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...
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 Â
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). Â
‘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...
