Take a walk on the wild-flower side
Do you want the chance to witness stunning wildflowers in bloom and learn why they are so special? Then mark your calendar for Monday, July 3, to book a spot at the Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival, with guided walks running from Saturday, August 19, to Sunday, September 3, from Bribie Island to Noosa.
11 MPs and mayors push Minns to make good on $1.5billion promise
Four MPs and seven mayors have sent a letter to the Premier Chris Minns. They are asking the State Government not to forget the Northern Rivers and to deliver the next part of the flood recovery funding for the Resilient Homes program.
Bushfire prone land map updated for the Tweed Shire
Tweed Shire Council and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) have updated mapping of bushfire prone land across the Tweed Shire area ... The latest Tweed Shire mapping has been developed based on NSW RFS guidelines and is the culmination of input from Council’s bushfire, GIS and ecology technical staff, as well as external expert advice.
SA Budget a mixed bag for local communities: LGASA
The Local Government Association of South Australia has acknowledged State Budget which aims to deliver cost of living relief and address the state's housing and health crisis but has warned the government has missed an opportunity to engage closely with councils on meaningful funding to support local communities. LGA President Dean Johnson said while the State Government’s spending on measures to address housing affordability and availability were a step in the right direction, greater investments were needed to improve long-term liveability, regional health and local economic growth.
Zoo looking for new homes for beloved goats
The Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens Zoo & Aviary is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from the community to rehome five of its adult goats. The goats have been on display for several years but had to be relocated due to recent changes at the zoo.
Ridiculous regional rate rises slammed: NSW Farmers
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has approved special rate variations of up to 64.3 per cent for country councils in a move farmers say will smash local communities ... “Every time you turn around someone’s putting their hand in the farmer’s pocket, and these rate rises will just further squeeze businesses and households in these areas": NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin.
Barkly Council represents at Parliament House
Barkly Regional Council Mayor and Councillors were in Canberra earlier this week to attend the Australian Local Government Associations annual National General Assembly. Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin, Deputy Mayor Russell O’Donnell, Councillor Pam Corbett and Acting CEO Russell Anderson attended the conference which this year incorporated the Regional and Development Forum.
Commercial kangaroo shooting
This year, the State Government - as part of its Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP) - has set the quota for commercial shooting of kangaroos in the central region of Victoria at 65,100 grey kangaroos. The total 2023 KHP quota for the entire state is 166,750. This means that a significant percentage (around 40 per cent) of kangaroos culled in Victoria will be coming from the central region.
Queensland communities welcome first PNG aged care workers to Australia: Conroy, Wells
The first group of workers from Papua New Guinea to be employed in Australia’s aged care sector under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has arrived in regional Queensland. The eight workers from PNG provinces including Western Highlands, New Ireland and Morobe will be employed by Southern Cross Care at aged care facilities at Chinchilla, Murgon and Taroom in Southeast Queensland, where local aged care staff have been hard to find.
NLC to borrow $1.52 million
A loan for $1,522,500 million at around 5.29 per cent for the next five years will be taken out by Naracoorte Lucindale Council on June 15. The borrowed funds will be used to help upgrade SA’s biggest saleyards, Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange (NRLE). Turning 50 this year at its current site and considered a jewel in the council's crown, the “user pays” facility is self-funded by the district’s biggest ratepayers, its primary producers.
Recovery delays cause concern
A number of Cudgewa North residents, concerned about the delays in rehabilitating the Bluff Falls tourism area following the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, claim that Parks Victoria is not doing enough to get the recovery project underway. They say that there has been a lack of communication about the works.
4% increase for ratepayers
Urban residential ratepayers will have an annual increase in their rates of close to $130, or 4 per cent, after Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) adopted its 2023-24 Budget last week. Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio said Council’s $651 million financial plan would maintain and upgrade existing services and facilities while planning for a brighter future for current and successive generations.
Artfully done – Wool Bay’s tank officially opened
Yorke Peninsula Council’s latest addition to the Southern Yorke Peninsula Water Tower/Tank Mural Trail was officially unveiled at Wool Bay ... Painted and designed by Sam Brooks and Harley Hall, with the assistance of Mark Harding, Rachelle Plazeriano and Gary Nowlan, the art – which adorns a tank and shed on Green Flat Road – follows the story of Wool Bay from Narungga First Nations to European settlement.
Nhill icon’s honoured
Nhill had the honour of having two locals bestowed with an Order of Australia medal (OAM) in the King’s birthday honours announced on Monday. Hindmarsh Shire Councillor Rob Gersch for his service to local government and to the community and Kevin Bye for his service to lawn bowls and the community.
Draft regional plan proposes restructure to deliver better services to the bush
Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin is encouraging regional residents to have their say on the Barkly Regional Council’s Draft Regional Plan 2023-2024. The Plan is open now for consultation until close of business on Monday 19 June.
Country mayors body defends regional councillors
Mayors and Councillors from across regional NSW have been accused of being incompetent and not worthy of the money they are paid to serve their communities in a recent speech delivered by new Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig during question time in State Parliament last week ... "My annual stipend for working an average of 50-60 hours per week is $37,000. Minister Hoenig is paid $315,000 per annum and he has the hide to deny Mayors a fair and reasonable stipend when our Queensland counterparts are paid $108,000. He's unworthy of his very privileged position and will damage this government and relations between Local Government and the Ministers. What a shame": Mayor of Narromine Shire Council, Cr Craig Davies.
Mitigate, prepare and plan – bushfire season is coming
Bushfire season is approaching! The Rockhampton Region is at its highest risk from July to February. Chair of the LDMG and Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said the region is at a higher risk for the 2023-24 season in comparison to previous fire seasons.
Shire of Broome and Nyamba Buru Yawuru sign historic Memorandum of Understanding
Reconciliation Week 2023 was a special one for Broome with the Shire and Nyamba Buru Yawuru signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday, June 1 at the Jiljirrgun Town Beach Night Market. The MoU ... recognises how a productive relationship would have mutual benefits for both parties and would promote the delivery of shared values for future generations.
‘The Winning Formula for Regional Victoria’ – How the 2026 Commonwealth Games can benefit all of regional Victoria
Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) launches ‘The Winning Formula for Regional Victoria’, a document outlining the group’s priorities to ensure a lasting legacy is created for the whole of regional Victoria as part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games ... The Winning Formula for Regional Victoria examines six key areas with recommendations that will ensure a lasting legacy for every regional city beyond the event period and across the whole state, not just for the five cities hosting events...
Pest animal control to help threatened species in the Tweed
Pest animal control works will commence across Tweed coastal areas from 6 June 2023 after a successful program in previous years. Recent camera monitoring has recorded pest animal activity in the coastal bushland areas at Fingal Head, Kingscliff, Hastings Point and Pottsville. Species recorded on the cameras have included foxes and European hares...
Final clean sweep planned for ‘Rum Jungle’
The four-year long community led rehabilitation of ‘Rum Jungle’ is nearing completion with a final clean-up and Boxthorn Blitz workshop taking place next weekend. To celebrate the successful initiative, members of the community who come out one last time will be treated to morning tea, giveaways and a couple of numbers from Geraldton’s Sea Shanty group aptly called Rum Jungle.
Fairy Hill identified for housing opportunity
Richmond Valley Council has welcomed the release of the draft Resilient Lands Strategy by the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation. The strategy has identified Fairy Hill as a flood-safe housing opportunity.
