Nambucca Valley Deputy Mayor blocks regional collaboration: Kemp
Nambucca Valley’s Labor Deputy Mayor has attempted to block Nambucca Valley Council from joining the Mid North Coast Joint Organisation – a move that would have isolated the valley from regional collaboration with neighbouring councils.
Success of Garage Sale Trail
For many households in Southern Downs and across Queensland, Garage Sale Trail conducted last year was a chance to clear out cupboards, make some extra cash and give pre-loved items a second life. Over two-weekends in November 2025, locals sold more than 11,972 items, generating $107,631 for households, community groups and charities, while also diverting items out of landfill.
Community celebrates Angourie National Surfing Reserve
Angourie National Surfing Reserve, the world's first gazetted National Surfing Reserve, was dedicated on January 12, 2007, following several years of work by a steering committee of locals. Steering committee foundation member Helen Tyas-Tunggal said 21 years ago there were some serious conversations going on in the community regarding whether or not to nominate Angourie to become the first gazetted surfing reserve in the world.
Ramping up call for action on shark mitigation
Central Coast Councillor Jared Wright has ramped up calls for State Government action on shark control following the recent release of the International Shark Attack File, which confirmed that Australia recorded the world's highest total of fatal shark attacks on humans in 2025. "Of 12 fatalities, nine were from Australia."
NSW Government drought response welcome but underwhelming
The NSW Government has announced an expansion of their Drought Plan and while welcome, more needs to be done, according to Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire). "Our farmers in south-west NSW are struggling and they need support with fodder and water freight costs. Keeping core livestock alive is a priority and simply enabling bigger debts is short on insight," he said.
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.
