Council

Joanna Tucker. At least 1000 proposed homes across Yorke Peninsula are being delayed due to a lack of infrastructure within the SA Water network, according to Copper Coast Council. Chief executive Dylan Strong said the issue is not unique to the Copper Coast, but delays in SA Water’s trunk upgrades are affecting local developments.

WaterNSW is closing Bell’s Bay campground and cottages at Toonumbar Dam in late June ... Kyogle Fishing Club has been using the campground for more than 50 years.

Gannawarra Shire Council has formalised its opposition to the State Government’s implementation of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund. Councillors approved an urgent item motion at last week’s Council meeting opposing the fund, which will come into effect in July to support VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria, as well as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).

The proposed State Government levy at the centre of a recent community meeting in Baringhup has been passed by the Victorian Parliament ... During her visit to Castlemaine Station, Premier Jacinta Allan responded to a TT query about the timing of the new levy.

“This is an emergency”. That is the urgent message from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross, who has issued a heartfelt appeal to the government for immediate support for farmers grappling with severe drought in the area.

The Narrandera Business Group (NBG) had a strong turnout for its May meeting last week ... Members also openly assessed the group's strengths and weaknesses, sparking discussion which set the stage for future growth.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has made changes to its local laws to assist those struggling to secure housing by allowing short-term residential use of caravans … Council resolved last month to amend its Subordinate Local Law No. 1.3 to allow temporary residential use of caravans, subject to conditions that manage public safety and amenity.

Christine Webster. Swan Reach, west of Morgan, plus Truro and Mannum, have been suggested as having the most potential for accommodating development in a draft Growth Management and Housing Strategy for the Mid Murray ... The draft strategy said the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve presented significant economic development opportunities across several industries...

Artist James Voller recently returned to the Rainbow Llew Schilling Silo to further develop his concept for art activation at the Silo once construction works are complete ... The Rainbow Silo presents a new challenge though, with the inclusion of internal art activation within one of the Silo bins - a first for the popular Silo Art genre.

The silent heroes of a town are the ones who put their hands up to volunteer. "If you want something done, ask a busy person," as the old cliché says. So, as we celebrate National Volunteer Week, let's look into the many undertakings of our Mayor, Carol Oataway.

The community has spoken and Whyalla City Council has listened – last night endorsing the introduction of a city-wide dry zone, following majority public support for the idea. Council received almost 2,500 responses to its survey over a six-week period, asking residents if they wanted to retain the existing dry zone, or move to a city-wide dry zone.

“It’s a call to connection, to courage, and to conversation.” That’s how Councillor Cristie Yager described the second Notice of Motion she put forward ... “We must be strong enough together to admit when we get it wrong, and to keep trying until we get it right, because the only time things truly fail is when we stop trying.”

It was over within two hours. There were no adjournments, minimal disruptions, and a quiet sense amongst several members of the public seated in the gallery that the first progressive steps towards restoring trust and transparency between Clarence Valley Council (CVC) and the local community following weeks of tense backlash were taken during the monthly Ordinary Meeting of CVC in Maclean on May 15.

Following completion of the Campaspe Shire section of the Waranga Rail Trail in late March, the entire trail was officially opened on 17 May in Rushworth by Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell.

A Regional Cities New South Wales delegation comprising local government leaders from nine municipalities from across the state last week embarked on a two-day tour of the Central West ... Regional Cities NSW Deputy Chair and Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council Cr Russell Webb said the visit allowed delegation members to get a deeper insight into the industries, infrastructure and unique attractions in other regions.

Joanna Tucker. Work is continuing towards the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra and Moonta World Heritage bid, with the possibility heritage status may be achieved as soon as next year ... an opportunity to skip the preliminary assessment, so World Heritage consultant Barry Gamble has decided to endorse the parallel preparation of a full World Heritage nomination.

Jeni Kendell. Each May, the Nimbin Aquarius Foundation is planning to put on an event to celebrate the original Aquarius Festival in 1973 which helped reawaken and renew our wonderful town of Nimbin and ripple out in so many ways to far corners of this country. This annual event will resemble the ‘Festival of Dangerous Ideas’ that has become a landmark for people thinking outside the square.

Campaspe Shire Council is deeply disheartened by the passing of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) by the Victorian Parliament. While we wholeheartedly support the necessity of funding for volunteers, Campaspe Shire Council, alongside numerous other Victorian councils, vehemently opposed the introduction of this fund.

How can the Kyogle Visitor Information Centre be improved? At the May 12 Kyogle Council meeting, mayor Danielle Mulholland put forward a motion about the VIC as it is called. “The VIC has been under-utilised for years,” Ms Mulholland said.

Wagga Wagga residents will have their first chance to see designs for the three new bridges to be built in the town with Inland Rail releasing new visualisations for public viewing. The new visualisations show how the Edmondson Street road bridge, Wagga Wagga Station footbridge – also known as Mothers Bridge – and Cassidy Parade footbridge will look once completed.