New visitor experience approved for Chinchilla
Chinchilla will be home to the region’s first micro-brewery tourist experience following Western Downs Regional Council’s approval of an expansion of a popular tourist park in the area, Clover Hill Accommodation and Camping.
Massive storms unprecedented – deluge prompts council rethink
Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Neville Kschenka was left "frustrated and heartbroken" as he witnessed the damage Narrandera sustained during the weekend storms. On the edge of Narrandera as the storm broke, Cr Kschenka reached the centre of town as the weather event gathered momentum with lashing rain and strong gusts of wind.
GSC meetings remain virtual
Gannawarra Shire Council has announced that all councillor briefing sessions and council meetings will be held virtually, rather than in-person until at least May. Neighbouring local government areas have all returned to face-to-face meetings, making use of COVID-19 safe plans ... Speaking on the matter, Cr Garner Smith said, “I am extremely disappointed that the decision was made to force councillors to meet via Zoom with no consultation with councillors at all. I just received an email informing of the arrangements and was expected to accept it. "
The dates are set and Eat the Street is back for 2022
The popular Eat the Street Festival will return to Lismore’s CBD on Sunday, 29 May after it was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 ... Since its inception in 2016, Eat the Street has quickly become an iconic Northern Rivers festival, showcasing the regions’ finest food vendors and entertaining tens of thousands of people.
Rally outside council chambers to push for a mayor elected by the people
At the council’s meeting in January, councillors voted for Kylie Thomas to replace Danielle Mulholland as mayor. Many people were shocked by the vote expecting Ms Mullholland to continue as mayor for another term.
Group opposes quarry DA with submission from 40 members delivered to council
Bentley came to the Richmond Valley Council office in Casino on February 1. Holding their placards, the Bentley Our Sustainable Future group came on the final day of submissions for the development application of Bentley Quarry.
Raising a cup towards future progress
Emma Pritchard. Members of the local community were invited to have a cuppa with Clarence Valley Councillors last week ... residents arrived at the Grafton Council Chambers in Prince St and spent the morning chatting with councillors, sharing their concerns, identifying areas of improvement, and raising awareness of community events.
Cooktown volunteers recognised
“From music and the arts, to sport and the passionate commitment of the many tireless volunteers in our community, our award recipients and nominees are to be applauded for their hard work and dedication. Their passion demonstrates the Australian spirit in action” : Cook Shire mayor, Peter Scott.
New Year, new barra challenge
The countdown to the 2022 barramundi season is well and truly on with keen anglers across the Rockhampton region and country ready to wet a line and chase their New Year barra personal bests (PB’s) from the 1st of February. Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the number of trophy Barra over the magic metre in length continues to grow each season.
Dark skies the limit for stargazers with new position statement released
Western Australia's clear skies are ideal for high-quality astronomical observation and have long been a destination for both scientific and recreational stargazers. The policy sets out to preserve and protect the night sky through limiting light and dust pollution, while signalling support for astrotourism - an emerging niche within the local tourism market - with countless opportunities across the State.
Guilderton café unlikely to open until mid-April
In August last year the new managers, Belgravia Leisure, said major upgrades would transform the Guilderton General Store into a clean, fresh and modern beachside café and general store offering essential grocery and travel supplies for Guilderton residents and tourists visiting the region.
Council welcomes new Chief Executive Officer
Barkly Regional Council has appointed its new CEO after a lengthy recruitment process by Councillors and the Mayor. Emma Bradbury joins the Council from the Murray Darling Association as the outgoing CEO.
Best tap water in Australia is in”¦? (take a guess)
If you think the water tastes good in Casino, you’d be spot on. Known more for its beef, Casino is officially home to Australia’s best tap water. Richmond Valley Council has won top honours in the Ixom 2021 Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia competition.
A time for reimagining
Geoff Helisma. Speaking on behalf of the ‘team’, Clarence Valley's new mayor, Cr Ian Tiley’s speech - published here - now stands as a manifesto that all electors will be able to refer to when measuring the new council’s performance.
Work continues on storm recovery
Hepburn Shire Council is continuing to support recovery efforts in the community following a thunderstorm that damaged homes and property in and around Creswick and Clunes on 5 January. “The intensity of this storm caused widespread damage to homes, farms and public land in the west of our Shire. Our preliminary estimates are around $10m of damage to Council assets alone, and around $25m damage to crops” : Hepburn Shire Mayor, Cr Tim Drylie.
Libraries After Dark providing social evenings for the community
Mildura Library is providing an alternative to relax and keep cool while enjoying a social evening by extending its opening hours on Thursdays as part of the Libraries After Dark program. Libraries After Dark is a state-wide initiative initially aimed at providing problem gamblers with alternative options and venues for socialising through extended evening opening hours at libraries.
New exhibition explores Australians love of boats
Australia’s history is populated with maritime related stories. With over 1,000 rivers and a coast that stretches for more than 36,000 kilometres, it is no surprise that Australia abounds with stories of people who have lived and worked on the water. This exhibition presents some of those stories, exploring the remarkable connections between people and their boats.
Straight talk from your new mayor
Kylie Thomas said it would take time for the Kyogle community to get used to having a new mayor. “I want people to know that I’ve been here a long time. I’m known in this community. I’m a team player and I have no outside agenda,” Kylie said.
Lockyer Valley to welcome Bruce and Denise Morcombe as 2022 Australia Day Ambassadors
The Lockyer Valley will welcome child safety advocates Bruce Morcombe OAM and Denise Morcombe OAM to the region as the 2022 Australia Day Ambassadors. Co-founders of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, the couple are committed to making communities a safer place for children.
Lord Howe Island Board Report
The Lord Howe Island Board Report covers a wide range of key matters relating to the island, including management, Covid-19, projects, infrastructure, engineering, environment and biosecurity.
Anyinginyi angered by gym eviction
Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation is calling out the behaviour of the Barkly Regional Council (BRC) for the eviction of the Corporation from the Sport and Recreation Centre. The town’s sole gym was built by Anyinginyi, maintained and operated for two decades on Purkiss Reserve. Anyinginyi Board Chairperson Ross Williams said the actions of Council are a repudiation of the Barkly Regional Deal’s intent to work together, co-operatively in the interests of the community.
151 Denmark people won’t be home for Christmas
A total of 151 Denmark people, aged one year to 87, are homeless or live in caravans, sheds, vehicles, tents, in overcrowded housing, sleep rough or couch surf. The number is expected to swell by 22 per cent by the end of the year due to people living in insecure housing ... more than 30 people were applying for each rental vacancy in Denmark, rents were ‘sky-high’, families were leaving Denmark and businesses were closing or reducing operating hours because of the staff shortage.
