Flood-affected land to be regenerated, turned into koala habitat: LVRC
Hundreds of native seedlings are set to be planted on flood-affected land, helping to bolster native habitat and reduce future flood damage. The project area, adjacent to and including Lions Park, Lower Tenthill, consists of two recently acquired lots which were bought back under the Voluntary Home Buy-Back (VHBB) program.
Donald to enhance flood management with Victorian Government funding
Buloke Shire Council is set to bolster its flood management capabilities with the support of Victorian Government funding. The Donald Flood Protection Demountable Levee Project ... will play a pivotal role in safeguarding residents from flooding and optimising the deployment of Council resources during emergency situations.
Shire meets with farmers
Carey Brennan. On Thursday, April 11, approximately 80 farmers filled the Donald Memorial Hall supper room to hear from the Buloke Shire and several speakers, to find out exactly what the Victorian NSW Interconnector (VNI) West Transmission Lines project means for this district.
State Government exposed by tale of two cities
If it’s good enough for the NSW South Coast then it should be good enough for the NSW North Coast – as City of Coffs Harbour fights to keep the prized public land at the Jetty Foreshores in the hands of the community. Mayor Cr Paul Amos has won support for a Mayoral Minute which detailed inconsistencies in the NSW Government’s approach to public holdings.
All aboard for a free ticket to ride
City of Coffs Harbour’s bold free bus travel initiative aims to help all members of the community, including people who don’t drive. The free bus travel trial starts on Friday 19 April, and Mayor Paul Amos said it would particularly support older people who no longer drive and unlicensed teenagers...
Thirty years on
Thanks to ex-Shire Engineer Bill Moore for this article about the old Shire of Maldon, which was swallowed up by Mount Alexander Shire 30 years ago ... This year is the 30th anniversary of the demise of the Shire of Maldon. Yes, it’s 30 years since we were ‘Jeffed’ by the newly elected Liberal government led by Jeff Kennett. Who can remember what this previous Shire was like before it was amalgamated with the Shires of Newstead and Metcalfe and the City of Castlemaine?
Excitement building in Campaspe ahead of legislative Council’s arrival
“The team from Parliament has made several visits to Echuca in preparation for the events that are happening for this special regional sitting of the Legislative Council. Together with the council staff and local contractors, they will be transforming the library into the Upper House chamber for the day": Mayor Rob Amos.
Debt-ridden properties
Three debt-ridden properties in the district were auctioned by the Naracoorte-Lucindale Council last week to recoup unpaid rates and legal costs of up to $100,000. The council says it had to put the properties under the hammer as it had exhausted all other options to recover the debts, which date back to 15 years in some cases. The properties, two in Kybybolite and one in Naracoorte, were auctioned by a local real estate company.
Mayor calls for phone to be reinstated
Reconnecting the telephone at Lucindale’s Health Centre would be a first step towards healing a rift between the community and the $243 million Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) which slashed its services. Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross hoped the phone line would be reinstated by the end of last week, or early this week.
Greater extreme weather incidents lead to need for SES facilities expansion at Narrandera Airport
Expansion of the NSW State Emergency Services at Narrandera Airport in conjunction with the NSW SES is taking place as a result of co-operation between the state body and the Narrandera Shire Council. As previously announced the Council approved the usage of the southern section of the airport hangar…
Mayor Melissa Hamilton inducted
In her opening address, Mayor Melissa Hamilton promised to foster a team environment with the new Council for the benefit of the region "... To the press. Not many places in regional Australia have managed to maintain local press. I hope our newspapers and radio stations continue to thrive and provide the accountability that we as a chamber benefit from as well as our democracy generally."
Claims that lives may be at risk from proposed Yamba development
The lives of more than 200 residents of Yamba’s Hometown Australia owned Grevillea Waters, whose average age is in their mid-70s, are at significant risk if a proposed 16 townhouse development adjacent to the village is approved by Clarence Valley Council. That was the strong message the Grevillea Waters Residents Committee Focus Group GWRCFG delivered to the Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, and the CV Independent when we were invited to tour the village...
Highland Fling: Maclean’s good time gathering!
Large crowds were greeted by an amazing display of pipe band music, Highland dancing, and traditional Scottish sports at the Maclean Showgrounds on March 29 and 30 during the 119th Maclean Highland Gathering. With the traditional Street Parade consisting of 23 bands also drawing enthusiastic spectators to River Street...
Western Queensland Councils unite – “Don’t mess with the Great Artesian Basin”: WQAC
It’s a resounding no from leaders across Western Queensland to proposed plans to inject industrial waste into the Great Artesian Basin … The 24 member councils of Western Queensland ... unanimously agree in their opposition to the proposal for foreign-owned mining giant Glencore to undertake an injection test of 330,000 tonnes of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) over three years into the Great Artesian Basin (GAB).
Gemfields television towers decommissioned from 30 November 2024
As notified last November, despite an upgrade of television towers in the Gemfields at a significant cost – council has been advised by specialists that a lack of repeater bases, weather events, and interference from newly built structures are preventing consistent signals from reaching residents. The television towers in the Gemfields will be decommissioned from November 30, 2024.
Porcupine Village seeks Ministerial approval
A decision has been made to take planning matters for the proposed Porcupine Village development out of Council hands. The Minister for Planning will now make the final decision, in a process which is designed to fast track projects which are judged to make a significant contribution to the State’s economy and to provide substantial public benefit, including jobs for Victorians.
NLC rules out $35m sports hub
A $35million sporting hub reliant on ratepayer cash has been officially ruled out by the Naracoorte-Lucindale Council. The council decided in its March meeting to handball the “project lead” back to the sporting clubs involved.
Council to withdraw from issuing building permits
Gannawarra Shire Council has made the difficult decision to permanently cease providing the service of issuing building permits, which are required for all major projects, including new homes, home extensions, garages and commercial projects. Council announced last month it had suspended accepting building permit applications, whilst reviewing its Building department’s current level of service.
Ssh! Secret meeting!
Last night ... a secret meeting regarding nursing services at Lucindale was scheduled to be held behind locked doors. Patients, public and the media were excluded from the private gathering in the town's rarely used council chamber. With an “invitation only” guest list which expanded from “a chosen few” to around 24 people, the meeting was organised by the $243 million Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN).
New pump track among busy works program for Council
Narrandera Shire Council’s brand new pump track in Marie Bashir Park is now open and ready for riders of all ages and skill levels. The pump track features smooth, flowing berms and rollers, varied terrain for beginners to advanced riders, a bike-friendly surface that’s easy on tyres as well as nearby parking and amenities.
Council delegate pushes worth of keeping eye on highway progress
Narrandera Shire Council delegate Cr Peter Dawson believes that the council must continue its representation on the Newell Highway Taskforce or the northern end of the highway will continue to be upgraded and very little done at the southern end. However he said it was evident that most of the works along the Newell Highway were being carried out in the northern section and very little in the Southern.
Have your voice heard – Regional Crime Inquiry submissions now open: CMA
The Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a new Inquiry into Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities, and urges community members to have their say. The CMA’s call for an inquiry came to address the dangerous increase in crime in regional and rural areas across the state.
