At-Home Support Program changes in Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack
At their most recent Council Meetings, Yarriambiack Shire Council moved to transition out of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Hindmarsh Shire provisionally moved (subject to consultation with staff) to exit out of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and the State Government funded Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACCPYP) program from 30 June 2023 ... Yarriambiack Shire Council Mayor, Kylie Zanker said "This is one of the most difficult decisions we have had to make, and with the significant changes being introduced into the aged care industry it has made it almost impossible for Council to continue to deliver the services".
Service to commemorate 81st anniversary of 25th Battalion’s Spring Bluff departure
A special commemorative service will be held at Spring Bluff station on Friday, March 17, 2023 to remember the 1000 brave soldiers who left the station at night on their way to serve in World War II. The service marks the 81st anniversary of the historic day the Darling Downs’ 25th Infantry Battalion boarded trains at Spring Bluff station at the start of their journey to New Guinea.
Cooktown Discovery Festival 2023: Good for business, great for the community
Cook Shire Mayor, Peter Scott is looking forward to the upcoming festival, stating, "The Cooktown Discovery Festival is a celebration of our community's rich cultural heritage and the special place Cooktown has in Australian history. It is a time for us to come together and celebrate all that makes Cooktown and this region so special."
New leadership to shape future of Coober Pedy: Brock
Following a national recruitment campaign, three people have been appointed as ongoing administrators for the District Council of Coober Pedy (Council) in a move expected to fast track the road back to an elected member body. Mr Geoff Sheridan has been appointed as the new principal administrator and will work with two supporting administrators, Ms Erika Vickery OAM and Mr John Moyle to make critical decisions for Coober Pedy’s future.
How a river icon was restored to its former glory
An incredible makeover for one of the Sunshine Coast’s beloved boathouses has sparked a trip down memory lane. The heritage listed Maroochy River ‘Wheel House’ has been lovingly restored thanks to specialist heritage advice and the handy work of volunteers from the Buderim Men’s Shed.
Minister says councils called for donation return changes
Changes to how campaign donation returns are lodged were at the request of SA’s councils, Local Government Minister Geoff Brock has revealed. The changes were considered a factor in the campaign donation return saga which saw 45 elected members, including four mayors, throughout the State lose their positions after failing to lodge their documents on time.
Mr Plummer leaves behind a lasting legacy
The Warumungu community is in mourning after a community leader sadly passed away ... Mr R. Plummer was a Warumungu Traditional Owner, a Cultural Advisor to the Legislative Assembly and a member of many organisational boards ... The senior songman was just 62 years old and he definitely left a lasting legacy in the community of Tennant Creek.
Reflecting on the first 100 days: Patrick Ross
"How time flies when you’re having fun. The learning curve has been vertical and still heading north. So, what can I tell you all? I’m incredibly humbled by the immense support which has been shown to me over the last 100 days in the public realm and within both the Council Chamber and by the administration.
Libs choose `regional’ Ben Hood
Naracoorte raised Ben Hood has won a Liberal vote 119-87 to replace former Health Minister Stephen Wade in the Legislative Council. In a blow to Opposition Leader David Speirs, who had publicly said he wanted a woman for the job, the majority of 220 State council members voted for a regional person – Mr Hood, now of Mount Gambier.
Rules changed in bid to boost accommodation
Ancillary dwellings or granny flats and detached habitable rooms in the Denmark shire will be limited to 70sqm and 30sqm of outdoor living space ... The Shire wanted to streamline granny flat development in a effort to combat the growing rental crisis in the town.
Nhill Visitors Information Centre volunteers
HM Woodhouse-Herrick. The first day of Autumn was a beautiful cool day for our day out for the Volunteers who man the Visitors Information Centre Nhill one day a month. With thanks to the Hindmarsh Shire, we filled the bus with those who were able to come along and familiarised ourselves with places such as the grand old Church at Pella out of Rainbow, the painted Silo at Albacutya ...
