CATEGORY

Law & order

NSW forest logging agreement faces legal challenge over climate, biodiversity

In a legal first, Environmental Defenders Office is heading to the Federal Court to challenge a New South Wales Regional Forest Agreement ... On behalf of client the North East Forest Alliance, EDO will argue that when the North East RFA was renewed, the Commonwealth did not have regard to endangered species, the state of old growth forests or the impacts of climate change, as the EDO will argue it was required to do.

Ban on subsea mining in the Territory

Subsea (seabed) mining is banned in the Northern Territory with a Declaration of Prohibited Action gazetted.

Help shape the future of animal welfare laws in NSW

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has released the NSW Animal Welfare Reform – Discussion Paper as the next step in the NSW Government’s commitment to modernise animal welfare legislation.

Cherbourg and South Burnett working together to look after Country

The Local Government Illegal Dumping Partnerships Program (LGIDPP), a collaborative project between North Burnett Regional Council, South Burnett Regional Council and Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, is a very positive way for Councils to build a relationship and look after Country.

Agricultural exemption secured for Queensland hard border

Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western NSW Adam Marshall has today announced a newly-created exemption to allow farmers and agribusiness workers to move freely across the NSW-Queensland border under current COVID restrictions.

More of the carrot, less of the stick

There has been much tut-tutting and pursed lip condemnation of the recent anti-lockdown protests in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane but almost no analysis of why the protests occurred ... Where is the politician prepared to come out, listen to and discuss their problems with the protestors? Sending pontificating condemnatory "statements" from afar only creates more anger. Rather than quenching the fires of dissent, the response being suggested by the NSW Government may indeed fan further flames of rebellion.

Review – Flames of Rebellion

The opening quotation of Henry Lawson’s ‘Ode to Peter Lalor’ sets the tone for what is to come in this rollicking tale set in colonial Australia at the height of the gold rush in the mid nineteenth century. The themes of mateship, danger, struggle against authority and the enticement of that precious metal – gold – are all there.

Launch of two-year alcohol restrictions welcomed by Shire of Broome

Alcohol restrictions will be in place in Broome and Derby for the next two years after the State Government announced a hard launch of the initiative today – which is fully supported by the Shire of Broome. While not being the core function of a local government, the Shire has advocated in recent years for the implementation of measures to tackle alcohol-related harm in our region.

New planning controls for flood-prone land changes take effect across the state from 14 July 2021

New planning controls for flood-prone land will begin to come into effect from 14 July 2021 to better protect life and property in the event of extreme flooding in the Tweed.

Spike in ticket scalping

Geoff Helisma. NSW Fair Trading is investigating ticket reseller Viagogo, as consumer complaints against the company spike in line with the reintroduction of ticketed events. The [Clarence Valley] Independent revealed that tickets for a Paul Kelly concert at Yamba Bowling Club were sold out within minutes of going on sale – some of these tickets were advertised on Viagogo’s website for up to $740 on the same day.

Increase fines for big irrigators who haven’t installed pump meters: Greens

Revelations that nearly half of New South Wales’ biggest irrigators have made no effort to install compliant meters six months after the deadline is yet another example of the National Party’s special treatment of corporate irrigators and shows that the penalties for non-compliance aren’t tough enough, says Cate Faehrmann Greens MP and water spokesperson.

Prison sentence for woman who bashed uncle with metal pole

A 44-year-old Alpurrurulam woman has been imprisoned after pleading guilty to causing serious harm to her 55-year-old uncle ... The sentence was suspended on the conditions she not drink alcohol, be under parole for two years and nine months, be subject to the Alternative to Custody Program for two years and nine months, be under the electronic monitoring program and not leave the Northern Territory without permission and not approach her uncle.

Clarence Correctional Centre – 12 months on

Last Thursday marked the first anniversary of the opening of Australia’s largest and most advanced correctional centre, now accommodating 1,110 inmates. Clarence Correctional Centre is designed to support a rehabilitative approach to justice by providing education, training, and employment pathways for inmates through industry, business, and education partners ... “Staff support each inmate’s individual rehabilitation and reintegration needs by offering employment in areas such as hospitality, horticulture, centre services, and industries.”

Investigation into the former principal of Milingimbi School

The Independent Commissioner Against Corruption NT, Ken Fleming QC, has made findings of corrupt conduct against a former principal of Milingimbi School in Central Arnhem Land and has made a series of recommendations relating to oversight and governance of remote schools. The ICAC report found that Ms Jennifer Lea Sherrington benefited from her position as principal of Milingimbi School by misapplying Department of Education and Milingimbi School Council funds, misusing debit cards and exploiting the lack of guidelines and department oversight for the Principal’s Initiative cost code.

Australia Post to take over local outlet’s operations

The Tennant Creek Local Post Office operations will be taken over by Australia Post next Tuesday. “We look forward to continuity of services for the Tennant Creek community and to servicing our valued customers there,” a spokesperson said. The move comes after former manager Rebecca Liebelt and her husband Greg Liebelt, who are jointly accused of money laundering appeared in court mid-May.

New commissioner: C’Zarke Maza appointed to government role

Torres Strait lawyer C’Zarke Maza has been appointed as the state’s inaugural commissioner for Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa. “The Torres Strait culture to this day continues to be alive and strong and I am committed to fulfilling the task towards the legal recognition of our traditional child rearing practice,” Mr Maza said.

Epenarra man jailed for bashing wife

A 35-year-old Epenerra man has been handed a 32 month prison sentence for bashing the wife and mother of his five children ... Justice Jenny Blokland said it was just another example of violent treatment of women in Tennant Creek.

Crime on the rise

Kirstin Nicholson. Locals are rattled over the number of thefts occurring in the district. Over the past few years, thefts from private residences and businesses seem to be more frequent and victims are urging people to make security a priority and to be vigilant ... “As a smaller community we’ve just got to find a way. People say this shouldn’t happen in this sort of small community. It shouldn’t because we’ve got each other to lean on. We should be eyes and ears for each other. You don’t want to hear about this happening. In Melbourne this happens every day. We moved back to the country to get away from that sort of lifestyle.”

Clarence Correction Centre revealed to be quite quiet

Emma Pritchard. A quiet gaol is a good gaol according to Glen Scholes, General Manager of the Clarence Correctional Centre, the largest prison in Australia ... Mr Scholes also revealed the Clarence Correctional Centre is running at “about 30 percent procurement” in the local community, and he spoke encouragingly to the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, asking “if you have consortiums, the capacity to join forces is there, to create further opportunities for local people.”

Smile, you’re on CVC camera

Geoff Helisma. “The new Surveillance Device for Compliance and Law Enforcement Activity Policy … supports the use of surveillance devices (for example body-cameras) for compliance and law enforcement activities,” the report to Clarence Valley council states. “…There have been a number of recent incidents where regulatory services staff have been subjected to significant verbal and physical abuse from members of the community. “A policy that supports the use of surveillance devices like body cameras is expected to improve workplace health and safety outcomes for impacted staff.”

Key rating reforms for local councils and communities passes Parliament

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the Local Government Amendment Act 2021 implements the Government’s response to IPART’s review of the rating system and a range of other changes. “These sensible and well-reasoned reforms will ensure that NSW’s local government rating system continues to be fair and equitable, and responsive to changing community needs,” Mrs Hancock said. “The changes provide greater flexibility to make rates fairer in local communities, and help councils cater for population growth and infrastructure costs while protecting ratepayers from unfair rate rises."

Local Post Office manager suspended pending money laundering allegations

Australia Post has confirmed its manager of the Tennant Creek Post Office has been suspended pending a police investigation.

All categories