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.
Western Riverina drought resilience planning workshop invite
Murrumbidgee Council is inviting you to contribute your insights, experiences and ideas to how we can improve our region’s drought preparedness into the future. Preparation of a Western Riverina Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) has recently commenced.
Community information sessions for Rochester Flood Study review
Campaspe Shire Council is inviting community members from Rochester and surrounding areas to attend a series of information sessions as a comprehensive review of the Rochester Flood Study is launched. Following the significant flooding events in 2011, 2022, and most recently in 2024, this updated study aims to reassess and enhance flood mitigation strategies to better protect the community.
More housing blocks open for Hay
Work on the Bishop’ Lodge subdivision has been completed at a cost of $405,000 and Council hopes to utilise the area to create affordable housing. General Manager, David Webb said many local councils were committing to specific mechanisms and actions to increase housing supply and housing affordability, such as affordable housing contribution schemes.
Edenhope Equine Facility transformation
The Edenhope equestrian community is going from strength to strength ... The Edenhope Equine Facility features modern amenities ... The fully off grid system will mean that operating costs for these community groups are greatly reduced ... West Wimmera Shire Council Mayor Tim Meyer said Council was proud to have played a crucial role in bringing the Edenhope Equine Facility to life.
Rates to rise 4.7 per cent, water charges increase
Clarence Valley ratepayers will be slugged 4.7 per cent more for residential rates and an extra 6 per cent for water access and consumption after a split 6 to 3 vote by Clarence Valley Councillors when they endorsed the 2024-2025 Fees and Charges.
New Maroochydore landmark celebrates First Nations culture
A new sculptural public artwork by Kabi Kabi artist and cultural leader Lyndon Davis will fittingly welcome visitors to Sunshine Coast City Hall with a story that is significant to the region’s First Nation’s people. Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli unveiled the piece today (July 1) ... “The 4.5 metre tall work titled Dura Gunga (Mullet & Sea Eagle), embodies the rich cultural narrative of the Kabi Kabi people,” Mayor Natoli said.
Record-setting restoration of rural gravel roads commences
Lismore City Council has commenced an historic effort to restore over 120km of unsealed gravel roads damaged by natural disasters. Over the next three months, Council will deploy six dedicated local crews to grade and repair the most severely affected areas.
Expansion one step closer – community precinct to be created
Last Wednesday’s meeting of the Southern Downs Regional Council decided unanimously to remove the old Allora Fire Station building from the site and go ahead with the future redevelopment of the Allora Community Precinct. This leaves the way open for the Sports Museum and the Allora Library to make a move.
Longridge help?
What’s the future of our community-owned aged care facility, Longridge Aged Care (LAC)? LAC is facing financial pressures due to the increased cost of business and is struggling to retain a stable workforce ... has written to the Naracoorte Lucindale Council to come to its rescue so it can continue to provide the best care for its residents.
TRC trying new ‘community engagement’ model
Council has adopted a ‘Councillor Community Engagement Model’ put forward by Mayor Geoff McDonald. The model will see three areas outside of Toowoomba City given three councillors each year on a rotating basis.
No divisions for Toowoomba Region
Hope that some of the Toowoomba Region’s councillors will specifically represent those living outside of Toowoomba City has been quashed following a vote at last week’s Council meeting. Cr Kerry Shine was spearheading an electoral arrangement review which could see divisions brought to Toowoomba Regional Council, potentially providing areas outside of Toowoomba with their own councillor or councillors.
