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.
Community-led campaign marks one year
The Limestone Coast Sustainable Futures Association recently marked its one-year anniversary with a powerful show of community strength at its AGM, reaffirming its leadership in the fight to protect prime agricultural land and groundwater from rare earth mining in the region.
Council seeks improved transparency
At its July Council Meeting, Buloke Shire Council moved a motion for Council to write to relevant Ministers and Departments to seek genuine engagement between Council, the Government and the Buloke Shire community following the recent visit of the Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio, MP, Minister for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action on June 11, 2025. The Notice of Motion expressed disappointment in the Minister for failing to inform Councillors of major legislative changes tabled just eight days later ...
World-first kiosks for the Grampians and Wimmera-Mallee
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism, with the support of the Victorian Government and local councils including Southern Grampians Shire Council, Northern Grampians Shire Council, and Buloke Shire Council, is thrilled to announce the installation of three world-first off-grid Digital Inspiration Kiosks powered entirely by renewable energy sources – solar and wind – using sodium ion batteries to address the harsh Australian environment.
Emu elegy: How to make friends with big birds
Mike Gillam. Like the parade of Coober Pedy blower trucks, emus create wonderful silhouettes in a landscape of prevailing flatness ... One moves slightly, and there it is, up periscope, the largest male still accompanied by the adolescents of the previous year, confirms their emu identity.
Ervin’s Village
Ervin Janek presents over 100 small wooden portraits of friends, family, and community members. The series began in response to the tremendous goodwill that he experienced after devastating loss from the Cudlee Creek fires.
Nannup Flower and Garden Festival 8–17 August 2025
It’s here again! After another year of dedicated planning and hard work, the Flower and Garden Committee has once again delivered an engaging and educational event. With generous support from sponsors, key speakers, and community partners, the committee continues to grow the event’s impact and appeal each year.
Get ready for an unforgettable week featuring vibrant entertainment, Art Awards, dinner under the stars and headline act, Hoodoo Gurus!
The Inspire Festival, a collaboration between the Shire of Ashburton and Rio Tinto, will bring a week of activations and events for all ages. Starting off with the 2025 Ashburton Art Awards Exhibition, followed by a culinary experience under the Pilbara stars with a degustation by Fervor, Ladies Night and then the final hoorah...Inspire Festival at the Village Green!
Full program released for Rockhampton River Festival 2025
Rockhampton River Festival is set to light up the Riverside Precinct once again, with the full program for River Fest 2025 now officially released. From Friday 25 to Sunday 27 July, the city will come alive with music, art and culture and the best part? It’s free!
