At last – our hall is ready for action
Allora organisations are happy to have the Community Hall operational again so regular events can return to normal. Mayor Melissa Hamilton, Deputy Mayor Sheryl Windle Councillor Sarah Deane and Councillor Carla Pidgeon were in Allora on Friday for the ofï¬cial re-opening of the Community Hall.
Southern Basin communities raise alarm over water recovery impact
The Commonwealth Government water buybacks scheme will disproportionately impact the southern Murray-Darling Basin, as the region still struggles to overcome the impacts of earlier water recovery programs. Water users and local government have outlined the significant risks posed by water recovery policies to the region’s agriculture, economy, and mental health, in a letter to State and federal politicians and departments.
Councils join hospital debate
Serious concerns about the provision of health care services to meet the needs of rural and regional communities across North East Victoria have been aired at a special meeting of Indigo, Alpine and Towong Shire Councils. Mayors and councillors from the three municipalities held an historic joint meeting ... where they voted unanimously to take a united stance to advocate for better health services for the region including a single site hospital built on a greenfield site.
PAW Patrol Pups to take to the stage at the Laidley Spring Festival
Little heroes are encouraged to prepare for the adventure of a lifetime when PAW Patrol makes their way to the Lockyer Valley! Heroic pups Chase and Marshall, together with their fearless leader Ryder will visit this year’s Laidley Spring Festival come September and remember, no job is too big, no pup is too small for these heroes!
Plans to turn bowlo into a medical centre
The Woodburn Bowling Club could be turned into a medical centre if the development application currently on public exhibition is approved ... The project has letters of support from Federal MP Kevin Hogan, State MP Richie Williamson, the Woodburn Pharmacy, Healthy North Coast and an anonymous letter in favour of Woodburn getting doctors again.
Remembering Elliot McAdam: Local leader honoured for service to Barkly
Tributes for iconic local Elliot McAdam AM have flowed in across social media following his death on Monday ... Born in his namesake town of Elliott, Mr McAdam spent many years of his early life in Adelaide before returning to the Barkly in the 90s to take on the role as General Manager of Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Services collaborate to address community legal needs in Barkly
In the Barkly region, four legal services are working together in a collaborative effort to assist individuals in preventing and handling legal issues effectively. The Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit (CAAFLU), Central Australian Women’s Legal Service (CAWLS), North Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), and Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission have come together to support the community in navigating legal challenges.
Elected councillors to return but”¦
Eighteen community members, from towns and rural areas, attended the community meeting with the Minister for Local Government Hon. Ron Hoenig on Sunday 21st July to hear of his plans for the future of Central Darling Shire Council. The Minister said that he would be returning the Council to a form of democracy in around March 2025.
Independent Review findings shared
At a Community Meeting in Carisbrook ... the findings and recommendations of the Carisbrook Levee Independent Review were shared with residents ... The report has found that overall, there is confidence in the catchment modelling to which the Levee has been built.
Future proofing your farm – Soil health and water in the landscape event series
Northern Slopes Landcare Association and Tamworth Regional Landcare are running a series of events for farming communities across the North West to inspire conversations about the importance of soil health and understanding water in our landscapes to build more resilient and profitable farms and communities. The events also feature the screening of new Australian short documentary Thankful for Soil...
An event set to excite all lovers of the ocean
A special event is set to celebrate the Sunshine Coast’s magnificent ocean and coastline like never before. If you are a thalassophile – a lover of the ocean – then get ready to take part in the inaugural Sunshine Coast Marine Bioblitz...
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.
