Governments fail to deliver on health deal
Documents revealed under Freedom of Information show the Victorian and NSW Health Ministers have not written to Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler, about the proposed redevelopment of Albury Base Hospital, according to the Member for Indi, Helen Haines. The surprising lack of advocacy was revealed by Dr Haines in a speech in Parliament on Monday.
Learning and Walking Together program: pathway to Defence Force careers
RAAF Base Wagga hosted the Learning and Walking Together program, a collaborative initiative between the Defence Work Experience Program (DWEP) and Riverina Pathways Engagement Officer Kyle Breust. This innovative overnight program provided 16 students from the Riverina region, including Narrandera, with an immersive experience in military life, career exploration within the Defence Force, and local cultural enrichment.
Sustainable aviation fuel: An opportunity too good to miss for Australian farmers?
Booming investments into biofuels, set out in government’s ‘Future Made in Australia’ plan, presents a huge opportunity for Australia’s regional agricultural producers and farmers, according to Airbus. Airbus Chief Representative for Australia and the Pacific, Stephen Forshaw, recently warned that a “Future Made in Singapore”, not Australia, could be a reality if local industry does not embrace these opportunities now to tap into domestic gains. Australian Rural & Regional News interviewed Stephen and learnt a good more about just what's involved and the prospects for Australia and Australian farmers.
Wage boost for early education welcomed by HCS
The announcement of a wage rise for early education workers has been welcomed by Hay Children’s Services. Hay Children’s Services General Manager Emily Perkins said the announcement is a positive one.
Local faces at water resource conference
Hugh Schuitemaker. Local mayors and a senior irrigation industry figure participated in discussions of how to approach South Australia’s future water use at a major conference ... "A key announcement was that SA Water has committed to cap its reliance on the River Murray at the current level": Riverland Irrigation Trust CEO Rosalie Auricht.
New strawberry variety makes Stella debut at Ekka: Furner
A high-yielding, disease-resistant and delicious new strawberry variety has been unveiled at the Ekka, on top of the famous Ekka strawberry sundae. The new subtropical strawberry variety, Stella-ASBP, developed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and Hort Innovation’s Australian Strawberry Breeding Program (ASBP) in partnership with Hort Innovation and the Australian berry industry has hit the shelves this winter.
Lack of service and access to rural healthcare causing more hospitalisations: NRHA
Troubling figures released today show many illnesses among rural, regional and remote Australians could have been prevented or treated better with accessible primary care, thus avoiding the need for hospitalisation. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), many parts of rural Australia have higher rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations, highlighting the need for early interventions and ongoing care, particularly for non-communicable diseases.
Pokie loss shock
Shaun Hollis. Yorke Peninsula poker machine players lost over $3 million more in the past financial year than any other 12-month period in the region’s history, setting an alarming new record high. The steep rise in losses in the YP region was more than triple the state average increase.
Preventing crime by easing poverty
The elephant in the room is poverty, says Greens candidate for Namatjira, Blair McFarland, in the election campaign mostly focussed on what to do about crime. “We’re already the most over policed region in Australia. If public safety depended on police numbers we’d be one of the safest places in the world.”
High-profile First Nations Australians come together to urge community to have a yarn about abuse of older people
With 1 in 6 people aged 65 years and older across Australia experiencing some form of abuse, high-profile First Nations Elders Yalmay YunupiÅ‹u, 2024 Senior Australian of the Year, and Charlie King OAM have joined together to urge community to have a yarn about the abuse of older people ... "We all know the abuse of older people isn’t part of our culture, so we need to come together and yarn about it so we can stop it from happening,” says Yalmay YunupiÅ‹u.
“Common sense recommendations”
The Health Minister has welcomed the Limestone Coast Local Health Network board’s decision to endorse “several common-sense” recommendations from the feasibility study on establishing a radiation therapy service in Mount Gambier for the South East. The study has found that the establishment of a radiation therapy service in Mount Gambier for the South East to deliver cancer care is not “currently a safe, sustainable, or financially viable option”.
