Back to bush: Study says farmland may need to make way for nature
Farming regions such as Yorke Peninsula may need to return large areas of farmland to native vegetation if Australia is to prevent accelerating species loss and meet international biodiversity targets, according to new research.
Flood report a welcome step, but leaves some Tweed impacts unrecognisedÂ
Tweed Shire Council welcomes the release of CSIRO’s Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative flood mitigation report, focused on detailed flood modelling and mitigation scenarios for the Richmond River catchment around Lismore.
Butler calls for state to guarantee regional NSW 33 per cent of budget funding
Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler says this year's NSW Budget, handed down by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, was not a great result for regional communities, and is calling on the state government to guarantee regional New South Wales a minimum 33 per cent share of the budget.
Desire: The one ingredient for any good-to-better-to-best journey
Why desire—not talent—is the foundation of excellence. When purpose and passion align, persistence follows and extraordinary results become possible ... Fulfillment in life doesn't happen by accident. It follows desire. But desire that lasts helps reveal your purpose and life passion.
Behind the scenes: The volunteers who keep Maldon football and netball running
With both Maldon’s football and netball teams enjoying a bye last weekend, it offers a rare chance to look beyond the scoreboard and shine a light on the enormous amount of work that goes into getting teams onto the field each Saturday. Much of it is done quietly, without fuss, by volunteers whose names rarely appear in print.
From power boards to portable heaters: How cost-of-living pressures are increasing house fire risk this winter: Brooks Australia
With winter officially here, Australians across the country are turning off air conditioners and relying on heaters to stay warm, but while temperatures may be dropping, the risk of house fires increases during the colder months. ARR.News asked Jackson Holt from Brooks Australia about particular risks faced and specific advice for people in rural and regional Australia.
Delivering for Queensland – Lower debt, no new or increased taxes, and relief you can rely on: Crisafulli, Janetzki, Bates
The 2026-27 Budget delivers lower debt, $73.5 billion lower than it would have been under Labor, based on MYFER 24-25, by 2029-30, and delivers a surplus in 2029-30.Â
Farrer One Nation MP votes against regional jobs and communities: Canavan, McDonald
The new One Nation MP for Farrer has blindsided families and farmers, by voting with the Teals and Greens in Parliament House against Australian regional jobs and communities. The amendment, moved by a Teal MP, demanded the Labor government cap the fuel tax credit – a scheme which allows for a rebate to businesses that use heavy machinery for the fuel tax they pay.
Western Australian first – rare white truffle unearthed on Manjimup farm: Australian Truffle Traders
In a Western Australian first, 1.5 kilograms of white truffles have been unearthed from the soil of Australian Truffle Traders’ farm in Manjimup. Family business Australian Truffle Traders discovered the bianchetto white truffles, known scientifically as Tuber borchii, on their Southern Forests farm yesterday.
Neville family celebrates silo murals
The King's Birthday long weekend provided the perfect opportunity for a special family reunion in Birchip as members of the Neville family gathered to celebrate the recently completed Ray Neville silo murals. The visit was sparked by Ray's daughter, Lyn Dumesny of Rockhampton, who was travelling to Victoria and was keen to see the impressive artwork honouring her father on the Birchip silos.
Medicare hinders rural recruitment
Twelve months after Australia's rural health sector handed the Australian government a blueprint to embed Rural Generalist Medicine (RGM) into Medicare, rural doctors are still waiting for action. Despite providing advanced and specialist-level care to rural and remote communities, rural generalists remain unable to access many Medicare items that recognise the additional skills and services they deliver, leaving them restricted to standard GP consultation items.
Doctor expectations have changed
"Once upon a time, GPs moved to small rural communities and built their life around their committed vocation as a rural doctor. They were 'everything' to the community, the general surgeon, the obstetrician, the person who supported the raising of families and the passing of loved ones. In our contemporary world, doctors want what everyone else craves - work life balance."
NSW Budget 2026-27 – Regional measures and responses
The statement of the Minister for Regional NSW and responses from Regional Cities NSW and the Member for Oxley highlight the NSW Budget 2026-27 measures aimed at rural and regional NSW, and the strengths and shortcomings of those measures.
Raising the barre
Madison Eastmond. A Waikerie ballerina has become the most recent Riverlander to join one of the state’s most renowned youth ballet companies, now part of a dancing trio of local talent selected by the prestigious institution.Â
Dancing to the beat of his own drum: Hay’s new teacher, Charlie James
The new agriculture teacher at Hay War Memorial High School grew up reading drums on a Zimbabwean farm. Now he is teaching Hay students to listen ... Listening, in that world, was a skill you learned young, and it mattered.
Portraits of Belonging Exhibition opens with warm community celebration
More than 90 community members, partners, students and supporters gathered to celebrate the opening of the Portraits of Belonging Exhibition as part of Refugee Week 2026, in an event marked by reflection, gratitude and community spirit.
The APVMA decision on paraquat and diquat and responses to this
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has delivered its long-awaited regulatory decision on the herbicides paraquat, and diquat. The APVMA announcement of the decision, together with the responses collected here, from Grain Producers Australia, Parkinson's Australia, Graingrowers and NSW Farmers, show that the decision has been neither universally approved nor condemned.
Regional moves hit record levels as more Australians opt for life beyond the big cities: Regional Australia Institute
Australia’s shift toward regional living has reached a record peak, with the latest Regional Movers Index (RMI) hitting its highest level in the March 2026 quarter. The RMI is a partnership between the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) that tracks population movements between Australia's capital cities and regions.
Inverloch to Wonthaggi Trail put to the test with 600 excited riders
The much-anticipated Inverloch to Wonthaggi Trail, is now available for use and already proving a hit, with more than 600 riders setting off from both towns and meeting in the middle for a community celebration.
Feeling blue? The little blue motorbike that starts a convo
A small blue motorbike on a stand out the front of a cafe in Barker Street, Casino was getting a lot of attention today, Sunday, June 21. The Blue Motorcycle Project president Heck McGregor said it’s a conversation starter.
Sarah Josh and the elixir of invention
Necessity is often the Mother Of Invention so when mother of two, Sarah Josh, was pregnant with her third child, she went looking for natural skin care products that worked for her skin. Unable to find something suitable Sarah started making her own skincare products and sharing them with friends. Everybody loved them and, being keen to start a product-based business she could run from home, her skincare business - Liminal Elixirs - was born.
From paddock to plate to party: Scenic Rim Eat Local Month’s flavour-filled finale weekend to be a harvest celebration for the ages
Ready, Set, Esky: Scenic Rim Eat Local Month’s much-loved Winter Harvest Festival returns to Kalbar on Saturday 27 June, bringing together the region’s farmers, growers, producers, Food Ambassador chefs and artisans for one unforgettable day of food, farming and country hospitality.Â
