Lack of childcare an ‘equity’ issue
Eliza Berlage. The struggle to secure childcare services in rural and regional areas has led some parents to sacriï¬ce their careers or move to bigger cities, according to a new study ... It found regional and rural areas lacked childcare services and staff to work at the centres, and that childcare was often not seen as profitable enough to attract new operators to the sector.
First flight between Derby and Broome takes to the skies
The first air service between Broome and Derby took to the air on 16 August 2021, providing Derby travellers with air access to Perth for the first time since 2016 via connecting flights from Broome.
Picton backs country doctors
Chris Oldfield. SA Shadow Health Minister Chris Picton has thrown his weight behind Naracoorte's doctors and country GPs, calling for the State Government to negotiate contracts with them. Mr Picton has slammed the State Government for wasting taxpayers’ dollars on locums, failing to negotiate and throwing rural doctors and country hospitals into turmoil.
MDBA starts small releases from Hume Dam as storage reaches 90 per cent
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority has started releasing a small volume of water from Hume Dam to maintain airspace for the inflows expected from rain forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology over the coming months.
Put the nuclear option on the table
Nationals Senators have announced they will move amendments to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act to remove Australia’s prohibition on nuclear energy.
Hydrogen skills hunt kicks off
The hunt is on to find the hydrogen skills and businesses to join the renewable fuel supply chain that will create jobs in Toowoomba and the Western Downs.Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni today announced a partnership between publicly-owned power generator CS Energy and Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise to increase local participation in the hydrogen industry.
Beating a pathway to water security at Lake Wyangan
The Lake Wyangan Water Sustainability Project is among 40 water infrastructure projects nationwide which will share in $108 million in federal funding under the National Water Grid Connections funding pathway ... Senator Davey said Lake Wyangan is located ten minutes north-west of Griffith and is a popular location for tourists and locals to enjoy the best nature has to offer.
Dunoon Dam and future water- editorial
The Rous County Council decision to remove the proposed Dunoon Dam from our region's water security options has again sparked controversy, as you will see from some of the articles and letters to the editor in this edition. It is perhaps unfortunate that we may have lost an opportunity for many social, environmental and community benefits that could have been developed alongside the dam project. It is quite possible to ‘do dams well’, with a vision for 21st-century water security that mitigates or compensates for any losses experienced.
Rio Tinto charges up for Pilbara solar farm
ASX-listed NRW Holdings Ltd has been appointed to deliver mining giant Rio Tinto’s first fully-owned solar farm, as the mining group moves on its promise to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The 34-MW solar photovoltaic project, is to be built at Rio Tinto’s Gudai-Darri mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Improved weather data switched on
Switching on the Hillston Doppler Radar will provide farmers across NSW with improved weather data to aid their business and farm management decisions ... NSW Farmers President James Jackson said NSW Farmers has long been advocating for additional Doppler Radars in western NSW.
Completed Albany to Denmark pipeline secures Denmark’s water future
WA Water Minister Dave Kelly has announced the official completion of the Albany to Denmark pipeline, securing Denmark's long-term water supply in the face of climate change.
2021 Regional Telecommunications Review invites your input
The Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee has released its Issues Paper and initial schedule of public meetings for the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review.
NSW Government powers on Hillston radar
Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall today announced the completion of a state-of-the-art weather radar at Hillston in western NSW, delivering the second of three Doppler radars as a key election commitment for regional NSW.
Queensland gas drives manufacturing jobs
Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said Queensland gas producer Senex Energy has sealed a deal to supply up to 11 petajoules of natural gas to Aussie manufacturer Adbri – in line with the domestic gas policy the State Government put in place in 2017.
Have your say on Territory space race
Territorians, businesses and industry are now invited to give feedback on the draft Territory Space Strategy for 2021-25. The Territory Government is developing a new space strategy to support the future growth of the space industry, attract investment and identify potential projects.
WA joins Zero Carbon Certification Scheme for hydrogen
The McGowan Government has become a founding member of the Smart Energy Council's Zero Carbon Certification Scheme to boost the State's fledgling renewable hydrogen industry. The industry-led Guarantee of Origin style scheme aims to accelerate the development and deployment of renewable hydrogen, green ammonia and green metals, such as green steel and green zinc, in Australia and around the world.
Landholder certainty vapourised with gas plan
NSW Farmers is extremely disappointed with the NSW Government’s decision to identify the Liverpool Plains as appropriate for gas exploration.
NSW Government Future of Gas Statement delivers clarity on PELs and land use
The NSW Government has today released its Future of Gas Statement, outlining plans for the gas industry in NSW, while ruling out gas production under the majority of Petroleum Exploration Licences (zombie PELs), with the exception of those which support the future of the Narrabri Gas Project.
New highway service station will adjoin New Italy Museum
The developers of the proposed highway service station at New Italy have said the design of the project is “deliberately understated”. Memphis Strategic town planner Wayne Gersbach said the single-storey and ‘shed-like’ design will be constructed of raw, uncoloured concrete with a Colorbond roof and cladding to complement, and not overawe the nearby New Italy Museum buildings.
Have your say on the future of Queensland’s stock routes
Farmers, councils, industry groups and outback locals are invited to have their say on proposed changes to the use and management of Queensland’s vital stock routes, to ensure they are well maintained into the future.
Second space launch facility licence granted for South Australia
The Morrison Government continues to support the growth of Australia’s civil space sector, with Commonwealth approval granted for a second rocket launch facility licence in South Australia. The licence, awarded to Southern Launch, will enable the company to establish a sub-orbital rocket testing facility at Whalers Way, 680km West of Adelaide. If tests are successful, the site could be used for much larger orbital rocket launches in the future.
Councils take housing issue to Canberra
Eliza Berlage. Leaders from some Limestone Coast councils say they have come away “feeling positive” after a recent meeting with the Federal Government Housing Minister ... Said Tatiara District Council CEO Anne Champness, “The minister was well informed about our housing challenges and we discussed the contributing factors and possible responses. From our perspective, responses could include changes to the National Housing Infrastructure Facility (NHIF) which would make it more accessible to small/regional councils or help close the ï¬nance gap for private developers committing to the development of affordable rental accommodation ... "
