Could these hydropanels be a game changer in Cape?
A pilot program in Mapoon has implemented climate-resilient drinking water technology. The council has partnered with Source Global to deliver a resilient, sustainable, and off-grid drinking water solution for locals. Ten hydropanels were installed behind the new cultural centre to make clean, safe drinking water.
Spruce up for some town buildings and memorabilia
Rex Mansfield, a roving painter is in town working on some much needed repainting of the town’s old business fronts and iconic installations. He has started in Ray Hunter Park where he is putting the finishing touches to the “Barkindji Fish”, the original creation of the late Karen Riley. The Barrow & Co steam engine has been finished.
Concept plans ready for new youth recreation area at Tweed Heads
With construction of the Tweed’s new inclusive play space in Goorimahbah – Place of Stories underway at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, focus is now turning to the planning and delivery of Stage 2 of the park.
Plans adapted for native veg and walking trails
Chris Oldfield. Developer Robert Moore has adapted his "high level plan" as a result of feedback regarding native vegetation and walking trails in the North Parklands. The adapted plans will be unveiled on September 21, in the Naracoorte Town Hall ... Mr Moore explained how times had changed for Naracoorte, which had not seen a population increase since the 1970s.
Maldon Streetscape Project almost complete
The Maldon Streetscape Revitalisation Project, which has been underway for several years (in fact, the push to have power lines put underground is believed to have started over 50 years ago), is now nearing completion ... The final stages of the project include filling the tree bases with crushed granite, finishing and modifying the bridges, modifying car park signage and installing crossings.
Rail trail on track
A timely update for the Rushworth to Murchison Rail Trail Project, with the $3 million development progressing through Campaspe Shire Council’s planning stages. Mayor Chrissy Weller said the trail project will develop 11 kilometres of the former railway track, between Rushworth and the Campaspe Shire boundary of Channel Inlet Road.
Next phase of work steaming ahead for Barton Highway: King, McBain, Farraway, Tuckerman
The duplication of the Barton Highway is forging ahead with the focus now turning to construction of several intersections along a seven-kilometre stretch as part of Stage 1 ... ARR.News asked some questions for the Ministers and Members and received a response from a spokesperson for Minister King.
New Toowoomba Hospital construction underway
Early enabling works have begun at the Baillie Henderson campus as part of the new $1.3 billion Toowoomba Hospital. Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the works, which include electrical works, are now underway and these will become more visible later this year when bulk earthworks at Baillie Henderson commence.
Walcha one step closer to improved water security: Anderson
A new 300 megalitre off-stream storage dam at Walcha will provide greater water security and reliability for residents and businesses and to help drought-proof the town’s water supply ... The new 300 megalitre off-creek storage dam is being built on a small tributary of the MacDonald River, 16 kilometres from the existing water treatment infrastructure.
Drought proofing the central west: NSW Gov’t
The NSW Government is investing $22 million to make the Parkes/Peak Hill Water Supply Project a reality and to help future proof the region’s water supply ... the $61.7 million major infrastructure project will strengthen water security for the shire and bolster the region’s drought resilience by creating a new raw water supply network for residents and businesses.: Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole
Underwater drone inspects Tweed’s water reservoirs – New drone technology saving Council time and money
Drone technology is being used to inspect the Tweed’s 40 water reservoirs, saving Council time and money. The new technology has been introduced in recent weeks as a way to more easily scan for information about the structure and quality of the water held in each reservoir ... “We can now conduct inspections of the reservoirs ourselves, on the ground, straight away and at very low cost,”: Water and Wastewater operations manager Brie Jowett
Controversial tower gets green light from council
Sarah Martin. Cook Shire Council has approved a controversial 26-metre Telstra tower on Cooktown’s main street, despite community concerns ... Cook Shire received 23 submissions during the public notification period, with only two in favour of the tower. However, mayor Peter Scott said the decision to approve the tower at last week’s ordinary council meeting took into account the community’s concerns and the communication benefits the tower would provide.
