Killing in the name of: How Coorong’s don’t make a right
I’d always heard the claims that Australia’s most significant water reform was built on falsehoods, political agenda and flawed science, but seeing for myself fundamentally changed me ... I joined a merry band of nine intrepid explorers who ventured to South Australia’s agricultural crown jewel to understand more of the Murray-Darling Myths.
Time to reopen the Northern Rail Line — and councils must lead the way: Siri Gamage
Dr Siri Gamage. It’s been over three decades since trains last ran north of Armidale toward the Queensland border. But the question is no longer why the Northern Railway Line should be reopened—it’s why not, and when ... Reactivating the disused railway line could deliver enormous benefits for both NSW and Queensland. The infrastructure may be old, but the opportunity is very current ... There are five compelling reasons to revive this corridor ...
Council invests in sustainable future
A major upgrade at the Grafton Regional Landfill is helping Clarence Valley Council (CVC) reduce their carbon footprint while delivering sustainable results for the environment and economic benefits for the local community. Aimed at capturing harmful methane (CH4) gas emissions which are byproducts of the decomposing waste buried underground, 12 vertical gas extraction wells which extend 40m below the surface ...
Yaegl people to manage Pilot Hill
The Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation have been as appointed Crown Land managers for parts of Yamba’s Pilot Hill reserve including two heritage listed cottages. Celebrated at a special ceremony at Pilot Hill during NAIDOC week, the appointment marks a significant step forward in supporting the local Aboriginal community’s aspirations for the culturally significant area.
Dispelling the ‘forever chemical’ fables: What’s really in Australia’s renewables?
In an era where climate action is a oft-discussed topic, and given Hay and Balranald's geographical location in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), fears over 'forever chemicals' persist. Among the more prevalent claims circulating is the fear that wind turbines and solar panels extensively use Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – the so-called "forever chemicals" – posing significant environmental and health risks.
Help us REACH 900: Our philanthropic campaign to support independent community news
The Naracoorte News REACH 900 philanthropic campaign will launch with an aim to support the production, sustainability, and longevity of independent news and advocacy for the wider Naracoorte community ... The first to sign up to REACH 900 are ambassadors The Australian associate editor John Ferguson, 7News reporter Cassie Treloar and The Naracoorte News senior journalist Nasik Swami.
Gas exports push manufacturers to the brink: Weld Australia demands urgent government action
Weld Australia is calling on the Federal and State Governments to take immediate and decisive action to protect Australian manufacturers, following the release of new research from The Australia Institute showing that east coast gas exports have caused wholesale gas prices to more than triple and electricity prices to double since 2015.
Give your feedback on CSIRO flood modelling report at sessions in Casino, Woodburn and Kyogle
The National Emergency Management Agency is working with CSIRO to identify flood mitigation options for the Richmond River catchment. This is part of the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative. As part of this work, CSIRO has developed a hydrodynamic model for the Richmond River catchment.
New Parkinson’s treatment now available on PBS
Australians living with Parkinson's disease are celebrating after the Federal Government listed a breakthrough treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), making it affordable for thousands of patients. VYALEV® (foslevodopa with foscarbidopa) is administered through a 24-hour infusion under the skin and helps restore dopamine levels in the brain.
$20 million research partnerships see Australia pioneer world-first FMD vaccine: MLA
A world-first biodegradable vaccine to protect livestock from foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been developed through a $20 million, five-year research partnership between Meat & Livestock Australia, Tiba Biotech, and the NSW Government ... MLA Managing Director, Michael Crowley, said while it was hoped that an FMD vaccine would never be needed, the research represented a proactive approach to managing biosecurity risk.
Independent inquiry must examine concerns with US beef import rules: Cattle Australia
Dr Chris Parker. The recent decision by the Federal Government to accept that the United States has met our biosecurity standards has created immense anxiety within our beef industry, given our strong belief in rules-based trading and science-based protections.
Labor signs Australia up to WHO IHR
The Australian Federal government has adopted the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement, while other countries rejected the treaty, citing risks to civil liberties, sovereignty, censorship and even incompetence and corruption at the WHO ... Critics of the agreement aren’t as sure the benefits outweigh the risks.
Don’t get sick as you age
People living with age-related illnesses are falling through the cracks of a system designed to support the elderly ... Carer’s exhaustion and burn out, jeopardized safety, greater pressure on hospital emergency services, family conflict, incidents and accidents, delayed medical intervention have all reached breaking point for sufferers and carers thanks to a backlog of unprocessed applications.
Call to take stronger stand against water buybacks
Witnesses at an inquiry have urged the NSW Government to take a stronger stand against water buybacks as part of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which are not only having an immediate social and economic impact, but limiting drought and flood preparedness.
Farmers take water battle to Supreme Court
After years of simmering frustration, irrigators across the NSW Central Murray and Goulburn-Murray regions are finally getting their day in court. A landmark class action against the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and the Commonwealth Government is set to begin in the Supreme Court of NSW on August 11. The legal battle represents 28,000 group members, and seeks at least $750 million in damages.
Local’s grim superannuation warning
Hugh Schuitemaker. A Riverlander who has potentially lost more than $290,000 in savings is urging fellow locals to monitor what is happening with their superannuation funds. A Renmark couple, who asked to be kept anonymous, were among approximately 7000 Australians who lost superannuation due to the collapse of the First Guardian Master Fund.
EU lumpy skin outbreak a reminder of Australia’s vulnerability: Cattle Australia
Dr Chris Parker. The threat of lumpy skin disease (LSD) to Australia’s beef cattle industry may have fallen off the front pages, but the current outbreak in Europe proves the risk of this horrid disease remains very real. It is my view that LSD is by far and away the most likely exotic disease of ruminants to enter Australia.
Territory Energy Link: Why Tennant Creek’s central role is non-negotiable
The Barkly Regional Council today issued a strong call to action, urging the Northern Territory Government, Infrastructure Australia, and all stakeholders to reinstate Tennant Creek as a core component of the Territory Energy Link (TEL) corridor. The Council asserts that bypassing Tennant Creek risks squandering decades of strategic planning and undermining critical regional development.
Basin Plan Evaluation strong evidence the Plan is working: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has released the 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation assessing the achievements and lessons learned from the 13-years of implementing Australia’s most significant water reform. MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said that while implementation is not complete, the Evaluation found evidence that the rivers, wetlands and lakes are in far better shape under the Basin Plan.
Basin Plan Evaluation paints deceptive picture: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the recently released 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation portrays a deliberately deceiving snapshot of the Murray-Darling Basin and ignores the real-world reality facing farmers and communities in the region.
MDBA declares ‘game changing’ positive results for the Basin but sends the clear message it’s time to shift from just adding water: NIC
"It’s very hard to look at these findings and argue the top priority for our Basin environments is even more water from farmers, when 72 per cent of flows are now for the environment, Sustainable Diversion Limits are in place, and clear evidence that non-water threats are holding back environmental outcomes and there is no clear strategy and little action to address these gaps": Zara Lowien, NIC.
Labor’s beef biosecurity claim at odds with US Administration: Littleproud, Hogan
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the Trump Administration’s comments, following Labor’s decision to allow US beef born and raised in Canada or Mexico to be imported into Australia, seem to have validated his concern that a deal was done before the biosecurity protocols were finalised.
