Law & order

The proposed Short Stay Levy Bill 2024 will contribute to unsustainable financial burdens on accommodation providers in our region while not easing the rental housing crisis, local businesses claim. The so-called ‘AirBnB Tax’ was introduced by Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson to the Victorian Parliament on Tuesday 27 August and passed the Lower House last week, paving the way for a 7.5 per cent levy to be imposed on short stay accommodation bookings from 1 January 2025.

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board says it seeks to engage with landholders and offer support and information to manage an issue. Limestone Coast media and communications officer Andrea Bartetzko also explained how landscape boards can in some circumstances enter homes and properties without permission from landholders, and without a warrant ... some farmers dismayed by the Landscape Board’s “threatening” approach and who fear retribution have turned to fellow farmer, hunter and businessman Jake Nicholson.

Two representatives from office of the Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig, accompanied Shire Administrator Bob Stewart and General Manager Greg Hill at meetings in Wilcannia, White Cliffs, Ivanhoe and Menindee last week to explain the current state of affairs regarding the future of the shire. There is a Local Government Amendment (Rural and Remote Councils) Bill currently before Parliament which will enable Central Darling Shire Council (CDSC) to return to a "democratic governance model."

Some public servants could soon enter homes without a warrant to "seize documents” including computers, phones, diaries, and bank statements under calls for tough new laws for SA Landscape Boards. Harsher than laws for Federal Police against terrorists if enacted, "authorised officers" could also make “an information discovery order”, compelling businesses and individuals to provide evidence without a court warrant. If enacted, public servants employed by councils on behalf of landscape boards could also “seize and retain” declared species of animals passing though farms and private properties.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act (ATSIHP Act) allows the Federal Environment Minister to make a declaration protecting a significant Aboriginal heritage area where it is under threat of injury or desecration ... I have decided to make a partial declaration under section 10 of the ATSIHP Act to protect a significant Aboriginal heritage site near Blayney, in central west New South Wales, from being destroyed to build a tailings dam for a gold mine.

Iron Gates has the go-ahead after decades of opposition – Goldcoral Pty Ltd has permission to build on the land next to Evans River. It is a devastating decision for those Evans Head residents who have fought the development for so long.

Another local has narrowly avoiding losing thousands in an elaborate scam attempt. I spoke to the family of the retired person recently, who shared their story, as a warning to others ... The scammers instructed the retiree to head to their local post office and purchase five $1,000 Apple iTunes cards.

EPA Victoria says a rise in illegal burning in Western Victoria is damaging the environment and putting people’s health at risk with contaminated residue and hazardous smoke. The environmental watchdog has investigations under way in the Hindmarsh, Horsham and Northern Grampians areas after recent fires on farming, industrial and residential property.

The elephant in the room is poverty, says Greens candidate for Namatjira, Blair McFarland, in the election campaign mostly focussed on what to do about crime. “We’re already the most over policed region in Australia. If public safety depended on police numbers we’d be one of the safest places in the world.”