Four new councillors elected, 6836 fail to vote
Four first time Councillors and five incumbents have been elected by the 41,897 enrolled voters in the Clarence Valley 2024 Local Government Election, while 6836 people enrolled in the area failed to vote. The newly elected Clarence Valley councillors for the next four years are Cristie Yager, Peter Johnstone, Greg Clancy, Ray Smith, Shane Causley, Allison Whaites, Lynne Cairns, Debrah Novak, and Karen Toms ...
Electricity charges
Suzie Christensen. Operationally, based on those averages, electricity generation and supply for the Island is 43 per cent more expensive than prior to the solar installation, even with the grant from [the Australian Renewable Energy Agency] ARENA. The Board’s electricity charges have only increased 10 per cent from 2021 to 2024 in that time.
Murrindindi Shire Council letter to Mary-Anne Thomas MP regarding the withdrawal of patient transport services
Council wrote to Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Minister for Health, Health Infrastructure and Ambulance Services, seeking urgent clarification regarding community concerns about the withdrawal of transport services for patients requiring dialysis, cancer treatment and other critical care. This follows feedback that transport to Seymour, for dialysis treatment – a lifeline for patients-, is being discontinued as of 30 September 2024.
Join the Gannawarra Energy bus tour
Residents wanting to learn about key proposed and completed energy infrastructure in the Gannawarra are encouraged to join Gannawarra Shire Council and various agencies for a free information morning and bus tour. Council, Edify Energy, VicGrid, Transmission Company Victoria and the Australian Energy Market Operator have united to host this special event, beginning at the Kerang Memorial Hall...
Flinders Shire Council embraces new proposed energy partnerships
Flinders Shire Council is excited to announce its participation in the Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) Energy and Economic Forum, held in Barcaldine last week. The event attracted a full house of stakeholders from across Queensland, all united by a shared vision for the future of energy and economic development in the region.
Dirt roads disappoint
Joanna Tucker. The Dirt Road Maintenance Group (DRMG) has expressed bitter disappointment over the condition of Copper Coast’s dirt roads, which they say pose serious safety risks for drivers. With an expected early start to harvest later this month, about 50 farmers and representatives of local agricultural support businesses gathered near Kadina last week to discuss their next steps.
Water security for Vale View
The days of high level water restrictions should be over soon for Vale View residents as their water is connected to the Toowoomba Bulk Water Supply ... the $1.5 million Vale View Pipeline connection program is an investment as Council continues to plan and deliver critical water infrastructure to support the future needs of townships across our region.
Volunteers save Lockhart airfield from closure
Sean Cunningham. The decision to keep Lockhart Airstrip opened has proved to be a good one with a group of workers regularly toiling hard to maintain it. Early last year, Lockhart Shire Council was considering closing the airstrip, however after many submissions were received requesting council to reconsider its proposal, council agreed by resolution to continue with the lease of the airstrip.
Carnival of Flowers reaches Singapore
Singapore horticultural show garden, Gardens by the Bay’s first Australian-themed floral display Carnival of Flowers, inspired by Toowoomba’s ongoing event, opened this week with a mini “floral float” parade. The iconic Singapore attraction, which was recently named Number 8 in the world by Tripadvisor, showcases plants from all over the world in thematic floral displays.
Asbestos clean up
Rachel Hagan. Cleaning up three illegal asbestos dumps on southern Yorke Peninsula will cost more than $300,000. Yorke Peninsula Council had previously allocated this money for strategic projects. At council’s September 11 meeting, elected members unanimously agreed $321,514 of quarantined general rate revenue would be put towards removing asbestos at Marion Bay, Berry Bay and Coobowie.
How aerodrome expansion will create hundreds of jobs
A Sunshine Coast aerodrome that dates back to 1931 is set to soar into the future as a hub for aviation innovation, maintenance and advanced manufacturing. Caloundra Aerodrome, owned by Sunshine Coast Council, will be expanded with the development of an exciting new precinct called Caloundra Aerospace Park. There will be a range of lots available within the 6.3 hectare land release ...
Goonellabah Sewerage Scheme makes way for future housing growth
Lismore City Council has delivered a $7 million wastewater project, unlocking development opportunity for up to 600 new housing lots in Goonellabah. Completed in partnership with BASEC Engineering, DGP Water and Ledonne Constructions, the Pineapple Road Sewerage Scheme involved the installation of a new pump station and over four kilometres of pipeline, creating 30 local jobs.
Barrel run into Mid North Coast surfing culture
City of Coffs Harbour’s exceptional art gallery and museum has been making waves in its first 12 months and the next major exhibition will be a deep dive into local surf culture. Swell Chasers: Surf Stories from the Mid North Coast will open at Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) [in November] ... the community can get involved right now.
Be involved in the bid
Maldon Museum and Historic Archives is hosting a Victorian Goldfields World Heritage bid (VGWHB) information display as part of the World Heritage Bid Roadshow ... You may be aware of the bid for the Victorian Goldfields to become World Heritage listed.
SA regions need access to cash, says MP
Banks should ensure rural South Australians – like those living in the South East – have access to cash, a state MP says. One Nation’s Sarah Game introduced a bill to SA Parliament last week to protect the right of South Australians to pay cash for all government services, including council fees and charges.
Mayor and deputy returned for further terms on council
Sean Cunningham. Narrandera's voters have returned Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Neville Kschenka and Deputy Mayor Sue Ruffles to the new council, following Saturday’s Local Government Election. Councillor Kschenka received the highest number of votes with 14.89 per cent of the formal votes, while Cr Ruffles attracted the next largest margin of votes with 12.86 per cent of the formal votes cast, according to the number of votes counted at the time of going to publication.
Our hope for a new council
In welcoming our newly elected Clarence Valley councillors to their important positions as custodians of the interests of all ratepayers, may I make a gentle plea for them giving their utmost attention to the new Council’s public finances. On listening to all the Council candidates give their final speeches to the Yamba Chamber of Commerce “convince the ratepayers” meeting, I came away with two major thoughts.
Yagerbomb: First time candidate secures most initial count votes
As counting continues in the 2024 Local Government Elections first time candidate Cristie Yager had a clear lead in the initial count winning 13 of the 28 polling booths across the Clarence Valley ... Cristie Yager told the CV Independent she made an early declaration in February that she would be a candidate as she wanted to take an open approach and make her intentions publicly known as she worked toward polling day ... "Once I decided I would run for council I began to research," she said.
Say NO to water buybacks
Hay Shire Council is urging residents to support a petition led by local member for Murray, Helen Dalton, which seeks to protect regional and remote communities from the potential impacts of Commonwealth Water Buybacks. The petition which needs 10,000 signatures calls on the NSW Government to ensure that no water transfers occur without a detailed and transparent report into the expected impact of any Commonwealth buybacks.
Miller leads the polls
New candidate for Hay Shire Council, Will Miller is sitting comfortably in the lead with 331 First Preference Votes. Outgoing mayor, Carol Oataway polled 296 votes and in third place is Martyn Quinn with 183 votes ... Eight councillors will be elected from the 10 candidates.
Sand drags a high-octane success
Wallaroo welcomed sand drags for the first time on the weekend after Copper Coast Motorsports sand drags track opening earlier this month ... attracted more than 1500 spectators and 70 entrants over the two days, with event organisers saying the meeting was a major economic boost for Yorke Peninsula.
Mustow is mayor for historic third term
Mayor Mustow is back – but he never really went anywhere. At 10pm, today, Saturday, September 14, Robert Mustow has 2896 votes which equates to almost 39 per cent of the vote. This gives Mr Mustow his third term as [Richmond Valley] mayor.
