The recycled water roadmap
We all know that water is the most essential commodity for human life to exist on the planet, and how much we enjoy a glass of clean, cold water on a hot day – but we could soon be drinking recycled water under the NSW Government’s Recycled Water Roadmap – and you have until January 10 to have your say.
Response to Minister Sharpe: Peter Rutherford
Peter Rutherford. On the 24 November 1939, the Coffs Harbour Advocate reported, among other things, that “now there are only 200 known koalas in the whole of New South Wales, including those in captivity.” NSW Environment Minister Sharpe’s media release of 3 December 2024 stated, “that our grandchildren will never get the chance to see koalas in the wild”. I thought she may have been a little behind in reading her ministerial briefings. But then the penny dropped!
CFA rip-off confirmed by Minister
In an extraordinary admission by the Emergency Services Minister on Wednesday, all Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers across Victoria now know what a raw deal they are getting. Despite increasing the Fire Service Levy by an estimated $186 million dollars this year, the Minister has admitted that only nine per cent of the increased revenue will flow through to struggling volunteer CFA brigades.
Transmission lines – “Don’t think, do!” – More on the landholders’ fight
Peter Hobbs. This article which is intended to be a follow-up and one motivated by Charltonian Glenda Watts’s Letter to the Buloke Times Editor ... Glenda’s message is simple but significant in the process developed by the Victorian Government underpinning the construction of transmission lines in rural Victoria ... What follows is a dissection of these seven steps outlining [TCV's] shortcomings...
Albanese government announces news bargaining incentive
The Albanese Government says it intends to establish a news bargaining incentive to ensure big digital platforms such as Facebook contribute to the sustainability of news media in Australia. As a hyperlocal public interest publisher Yanchep News Online has had some issues in the past with Facebook (owned by Meta) especially during Covid-19 when its algorithm couldn’t seem to work out that information attributed to the WA Department of Health had in fact been provided to Yanchep News Online by the department.
Anniversary marks a bitter-sweet milestone
Jenny Pollard. A half century of international support was celebrated by the Charlton Action for World Development (AWD) Group last Friday night with the milestone occasion also bringing a bitter-sweet end to the small, but passionate entourage ... Including former guest speakers, foundation members and many supporters, the evening was a testament to the desire to create tangible benefits and build understanding about places and people whose lives, cultures and situations were so different to the Charlton locale.
Council chooses company to start work on Mallanganee observatory early next year
Work on the Mallanganee observatory project is expected to start within the first three months of next year. At the Kyogle Council meeting on Monday, December 9, the meeting went into confidential to discuss the tender for the construction of the Mallanganee observatory at the Mallanganee Lookout.
Weld Australia slams Opposition’s nuclear power plan as unrealistic fantasy
According to Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, the Opposition’s plan relies on the misguided notion that coal-fired power stations can continue operating reliabily indefinitely to bridge the energy gap. “It is a fantasy to imagine that coal-fired power stations can keep running without billions of dollars being poured into their maintenance. Many of these plants have already exceeded their design life two- or threefold,” said Crittenden.
Rising tide blockade of coal port
Chibo Mertineit ... The protestival was longer, bigger and better and there was a large contingent of Northern Rivers residents who joined, organised and facilitated ... Overall, there were 7000 people over eight days, 33 volunteer teams with over 1000 volunteers doing 4500 shifts, cooking 20,000 meals and having 130 spokespersons (delegate of your group) representing 2000 people and meeting twice a day for decision making. It was just huge, and there was such a positive and friendly atmosphere at this drug-free event.
Historic sealing projects deliver safety gains, improved reliability for outback motorists
No more precarious and lengthy travel for residents and travellers on Pooncarie Road ... “Central Darling Shire Council appreciates the funding support from the Australian and NSW governments because the road desperately needed to be sealed for road safety reasons,” said Central Darling Shire General Manager Greg Hill. “Now we can keep the road open during wet conditions, benefiting both residents and tourists.
Port Pirie chosen as host for 2026 Country Swimming Championships
The 2026 South Australian Country Swimming Championships are coming to the Port Pirie Aquatic and Leisure Centre, running from 4–7 January 2026. This highly anticipated event, secured by the Port Pirie Regional Council, will showcase the best of regional swimming talent while bringing families, supporters, and the wider country swimming community together in the heart of the region.
