White Cliffs hit with water restrictions
Central Darling Shire says the restrictions will remain in place until drought conditions improve. Level two restrictions came into effect on March 3, and will remain in place until conditions improve.
Festival forges ahead
The decision to issue a planning permit to this year’s Esoteric Festival was made conditionally at Buloke Shire Council’s ordinary meeting held on Monday night in Wycheproof. The Council had announced its decision to deny a ten-year planning permit late last week following health and safety concerns, as well as emergency services regulations.
Council targeting Chilean needle grass
Cr Carol Taylor says vigilance is needed to keep Chilean needle grass in check in the aftermath of Toowoomba Regional Council completing a program in the local area. Chilean needle grass is a Weed of National Significance and is considered to be one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasive nature, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts.
Councils take hospital fight to the streets
Towong Shire Councillors and members of the community, along with representation from other northern rural councils, assembled at a rally on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne yesterday to push for a greenfield site for a new Albury-Wodonga hospital. The current proposal for the new Albury Wodonga regional hospital is simply inadequate, according to Towong Shire mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead.
Green light for Murray Plains Meat Cooperative with red meat processing licence
The Murray Plains Meat Cooperative (MPMC) has officially received its licence for red meat processing, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to supporting local agriculture and providing ethical, small-scale livestock processing services.
Model to ‘reshape’ tourism
Patricia Gill. A changemakers Innovation Lab run in Denmark through Curtin University last month has developed an invitation-based model designed to reshape local tourism. This would shift tourism from a 'transactional industry' to a reciprocal exchange where visitors became part of an evolving story rather than passive consumers.
Leeton celebrates completion of first stage of Roxy Theatre with spectacular Gala Concert
The excitement was palpable at the re-opening of the iconic Roxy Community Theatre on Saturday night as the community was welcomed back officially into Leeton's 'Palace of Dreams'.
Morgan’s growth potential highlighted
Christine Webster. Morgan has been identified as the second-top town to have growth potential in an early engagement community and stakeholder survey, conducted by Adelaide-based firm URPS, for Mid Murray Council.
Conversation with Monica Revell, CEO Hindmarsh Shire
The devastating bushfires that swept through the Nhill, Dimboola, and Wimmera regions have left a lasting impact on residents, businesses, and wildlife. In response, local podcast Two Cousins One Chat has released a special episode featuring Hindmarsh Shire Council CEO Monica Revell, who provides insights into the damage, recovery efforts, and community support initiatives.
In conversation with Laura Black
The Clarence Valley Independent recently invited Ms Black to speak with us as a high-profile local woman in business in recognition of International Women’s Day 2025 ... Her name is instantly recognisable throughout the region as the General Manager of Clarence Valley Council ...
Goodooga Great Artesian Baths now open, ready for peak tourist season
With March marking the official start of Autumn and un-official start of the Great Outback tourist season, Brewarrina Shire Council is pleased to announce the Goodooga Great Artesian Baths are now officially back open.
Hay at the forefront of evolutionary pool safety
Hay Shire Council has embraced evolutionary AI to take the new John Houston Memorial Pool to the next level of drowning prevention with advanced pool safety.
Festival application refusal
The Buloke Shire Council has advised the organisers of the 2025 Esoteric Music Festival to cancel the event due to Council officers recommending the refusal of a planning permit based on significant health and safety concerns. With the Festival’s previous five-year planning permit expiring after the event last year, an application for a new ten-year permit was submitted in September 2024, with approval required to enable this year’s event to be held in Donald from 6 to 11 March 2025.
Marina ahoy
Joanna Tucker. Berth owners at the Copper Cove Marina, Wallaroo, have agreed to fund major mooring upgrades, totalling $800,000. Voting at a general meeting of berth owners and residents on February 19 was almost unanimous to privately fund the project.
After eight years, opera returns to Art Deco civic hall
It’s been a long time coming – the last time there was opera at the Casino Civic Hall was in 2017. The upgraded civic hall will again host a night of country music and opera in May.
Retrofits take over from buybacks as flood authority gets cash ready for homeowners
On February 28, 2022, Mal Lanyon was in the State Emergency Operations Centre in Sydney, watching the flood disaster unfold ... Three years on from those days when relentless rain filled our rivers and overflowed into our homes, Mr Lanyon is chief executive of the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Joining forces to save tourism industry
The town’s focus in 2025 will be on a fight for survival of the travel industry and the nearly 400 members of Tourism Central Australia will need to join forces. That was the unanimous view of the 150 people who attended the organisation’s AGM yesterday evening.
Levy raises questions
A State Government levy to raise funds for emergency services has caused some concerns, with suggestions that there was not enough consultation and that the levy is an expanded tax. The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) was announced in December by the Victorian Government as a replacement for the Fire Services Property Levy and will be collected from Tuesday 1 July.
Councillors, staff not protected
Elected members and council staff do not have parliamentary privilege like state and federal politicians do. They can be sued for defamation, slander, and libel as a result of what is said during any of their meetings, especially those which are open to the public and livestreamed. At Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s January 28 meeting, CEO Trevor Smart explained his previous advice around livestreaming and tort law.
Basin water conference comes to lower Murray in 2025: MDBA, Murray Bridge Council
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will hold its fifth annual water conference 29 and 30 July in the city of Murray Bridge in regional South Australia. MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said it was the first time River Reflections would be held in this part of the southern Basin where community interests and water management challenges differed to those further upstream.
Changes to TRC’s Animal Management Centre
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is removing the after-hours, drop-off box facility at Toowoomba’s Anzac Avenue Animal Management Centre effective from tomorrow, Friday, February 28. Residents are instead being called upon to help with looking after animals and finding their owners.
Council GM awarded pay rise
Emma Pritchard and Rodney Stevens. Clarence Valley Council (CVC) General Manager Laura Black has been awarded a 2.5 percent pay rise after Councillors voted on the recommendation to increase her remuneration during one of the most drama filled Council meetings in years ... Data obtained from the NSW Office of Local Government shows between July 2023 and June 2024, Ms Black was paid $363,866.
