East River funds to bring relief for channel users
Patricia Gill. An overdue public toilet block will be built at Prawn Rock Channel ... The toilets will be a welcome facility in the peak holiday times for many families of picnickers when the nearest public facility is at Ocean Beach. Walkers in the area have complained about the state of the PRC water and surrounds due to there being no toilets.
Gannawarra Australia Day citizens recognised
An emergency services leader and a passionate musician have taken out Gannawarra Shire Council’s 2023 Australia Day Awards. Kerang Fire Brigade captain Ramon Steel was named Gannawarra Shire Council’s Citizen of the Year, and Deaken Fawcett presented with Council’s Young Citizen of the Year Award.
Marie and Mick blaze on with BlazeAid fencing jobs
The BlazeAid camp saga continues. BlazeAid co-ordinators Cindy and Wayne Lusted were told to pack up the camp of volunteers staying at Rappville Sportsground ... Mick and Marie Evans, who were volunteers at the first BlazeAid camp in Casino are taking on the smaller jobs on the BlazeAid list and plan to finish the fencing themselves as M&M Fencing, not under the BlazeAid umbrella.
Buy Local soars during festive season
Giving the gift of variety all while supporting local has come out on top over the festive season with thousands of dollars being injected into the community thanks to the Buy Local Greater Geraldton Gift Cards. Reaching impressive new heights, nearly 900 Gift Cards were purchased in the month of December last year, totalling over $107,000 for the month alone.
Free sandbag removal resumes in Echuca
The state government’s program for the collection of sandbags from properties in Echuca and Echuca Village has resumed. Campaspe Mayor Cr Rob Amos is encouraging Echuca residents and businesses with sandbags on their properties to take advantage of the free service, which is provided through Emergency Recovery Victoria’s (ERV) Flood Recovery Clean-up Program.
NLC votes 6-3 in favour of The News
Chris Oldfield. The new Naracoorte Lucindale Council has voted 6-3 in favour of supporting this newspaper, The News. Its decision follows a motion by Cr Cameron Grundy, seconded by Cr Trevor Rayner ... It called on the council to treat The News and another outlet identically, including all paid advertising, all media releases and all photo opportunities regarding news items and visitors. The motion also says: “Furthermore, council representatives are required to respond to requests from media within 24 hours.”
Minister talks local issues in Tennant Creek
Disabilities and Multicultural Affairs Minister Ngaree Ah Kit was in Tennant Creek this week to meet with key stakeholders to ensure their voices are heard and represented in government decision-making. Over two days she met with The Mob Aboriginal Corporation, Barkly Regional Council, Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation and the Barkly Disability Network to name a few.
Footbridge, gutter danger
Maldon’s heritage-listed gutters in Main Street and High Street may look good and are effective during heavy rain events, but they can be tricky to negotiate when getting in and out of your car. The wooden footbridges can also be dangerous, particularly for people with balance problems.
Hike to Heal Scavenger Hike returns
Returning to Mount Peel Bushland Park in 2023 will be Hike to Heal, an interactive hiking adventure suitable for all levels of fitness and hiking experience. Hikers have fun following clues at the Mt Peel Bushland Park or a park of their choosing to find natural treasures and solve riddles as they walk along the trail.
New year funding bonanza
Locals will be able to make a day out at Narrandera water tower under plans to build a picnic shelter, barbecue area, playground and toilet, thanks to $660,000 from Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the new playground would be an extra reason to visit and spend time near the iconic artwork on the Narrandera water tank.
Feedback needed for policy on footpath trading
Southern Downs Regional Council's Regulatory Services Team is currently responsible for issuing approvals for various footpath trading activities ... interested in obtaining feedback from participants and/or clients of disability groups and agencies of service providers about what some of the issues/ concerns are that people with disability have with the current commercial use of footpaths in the region.
Experience wool industry heritage at Jondaryan Woolshed across Australia Day
Enjoy a trip through the pioneering days of the Australian wool industry at the Jondaryan Woolshed’s Back to the Woolshed event from January 26-28, 2023 ... “The three-day family event opens on Australia Day (Thursday, January 26, 2023) and runs across the following two days”: Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio
Listen to the silence: Still no details on buybacks and land swaps
As the first anniversary of the floods approaches, residents are still wondering about buybacks, retrofitting and land swaps. They are still waiting to make decisions about their homes. The NRRC has not let residents know the options available to them.
New brewery in old Grafton brewery
Rodney Stevens. A development application for an Artisan Food and Drink premises in the former Grafton Brewery has been lodged and council are calling for public submissions on the proposed development. The application, lodged with Clarence Valley Council CVC by Rick Firth is for the “Establishment of an Artisan Food and Drink Industry comprising of a brewery, distillery and roastery within an existing industrial site.”
As Coen receives a resupply, Council urges communities to ‘Get Ready!’
Cook Shire Council worked with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, local businesses and wholesale suppliers to coordinate delivery of essential supplies to the regional land-locked community of Coen, the Shire’s second largest township, and northern-most hub.
After the rain: Shire of Broome commences program to combat mosquito-borne diseases
While the heavy rains that lashed the Shire of Broome last week from ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie caused relatively minor damage in Broome, they have presented an increased risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases in town and surrounding communities. The Shire has commenced a pest management program ...
Protect yourself from Murray Valley encephalitis virus
Mildura Rural City Council’s routine mosquito monitoring program has detected Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus in our municipality ... This detection of the virus in Mildura and northern Victoria, marks the first detection in Victoria in more than a decade.
Upgrade works at Leslie Dam complete
Part of the Queensland Government's $19 million Southern Downs Drought Resilience program included upgrade works to the intake pump station at Leslie Dam. Water Minister Glenn Butcher said the upgrade work includes replacement of three 55-year-old pumps, pipework and the electrical switchboard.
Indulge your senses at the Moyne Shire Taste Trail
Savour the flavours of the Moyne region and celebrate vineyards, breweries, shop fronts and farm gates on the Moyne Shire Taste Trail. The Taste Trail is a self-drive tour through the rolling greenery of the Moyne Shire, from Macarthur, Port Fairy, Koroit, Killarney, Mortlake, Mepunga and Allansford while sampling food and beverages from the region’s makers, growers and producers.
Communities share renewables insights
Totally Renewable Denmark members attended a workshop last month in Bridgetown for community renewable energy groups from regional and urban WA ... The workshop was the inaugural meeting of CREATE Community Energy, a network of community groups which are driving local energy initiatives.
Call for more fire power
Patricia Gill. Local bushfire management committees will respond to the State Government’s thumbs down to a review of broad-scale burning as a prime method of bushfire prevention. The Shire of Denmark will call on the Bushfire Advisory Committee and the Local Emergency Management Committee to comment on Emergency Services Minister Dawson’s letter of last September ... It follows the Shire writing to Premier Mark McGowan in August asking for a review of the prescribed burning policy and practices to ensure both were effective in protecting lives, property and the environment.
E-scooters trial has some beaming, others boiling
Patricia Gill. Eighty shared e-scooters began operation in Denmark this month to a mixed response about safety concerns. Over the Christmas/New Year holidays residents reported on social media about young people riding the scooters at night and on roads disregarding road rules.
