Stop building on floodplains chorus growing
Rodney Stevens. The united chorus of ‘Stop building on Floodplains’ from federal and state leaders during the devastating and ongoing flooding in NSW during 2022 could reshape communities and country towns. Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt last week called for new laws to be introduced to stop homes being built on floodplains and other disaster-prone areas.
Historic Old School at Beechmont gets a smart new look
With a new roof and a fresh coat of paint, the historic Old School at Beechmont has a smart new look ... "The Old School is part of the history of Beechmont and will be an important community centre well into the future as a venue for weddings, functions and local events which bring locals together and attract visitors to the region": Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen.
Have your say on the future of cycling in regional WA: Saffioti
People living in regional Western Australia are being invited to complete a Department of Transport survey to help shape the future of bike riding in their local community. Three surveys targeting people who live in or visit the Gascoyne, Great Southern, and Kalgoorlie-Boulder regions are now open for comment on the My Say Transport website, with the resulting feedback used to shape long-term cycling strategies for each region.
Farmers and regional Victorians miss out on election promises: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has revealed its State Election Scorecard rating the promises made by the major parties ahead of this weekend’s election. The VFF’s Election Scorecard scores the promises made by Labor and the Coalition according to the commitments that the VFF sought as part of its ‘Fair Go for Regional Vic’ campaign.
Emergency funding pipeline critical for grain flow: GPA
Grain Producers Australia is calling on federal political leaders to deliver urgent solutions to fix infrastructure damage that’s having devastating impacts on farm viability and community safety ... The severe and untimely weather is also having a major impact on local road networks, exacerbating an already strained grains supply chain – not only on the east coast of Australia.
Victorian Goldfields Railway
2022 has been a busy year for the staff and volunteers of the Victorian Goldfields Railway. In addition to operating trains every Wednesday and Sunday throughout the year, 2022 has seen a very popular program of special trains operated, including Murder on the Orient Express Driver Experiences and the ever-popular Ales on Rails trains.
Floods impact businesses as supplies run short
Major flooding of the Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera is having such a detrimental effect on local business that some have been forced to close their doors. One of the main problems these businesses are facing is delivery trucks being unable to access the town due to flood-affected roads being closed. One business which has been badly affected this week was the Early Opener, which could have temporarily changed its name to the Early Closer on Monday.
Upwards trend in airport travellers
There has been a positive trend of increasing Regional Express passenger numbers at Narrandera-Leeton Airport since the beginning of 2022. Narrandera Shire Council’s General Manager George Cowan advised that positive comments continue to be received from Regional Express that the Sydney – Narrandera/Leeton – Griffith route was one of their most profitable routes flown.
Bulka bags fill breach
A complex aerial operation has placed bulka bags filled with 78,000 kilograms of sand along a levee bank west of the Loddon River at Kerang. The levee bank, situated near properties and major arterial roads linking Kerang to Swan Hill, Boort and Quambatook, breached when the Loddon River reached major flood levels in late October.
Trains return to Kerang
Kendall Jennings. It has been nearly a month since public transport was available from the Kerang Railway Station, halted by the floods. The Swan Hill line was reactivated on Saturday, November 12, running trains for the entire service after the line was inspected and passed last week.
Reconsider all travel as floods wreak havoc on roads in regional NSW: Farraway
Motorists are being urged to reconsider their travel plans, after floodwaters closed or damaged major roads and highways across the Central Tablelands, Central West, Orana and Far West. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said heavy storms on Sunday and Monday morning brought falls of 120 millimetres of rain from the Blue Mountains to the Far West, causing significant damage to roads, bridges and transport infrastructure.
North Queensland flood warning infrastructure project complete: Miles
An $8 million project to upgrade North Queensland’s flood warning network is now complete with 180 new flood warning assets installed across 28 council areas in the Far North, North and North West of the state.
Australia’s first renewable hydrogen microgrid powers up WA: Johnston, MacTiernan
Australia's first remote renewable hydrogen microgrid has launched in Denham in Western Australia's Gascoyne region ... Once fully operational in early 2023, the plant is expected to be able to power the average demands of 100 households or 20 per cent of Denham's residents and businesses.
Electric vehicles travel to the moon and back on NSW charging network: Kean, Farraway
The NSW Government and NRMA charging network has enabled more than 13 million zero emission kilometres – or the distance to the moon and back more than 30 times – of electric vehicle (EV) travel across the state. The impressive milestone was reached as the network continues to expand, with new chargers along the Mitchell Highway at Nyngan and Bourke and out to Brewarrina along the Kamilaroi Highway.
Earl calls for sustainable organic growth
Chris Oldfield. Naracoorte Lucindale Council candidate Julie Earl is eager to save the North Parklands and allow the town to grow “sustainably and organically”, using 160-170 vacant blocks on the market. She was asked her first question by Jennifer Grundy if she thought there was a limit on development and population growth during the next four years.
Hume Dam releases to increase further ahead of weekend rain: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority will increase the release of water from Hume Dam [Friday 11 November] morning ahead of potentially heavy rainfall from Sunday 13 November as forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology. Releases from Hume Dam will increase from 85 gigalitres (GL) per day to 95 GL per day.
Floods hit Narrandera – SES among the heroes of the event
Major flooding of the Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera has led to the evacuation of residents in 14 households south of town. Warnings for major flooding are still in place. Narrandera Shire Council Deputy General Manager Infrastructure Shane Wilson said ... the volume of water flowing through the river in a 24-hour period was 130,000 Ml megalitres which equated to 130,000 Olympic swimming pools as against the normal flow rate of 40 megalitres. SES volunteers are keeping a close watch on water levels and checking on residents in low lying areas.
Spray, smash and grab – vandals attack pool and park
The Woodenbong Pool and the new playground next to the pool were damaged by vandals on the weekend ... “This latest incident follows a series of incidents in Kyogle and other villages, and in particular the Kyogle pool and surrounding precinct. This increase in vandalism and destructive behaviour is of particular concern to council, and alarmingly the majority of those involved are children”: Kyogle Council general manger Graham Kennett.
Gingin given deadline to finalise a Lancelin foreshore project
The Shire of Gingin has been given a deadline to finalise a Lancelin foreshore re-development with the Albanese Government confirming it has closed a grant program, which the former government used to promise the shire funding for the project. Former Pearce MHR Christian Porter promised the Shire of Gingin $250,000 towards a redevelopment of Cunliffe St.
Community really does give a dam: Bowen River Utilities
‘Overwhelming relief’ was the reaction from locals this week when the proponents of the Urannah Dam travelled to personally speak with them and reassure them that the Urannah project was still going ahead ... The job creation opportunities and the enormous boost that the project will bring to struggling businesses when construction finally commences, was also a big topic when talking about the many benefits of the Urannah Dam.
Work starts on Tamar Estuary health project: King, Ferguson, Barnett, Gibson
Work has begun to improve the health of Kanamaluka/Tamar estuary by reducing the frequency and volume of overflow events. As part of the Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan (TERHAP), a new underground diversion chamber will be sunk deep into the ground at the Margaret Street pump station.
Infrastructure Australia report vindicates the position of the Hartley Valley community
Infrastructure Australia has released its business case assessment of the East and West sections of the proposed upgrade of the Great Western Highway ... The Hartley Valley community has been vindicated by the Infrastructure Australia report and we are delighted the Federal Government’s infrastructure advisor has shown what a nonsense this upgrade of the East and West sections truly is.
