New SAM building now open
Greater Shepparton City Council is excited to announce the official virtual opening of the new Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) building on Friday 19 November at 7.00pm. The virtual opening will be available online for everyone to view and will feature some very special guests and presenters.
Council contemplates future for Emerald Ag College site
The future of the former Emerald Agricultural College site could be secured in early 2022, with Central Highlands Regional Council confirming its interest in acquiring part of the land. In a general council meeting in October, councillors voted to provide formal advice to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) about council’s desire to purchase approximately 350 hectares of the site, located on the Capricorn Highway.
No longer a rocky road when breakwater gets new path
Work has started on what will be one of the most exciting pathways in Evans Head. The pavement along the southern breakwall will have a $150,000 upgrade making it easier to walk along the breakwater with the sea on both sides.
Timber! How will the 1930s felled hoop pine be honoured in the village?
In a village known for its 1930s hoop pines, it was a sorry sight to see one of its tallest beauties felled this morning. The tree towered above the lavender canopy of the jacaranda nestled below its branches at the Bonalbo Tourist Park ... Marion moved to Bonalbo because she “fell in love with the hoop pines.”
Waste strategy will bring circular economy to Lismore and villages
Lismore City Council has put its Draft Lismore Resource Recovery and Residual Waste Strategy 2022 to 2032 on public exhibition, coinciding with National Recycling Week that aims to improve the community’s knowledge about recycling.
Light up the Square kicks off start of festive season
The City of Kwinana is set to light up its City square with its annual Christmas celebration on 26 November in the heart of Kwinana City Centre. The community is invited to celebrate the start of the Christmas season and come down to Chisham Square from 4pm to participate in the free activities on offer.
Green is the new gold: Mooloolaba’s new parkland takes out National horticultural award
The Mooloolaba Boardwalk and Parkland Project has been awarded for its excellence and environmental responsibility in design by the Australian Institute of Horticulture Inc (AIH). The 2021 Green Space Urban Award recognised this signature project’s commitment in preserving the iconic Norfolk Pines, which have become sentinels of the Mooloolaba foreshore.
Eyre Reptile and Wildlife Park closure
The park has provided access to a range of wildlife for both the community of Whyalla and visitors over a number of years, helping educate students and enable children to get up-close and interact with some of their favourite animals. However, the economic downturn brought about by COVID-19 and, in particular, the associated restrictions on travel have had a significant impact on the ongoing viability of the business.
Turtles on the move across Greater Shepparton
Greater Shepparton City Council has received several reports of turtles exploring local lakes and wetlands, with the rainy conditions triggering turtles to look for safe sites to lay their eggs.
Don’t make decisions about us without us: NLC
The Northern Land Council (NLC) has called on the Territory Government to stop making decisions without it. NLC announced this week it supports the call by the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the Northern Territory (AMSANT) that a safe reopening of the Northern Territory must be based on a number of key principles and actions ... “This is about our lives, our people and our country. Governments have to think beyond the big cities when making important decisions about our mob out bush – don’t make decisions about us without us”: Samuel Bush-Blanasi, NLC Chairman.
Calls to ban duck shooting at Cairn Curran Reservoir
A letter co-signed by a consortium of environmental community groups has been sent to Mount Alexander Shire and Central Goldfields Shires seeking their support to have duck shooting banned in the Cairn Curran Reservoir area. Signatories say the activity is no longer appropriate for safety reasons, and the area would be better served as a sanctuary to protect threatened species.
Food van up and running
The Narrandera Youth Council’s Food Trailer ‘Take A Bite Into the Future” project’ has now come to fruition ... The project will see the Youth Council providing a variety of food and drinks at community and Council events ... The design of the trailer showcases some of Narrandera’s beautiful landmarks and landscape.
Division decision
Segregation of the community based on vaccination status is now the norm after Gannawarra Shire Council (GSC) implemented the Andrews Government roadmap. The unvaccinated 16 years and over will now be excluded from Gannawarra Library Service branches and swimming pools, despite being able to mingle in many other retailers, essential services and localities.
“Locked out” council divided
Kendall Jennings. The trio of councillors said the Zoom meetings have been difficult from their residences due to service connectivity and wanted to use the council offices for the scheduled meetings for the day. However, the councillors have been told that the offices are not a working space because there is no disability access, and to use the space would be against the anti-discrimination act.
Mayor, councillors hear concerns of remote base
Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott and two councillors have heard the concerns of residents living in the council’s smallest locality. Around eight Portland Roads residents – or Iron Range if you want to be technical about the actual locality – attended a community forum last Tuesday to voice their concerns ... One of the hot topics was the desire for better water access in the area.
Minister Hinchliffe MP visits the South Burnett, opens bicycle museum
Queensland Government Minister for Tourism and Sport, Stirling Hinchliffe MP visited the South Burnett on Saturday 6 November 2021. Minister Hinchliffe opened Blackbutt’s new Bicycle Building School and Museum, the brainchild of renowned Penny Farthing historian, Mr Brett Richardson.
Cleve Harvest Music Fest success!
The Superjesus headlined the inaugural Cleve Harvest Music Fest on Saturday, 30 October 2021. The Cleve Harvest Music Fest is the newest live music festival on the South Australian calendar.
Group blasts bridge decision
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.
Locals rate NL Council’s Blackford fire response
Gabrielle Duykers. Residents affected by the Blackford fire have described local council as “missing in action” during the recovery efforts following the tragic event. In January this year, the Blackford fire burnt through more than 14,000 hectares of land throughout Lucindale and Avenue Range. On September 23, 2021, Naracoorte Lucindale Council emailed a survey to residents and landowners affected by the fire to gain feedback on its recovery actions and approach.
New registration laws for short-term rental accommodation in NSW
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.
Conversation with Sanjeev
In a wide-ranging, exclusive conversation with Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin, GFG Alliance Executive Chairman Sanjeev Gupta has reiterated his passion for Whyalla; his green steel and hydrogen plans; and thanked the community and employees for their hard work and persistence.
Stay alert and slow down for cattle when driving around the Central Highlands stock routes
Did you know Queensland stock routes cover around 72,000 km and 48 local government areas? Drovers are herding cattle along the stock routes passing through the Central Highlands at Yan Yan Road through to Lilyvale Road, Gregory Highway and Capricornia Highway through to Springsure and Rolleston areas. These roads are subject to change depending on conditions and motorists are urged to be patient and vigilant whenever they are driving along a stock route.
