‘More of everything’ as dates revealed for unique festival
Get your calendars out and highlight these dates if you want to immerse yourself in a Sunshine Coast event like no other. Organisers have confirmed that the 2023 Horizon Festival, a 10-day showcase of culture, music, visual art, theatre, dance, comedy and creative workshops, will return in 2023 from August 25 to September 3.
Dinosaur dig returns after Covid-19 hiatus, as world-class dinosaur trail gains momentum
This week a team of ‘dino hunters’ will embark on the first ‘dinosaur dig’ at Inverloch since the Covid-19 pandemic, as Bass Coast Shire Council ramps up plans for a $40 million world-class Dinosaurs Trail to celebrate the area’s fascinating pre-historic heritage.
Mayor cautions landowners on dealing with some renewable energy companies
Mayor of the South Burnett, Brett Otto is urging local farmers and landowners to be vigilant when entering into discussions with proponents of renewable energy developments, including wind farms, solar energy sites and transmission lines. The South Burnett region will play a major role in the Queensland Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan and is expecting an influx of renewable energy infrastructure developers.
Kids trouble: The government has to fix it, says Mayor
"There are enough organisations that are funded to make sure that kids are safe. Unfortunately there is a hole in the delivery, kids are falling through the cracks. We have so many service providers in Alice Springs. There is no level of accountability. There are service providers that are not getting audited to deliver what they are getting funded to do": Alice Springs Mayor, Matt Paterson.
More openness and transparency for NLC
Claims for travel, child care costs and other reimbursements paid to councillors will soon be available on the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s website. This follows a request by Cr Cameron Grundy "in the interest of openness and transparency” ... “From a personal perspective I consider I am paid by the ratepayer and in the interest of openness and transparency, I want to see a situation where my allowance and associated claims to council are public information”: Cr Cameron Grundy.
Naracoorte Lucindale Council to help Lifeline
Lifeline South East has received the thumbs up from councillors to be the new tenant at the back of the Town Hall on Ormerod St, but not as a shop front or office. Essentially, it will operate as a call centre for local volunteers and be linked as part of the national service’s 24-hour suicide prevention help line – 13 11 14.
Council’s community managers in town for training conference
Barkly Regional Council’s community area managers were in Tennant Creek this week for a two-day training and information conference. Council Area and Department Managers from Ali Curung, Alpurrurulam, Alparra and Elliott met with Tennant Creek managers, department heads and new and existing staff to talk about what’s happening in their communities and receive updates what’s happening at the Tennant Creek head office.
Electoral structure review underway
The electoral structure review for Mount Alexander Council began this week, with preliminary submissions opening on Wednesday 8 February. At present, the Shire is divided into five wards with a total of seven councillors. One ward (Castlemaine) is represented by three councillors while the other four wards (Calder, Coliban, Loddon River and Tarrengower) have one councillor each.
Art Trail for Murray River Council
The River Country Art Trail will receive a boost of over $1,747,431 from Round Two of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund ... Under the project, the River Country Art Trail aims to build an outdoor gallery on silos and water towers, creating a trail across Murray River Council towns, linking them in a unique, high impact visitor experience across the area.
Take a fresh look at our future
An innovative project will be launched next week to identify economic opportunities for development in the Upper Murray. Led by Dr Juliette Milbank, ‘The Future of the Upper Murray’ will cover an area on both sides of the Murray River ... It seeks to develop strategic and innovative long-term projects that take advantage of local regional strengths.
Junee losing Commonwealth Bank, who will be next?
Junee Shire Council is fighting back against the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s (CBA) decision to close the last remaining financial institution in its town. CBA, who announced a $9.2 billion net profit last year, is pushing ahead with plans to permanently shut its Junee bank branch and ATM in March, despite pleas from residents who now face an hour-long round trip to Wagga for transactions and loan services.
Water restrictions set to continue in Clarence Valley
Clarence Valley Council (CVC) General Manager Laura Black has revealed she is unsure how long Level 4 (Severe) water restrictions introduced last week for the whole Clarence Valley water supply system due to a prolonged dirty water event following recent rainfall in the Nymboida River will remain in place but said council should have “a better idea later this week.” The restrictions were issued by council on January 30 to avoid the need to call a Boil Water Alert.
