Farmers Xavier Martin said the federal budget has “fallen short” of expectations, particularly around the significant biosecurity threats Australian farmers face.
‘Cost of living’ budget does little to stem rising food prices as farmers taxed more: NFF
Tonight’s ‘cost of living’ budget is a missed opportunity to address food price inflation, according to Australia’s peak farm body. National Farmers’ Federation President, Fiona Simson, said the budget does nothing to get to the heart of rampant food price inflation – which NFF polling shows is weighing on the minds of 8 in 10 Australians.
Budget a mixed result for grains industry: GrainGrowers
The federal budget has delivered a mixed result for rural Australia, with GrainGrowers expressing disappointment and calling for additional work in a number of areas ... While welcoming the steadfast commitment to maintaining Fuel Tax Credits and the extra attention to childcare, GrainGrowers said the government had missed a range of valuable investment opportunities for grain growers.
