Gallery launches Mid West Arts Membership program
Exciting times are ahead for artists in the Midwest following Geraldton Regional Art Gallery’s (GRAG) announcement of its first ever arts membership program. An innovative new initiative the Mid West Arts Membership (MWAM) is open to all artists living or working in the Midwest, providing the chance to upskill through workshops as well as gain valuable experience exhibiting in a professional gallery setting.
SA medical imaging Mobile Bone Density clinic visit to Coober Pedy
The Royal Adelaide Hospital Mobile Bone Density clinic is visiting Coober Pedy soon in August 2024. Speak to your GP to get a referral beforehand, then phone (08) 7074 5400 to book an appointment while the mobile unit is in your local area.
Giant sculptures and 500 artworks thrill Bentley Art Prize crowds
Brisbane artist Elena Churilova had no idea where Bentley was ... She was worried she was going to be late and miss the announcement of the winners. Luckily, she made it in time to win four major categories scooping $4350 in prize money.
50 years of depreciation?
The whereabouts of 50 years of depreciation for the Naracoorte saleyards is under the spotlight following questions by Cr Cameron Grundy. Cr Grundy has further queried if livestock owners have paid for the yards twice - once via fees when they sold their stock, and again as ratepayers via their council rates. He raised the matter at council’s June 25 meeting following a motion on notice by Cr Craig McGuire regarding the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange (NRLE).
Attacking the housing crisis from all fronts
Housing is the hottest topic at the moment, with agencies and organisations across the country putting their expertise towards various ways of analysing and addressing the multi-faceted issue. It is a crisis of availability and affordability across the country, affecting home buyers as prices and interest rates continue to increase, but most particularly the detrimental effects are being felt by renters.
Built to thrill: Yarrila Place wins industry acclaim
City of Coffs Harbour’s cutting-edge community building Yarrila Place has won construction industry acclaim, with the builders recognised for their part in the exceptional project at the Master Builders' Association NSW Northern Region Awards. Lipman, the commercial builders, won Best use of tiles, Best use of brick, Public Buildings over $50 million, and the esteemed title of Commercial Builder of the Year at the prestigious awards.
Rate rise kept to a minimum
The Towong Shire Council has adopted its 2024/25 Budget which focuses on roads maintenance. “We recognise that we’re facing challenging economic times and on that basis, we believe the budget strikes the right balance between ensuring your rates are being invested efficiently and effectively while meeting all the needs of our community,” said Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead.
An oar-some announcement
Hugh Schuitemaker. Collaboration between Renmark Paringa Council, the State Government and a local rowing club is set to support a $1.7m infrastructure upgrade ... "The project will result in a 70m long wharf with 6m ramps down on either side to allow the Renmark Rowing Club to host large meets and become a premier destination for rowers statewide": Tim Tol.
Council resolves to trade surplus water
Future surplus water will be traded by Hay Shire Council with revenue to be returned to Council’s Water fund for further water projects. A Sale (Trade) of Water policy was unanimously adopted by Council at its recent monthly meeting in a bid to generate additional revenue for the Water Fund as well as improve the efficiency of water usage.
Locals evidence to Land and Environment Court
Six local community members presented evidence to a Land and Environment Court conciliation conference between Yamba developer Clifton and Clarence Valley Council ... Mr Cousins said recent reports identified that by the year 2030, there is a chance between 50 and 80 per cent of the houses in Yamba will be uninsurable and before any development on the floodplain is allowed to proceed, developers should "get the fundamentals right".
Growing Wallaroo
Joanna Tucker. Privately owned rural land on the outskirts of Wallaroo is in the process of being rezoned, with new housing and an industrial estate looking increasingly likely to be built there in coming years ... Wallaroo’s population has increased by more than a quarter in the past decade and continues to grow rapidly.
It’s a shambles – Council meeting gets heated on GM issue
There was no love lost between former mayor Ross Brown and Kyogle mayor Kylie Webster during the public forum at the council meeting today, July 8. At the beginning of the meeting, Ms Webster announced that she was withdrawing the agenda item about interviewing three candidates for the general manager position.
Bev McArthur raises councillor bullying case in Parliament: McArthur
Bev McArthur raised the case of a Victorian councillor who experienced the weaponisation of complaints process by their ideological opponents. The Member for Western Victoria and former Councillor of Corangamite Shire said “there is a steady rise in political intimidation of conservative Councillors in Victoria's local government sector ..."
Men of Steel lengthen Taggerty’s life
The over one hundred year old Taggerty Buffet Car has been a familiar inclusion of the collection at Donald’s Train Park for many years, having been purchased by Donald Lions Club for $2,000 around twenty years ago. Once having held royalty, it is now being somewhat treated like royalty, with the erection of a steel shed cover to protect the historical carriage from the elements.
Donald Deb set dazzles
Donald Memorial Hall was at capacity on Friday, June 28, as what seemed to be the whole town and district gathered to witness the return of the Debutante Ball. Sixteen debutantes, plus their partners filled the stage, enhanced by the addition Pippa Pearse and Renner Tait in the traditional roles of flower girl and page boy...
Eat or heat
The vulnerable in the district are choosing between heating and eating this winter. If they turn on heating to keep themselves warm during the chilly nights, many say they will be faced with eye-watering power bills. So, what does the public do? The [Naracoorte Community] News asked our decision makers to explain why we have one of the highest electricity prices in the world and what is being done to give regional South Australians some relief.
Region’s historic water significance in the spotlight
Coliban Water recently hosted representatives from Heritage Victoria as part of a bid to have the Victorian Goldfields listed on the World Heritage List. Adam Crameri, General Manager Water and Climate Strategy at Coliban Water, highlighted the significance of the region, noting that its inclusion would make it the 21st site in Australia to achieve this status.
Disfigured trees distress residents
Occupants of heritage houses on Templeton Street, between Adair and Parker Streets, were distressed to discover that electricity supplier Powercor had pruned trees outside their homes last week. They were upset at the severity of the works and the resulting shape of the trees.
Starter gun fires on Mossman cane crush: Canegrowers
The sight of cane harvesters firing up in paddocks across Queensland’s most northernly district has come as a huge relief to Mossman growers, with a one-year commercial deal between growers and MSF Sugar enabling the 2024 cane crush to finally get underway. After months of sensitive negotiations with the State Government, trucks have begun hauling Mossman cane 100km down the Captain Cook Highway to MSF’s Mulgrave Mill at Gordonvale. 
Council votes to progress Roxy Community Theatre build with $800k from developer contributions
Stage 2 of Leeton’s Roxy Community Theatre Redevelopment Project will receive an $800K boost from Council’s Section 7.12 Developer Contributions, following endorsement at the Council’s June meeting on Tuesday. The request to source additional Council funding was made by the Roxy Project Management Office after the project did not make the Federal Government’s final cut for Growing Regions funding in May 2024.
Minister for Water visits and listens
Minister for Water, Housing, Homelessness, Mental Health, Youth and the North Coast, the Hon. Rose Jackson, MLC, visited Wilcannia on Wednesday 26th June to hear residents’ thoughts on the process taken in changing the design of the proposed new weir. Walking freely and looking comfortable, the Minister made herself known to each person she came across gathered around the Memorial in Baker Park.
No plan to align town rates with Toowoomba’s
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald says Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is not working to bring the rates for towns into line with those being paid by Toowoomba city residents. “Toowoomba Regional Council is determined to tackle long term economic challenges head on,” Mayor McDonald said.
