Bendigo Radiology withdraws from local services, with more to follow?
“The decision to cease services was abrupt and without consultation, and it puts our community at risk,” said Dr Peter Barker about Bendigo Radiology’s decision to withdraw its services from Cohuna. Bendigo Radiology withdrew its services from its base at Cohuna District Hospital effective from the end of April, leaving the town without a replacement service, and leaving residents across the region to travel out of town for vital scans.
Closing down
The timber mill at Corryong will close by September, once the existing log stock is milled. It will be the end of an era for Walkers Sawmill after 87 years of operation under three generations of the family. Current owner, Graham Walker, was in Corryong on Friday to announce the closure of the mill to its 21 employees.
Closing town’s mill is best course of action: Graham Walker
Graham Walker. I came to Corryong last Friday to announce to the employees that our sawmill will close once the existing log stock is milled. The gloomy sky over our log stack showed how I was feeling as I delivered the bad news ... If we were to continue business as usual, we had no certainty of sawlog quantity from VicForests as they are still embroiled in battle with ‘Friends of the Forest’ and court injunctions and they had only guaranteed 55 per cent of our 19,000m3 allocation.
Have your say on modernising levies legislation: DAFF
‘Have Your Say’ consultation is now open on a redraft of existing legislation that underpins Australia’s agricultural levy system ... The new legislation aims to provide a simpler, clearer legislative framework so industries can keep benefiting from their investments in research and development, marketing, biosecurity, emergency responses, and residue testing.
Outback celebrations for new King
While thousands of people across the UK are expected to gather around large screens in bustling city locations to celebrate the Coronation of his Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla, in the Queensland Outback Quilpie locals will celebrate in true Aussie style with a large scale bonfire that will be coloured a Royal red for the occasion and fireworks lighting up the crisp Autumn night at Baldy Top look out.
Senator Lidia Thorpe meets with Indigenous Party executive on Country: IAPA
Members of the executive of the Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia (IAPA) were pleased to welcome Senator Lidia Thorpe onto Barkindji Country, in far west NSW, this week (18/04/2023). Gathering at Mutawindji National Park, one hour from Broken Hill, the IAPA executive yarned with Senator Thorpe about current issues affecting IAPA members, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
Careers expo — getting local people to work for local business
Organised by Regina Hunter and Tegan Hinchey last weeks Careers Expo attracted a wide variety of organisations eager to show locals what employment opportunities they had to offer. Danny Lester, Director of Aboriginal Outcomes for the Department of Regional NSW was impressed with the event and had a number of thoughts he wanted to share.
Northern Rivers flood rebuild $7.9 billion and rising
The cost to rebuild and repair more than 2500 projects of flood ravaged public infrastructure on the Northern Rivers following the devastating 2022 floods is estimated at $7.9 billion and is predicted to increase ... NRRC head David Witherdin said the increase in costs was expected as the corporation identified more projects.
There are no excuses
Nationals Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, is calling for more money to be written – in stone – in the May budget for local schools and childcare facilities. Ms Benham says there are critical works and vital upgrades required to schools in her electorate – and expanded childcare infrastructure needed right across the region – so children and families can get the best possible support and start to life.
Land staying in state hands
Patrick Goldsmith. Five troublesome parcels of unalienated Crown Land within the Yorke Peninsula Council area will stay in the care and control of the state government after discussions regarding the environmental impacts of increased visitation numbers ... Unalienated Crown Land is public land which is owned and managed by the state government, giving council no authority over the activity which takes place on it.
Towards a national approach to cities and regions: King, Collins, O’Neil
National Cabinet agreed to begin work on a more coordinated approach to Australia’s cities and regions. The range of reforms agreed on 28 April 2023 will see governments work together to better plan for housing, services and infrastructure ... A shared vision to ensure growth in cities is sustainable via the National Urban Policy.
Annual coral spawning
Just like on other tropical reefs, corals in the LHIMP undertake synchronised mass spawning each year, releasing millions of tiny egg and sperm bundles into the water. This allows fertilisation to take place, resulting in coral larvae with new genetic combinations which can settle back on to the reef and enhance its diversity and resilience.
Enhancing beach accessibility
LHIB. Community members and visitors with limited mobility will have better access to Lord Howe’s beaches and outdoor environments, with the introduction of two new pieces of equipment available. To ensure everyone can enjoy our beaches, the Sandcruiser All-terrain Wheelchair will be available to help navigate over sand, rocks, and other uneven terrain.
Yipirinya boarding facility: Questions remain
Key details about the proposed $12m Yipirinya boarding facility remain unclear while the Federal Opposition has further assured its support for the project in a meeting with the school’s board of Aboriginal elders. Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, and Shadow Minister for Education, Senator Sarah Henderson, said the school is “like a family” when they visited the campus.
Government must take control of electricity planning infrastructure: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has called on the Victorian Government to step in and take over planning of the state’s transmission network following the consultation on the proposed VNI West project. VFF President Emma Germano said the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) had failed to take the impact on agricultural production into account in planning for transmission on behalf of the Victorian Government, and that the government needs to take back control.
Modelling climate change: Batini and Freeman
Frank Batini and Michael Freeman. We are convinced that the reports of rainfall change in the southwest region of Western Australia being linked to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are not correct. We believe this despite all the media reports, climate change modelling, Government documents and peer-reviewed research papers from Universities that say the opposite. We feel very lonely ... ARR.News asked some further questions of Frank and Michael.
Rally of the Heartlands driver gives back to the Burra community
A strong connection to Burra, its community and the iconic Midnight Oil House has seen the creation and generous donation of a collectable jewellery masterpiece by Melbourne jeweller Glenn Bakker; to the Burra community, through the Regional Council of Goyder during this year’s Shannon’s Rally of the Heartland ... He has since spent the last 12 months creating an exquisite piece of art which he has named the "Midnight Oil House-Burra".
Farmers plead for visa solutions following Migration Review: NFF
National Farmers' Federation Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said the industry had long called for a purpose-built migration system designed to meet its labour and skills demands, rather than the current mixture of haphazard solutions ... Mr Mahar said there was real concern among industry regarding the review’s recommendation to limit or even scrap the requirement for Working Holiday Makers to work on farm.
Regional tourism reaches record high: Bettison
Regional South Australia has rocketed toward its 2025 tourism target and a new record-high, hitting almost $4 billion in 2022 – some three years ahead of schedule. Latest data shows regional visitor expenditure hit an all-time high $3.98 billion in 2022, just $200 million shy of its $4.0 billion target set for December 2025.
Preventing future mining applications at the Bird in Hand gold deposit: Koutsantonis
The ‘Bird in Hand’ gold deposit area at Woodside in the Adelaide Hills has been proclaimed by the Governor at the request of the State Labor Government, protecting it from future mining applications. The land protected under the proclamation is the same area that was subject to a previous development application by Terramin Australia, with the move effectively prohibiting any future applications over the known Bird in Hand gold deposit.
Rolleston Airstrip set for takeoff
As part of the Australia Government Remote Airstrip Upgrade Program, council has engaged a contractor to undertake the design and construction of pavement rehabilitation works on the Rolleston Aerodrome Landing Area runway. The design phase is expected to commence in early June and conclude in mid-June 2023 with the construction phase to commence between July and September 2023.
New sister city for Barossa
The region is set to enjoy a boost to economic, cultural and educational opportunities as The Barossa Council gears up to enter into a formalised sister-city agreement with the City of Grapevine, Texas which is the fifth largest wine producing state in the United States. Barossa Mayor Bim Lange said as major wine and food destinations, the two regions share many similarities and a global reputation for premium wine, food and events.
