Narrandera’s Destination and Discovery Hub officially opened
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke was on hand to help celebrate the official opening of the Destination and Discovery Hub in Narrandera late last week. Ms Cooke joined with Narrandera Mayor Cr Neville Kschenka and community members for the highly anticipated occasion.
Whale carcass removed from Greys Beach
An operation to remove an estimated 20 tonne whale carcass from Greys Beach was successfully completed ... City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ross McKim said it was the most difficult removal the City has undertaken in more than a decade.
Koolkhan not included in coalition’s proposed nuclear sites
If a nuclear power plant that has long been touted to be constructed at Koolkhan, north of Grafton, is to proceed, the state or federal government would have to overrule a Council decision declaring the Clarence Valley a nuclear free zone. Debate about implementing nuclear power plants in Australia ignited in June when federal opposition leader, Peter Dutton said the coalition would go into the next election promising to build 7 nuclear power stations...
Murrumbidgee Council launches investigation into fuel spill
It is believed Murrumbidgee Council has launched an investigation into the alleged fuel spill at Gundaline Station, which was revealed in an exclusive report in The Riverine Grazier. Anne Lyons, Murrumbidgee Council’s Media and Communications Officer responded to enquiries for updates, following the NSW Environmental Protection Authority stating local Councils are the regulatory agencies for such incidents, under the Act.
Balranald GM resigns
General Manager of Balranald Shire Council, Craig Bennett, has resigned from his position.
“It has been an honour to serve the Balranald Shire Community over the past 18 months,” Mr Bennett said in a media release issued last week.
Libraries grant for regional, rural and remote libraries
The LBW Trust in collaboration with Friends of Libraries Australia (FOLA), has announced that 79 country libraries throughout regional, rural and remote Australia are the recipients of much needed funding through the Trust’s Australian Country Libraries 2024 Program. Libraries in remote areas serve as essential community hubs where people can gather, learn and connect.
Rainbow road walking track dreaming
Michael Balderstone. Martin Soutar from Lismore Council emailed me with an invitation to check out progress on the walking track ... My walking track would have been all natural paths like the thousands of miles I’ve walked barefoot in the Himalayas. A concrete path is like, weird. So, I had mixed feelings about the Track ...
Full River Festival program released – plan your weekend now!
The highly anticipated Rockhampton River Festival program is now live! Mark your calendars for next weekend, from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28, as Rockhampton gears up to host River Fest X. This year’s festival, themed “Reflection,” celebrates a decade of growth, transformation, and community spirit in the region since its inception in 2014.
Maldon and beyond: Really Local conversations
An interactive conversation between Maldon locals and the current Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire will take place at Maldon Neighbourhood Centre this Sunday 21 July from 2pm. Coordinated by the volunteer-run group Really Local, the event is billed as a ‘genuine community discussion’ to which everyone in the area is invited.
Stone walls, not Big Rocks – Katter slams Government inaction forcing council’s hand: Robbie Katter
The Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter has slammed the Labor Government and their ideologically driven departments, while backing the Charters Towers Regional Council’s decision to wipe their hands of the Big Rocks Weir Project. “This just demonstrates that the Government and the bureaucracy in Brisbane have no appetite whatsoever to help develop and progress North Queensland,” the KAP Leader said.
Council resolves to return ownership of Merryfields Environmental Park
The future use of Merryfields Environmental Park at Withcott will now be directed by the State Government. At its monthly Ordinary Council Meeting, Lockyer Valley Regional Council resolved to return management to the State Government in the first instance, thereby saving Council any future costs associated with the site ...
Big Rocks Weir handed to State Government
Charters Towers Regional Council has ... made a decision to relinquish its role as proponent, developer, owner and operator of the Big Rocks Weir Project (BRW) to the State Government. Council’s original aim was to build and operate a weir in the Big Rocks area, located on the Burdekin River approximately 35km north of Charters Towers.
RDA welcomes new Riverina board members
Regional Development Australia (Riverina) is now officially halfway through the year and the first half was filled with exciting opportunities for the Riverina with momentum only increasing for the rest of the year. An Economic Development Officers Forum was recently held in Narrandera.
Enough is enough says Murrumbidgee Council Mayor
Councillor Ruth McRae OAM, Murrumbidgee Council Mayor. Enough is enough...things you all should know. Crippling water buybacks will see many communities, currently with their back to the wall, disappear, and the shiny trinkets offered by the Federal Government as compensation are $300 million. The Federal Government plans to buy back up to 450GL of water which, at our estimates, will cost them $8 billion. No surprises, there is an undisclosed amount in the Federal Budget to buy water ...
Melbourne firm awarded Koondrook’s $500,000 transition fund
Gannawarra Shire Council staff have awarded the $500,000 State Government’s Community Development Fund to Melbourne based Urban Enterprises. The $500,000 grant from the Victorian Labor Government was in response to the Andrews – Allan Government’s decision to end over 150 years of native forestry in the state. Urban Enterprises edged out three rival bids for the contract, two being Barham-based and from Bendigo.
Water security bolstered
Toowoomba Regional Council's (TRC) $40 million major upgrades to the Mt Kynoch water treatment plant were officially opened on Monday, supporting water needs into the next decade. Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald said TRC had invested $40 million in the Stage 4 upgrade to implement modern water treatment processes.
Millions more in support flowing for Riverland councils, but – too little too late?
Madison Eastmond, Hugh Schuitemaker ... The Federal Government yesterday announced $25m worth of funding to support flood recovery efforts. However, Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said the repair of damaged local infrastructure needed to be a higher priority ... "Some are unsafe, and councils are left swinging in the breeze wondering if funding will eventuate to repair the flood impacted road network."
Wondai Heritage Museum Open Day
Come and enjoy the day. Wander through the Museum and ask the volunteers questions. There will be a sausage sizzle, coffee van and many stalls featuring local crafts and produce.
Australian Army rolls into Derby ahead of biggest exercise in years
Leaders from multiple agencies across the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley met with senior Australian Army personnel ... ahead of a major local training exercise. The ADF’s Exercise Austral Shield kicks off over the coming days and will see hundreds of soldiers and their armoured and heavy vehicles moving around town for the next week as they fight a fictitious enemy role-played by other Army soldiers.
Council ranks above average in community survey
West Wimmera Shire Council has ranked well above the state average in this year’s Community Satisfaction Survey ... “We are pleased with the fact that our overall performance has been well above other small rural councils and the state average; however, that will not stop us from trying to improve in all areas, especially our roads": Council CEO David Bezuidenhout.
Wallumbilla’s new community precinct breaks ground: Chisholm, Taylor, Kennedy-Clark
Construction works on Wallumbilla’s new community precinct has officially begun with Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm joining Maranoa Regional Council representatives to turn the first sod on the new $4.85 million facility (in south-west Queensland). The precinct upgrade will feature a new community centre, library, visitor information centre and professional service spaces.
Remediation works to maintain perfect water quality
Lismore City Council is investing $1 million in important remediation work on two water reservoirs after a scheduled in-depth health check on the system's condition. The two identified for repairs are the Esmonde Street and Wyreema Avenue reservoirs.
