Penola named South Australian Agricultural Town of the Year 2024: Scriven
Penola, in South Australia's Limestone Coast, has been named the 2024 Agricultural Town of the Year, in recognition of its dedication to agriculture, agricultural education and community. The announcement was made at the Regional Showcase Awards held at Beresford House in McLaren Vale.
Narrandera celebrates its furry friends
Sean Cunningham. This year’s Narrandera Koala Fest at the Brewery Flat Reserve attracted a large number of wildlife enthusiasts. The event is designed to celebrate Narrandera’s furry friends and to raise awareness about their conservation. A Narrandera Shire Council spokesperson hailed the event as a success with many koalas being spotted.
Honour Wall recognises achievement and heritage of Wiradjuri people
Narrandera Shire Council, in partnership with the Narrandera Aboriginal Elders Liaison Group, officially opened the Wiradjuri Honour Wall at Marie Bashir Park in Narrandera on Saturday. This event celebrated and honoured the rich cultural heritage and achievements of the Wiradjuri people. Wiradjuri elder Aunty Jennifer Johnson had the honour of cutting the ribbon...
Illegal trails claim: Call for Hallowell bike ban
Patricia Gill. Friends of Kooryanderup (Mt Hallowell) are calling for a ban on mountain biking on the 532ha A-Class reserve. The Friends have raised concerns as the Shire of Denmark is set to overhaul the Mt Hallowell Management Plan (2008). The Friends report having seen youngsters with shovels and rakes emerging from the Sheila Heritage Trail Park Reserve.
Gannawarra Shire pushes hard on renewables
Around 70 people attended the Gannawarra Shire Council’s (GSC) renewable energy day. The day commenced in the Kerang Memorial Hall … According to the figure produced by Gannawarra Shire Council, 80 farming businesses are involved in energy projects…
Forum tackles aged care issues
The Hay Shire Council Aged Care Roundtable was held last Monday and was organised by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care Local Network. More than 25 people attended, representing Council, Haydays, Hay Multi-Purpose Service, and aged care providers and support services.
New CVC mayor and deputy mayor elected
Ray Smith has been elected as the new Clarence Valley Council (CVC) Mayor during the first ordinary meeting of council following the 2024 Local Government Election at the Grafton Council Chambers ... As he outlined his experience and knowledge while reflecting on his extensive career within Local Government, Cr Smith spoke of his past leadership across three "very different councils with different cultures" over a 30 year period ...
Emergency works get started at Foul Bay
Rachel Hagan. Yorke Peninsula Council is about to undertake almost $100,000 worth of emergency works to address erosion at Mud Alley in Foul Bay. Over the past 40 years, coastal erosion has gradually worn away the beachfront, leaving properties vulnerable to flooding during severe weather events.
Generators arrive to remote towns in Far West
Emily McInerney. It was announced at midday Saturday ... that power has been restored, via generator, to customers living in rural areas outside of Broken Hill, after Essential Energy completed aerial inspections of the power network and confirmed it was safe to re-energise. More than 12,000 customers were impacted by unplanned outages following a storm that moved through the area on Wednesday night, bringing down transmission towers and causing damage to the electricity network.
Central Darling Shire Council seeking community views for flood planning
Community views are being sought for the Central Darling Shire Flood Risk Management Study and Plan. Central Darling Shire Council has engaged consultants to undertake the Central Darling Shire Flood Risk Management Study and Plan which will focus on the townships of Wilcannia, Menindee, Ivanhoe, Tilpa and Sunset Strip.
Ireland calls for upgrade
The low-level classification of a road servicing traffic between Bordertown, Lucindale and Kingston will be compared with similar roads by Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration. This follows Cr Peter Ireland’s call for the classification of several roads, including Dickensons Rd, to be reviewed and upgraded in the council's Road and Stormwater Infrastructure Management Plan. The plan includes a road hierarchy, and the matter was raised at the council's September 10 Strategic Asset and Planning (SAP) meeting.
