Irrigators warn the Federal Government is on a power grab before the election: National Irrigators’ Council
The Federal Government is again being called out for rushing through risky and untested reforms that seek to gain more power for themselves, prior to the upcoming election. Consultation soon closes on their recent grab, to list two new areas as "endangered" under national environment law, replicating a controversial and subsequently, disallowed move by the former Labor Government in 2013.
Murrindindi Shire Council letter to Mary-Anne Thomas MP regarding the withdrawal of patient transport services
Council wrote to Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Minister for Health, Health Infrastructure and Ambulance Services, seeking urgent clarification regarding community concerns about the withdrawal of transport services for patients requiring dialysis, cancer treatment and other critical care. This follows feedback that transport to Seymour, for dialysis treatment – a lifeline for patients-, is being discontinued as of 30 September 2024.
Join the Gannawarra Energy bus tour
Residents wanting to learn about key proposed and completed energy infrastructure in the Gannawarra are encouraged to join Gannawarra Shire Council and various agencies for a free information morning and bus tour. Council, Edify Energy, VicGrid, Transmission Company Victoria and the Australian Energy Market Operator have united to host this special event, beginning at the Kerang Memorial Hall...
Western Australia hosts first Chinese wine mission since tariffs lift: Punch
Regional Development Minister Don Punch has welcomed the first inbound Chinese wine trade mission to Western Australia since the lifting of wine tariffs earlier this year, with delegates set to tour the Great Southern and Margaret River wine regions this week ... WA will host 11 premium wine buyers from 10 Chinese companies from 29 September to 6 October 2024, with a focus on premium wines, and specific interest in wines of WA provenance.
Flinders Shire Council embraces new proposed energy partnerships
Flinders Shire Council is excited to announce its participation in the Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) Energy and Economic Forum, held in Barcaldine last week. The event attracted a full house of stakeholders from across Queensland, all united by a shared vision for the future of energy and economic development in the region.
Dirt roads disappoint
Joanna Tucker. The Dirt Road Maintenance Group (DRMG) has expressed bitter disappointment over the condition of Copper Coast’s dirt roads, which they say pose serious safety risks for drivers. With an expected early start to harvest later this month, about 50 farmers and representatives of local agricultural support businesses gathered near Kadina last week to discuss their next steps.
Helen’s water victory
Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, says a new Water Register she has convinced the NSW Government to introduce will help stop money laundering as well as the secret purchase of Australian water by foreign governments. She introduced the bill to parliament late last year, with the aim to force NSW politicians to declare their water interests on our conflict-of-interest form.
End of free housing at temporary pod villages in Coraki and Evans Head
For two years, people have been living free of charge in temporary housing villages known as pods. The 11 housing pod villages including ones at Coraki and Evans Head were set up after the 2022 flood disaster in response to the housing crisis.
Radiotherapy group lodges complaint
A complaint has been lodged against the Adelaide-based chairman of Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN), Dr Andrew Saies, over his alleged conduct towards SE cancer patients. Among claims against Dr Saies are allegations he comes from a position of privilege by suggesting financial issues confronting SE cancer patients travelling to Adelaide and unable to work for many weeks or months could easily be nullified if they took out income insurance.
Bowls season opens
With a fresh coat of paint, the Maldon Bowls Club was looking spick and span last Sunday to celebrate the opening of the Pennant season. Bendigo West Member Maree Edwards was invited to send down the first ball, the Castlemaine Bowls Club was invited to enjoy a day of friendly competition and everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch.
Heritage meeting
There was a time when Maldon was at the forefront of heritage planning in Australia. But has the town lost its way, in terms of conserving its built and natural landscapes? Many believe that the short answer is: yes.
Water security for Vale View
The days of high level water restrictions should be over soon for Vale View residents as their water is connected to the Toowoomba Bulk Water Supply ... the $1.5 million Vale View Pipeline connection program is an investment as Council continues to plan and deliver critical water infrastructure to support the future needs of townships across our region.
Fire trails examined from the air ahead of bushfire season
The NSW Government is getting on the front foot ahead of bushfire season with helicopter inspections underway on fire trails across the state to prioritise maintenance work ... Helicopter-based inspections are considered more efficient than ground patrols by vehicles, particularly in remote and less-accessible areas, and reduce check times from months to weeks.
Volunteers save Lockhart airfield from closure
Sean Cunningham. The decision to keep Lockhart Airstrip opened has proved to be a good one with a group of workers regularly toiling hard to maintain it. Early last year, Lockhart Shire Council was considering closing the airstrip, however after many submissions were received requesting council to reconsider its proposal, council agreed by resolution to continue with the lease of the airstrip.
Carnival of Flowers reaches Singapore
Singapore horticultural show garden, Gardens by the Bay’s first Australian-themed floral display Carnival of Flowers, inspired by Toowoomba’s ongoing event, opened this week with a mini “floral float” parade. The iconic Singapore attraction, which was recently named Number 8 in the world by Tripadvisor, showcases plants from all over the world in thematic floral displays.
New chief to lead energy transformation
The Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has welcomed the appointment by the Australian government of Tony Mahar to his new role as the new Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner ... "I have worked productively with Mr Mahar during his time as the CEO of the NFF on issues like sustainable agriculture facilitators, renewable energy and biosecurity levies," Dr Haines said.
New youth mental health service
Serena Kirby. An increase in children experiencing mental health crises and presenting at the region’s emergency departments has led to a new crisis response service. Run by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, the acute care response team will be based in Albany but will cover Denmark and the Great Southern.
Denmark’s new drop: Hard water still healthy
Patricia Gill. Denmark residents are dissatisï¬ed with the taste and staining caused by higher levels than usual of calcium in the town water. Since mid July 2500 homes and businesses in the town started receiving their water via the Albany to Denmark pipeline. The Water Corporation expects to mix water from Quickup Dam soon with that from a $25 million pipeline built in 2021 in response to declining and unreliable rainfall. Despite the rains, dam levels throughout the region are much the same as last year.
How South32 is worshipping false gods
... it’s disturbing to read in a recently released EPA document that South32 propose to follow Woodside's example and ‘sterilise’ over 4,000 hectares of freehold land—good farmland—as a means of appeasing the environmental gods ... This is the same mad formula Woodside is following: take freehold cleared farmland and ease their guilt by planting trees that will never be harvested, with the land lost to agricultural production, including tree farming, forever.
Taskforce Guardian charges 22 in Darling Downs deployment
Taskforce Guardian alongside Toowoomba police have charged 22 young people with 78 offences and diverted 11 young people from the youth justice system, during the ninth deployment to the Darling Downs. Between September 9 and 16, Taskforce Guardian partnered with local police to conduct high-visibility police patrols, finalise open investigations, target active serious offending and engage at-risk or offending young people and their caregivers with support services and agencies.
Dingo extension a win for common sense
"The decision is a massive win for common sense and community voices ... Narrow-minded sectional groups will still claim these dogs are dingoes but for people who have seen them up close they know the truth. The order talks about dingoes but as most already know this order allows dog men to control wild dogs – hybrid killing machines, dingo and domestic crossbreds – on the edge of farmland": Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley.
Addressing Australia’s housing crisis – An urgent call for action: IAPA
Marnie Davis. The Indigenous - Aboriginal Party of Australia (IAPA) is calling for immediate government intervention relating to Australia’s escalating housing crisis. The IAPA seeks immediate intervention to protect vulnerable families, particularly First Nations peoples, single parent families, and our elders from homelessness and housing insecurity.
