Ramping up call for action on shark mitigation
Central Coast Councillor Jared Wright has ramped up calls for State Government action on shark control following the recent release of the International Shark Attack File, which confirmed that Australia recorded the world's highest total of fatal shark attacks on humans in 2025. "Of 12 fatalities, nine were from Australia."
Health service sees red over finances
Claims that Corryong Health will struggle to meet its immediate financial commitments have been refuted by board chairman, Ian Cesa. Liberal Member for Berwick, Brad Battin, alleged last Thursday that several hospitals in the North East including Corryong are operating with little cash on hand.
NSW Government drought response welcome but underwhelming
The NSW Government has announced an expansion of their Drought Plan and while welcome, more needs to be done, according to Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM (of Temora Shire). "Our farmers in south-west NSW are struggling and they need support with fodder and water freight costs. Keeping core livestock alive is a priority and simply enabling bigger debts is short on insight," he said.
Transitions without the capacity
Since coming to power, the Federal Labor Government has presided over a sharp contraction in Western Australia’s sheep flock. Industry figures show numbers falling from roughly 12 million head in 2022 to around 8 million today — a drop of about one-third in just four years ... Just as the State Agriculture Minister was proudly announcing $20 million in grants to help farmers and processors adjust, Beaufort River Meats quietly announced it was moving into care and maintenance due to ongoing sheep shortages.
Minor doctor share: Just three of 12 new interns based locally despite ‘major service centre’ status
The Malinauskas Labor government has unveiled a $13m election commitment to build a new medical school training centre in Mount Gambier -promising a stronger “pipeline of doctors” for regional SA. But of the 12 intern doctors recruited this year to the Limestone Coast Local Health Network, only three are based in Naracoorte - a town formally designated as a major service centre under the government’s ambitious Limestone Coast Regional Plan 2026.
Heritage hijacked – Moonta National Trust volunteers “locked out”
Michelle Daw. Moonta's beloved heritage attractions have been shut down for five weeks and its many local volunteers say they are banned from entering the premises. This follows a shock decision by the head office of the National Trust of South Australia to disband its Moonta branch and assume full management responsibility for the Moonta Mines State Heritage Precinct...
EnergyCo needs a shake-up
Securing social licence remains an ongoing challenge for councils as the region prepares for energy transition. The message was clear at a hearing in Hay last Wednesday into the impact of renewable energy zones on rural and regional communities and industries in NSW: EnergyCo is not doing enough ... EnergyCo, the NSW Government body responsible for upgrading the grid to build a reliable electricity system as coal-fired power stations retire, came under heavy fire from most witnesses in the hearing...
18 million hectares of farmland required for Labor’s net zero target: Littleproud
...Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the agricultural land required by … DAFF own calculations doesn’t factor in land that has already been sequestered. It comes after Senate Estimates heard the ABARES Insights Sequestration on agricultural land: impacts and policy trade-offs report shows under the 119 million tonnes of land-based sequestration needed to achieve net zero, about 18 million hectares of sequestration projects would need to be established by 2050.
Farmers reject ‘dumpster fire’ plans: NSW Farmers Association
NSW Farmers says plans to pollute rural and regional communities with Sydney’s rubbish should be immediately rejected. The proposed Parkes Incinerator would burn 700,000 tonnes of Sydney's red-bin rubbish each year if approved, and NSW Farmers Vice President Rebecca Reardon said it was totally unacceptable to force any regional community to be the dumping ground for Sydney waste if they did not agree.
WA sheep industry supply chain capacity increased through grants: Collins, Jarvis
The first round of the Supply Chain Capacity Program grants, valued at $20 million, are set to flow to Western Australian sheep producers and processors to bolster capital investment and build productivity. The program forms part of the Australian Government’s $139.8 million Sheep Industry Transition Assistance Package which is designed to assist as businesses adjust to the phase out of live sheep exports by sea.
