Limited tickets remain for River reflections – Narrabri: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority's annual water conference River reflections is on in Narrabri on 14–15 June, and the final program is now available. The 2-day forum is a showcase of the communities, industries and ideas in water management and will include an address by MDBA Chair Sir Angus Houston.
Give a sheet ® for the planet with this one simple action
Single, doubles or queens – it’s time to dig deep into the depths of your linen cupboard to give those old sheets a second chance at life. To celebrate World Environment Day, Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Council have teamed up with BlockTexx and St Vincent de Paul Society to hold a community textile recycling event, ‘Give a Sheet ® for the Planet’.
Livelihoods destroyed at the hands of the Victorian Premier: Wellington Shire Council
"In three years, we haven’t seen any evidence or sign that the Premier ever had plans to deliver on his promises to support the native timber industry with new pine plantations or any form of alternative supply. Now the livelihoods of hundreds of locals are shattered in an instant without a single word from the Premier or his government": Cr Ian Bye, Wellington Shire Council Mayor
Williamson pleads for help for struggling prawn industry
Newly elected Member for Clarence Richie Williamson has called on both the state and federal governments to step up and financially support the struggling Clarence River prawning industry. Mr Williamsons impassioned plea via a private members bill in NSW Parliament last week is a month after he joined forces with Federal National’s Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, to financially assist the industry where about 50 locals haven’t received an income for 18 weeks.
Rail trail proposal derails local enthusiasm
A substantial number of landholders and residents of rural communities between Glenreagh and Ulong are vehemently opposing a proposal by the Glenreagh Mountain Railway (GMR) and their newly established sister company Tallowwood Ventures Ltd (TVL) to develop a 35km section of the currently inactive Glenreagh to Dorrigo Branch Line and transform it into a rail trail ... several residents including former GMR members told the Clarence Valley Independent they are “frustrated, angry, and disturbed” by the proposal.
A budget for the ages – Grim, dark and deceptive: Bev McArthur
On 23 May 2023, the Premier Daniel Andrews said: “We’re doing everything we promised Victorians we’d do – and we’re not wasting a moment getting on with it”. What he perhaps should have said was: “We promised some things – we even promised to govern for all Victorians – but we will deliver only some things, dump plenty of others, and govern for a few.” For me there’s only one headline from this budget: Victoria is broke.
Regional Victoria to suffer under state’s debt: VFF
Victoria’s State Budget reveals that regional Victorians and farmers are being unfairly forced to pay the price of the Andrews Government’s infrastructure cost blowouts and years of fiscal mismanagement in Melbourne. VFF President Emma Germano said regional Victorian’s were being made to pay as a consequence of the government’s decisions.
Fire and Rescue New South Wales extends safety and security with SmartConnect from Motorola Solutions
New service extends the reach and capability of resilient, secure communication. Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW) has deployed SmartConnect, a new service from Motorola Solutions, to securely extend the coverage and capacity of its mission-critical radio communications.
It’s not good enough
Michelle Daw. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Foundation has slammed the state government and Yorke and Northern Local Health Network for its lack of urgency in responding to security concerns at Wallaroo Hospital. The ANMF SA branch is calling for 24/7 restraint-trained guards to be employed at Wallaroo and Port Pirie hospitals, following recent "code black" incidents.
Council to hold off on Fisherman Bay fences
Michelle Daw. Barunga West Council appears to have backed down on plans to immediately tackle the issue of unauthorised fences around homes at Fisherman Bay ...The Papps family had erected a fenced enclosure at the rear of their property to keep [retired greyhound] Max safe, and are awaiting more information about fencing requirements from Barunga West Council.
Big miner stings taxpayers – the impact of bauxite mining on water yield: Frank Batini
Frank Batini. Probably the world’s largest mine, in terms of area, is Alcoa’s bauxite mine, located in the northern jarrah forest, within a biologically rich area, close to the State’s capital city (Perth) and on its domestic water supply catchments ... In 2007, Alcoa reported that the loss in water yield from five monitored catchments, where mining had occurred on part of the landscape, was 40-50 mmpa greater than in the un-mined forest. In the intervening 16 years the trees have grown and would now be using much more water.
