News

The numbers are in on the accelerated escape from the city trend, with quarterly migration from capital cities to regional areas over the past two years up 15% on the two years prior to the global pandemic. According to the latest Regional Movers Index, produced in partnership by the Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), the December quarter index showed net migration to the country’s regions is more than double what it was in the two years pre-COVID.

The City of Wanneroo is calling on the McGowan Government to build a new desalination plant in Alkimos by 2028 saying the Water Corporation’s reliance on the Gnangara Mound to supply water for Perth and Peel is unsustainable. The city’s call, which also includes a request for a wastewater recycling plant, is in response to the government’s release of the draft Gnangara groundwater allocation plan (GGAP).

Police will allege that about 1.45am, a number of men armed with axes forced entry into a property on Dewar St and assaulted two men, who were sleeping inside at the time. Both men (aged 49 and 60) received extensive injuries and were flown to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment.

Patricia Gill. Rob and Sally Seminara tell of how a ‘firey’, overcome with emotion, had wept while presenting them with a cake after the couple had returned to their burnt out house. The show of emotion and gesture touched the hearts of the devastated couple whose home of 30 years at Parryville was razed overnight on February 4.

Serena Kirby. Steve Birkbeck’s 20 million-litre dam at Wentworth Road became a watery asset during the recent bushfire. A constant stream of helicopters and fire trucks drew many millions of litres from the dam. Once a controversial feature, the dam is said to have enabled dozens of properties to be saved.

Petrol prices across Narrandera jumped to a new high last week, with local service stations charging almost $1.80 for a litre of Unleaded 91. The average unleaded petrol price in Narrandera was $1.77.4 per litre. The town’s motorists could be forgiven for pointing the finger at nations throughout the world which are flexing their military might.

Charles Sturt, in collaboration with Lockhart Shire Council and The Rock Progress Association, officially opened The Rock Regional Observatory on Friday. The observatory will be used for educational astronomical observation and research activities for residents and visitors.

Jeff Hanson. Narrandera harness trainer Ellen Bartley is preparing for one of the biggest nights of her young training career with Miss Chantilly set to contest the Group 1 NSW Oaks at Menangle on Saturday.

Kirstin Nicholson. Ben Timms, of the Barham Licenced Post Office, was out on his delivery run when he came across another driver in need of help at around 10am ... Rushing to assist, he grabbed the fire extinguisher from his own vehicle to prevent the fire from spreading. While performing his good deed, the driver of the burning vehicle fled in Ben’s utility, driving east along Barham Road.

Kendall Jennings. The second day of the SHDCA Under 16s held at Murrabit on Friday evening, February 18, was a nail biter. The Murray Raiders entered day two with a two-run lead. However, Wandella’s third batsman, and captain, Bohden McKnight, was strong at the crease, making 74 runs before retiring (not out), a vital batsman for Wandella. Harvey Macri (2) and Thomas Graedy (1) were not out. After 40 overs, Wandella eight for 161.

CANEGROWERS has welcomed the opportunity for the significant issues and concerns that surround the reef regulations imposed on farmers to be aired in the Queensland Parliament.

It’s not until you’re up close to the mural drawn onto Casino’s water tower that you can really know the scale of the artwork. It is huge. Mural painters Steve Falco and Jordan Bruce are aware of the impact the mural will have on the town’s residents. The water tower can be seen from nearly everywhere.

The timber mill at Wyan has been sold. The Tarmac Sawmilling site on Tenterfield Rd went into liquidation last July and recently sold. The Tarmac Sawmilling Pty Ltd parent company is in South Australia and a staff member there said the mill was forced to close after the 2019 bushfires.

Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Resources Paul Toole has announced the NSW Government will not support commercial applications for offshore mineral, coal or petroleum exploration or mining, in or adjacent to, NSW coastal waters.

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt has announced that new light will be shed on the potential for additional groundwater resources in the upper Darling River region ... Geoscience Australia, in collaboration with the NSW Government, will commence an airborne electromagnetic survey across this section of north-west NSW to better understand the location of groundwater resources and their movement beneath the floodplain and its surrounds.

Geoff Helisma. The cost of vital repairs to the rock gabion dam at the foot of the Shannon Creek Dam spillway has blown out from the awarded $1.145 million (ex GST) contract to a “foreshadowed variation” budget of “between $3.16 million and $4.13 million”.

Emma Pritchard. The Grafton Chamber of Commerce hosted its first breakfast meeting of the year at the Clocktower Hotel last week ... In assuming his new role with the Chamber, Mr Jablonski, a passionate advocate for local youths, spoke to the crowd about encouraging mentorships for young people and getting them actively involved in entrepreneurships and business.