Productivity crisis is no longer a slow-burn problem: CPA Australia
Australia’s largest accounting body, CPA Australia, says Australia’s productivity crisis is now serious enough to threaten economic growth, competitiveness and living standards unless governments act decisively ... Business and Investment Lead Gavan Ord said: “Australia is running out of time. If productivity continues to stagnate, living standards will go backwards and the economy will struggle to sustain growth.
Commonwealth recognises Fingerboards with Major Project Status: Gippsland Critical Minerals
Gippsland Critical Minerals’ redesigned Fingerboards Project has been awarded Major Project Status (MPS) by the Australian Government recognising its global supply impacts, economic benefits and its alignment with national interest. Senator The Hon Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science has awarded Major Project Status to the Fingerboards Project for a period of 3 years, a decision based on the projects potential contribution the Australian critical minerals sector, specifically as a supplier of rare earth elements and zircon, with onsite separation and rail transport for downstream refinement.
Farmers left in limbo under Labor’s confusing, messy environmental reforms: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor’s environmental reforms have created a confusing and costly mess, with farmers unable to get the information or help they need ... “Unfortunately, farmers are struggling to get information about what they can and can’t do under the new requirements. Machinery operators have also said the requirements will damage their business and cut jobs..."
Regional NSW dominates top 10 electorates with rooftop solar: Sharpe
The latest data reveals that households and businesses in regional NSW are leading the charge in rooftop solar adoption, accounting for nine of the top ten electorates for installations. NSW leads the country in rooftop solar with more than 1 million homes and businesses that now have rooftop solar – a third of all NSW homes.
Mayors briefed on Basin Plan Review: MRGC
The Murray River Group of Councils (MRGC) met in Melbourne last week for a dedicated strategic forum to discuss and shape its initial response to the 2026 Basin Plan Review. Mayors and CEOs from the MRGC … received a comprehensive briefing from Murray–Darling Basin Authority CEO Andrew McConville and senior executives on the MDBA’s recently released Basin Plan Review Discussion Paper.
Confusion reigns on CopperString ownership: Katter
I don’t get it – will Queenslanders own CopperString, or will the industry and job creating project be sold off to a multinational like Glencore who only have the interests of their boardroom at heart? Katter’s Australian Party Leader, and Member for Traeger has said.
Purple Poppy Day – Honouring those who served on four legs: Finocchiaro, Charls
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is proudly recognising Purple Poppy Day today, observed annually on 24 February, honouring the courage, loyalty and sacrifice of animals who have served alongside Australian Defence Force personnel.
Save Fort Queenscliff: McArthur
Having taken the matter to the Victorian Parliament, Member for Western Victoria Region, Bev McArthur, is demanding answers over the federal government's plan to permanently close 68 defence locations across the nation - including the historic Fort Queenscliff … Mrs McArthur joined around 200 residents at a community rally organised by Senator Sarah Henderson, opposing the federal government’s plan to sell this nationally significant heritage site.
Snapshot reveals Aussie agriculture’s 20-year boom: ABARES
Australian agriculture is growing, adaptable, more productive, and well placed to take advantage of the transition to net zero, according to the latest ABARES Snapshot of Australian Agriculture 2026 Insights paper.
All risk, no reward for outback farmers: NSW Farmers Association
Shortchanged farmers in the state’s northwest are desperately calling on government to deliver fairer compensation for small-scale title mining claims. NSW Farmers Acting CEO Mike Guerin said the proposed compensation amounts for opal mining claims fell well short of the real and ongoing losses faced by farm businesses hosting mining activity...
World premiere announced for 2026 Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies thanks to Government funding boost
Flinders Shire Council is proud to announce that the 2026 Hughenden Festival of Outback Skies has received a major funding boost ... to support a landmark Festival Finale performance featuring the Townsville Great Barrier Reef Orchestra performing alongside internationally renowned didgeridoo virtuoso and composer William Barton.
Author Talks at Lockyer Valley Libraries underway for 2026
Lockyer Valley Libraries’ Author Talks for 2026 will kick start with author Frances Harding. Frances' latest title, The Accidental Publican, tells the story of her unexpected move to Charleville from Brisbane and her time as publican of the Corones Pub – ‘The Taj Mahal on the Warrego’.
