Fatal shooting
Lucindale police officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig, who was killed during a shooting incident at Senior, has been described as a “perfect small town country copper” ... all Sgt Doig ever wanted from his role in the community was for everybody to get home safely.
Sports centre options
The Naracoorte Lucindale Council seeks your feedback about whether to spend $8 million on new basketball/netball facilities, or $35 million on a new sports complex. People can offer their feedback by writing to the council, talking to one of their elected members or voicing their opinion via the council’s website.
Tentative pipeline route released
In preparation for the final route of the Toowoomba to Warwick (T2W) Pipeline being confirmed, Seqwater has released a detailed map of where the pipeline is planned to be constructed.
Council opts for 48.1 per cent SRV over two years
The Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to apply to ICAC for a Special Rate Variation of 48.1 per cent to be introduced over two years, going against its general manager’s recommendation in favour of one year at 41.5 per cent. It will seek approval under section 508A of the Local Government Act 1993...
Enough is enough says Leeton protest rally
More than 600 residents, business owners and farmers demanded "enough is enough" and called for a stop to the water buybacks by the Albanese Government in a protest rally at Leeton. The crowd in Mountford Park was addressed by Leeton Mayor Cr Tony Reneka...
Australia’s largest weir since World War 2 now complete: Dick, Butcher
Construction on Australia’s newest major water infrastructure asset is now complete. The $568.9 million Rookwood Weir, west of Rockhampton, will yield 86,000 megalitres each year to boost economic growth, agricultural production and industry in Central Queensland.
Yamba CAN take council to NCAT
Concerned about the number of staff vacancies impacting the effectiveness of council operations, the Yamba Community Action Network Yamba CAN Inc has taken Clarence Valley Council to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal NCAT ... Yamba CAN Inc’s solicitor alleged there are high staff vacancy rates and turnover at Clarence Valley Council...
Nhill residents’ petition leads to withdrawal of service station plan
In recent months, a petition by Nhill residents has successfully halted the development of a new unmanned service station at 67-69 Nelson Street. This community-driven initiative arose from concerns over the proposed station's location within the central business district and potential safety issues.
When community recovery meets neighbourhood house . . . collaboration becomes the key
On Thursday, Neighbourhood House co-ordinators from across the Buloke Shire met with the newly appointed community recovery officers, Claire Cook, Bruce Stafford and Sam Wheelhouse, and their manager Jo Postlethwaite, to learn more about the Community Recovery Projects being rolled out in the Buloke Shire, and the potential for collaboration.
The Cobb Highway
All NSW State Highways are now sealed, the Mount Manara stretch of the Ivanhoe-Wilcannia section of the Cobb Highway having the honour of being the last section, and it may be that NSW is the first state to have all highways sealed. Hon. Jenny Aitchison, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, in a refreshing move away from the usual speech, began by acknowledging the work of previous governments and all those involved in the long campaign ...
A year in review: What your council has done, how much it has spent and on what
Kyogle Council released its 2022/2023 Annual Report and it makes for interesting reading ... The numbers in the report tell a story about the council and the community it serves...
Gundagai hosts carriage drivers for NSW championships
The NSW Combined Driving Championships held at Gundagai attracted 48 entries across 18 classes ... It was a great setting for dressage and cone phases, with competitors also enjoying a 14km marathon course comprising 7km of local roads and tracks and 7km containing seven timed man-made obstacles.
Risky start to bushfire season
Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, said Labor’s fuel reduction program had become a monumental failure, with regional Victoria being left to face a long, hot, dry summer with significant vegetation growth and fuel loads on roadsides and public lands right across the state. Ms Kealy said her office continued to receive complaints from residents calling for extensive slashing of roadsides and public areas prior to summer.
FOI provided no real information on native forestry
Page after page of blacked-out documents and no real information - that was the result of Wellington Shire Council's attempts over almost four years to find out why state government decided to close the native forest industry ... "After almost four years, interventions by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) and considerable investment, a heavily redacted document was finally received": Cr Ian Bye, Wellington Shire Mayor.
Ombudsman urges councils to consider the human story
This story of a 72-year-old widow, who has spent the last six years entangled in a bureaucratic nightmare with two local councils – Mitchell Shire Council and Yarra Ranges Shire Council – serves as a reminder to all councils of why the most basic hallmarks of good complaint handling are important, says Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass.
Firebugs, lightning burn 15,000 square kilometres
There were a number of deliberate ignitions, mainly on roadsides, however over the past week the majority of fires are the result of lightning strikes, according to Chief Fire Control Officer Tony Fuller. “On Friday we had at least 14 new fires as a result of lightning,” he says.
Coolamon falls silent to remember veterans
Remembrance Day 2023 was commemorated in Coolamon last Saturday when Cowabbie Street fell silent as the 11am observance was held. Veterans and the community stood in silence as people emerged from shops and even vehicles travelling along the street were seen to stop as the community reflected on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Protect us from Plibersek!
Southern Riverina communities are being called on to ‘fight for our future’ at a rally next week. It aims to highlight the community concern at the social and economic damage that will be caused if water buybacks are introduced, as proposed by the Albanese Government.
Widespread water protest planned: NSW Farmers Association
Basin communities, farmers and businesses will join forces for the nation’s largest ever protest next week against the Albanese Government’s controversial water bill. The coordinated action led by Deniliquin, Griffith and Leeton councils, along with key farming groups such as NSW Farmers and businesses, will see towns across multiple states host demonstrations on Tuesday, November 21, sharing the message that a rewrite of the Murray Darling Basin Plan will cost thousands of jobs and slash almost $1bn worth of food and fibre from farms.
Work to commence at Warwick saleyards
Southern Downs Regional Council has awarded the construction tender to redevelop the Warwick Saleyards with the primary objective of addressing animal welfare and workplace health and safety concerns ... Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said works are expected to commence shortly and the necessary upgrades will secure a sustainable future for the saleyards and support the region’s biggest industry.
Coast’s screen industry shines bright and takes centre stage
Plans to propel the region as a centre of artistic excellence and complement the thriving Queensland screen industry have been unveiled in a landmark report at the recent Sunshine Coast Screen Summit. The highly anticipated Screen Production on the Sunshine Coast Report has been a year in the making, and outlines the strategic direction required for the region to foster growth in the screen industry.
IGA returns to town with a bang
Patrick Goldsmith. Edithburgh has an operational supermarket for the first time in 14 years, with the new IGA officially opened ... Large crowds greeted the staff, including owner-operators Ron and Peta Turnbull, for their first day, as Yorke Peninsula Council mayor Darren Braund cut a ribbon to commemorate the occasion.