Will Tatiara support LCLGA?
The Tatiara District Council’s support for the Limestone Coast Local Government Association (LCLGA) hangs in the balance. In a motion without notice at the Council’s September meeting, Cr Lynton Mackenzie said the council should convey to the association’s board that the elected members of the Council "have lost their belief in the ability of the LCLGA to viably deliver economically quantifiable outcomes for the Limestone Coast region and, more significantly, the Tatiara District Council".
Buloke shares accommodation funds
The State Government is supporting regional businesses to attract and retain staff with new homes for thousands of regional Victorian workers and their families. Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan and Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney recently announced the first round of the $150 million Regional Worker Accommodation Fund...
Weir launches re-election campaign
Ahead of the state election on 26 October, the campaign for incumbent Member for Condamine Pat Weir was officially launched at Toowoomba Showgrounds last week. With various polls indicating the Liberal National Party (LNP) headed by David Crisafulli has all but won the election, Mr Weir remains cautiously optimistic … Presiding over the occasion was the President of Liberal National Party of Queensland Lawrence Springborg.
Navigating the economy with Nimbin’s unique strengths
David Hyett. Like many across Australia, small businesses in Nimbin face ongoing economic challenges as we enter the last quarter of 2024. However, Nimbin’s strength lies in its vibrant, alternative community, which reflects Aquarian values. We offer a unique experience.
No cruisy matter
Sarah Herrmann. Wallaroo will soon enter its fifth summer since a cruise ship docked at its jetty. The port town last hosted a cruise ship during the 2019-20 cruise season, not long before the Covid-19 pandemic began ... South Australia will host 119 cruise ship visits during the 2024-25 season, key stakeholders are advocating for the ships to return to the Copper Coast.
Support this project – one Blue Tree at a time
In a remarkable show of solidarity, neighbourhood houses in the Buloke, Gannawarra, Mildura Rural City and Swan Hill Rural City councils added “Blue Trees” to their towns on World Mental Health Day ... in support of the Blue Tree Project. Incorporating “Blue Trees” into the Mallee landscape was a Mallee Neighbourhood House Network initiative…. to raise awareness and encourage people in the Mallee to have open and honest conversations about mental health.
A bridge by any other name”¦ council chooses eight new names
Eight bridges are being named by Richmond Valley Council. These are the names: Hansens Bridge, Monaghans Bridge, Whiteside Bridge, Trustums Bridge, Mathers Bridge, Nowlans Bridge, Watsons Bridge and One Tree Crossing. What do you think of the names?
Cape Jaffa Marina closure
Following severe storms at the end of August 2024 which saw seven metre swells hit the coastline, significant sand ingress compromised safe navigation of vessels to and from the Cape Jaffa Marina. As a result, the commercial fishing fleet unfortunately had to transport to Robe to commence their annual fishing season.
October – Safe Work Month
Preventing injuries, accidents, bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct while at work will be a focus this month - National Safe Work Month ... Although some people have died while working in their own businesses, helping to keep employees safe in the workplace is behind recent reforms to work health and safety laws. SA Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher announced the “significant reforms” ...
Tourism gets a fresh charge
The Snowy Valleys region is set to become an even better destination for electric vehicle (EV) owners with the installation of ten public EV charging stations. Snowy Hydro is supporting Snowy Valleys Council (SVC) to install and maintain the new charging stations which will be strategically located in Khancoban, Adelong, Talbingo, Tumbarumba and Tumut.
Elected councillors declared – No changes following recount for Hay and Edward River
There have been no changes following a recount in Hay and Edward River Councils last Friday. An unsuccessful candidate in both Hay and Deniliquin requested the recount due to very tight margins … The official councillors for the next four years for Hay are Martyn Quinn, Will Miller, Carol Oataway, Lionel Garner, Darren Tapper, Geoff Chapman, Paul Porter and John Perry.