CVC worst council in NSW for complaints
Clarence Valley Council has earned the unenviable title of the most complained about council per 100,000 residents out of 128 councils in NSW. NSW Ombudsman Paul Miller recently released his annual report for 2021/2022 which showed despite Clarence Valley Council receiving the ninth highest number of complaints out of the state’s 128 councils, it ranked first in the number of complaints per 100,000 population.
New exhibition showcasing vintage fashion
Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery is excited to present an exhibition of local and regional South Australian significance: Tina Hooft: A Country Women's Wardrobe II. Featuring vintage clothing and accessories from bygone eras, this exhibition draws on the considerable collection of Dutch-born, Merriton-based collector Tina Hooft, who has been collecting vintage garments, accessories and more for over 20 years.
Flood observers sought: Gannawarra Shire Council
Residents who would like to provide local knowledge and support planning for future flood events are encouraged to consider becoming a volunteer flood observer. Gannawarra Shire Council, Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) and the North Central Catchment Management Authority are seeking new flood observers, especially from residents in the Pyramid and Wandella Creek areas.
Gunnedah Shire Council awarded funding for Blackjack Creek flood mitigation study: Anderson
A revised study identifying the risk of flooding on a 2.5-kilometre section between South Street and McCalls Road in Gunnedah has been commissioned with $60,000 in funding from the NSW Government’s 2022/23 NSW Floodplain Management Program ... The new study comes after significant changes were made to the area including the construction of a Blackjack Creek Riparian Corridor and the construction of the second Gunnedah overpass.
Valkyrie the Eagle on a flight path to receive a new enclosure
Valkyrie the Wedgetail Eagle at the Rockhampton Zoo will be receiving a belated Christmas present with a brand-new enclosure being constructed ... “The new enclosure will be built opposite the Kangaroos at the Zoo which will get Valkyrie down with her Australian buddies in the bottom section": Parks, Sport and Public Space Councillor Cherie Rutherford.
New leadership to guide the future of Coober Pedy: Brock
Mr Colin Davies has been appointed as the new interim administrator for the District Council of Coober Pedy to provide stability and leadership for the community while work continues to establish longer term governance for the town ... Mr Davies brings to the role extensive experience in the local government sector and managing regional councils, most recently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of The Flinders Rangers Council.
Our Australia Day
Large happy crowds turned out for Australia Day at both Naracoorte and Lucindale last week to celebrate local award winners, welcome new Australians citizens and participate in an Australian citizenship affirmation ... Mayor Patrick Ross read a statement from the Federal Member for Barker, Tony Pasin, then introduced guest speaker, Robertson Street Daily Market proprietor, Didar Ali ... “I came to Australia because I ran away from war."
Mayor seeks legal advice
Legal advice is being sought by Naracoorte Lucindale Council over a motion by Cr Trevor Rayner to reduce the deputy mayor’s term. In rules explained by CEO Trevor Smart on November 30 last year, Cr Monique Crossling was named deputy mayor for four years after Cr Cameron Grundy’s name was pulled out of a hat, following a tied vote ... “I would like to rescind that motion,” Cr Rayner said in his written statement.
Stripy lizard holds up $2m safety project
A striped legless lizard “possibly” seen near the Riddoch Highway 17 years ago is holding up a $2million intersection realignment aimed at making it safer for people who use it. The area has been deemed “a significant environmental site”. But there appears to be no photos of the lizard to prove its existence at the site.
A final word – Water inequality and District Council of Coober Pedy financial sustainability: Tim Jackson
"Since late 2019 Coober Pedy water consumers have been calling on successive State Governments to introduce SA Water pricing in Coober Pedy. This would result in prices being reduced by two thirds. Unfortunately, no State Government commitment has been secured. In that time Coober Pedy consumers have paid $5 million more for their water than if they lived in Adelaide. This is scurrilous": Tim Jackson, Administrator, District Council of Coober Pedy.
