Media Release

Greater Shepparton City Council invites community members to give a loving forever home to one of the many cats and kittens waiting at the Shepparton Animal Shelter. Inspired by the King’s birthday, the Shelter will be hosting a Royal Cat Adoption Day on Saturday 14 June from 10am to 2pm at 125 Wanganui Road, Shepparton.

Rockhampton Regional Council, in partnership with the Queensland Government, has officially opened a new Changing Places facility at Southside Pool, ensuring more people in our community can enjoy a day out with dignity and ease ... provides essential amenities for people with extra support needs, including a ceiling hoist, an adult-sized change table, and additional space to improve safety and comfort.

Cobber is calling on Australia’s toughest, stock-chasing, hard-running working dogs to battle it out for the title of the hardest working dog, with nominations now open for the 2025 Cobber Challenge, back for its milestone tenth edition.

The Minns Government is using helicopters to provide isolated farmers with emergency fodder for their stranded livestock, as part of a range of support available to flood-affected farmers across the Mid-North Coast, North Coast and Hunter.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Executive Director of River Management Jacqui Hickey said water available to trade downstream of the Narrows (Barmah Choke) on 1 July 2025 would be about 39 gigalitres (GL), around 17 GL less than last season.

Domestic violence perpetrators in Queensland who repeatedly use violence or abuse to control others in relationships can now be charged with the new offence of coercive control. The new criminal offence applies to acts of violence or abuse forming a course of conduct committed from today (26 May) and carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.

Gannawarra Shire Council has formalised its opposition to the State Government’s implementation of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund. Councillors approved an urgent item motion at last week’s Council meeting opposing the fund, which will come into effect in July to support VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria, as well as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).

Australian beef production in 2025 is expected to come close to equalling production records set in 2024, Rabobank says in its newly-released Australian Beef Seasonal Outlook 2025. The annual report, by the agribusiness banking specialist’s RaboResearch division, says the high beef production volumes are being matched by growing global demand...

The ongoing threat of mouse activity to Australian grain growers is the focus of two key investments aimed at reducing the impact of mice in crops ... While advancements in farming systems have resulted in tremendous benefits, they have also inadvertently contributed to increasing the pest problem.

Residential architecture excellence celebrated at Darling Downs and West Moreton Architecture Awards. Binnum Homestead has won the William Hodgen Award for Building of the Year at the Darling Downs and West Moreton Australian Institute of Architects Regional Awards.

“We’re really excited about partnering with talented artist Claus Stangl and believe the portraits he’s created bring to life the hidden creatures in our soil in a really fun, educational and unique way”: Alicia Doherty, Kellogg's ANZ.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has made changes to its local laws to assist those struggling to secure housing by allowing short-term residential use of caravans … Council resolved last month to amend its Subordinate Local Law No. 1.3 to allow temporary residential use of caravans, subject to conditions that manage public safety and amenity.

The community has spoken and Whyalla City Council has listened – last night endorsing the introduction of a city-wide dry zone, following majority public support for the idea. Council received almost 2,500 responses to its survey over a six-week period, asking residents if they wanted to retain the existing dry zone, or move to a city-wide dry zone.

Following completion of the Campaspe Shire section of the Waranga Rail Trail in late March, the entire trail was officially opened on 17 May in Rushworth by Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell.

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has welcomed news about malting barley market diversification and growth opportunities in Australian export trade into Latin America. An article ... highlighted recent market diversification and growth activity, with benefits for Australian grain producers and broader industry, while boosting national economic prosperity.

BeeHero, the global leader of data-driven precision pollination ... announced the launch of its Beekeeping Task Manager tool to provide beekeepers with more effective and larger-scale apiary management, in honor of World Bee Day. BeeHero also released new data about its growing impact on pollinator health, effective pollination...

A Regional Cities New South Wales delegation comprising local government leaders from nine municipalities from across the state last week embarked on a two-day tour of the Central West ... Regional Cities NSW Deputy Chair and Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council Cr Russell Webb said the visit allowed delegation members to get a deeper insight into the industries, infrastructure and unique attractions in other regions.

Campaspe Shire Council is deeply disheartened by the passing of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) by the Victorian Parliament. While we wholeheartedly support the necessity of funding for volunteers, Campaspe Shire Council, alongside numerous other Victorian councils, vehemently opposed the introduction of this fund.

The Northern Territory Government is stepping up preparedness efforts against emergency animal diseases with a managed biosecurity exercise funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Northern Australian Coordination Network (NACN) which is set to get underway tomorrow.

Aerial shark patrols along the state’s coastline will be extended until the June long weekend, following unseasonably warm weather and an increase in shark sightings at popular beaches. This patrol season – which was brought forward to early November and will run until Monday 9 June – is the longest recorded in South Australia.