Horsham Council resigns from WSMD
Horsham Rural City Council has given notice of its intention to resign as a member of Wimmera Southern Mallee Development (WSMD), following a special meeting of the WSMD Board ... The Council cited an increasing misalignment between WSMD’s strategic direction and Council’s local strategic priorities – resulting in declining engagement and project delivery effectiveness – as the principal reason for the decision to withdraw.
Brick by brick: Big project
A buoyant crowd gathered at Maldon Community Centre on Thursday 21 August to hear the announcement from Community Bank Maldon & District about its BIG Project grant, which offered a million dollars over five years to create long-lasting impact within the local community ... $650,000 will be invested with the Mount Alexander Affordable Housing Trust towards affordable housing in Maldon.
Council recognises Covid concerns
The Covid concerns raised by people at recent community meetings discussing the impact of vaccinations have been recognised by Council now they have to advocate for answers.
Council calls for drought recognition
West Wimmera Shire Council has called on the State Government to expand the drought declaration area to cover the entire shire ... The program helps farmers affected by drought to meet their general rates and municipal charges ... Council also resolved to lobby the state government to expand the drought declaration area to cover the entire shire.
Group rejects “poultry corridor”
The Castlemaine–Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) committee released a statement on Wednesday 13 August confirming it had lodged a formal objection with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) opposing the planned development of a broiler farm at 705 Baringhup Road, Carisbrook. A case is being heard at VCAT after the property owner applied for a review...
Planning Scheme recognises Allora’s heritage values
Southern Downs Regional Council held a well attended community information session last Thursday in the Allora Community Hall, where residents had the opportunity to meet face to face with Councillors and town planning staff regarding how the Council's Draft Planning Scheme will affect Allora.
Community backs hospital protest
"People in our region have stopped calling 000 altogether, instead driving loved ones with seizures, chest pain or trauma to hospital themselves because they simply do not believe an ambulance will get there in time. Directly because of this lack of beds, we have seen elderly patients from Corryong discharged from Albury Wodonga Health in the middle of the night with no transport, no money and no plan": Stan Stavros, Better Border Health.
Floodway upgrade complete on rural road
Upgrades have finished on the Jimna Springs Road Floodway over Umbiram Creek at Southbrook, completed by Toowoomba Regional Council. The upgrade was delivered through Betterment funding as part of the broader 2022 Flood Recovery Program.
New hub a community legacy
Christine Webster. The completion of the $4.6m Waikerie Riverfront Community Hub was celebrated with a Grand Opening at the venue on Saturday, attended by about 100 people. Waikerie Football Club president Brendan Sidhu officially welcomed those who attended the event, including Barker MP Tony Pasin, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone, and Elizabeth MP Lee Odenwalder...
Mobile tower confusion
Of 27 mobile phone towers planned for the South East, Telstra only ever earmarked two for the Naracoorte Lucindale Council area, with parts of districts like Callendale, Spence and others remaining without services. As Telstra, since 2011, is a private company with service obligations to rural and regional people, the council opted following a 6-4 vote - not to put $140,185 of ratepayer funds into the telco giant’s project.
Playbourhoods can create a better childhood if we dare to dream of something more
“This motion is fundamentally about the mental health of our children, it’s about the emotional stability of our children. It is about their cognitive and physical development. It is about their social development. This motion is about PLAY.”
Reaction to unexpected REZ’s expansion: Council’s deep disappointment
Buloke Shire Council has expressed deep disappointment with the State Government's handling of a major expansion to Victoria's REZs, which now push significantly into Buloke communities. The major extension of the Grampians-Wimmera REZ now extends into Buloke's west near Curyo and Wilkur and the NW REZ has shifted closer to the north-east of Charlton.
WestWind Energy welcomes Victorian Transmission Plan
Victoria's premier wind farm developer, WestWind Energy, welcomes the Victorian State Government's commitment to the renewable energy transition with the release of the Victorian Transmission Plan. WestWind's Managing Director, Tobi Geiger, says "Today's announcement by VicGrid follows months, if not years, of meaningful engagement and considering feedback from many stakeholders.
2025 Victorian Transmission Plan released
VicGrid recently released a long-term strategic plan for the development of Victoria’s renewable energy zones designed to deliver certainty and fairness for communities and industry and keep the lights on as coal-fired power closes down.
Frustration boils over at algae forum
Sarah Herrmann. An Ardrossan commercial fisherman gave state government representatives a piece of his mind at a government-run algal bloom community forum in Minlaton last week, criticising their grant eligibility criteria and calling for action on fish stocks.
Mine camp dispute not likely to stall Iluka timeframe
Iluka Resources is involved in a dispute over unpaid dues, relating to the construction of a mine camp at their $600 million Balranald project, according to The West Australian newspaper. Iluka Resources is currently in a legal dispute with the contractor, MCC Mining Camps Pty Ltd, who is responsible for the facility, which includes a kitchen, dining area, and laundry.
Hay to pioneer NSW’s first CERT program in town with existing ambulance services
NSW Ambulance is considering establishing a groundbreaking Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) pilot program in Hay, marking the first time such an initiative would operate in a NSW town that already has an existing ambulance centre.
Winning moments captured in Stay and Play Photography Competition
The Stay and Play Photography Competition, in partnership with Nexus Airlines, invited photographers of all skill levels to enter photos that convey the essence of why families should holiday in Geraldton.
War cry
More than 200 residents and concerned citizens from neighbouring municipalities turned up on Sunday at the Corryong Memorial Hall to protest against the redevelopment of the Albury Hospital and to continue the fight to have a new facility built on a greenfield site to meet the future needs of Albury Wodonga and surrounding communities.
International street fiesta returning in November
On Monday, Chinese and North Indian dance routines gave a vibrant prelude to the exciting program that awaits visitors to the International Street Fiesta at Toowoomba's Queens Park on Saturday, November 1.
Houseboat hooray: Renmark dry dock to support local houseboat community
The Riverland houseboat community will have access to critical maintenance services as part of a new partnership between Renmark Paringa Council and Smooth Flow Group. The Renmark dry dock, which had previously served large river vessels, will soon undergo preparatory works by Smooth Flow Group to allow the service and maintenance of smaller boats, delivering essential infrastructure to support the region's houseboat community.
Ann refusing new National Trust revenue fee
Hugh Schuitemaker. The chairman of Renmark's Olivewood museum says she is "fed up" with a lack of support and consultation from National Trust SA ... "It's almost as if they are trying to bleed the branches dry." Ann Ryan said volunteers had been directly responsible for raising money to purchase, and maintaining, many of Olivewood's major exhibits.
