Mayor pulls no punches on parliament visit – housing issue is a priority
South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Brett Otto has hit the ground running on his visit to George Street in Brisbane to meet with Cabinet Ministers ... “Minister Enoch is fully aware of our housing situation here in the South Burnett, as a result of high property demand and a lack of available affordable housing,” Mayor Otto said.
Beach plans in disarray
Andrew Gill. The future of the Ocean to Channel Recreation Precinct development planned for Ocean Beach is in doubt with the Denmark Shire’s application for $4 million from the Building Better Regions Fund rejected ... The blow comes as the shire and surf club battle to save beach assets in the wake of erosion caused by a series of wild winter storms.
Latest gallery exhibitions build the natural connection
Two exhibitions open at the Caloundra Regional Gallery Friday October, 15, exploring our connection to the ocean and the many ways nature sustains our wellbeing. I Sea U and Healing Garden are on display until December 5.
Clifton GAB bore and new treatment plant to be up and running early 2022
Design and construction of Clifton’s new reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment plant is well underway with the purchase of equipment, building water storage tanks and connection pipes.
New rate peg methodology includes population growth
Geoff Helisma. NSW Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock has “endorsed the new rate peg methodology and has asked IPART to give effect to it in setting the rate peg from the 2022-23 financial year” ... Clarence Valley Council’s (CVC) general manager, Ashley Lindsay, said he didn’t foresee any “significant increase in its revenue”, because of the changes.
Fighting on our own
Deaths and high hospitalisation rates from COVID-19 will be the harsh reality for Cape residents if the state and federal governments do not act immediately to improve vaccination rates. The numbers in some communities are frighteningly low.
Yet the state and federal leaders have been absent ... The Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service has tried its best to service the vast region in a timely manner, however they are working in a flawed system. Some communities – Coen, for example – have only been able to access the vaccine on a handful of days this year.
Disaster management a major focus for councils
Mark Knowles. A Forum in Cairns last week highlighted the need to improve disaster resilience in Cape York and the Torres Strait. Organised by the Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance, the forum connected local councils, key government agencies, critical service providers, and non-government organisations from across North Queensland in order to improve disaster preparedness.
Tune in to the Cleve Harvest Music Fest, 30 October 2021
Cleve Harvest Music Fest is the newest live music festival on the South Australian calendar, situated in the thriving Eyre Peninsula, agricultural town of Cleve.
State invited to co-invest in SA tourism with Tumby Bay jetty refurbishment
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has been presented with a ground-breaking opportunity for the State to work with the District Council of Tumby Bay on significantly refurbishing the Tumby Bay Jetty to benefit cruise ship tourism on Eyre Peninsula, as well as tourism and the community at large.
Who has been dumping asbestos and rubbish in the Byron Shire? ”‹
Byron Shire Council and the NSW Environment Protection Authority are investigating two illegal dumping incidents in the Byron Shire ... In both cases the materials were remnants from renovations including fibro sheets, some of which were asbestos, tiles, timber and a fridge.
Outback Lifesavers are back!
The overwhelming success of the State’s first Outback Lifesaver program last summer will see the concept return to Wagga Wagga early next year. Wagga Wagga City Council and Royal Life Saving NSW will again partner in the delivery of the program which gives youngsters the chance to learn lifesaving water safety skills at pools and inland waterways.
Birtinya-based business wins at Qld export awards
From their headquarters at Birtinya, Kilcoy Global Foods manages the production, distribution, and export of eight million cartons of premium beef annually to more than 35 global markets. KGF is also a major supplier to Australian supermarkets, food wholesalers, fine dining establishments and family restaurants including McDonalds.
Aboriginal flag fixed
Gabrielle Duykers. Tatiara District Council will permanently fly the Aboriginal flag, following a letter from a local woman condemning councillors over its absence. Council currently flies the Australian, South Australian and Tatiara flags at the Dukes Highway town entrances to Bordertown and its Bordertown Council office ... The City of Mount Gambier and Robe District Council are the only other Limestone Coast councils to permanently fly the Aboriginal flag outside their offices.
Calls for more emergency food relief in Barossa
The Barossa Food Security Network is calling on the community to support the emergency food relief initiative by becoming a supplier or distributor of cooked meals. Barossa Mayor Bim Lange says the network is currently distributing around 85 meals a week to people experiencing hardship, and demand is increasing.
Government introduces population growth factor to raise infrastructure funds for growing councils and communities
Shelly Hancock, NSW Minister for Local Government, announces that the NSW government will introduce a population growth factor in the annual rate peg from July 2022 to raise additional revenue for councils to fund key infrastructure in growing communities.
Gateway to growth – Lakeland is Cape’s next boom town
Considered the Gateway to the Cape, the farming community of Lakeland is shaping as the gateway to growth in Cook Shire. Already the agricultural capital of the region, Lakeland’s potential to develop into a bustling township is being seriously considered by the council.
Djaara Lights to transform city centre
Bendigo’s Telstra Exchange building and neighbouring Bendigo Creek will be transformed in early November with the spectacular night time display Djaara Lights, featuring neon artworks, street art and digital experiences telling stories from Dja Dja Wurrung People.
International recognition for Tweed River management
Tweed Shire Council has been recognised as one of three top leaders in global river management at the prestigious 21st Thiess International Riverprize for its work on the Tweed River ... Council has been working with a broad range of partners for more than 30 years on projects to increase the health of the Tweed River, following a series of devastating fish kills in the late 1980s.
Regional Water Alliance, Qld Minister for Water discuss future water supply options
The Southern Queensland Inland and New South Wales Border Regional Water Alliance (SQINB-RWA) has committed to advancing negotiations around planning for the area’s long-term water security ... “Cooperation between the three levels of government will be a key feature of finding solutions and identifying new water sources": Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio.
Young Archie 2021 exhibition now open
A collection of portraits by some of Wellington Shire’s budding young artists is now on display in the Young Archie 2021 exhibition at Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale.
Locals are invited to take part in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count
Greater Shepparton City Council and RiverConnect are inviting the community to join BirdLife, Australia’s annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count from 18-24 October 2021 and discover the birds sharing our local backyards, parks and reserves.
Visitor centre future secured
Patricia Gill. The Denmark Chamber of Commerce will run the Denmark Visitor Centre for the next three years as a ‘dynamic’ shared space to welcome tourists and the community. The Denmark Shire Council made the decision to hand over the running of the visitor centre at the September 21 meeting in line with the draft Sustainable Tourism Strategy ... The service will include the community-valued face-to-face model of visitor servicing.
