‘Humbled, worried’: Pasin predicts troubled times during this fifth term
Hugh Schuitemaker. Water buybacks will loom large on the second-term Albanese Government's agenda, the re-elected Liberal Member for Barker has warned. Tony Pasin was easily returned for a fifth stint in office on Saturday, despite suffering a 3 per cent two-party-preferred swing against him, and seeing his primary vote dip below 50 per cent.
Woman survives stingray barb
Michelle Daw. A woman who was struck by an eagle ray's venomous barb says she is lucky to be alive. Retired nurse Pam Bennett was pierced by the barb in her right arm while snorkelling in waist-deep water ... She said the ray's attack was unusual behaviour and would have resulted from it being in pain, because of the algal bloom.
Councillor accuses Reconstruction Authority of ‘gaslighting’ on flood recovery information
At the April Richmond Valley Council meeting, councillor Lyndall Murray had the questions she posed to the NSW Reconstruction Authority and council answered ... Councillors had a confidential meeting on Tuesday, April 8 with the Reconstruction Authority and the responses below are based on the information provided at that meeting.
Kestrel Aviation celebrates 40 Years of service, innovation and regional leadership: Cleeland
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has paid tribute to Kestrel Aviation as the iconic Mangalore-based company celebrated its 40th anniversary at this week. Ms Cleeland was a guest speaker at the anniversary celebration, where she praised the local, family-owned business for its leadership in aerial firefighting, emergency response, and aviation training .
The top 10 most beautiful airport landings in the world
Saskia Jain. There’s something almost magical about pressing your nose against an aeroplane window as your destination comes into view. That moment when the seatbelt sign chimes, and the aircraft begins its graceful descent offers front-row seats to some of Earth’s most spectacular vistas.
Phasmids and Balls Pyramid exhibition at Prague Zoo
Prague Zoo Director Miroslav Bobek in a recent article explains the Prague connection: “We joined the effort to save Lord Howe Island stick insect years ago, when we started to support financially the genetical research ... and also on the Ball’s Pyramid the stick insects hover on the edge of survival.
Northern Grampians withdraws from five-council alliance
Northern Grampians Shire Council has withdrawn from a five-council alliance created to collectively advocate to State Government on issues including transmission lines, renewable energy and mining. The alliance, formed in February this year, also includes Buloke, Gannawarra, Yarriambiack and Loddon councils, which are all directly impacted...
Buloke’s clarification
Recent media reporting has incorrectly suggested that Buloke Shire Council, along with neighbouring councils, has entered into a $100 million deal with VicGrid in relation to the VNI West transmission project. This is incorrect.
X marks the reef – Australians urged to report tropical shellfish: OzFish
Australia’s fish habitat charity, OzFish, is calling on the help of Australia’s recreational fishing and ocean-loving super sleuths to track down the country's remaining tropical shellfish reefs — so they can be studied and restored. OzFish, in collaboration with Griffith University, is asking Australians to keep their eyes peeled for tropical shellfish reefs while out on the water.
Suffering in silence: Farmers call for a hand up, not handouts
Around the state, Mr Schinckel said the amount of money spent by producers nowadays would be something in the order of $10-$15 million per week per 1000 producers. “So, $50m that the SA government is offering is not going to go far—it’s a drop in the ocean.” ... He believed that the state and federal governments did not know or understand livestock production.
Voter guide to water policy
An easy assistance guide to the water policy of candidates in four electorates has been prepared by the Speak Up Campaign. Deputy Chair David Farley said the Speak Up executive believed it was important for voters to have a tool which provided a quick reference on this vital national issue.
Prized rural property up for sale
Sean Cunningham. A prized parcel of cropping land in the heart of one of Australia's most productive farming regions remains up for sale after a planned auction was shelved last week. The auction for Grong Grong property, East Midgeon, was originally scheduled to be held at Narrandera Ex-Servicemen's Club last week.
Rare extension made to restrictions
The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will be extended in parts of Victoria including Towong Shire for the first time since 2019, as unseasonably dry conditions continue to elevate fire risk. A lack of rainfall has left vegetation in the state's South West and parts of the North East susceptible to fire ignition, with some areas as dry as they were during the devastating 1982/83 fire season.
Western Victoria’s largest natural disaster followed by significant levy increase
On 19 March 2025, over 120 concerned community members attended a public meeting at the Winiam Hall. Several motions were moved during this meeting, leading to the formation of the West Wimmera Action Group Inc. to address local concerns regarding the discussed issues.
How Australia’s climate-related financial disclosures could impact agriculture – industry report: Rabobank
Most farmers are unlikely to face onerous requirements – particularly in the short-term – as a result of mandatory climate-related reporting recently introduced for large Australian companies, according to new research by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.
Sharks in the shallows
Sarah Herrmann. Shark sightings close to the shores of numerous South Australian beaches have prompted the SA Government to extend aerial shark patrols — but Yorke Peninsula is not included ... Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA told the YP Country Times on April 24 it was aware of community concerns about sightings across the state, including on YP.
Calling all cocky counters
BirdLife Australia. BirdLife Australia, in partnership with the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Recovery Team, is calling for volunteers to join the annual count of the endangered South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo on Saturday, May 3 ... Volunteers will be assigned one of approximately 60 survey sites in the cockatoo’s range ...
Prescribed burns a health risk to skinks in Mt Lofty Ranges: UniSA
Prescribed burning in the Mount Lofty Ranges to reduce bushfire risks may be threatening the survival and biodiversity of skinks and other reptiles. That’s the finding from a new University of South Australia (UniSA) study that analysed the health of more than 1750 reptiles from eight species over a two-year period.
Candidate profiles
Ten candidates for the seats of Mallee and Farrer respond to questions on a range of key issues including cost of living, national energy security and affordability, housing, water buyback and human rights violations of the Government's Covid-19 response.
An overload of cute at Darling Downs Zoo
The Darling Downs Zoo located at Pilton has been attracting attention from all over thanks to its bilby breeding program and the birth of a Capybara. Easter is of course the time for the bilby, Australia's version of the Easter Bunny, to shine.
$210m spent on water buybacks – local entitlements sold to meet MDB targets
The Australian Government has released figures pertaining to more than $89 million water purchasing contracts for the period March 1 to April 14. Total purchases over the past six weeks total $210 million. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Austender website lists only contract values awarded.
‘You’re asking people to leave their homes’
Leadership during a bushfire is a complicated and multifaceted undertaking, something that CFA Goroke Group Officer Justin Batson came to understand firsthand this fire season. Not only are you preoccupied with ensuring resources are where they need to be, trucks in position, crews supported and plans in place, you're also carrying the weight of decisions that can affect an entire community.
