Lightning Ridge Easter Festival
One of outback NSW's most beloved events is just around the corner, and this year's Lightning Ridge Easter Festival is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. The program is now available online, so you can start planning your long weekend before you even pack the car.
Ripple Fest and Rochester Mural Festival bring creativity to Rochester
Rochester will come alive with colour, creativity and community spirit this March as Campaspe Shire Council presents a week of artistic activity as part of Ripple Fest in partnership with Rochester Mural Festival. From 25-28 March, locals and visitors are invited to take part...
More than art on walls: Tweed Regional Gallery delivers almost $20 million to local economy
A new independent study has confirmed what the Tweed community already knows – the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre is one of regional Australia’s most remarkable cultural assets, contributing almost $20 million each year to the local economy.
Minority councillors complain debate is gagged
Merilyn Vale. Four councillors have spoken up about practices at Central Coast Council meetings, saying power is being abused, procedures aren't being followed and debate is being gagged. The comments highlight the party political divide dominating meetings with the complaints coming from two Labor councillors – Kyle MacGregor and Margot Castles – and two independent councillors – Jane Smith and Corinne Lamont – who don't hold the numbers in Council.
Art and culture shine at Mali Heart Festival
Birchip came alive with creativity, colour and music as the Mali Heart Art and Music Festival on Saturday, setting the scene for Birchip’s Big Weekend of family friendly activities. Established in 2022, the Mali Heart Art and Music Festival was created to showcase art and music in the community, and it continues to grow each year.
Shock ‘invasion’ laws rammed through after council meets with Energy Minister
Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio MP has rammed through compulsory acquisition powers for transmission line easements just a week after meeting with Gannawarra Shire Council. A shocked Gannawarra Shire Mayor Garner Smith said that despite meeting with the Minister and VicGrid less than a week ago, nothing was mentioned.
Curiosity: Building breakthroughs in LEGO® bricks now open
Pack your curiosity, leave the textbooks behind, and experience an unforgettable adventure where breakthroughs are built one LEGO® brick at a time! Created by LEGO® Certified Professional Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught and his team, CURIOSITY explores scientific knowledge, engineering feats, mathematical puzzles and more, brought to life in spectacular detail with the wonders of LEGO® bricks.
Local artist brings colour and storytelling to Augusta Library
With the Margaret River Library temporarily closed for building works, many locals have found themselves missing their regular library fix ... Augusta Library has plenty to offer, including a stunning art exhibition now on display.
World first glulam made from Aussie blue gum a win for Victoria’s Timber Towns: Timber Towns Victoria
The world’s first glue laminated timber made from Australian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus), processed in Warrnambool, Victoria, has been unveiled at Mount Gambier’s new Forestry Centre of Excellence, marking a major breakthrough for plantation forestry and the communities that depend on it.
Barossa turns up the volume with Barossa Food & Wine Village
When the final siren sounds at Barossa Park on Saturday, 11 April, the party is just getting started as Tanunda’s main street transforms into the ultimate post-match destination with food, wine and entertainment. A hallmark event on the Festival of Footy calendar, the Barossa Food & Wine Village, returns for Gather Round 2026, reimagined on a bigger scale.
Council advocates for low-cost renewable electricity for residents
Gannawarra Shire Council has held discussions with the Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio MP and VicGrid representatives about its concerns regarding the construction of VNI West ... the project involves the construction of a 500-kilovolt double circuit transmission line that will connect the Victorian and New South Wales electricity networks.
Rochester flood barrier training exercise a success
Following the successful completion of last week’s flood barrier installation exercise in Rochester, Campaspe Shire Council is reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong flood preparedness measures to protect critical community assets in the town’s civic precinct. The exercise ... involved the full deployment and pack-down of the AquaFence flood barrier system around the Town Hall, Community House, Council service centre and library.
Ripper rainfall across the region
A tremendous lightning display preceded the weekend's significant rain event, with areas in the district recording more than 4 inches of rainfall between Friday evening and Tuesday morning ... The only thing to top a show like that was the much needed downpour that followed, drenching the entire region with steady, soaking rain.
Infrastructure cost kills plan for new shop at Wyreema
The cost of creating a new roundabout adjacent to a proposed new commercial development near the Karara Gardens housing estate at Wyreema has caused the developer to withdraw from the project. An application lodged in 2024 proposed the construction of a shop and food and drink outlet ... Mr David Meara told the Toowoomba Regional Council that the project would be commercially unviable because of the cost of installing the new roundabout. The cost of the roadwork was estimated to be $800,000.
Moonta Mines shutdown sparks local outcry – Dis-trust
Michelle Daw. Locals are rallying behind volunteers locked out of the Moonta Mines heritage site, demanding answers over the National Trust of South Australia's shock decision. More than 300 people gathered outside the Sweet Shop — one of the site's most popular attractions — on Friday, February 27, to protest the NTSA's move earlier in the week to disband its Moonta branch committee.
Forty-two million dollars in the bank and a four million dollar operating surplus — How Carrathool Shire is managing its money
While its neighbour Central Darling Shire was appearing on the NSW Auditor General's watchlist of financially vulnerable councils at the same time, Carrathool Shire Council was reviewing a financial position that reads more comfortably than most local governments in the state could claim.Â
Council’s first exhibition for 2026 in a class of its own
Launching at The Centre Beaudesert on Saturday 14 March, Mr Chippa the Woodblock Carver of Bagru brings to life the delightful children's book through hand-carved woodblocks and traditional hand-printing techniques. Lee FullARTon's cultural story about the woodblock carvers of Bagru and the exhibition are the culmination of many years of research, with her travel journal paintings and colourful Kathputli puppets illustrating her long-standing connection to India.
Nambucca Valley Deputy Mayor blocks regional collaboration: Kemp
Nambucca Valley’s Labor Deputy Mayor has attempted to block Nambucca Valley Council from joining the Mid North Coast Joint Organisation – a move that would have isolated the valley from regional collaboration with neighbouring councils.Â
Success of Garage Sale Trail
For many households in Southern Downs and across Queensland, Garage Sale Trail conducted last year was a chance to clear out cupboards, make some extra cash and give pre-loved items a second life. Over two-weekends in November 2025, locals sold more than 11,972 items, generating $107,631 for households, community groups and charities, while also diverting items out of landfill.
Community celebrates Angourie National Surfing Reserve
Angourie National Surfing Reserve, the world's first gazetted National Surfing Reserve, was dedicated on January 12, 2007, following several years of work by a steering committee of locals. Steering committee foundation member Helen Tyas-Tunggal said 21 years ago there were some serious conversations going on in the community regarding whether or not to nominate Angourie to become the first gazetted surfing reserve in the world.
Ramping up call for action on shark mitigation
Central Coast Councillor Jared Wright has ramped up calls for State Government action on shark control following the recent release of the International Shark Attack File, which confirmed that Australia recorded the world's highest total of fatal shark attacks on humans in 2025. "Of 12 fatalities, nine were from Australia."
NSW Government drought response welcome but underwhelming
The NSW Government has announced an expansion of their Drought Plan and while welcome, more needs to be done, according to Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire). "Our farmers in south-west NSW are struggling and they need support with fodder and water freight costs. Keeping core livestock alive is a priority and simply enabling bigger debts is short on insight," he said.
