Politics

Council leaders from Gannawarra, Swan Hill, Mildura, Loddon, Campaspe and Moira shires visited Canberra and Bendigo over the last two weeks, speaking to politicians and advisors on water management, renewable energy, housing and the funding of local government ... The latest round of buybacks was a pressing issue for the group.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) and NSW Department of Primary industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are reminding recreational fishers that the Murray Cod and Murray Crayfish seasons have ended. NSW DPIRD Program Leader Fishing Stocking and Enhancement, Jim Harnwell, said the Murray Cod fishery is subject to a three-month closure every year to protect our number-one native sportsfish during their breeding season.

There is an old saying “not a lot of sense is common!” There are things that should be taken as a given in life. Things such as manners, not talking over people, being polite, saying please and thank you, looking at people who are talking to you, and assuming best intentions when dealing with colleagues. To be respected you must first be respectful. So, when our elected Members of Parliament require a code of conduct on how to act and behave to prevent bullying, sexual harassment, and inappropriate behaviour, you have to ask what happened to common sense?

Narrandera Post Office closed this week when lead contamination was identified in one of the back-of-house rooms during a routine check of the building. An Australia Post spokesperson said following health advice, the post office was closed and Australia Post was in the process of trying to get a temporary post office up and running to service the town.

Environment Minister Leanne Linard has announced 54,000 hectares of greater glider habitat in South East Queensland state forest will be transitioned to a new natural capital tenure ... Of the 54,000 hectares, 7,500 hectares are set to be placed into Natural Capital Reserve as a potential strategic advance offset for the critical Borumba Pumped Hydro project.

After about half of the 873 public submissions Council received objecting to its draft Local Housing Strategy came from Iluka residents, about 200 people packed the Iluka Community Hall last Thursday to hear about the details of the revised strategy currently on exhibition ... "There is a concerning lack of disclosure in the revised housing strategy, and we wanted to let the community know what we had found": Sonya Maley, Iluka Focus Group member.

Hindmarsh Shire Councillor and OAM recipient Rob Gersch has announced that he will not be standing for re-election in October, marking the end of an almost 40-year tenure representing the Hindmarsh Shire ... “While local government was not a priority when I was first asked to stand, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made.”

Clean Peak Energy has officially commenced construction of its Hay Solar Farm, adjacent to Hay Cemetery, east of Hay township. The advancement of the project was marked with an on-site sod turning, which brought together Clean Peak Energy executives and staff, Hay Shire Council and host landholders.

Sebastian Calderon. Houseboats traveling along a section of the Murray River are facing challenges, due to low water levels, forcing operators to limit mobility through the Riverland. Changes in the river’s water flow following environmental conditions have recently seen a group of boats unable to travel between towns like Renmark and Berri.

The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring 2024 shows increased risk of fire for large areas in NT and Queensland, as well as far west and southwestern Victoria, and the southeast corner of SA. Mean temperatures for the year to date have been above average to very much above average for most areas, with areas of western WA and northern SA experiencing highest on record maximum temperatures for the period.

Corazon Mining has begun exploratory drilling at the May Queen target on Mount Gilmore for gold and copper in the Clarence River catchment northwest of Grafton and the Clarence Catchment Alliance are calling on locals to get involved to stop a mining licence being granted.

Rachel Hagan. Minlaton's time to celebrate arrived with the official opening of the long-awaited Minlaton Family Centre ...The ribbon was cut by Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey, and the three women who started it all: Katie Hughes, Anna Phasey and Amy Honner ... The centre has created 120 childcare places in the region, which is an incredible increase from a few years earlier when there were only 14.

Australian agriculture is set to benefit this financial year, as the gross value of agricultural production is forecast to increase by 4 per cent. ​The ABARES Agricultural Commodities and Crop Reports show a significant growth in the sector, from $82.5 billion in 2023-24 to $86.2 billion in 2024-25.

Suzie Christensen. Access to the Mt Eliza track is closed annually between 1 September until early March to protect nesting sooty terns (Onychoprion fuscata) and their young. The trail and summit provide important breeding grounds for the seabirds.

I want to thank all the community for making my recent visit to Lord Howe Island such a wonderful experience. Lord Howe Island is a special place, with a unique and rich history. But as you know, being so remote from the mainland has its challenges, as well as advantages.

Chris Murray. The loss of Qantas Catalina VH-EAX at Lord Howe Island – Sabotage or misadventure? ... Hudson Fysh – Qantas: “On the 23rd June, 1949, our Catalina and one of Trans Oceanic Airways were riding at their moorings on the lagoon when in a ‘blow’ our flying boat broke her moorings and went ashore."

The new Chief Minister wasted no time getting down to what she called “the number one issue”: Law and order. Only hours after her impressive election win, Lia Finocchiaro met with Police Commissioner Michael Murphy in what may have been a tense encounter.

ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott made frequent mentions of “reputational risk” while giving evidence to the house standing committee investigating the big four banks in Canberra on Friday ... it is surprising that when asked about regional bank closures by commitee chairman Daniel Mulino he chose to withhold information about two branches in regional Australia that ANZ plans to close later this year.

The answer to the Kyogle Council election referendum question is simple – Yes or No. The problem is the question itself isn’t simple and is complicated by bringing two concepts together that have only one answer – Yes or No.

Territory Insurance Office “We’re for Territorians” hiked the premium of a long-time customer in the Alice Springs rural residential area by about 40 per cent, from $2382 to $3206, a difference of $824. That’s even taking into account a no claim bonus of 30 per cent.