The new member of the Moooving Art herd is looking for a name
Greater Shepparton City Council, through its destination brand Shepparton & Goulburn Valley, is excited to announce a new addition to the Moooving Art herd.
Mine mission – Moonta Mines incident under investigation
Sarah Herrmann. With a crucial bid looming to have our unique Moonta Mines precinct World Heritage Listed, more work is needed to improve the safety of the site. Safework SA inspectors have visited Hughes Enginehouse in Moonta Mines as part of ongoing inquiries into an incident that occurred earlier this month.
Showground user groups offered same fees for one year as council considers future fees
The Casino Showground and Racecourse has had a massive makeover and was officially opened on April 20 ... The new facility includes a large undercover arena, an outdoor sand arena, turfed areas and covered stables, a new racehorse stable complex to accommodate up to 80 horses, and new car, truck and float parking areas.
About time government reps speak up on GAB CO2 project: WQAC
The 24 councils of Western Queensland have welcomed recent public comment from state and federal representatives which add a boost to the growing call to shut down Glencore’s proposed injection of industrial waste into the Great Artesian Basin. The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) is encouraged by responses from Premier Steven Miles, Senator Murray Watt and earlier Minister Glenn Butcher regarding the Glencore-owned carbon capture and storage project.
Mixed reaction to rate hike
Elected members have had a mixed reaction to a business plan and budget prepared by Naracoorte Lucindale Council's management team. A shock 5.8 percent rate hike is included in the 53 page document unveiled at a special May 1 council meeting ... While all elected members praised staff for preparing the draft plan and budget, some were less enthusiastic about the sudden rate increase.
Dirt roads
Serious concerns are being raised about the deteriorating condition of our dirt roads and the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s ability to maintain them. The [Naracoorte Community] News visited some of the dirt roads in Naracoorte to see for itself their deteriorating conditions.
Coalition legacy delivers for Bordertown
Charlotte Edmunds. Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP has joined the Tatiara District Council to officially open the new worker accommodation at Bordertown. The $680,000 project has built two, four-unit accommodation blocks at the Bordertown Caravan Park to help address the need to accommodate the local workforce.
Thousands expected at Paradise Lagoons Campdraft
Riders and spectators from around Australia will converge on the Region this weekend for the 22nd annual Paradise Lagoons Campdraft. The Paradise Lagoons Campdraft Association received $10,000 towards the event during round two of Council’s 2023/24 Community Assistance Program (CAP).
‘Where do they go?’ Mysterious shorebirds in spotlight
Two tiny trackers are helping to uncover the secrets of the Sunshine Coast’s resident shorebirds. In a collaboration with the Queensland Wader Study Group and with the assistance of the Queensland Bird Research and Banding Group, Sunshine Coast Council recently fitted two tiny satellite trackers to Sooty Oystercatchers.
IPART says Yes to raising Shire rates
IPART has approved the Narrandera Shire Council’s request for approval of a permanent special variation of 48.1 per cent over two years from 2024-25 to 2025-26. This includes an increase of 25.5 per cent in 2024-25 and 18 per cent in 2025-26. It is intended to apply this increase across all rating categories.
New Red Imported Fire Ant nest found
Communities across the Northern Rivers are being urged to be on the lookout for Red Imported Fire Ants after a new nest was found at South Murwillumbah last Thursday only metres from a nest that was destroyed in November 2023. Red Imported Fire Ants, one of the worst invasive species ever to enter Australia, were first detected in southeast Queensland in February 2001...
Driving force behind truck delivery
Michelle Daw. The efficiency and sustainability of high productivity, heavy vehicles should be taken into account when responding to the challenges of maintaining roads. That’s one of the main points made in a developing submission representing a dozen farming and transport businesses in response to the Heavy Vehicle Access Strategy proposed by Yorke Peninsula Council.
Cast and council take a bow in refurbished hall
Improvements at the Kyogle Memorial Institute were finished just in time for the latest production by Village Hall Players. 37 Postcards still has performances this week...
Gingin seeks new CEO amidst period of uncertainty
The Shire of Gingin is advertising for a new chief executive officer following the resignation of Aaron Cook in March and during a period of uncertainty about whether the shire is being investigated ... Shire of Gingin President Wayne Fewster said the shire had recently established a CEO recruitment panel and a recruitment consultant had also been appointed to take the panel through the CEO recruitment process.
Residents and councils urged to participate: cost-shifting inquiry launched
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Peter Walsh, highlighted potential issues of cost-shifting, ranging from waste collection to the maintenance of road networks. “The commencement of this inquiry marks an essential step in ensuring transparency and accountability in local government funding and services,” Mr Walsh said.
Fidgey our super swim coach is staying
At last commonsense has prevailed. Southern Downs Regional Council has listened to community concern over the decision to not extend the management agreement for the operation of the Allora Pool with current operator Andrew Fidge at the end of the 2024 season.
Have your say
An average 5.8 per cent rate rise for the 2024-25 draft budget is proposed by the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s administration. The $22,234 million draft includes a $1.087 million operating surplus. Now electors can read the plan and have their say before May 27, advising what they think the rates should be and what expenditure needs to be included, or excluded.
World-class race track: Bordertown Speedway Club asks for a $150,000 loan
Major upgrade works have begun at the Bordertown Speedway to make the facility a “world-class” race track. Once completed, the project aims to put Bordertown on the map, with a facility big enough to attract all types of racing. While the project has hit many speedbumps, the Bordertown Speedway Club says budget has been a big factor.
Art trail routed
Murray River Council’s ‘River Country Art Trail’ detoured leaving Bunnaloo, Caldwell and Wakool not available for inclusion. MRC stated that whilst the silos were initially earmarked for inclusion in the $1.7 million trail, Bunnaloo, Wakool and Caldwell are not eligible for use under GrainCorp’s new Silo Art Policy.
Northern Grampians Shire Council concern with VNI West Geotech drilling communication and council’s role in renewable energy developments
Field surveys along the proposed VNI West draft corridor have begun, with Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) initiating a Geotech drilling program in Northern Grampians Shire in May. Drilling was halted in early May and is due to restart on 13 May. According to documents provided to the public, the Geotech drilling program will assist TCV to develop a comprehensive understanding of environmental factors such as flora and fauna, as well as geological characteristics within the area.
New tax to get buried
Another tax has been wacked onto Councils by the State Government. The Cemetery and Cremation Tax which comes into effect on July 1 is set to hit not only Local Government Councils, but also grieving families.
Housing hopes rise
Sarah Herrmann. Farming land on the eastern edge of Kadina is expected to be transformed into hundreds of homes with "generous block sizes" in coming years after rezoning was finalised by the state government last week ... State Planning Minister Nick Champion said ... the privately led rezoning — the about 28 hectare land parcel has been owned by a company called Lasopail since 1996 — will help the town grow in a considered and measured way.
