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NSW

NSW Government announces new Regional Jobs Precinct in the Namoi

At a Tamworth press conference on Wednesday 7 April 2021, The Hon Kevin Anderson, Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation and Member for Tamworth, announced that NSW’s Namoi region will be the state’s fourth Regional Jobs Precinct.

Kerang racing

Kendall Jennings. I have never been so close to racing before, a privilege for owners, trainers and the media. Oh my, I was in for a treat, feeling like a kid at the lolly shop, eyes wide and smiles everywhere. I was treated to an all-area pass, and I made the most of it. I spoke to jockeys, trainers, owners and volunteers, absorbing as much as I could to learn more about horse racing—everything from horse earmuffs to shoes.

Another bank bites the dust

Kirstin Nicholson. Cohuna has lost another of its bank branches with the closure of the ANZ Bank on March 19. It is the third bank branch to close its doors in recent years, following in the footsteps of the Commonwealth Bank and Bendigo Bank. The NAB is the only bank branch still operating in the district. Staff from the branch have been relocated to neighbouring towns or have taken packages.

ACCC trading review released

Under the government lead water reforms, water trading is mostly unregulated, not even requiring an ABN to trade water. “There is no law against market manipulation in the Murray-Darling Basin water markets,” ACCC deputy chair, Mr Keogh said. “So, it’s not illegal, even if it is occurring.” In Australia we now have multinational corporates, foreign buyers and the big end of town able to buy, trade and, in some instances, remain capital gains tax free as they bid for water against Aussie food and fibre producers.

Burnout series on track at Brobena

Motorsport fans had their popular Easter Brobenah Burnout Championships canned for the second time due to COVID. But the not-for-profit organisation, Brobenah Burnouts, is aiming to stage a three round championship series, kicking off next month, and are also concentrating on raising funds for a new burnout pad.

Rod Run hailed a spectacular event

Nicholas Rupolo. Narrandera’s first major COVID-Safe event has passed with flying colours and organisers deeming the 2021 Easter Rod Run as a spectacular weekend. Organiser Steve Alldrick has applauded visitors and rodders for supporting the 36th annual Narrandera Rod Run and helping the local community and its businesses thrive. The event was boosted by the State Government’s announcement that outdoor restrictions had been lifted.

The Riverina State – on the road!

The Riverina State Group’s objective is to form The Riverina into a State of Australia separate from NSW. This road sign will be one of many to inform people of this proposed formation, and promote State formation.

NRLX sells $10m in a record week

In an inspiring turnaround since the devastating drought and bushfires, the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange has celebrated its biggest ever week with a combined revenue from three days of sales exceeding $10 million ... NRLX operations manager Brad Willis said the sale results proved the strength of the region’s market. “Many buyers commented it was the strongest sale they had ever seen, including several who came from as far afield as the Victorian border,” Mr Willis said. “Demand for high quality cattle remains exceptionally strong, and it’s fair to say the selection of cattle on sale last week was some of the best quality stock in the country." Mr Willis said people had said the Casino market was so strong and the prices were unbelievable. “Many of the local producers who sell their stock through the NRLX were hand feeding their herds at the peak of the drought in mid-2019. Then many were hit by the fires,” he said.

Laments at loss of stores

Target Country store in Casino has closed. John Hamilton photographed workers taking down the sign at the Coles Plaza last Wednesday. Next month Price Busters will move into the shop vacated by Target. Not everyone is happy about the lack of a clothing store in Casino, especially one that sells affordable children’s clothing.

Planes were chocka and eyes were on world champion event

Chocolate eggs rained from the skies at Casino Airport on the weekend. Tyson and Kevin Dodd, who have a property at Dyraaba and live in Sydney, organised the event with NSW Aeromodellers. There were 120 aircraft and owners travelled from Queensland and Victoria to be at the Richmond Valley Casino Airport Fly In ... NSW Aeromodellers saw the fly in as a test run for a much bigger event in 2023.

Buzzing with excitement to educate their community

Emma Pritchard. Let it bee known, Grafton couple Ken and Carol Faulkner are extremely passionate about the Clarence Valley’s native bees, and they are dedicated to educating their community, particularly children, about the important roles these humble flying insects play in the environment and how we can all help to keep their population buzzing.

Let’s talk about women’s rights

Geoff Helisma. Prue Leggoe was awarded her Order of Australia Medal on January 26, 2019, for her work in the advancement of women’s rights, support and empowerment, and her service to community job-readiness initiatives. Now residing in Maclean, Ms Leggoe (formerly Sibree) was the Liberal member for Kew in Victoria from 1981 to 1986.

Crowds gather at 116th Maclean Highland Gathering

Emma Pritchard. The unmistakable sounds of the bagpipes and drums which filled the air above Maclean during the Easter long weekend, signalled the triumphant return of one of the Clarence Valley’s most characteristic, culturally significant and popular local events. After being cancelled in 2020 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and faced with the possibility of history repeating itself this year, the 116th Maclean Highland Gathering went ahead as planned on April 2 and 3.

Prospero claims dramatic Easter Cup win at Port

Rod Fuller. A dashing ride from the tail of the field by Dylan Gibbons resulted in victory to Prospero in an action-packed Easter Cup at the Port Macquarie race meeting on Saturday. Gibbons was content to settle the Nathan Doyle trained gelding well behind the early leaders, Bay of Bengal and Za Za Zena, before making a move around the field down the side of the track.

Crews work to re-open Waterfall Way

Crews will continue to work around the clock over the Easter long weekend to clean up landslips caused by wild weather on Waterfall Way between Dorrigo and Bellingen and restore access for communities.

Persistence pays off as Eagles finally prevail

Rebecca Rowlings. The Narrandera Eagles senior women’s side broke their SNSW drought with a tense four-point win over the Brookdale Bluebells at Lockhart last Friday. After completing their inaugural season in 2020 without a win, the Eagles had endured six straight losses in 2021.

Water tower mural design sparks community outrage

A bitter stoush has erupted over a proposed water tower mural at Yerong Creek with the community labelling the art work as garish and cartoonish. A deputation to Lockhart Shire Council’s March meeting pleaded for a replacement design, with their petition of 100 signatures and suggestions passed on to a selection committee and a decision was due to be made this week. Residents were “insulted and angry” over the short consultation time frame on a design already endorsed by Council.

That dog don’t hunt

‘The Weekly Times’ water reporter, Peter Hunt, appears to be off the scent. Mr Hunt attempted to downplay the Darling’s historical contributions to South Australia’s allocations. The article that appeared in the March 24 edition reported that ‘a 20-year-old, one-off calculation is being used by opponents of flood plain harvesting to exaggerate the value of the Darling River’s flow to Murray River communities.’

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