Second bridge study traffic data flawed
Patricia Gill. A Shire of Denmark-commissioned trafï¬c and evacuation management study used flawed data to determine that a second bridge was not necessary to evacuate the town in an emergency. The Shire’s 2011 Local Planning Strategy had demonstrated the need for the second bridge but the matter was dropped in 2018 after the Shire commissioned consultants GHD to report on the matter. In 2019 the Shire gave away $4.291 million in Royalties for Regions to build a second bridge and got back $2.5 million to upgrade Greens Pool.
Council calls out NSW Government cost shifting
Clarence Valley Council will call on the Minns NSW Government to implement regulatory reform and budgetary funding provisions to address $1.36 billion of cost-shifting the state government expected councils to fund in the 2021-2022 financial year, a figure that is increasing yearly ... Based on the 2021 Census population figures for the Clarence Valley Local Government Area LGA of 54,115, this equates to $24,929,157.05 cost-shifted onto Clarence Valley Council CVC ratepayers in the 2021-2022 financial year.
Is it a world first? A democracy kangaroo rissole
At the NSW State Land Council regional elections ... local candidate Walpa Thompson hosted a democracy BBQ. But instead of sausages, it was kangaroo rissoles on the menu ... Approximately 80 members of the local land councils came out to vote for the Western region’s representative.
Official openings for Jeparit and Nhill infrastructure developments
Hindmarsh Shire Council extends an invitation to all community members to attend the official openings of two important community projects in Jeparit and Nhill ... Dr Anne Webster, Federal Member for Mallee, will officially open the redeveloped Jeparit Riverbank Precinct and the Nhill Cane Ball Court...
Rushworth Rail Trail now heritage listed
Campaspe Shire Council and Heritage Victoria have been working on the new Rail Trail project in Rushworth. After detailed historical and site investigations, Heritage Victoria have placed the former Rushworth Railway Station on the Victorian Heritage Inventory (number H7924-0100).
$600K patch up
Michelle Daw. Three damaged sections of the Upper Yorke Road between Bute and Port Broughton will be patched, thanks to a $600,000 commitment by the state government ... Announcement of the patching works follows years of lobbying by council and Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis ... “I don’t mean to be ungrateful but it’s not enough to do a proper job,” Mr Ellis said.
Local council electoral review outcome: Buloke’s “extreme disappointment”
Buloke Shire Council has moved to write to the Minister for Local Government, The Hon. Melissa Horne, expressing its extreme disappointment in the outcome of a recent Local Council Electoral Structure Review ... In its final report handed down in February 2024, and with all recommendations accepted by the Minister, the panel recommended that Buloke Shire Council adopt a multi-councillor ward structure, with a total of 6 councillors, 3 wards and 2 councillors per ward, a reduction of 1 councillor.
Step back in time at the Lost Trades Fair
The Lost Trades Fair is a fantastic celebration of craftsmanship, ancient arts, heritage crafts, rare trades and knowledge passed down through generations. Come along to the Bendigo Racecourse this weekend ... and see the tools, traditions, techniques and trade secrets on show.
For better or worse, here’s the ‘final’ story on the NRLX dispute
I have chosen to write this as an opinion piece rather than an article. My reason for this is I have struggled to get information about the NRLX dispute even in its resolution. This opinion piece is an exit story on the dispute.
Local women collaborate to deliver inclusive IWD events
A dedicated committee of women have been working hard to deliver two fabulous International Women’s Day (IWD) events for Tennant Creek next week. Under the leadership of Barkly Regional Council and Tennant Creek Women’s Refuge, a diverse committee of women, along with the generous support of the Northern Territory Government’s Office of Gender Equity and Diversity and a multitude of local organisations, have come together to bring these events to life.
Council firms Olympics ambition
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) last week endorsed a submission to the Queensland Government’s 60 Day Independent Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Venue Master Plan Review in relation to the potential upgrade of the Toowoomba Sports Ground (Clive Berghofer Stadium).
Shine says divisions are bright idea
Ahead of the 2024 local government elections on 16 Saturday, 16 March, incumbent Councillor Kerry Shine is rallying to the cause of divisions as a way for the area outside of Toowoomba to be better represented in the region. The proposal would see the creation of geographical divisions for Toowoomba Regional Council ...
Coolamon adds to its historic attractions
Renowned Sculpture Artist, Andrew Whitehead was in Coolamon recently to install his work 'For Keeps' in Cowabbie Street ... "For Keeps" shows three children playing marbles and is inspired by the paintings of country towns in Australia by D'arcy Doyle.
Consent for Telstra’s microcell declined based on results of LHIB connectivity survey
Suzie Christensen. Community feedback on the improved short-term communications options for LHI was gathered in November 2023. The survey results showed that the majority of residents are in favour of preserving the Island’s unique way of life when it comes to connectivity.
Lack of facilities hinders Narrandera SES
Narrandera Shire Council has approved $25,000 worth of works requested by the Narrandera SES at the Narrandera-Leeton Airport and included $50,000 improvements to amenities in Councils upcoming budget for 2024-25. At the same time Council acknowledged the necessity to include further medium and long-term requirements at the facility in Council's future long-term financial plan.
Inquiry into NSW RFS arrangements with council
Hay Shire Council has confirmed its support to the local Rural Fire Service in the face of an inquiry into NSW RFS arrangements with Local Government. With the bushfire season underway, the upcoming inquiry into the effectiveness of NSW RFS's asset management and operations will be undertaken by a parliamentary committee.
Council electoral structure: final report
An independent review appointed by the Minister for Local Government has released its final report on the electoral structure of the Shire of Mount Alexander Council. The electoral representation advisory panel recommends that Mount Alexander Shire adopt a single-councillor ward structure, with a total of eight councillors, eight wards and one councillor per ward.
Major land rezoning
Consultations on a major land rezoning application in the state’s South East will open in the coming months. The Wattle Range Council is applying to rezone ten parcels of land in the lower South East, specifically around the townships of Millicent, Penola, Beachport, and Glencoe. The areas under consideration have been identified in the council’s 25-year strategic land use plan to accommodate housing and employment growth as population surges in nearby major centres - Mount Gambier and Robe.
Headline: 55.8 per cent in favour
385 people respond to the Naracoorte Regional Sports Centre proposal survey. Many people in the district believe a sports centre will be an asset for the community and are in favour of the council’s plans to progress the Naracoorte Regional Sports Centre project.
Darling Downs Independents: A new voice?
With the local government elections looming On Our Selection News presents a media release from a community group called Darling Downs Independents in the interests of political fairness for candidates ... Darling Downs Independents is a dynamic community group dedicated to championing independent candidates for all levels of government in the Darling Downs region, including council, state, and federal elections.
Bishop’s Lodge Historic House – a facelift for a grand old dame
The grand old dame of South Hay, Bishop’s Lodge Historic House, is receiving a face-lift ... Work carried out over the past weeks include repairs to cracked plaster in the dining and drawing rooms and chapel, render to large parts of walls and general paintwork on windows.
Lockyer Valley Art Gallery to welcome ‘Paint the Town’ exhibition
Lockyer Valley audiences will be treated to an award-winning selection of regional Queensland talent with the showing of Paint the Town at the Lockyer Valley Art Gallery ... An initiative of Flying Arts Alliance, Paint the Town is the touring exhibition of the 2021 Queensland Regional Art Awards and showcases the works of 28 talented emerging and established artists from across regional Queensland.