The facts on regional road programs: King
The Albanese Government’s review of the Infrastructure Investment Program will consider how the Commonwealth can further support local councils through much needed road funding programs such as Roads to Recovery Program and Black Spot Program. We know how important these programs are to local communities, especially in our regions, and the Government is committed to ensuring these programs continue to deliver for communities in the best way possible over the long term.
Forestry sector dismayed by decision to end native Victorian forestry: Forestry Australia
"There are very few production systems on the globe that offer stronger sustainability credentials than well managed native forests. In fact, we know that well managed native forests can actually provide superior biodiversity, fire and climate outcomes. Simply excluding harvesting from native forests does not guarantee biological diversity, particularly from the broader threats of wildfires, invasive species, and climate change. Closing the native forest timber industry in Victoria will constrain the silvicultural and management options for State forests": Dr Michelle Freeman, President of Forestry Australia.
Native forestry announcement a massive blow for regional Victorian families: FWCA
Today’s announcement to bring forward the end of native forestry by six years is a devastating blow for thousands of regional Victorian families. It is estimated that native forestry provides 5000 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs providing the lifeblood for regional communities such as Orbost, which stands to lose 37 per cent of its workers.
Delivering certainty for timber workers: Andrews
The Victorian Government is stepping in to deliver certainty for timber workers, sawmill operators and their communities, with an expanded transition support package as part of the Victorian Budget 2023/24. This package removes the uncertainty that has been caused by ongoing court and litigation process and increasingly severe bushfires, with an additional $200 million in support for workers and their families to transition away from native timber logging earlier than planned – by 1 January 2024.
Significant milestone reached for Tjiwarl native title holders: McGowan, Buti
The McGowan Government and the Tjiwarl Aboriginal Corporation have reached a historic settlement for three native title compensation claims located in the northern Goldfields region. Settlement negotiations took place through a Federal Court mediation process and have resulted in the finalisation of the Tjiwarl Palyakuwa (Agreement), an Indigenous Land Use Agreement.
First Yanchep rail track laid but no date set for opening yet
The first 2.7km of track has been laid on the 14.5km Yanchep rail extension while the Yanchep station deck pour was completed in early April. On Tuesday, Premier Mark McGowan said the Yanchep rail extension was due to be finished at the end of 2023, then undergo its testing and become operational in the new year.
River Murray under threat by Labor’s $600m hydrogen plant that won’t lower energy bills: Patterson, Girolamo
Peter Malinauskas’ experimental hydrogen plant could raid precious water resources from the River Murray to operate, it has been revealed, alongside confirmation SA households won’t see a cent of energy bill relief despite $600 million taxpayer investment ... “We are the driest state in the driest continent in the world, and Peter Malinauskas doesn’t know where he is sourcing the huge amounts of water needed to run this experimental hydrogen plant that does nothing to reduce the cost of SA electricity bills": Shadow Minister for Energy and Net Zero, Stephen Patterson.
WA to build a strong carbon farming future: Jarvis
The McGowan Government has become a Carbon Industry Code of Conduct partner, enhancing the State's reputation in the emerging carbon market. Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis announced the Western Australian Government has become a Code Partner at the Carbon Farming Industry Forum in Cairns on 22 May 2023.
Indigenous film fest is back
The Central Victorian Indigenous Film Festival is back in 2023 to celebrate National Reconciliation Week ... Festival screenings include High Ground, DJAKAMIRR, Storm Boy, Carriberrie, Night Cries, Gurrumul, The Lake of Scars, Fighting Giants, The Drovers Wife, Emily in Japan and The Last Daughter.
The Wolfe Brothers to headline the Day at the Dam Music Festival
Council is thrilled to announce that the Wolfe Brothers will be the headlining act ... This exciting event will provide a platform for local service providers, disaster recovery and employment agencies to showcase their products and share resources to the attendees, through trade displays and a mini job fair.
Outback tourism on track to grow: Hinchliffe, Healy
Two 52-year-old Queensland-built, 2000 class ‘Silver Bullet’ railmotors are part of 29 new Outback Queensland visitor experiences for 2023. Longreach-based Outback Rail Adventures’ facilities including workshop and storage area and rail sidings were officially opened by Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy.
