Council introduces fees for dumped mattresses and whitegoods
With more than 2,500 mattresses dumped each year on the Southern Downs, Council will engage an external contractor to periodically shred mattresses to reduce their volume by up to 85 percent as part of a sustainable recycling program that already addresses environmental obligations from the disposal of fridges and air conditioners ... a fee of $15 will apply for the disposal of each mattress and $12 for each fridge, freezer and air conditioning unit.
Nhill’s surprise station shutdown sparks community outcry
Last week the community of Nhill was surprised to find the Nhill Railway Station fenced off and out of bounds to the community, without any consultation, after being deemed unsafe for public use by the Australian Rail Track Corporation. Local resident Margaret Millington said it was a sad situation and that "Sadly, the Nhill station is now inaccessible to passengers wishing to travel on the Overland.
Building company liquidated
Jess Liddy. Commercial building company Felmeri Homes has been liquidated. The appointed builder of the Wallaroo Shores resort development went into voluntary administration in May. Felmeri has debts of between $10 million and $20m owed to up to 35 organisations including site developer Copper Coast Investments (Monopoly Property Group) and Mobil Kadina ... MPG founder Ben Howard said the Wyndham Wallaroo Shores Resort was still progressing.
Lightning Ridge Opal & Gem Festival 2023
Jewellers, buyers, wholesalers, miners, rock hounds, lapidary enthusiasts and tourists are invited to experience the best Lightning Ridge has to offer with this culmination of information, spectacular jewellery, collectables, great deals and fantastic networking opportunities. The LR Opal & GemFestival boasts over 150 stalls with a huge range of products including gemstones, tools, lapidary supplies and lifestyle products.
WA’s own Jebediah to take the stage for Passion of the Pilbara 2023
The Australian rock legends will take the stage for Passion of the Pilbara alongside a great line-up of events including the Culinary Showcase hosted by MasterChef’s Andrea Puglisi. Passion of the Pilbara (POP) is returning to Onslow on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 August with Jebediah, events and activities, live entertainment, food trucks and more for all ages to enjoy.
New bridge will last a century
The much-anticipated official opening of the new Towong Bridge to traffic on Tuesday was celebrated by communities on both sides of the Murray River, with the first cars officially driving over it soon afterwards.
Jondaryan Woolshed 50th Anniversary Reunion
The Friends of Jondaryan Woolshed Inc. are holding a reunion for all who have been involved in "the Jondaryan Woolshed Project" since its inception in 1973, including volunteers, staff, committee members, directors, stall holders, event organisers and other supporters.
Commonwealth Games costs too high at over $6 billion: Andrews
With significant planning work and extensive market soundings completed, it is now certain that the cost of hosting the Regional Victorian Commonwealth Games will exceed $6 billion – more than twice the estimated economic benefit the Games would bring our state. In the face of these numbers, the Victorian Government has made the decision not to proceed with hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026.
Angourie locals’ anger over stranded yacht
Angry Angourie locals have taken it upon themselves to clean up kilos and kilos of debris from the 15-metre steel ketch Chinook that ran aground on Saturday July 8, on rocks near Spooky Beach, after the boat’s owner abandoned the vessel ... Angourie local Kim said as the yacht was left scattering debris for six days in the ocean and surrounds.
Coldstream Street medical centre in limbo
Yamba residents will continue to endure wait times of up to a month to see a doctor with the news the development of a medical centre, pharmacy and four units on Coldstream Street is in limbo, with no anticipated start date. A Development Application DA to build the medical centre, chemist and four residential units in the Yamba CBD was lodged by Brisbane based Go Ahead Enterprises Pty Ltd with Clarence Valley Council CVC in March 2021 and was approved by council in August 2021.
Milky Way sphere design listed for world architecture prize
The ambitious design for the Mallanganee Lookout has been shortlisted at the World Architecture Festival in the Future Projects category ... The description on the festival website says “Mallanganee Lookout is an iconic destination – a place that has the centre of the galaxy crossing overhead”.
