Parliamentary committee visit Valley
Members of NSW Parliament’s Portfolio Committee No. 7, who are undertaking a parliamentary inquiry into the planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities, saw and heard about issues concerning proposed and approved developments sites in the Lower Clarence first-hand when they visited Yamba and Maclean last Friday.
Publican’s beer dream of a microbrewery for Woodburn close to coming true
For 20 years publican Daniel Simpson has wanted to brew his own beer at the Rod n Reel Hotel in Woodburn. That dream is close to becoming a reality. After the floods, Daniel bought the pub building and has put in a Development Application for a microbrewery.
Six determined people bring new life to village community centre
If only these walls could talk… organisers of the official reopening of the Cawongla Community Centre were thrilled with the turnout ... No one quite knows the age of the timber cottage next to Cawongla Preschool in the heart of the village ... For years the community centre sat empty ...
Barkly Regional Council announces new CEO appointment
Barkly Regional Council has announced the appointment of its new CEO on a social media post late yesterday afternoon. Official Manager Peter Holt announced that Chris Kelly will commence the helm role of the organisation on 1 July, with Jeff MacLeod continuing as Acting CEO until then.
Maldon’s B-double blues
With a friendly community and picture postcard appeal, Maldon may be one of the most liveable towns in Australia. Nothing’s perfect, however, and in Maldon’s case one of the irritants is the constant stream of trucks through the town centre.
Lovegrass threat
It’s scary and a superspreader. That’s how a Keith farmer and elected councillor of the Tatiara District Council has described the situation involving the spread of African lovegrass in the Upper South East ... Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) is a long-lived tussock-forming grass usually growing 30 to 120cm tall.
Emergency services get disaster ready
Last week, Toowoomba Regional Council hosted a major joint Local Government and Police disaster management exercise testing the capability of various Local Disaster Management Groups (LDMGs) from across southern Queensland ... The exercise used a major flood event scenario to practice the various Local Disaster Management Group’s capabilities to respond to a request to provide evacuation centre support for a mass evacuation scenario.
Narrandera hosts major horse event
Narrandera Adult Riding Club (NARC) recently hosted the BetaVet and Bendigo Bank HRCAV Top Teams Trophy (TTT) Horse Trials - the equivalent of the adult riding club State Championships ... One hundred riders travelled from all over Victoria and southern NSW to compete individually and also made up 23 teams of four riders. The riders competed in three phases over the two days - dressage, show jumping and cross country.
Rescue tubes at popular swimming spots
Clarence Valley residents who enjoy visiting the beach or popular waterholes now have the peace of mind of increased safety after rescue tubes were installed in eight locations to help save lives. The rollout of the rescue tubes over the past few months now sees the lifesaving devices available to the public 24 hours a day in case anyone needs to be saved from the water.
Ivanhoe region faces desperate financial outlook- $1.225M deficit for Central Darling Shire
Central Darling Shire Council will have an operating deficit of $1.225M for 2024/2025 and is facing an extremely strained and desperate financial outlook. It comes as Council prepares for a number of essential, but unaffordable expenses. General Manager, Greg Hill said this was happening at a time when an application for $1.3 million in Natural Disaster Declaration assistance for storm damage had been declined.
Big changes to address local housing shortage
The minimum lot size is to be removed in Hay township (both North and South Hay) and some primary production land will be rezoned to low density residential in a bid by Council to address the housing shortage … Council recently received funding under the regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund to undertake a planning proposal to change the Hay Local Environment Plan (LEP) which governs the land uses and zoning of properties.
Uni in Minlaton’s backyard
University is becoming more accessible for Yorke Peninsula’s next generation of tertiary students with the opening of a Uni Hub outreach service in Minlaton ... from tomorrow (Wednesday, May 29), this barrier will be removed, with Uni Hub now operating on the last Wednesday of every month from the YP Council office at Minlaton.
Farm rates pain
Rachel Hagan. Primary producers and other residents have packed the Yorke Peninsula Council gallery to witness an impassioned debate about whether farmers should be asked to pay an increased rate across the next financial year. The special council meeting, held at Minlaton on Wednesday, May 22, became heated at times as councillors argued about whether to charge farmers higher rates than they currently pay to help cover the costs of services such as road maintenance.
Funding helps council forge ahead with 1500-blocks at Fairy Hill for flood-free housing
On a bright day, next to the bridge arching across the swollen Richmond River at Woodburn, an announcement was made about funding for affordable flood-free housing. The State Government is giving $245,000 to Richmond Valley Council to scope out what is needed for the 1500-blocks at Fairy Hill to proceed.
Yanchep tavern proposal deferred for up to three months
A tavern, to cater for 800 patrons, proposed for the corner of Marmion Ave and Peony Blvd has been deferred for up to three months with a shortage of parking bays one of the issues highlighted. To be called The Carnaby the $3 million tavern is proposed to operate from 11.30am to midnight seven days a week.
The Moorlort Plains chicken wars continue
Remember the protracted battle regarding the plans to build broiler farms on the Moolort Plains, west of Baringhup, in the Shire of Mount Alexander? After court hearings and the extraordinary step of building two houses out near the proposed site for the proposed broiler sheds, that battle was won by local residents.
Rates down for some
At least 749 properties will receive a decrease in council rates under a proposal by Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration. The decrease is included in a breakdown of the average 5.8 percent rate hike included in council’s draft 2024-25 Business Plan and Budget. There are 6578 rateable properties in the council area, and Cr Monique Crossling claimed during council’s May 1 meeting an average 5.8 percent increase was an extra $17.73 over a year.
Community views ignored by IPART in approval of rate rise
Former Narrandera Shire councillor and mayor Wesley Hall, who led a community revolt against Narrandera council’s proposal, said IPART’s decision to allow the Narrandera Shire Council’s substantial special rate variation to proceed showed that community views don’t matter. He said the group had put a lot of work into the submissions only to see the community views ignored which was very disappointing.
Council sets cheap rental rate for doctors’ accommodation
The Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to a two year residential tenancy agreement for the property 19 Argyle Street with NGPM Pty Ltd, owners of the Narrandera Medical Centre … Mrs Elizabeth Romeo from the Narrandera Medical Centre met with the General Manager George Cowan about the doctor shortage … Market rental at $380 per week with an agreed rental of $100 per week means that Council will have to subsidise the rental to the value of $280 per week.
Heavy vehicle detour finished
Towong Shire Council has announced that work on the Corryong Heavy Vehicle Bypass along the Stock Route has wrapped up, with the project now completed. The works included realignment of the Briggs Gap Road/Stock Route Intersection and two main corners along the Stock Route, installation of new drainage and culverts and pavement construction.
GSC councillors clash over VNI West sellout
The proposed Victorian New South Wales Interconnectors 500kv overhead transmission lines and towers that can reach almost 80 metres in height, is once again under the spotlight. The VNI project will carve a path through farmland and across communities on the journey from Bulgana in Victoria to the substation at Dinawan, near Jerilderie in NSW. Last week, Gannawarra Shire’s Cr Garner Smith put forward a motion that Council oppose the construction of VNI West through Gannawarra...
Balranald: this is our time
Kimberly Grabham. ‘Make Balranald great again’. This was the resounding message and vibe of a recent meeting held at the Discovery Centre Café ... Recently appointed Director of Governance, Business and Community Services, Glenn Carroll said it was time for Balranald to take the reins and benefit from the significant boom the area is having...
