Council welcomes 2022 flood inquiry final report
Gannawarra Shire Council has welcomed the tabling of the Victorian Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee’s Final Report for the Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria, and will advocate for various key recommendations to be actioned.
The need for aged housing in Gingin remains
With a prediction more than 1000 older residents will need suitable accommodation by 2027 some might want the Shire of Gingin to rethink its priorities. In the past six months the shire has controversially spent more than $700,000 for land on Dewar Rd for a future recreational use while the amount of housing available for seniors remains at the same level it was in 2015.
Council announces who will fix five landslips, replace two bridges and build a netball clubhouse on piers
Landslips, roads, bridges and a new clubhouse have had tenders announced by Richmond Valley Council so work can begin. Most of the projects are funded under Transport for NSW’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, except the Tatham bridges, which are being funded through the Australian Government’s Emergency Response Fund Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program 2022-2023.
Critical infrastructure at risk after battery ignites truck load
A dangerous incident at the Lakes Creek Road Waste Management Facility last week has reignited the importance of proper battery disposal. While loading household recyclables on a truck bound for the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), a lithium-ion battery ignited within the load.
Maldon’s First Notable Town signs
Lee Mead. As you probably already know, Maldon township was discovered by heritage architects during the 1960s and recognised as having a significant number of original, unique, intact gold-mining era buildings and streetscapes. And as a consequence, was declared Victoria’s First Notable Town by the National Trust.
Better ways to influence and fight back against poor and inadequate governance: John O’Donnell
John O’Donnell identifies numerous instances of what he sees as poor and inadequate governance at local, state and federal level, many of them being cross sector issues, highlighting the importance of working more effectivly together to address them. John goes on to identify possible ways to influence better outcomes.
Local Govt councils discuss working together to boost potential of their regions
Building Community Trust, aimed ‘to explore the critical importance of trust in governments, between governments, its institutions and its citizens’ was the theme for the 2024 Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly. Narrandera Shire Council Deputy Mayor Sue Ruffles represented Narrandera Council at the event.
Koondrook tourism recognised
Koondrook has taken out bronze in the 2024 Victoria Tourism Industry Council Top Tourism Town Awards. Our idyllic Murray locality was one of nine towns recognised across three categories in the awards; Koondrook competing for the Top Tiny Town award against five finalists, with Timboon taking out the win.
Treeless housing estates impact liveability
It would seem that the first step in developing a new housing estate is to bulldoze the land to a point where no trees are left standing, but is this good planning or a danger to the health of future inhabitants? Images of new housing estates in the local area generally present a frightening view of houses on small postcard sized blocks of land without a tree in sight or the room to grow one.
Hub closes but support continues
The Upper Murray community came together on Sunday to mark the closure of the Upper Murray Recovery Hub and to celebrate the strength of its people. Located at the former junior school campus in Corryong the hub has played a significant role in responding to the recovery and the building of community strength after the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires.
WQAC statement on REX Airlines
Councils from across Western Queensland are calling on governments to do everything possible to ensure Rex Airlines continues to service its regional routes in Queensland. We are alarmed at the current situation and what this could mean for the vital service Rex flights provide for our remote and rural areas ... These flights are fundamental to residents in our part of the world, and we need these services to be maintained.
25 years of Kaniva and District Progress Association
Kaniva Puppet Shop is one of the businesses featured in a series of new short branded films, as part of the “Eat, Stay, Play” campaign, created by Chris Hilder of Cholly Media in collaboration with Helen Hobbs from the Kaniva and District Progress Association. One of the films featured Julie Finch, who shares her journey to Kaniva and the creation of her European-style Puppet Shop.
Meeting next week for Morant proposal
Hugh Schuitemaker. Renmark Paringa Council and the local RSL are in favour of an idea to honour an iconic Australian military figure with connections to the Riverland. A meeting will be held by Adelaide City Council on Tuesday to discuss a proposal of adding Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant’s name to the state heritage-listed Boer War Memorial.
Housing limit set – draft Local Housing Strategy amended
Clarence Valley Council’s Draft Local Housing Strategy has been amended to limit the construction height of new dwellings in Yamba and Iluka after Council received 873 public submissions and a petition containing 1086 signatures against the previous draft. When Clarence Valley Council CVC placed its draft Local Housing Strategy (LHS), and draft Affordable Housing Policy (AHP) on public exhibition … they also received 7 NSW Government agency submissions, and one from a non-government organisation.
Central Darling Shire becomes a rural and remote shire
Kimberly Grabham. It has been announced Central Darling Shire will become a rural and remote council, made up of three locally elected councillors from the community, and three councillors appointed by the NSW government ... This new council model aims to provide Central Darling Shire with a more sustainable future. It also aims to return democracy to remote communities in far west NSW for the first time in over 10 years.
Port Pirie gears up for a spectacular SALA Winter Festival!
Port Pirie Regional Council is thrilled to announce that Port Pirie SALA Winter Festival 2024 is coming together beautifully, thanks to our generous sponsors ... The event promises an extraordinary celebration of arts and community spirit.
Rockhampton River Festival 2024 a huge success
Rockhampton Regional Council and Advance Rockhampton are celebrating a fantastic weekend with thousands of people attending the 10th Annual Rockhampton River Festival.
Green light for Australia’s first blue carbon farming trial
The Sunshine Coast will soon be home to an Australia-first blue carbon project creating a thriving mangrove ecosystem, a healthier Maroochy River for everyone to enjoy and the potential for future income streams for landholders. The Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator has formally registered the nation’s first Blue Carbon project in the Sunshine Coast’s Blue Heart, on the lower Maroochy River floodplain, following a rigorous research and application process.
Livestream all meetings
The Naracoorte Lucindale Council is selling itself short by not livestreaming all its council and committee meetings to the public. That’s the view of Cr Craig McGuire, who told the council meeting in June that the community wanted to know what was going on in their council. Cr McGuire said he noticed that the special council meeting on budget and the previous council meeting (May) had 3400 views online.
Council hit by cyber attack
The Wattle Range Council is investigating a cyber incident, where data has been accessed and taken from its IT environment. The council confirmed that the cyber attack involved access to some of its file drives by an unauthorised third party ... Council said a priority of their investigation was to determine exactly what information was involved, and who it related to.
Southern Downs small home survey
Southern Downs Regional Council is inviting feedback from the community, the local building and development industry and community service organisations with a survey regarding the potential of small homes in the region. The survey aims to gather valuable feedback to guide Council’s decision-making process concerning minimum dwelling sizes and related policies.
New social and affordable homes for Tennant Creek
Thanks to a $6.9 million partnership between the Northern Territory Government, the Australian Government, Housing Australia, and Venture Housing Company, people needing safe, secure, and affordable housing in Tennant Creek will benefit from the construction of 12 new social and affordable homes. The homes will be delivered across three adjoining sites and comprise five social and seven affordable homes.