BWC questions value of landscape board
Michelle Daw. Barunga West Council says its ratepayers are not getting value for money from the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board levy ... " ... no Landscape SA staff members are stationed within the Barunga West local government area. Moreover, the council receives infrequent visits from officers and there is minimal engagement regarding the board’s activities or support for the Barunga West region": Maree Wauhope, council CEO.
Aboriginal agreements could change how local governments operate: Bev McArthur
Victorians should be alert – and probably alarmed – at a deal that has been kept quiet by the State Government that will give indigenous groups in Western Victoria a huge say over water, roads and biosecurity ... The land mass covered by the agreement is nearly 36,000 sq km and involves ten local councils: Ararat, Horsham, Buloke, Hindmarsh, Pyrenees, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians, Yarriambiak, Mildura and West Wimmera ... “There is so much to be worried about in relation to this ‘unprecedented’ agreement:” Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur.
A great show of unity
Today is a celebration of what is great about living in Tennant Creek - the golden heart that never stops beating. When news broke the annual Tennant Creek Show wouldn’t go ahead, five weeks out from the big day, Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin came to the rescue along with Chief Minister Natasha Fyles.
Response to McBride defection
A trade school and further education facility in Naracoorte are opportunities which Nick McBride could work towards achieving as an Independent Member for MacKillop. Such a facility would include training for aged care and allied health as well as other vocations. The suggestions came from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross in the wake of Mr McBride’s resignation from the SA Liberal Party.
States and territories sign up for new national poultry standards: DAFF
Agriculture ministers from all states and territories have now endorsed the new Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry ... The standards are the culmination of an extensive stakeholder and public consultation process and underpinned by contemporary animal welfare science.
Covid vaxx discrimination Bill deadline extended
The reporting time for the Covid-19 Vaccination Status (Prevention of Discrimination) Bill 2022 and the Fair Work Amendment (Prohibiting Covid-19 Vaccine Discrimination) Bill 2023 has been extended to August 25, 2023. On February 9, 2023, the Senate referred to the committee with the bill’s intention to prohibit the commonwealth, states and territories and other government and non-government entities from discriminating on the basis of whether a person has had a Covid-19 vaccination in the provision of goods, services and facilities and also in employment, education, accommodation and sport, and amend the Fair Work Act 2009 by adding Covid-19 vaccination status as an attribute protected from discrimination.
Controversial skywalk now taking shape
Narrandera's Lake Talbot skywalk is now taking shape, with vehicle and pedestrian access within the Lake Talbot swimming pool carpark and stairway to the boat ramp closed in both directions last week to allow further works on the project. The design features a fully accessible walkway that extends some 13 metres out over and above the waters of Lake Talbot...
Increased roadworks activity in region
Southern Downs residents can expect more activity on the road network and additional construction crews being deployed across the region to undertake flood repairs, with final approvals for last year’s flood event now secured.
Hogan and Williamson push for more flood funding
The push for more funding for the flood ravaged Northern Rivers region has been taken up by Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, who questioned the Minns NSW Government on the massive reduction in buybacks offered and Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, who launched a petition to fully fund the Resilient Homes Program as promised ... On Saturday Woodburn locals lined the bridge armed with signs, a town which felt the full brunt of the catastrophic flood, that still feels unheard as they struggle to rebuild.
The Murray River Group of Councils welcomes Minister Plibersek’s request to extend the timeframes to deliver the Murray Darling Basin Plan
Minister Plibersek has written to Murray-Darling Basin Authority Chair, Angus Huston, requesting an honest assessment of whether the plan can be delivered by the mid-2024 deadline. “The bulk of the impact of the Murray Darling Basin Plan has been borne by our communities across northern Victoria. We welcome the Ministers call to delay the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, so our communities can be heard and listened to”, Murray River Group of Councils Chair, Cr Rob Amos said.
$61.7 million Parkes-Peak Hill water project underway: King, Jackson, Plibersek, Keith
Work has begun on one of the largest water infrastructure projects in New South Wales, with the Parkes-Peak Hill Water Supply Project designed to put the region in a stronger position to manage water in a drier climate. The $61.7 million project will deliver a suite of water infrastructure upgrades to safeguard water supply and boost drought resilience, funded in partnership between the Australian Government, the NSW Government and Parkes Shire Council.