Allora residents want more from their Council
A Connecting with Council meeting hosted by Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) in Allora last Wednesday provided an opportunity for residents to speak their minds about issues important to them. Seven of the eight councillors, Mayor Vic Pennisi and a few SDRC officers were in attendance to speak about and listen to issues affecting the town.
Council vote to demolish Treelands Drive Community Precinct
Clarence Valley councillors voted to demolish the existing 22-year-old Yamba Treelands Drive Community Precinct TDCP at their February meeting despite backlash from Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy, who argued the motion was illegal and moved a dissent motion. In an extraordinary turn of events that pre-empted council’s vote, people who had made submissions about the TDCP were advised by email more than three hours before the CVC meeting that the Northern Regional Planning Panel will meet on March 14, at 2pm, to determine the development application’s fate.
Spread the word: Stop the weeds!
Our region is a hotspot for weeds. Our weather supports the growth and spread of all types of weeds, but some weeds are a biosecurity concern ... Rous County Council is the local weed biosecurity control authority.
Job losses rippling through Victorian communities: Timber Towns Victoria
Victorian regional communities are being delt the brunt of brutal job and skills losses since the timber supply issues stemming from a Supreme Court order in November 2022 locking up Victoria’s native forests causing mills to close down. It was announced in 2019 by the State Government that the native timber industry would be phased out by 2030 and since then activists have been relentless in attempting to speed up the process by taking out court injunctions stopping timber harvesting operations leading to short supply.
Lord Howe Island graced by a vice-regal visit
Suzie Christensen. In time for Discovery Day celebrations, Lord Howe Island received a warm visit from the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC ... At Stevens Reserve, the group chatted about the booming environmental responses that have been seen since the project, as well as the critical role that biosecurity officers and detection dogs play in monitoring for pests.
Letter from the LHI Signal Editor
February is always a busy month, and even more so this year with the Lord Howe Island Festival happening - including Discovery Day, which was held on the 16th of February ... The tourist incentive to visit Lord Howe continues to be high with many visitors struggling to find seats on QantasLink and Eastern flights or accommodation on the Island.
Board ends support for tourism
The Lord Howe Island Board has formally notified the LHITA that it is no longer in a financial position to support the LHITA and is terminating all funding support for the Association. Tourism is the economic life blood of the Island, delivering incomes to businesses, residents and their families and of course revenue to the Board ... If alternative funding cannot be secured rapidly from the NSW government, the LHITA will have to consider restructuring options involving dramatic reductions in services and closure.
TDT Editor has to get a second job at Council
Well the ABC came a-knocking yesterday, asking Yours Truly about my new role at Barkly Regional Council ... yes I am indeed the new Media and Communications Officer at Barkly Regional Council.
Kurrajong Centre officially opened
The long awaited Kurrajong Facility in East Street Narrandera officially opened its doors at a ceremony led by Kurrajong Executive Officer Ray Carroll from Wagga last Thursday ... This new building provides a modern environment to support Kurrajong’s lifestyle choices services and includes a spacious kitchen designed for group cooking programs and specific spaces for living skill training and activities.
McGuire in waiting
Naracoorte’s Craig McGuire and 44 other elected members are likely to be reinstated to each of their 36 councils following new laws being rushed through State Parliament ... SA Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the Bill introduced to Parliament last week sought to protect ratepayers from possible costly by-elections, “while still ensuring that councillors file their campaign donation returns”.
Council not liable if West Yamba rezoned
Legal advice received by Clarence Valley Council indicates it would not be liable to pay compensation to landowners at West Yamba if their properties were rezoned preventing development. At the December 13 CVC meeting, Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy put forward a motion to investigate whether council would be liable when and if the NSW Planning Minister was to rezone vacant lands that have not had DA approval for development on the Yamba floodplain (WYURA) from R1 General Residential to RU2 Rural landscape and C2 Environmental Conservation zonings at Council’s request.
