Clarence Distillery presented with Local Hero Award
Clarence Valley Council's Tourism team ... presented Clarence Distillery co-owner Adam Freeman with the 2022 North Coast Local Tourism Hero Award for the Clarence Valley. The many ways this Yamba business epitomises 'local' - which led to their nomination - include ... great collaborators who often work with other local businesses to showcase products from the region ...
Feedback wanted on flying foxes at Allora
Last week’s meeting of The Southern Downs Regional Council was told that Black, Little Red and Grey-headed Flying-Foxes are native species that are seasonal visitors to the Southern Downs. The animals typically arrive in the Southern Downs in spring, occupying three roost sites until the onset of cooler weather in late autumn/early winter.
Six homes for seniors could spring up on old farmland
Developer wants seniors to take root on land that used to be farmed. A 2.5ha property at Geneva on the edge of Kyogle may be rezoned to allow six units for seniors to live in ... The proposal includes keeping the existing house as a hub and creating six residential lots targeted towards seniors.
Future of GBH pointing in the right direction
Emma Pritchard. A project team has been appointed to oversee the $263.8 million redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital (GBH), after the Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor, and NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole met with Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis and members of the Grafton Base Hospital Community Committee (GBHCC) earlier this month. Mr Gulaptis said the NSW Government’s investment in the major redevelopment of GBH will provide new facilities and upgraded clinical services to transform health outcomes and experiences for patients, their families, and staff into the future.
Extension to Administrator for Coober Pedy Council
The State Government has made a decision to extend the governance by an Administrator of the District Council of Coober Pedy for a further maximum time of four years. Currently, under the Local Government Act 1999, the Council must return to an elected member body at the upcoming Council elections. However, a Bill to extend the administration that is in place at the District Council of Coober Pedy will be introduced to Parliament in the first sitting week in September.
It breaks my heart – Council CEO fed up with grog issues
Samuel Davis. Sly grog swindlers peddling cask wine and spirits are fuelling a spate of senseless and violent acts in western Cape York, angry community leaders say ... “The sly grog has been bobbing up for the last three weeks. There are people not turning up to work, threatening managers ... What is our community coming to? At the end of the day, it’s about personal responsibility": Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council CEO Edward Natera.
Toowoomba Regional Council removes red tape to aid housing supply
Toowoomba Regional Council has endorsed seeking Ministerial approval to remove regulations to aid new housing supply. TRC Planning and Development Committee chair Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan said this was part of four measures Council would use to simplify and speed up the approval process for new housing across the Region.
Rail trails bill passes Parliament: NSW Gov’t
The Transport Administration Amendment (Rail Trails) Bill 2022 alters the Transport Administration Act 1988 to provide a streamlined process that may enable regional rail trails where and when the community wants them. Minister for Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said the Bill unlocks opportunities for communities and fixes outdated and onerous legislation that required a change to the Act for each rail trail.
Preparedness must start now ahead of future flooding disasters
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said it was crucial government, associated agencies and the community learn from the findings of a major flood inquiry and focus on ways to improve our response to disasters in the future.
Crews detect water leaks by listening
Hard-to-detect leaks will be found without excavation works or loss of water supply ... expert technicians will be hunting for water leaks throughout more than 600km of the Tweed’s water supply pipes ... Aqua Analytics will use advanced acoustic technology to pinpoint leaking water in about 85% of the supply network pipes ...
Classic Car Show
We are very excited to be holding a classic car show for all of Yass Valley.
Community to lead pilot program
Doomadgee will lead a state-first “Closing the Gap” pilot to identify how best to roll-out priority programs like health, housing, and early childhood in First Nations communities in Queensland. Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council mayor Jason Ned said his community looked forward to taking a lead role in government service reform.
Naracoorte Creek in the news
Sheryl Lowe. Passionate about nature and the natural flow of waterways, local retired farmer Mr Peter "Huck” Shepherd presented his findings about the potential flooding of the Naracoorte Creek and the possible damage to buildings, businesses and homes in the lower lying areas of the town, to the Naracoorte Lucindale Council meeting ... “If I were to give a rating on the creek’s wellbeing and capacity to handle a decent flood and observing the mess it is in and the lack of maintenance since the 2000 report, out of a ten rating I would give it a minus 5,” he told council.
Subjective secrets
Sheryl Lowe. Chris Oldfield. Cr Cameron Grundy has challenged Naracoorte Lucindale Council CEO Trevor Smart over “in confidence” meetings. Cr Grundy has further questioned why council discussed the sale of a road reserve “in confidence” when he could not find a reason under the Local Government Act for it to be a secret. The issue arose at council’s July 26 meeting in a segment Questions Without Notice.
Building Better Regions funding
“All of these projects, not only in the Riverina and Central West, but, indeed, right throughout regional Australia were recommended for funding. It’s just that the Australian National Audit Office believes that some projects scored higher in the Department’s estimations for funding. But no-one knows their own local area and their local people’s wants, needs and expectations better than a local MP. Departmental officials are not elected and the decision-making has to remain with the Minister and Ministerial Council" : Michael McCormack, Member for Riverina.
Yaegl Elder’s portrait defaced
Geoff Helisma. A mural of Yaegl Elder Uncle Ron Herron, painted as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations, was vandalised over the weekend. “It’s unacceptable and a kick the guts for our mob as we try to raise our profile in Yaegl Country, following our successful native title claims,”: Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation’s CEO, William (Billy) Walker
Chapter one of Burra’s World Heritage journey
On the 16th of August local, state and international heritage experts will come together at the Burra Town Hall to involve the community in a conversation about Burra's World Heritage bid. The panel will include renowned UK world heritage consultant Mr Barry Gamble who will be working with the Regional Council of Goyder, Copper Coast Council and National Trust on a joint World Heritage bid of the Cornish Mining sites in Burra and Moonta.
Prayers answered – Community rallies for major search and rescue
Samuel Davis. A desperate 67-hour search to find an elderly Aurukun man has ended with a family member discovering him “stuck in the mud” in a nearby swamp ... Burt Wikmunea's disappearance prompted around 40 volunteers and SES members to assist police in finding Mr Wikmunea across four days.
Health centre a coup for Mapoon
Mapoon will this month get its long-awaited primary health care centre, designed in consultation with the community and operated by Apunipima Cape York Health Council ... Mapoon resident and primary health care centre manager Debra Jia said she was excited about the opening and having the modern and spacious new facility to service the needs of her community.
Australia on cusp of regional revolution: Daniel Moloney, Regional Capitals Australia
In media comments recently, the Business Council of Australia said that in order to achieve lasting nation-changing reform, we had to ‘unleash the regions’. These are interesting comments given that in years past, the common perception of regions was that they were laggards – sleepy hollows where time stands still and blowflies outnumber people.
Festival of Small Halls coming to Whyalla
For one night only - Sunday 28 August - the Whyalla Left Hand Club will come to life, hosting visiting and local music acts as part of the Festival of Small Halls Winter Tour.
Gear up for an influx of events at our new Multisport Cycling Complex
Demand for the facilities at Wagga Wagga’s new $12 million Multisport Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna Reserve is growing, with several events on the calendar for August. The 2022 AusCycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships will be held at the facility next weekend (13–14 August), followed by the Wagga Wagga Trail Marathon on Saturday 20 August.
