NSW

Emerging green energy powerhouse  Sweetman Renewables Ltd  has announced an expansion of its three business divisions after the recent closure of multiple deals, putting it centre stage of the green energy revolution. After a successful pre-IPO raising, the NSW company is expanding its three business divisions of hydrogen production, biomass supply and high-quality timber products.

Prominent publican Arthur Laundy and his son Stuart have paid $38 million for the large-scale Bayview Hotel on the Brisbane Waters harbourfront on the Central Coast, marking their first acquisition together.

The freehold interest in the Barham Hotel in regional New South Wales has sold off-market, as the country's pub market refuses to fall out of investor favour.

Narrandera Landcare has blasted Narrandera Shire Council for axing the lattice railway bridge project which attracted widespread community support. The proposal to convert the State-listed heritage bridge to a pedestrian bridge for cyclists and walkers ... was the subject of a DA ... The Council worked with Narrandera Landcare over six years to develop the project and then, in a surprise about turn, rejected the DA on a 5-2 majority vote.

The first Murray cod eggs of the season were collected from nesting boxes in the broodstock ponds at DPI’s Narrandera Fisheries Centre. The nesting boxes were put into the ponds in late August with hatchery staff checking for eggs from late September.

Narrandera Carpheads stalwart Brodie Perram is anticipating his side can give the Ardlethan/Barellan cricket competition a shake as they prepare for their round one bout against Kamarah ... Perram himself is a tough bowler to come up against. He is aiming for 20 to 25 wickets for the season, a goal he says is consistent with his past performances.

Kirstin Nicholson. Dr Megan Belot is the new president of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA). Locals will know Dr Belot through her previous role as a GP at the Cohuna Clinic, and her current roles as a GP anaesthetist at Cohuna Hospital, GP at Northern District Community Health (NDCH) Medical Clinic in Kerang and a GP anaesthetist and Visiting Medical Officer at Echuca Hospital.

Geoff Wakeman is not against the principles of environmental watering. He does, however, have a huge problem with the way it is being used in the Gunbower Forest/National Park, particularly around Cohuna ... As a geologist, his interest was piqued when he came across some commentary surrounding the Barmah Choke, which prompted him to take a closer look at what was happening out in the Gunbower Forest. It was then he became alarmed.

Lisa Stewart stood on the burnt ground among the charred trees at Rappville and looked across the railway line to the grand 1911 hotel. She was drawn to buy it, she said, although at the time she didn’t know why the pull was so strong. That was 18 months ago and with partner Colin Foyster, they have transformed the pub.

The fire engine red of the coral tree is unmissable at the moment. They are everywhere and are particularly virulent outside Lismore on the Bruxner Highway and along the Richmond River at Coraki and Woodburn. The scarlet flower reflects its bloom into the still river waters and if it wasn’t such an invasive weed, it would be a pretty sight.

The proposal for a battery at McKees Hill has neighbour against neighbour. This week 20 residents met on the rise of Auckram Rd outside the new site proposed for the Lismore Battery Energy Storage System (Lismore BESS) to discuss what action they would take to oppose the project.

Emma Pritchard. While she stands proudly amongst the blossoming purple trees in Grafton’s See Park, the cost of keeping Jacaranda Jill safe from vandals while on public display has led to the resignation of Jacaranda Festival President Nicholas Buckler. Mr Buckler confirmed his resignation via email late last week, citing issues regarding finances spent on 24-hour security for the 6m tall kewpie doll.

Emma Pritchard. From the moment they walked onto the stage at the Saraton Theatre on October 31, the audience applauded and cheered loudly as they watched two of the most iconic musicians in the country deliver a beautiful acoustic performance. When he told the crowd he “brought a friend along” to his hometown, Troy Cassar-Daley shot Ian Moss a cheeky grin as their fingers glided skilfully over their guitar strings.

Emma Pritchard. More than 40 members of the Maclean Music Academy will feature alongside bands, choirs and musicians from across Australia as part of the AMEB Online Orchestra this week ... To participate, the academy filmed and submitted footage of several of their members performing segments from the specially commissioned song, 'Morning Star and Evening Star'.

The bulk of this commentary has little to do with the content of the Report to the NSW Natural Resources Commission. The report addresses the consequences of the 2019/20 fires for the objectives and outcomes of the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approvals (i.e. forest health, threatened species conservation, water quality and aquatic biodiversity). The 2019/20 fires have rendered forests, in relation to these objectives and outcomes, in a highly vulnerable state because of their magnitude and severity. This vulnerability will be ongoing and challenging to deal with because the efficacy of all facets of fire management (e.g. preparation, prevention, suppression) will be adversely affected by climate change.

From 1 November 2021, owners of short-term rental accommodation (STRA) will be required to register their properties with the NSW Government and will no longer require Council planning approval.

Minister of Agriculture Adam Marshall and Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke have opened the $2.1 million state-of-the-art glasshouse precinct at the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Cowra Agricultural Research and Advisory Station. Mr Marshall said the new facility would advance the State’s research and development capabilities, enabling new science to help increase the productivity and profitability of the agriculture sector.

In 2018, the NSW Government introduced the Land Management (Native Vegetation) Code as part of the wider NSW Land Management and Biodiversity reform framework. Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said the inaugural NSW Land Management Report 2018-2020 showed how farmers had used the Code to increase agricultural production, while restoring valuable native vegetation.