Airport crisis looms – Bamaga runway in desperate need of repairs
Samuel Davis. A “dangerous” Cape York airstrip could lead to fatalities if urgent repairs aren’t carried out soon, local leaders say. Built during World War II, Bamaga airport’s rutted runway connects the Northern Peninsula Area to Cairns with around a thousand takeoffs and landings expected this year. But the most recent technical inspection found the strip is in “poor condition” with major upgrades desperately needed.
Work starts to transform Qld into rail manufacturing powerhouse: Qld Gov’t
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the site at Torbanlea will be home to a brand new train manufacturing workshop where 65 new trains will be built as part of her government’s $7.1 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program.
Overland Telegraph Line revolutionised communication 150 years ago
One hundred and fifty years ago, our communications with the rest of the world underwent a startling change that allowed Australia to communicate with the rest of the world in mere hours instead of the months it had taken previously, when the Overland Telegraph commenced operations. Around 130 people including dignitaries, historians, descendants of workers, and community members have gathered at Frew Ponds to honour the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line that crossed the continent from Adelaide to Darwin.
Funding win for remote councils
Some of Queensland’s smallest councils are rejoicing after a review will see them receive a bigger slice of the pie from the state government. The Queensland Local Government Grants Commission took a closer look at its financial assistance grants (FAGs) program and although it kept its ungainly name, the revenue will be more fairly distributed across the state.
Camooweal Jockey Club left reeling – Future in doubt
Has the last thoroughbred race been run and won at Camooweal? The president of the race club thinks so ... Camooweal had successfully raced for 132 years until last year when it was deemed by Racing Queensland that the track was no longer fit for racing ... Racing Queensland could have a crisis on its hands, with many other bush clubs under threat of losing their annual meetings due to a lack of funding for infrastructure, especially for track upgrades.
Bob Rees
Bob Rees knows only too well that life can change in an instant. And that instant hit him hard when he was on a motorbike trip through Africa with his wife Chris. A reckless driver slammed head on into Chris and Bob’s bike and the result was catastrophic. Chris lost her life, Bob lost his wife and also lost the use of his legs ... it is not just the lack of access to the NDIS that has led Bob to speak out, it's also the obstacles that people with disabilities have to deal with when moving around in public places; especially in country towns.
Mildura Weir to be removed to make way for high river flows: MDBA, GMW
The Mildura weir will be temporarily removed to allow high Murray River flows to pass through, the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and Goulburn-Murray Water announced. MDBA Executive Director of River Management Andrew Reynolds said the weir needed to be removed ahead of increased flows expected to arrive by mid-September.
How to cause a business to fail and Fingerpointing 101: Bev McArthur
The Minister for Small Business, Ballarat based, Jaala Pulford, has tried to downplay her refusal to support Sebastopol businesses that her Government is destroying. Since February, state roadworks in Albert Street have effectively cut off access to the businesses. Some have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars ... “It is a terrible condemnation of the project, of the complaint management, that these citizens may be forced to sue their own government to get a fair hearing”: Bev McArthur MP.
NSW taxpayer helping to fund Atlassian’s new office – but, will anyone be there?
Back in those dreary days of 2021 when we were still being locked down, Atlassian announced that its workers would need to attend at the office just four (yes, 4) times per annum ... So why has the NSW Government kicked-in $48.2m to assist in providing an office for… people who won’t be there? Especially when, as Atlassian management states in their latest Shareholder Letter, they are "Running a software company with nearly $3b in revenue".
Work on Rail Trail’s new gravel surface starts – Construction is ramping up with rail trail set to open in early 2023
Construction work on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is ramping up with work starting this week on the final gravel surface for the Tweed section of the trail. After an extended run of dry weather, work to lay down the new compacted gravel surface is starting at several points along the trail including at Burringbar, Stokers Siding and South Murwillumbah.

