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.
Gone to blazes – BlazeAid to pack up and leave
With a heavy heart, BlazeAid camp coordinator Cindy Lusted announced the group would be packing up and leaving Rappville and the Richmond Valley by January 20 ... “From what I’ve heard, everyone who has had BlazeAid help said their stress has subsided because their fencing has been fixed”: Rappville Commercial Hotel publican Lisa Stewart. “It is imperative BlazeAid stay.”
Mural’s budget blowout query
Chris Oldfield. SA taxpayers, not ratepayers, will fund a 30 per cent budget blow-out for a mural on the back of the new Naracoorte Public Library facing Ormerod St. Cr Peter Ireland said the mural looked “fantastic” but questioned “why” there was a budget blow-out?
Kingston to open its arms to flood impacted visitors
The Kingston District Council has issued a warm welcome to flood impacted visitors and others looking for coastal accommodation during the upcoming school holidays through an extension of its low-cost RV Park. The Park, which will offer up to six (6) nights for just $60 until at least mid-February 2023, is set to use land adjacent the existing area and adjoining Maria Creek, to make way for anticipated visitors who may have otherwise holidayed along the flooding Murray River.
Should BlazeAid move on or stay?
The Richmond Valley Council’s acknowledgement of the work done by BlazeAid volunteers in the past three years was more like a goodbye than a thank you at the council meeting on Tuesday, December 20. And BlazeAid isn’t thrilled about it.
Greater Shepparton City Council achieves Australia’s largest ever emissions reduction project by local government
Greater Shepparton City Council has saved Council $99,571 on their electricity bill and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 6,406 tCO2e over the past 12 months. Greater Shepparton City Council is one of 51 Victorian councils to have slashed their energy bills and reduced emissions through the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO), a joint renewable electricity contract.
Vandalism on the rise as school holidays begin
Rockhampton residents have embraced the school holidays with families out and about enjoying events, activities, and facilities in the Rockhampton Region. School holidays are meant to be an exciting and wonderful time of the year, but unfortunately, a spike in vandalism and graffiti is putting a dampener on the festivities.
Shire of Ashburton first in Western Australia to use Guardian Emergency Dashboard
The Shire of Ashburton is the first local government in Western Australia to join forces with Queensland based company QIT Plus to bring a collated Emergency Dashboard resource to the community ... Having resources such as road conditions, power outages, weather warnings, river heights, airport schedules, boating forecasts, quick links and more on one accessible platform will help to inform the community and highlight how to prepare for incidents and events that impact the area.
Election year reflections and hopes for 2023
Three elections in one year was draining, inspiring, and historic. For the elected officials that we have in 2023, I wanted to share a few hopes for your work in 2023. #1 Create a high performance culture. The saying that “culture eats strategy for breakfast” applies to families, community groups, businesses, elected officials, and public sector staff. The culture eats strategy rule of thumb has been a lesson throughout my career and it has the persistence and reliability, but not always the timeliness, of gravity.
Decision made on Bentley Quarry
The Northern Regional Planning Panel chair Penny Holloway heard 38 people speak for or against the development application for the Bentley Quarry expansion at an online meeting on Wednesday, December 7 ... Ms Holloway announced that the quarry expansion DA was considered to be in the public interest and the DA was approved.
How you can help protect tiny turtles
February is when our first turtle hatchling emerges from its nest beneath the sand. Before that happens, Sunshine Coast Council is calling on our community to come together to tidy up their local beach as part of the 9th annual Clean up for the Hatchlings event on Saturday, February 4, 2023 ... Volunteers can register now to pick up litter at various beach locations between Noosa and Caloundra from 6am to 7.30am.
Community celebrates Sunshine Coast City Hall’s official opening
More than 1500 Sunshine Coast residents helped make part of local government history at the weekend as the first members of our community to set foot in the newly opened Sunshine Coast City Hall. Sunshine Coast City Hall is situated in the heart of the new Maroochydore City Centre and has been designed and built for our community.
How the Mayor and his helpers saved Christmas
Santa Claus has been flat out this year preparing to fill the Christmas orders from all the well-behaved children around the globe, and urgently enlisted the help of the Mayor of the Barkly when trouble arose. Thousands of dollars of presents for this year’s 88th annual Tennant Creek Christmas Tree event were at risk of not arriving for the event due to freight issues.
Interview with the Mayor
Move over Boomers and Gen X - the Millenials have become a leading influence in the world of politics. Reflecting this generational change is the recent election of Mt Alexander Shire’s Mayor, Rosie Annear ... The greatest need in the Shire at present, according to Rosie, is for secure, safe housing.
Street sign controversy
Sometimes, an action that has been carried out with the best of intentions can have unintended consequences. That would appear to be the case when it comes to the red Christmas Shop/North Pole signs that have been added to the wooden direction post on Bank Corner.
Dinosaur Trails symposium attracts world experts
Two of the world’s leading palaeontologists along with scientific researchers and educators have gathered to discuss the importance of the Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail in Inverloch ... "It is a true legacy project for Council to be at the forefront of creating a world class tourism experience that celebrates the work of scientists, volunteers and the international significance of polar dinosaurs to the Australian Continent": Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan.
New eco burial option to start in 2023
Fraser Coast residents will now be able to opt for a natural burial at the new Nikenbah Natural Cemetery. A natural burial is a funeral that seeks to make as little impact upon the environment as possible and to return a body to the earth in as natural a way as possible.
A wall of Kindness helps people give and receive
A Kindness Wall was revealed at the Casino Neighbourhood Centre. The wall provides clothes for the people who need them and was set up by Momentum Collective ... “With the perfect motto, Leave one if you can. Take one if you need, the wall provides an opportunity for people who can help and a great way for people in need to have some essential items”: Fiona Miller, Momentum Collective.
