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Levy raises questions
A State Government levy to raise funds for emergency services has caused some concerns, with suggestions that there was not enough consultation and that the levy is an expanded tax. The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) was announced in December by the Victorian Government as a replacement for the Fire Services Property Levy and will be collected from Tuesday 1 July.
Councillors, staff not protected
Elected members and council staff do not have parliamentary privilege like state and federal politicians do. They can be sued for defamation, slander, and libel as a result of what is said during any of their meetings, especially those which are open to the public and livestreamed. At Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s January 28 meeting, CEO Trevor Smart explained his previous advice around livestreaming and tort law.
Alleged thief caught – Local businessman calls for greater police presence
After enduring nearly $15,000 in losses from multiple break-ins and spending around $30,000 on security upgrades, a local businessman is finally feeling a sense of relief. Police have arrested and charged a suspect believed to be responsible for the break-ins at a block of shops in Naracoorte.
Jails full… but 400 beds vacant at Clarence
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has spoken out about the number of inmates languishing in police cells due to jails being full – and the CV Independent can reveal there is a 400-bed facility locally that hasn’t been open since 2022 as it isn’t fit for purpose.
Heritage: Can’t you see it? It’s everywhere
The recent decision in the Tony Maddox case is yet another example of how Western Australia's Aboriginal heritage laws have become a legal minefield for private property owners. What was once a well-defined, albeit imperfect, piece of legislation largely aimed at the mining sector has evolved into a tool for increasingly ambiguous and arbitrary interpretations of cultural heritage.
Huge increase in penalties for animal cruelty under sweeping reforms to Animal Welfare Act: Close
People caught abusing, neglecting or mistreating animals will face tough new penalties after new animal welfare laws were passed in State Parliament this week. Those found guilty of animal cruelty now face maximum fines of up to $250,000, and/or 10 years jail, for the aggravated ill-treatment of an animal, up from $50,000 and/or four years in jail.
‘eufy’ reaches out after story
The manufacturer of home security cameras ‘eufy’ has reached out the Clarence Valley Independent following last week’s front-page story "Community Crime Crackdown". Australian and New Zealand Public Relations Manager for Anker Innovations, the creators of eufy, Tove Berkhout emailed the CV Independent last week after seeing the story discussing a Community Crime Meeting in Yamba...
What did the Land and Environment Court hear?
A crowd of more than 50 concerned residents gathered near the intersection of Golding and Miles Streets to hear deputations from 6 local residents to the Land and Environment Court on site Conciliation conference last Friday. The conference was in relation to case 2024/00279190 Garrard Building Pty Ltd v Clarence Valley Council...
Councillor walks out
Sarah Herrmann. Yorke Peninsula Council elected member Adam Meyer walked out of his first council meeting after being suspended from elected office ... “I’m unsure whether I can declare a conflict of interest tonight because I actually haven’t been issued with the agenda,” Cr Meyer said.
Ratepayers enlist Pangallo
Rachel Hagan. In the wake of the suspension of elected member Adam Meyer from the Yorke Peninsula Council, a crowd of almost 200 people rallied at a Yorke Peninsula Ratepayers Association meeting where speakers called for an audit into the council ... YPRA chair Ian Markos said the turnout was a good indication of the level of anger the community had towards YPC for the way it had treated Cr Meyer ...
Minister Plibersek concedes that the accreditation of water resource plan is unlawful
Legal action taken by MLDRIN, a Confederation of First Nations from the southern half of the Murray-Darling Basin, has led to the Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek conceding she made a mistake in accrediting the NSW Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan.
Two Queensland turf companies fined for moving soil from fire ant areas into NSW
Two Queensland businesses have been convicted of breaching biosecurity regulations that are in place to protect NSW from red imported fire ants. The businesses were ordered by the NSW Local Court to pay $60,000.
Government chops grant for ‘economic vandals’ but minister gardens with them
“We will not spend another dollar on activists and economic vandals and their disruptive agendas.” This is how Joshua Burgoyne, NT Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment, announced that his government has axed its $100,000 annual grant for the Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC), Central Australia’s peak environmental organisation for over 40 years and with 400 members.
Wins in parliament to save farmers millions, highlight the power of farm advocacy: NFF
As the second February sitting week wraps up, Australian famers have secured major policy wins across biosecurity, taxation, environment and trade. National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke has spent the past sitting fortnight balancing his time between the farm and the halls of Parliament, speaking directly with political leaders.
Industry puts regulators on notice for pushing up price of food: NFF
The NFF Horticulture Council has today drawn a line in the sand, tasking national food safety regulators with taking a long hard look at themselves. Chair of the Council Jolyon Burnett has written to Commonwealth, State and Territory members of the Food Ministers’ Meeting, calling on them to instigate an independent review into the development and implementation of new food standards due to apply to fresh berries, leafy vegetables and melons from today.
Community crime crackdown
A former police officer, who was recently honoured in the 2025 Lismore Citizen of the Year awards for helping the community tackle the escalating crime problem, is bringing his innovative and effective approach to the Lower Clarence, holding a public meeting next month.
Inmates helping build futures
A partnership between Serco, Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) and the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) is providing Clarence Correctional Centre (CLA) inmates with valuable employment qualifications and skills through the construction of 2, 3, 4, and 5-bedroom modular houses for locations around the state.
Hard NO to cash mandate will do more harm than good
The Federal Government has published a proposal for a cash mandate that will only apply to a legislated list of “essential” goods and services and give express permission to more than 97 per cent of businesses in Australia to refuse to accept cash. Due to the restrictions and exemptions attached to this proposal, I cannot support it.
MLDRIN v the Commonwealth – The battle over the fractured rock water plan
First Nations environmental lobbying group Murray Lower Darling River Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) is in the Federal Court today to challenge the decision by Minister Plibersek to accredit the NSW Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan (WRP) ... “We repeatedly advised the MDBA that the Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan should not be recommended for accreditation," Brendan Kennedy, Chair, MLDRIN, Tati Tati Nation member, said.
Legal aid copes with pressure
All Territory Aboriginal persons facing criminal charges since August last year received high quality legal representation unless they chose not to use the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, or it had a conflict of interest. CEO Anthony Beven was responding to allegations made anonymously to the Alice Springs News that “there is more chaos at NAAJA”.
Fewer police, court delays and criminals walking free
The latest Report on Government Services (ROGS) published recently has exposed the Victorian Government’s failure to keep Victorians safe, with crime rising while police funding is cut, court backlogs worsen, and criminals are left on the streets instead of behind bars. The report paints a grim picture of a justice system under strain...
Take precautions amid rise in crime
RACV and Neighbourhood Watch Victoria are working together to improve the security of Victorian farms and regional properties following a rise in crime, with the regional areas of Latrobe, Mildura, Ararat and Horsham among the top five highest Local Government Areas for criminal incidents and recorded offences.
