NSW

Bernice Shepherd. Community gardens and city farms have been around for a long time, but they are enjoying a resurgence in popularity in Australia ... We are lucky to have several gardens in our area and I visited three of them; one well established, one partway there, and another in the beginning phases.

Rodney Stevens. The sporting talent of Yamba was on show on the international stage over the weekend with former Buccaneer’s junior Jed Holloway earning his first Wallabies cap, plus Cameron Pilley and cousin Donna Lobban playing for bronze in the mixed doubles squash.

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The annual show is an important part of the cultural life in the small village of Woodstock and surrounds, and has been for decades now. The show provides the community with the opportunity to reflect on its values and aspirations; celebrate achievements ranging from excellence in prime lamb breeding to the beauty of a delicate piece of embroidery; and enjoy a break from the routine of everyday life.

Full water storages coupled with a 50% chance of another La Niña  in 2022–23 are driving management strategies in the River Murray System for the year ahead, according to the MDBA's 2022–23 Annual Operating Outlook ... Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Executive Director of River Management, Andrew Reynolds, said the Annual Operating Outlook explains how the river would be run based on a range of potential climatic and rainfall scenarios.  

The designs of the new $260 million state-of-the-art Eurobodalla Regional Hospital have been unveiled, showcasing an overall increase in bed capacity and significantly expanded health service. Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the new hospital will provide more services than are currently available at the Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals combined.

Demand for the facilities at Wagga Wagga’s new $12 million Multisport Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna Reserve is growing, with several events on the calendar for August. The 2022 AusCycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships will be held at the facility next weekend (13–14 August), followed by the Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon on Saturday 20 August.

Boutique Hunter Valley winery, Briar Ridge Vineyard, wins “Other White (& Blends) Wine of the Year” with the 2021 Limited Release Albariño by winemaker Alex Beckett ... Winemaker Alex Beckett also recently took out the Riedel 2022 Hunter Valley Young Achiever of the Year award that recognises exceptional talent and contribution to the wine industry by winemakers under the age of 35.

More than 19,500 feral pigs have been culled in seven months through targeted aerial shooting operations run by the NSW Government ... “There is a definite concern that if FMD was to enter our country, it could be spread through feral pig populations across NSW,”: Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders

The NSW Government has announced a Riverina rail revival is under way with more than $70 million in rail projects funded under the Fixing Country Rail Program, with the largest project now officially complete.  Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said 174 kilometres of rail between Junee and Griffith has been replaced, while a $11.7 million project is about to get under way near Coolamon to further reduce rail bottlenecks on the line.

The Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to increase its 2022-23 borrowing bid to the Office of Local Government and NSW Treasury from $2 million to $3 million to enable it to undertake stormwater infrastructure works in urban Narrandera. The works are aimed at solving severe flooding that occurred in the town earlier this year.

Narrandera Landcare had a rewarding National Tree Day planting morning at The Wetlands on Sunday when more than 40 volunteers helped plant the seedlings the group's volunteers started propagating late last year ... Over 600 seedlings were planted on the morning, adding to the 150 local schools had already planted this year.

Water politics in Australia’s $13 billion political plan to save the Murray-Darling Basin is rapidly deteriorating as political drivers rip apart what remains of meaningful engagement, sustainable water industries and communities reliant on a balanced plan. Despite all the promises and shiny beads, sadly, politics and bureaucracy show little interest in change.

A recent controversial social media post has highlighted the importance of communication, engagement and balancing expectations. The target of the post was the red gum forestry operations on Campbells Island back in early 2020. A meeting held at Murray Connect on Monday, July 25, saw industry, community members and forestry start a conversation over harvesting, management, rules and sustainability. In a three-part article, we will break down some of the rules, regulation and concerns.

Ali Bohn. I do not need to remind you how cold it has been lately ... The thing I love most about winter is the comforting aroma of soups and casseroles bubbling away on the stove, and home-baked treats fresh from the oven ... Meals and lunchbox treats, and sometimes extras to deliver to family members.

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Out now!

“Failure is not an option,” David Witherden said. The civil engineer has a massive job ahead of him as chief executive of the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation that will lead the rebuild and recovery after the floods ... The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation was set up on July 1 and the actions it takes will be defined by the State Government flood inquiry findings.

Southern Downs Poultry Club recently staged their popular Annual Poultry Show and Treaty at the Allora Showgrounds. Exhibitors and interested parties came from many parts of Queensland as well as New South Wales.