Change in emergency services funding will hit councils hard
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.
Outback celebrations for new King
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.
Land staying in state hands
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.
Towards a national approach to cities and regions: King, Collins, O’Neil
National Cabinet agreed to begin work on a more coordinated approach to Australia’s cities and regions. The range of reforms agreed on 28 April 2023 will see governments work together to better plan for housing, services and infrastructure ... A shared vision to ensure growth in cities is sustainable via the National Urban Policy.
Enhancing beach accessibility
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.
Rally of the Heartlands driver gives back to the Burra community
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".
Rolleston Airstrip set for takeoff
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.
New sister city for Barossa
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.
It takes a village
There are currently 64 people known to be homeless on any given night in the Mount Alexander Shire, and more than 200 families are seeking assistance for the housing crisis ... At a community housing forum presented by My Home Network held last Sunday at the Town Hall in Castlemaine, three tiers of government came together to discuss ways that they are committed to addressing the crisis...
Bute PO posts solid results
Michelle Daw. Bute's post office has the potential to become a thriving, privately run, business in the future, thanks to strong results achieved in the past decade under the management of Barunga West Council. That was the assessment included in a report by CEO Maree Wauchope, tabled at council’s April meeting.
Masters to make history
Fin Hanson. SA Masters Games is set to return to the Copper Coast in 2024. It will be the third time the Copper Coast has hosted the event in four years and the first time in SA Masters Games history a region has hosted in back-to-back years.
But, protesters support West Yamba rezoning
"Stop the fill, don’t drown our town" were the familiar chants of about 40 protesters who were joined by Greens MLC and environmental lawyer Sue Higginson to support Cr Greg Clancy’s motion to rezone land at West Yamba not already subject to development approval at Clarence Valley Council’s April meeting. Joined by members of Yamba Community Action Network Yamba CAN, who were armed with a 3.01 metre pole to indicate the height of fill at Carrs Drive, Ms Higginson said Cr Clancy’s motion was trying to put the brakes on development on the floodplain for all the right reasons.
West Yamba rezoning motion defeated
A motion to rezone land at West Yamba not already subject to development applications from residential to conservation and rural status has been defeated, with many Clarence Valley Councillors indicating they want to wait for the latest flood modelling to be released before deciding on the issue ... Prior to the CVC meeting, councillors heard deputations supporting the rezoning from Greens MLC and Environmental Lawyer Sue Higginson, Lynne Cairns from Yamba CAN, Engineer Peter Maslen and Yamba Local Craigh McNeill.
Council supports farmers in transmission fight
Northern Grampians Shire Council has issued a harsh rebuke of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), citing its abject failure to answer local landowners' questions about controversial power transmission infrastructure. Mayor, Cr Kevin Erwin said there was absolutely no justification whatsoever that the legitimate concerns of landowners remained unanswered at this stage of the project. “We are talking about one of the biggest rural energy infrastructure projects built in the past 60 years, and the government’s planner can’t confirm how it will operate on the easement,” Cr Erwin said.
2023 SA Wooden Boat Festival on this weekend
The countdown is on for the 2023 South Australian Wooden Boat Festival (SAWBF), which is set to take place this weekend (29-30 April). Thanks to major sponsors Coorong Quays, this year’s festival will be held at Hindmarsh Island’s – Alexandrina Cove, providing visitors with front-row seats to the action.
Aussie dream of home ownership alive and well in Dalby: Regional Australia Institute
A four-bedroom, two-bathroom house on a one-acre block for $500,000 is but one of the perks of life in Dalby, south-west Queensland, for passionate local government employee Dan Fletcher and his young family. Dan tells his regional-move story in the latest episode of You Moved Where?! podcast, hosted by TV and film producer Bec Bignell (herself a ‘returner’ to regional Western Australian).
2023/2024 Proposed budget’s flood recovery focus: Gannawarra Shire Council
Flood recovery efforts are a key focus of Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2023/2024 Proposed Budget, with Council seeking community feedback regarding this key document up to 5pm Friday, 26 May. ... “Council’s 2023/2024 Proposed Budget outlines the Gannawarra’s recovery from our second major flood event this century, with $25 million from our capital works program dedicated to infrastructure repairs”: Mayor Charlie Gillingham.
Experts to descend on Lockyer Valley to discuss koala conservation at upcoming forum
Tickets are now available for the upcoming Lockyer Valley Koala Forum. The Forum, presented by Wildlife Watcher and an initiative of Social Marketing @ Griffith in partnership with the Lockyer Valley Regional Council, will be held on Thursday 18 May at the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, as well as online.
Mayor meets with Territory counterparts
Barkly Regional Council Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin met with his Territory counterparts this week at the Local Government Association NT’s (LGANT) annual conference in Alice Springs. The two-day Sustainable Councils conference was held in Alice Springs and was attended by mayors, presidents, councillors, CEOs and delegates from all 17 local government areas in the Territory.
Shire CEO reveals new game plan
Patricia Gill. Denmark Shire chief executive David Schober will ofï¬cially end his tenure on July 11 to return to a lifelong passion, coaching basketball. Former professional basketball coach David will take a ‘dream job’ at the Denmark Senior High School vacated by dual Olympian Paul Rogers.
Flood risks, not engineering report
The Naracoorte Lucindale Council administration does not have an engineering report that mitigates the risk of flooding in the township, says Cr Cameron Grundy. Cr Grundy told the council’s meeting on March 28 that he was inundated with reports from the public worried about the blocked Naracoorte Creek and the flooding implications it could have.
Will ratepayers fund North Parklands purchase?
When it comes to the North Parklands, Naracoorte Lucindale Council ought to be “on the front foot”, according to Cr Damien Ross ... But Mayor Ross seemed suspicious it could be “government speak” for councils and their ratepayers to carry some financial burden and responsibility.
