Heritage hijacked – Moonta National Trust volunteers “locked out”
Michelle Daw. Moonta's beloved heritage attractions have been shut down for five weeks and its many local volunteers say they are banned from entering the premises. This follows a shock decision by the head office of the National Trust of South Australia to disband its Moonta branch and assume full management responsibility for the Moonta Mines State Heritage Precinct...
EnergyCo needs a shake-up
Securing social licence remains an ongoing challenge for councils as the region prepares for energy transition. The message was clear at a hearing in Hay last Wednesday into the impact of renewable energy zones on rural and regional communities and industries in NSW: EnergyCo is not doing enough ... EnergyCo, the NSW Government body responsible for upgrading the grid to build a reliable electricity system as coal-fired power stations retire, came under heavy fire from most witnesses in the hearing...
Mayors briefed on Basin Plan Review: MRGC
The Murray River Group of Councils (MRGC) met in Melbourne last week for a dedicated strategic forum to discuss and shape its initial response to the 2026 Basin Plan Review. Mayors and CEOs from the MRGC … received a comprehensive briefing from Murray–Darling Basin Authority CEO Andrew McConville and senior executives on the MDBA’s recently released Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper.
Save Fort Queenscliff: McArthur
Having taken the matter to the Victorian Parliament, Member for Western Victoria Region, Bev McArthur, is demanding answers over the federal government's plan to permanently close 68 defence locations across the nation - including the historic Fort Queenscliff … Mrs McArthur joined around 200 residents at a community rally organised by Senator Sarah Henderson, opposing the federal government’s plan to sell this nationally significant heritage site.
World premiere announced for 2026 Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies thanks to Government funding boost
Flinders Shire Council is proud to announce that the 2026 Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies has received a major funding boost ... to support a landmark Festival Finale performance featuring the Townsville Great Barrier Reef Orchestra performing alongside internationally renowned didgeridoo virtuoso and composer William Barton.
Author Talks at Lockyer Valley Libraries underway for 2026
Lockyer Valley Libraries’ Author Talks for 2026 will kick start with author Frances Harding. Frances' latest title, The Accidental Publican, tells the story of her unexpected move to Charleville from Brisbane and her time as publican of the Corones Pub – ‘The Taj Mahal on the Warrego’.
A one-metre error that has locked residents out of insurance and off their own land for years
For years, residents of Wilcannia and Menindee say they have been living with the consequences of a government mapping error they had no part in creating. A one-metre inaccuracy in state-provided flood mapping has incorrectly placed large sections of both towns inside flood-prone zones, with consequences that have quietly devastated the ability of ordinary people to insure their homes and develop their land.
Fired up for gas flaring
Net zero is another step closer to being achieved, as the City of Greater Geraldton commences work to begin gas flaring at Meru Waste Management Facility. The project will help reduce emissions from landfill by abating the potent greenhouse gas, methane.
Victoria’s Timber Towns mourn the closure of the Swifts Creek mill
Timber Towns Victoria (TTV) has acknowledged the closure of the historic Swifts Creek sawmill in East Gippsland, marking the end of an era for a region still feeling the aftermath of the Victorian government's decision to close the native forest industry ... “This mill closure is the glaring outcome of ad-hoc decision by government that have lasting impacts across communities at so many levels..."
Birchip’s silo art begins
At just 15 years old, Ray Neville stunned the racing world with a Melbourne Cup victory. Now, nearly eight decades later, his hometown of Birchip is ensuring that remarkable moment in sporting history will be remembered, with work under way on a silo mural in his honour.
Bundaberg Region advocates for fairer airfares
Bundaberg Regional Council and Bundaberg Tourism are advocating for fairer regional airfares, with the community invited to add their input to the joint submission.
Naracoorte Saleyard success
Around $150 million or more changes hands at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange (NRLE) each year from sales of 85,000 cattle and 500,000 sheep. And now Naracoorte can boast it has one of the nation’s top 10 saleyard canteens as well as the largest saleyard facility for cattle and sheep in South Australia.
Who will pay? A decade on, sewerage and water budget for three villages has blown to $36million
A feasibility study in 2014 looked at the cost of bringing a sewerage system to three of Kyogle’s villages — Tabulam, Wiangaree and Mallanganee. The Three Villages Water/Sewer Update report is back on the Kyogle Council agenda ... Mayor Danielle Mulholland said, “We’ve been talking about this for a long time.”
Construction set to begin for Gallery redevelopment
A sod turning ceremony held on Friday marked the beginning of the Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment, which will be delivered by local company Fairbrother Construction. The project is expected to create an additional 260 jobs in the local construction sector and an additional 170 jobs in the local economy when the Gallery reopens in 2028.
Largest Country Week tournament brings major economic win for Greater Shepparton
Greater Shepparton City Council is proud to announce the successful delivery of the 2026 Country Week tennis tournament, which saw an estimated $4 million boost to the region’s visitor economy. Council partnered with Tennis Victoria, Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club and Mooroopna Lawn Tennis Club to host the event, which is the largest lawn tennis competition in the world.
Reflecting on the Gannawarra’s recovery from the 2022 floods
Residents and visitors are now able to view a photographic display highlighting the Gannawarra’s recovery from the 2022 floods. The Gannawarra Reflect & Connect – A Celebration of Community exhibition, located within Kerang’s Patchell Plaza, marks the end of the recovery from the 2022 flood with the Emergency Recovery Victoria supported Gannawarra Flood Recovery Program officially ending on 31 January 2026.
Mentoring program supports profitable regenerative farming across the Tweed
Tweed Shire Council will soon open applications for the next round of its Profitable Regenerative Farming Mentoring Program, with local farmers invited to learn more at an information session on 26 February. The peer-to-peer program pairs experienced regenerative farmers with emerging landholders to strengthen farm profitability while improving soil health, waterways and biodiversity.
South Mildura Wetlands the focus of Clean Up Australia Day 2026
Mildura Rural City Council is putting the call out to residents to help clean up the Mildura South Wetlands – Dunnings area as part of Clean Up Australia Day 2026. Anyone and everyone can get involved, with the event to take place on Sunday 1 March from 10 am to 11 am.
Westbrook land for water treatment plant
Toowoomba Regional Council has acquired a property in Westbrook that will be the location of a future water treatment plant ... With the site being acquired for a water treatment plant, Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff said Council would require funding to progress the project in an accelerated timeframe.
Health, water security and safer roads topics dominate mayoral summit
Regional local government councils including Narrandera came together again for the eighth annual Cootamundra Mayoral Summit hosted by the Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke this week. Ms Cooke said it was clear that health, water security and safer roads remained top priorities right across the electorate
The housing crisis: could tiny homes be the solution?
Ivona Rose. Interest in tiny homes is increasing on the Central Coast and across Australia, driven by soaring house prices, lack of housing availability, shifts toward sustainable living, downsizing, dwindling available land, and the growth of short-stay rentals like Airbnb ... Can tiny homes play a meaningful role in affordable housing, and where can people locate them?
Whipcracking entertainment at Kaniva
The sharp crack of a stockwhip echoed across Kaniva Recreation Reserve on Wednesday night as crowds gathered for world-record whipcracker Nathan "Whippy" Griggs. The free event, hosted by West Wimmera Shire Council, included a fast-paced show featuring precision tricks, comedy and demonstrations of different types of whips.