Youth crime kept in the shadow
The public isn’t going to learn much from official channels about the bashing – alleged – with a blunt weapon of a two months old infant, inflicting serious head injuries. Because the accused are under 18 we will not learn their names ... The known facts in this case are limited to the media release by the police ...
Sound science needed to assess carbon impacts of timber harvesting: Forestry Australia
Forestry Australia has welcomed a new study published in Australian Forestry peer-reviewed journal by the former chief research scientist at the CSIRO, Dr John Raison. The paper, titled "A review of the impacts of sustainable harvesting, non-harvest management and wildfire on net carbon emissions from Australian native forests", investigates the science behind claims that timber harvesting increases greenhouse gas emissions.
Housing strategy
The Naracoorte Lucindale Council has developed a draft housing strategy with hopes to fix the district’s housing crisis. The draft strategy was presented to the council by chief executive officer Trevor Smart during the council’s November meeting. The draft housing strategy follows a resolution at the council’s May 2024 meeting to prepare position papers to assist the public to understand the council’s actions addressing the housing shortage in the council area and the assistance the council can provide.
Postcode discrimination
Country towns like Naracoorte are facing "postcode discrimination" when it comes to accessing mental health services and resources. That’s the view of SA Shadow Minister for Regional Health Services, Penny Pratt, who has attacked the State government for turning a blind eye to the Limestone Coast region and failing to understand the plight of families in need of mental health services.
Call for review of Victorian- approved mineral sands mines
“The Victorian Government’s approval of two mineral sands mines yesterday through Environment Effects Statements isn’t the end of the matter,” Member for Mallee Dr Webster said on Wednesday. As farmers learned of the two Mallee mines, the Member for Mallee lamented that Victoria’s prime agricultural land and the health of farming communities are not considered as significant as environmental grounds when assessing mining projects.
Mason family helps make a difference for T1D
What does fifty million dollars’ worth of hope feel like? Just ask Allora’s Benjamin and James Mason who, along with parents, Hayley and Mark, recently joined a national delegate of one hundred brave Type 1 Diabetes advocates as part of JDRF’s "Kids in the House – KITH" program, to address members of parliament in Canberra.
Proposed quarry: are we asking the right questions?
Close to 50 people crammed into the supper room at Baringhup Hall last Thursday 5 December to attend an information session about the proposed quarry at Blue Hills. Staff from Mawsons Concrete and Quarries, the company behind the proposal, presented a slide show and answered community questions.
No go for National Heritage Bid
An application to have Maldon listed on the National Heritage register has not been successful. Michele Waddington, owner of Fairbank House accommodation, completed the laborious application process and has been in discussions with heritage officers from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for over 12 months.
Community libraries continue to thrive in the digital age
Aussies still love their local libraries, with recent data from the Australian Public Libraries Statistical Report 2022-2023 showing a rise in borrowing and in-person library visits ... Recently, Fulton Trotter Architects developed a self-serve library kiosk in a residential suburb development in Port Macquarie to cater for community reading, nestled close to the community’s playground.
Caring about Carnaby’s Cockatoo: David Ward
Dr David Ward. The tongue of experience has the most truth. Old Arab Proverb ... a pair of interesting scientists, Valerie Densmore and Emma Clingan, both from DBCA , and both with actual practical experience in fire fighting and lighting ... have found that, at least on the Swan Coastal Plain, Carnaby's feathery friends may have more food where the bush is burnt frequently, with light and patchy fires every few years, rather than roaring wildfires after decades of fuel accumulation.
Use local knowledge, not misleading academic reports
The credibility of a group that has prepared a report on Murray-Darling Basin Plan progress is under question, after claims it contains numerous flaws. The Wentworth Group comprises academics who say they are “dedicated to water and land policy reform”, and have been especially vocal on issues around the Murray-Darling Basin Plan which has attracted billions of dollars in government funding ... “It is disheartening when Sydney and Canberra based academics, without local knowledge, make broad-based statements which paint a false picture": Murray Regional Strategy Group Chair Geoff Moar.
