Hard Talk: Councils are struggling
Stakeholders call for local government reforms. Many local councils in the MacKillop electorate are facing serious financial strain, struggling to meet community demands while navigating complex partnerships with state and federal governments under the Local Government Act 1999.
Murals celebrate our heritage
Acclaimed artist, pioneering photographer Alex Sugar, has been creating two stunning murals in ... Corryong ... Arnold Playle - A creative tribute to the man who with his glass negative camera captured the life and times of the Upper Murray during early settlement.
Ambulance times put us at risk
The Towong and Indigo Shire Councils have joined Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley, in raising serious concerns about having the worst ambulance response times in the state. "Regional ambulances are propping up our failing health system, leaving their own communities dangerously exposed and driving response times to be the worst in state," Mr Tilley said.
Griffith Saleyards smash national record with $431 for heavy lambs
Friday the 13th may be unlucky for some, but it turned out to be a record-breaking day for the Griffith Saleyards recently. A new national record price was set for heavy lambs when prices surged to $431 per head, exceeding the previous record set just a day earlier at Wagga.
Ratepayers losing patience
Ratepayers using the Greenmount Waste Management Facility will be disappointed to learn that the Toowoomba Regional Council 2025/26 budget, handed down last week, includes no major funding for the facility. Toowoomba Regional Council Waste Portfolio spokesperson, Cr Melissa Taylor confirmed with On Our Selection News that no whole scale upgrades are planned for the waste facility in Council’s 2025/26 capital program.
Budget sees rate rise of over 9 per cent
A projected surplus of $1.5 million has been supported by substantial rate rises of over 9 per cent in the 2025/26 Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Annual Budget. As ‘Other Urban Residential Areas’, properties in the townships of Wyreema, Cambooya, Nobby, Greenmount and East Greenmount, as well as rural residential properties, will receive an average general rate rise of 9.4 per cent to $1,013.
Nat dives into the deep end
Patricia Gill. Newly-elected Warren Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts foreshadowed two controversial developments after preliminary talks with the Shire of Denmark earlier this month. They included the new supermarket on South Coast Highway and a pool ... Mr Eatts, who has based his only electoral office in Denmark, closing the Manjimup office from where he ran his campaign, visited with the National Party team including the party's leader Shane Love.
Residents asked to help review heritage register
Residents are asked to help review the historical and cultural information of the Shire of Denmark's Local Heritage Survey ... Denmark shire president Kingsley Gibson said the review was a chance for everyone to join in and write Denmark's heritage story together.
RPC looks at ‘cost cutting’ budget as rate rise goes… into the 11s
Hugh Schuitemaker. Rates for Renmark Paringa residents are set to rise by 11.25 per cent next financial year and wastewater charges will increase by 43 per cent – as council collects an extra $2.29m from its ratepayers. Renmark Paringa Council this week released its 2025/26 Draft Annual Business Plan and Budget ...
Not in my backyard – Councillors vote against unmanned fuel station
Hay Shire Councillors listened to their community when they voted against a recommendation from Council staff for the approval of a Development Application for an unmanned truck refuelling station on Moama Street. Hay Shire Council recommended the DA, with entrance via University Road, be approved with stringent conditions.
Symphony of local excitement ahead of European adventure
It was music to their ears when they were officially announced as members of the Regional Youth Orchestra (RYO) of NSW, and now, Clarence Valley Conservatorium students Oscar Woods, Tessa Darby, Casey Palmer, and Toby Smidt are preparing to head overseas on June 29 to perform at some of the world’s most renowned venues as part of the 2025 Europe Tour.
Trucking big mess: causes community concerns
Close to 50 names are inscribed on the Truck Driver’s Memorial Wall in South Grafton, a local monument situated alongside the Big River Way ... many expressing their horror via social media at the shocking volumes of rubbish including discarded shopping trolleys, dirty clothing, and general household waste, littering the site.
Whyalla Airport cleared for take-off after vital upgrade completion: Malinauskas, King, Stone
An investment of more than $30 million to upgrade one of South Australia’s most important airports has been completed, allowing vital services to the Whyalla region to continue.
Buloke withdraws from development organisation
At its ordinary meeting on Wednesday, June 18, Buloke Shire Council confirmed that it will withdraw its membership from the Wimmera Southern Mallee Development (WSMD) ... councillors voted unanimously to withdraw after determining the Shire had yet to receive any funding or demonstrated benefit – particularly in relation to WSMD's focus on addressing housing shortages across the region.
“No show” from transmission company: Farmers rally at Wycheproof
Carey Brennan. Around 200 farmers rallied at Wycheproof on Friday, June 20, outside the Buloke Shire Offices ready to greet TCV staff when they arrived to meet with Councillors … Shortly before the meeting, TCV notified Cr Getley that they had concerns for their safety after receiving advice from Vic. Police and would no longer be attending…
Community driving action in Foul Bay
Rachel Hagan. Sandbags intended to give Foul Bay's Mud Alley another decade of protection were destroyed in recent storms, and now residents are taking matters into their own hands with plans for a permanent rock wall ... However, since the destructive May 26 storm, the wall of sandbags has been battered, and now there is little left of the seawall to shield residents.
Cooktown Discovery Festival unites community in celebration of history and culture
Hundreds of locals and visitors gathered in Cooktown over the weekend for the 46th annual Cooktown Discovery Festival, celebrating the region’s rich culture, community spirit, and place in Australian history as the site of the first recorded act of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
“Let’s talk about BIG weather”
St Arnaud and district residents are invited to participate in a community-wide conversation about ways to better respond to extreme weather events and shape solutions that make sense for the region. Make a Change Australia, in partnership with Northern Grampians Shire Council and supporting organisations, will host a "Let's Talk About BIG Weather" community event on Tuesday, June 24.
Mayor welcomes Cargill takeover
Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross has expressed support for the recent acquisition of Teys Australia by US-based food and protein powerhouse Cargill. Given that a significant portion of the local workforce is employed at the Teys facility in Naracoorte, mayor Ross emphasised that the longstanding partnership between Teys—and now Cargill—and the community would continue to thrive.
Video celebrates turtle heroes and their epic quest
From humble beginnings to a thriving conservation movement, this year TurtleCare Sunshine Coast will celebrate its 20 year anniversary. See rare, behind-the-scenes footage of little miracles hatching and environmental champions at work in an uplifting video dedicated to an inspiring Sunshine Coast volunteer group.
Shellharbour’s incredible whale tales
Whale watching is in full swing in Shellharbour with numerous sightings occurring this month, including some incredible drone footage from Bushrangers Bay caught by local ORRCA volunteer Ty Peters.
Councils say farmers still need more help
Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) has acknowledged some breakthrough wins delivered by the Victorian government's Drought Response Taskforce, while warning significant challenges remain unresolved. The government has agreed to speed up access to interstate fodder, expand fodder delivery routes and fast-track kangaroo control permits for rural landholders.
