Trail receives international recognition
The Sculpture by the Sea project, incorporating the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, was the recent recipient of the prestigious Gratias Agit award in Prague. Founding CEO and artistic director, David Handley, travelled to Prague as a guest of the Czech government to receive the award on behalf of Sculpture by the Sea.
De-amalgamation back on the agenda
Planning is underway to establish a case in favour of creating a new council for rural areas to the south and west of Toowoomba. It's the second serious attempt to separate a large slice of the Region's rural sector from the growing urban area of Toowoomba and surrounds.
Interruption to Council services due to industrial action
Scenic Rim Regional Council is taking all possible steps to minimise disruption to the community during industrial action planned by three unions this week. Council CEO David Keenan has received notices of protected industrial action ... from three of the six unions representing Council employees...
Working dogs show their skills
The Maclean Show Society committee is recovering after their biggest weekend in recent memory with great crowds enjoying the NSW Working Dog Stock Trial championships. The 2025 Clarence Valley Council and Maclean Show Society NSW State Championships Working Stock Dog Trial was held at Maclean Showground from July 25 to 27, with competitors vying for $5000 in prize money.
Green Gold Australia’s River Road solar farm approved by Council
The latest in renewable energy projects went before the July meeting of Hay Shire Council, where the development was approved. Green Gold Energy is proposing a five-megawatt solar farm on the property of Cameron and Lyn Clark, on the Murrumbidgee River Road.
Compassionate reversal
In a compassionate reversal of a previous decision, the Naracoorte Lucindale Council has this time unanimously agreed to waive all cemetery fees for children up to the age of 10, excluding the cost of plaques. This motion, which had been rejected in May, received full support from elected members in the council meeting held on July 22.
Energy Minister must reconsider Central North REZ says Lovell
Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called on the Minister for Energy and Resources to reconsider the size and location of the Central North Renewable Energy Zone. Following the recent release of the draft Victorian Transmission Plan for public consultation, numerous objections have been raised by community members and local government...
‘Options’ on the table
Hugh Schuitemaker. Renmark Paringa elected members will consider new options in an effort to lower council's proposed 2025/26 rate rise. Renmark Paringa councillors at last week's general meeting passed a motion to lay the 2025/26 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget – including a proposed 11.25 per cent rate rise – on the table.
400 new flood-free housing lots part of Resilient Homes target for 4300 homes
Many are waiting to see the housing options that come out of the $100million Northern Rivers Resilient Lands Program. The NSW Reconstruction Authority made an announcement ... about the purchase of 72ha of flood-free land from Southern Cross University. It means 400 new housing lots in Lismore.
Premier makes a splash
Sarah Herrmann. Grants of up to $100,000 will be available to fisheries and aquaculture businesses significantly affected by the harmful algae bloom, Premier Peter Malinauskas announced during his visit to Yorke Peninsula yesterday, July 28.
Mayor Paterson’s secret second job
Retiring Mayor Matt Paterson is coy about his second job, in addition to his $116,000 a year gig heading up the council. It’s conveniently just across the road from the civic centre, at the office of Amentum, a Pine Gap defence contractor. We texted him on December 16: “Do you work for Amentum? Just checking a rumour.” No answer. Last week we asked him again...
Territory Energy Link: Why Tennant Creek’s central role is non-negotiable
The Barkly Regional Council today issued a strong call to action, urging the Northern Territory Government, Infrastructure Australia, and all stakeholders to reinstate Tennant Creek as a core component of the Territory Energy Link (TEL) corridor. The Council asserts that bypassing Tennant Creek risks squandering decades of strategic planning and undermining critical regional development.
Celebrate gastronomy and storytelling at the Bendigo Writers Festival
The 2025 Bendigo Writers Festival is fast approaching with the event taking place from Friday August 15 to Sunday August 17. This year’s festival celebrates the fusion of gastronomy and storytelling with a packed program featuring Ben Shewry, Helly Raichura, Jennifer Wong, Grace Yee and Thomas Mayo, along with many others from the literary world.
The serious business of play
Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) has been keeping play a priority; it has featured as a key agenda item at its recent council meeting and in the recently released budget. It comes as school starts back again, after a holiday period that saw local children and visitors looking for wintry activities in regional small towns.
Governor’s goldfields visit
Ian Riley. The Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, toured the region last week to visit local operations and meet with locals in her role as Head of State, representative of the King ... Her Excellency traversed towns between Harcourt and Woodend, with visits to Buda Homestead in Castlemaine, Josh’s Eggs in Monegeetta and Hanging Rock.
Allora Precinct – almost finished
Workmen have been on the site for the past few months making extensive changes to the library and sports museum at Allora. The changes include relocating the library to the old Senior Citizens Room with entry via the double glass doors down the side of the Museum.
Council staff down tools
Towong Council workers have launched historic industrial action over what they consider an "unfair" pay offer and rising charges for residents. For the first time in the council's history, its workers have commenced are taking protected industrial action in response to a wage proposal that workers say fails both staff and the local community.
Tea proclaimed a success
Corryong's 150th anniversary celebrations began on Sunday with a well attended Proclamation High Tea with many guests decked out in period dress. Corryong & District Memorial Hall committee member, Sheril Wilson, reports on the event...
Good news for Council’s coffers
Toowoomba Regional Council's financial woes as of late have been softened with the announcement of an interim $4 million surplus for the 2024/25 financial year. At last week's Ordinary Meeting of Council, Councillors endorsed the interim full year result which turned a revised $5.7 million budgeted deficit into an interim $4 million surplus.
‘A win for our communities’: Cooke celebrates Cootamundra-Gundagai demerger
After nearly a decade of community advocacy, the NSW Government has confirmed the demerger of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council will proceed. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke has welcomed the NSW Government's decision to bring an end to almost a decade of uncertainty and community campaigning ... The demerger follows the release of reports from the NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission and a Public Inquiry, clearing the way for two independent councils to be re-established.
Merv Schneider celebrates 100 years!
Nhill's Mervyn Schneider – fondly known as Merv – marked an extraordinary milestone last week, celebrating his 100th birthday surrounded by family, friends, and well-wishers. A celebration was held at the Nhill Bowling Club on Saturday, with more than 150 people in attendance.
Town Hall meetings to be held
A minimum of two Town Hall meetings a year will be held in the upper and lower Clarence Valley after a motion to introduce the concept was carried in a split vote at the July Council meeting ... Cr Yager said the motion was aimed at holding a forum for open dialogue and community connection.
