Infrastructure

Rodney Stevens. "It now not only has such a diverse range of new obstacles, ramps, stairs, rails, flats, and lots of fun, creativity-inspired skateable elements, but also  boasts a super advanced and fast three-metre-deep clover-style bowl to rival any skate park on the east coast of Australia": Clarence Valley Council Manager Open Spaces and Facilities Peter Birch.

Geoff Helisma. Councillors have unanimously supported a Notice of Motion (NOM) to “review [the] former council's decision, to construct a new sewage treatment plant (STP) on the existing north Grafton STP site” ... “Recent flooding of STPs in Lismore, Ballina and Byron Bay local government areas is a timely wakeup call that placing STPs in flood zoned areas should be avoided”: Cr Karen Toms's NOM.

Samuel Davis. Planned upgrades to "notoriously unreliable" telecommunications services have been cautiously welcomed by Cape York leaders. The Torres Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance was briefed by Telstra on upcoming major works earlier this month, including a plan to introduce a 4G network in Lockhart River starting next year. But mayor Wayne Butcher said lives will remain at risk until mobile phone reception improves in the area.

Residents and visitors are benefiting from the transformational Cohuna Waterfront Project, with the last section of this important project recently completed. Gannawarra Shire Council oversaw $3.4 million worth of works across a two-year period, focusing on Apex Park, Garden Park and King George Street.

A Telstra telecommunications facility will be constructed on Keding Road at Westbrook following approval by Toowoomba Regional Council, providing improved reception, 4G and 5G services ... The application was submitted by Ventia Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of Amplitel Pty Ltd.

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has released a report highlighting the key drivers behind complaints about mobile services. The report is in response to a shift in complaint trends, with mobile services becoming the dominant complaint type. Between July 2020 and March 2022, the TIO received over 63,000 complaints about mobile services.  

The first train arrived at Huntly Station on Saturday morning after a 68-year absence, while trains returned to Raywood on Sunday morning for the first time in more than 40 years.

Ian Sauer, TFGA President believes that it is time for an independent or parliamentary review into legislation such as Land Acquisition Act 1993, Irrigation Company Act 2011, Hydro-Electric Corporation Act 1995 and other associated legislation, which allows for the authorised acquisition of land for the purpose of infrastructure ... An irrigation scheme was fully sold before the relevant GBE approached the Scott-Youngs’ and informed them they would need to acquire around 5 per cent of their land to locate a dam. This parcel included 20ha in the middle of the farm. Right outside their front door.

It took just eight days for a community solar farm project planned at Grong Grong to reach its $750,000 crowd-funding target ... Under the scheme, the investors who signed up in the crowd-funding campaign join other seed investors in owning 90 per cent of the shares in what is the first crowd-equity-funded and owned solar farm.

Following the recent article in the Allora Advertiser about the state of Kital Road Bridge, the Southern Downs Regional Council was questioned on when repair work would be undertaken. A reply has been received from a Council spokesperson.

More than three years after it was first announced, the Archer River Roadhouse has a mobile phone tower. Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch made the announcement in early 2019 that Archer River was getting a phone tower under the federal government’s blackspot program.

The Tennant Turf Club will receive $1 million over the next 10 years as part of the NT Government’s new funding agreement with Thoroughbred Racing NT (TRNT) ... Tennant Turf Club President Mike Nash welcomed the announcement with open arms.

“I commend the new Water Minister for getting on with business, but the truth is, these projects were well on their way to being signed off before the change of Government ... What we really need now is a Basin Management Plan rather than a water recovery plan. There are plenty of ideas about ways to achieve good environmental outcomes without the need for further water recovery and they should all be on the table as a way to offset any further water recovery,” Senator Davey said.

The Australian Government has announced $37.9 million towards the Lower Murray Water Efficiency project to better equip the Sunraysia water delivery network to combat a changing climate. This project delivers 2.5 Gigalitres (GL) of water savings back to the environment, First Nations Peoples and securing urban water supply.

The Australian and South Australian governments have announced $2.7 million to improve water infrastructure in South Australia, while delivering 126 ML of water savings to the environment. The Marion Water Efficiency Project will enable the City of Marion to reduce water use from the main Adelaide water supplies, which are often pumped from the Murray–Darling Basin, and help future-proof iconic sites like the Coorong and Lower Lakes.

Chris Oldfield. Concerns about native vegetation and fauna if the North Parklands were developed attracted a round of applause during a recent forum ... “Because once this land has gone and the way I see it personally, and maybe others see it the see it the same - once this land is gone and put under houses, it is gone from potential native regeneration for walking tracks and for flora and fauna, and it is gone forever.”

Chris Oldfield. The North Parklands were earmarked 65 years ago for homes as the town expanded, according to the former Naracoorte Corporation’s official development plans. The plans were revealed by former mayor, regional president and once vice president of the SA Local Government Association, David Hood during a North Parklands meeting held on June 22.

Gannawarra Shire Council and Murray River Council Local Government Areas have been earmarked by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) for the development of 500kV high voltage transmission lines and terminal stations. KerangLink, also known as Victoria New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) is planned to proceed “as urgently as possible” after the government’s plan to close Australia’s main energy source, coal fired power generation, faster than expected.

Last week’s council meeting was a big one. The last for the financial year so it included the budget. The State Government’s lack of action on flood recovery was a theme throughout the meeting. Here’s the summary of the Richmond Valley Council meeting on June 28.

Works on a major airside upgrade to the Whyalla Airport are nearing completion, with all but the resurfacing of the secondary runway and additional electrical work to be completed ... Mayor Clare McLaughlin said the works including the installation of the new taxi way have been constructed to allow for the landing and departure of larger aircraft.