Crime wave
In the shadow of darkness, sometimes thieves are lurking down side streets, back roads and farm paddocks, checking for unlocked cars, sheds, houses and gates to steal whatever they can. “It is a sign of the times, driven by the high cost of living as a result of high electricity prices,” according to RM Electronics owner Rob Mutton who is currently selling a record number of security cameras, helping police catch thieves.
Iconic track comes under review
A draft strategic plan to bolster the Hume and Hovell Track has been released ... [following] consultations and workshops with tourism groups, community members, local councils, Aboriginal organisations, and agencies including the National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Forestry Corporation.
Charging ahead on Yorke Peninsula
Michelle Daw. The RAA is set to install its second electric vehicle charging station on Yorke Peninsula, part of a planned total of eight within the region. Barunga West Council has accepted an offer by the RAA to replace its two existing Teslabranded chargers on Harvey Street, next to the Port Broughton council chambers by the end of the year.
Land sale puts history in jeopardy
Will Hunter. It is feared a historic crane located on an allotment listed for sale as part of a Department for Infrastructure and Transport land disposal in Port Wakefield may be at risk. The allotments … were listed for sale with Ray White Yorke Peninsula after Wakefield Regional Council advised DIT it had no interest in acquiring any of the land identified for disposal.
Great heat over great wall
Patrick Goldsmith. Opposition to a proposed seawall at Coobowie is growing louder, with more than 60 people gathering at a town hall meeting on Sunday, October 1. The event was organised by the newly formed Friends of Coobowie Foreshore and attendees heard from ecologist and marine biologist John Douglas and aired their own grievances with the Yorke Peninsula Council proposal.
New blood. Peter Johnstons elected mayor, Jeff Smith deputy.
New blood has been selected to steer Clarence Valley Council for the next 12 months with Cr Peter Johnstone elected Mayor and Jeff Smith Deputy Mayor, both candidates securing their positions by a single vote. In a surprise move, both incumbents, former Mayor Ian Tiley, and his Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy, did not nominate for election at the September 26 council meeting at the Grafton chambers.
DA deferred to consult Yaegl people
A DA for a 36-lot subdivision at Orion Drive, Yamba, over an area that is predominantly water, has been deferred for one month by Clarence Valley Council to allow consultation with the Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation ... this was the second time the DA had been on public exhibition ... the initial DA was lodged in September 2020.
BlazeAid returns to assist our local farmers
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg has welcomed the return of volunteer organisation, BlazeAid, to assist local farmers with clearing and rebuilding fences ... Following the 2019 North Coast bushfires, BlazeAid set up operations near Casino to help local farmers get their paddocks re-fenced.
60 blocks will not be built on floodplain land as council refuses DA
Richmond Valley Council has refused the development application at 59 Rileys Hill Road, Broadwater ... “This development is not in the public interest and is not suitable for development due to flood risk”: Jemma Donnelly. During the floods in February–March last year, the site was underwater.
Update on Checkpoint – Lord Howe Island officially declared rodent free
Suzie Christensen. The Checkpoint program conducted in July 2023 has found no sign of rats or mice on Lord Howe Island for over two years, signalling a significant milestone in the Rodent Eradication Project ... More than 950 detection device checks were undertaken using 140 tracking tunnels, 32 trail cameras, and 300 wax tags and chew cards, along with sweeps with detection dogs.
Innovative project aims to deliver region’s first community battery
The Mildura region could soon boast its first community battery following the launch of an innovative regional project. The Regional Greenhouse Alliance Neighbourhood Battery Investigation Project aims to develop investment-ready business cases for single community batteries at 18 locations across regional Victoria, including Mildura.
Roper Gulf Regional Council triumphs with mitigating community health risks
In an impressive feat, Roper Gulf Regional Council has successfully lead a ground breaking feral pig management and removal program in the communities of Numbulwar and Ngukurr last month. This initiative underscores the solid commitment to the health and well-being of all residents, particularly in addressing the significant health risks associated with feral pigs, including the threat of Japanese encephalitis.
Public artwork celebrates Scenic Rim’s fauna
Vibrant artworks featuring some of the Scenic Rim's celebrated wildlife are set to transform an alleyway and block wall in Beaudesert’s town centre into colourful public spaces.
Murwillumbah’s 50-year time capsules soon to be unearthed
Two 50-year time capsules buried beneath Murwillumbah library are now available for public viewing before they are retrieved in the coming weeks. The capsules were buried in 1973 at the start of the construction of the Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre, which includes the library.
Rate hardship
If you’re experiencing difficulties paying your council rates, the Tatiara District Council says help is available for you. Council chief executive officer Anne Champness said financial hardships and unemployment have topped the council’s list of reasons for rate arrears and nonpayment of rates. “We are very aware of the extra burden council rates can mean for those residents or businesses that are struggling financially,”
Ask for 1000 homes
Naracoorte-Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross is ready to engage with the Country Cabinet when it holds its seventh meeting in Naracoorte next month. And Mr Ross says at the top of his list of things to be discussed with the Premier and his ministers will be the “region’s desperate need for an extra 1,000 homes”.
Council appoints new Deputy Mayor
Councillor Greg Marlow was voted in as Deputy Mayor at Barkly Regional Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday. The newly-appointed Deputy Mayor takes over from Cr Russell O’Donnell who has served in the role for a year.
New planning program to support regional housing: Champion
A new program designed to tackle regional skills shortages in the housing and planning sectors is being established through a State and Local government partnership ... the Grow Your Own program is a joint initiative between the Malinauskas Government and Local Government Association – focused on training local talent and providing pathways to grow regional councils’ planning workforce.
TRC welcomes BOM radar coverage
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald has welcomed news that the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) would soon provide an improved radar service to residents of the region ... "In today’s world where disaster preparedness is paramount, our residents need the tools and resources to make informed choices when weather warnings are issued and this additional weather radar service that the BOM will provide is certainly welcome news," Mayor McDonald said.
Green light for $5m ‘cannabis’ health retreat
The Denmark Shire Council has given the green light to the building of a $5 million health retreat at The Dam on Raintree Estate 10km west of Denmark. Billed as Australia’s first cannabis health retreat the development includes a reception, lodge, six two-bedroom chalets and six off-grid eco-huts.
Council puts case for a special rate variation
General Manager George Cowan highlighted issues around the council’s financial position at last week’s Council meeting and sought a resolution to proceed to community consultation on a potential application for a proposed permanent Special Variation (SV) ... representing a cumulative Special Variation of 48.1 per cent over two years. "Some of the causes of this position have been building progressively over a long period and some are much more recent ..."
Basis for rate variation explained
A report presented to the Narrandera Shire Council last week provided a detailed analysis of Council’s current and long-term financial position and outlined drivers for those outcomes. It was tabled together with the recommendation for a rate variation application that will now go to the ratepayers of the shire for consideration. The report identified implications for service levels and impact on residents.
