Support for regional, rural and remote pharmacies: Butler
Pharmacies in regional, rural and remote Australia (known as areas 2 to 7 under the Modified Monash classification method) with average script volumes equalling dispensing income of under $1 million in the 12 months to 1 April 2023, will be eligible to receive a new Regional Pharmacy Transition Allowance (RPTA) ... The new allowance is in addition to the doubling of the budget for the Regional Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance (RPMA), which came into effect on 1 July.
Free forums for local fishing and boating
Recreational fishers and boaters from all corners of the state will again have the chance to discuss their much-loved pastimes and share ideas to make fishing even better at a series of free Fishing and Boating Forums. These forums, hosted by local fishing clubs, have become an annual tradition, with this year marking the third consecutive instalment.
Get in early, Tulip Time tickets are on sale now and stalls for community groups are now available
Thoughts are turning to the return of Spring in Wingecarribee with Tulip Time Tickets now on sale. Entry to the daytime event is free for residents who need only book tickets to see Tulips After Dark.
Game-changing medical service expanded for regional areas: Sanderson
WA Telestroke is expanding its hours to become a 24-hour, seven day a week service for clinicians caring for patients with acute stroke symptoms. Western Australian stroke specialists are now available as the first point of contact to assist emergency clinicians in the diagnosis, assessment and disposition of acute stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) patients across the State.
Australia’s first commercial hydrogen refuelling station opens at Port Kembla: Park, Moriarty, Scully
Port Kembla is now home to Australia's first commercial hydrogen refuelling station for zero emissions heavy road vehicles, in a major breakthrough towards de-carbonising the region’s 7,000 heavy vehicles ... "The H2Station will be the first practical piece of enabling infrastructure towards de-carbonising the region’s 7,000 heavy vehicles as we move towards a cleaner, greener future": Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty.
Liberals confident over MacKillop
The Liberal Party is adamant that MacKillop will remain a Liberal seat at the 2026 election. South Australia Liberal Party leader David Speirs says the party remained incredibly committed to the South-east despite the recent saga involving MacKillop member Nick McBride’s resignation.
McBride fires back
My priorities have not changed. That’s the message from member for MacKillop and quitting Liberal Party MP Nick McBride. Mr McBride made the comment while responding to claims made by South Australia Liberal Party leader David Speirs that the MP’s resignation was “disappointing” and a “changing of priorities”.
Listen, CEO told
A Naracoorte-Lucindale counsellor has asked the council and his fellow elected members what they intend to do about the poor management of road maintenance and the underutilization of the road-making machinery in the district. In a question with notice submitted on July 13 to be presented in the council’s meeting this month, Cr Trevor Rayner said, "I get re-elected on the promise of trying to address this issue, but at this stage it has been to no avail".
The housing crisis – time to act
Viv Markham. As Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards said, “There is no magic fix.” This week’s article poses the questions: how big is government appetite to fix the homelessness and the housing problem? ... we’re at a housing crossroads, so why not consider other solutions?
Back to nature – this is an ecological park ‘like no other’: Sunshine Coast Council
The vision to create an “ecological wonder” and restore a pasture site to rainforest and wetland ecosystems is now a step closer to reality thanks to Sunshine Coast Council endorsing the Sunshine Coast Ecological Park Master Plan. The plan sets out Council’s vision to restore the 65ha site adjoining Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve on Jinibara country.
Shane Love and David Littleproud stand united in opposing overbearing Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Laws: Love, Littleproud
The Nationals WA and Federal National Party have ... taken a stand against the flawed implementation of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Laws by WA Labor ... “WA Labor MPs have admitted they have botched the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, now, with Federal Labor considering enacting similar legislation, concerns are being raised": Shane Love.
Mid-year report points to challenges in Basin Plan implementation: MDBA
A report providing an update on the progress of key activities under the Basin Plan has been issued by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority. The tenth in a series, this report card reflects the progress made in first 6 months of 2023, during a period of significant flooding and flood recovery around the Murray–Darling Basin.
Deer plan calls for all hands on deck
The recently released East Victoria Deer Control Plan 2023–2028 is encouraging agencies and the community to develop local cost-effective options collaboratively and contribute to monitoring to improve knowledge and success of the program over time.
Common sense prevails for Basin Plan projects: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) welcomes the Albanese Government’s decision to extend the timeframe for implementing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy said common sense had prevailed following Minister Tanya Plibersek’s announcement to allow efficiency projects to progress and be counted towards the Plan’s targets.
Consultation extended
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has extended the consultation period for the proposed Toowoomba North South Transport Corridor, which has already caused quite a lot of controversy. Public consultation has now been extended by more than a month to 8 September 2023.
Mayor McDonald
Councillor Geoff McDonald has been chosen by his peers as the new Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor, following the retirement of Paul Antonio... Cr McDonald said as Mayor, he promises that he will fight and advocate on behalf of this community to get the best possible outcomes for residents.
Agencies finished – Local Bendigo Bank agencies closed
With the Bendigo Bank’s departures, Barham will be left with the post office as an alternative and Cohuna having a NAB on limited hours and a post office. One shop owner expressed shock that services the agency performed for free (with no reimbursement by the bank) would now cost $8 at Australia Post.
Nature Conservation Council of NSW turns on conservationists
The Nature Conservation Council (NCC) of New South Wales has blasted what it calls a “concerted misinformation campaign being spread by corporate irrigators about the proposal to purchase water for the environment.” The move has disappointed communities in the southern connected system as they fight to protect their livelihoods, environment and communities.
Deputy Mayor puts forward national issues considered relevant to Council
Narrandera Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cameron Lander has reported on some of the many issues discussed at the 2023 Australian Local Government Association National Assembly that he felt were of particular interest to Narrandera Shire Council ... The 2023 NGA theme was "Our Communities, Our Future" and looked at ideas on new federal programs and policies that would support councils to build stronger communities in the future.
Campaspe’s inaugural Economic Development and Tourism Summit a success
Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Rob Amos said the Council’s first Economic Development and Tourism Summit held on Friday, 21 July 2023 was an outstanding success. More than 150 business, industry and community leaders attended the summit which was a key plank of the council’s engagement process to develop a new five-year Economic Development and Tourism Strategy for the shire.
Authority advice on Basin Plan implementation: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority provided advice to the Hon Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water that full implementation of the Basin Plan will not be possible by 30 June 2024 ... With 16 key SDLAM projects unlikely to be operable by 30 June 2024, the Authority estimates a shortfall in water recovery of between 190 and 315 gigalitres.
Treelands tenders too expensive
Clarence Valley Council (CVC) staff have labelled three tenders for the redevelopment of the Treelands Drive Community Precinct as ‘higher than anticipated’ leaving councillors to vote on whether or not to reject the quotes and delegate to the General Manager to negotiate. The storied process of the Treelands Drive Community Precinct TDCP dates back to 2006, when council first identified the project.
