Council

Boat operators are urged to take special care in the Tweed River, with several sightings of a dugong reported to Council over the past 12 months. While dugong are known to occur in Moreton Bay, the presence of one of these marine mammals in the Tweed is both unusual and exciting.

The Lockyer Valley knows only too well just what the impact of a severe weather event can look like – physically, mentally and emotionally. Following two severe flood events in 2022 alone, after bushfires and years of drought, Lockyer Valley Regional Council has forged important new partnerships to bring tangible benefits to the community.

As he proudly stepped up to the microphone to deliver his inaugural speech as the Member for Clarence on May 10 in the NSW Legislative Assembly, Richie Williamson revealed that despite earlier presumptions, he wasn’t as nervous as he thought he would be ... Mr Williamson told the Clarence Valley Independent it was a great honour to stand at the podium to deliver his first speech as he acknowledged his loved ones and the people of the Clarence electorate for their support, and pledged to be their advocate in parliament.

The Yamba Community Action Network Yamba CAN Inc is urging Clarence Valley Council to conduct a flood survey of all residents on the Yamba floodplain so it can be incorporated in the updated Clarence River Flood Study and Flood Model which are currently being prepared ... When Yamba CAN recently discovered a flood study being conducted by Coffs Harbour City Council of residents in the Moonee Creek catchment area, members questioned why CVC couldn’t do the same.

Playgrounds are important spaces for the community to enjoy, and the Southern Downs Regional Council has a duty of care to maintain equipment so it is safe to use and compliant with Australian standards and guidelines. Council’s Manager Parks and Operations Chris Collingwood said Council’s unwavering priority is community safety.

A joint Consortium Agreement has been adopted to help progress Moonta Mines’ world heritage bid. The Australian Cornish Mining Sites World Heritage Consortium will enable Copper Coast Council, Regional Council of Goyder (encompassing Burra) and the National Trust of South Australia to work towards their final step in gaining World Heritage Listing.

A commitment to preserving and celebrating the heritage of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) has been acknowledged with an award at the prestigious National Trust Heritage Awards. The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail took out first place in the Conservation – Landscape category of the Awards at a ceremony in Sydney on Friday 12 May.

South Burnett Regional Council Mayor, Brett Otto has joined National Party Leader and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud in questioning the federal government recent budget announcement to impose a levy on farmers to fund biosecurity. Mayor Otto has called on the federal government to reverse the decision, saying it is another impost on struggling farmers.

Lockyer Valley Libraries will participate in National Simultaneous Storytime later this month. The event, to be held at the Gatton Library on Wednesday 24 May, is an annual campaign  by the  Australian Library and Information Association  (ALIA) that encourages young children to read and enjoy books.  

Visit Lismore - Come play, come stay. LisAmore! takes place in the middle of winter, on Sunday 18 June. It’s a wonderful time of year to visit Lismore, Nimbin and Villages. There is so much to see, do and explore in surrounding towns, villages and national parks, plus Lismore is in the heart of the Northern Rivers, making it the perfect location to discover the entire region.

Buloke Shire Council has publicly expressed its concern about the consultation processes in relation to the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) Project and called for the project to be suspended.

In a social media post this week, Mr McAdam claimed BRC was suffering from 111 positions vacant ... In BRC’s media release on Wednesday, it was on a positive note about adopting a hire local policy which had reaped great results for its eight community service centres in the Barkly.

This was a renovation rescue like no other – a new skyhome for a high-flying Sunshine Coast couple. Sunshine Coast Council has just completed a lofty project to ensure a better future for a beloved pair of ospreys – and their future offspring.

Michelle Daw. Barunga West Council plans to create 230 residential allotments between Fisherman Bay and Port Broughton to meet demand and ease the local housing shortage. Council received approval from Minister for Planning Nick Champion to start the process to rezone 26 hectares of farming land from rural to residential on Friday, May 5.

Local councils are reeling after learning the NSW Government will not subsidise the increase in the Emergency Services Levy this year. Local Government NSW president Darriea Turley said the levy is a cost imposed on councils and the insurance industry to fund the emergency services budget in NSW such as the Rural Fire Service.

While thousands of people across the UK are expected to gather around large screens in bustling city locations to celebrate the Coronation of his Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in the Queensland Outback Quilpie locals will celebrate in true Aussie style with a large scale bonfire that will be coloured a Royal red for the occasion and fireworks lighting up the crisp Autumn night at Baldy Top look out.

Patrick Goldsmith. Five troublesome parcels of unalienated Crown Land within the Yorke Peninsula Council area will stay in the care and control of the state government after discussions regarding the environmental impacts of increased visitation numbers ... Unalienated Crown Land is public land which is owned and managed by the state government, giving council no authority over the activity which takes place on it.

LHIB. Community members and visitors with limited mobility will have better access to Lord Howe’s beaches and outdoor environments, with the introduction of two new pieces of equipment available. To ensure everyone can enjoy our beaches, the Sandcruiser All-terrain Wheelchair will be available to help navigate over sand, rocks, and other uneven terrain.

A strong connection to Burra, its community and the iconic Midnight Oil House has seen the creation and generous donation of a collectable jewellery masterpiece by Melbourne jeweller Glenn Bakker; to the Burra community, through the Regional Council of Goyder during this year’s Shannon’s Rally of the Heartland ... He has since spent the last 12 months creating an exquisite piece of art which he has named the "Midnight Oil House-Burra".

As part of the Australia Government  Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, council has engaged a contractor to undertake the design and construction of pavement rehabilitation works on the  Rolleston Aerodrome Landing Area runway.  The design phase is expected to commence in early June and conclude in mid-June 2023 with the construction phase to commence between July and September 2023.

The region is set to enjoy a boost to economic, cultural and educational opportunities as The Barossa Council gears up to enter into a formalised  sister-city agreement with the  City of Grapevine, Texas  which is the fifth largest wine producing state in the United States. Barossa Mayor Bim Lange said as major wine and food destinations, the two regions share many similarities and a global reputation for premium wine, food and events.