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Roy Butler MP action leads new guide for councils

A new guide for NSW councils is set to strengthen consultation practices with regional, rural and remote communities. The guide is designed to build stronger regional communities by delivering solutions tailored to local communities and informed by local knowledge and follows the introduction of the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Act 2024, by Independent Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.

Two men fined for fishing for marron out of season

Two men – one from Butler and the other from Narrogin – have been fined for fishing for marron out of season. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said 22-year-old Butler man was ordered to pay $7000 and a 39-year-old Narrogin man $6500 for their involvement in marron fishing offences committed at Harris Dam in December 2023.

Queensland’s coercive control laws now in force: Frecklington, Camm

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 formalises Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund stance

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).

Near-record Australian beef production volumes balanced with improving global demand – Rabobank Seasonal Outlook

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...

Investments target ‘new normal’ of mouse activity: GRDC

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.

Vale – Hedley Paul Simons AM

Our dear friend and comrade, Paul Simons, passed away peacefully on 20th May 2025, aged 97 years. A grand age for a grand man.

Winners of the 2025 Darling Downs and West Moreton Queensland Architecture Awards

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.

Band hits high notes

The band Palinola has officially released its debut EP Static Divide, marking a major milestone for the talented trio with strong roots in the Darling Downs. Band members: (left) Ambrose Barton on bass, (front) Patrick Back singer-guitarist and (right) Brady Wilson on drums.

Local celebrity in our midst

Anyone who banks with the Warwick Credit Union in Allora will know Rae as the friendly young lady who works behind the counter. But did you know that Rae-Louise Wright is also the 2024 Warwick Rodeo Queen?

Allora Show Society fundraising success

On Sunday, 11th May, the Allora Showgrounds was a sea of purple as 58 riders and 76 beautifully presented horses gathered to support a truly meaningful cause. Across both Showjumping and Dressage, there was a total of 159 entries. Funds raised went to Protea Place.

Historic reserve burn complete

Various local environmental groups including Friends of Maldon Historic Reserve ... have been consulting with Fire Forestry Management (FFM) staff since 2022 in regard to the planned burn near the Railway Track in the Maldon Historic Reserve ... Concerns were raised about how the fire might impact flora and fauna in the burn and surrounding areas.

Volunteers get things done

The cover stars of the Tarrangower Times this week are the perfect exemplars of what this bumper edition of the paper is all about: celebrating the many volunteers who get things done in our small towns and caring communities.

Contentious levy law passes

The proposed State Government levy at the centre of a recent community meeting in Baringhup has been passed by the Victorian Parliament ... During her visit to Castlemaine Station, Premier Jacinta Allan responded to a TT query about the timing of the new levy.

The message could not have been clearer: “Scrap the Tax”

Blake Lee. Thousands of firefighters, farmers and regional Victorians rallied on the steps of State Parliament ... Producing a cacophony of sirens through Melbourne streets during peak hour, fire trucks and volunteer firefighters made the journey from all corners of the state, bringing an estimated 300 fire trucks into the city.

Time to step up and act

This is the Hansard version of a speech delivered in the Upper House by shadow minister for Regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti, in which she read a letter from Abby Miller of Naracoorte to the South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, concerning the drought situation affecting farmers in the region.

Mayor’s heartfelt appeal

“This is an emergency”. That is the urgent message from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross, who has issued a heartfelt appeal to the government for immediate support for farmers grappling with severe drought in the area.

Naracoorte 4WD Club cruises Robe to Beachport

Hayley Braendler. On Saturday, May 10, the local Naracoorte SA 4WD Club explored Robe to Beachport as one of their monthly trips. We had a seven vehicle turn out, with only one vehicle needing to be recovered a couple of times, which made the day more interesting.

Active management the only way to reduce risk: Tony Bartlett

Dr Tony Bartlett. The claims in my critique of research published by academics David Lindenmayer, Philip Zylstra and others are not demonstrably false and do not misrepresent scientific evidence. They are based on my own very considerable experience in forest management as well as careful consideration of both their research and the much wider body of Australian bushfire science ... There is a very strong body of existing knowledge about forest fire management in Australia, much of which is based on decades of on-ground research trials and the analysis of outcomes from major bushfires.

Dynamic duo makes spotting a future champion look easy

There's an old saying, "he's got a good eye for a horse". It means someone is skilled at recognising all-round quality and that undefinable “something” that is a combination of conformation, temperament and suitability for a specific purpose, such as racing or riding. Greg Gerry and Darren Telford, who run Whitmere Stud, certainly know how to do that.

Planning Victoria’s renewable energy future

VicGrid, the government body responsible for planning and developing the state's renewable energy zones, has released the Draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan for community and industry feedback ... It sets out how much more wind and solar energy Victoria is expected to need over the next 15 years and identifies the most suitable locations for new renewable energy and transmission projects.

REZ map redrawn to zero in on Mallee communities

Member for Mallee, Dr. Anne Webster, says the Victorian Labor government has sharpened its sights on Marnoo, Navarre, Beulah, Warracknabeal, Normanville and Quambatook to bear the brunt of the VNI West transmission line, wind turbine and solar panel burden of their energy targets.

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