Mayor defends controversial levy
The much maligned Public Transport Levy, which sees Toowoomba Region residents fork out money regardless of where they live in the region, has been defended by Mayor Geoff McDonald. Mayor McDonald said Council was aware that many residents, particularly in rural and regional townships, had provided feedback on the value of the levy…
NSW Country Mayors take funding concerns to Canberra
A delegation from the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) had an intensive series of meetings with Australian Government and Opposition representatives in Canberra last week, with a focus on improving awareness of the financial plight of rural, regional and remote Councils and the dire need to improve Federal Financial Assistance Grants to support sky-rocketing operating costs.
Step up to save mountain plant
A community-based project to re-establish a critically endangered plant in the Burrowa Pine Mountain National Park (BPMNP) is gaining momentum in the Upper Murray. Mountain Banksia (B. canei) became locally extinct in the park following the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.
‘We”ve had enough of being ignored’
The Towong Shire Council is expecting a large turnout for the community rally in Corryong this Sunday calling for a new single-site regional hospital on a greenfield site in Albury Wodonga. Sunday's protest is the latest step in a protracted campaign that has snowballed since the NSW and Victorian governments announced a joint $558 million funding commitment to redevelop the existing Albury Base hospital.
Time to reopen the Northern Rail Line — and councils must lead the way: Siri Gamage
Dr Siri Gamage. It’s been over three decades since trains last ran north of Armidale toward the Queensland border. But the question is no longer why the Northern Railway Line should be reopened—it’s why not, and when ... Reactivating the disused railway line could deliver enormous benefits for both NSW and Queensland. The infrastructure may be old, but the opportunity is very current ... There are five compelling reasons to revive this corridor ...
Council invests in sustainable future
A major upgrade at the Grafton Regional Landfill is helping Clarence Valley Council (CVC) reduce their carbon footprint while delivering sustainable results for the environment and economic benefits for the local community. Aimed at capturing harmful methane (CH4) gas emissions which are byproducts of the decomposing waste buried underground, 12 vertical gas extraction wells which extend 40m below the surface ...
Meet the new post office building owners
Listen out for the chime of the town clock in the coming months. A new era, including a fixed timepiece, is to come for local iconic building, Hay Post Office. Catherine and Trent Cox (pictured) have bought the heritage-listed building and significant historical landmark.
Massive wind farm gets green light despite local opposition
A 1,300-megawatt wind farm between Hay and Deniliquin has been approved by planning authorities, promising to power more than half a million homes ... The Pottinger Wind Farm, stretching across farmland 60 kilometres south of Hay, will be one of Australia's largest wind energy projects when completed. But the decision hasn't come without controversy – more than 50 public objections forced the project to independent assessment rather than departmental approval.
Tree policy becomes a tree trap
Land clearing was effectively banned back in 1983—but apparently no one told the Shire of Northam. Their newly released draft Tree Retention Policy (LPP27) reads as if state and federal restrictions don’t exist. It’s packed with all the right buzzwords—biodiversity, canopy cover, climate resilience—but beneath the green gloss is a bureaucratic trap.
The road to the Bentley Art Prize was well travelled at its 40th show
At the 40th Bentley Art Prize presentations were made at Bentley Community Hall ... Reg and Phyllis Hartley started the Bentley Art Prize in 1985 and ran it until 2005, when Helen Trustum took over.
Transmission meetings disappoint Council
Buloke Shire Council ... Council accepted the invitation in good faith, based on TCV’s indication that an important update on the project would be shared. However, during the meeting, Council was advised that no announcement would, in fact, be made. Instead, the meeting was re-framed by TCV as an opportunity to strengthen its relationship with Council and improve consultation processes. Council expressed its disappointment ... Council was not informed of this amendment during Minister D’Ambrosio’s visit, despite its relevance and impact on affected landowners, some of which were present and engaged in the discussion held.
Councils become ‘critical frontline actors’ in crisis response
A joint emergency response by five local councils during one of the most severe weather events in Victorian history has redefined how regional organisations can work together to save property and lives, a new study has found.
Better big bank abandons communities, again
Just two years after local towns of Barham and Cohuna had their Bendigo Bank agencies ripped from their clutches the Better Big Bank is at it again. In 2024 the Bendigo Bank reported a net profit, after tax for 2024, of a meagre $545.0 million, up 9.7 per cent.
Council responds to pay dispute
Towong Shire Council has expressed disappointment that some of its outdoor staff have chosen to engage in industrial action regarding the current Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiations. In response to last week's industrial action, council said in a statement that it had made a two-stage pay offer to staff which would see them on average get a 4.23 per cent increase on current hourly rates and applicable allowances.
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.
