What a day for changing the game
Hugh Schuitemaker. Riverland sporting volunteers had the chance to learn new skills and hear from an Olympic gold medallist in Renmark. More than 100 local sporting enthusiasts and local government representatives attended last Saturday’s Gamechanger event, held at St Francis of Assisi College, in Renmark.
Community podcasting
A small group of enthusiastic participants from Charlton, Donald, Wycheproof, and Birchip recently came together to trial podcasting and broadcasting equipment in a hands-on, skills-sharing session designed to support future community storytelling and fundraising.
100 years! What a day for Maldon Croquet
It has been through the hoops, weathered every challenge that the century could roll at it and come out the other side to celebrate its one hundredth birthday; congratulations to Maldon Croquet Club!
Many voices at community forum
A community forum at Baringhup Hall on Wednesday 26 March attracted close to 50 attendees, many with comments and questions about the State Government's proposed Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF). Arranged and hosted by local campaigner Brian Fitzgerald, the forum featured representatives from local and state government plus the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF).
Libs in election mode
Dangerous potholed roads, a crippling drought, the high cost of living, failing and unreliable mobile phone coverage, burgeoning government bureaucracy – as May 3 looms, they are just a few of the concerns people want addressed by the next federal government. The nation is in election mode and Liberal senators Alex Antic and Leah Blyth have been weaving their way throughout the Limestone Coast…
Labor blames Liberals
The Albanese government considers the cost of living, access to secure and well-paid jobs, and infrastructure as the most pressing issues for voters in regional towns like Naracoorte. As Australia goes to polls on May 3, a lot is at stake for all political parties. Acknowledging that “people are doing it tough,” the current federal government of four years blames the current challenges to a previous decade of “Liberal neglect.”
Street works impact bakery
The small profits achieved by the Upper Murray Community Bakery in January and February have been offset by a decrease in custom caused by the streetscape project. "The bakery is currently operating at deficit of approximately $4000 per week, which is completely unsustainable,"...
Mayor tells of family tragedy
Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead, was front and centre when 500 people gathered at Albury's QEII Square on Saturday to rally for a new single site, greenfield hospital on the border ... Speaking at the rally, Cr Whitehead said that "a broken system" had contributed to his father's death ...
Sculpture launch precedes lunch
Khancoban came alive on Saturday with the highly anticipated Khancoban Long Lunch event and the opening of the local leg of the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail and Snowy Hydro monument. Held at the town's community hall, the event was an afternoon filled with fine food, live music and a warm community atmosphere.
Land valuations rise across region
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald has allayed fears of a large increase in their Council rates following the release of land valuations last week. The Valuer-General has issued new land valuations to the Toowoomba Region, which has an overall median increase of 31 per cent since the last revaluation issued in 2022.
No compensation for holiday van owners
Clarence Valley Council Mayor, Ray Smith is confident Council is acting in accordance with legislation concerning the impending eviction of 136 Holiday Caravan owners at four Council managed caravan parks. Letters were sent in early March to Holiday Caravan owners at Iluka Riverside Holiday Park, Brooms Head Holiday Park…
Mandatory state government charge to be collected by councils
"... the 3 per cent rates increase to Hindmarsh is approximately $250,000 (which will cover our insurance premium increases and not a lot more), while the ESVF will generate for the state government between $2m to $3m additional from Hindmarsh alone. Multiply these figures by 38 rural councils across the state and the sum becomes $76-118 million!!!": Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ron Ismay.
Council chasing water
Funding is being sought for Council to undertake test bores to identify a suitable ground water source for Hay. Council currently draws water from the Murrumbidgee River, but fears there could be a major risk on the water supply should the river water become unavailable or unsuitable.
Riverland councils left high and dry as federal funding falls short – What about us?
“We’re paying more for everything we do, whether it’s fixing roads, managing waste, or maintaining community facilities. But unlike households, local government has to contend with the cost shifting of services from other levels of government, with no extra funding to support them": Renmark Paringa Mayor Peter Hunter ... Mid Murray Council also strongly advocating for more federal support ... The South Australian Local Government Association has also called on the Federal Government to provide appropriate funding for local governments.
Health inquiry visits
Michelle Daw, Rachel Hagan. About 130 people attended the meeting held at Yorketown Town Hall ... and around 60 went to the Wallaroo Town Hall meeting ... with many individuals and representatives from organisations making passionate and sometimes heartbreaking presentations.
Two cars for one
The Central Desert Regional Council has sent “to the legal team” questions from the Alice Springs News about car expenses for its President, Adrian Dixon ... What has been the cost to the council of the provision of cars to President Dixon since March 2022? ... What was the President doing in Mt Isa in November last year? ...
Clean up contractors collect dead fish from Richmond River
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the Department of Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are working with local councils to respond to the fish kills in Richmond and Clarence waterways after ex-cyclone Alfred.
Hard Talk: Top election issues
Healthcare, infrastructure, the rising cost of living and government waste are among the key concerns impacting voters in regional towns like Naracoorte in the South East ... In this edition of Hard Talk, The [Naracoorte] News spoke with several political leaders to gain insight into the major election topics that could determine the outcome.
Emergency services levy pushback
At its Tuesday 18 March meeting, Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) passed a motion to write to the State Government with objections to the proposed introduction of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Levy (ESVFL) in its current form.
Rugby heavyweights ruck n’ roll into Coffs Harbour
NSW Rugby reps have started rolling into the area ahead of the inaugural Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby that is set to light up the City of Coffs Harbour ... Some 2,000 tickets to the extravaganza at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Saturday 5 April have already been snapped up.
25 years in local government
This week marked the 25th anniversary of Councillor Carol Taylor holding public office between the Cambooya Shire Council and Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC). Cr Taylor was elected as a Cambooya Shire Division 4 Councillor alongside Maxwell Middleton on 25 March 2000.
Skatepark is a community achievement
Towong Shire Council and community members came together to celebrate the official opening of the Corryong Skatepark on Saturday. The event saw a tremendous turnout from residents and skatepark users with families, young skaters and community members enjoying the day.