No radiation therapy
The establishment of a radiation therapy service in Mount Gambier for the South East has been scrapped. An independent feasibility study has found that the establishment of a radiation therapy service in Mount Gambier for the South East to deliver cancer care is not “currently a safe, sustainable, or financially viable option”. The design and planning of the new Mount Gambier Cancer Care Centre have been on hold while the feasibility study into radiation therapy services was undertaken.
We won’t give up
Naracoorte based radiotherapy working group chairman Lachlan Haynes has vowed “we won’t give up” following a $110,000 feasibility study rejecting South East radiation services. Meanwhile, the $243million Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) is aiming to spend $4.3 million of federal funding for radiation services on a Cancer Consult Suite at the Mount Gambier Hospital.
New advantage program for SA’s eID roll out: Scriven
South Australian producers of sheep and farmed goats and the broader supply chain will benefit from a new electronic identification (eID) implementation program to prepare for the traceability system that becomes mandatory from 1 January 2025. A further $900,000 in funding is being provided to establish the eID Advantage Program to improve producer knowledge and understanding of changed responsibilities under the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
Murray Darling Basin Authority visit
An influx of Government and Government Agency staff visited Wilcannia on Monday 29th July to look at the old weir, proposed site for the new weir and meet with local organisations and the Shire. Included in the group was former Western Lands Commissioner and passionate Wilcannia and Darling River advocate Geoff Wise.
National Livestock Identification System a policy of inequity for SA farmers: Centofanti
The SA Cattle Industry Fund has announced its intention to withdraw funding for the Malinauskas Labor Government’s National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) cattle compliance program, after revelations not all states are contributing equally. Minister for Primary Industries, Clare Scriven, has reportedly pleaded for the decision to be reversed.
Record tonnes exported from the Pilbara for fifth consecutive year: Michael
The Pilbara region has achieved a remarkable milestone, with a record 758.3 million tonnes of exports passing through its ports in the 2023-24 financial year. This marks the fifth consecutive year of record-breaking throughput for Pilbara Ports.
Liberal Party discuss plan for wine industry support – understand and listen
Hugh Schuitemaker. Riverland wineries to expand export opportunities would be an aim if the Liberal Party was successful at the next Federal Election, according to senior local politicians. Barker MP Tony Pasin last week toured Angove Family Winemakers, in Renmark, with federal opposition spokesperson for trade and tourism, Kevin Hogan, and Riverland-based MLC, and opposition spokesperson for regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti.
Southern Murray-Darling Basin water entitlement markets lost nearly $2 billion in value over 2023-24, despite Commonwealth buybacks
Today Aither, a Ricardo company, released their eleventh annual Aither Water Markets Report. It summarises water trading activity and trends in the 2023-24 water year and provides insights into the outlook for 2024-25 ... Following a decade of 21 per cent compound annual growth, the Aither Entitlement Index (AEI) has fallen 12 per cent since reaching an all-time high in February 2023 ...
New wind farm in north-west Victoria to power 202,000 homes: Plibersek
The Albanese Government has ticked off a new wind farm in Victoria which will generate enough energy to power 202,000 Victorian homes. The 312 megawatt Wimmera Plains Energy Facility is located 10 kilometres north-east from Horsham and includes up to 52 wind turbines connecting to an existing 220 kilovolt transmission line.
Albanese Government providing more support for Aussie farmers to embrace ag-tech and connectivity solutions: Rowland, Collins
The Albanese Government is increasing help to Australian farmers and primary producers by launching Round Two of its popular On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP) ... The program provides rebates of up to 50 per cent for eligible equipment - worth up to $30,000 - to extend data coverage and allow for greater connection and reliability of machinery and sensor technology.
Council welcomes 2022 flood inquiry final report
Gannawarra Shire Council has welcomed the tabling of the Victorian Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee’s Final Report for the Inquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria, and will advocate for various key recommendations to be actioned.
