Clarence Valley Anglican School student’s essay wins him trip to Pearl Harbour and Hiroshima
Clarence Valley Anglican School Year 11 student Caleb Harrison won’t regret penning a 1000 word history essay after his work won him an 11 day, NSW Government organised and ClubsNSW funded tour of historic World War II sites in the United States and Japan. After meeting Caleb and his proud mum, Jackie in Grafton on Monday and reading his essay, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said it was easy to see why he was just one of six students across NSW to win a place on the ClubsNSW Premier’s WWII Memorial Tour.
Skywhales: Every heart sings
The Gallery is very excited to be participating in the national tour of Patricia Piccinini’s  Skywhales  by hosting a Ballarat launch of these enormous floating sculptures on Saturday 9 July at sunrise. We recently announced that the venue for the launch will be Ballarat’s historic Eastern Oval.
Beaudesert Town Centre revitalisation works progress amidst turntable discovery
Archaeologists are assessing a railway turntable unearthed near the Beaudesert Railway Station during works as part of the Town Centre Revitalisation project. The exact location and condition of the turntable could not be determined by Council prior to works commencing for the Beaudesert Town Centre Revitalisation project.
WA artist Jerome Davenport to complete Onslow Water Tank Mural Project Â
Davenport, who hails from regional WA, was selected by members of a community Art Selection Group and endorsed by Council this month. The Shire of Ashburton have acquired the services of Perth based artist Jerome Davenport to complete the Onslow Water Tank Mural Project.
Making the Toowoomba region a mountain bike destination
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) will look at alternative route opportunities for mountain biking along the escarpment rather than progressing with plans to build trails in Redwood Park ... “There is a huge opportunity to grow mountain biking in our Region. We want to develop a bike trail network of up to 100kms to make our Region a destination that draws tourists from all across Australia, as well as international riders but it’s important we get the balance right" : Cr Tim McMahon.
Multi-million dollar investment
Narrandera Shire Council has now paved the way for two major manufacturing industries to establish at Red Hill Industrial Estate ... “This is a landmark announcement. Today I can formally identify the Bhullar Group - who plan to establish a major steel fabrication factory and industry training facility ... Additionally, Hi-Tech Modular Homes plans to establish a purpose-built state-of-the-art manufacturing facility ... " : Mayor Kschencka.
Wellington Shire Council opens up land to address housing shortage
Council took the first step to address Wellington’s acute housing shortage, paving the way to facilitate the development of around 1600 new housing lots. Four planning decisions were supported by Council, which will allow major housing developments to progress in Wurruk, north Sale and Longford.
Cruise ship terminal boost for Port Lincoln
Port Lincoln will further cement itself as a premier cruise ship destination with the construction of new terminal facilities set to be complete before the commencement of the cruise ship session later this year. Located at Brennan’s Wharf, adjacent the former Sub Station being the ‘Red Shed’ and linked to the Parnkalla Trail Wharf Precinct.
NSW councils increase rates
IPART has approved applications by eighty six NSW councils to increase their rates above the level of the annual rate peg. The modest increases were approved following an additional special variation process ... This year the rate peg was set at a minimum of 0.7%, with some further increases allowed in councils with growing populations.
Governor gets involved in Cooktown’s big event
Queen Elizabeth’s representative for Queensland has given Cooktown and its annual Discovery Festival the royal thumbs up after visiting the Cape over the weekend. Her Excellency, the Honourable Jeannette Young and her husband Graeme Nimmo were eager participants ... Highlights of the weekend were the markets, with hundreds flowing through the stalls over the weekend, the street parade, inaugural 4x4 muster, the sunset soiree and fireworks, all capped off by the reenactment on Sunday morning.
Innovative investment to drive the future of Esperance
The  ‘Esperance Investment Prospectus’   shines a light on the abundant investment opportunities identified in this globally unique destination on Western Australia’s southern coast. Developed in partnership between Australia’s Golden Outback and the Shire of Esperance, the 12 page prospectus is aimed at attracting sustainable investment across a diverse range of industries.
Sunshine Coast officially becomes a UNESCO biosphere
It’s official! The Sunshine Coast has officially been recognised internationally as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The region now proudly stands as an international site of excellence and an area of natural beauty. Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said recognition was a truly historic moment for the Sunshine Coast.
Service station deal sealed
Sheryl Lowe. Millicent will benefit from an estimated nine million dollar investment by the K & S Corporation following their purchase of the previously Council owned Adelaide Road Service Station, according to information received by The News. The investment will provide a refurbished site on Adelaide Road and a new facility on Billy Goat Corner.
Time to have your say – pool closure
Kristin Nicholson. Community discussion has centred on the concern for the safety of the town’s youth who will seek out local alternative swimming locations such as creeks and channels, lack of leisure opportunities (including the water slide), lack of, or reduction of, swimming lessons and other organised aquatic-based lessons, and the cost of travelling to other towns or shires to access aquatic facilities.
Tamborine Mountain was awarded top honours at the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s (QTIC) 2022 Top Tourism Town Awards
The Awards recognise towns whose tourism operators, businesses and community groups work together to encourage tourism and offer outstanding experiences for visitors. Public voters from across Australia and beyond selected Tamborine Mountain as a favourite destination for weddings, honeymoons, special events and extra long weekend adventures.
HMAS Stalwart III to open to Geraldton community
Members of the public will have an opportunity to look inside the Royal Australian Navy’s newest ship HMAS Stalwart III when it arrives in Geraldton later this month. It is the first time the ship will visit its Ceremonial Homeport and a number of free events are happening over the weekend to celebrate including a Public Personal Training Session, Freedom of Entry March and Ship Open Day.
Full steam ahead for Fixing Country Bridges projects
Council has received funding for the demolition and replacement of a total of 31 timber bridges  with  the construction of stronger, safer and more durable concrete bridges as part of the Fixing Country Bridges Program administered by Transport for NSW. Tenders for 16 of these  bridge projects have been endorsed by Clarence Valley Council this year total $19.35m.
Festival of Small Halls
Clarence Valley Council's Resilient Clarence project proudly sponsored the Festival of Small Halls at the Wooloweyah Hall on the 26 May and the Dundurrabin Community Centre on the 27 May as part of the Woodfordia Inc Resilience Tour 2022. Using storytelling and music to connect people, the Resilience Tour is travelling to small halls in bushfire impacted communities.
To raise or not to raise and wait? Voluntary house raising scheme will take some time
It will take until the end of next year before the details of the voluntary house raising scheme are sorted. This isn’t what homeowners want to hear. They want to make a decision now. Do they use flood recovery grants or home insurance payouts to raise their house? If they do, they won’t be refunded when the house raising scheme details are confirmed.
Cuttlefest kick-off
The cuttlefish have arrived, which means it’s time to celebrate with Cuttlefest 2022! Cuttlefest is a three month festival of events and activations happening in and around Whyalla to celebrate the annual congregation of the Giant Australian Cuttlefish.
Construction set to start on first flood-free industrial land swap
The Tweed’s first flood-free industrial land swap project is one step closer to fruition with construction works planned to begin at South Murwillumbah in August. The innovative plan will see eligible business landowners swap their flood prone land with Council owned, flood free land at Industry Central, located in Lundberg Drive, South Murwillumbah.
Pig off
Kendall Jennings. District residents met on a chilly Wednesday evening at the Koroop Hall to raise concerns for the Gannawarra Shire Council Planning Application P21147 to use and develop land for a rotational outdoor pig farm. The farm, located at 127 and 191 Orrs Road and 1399 Cohuna-Koondrook Road, Gannawarra, will have up to 5,000 pigs.
