Housing crisis
The federal, state, and local governments have a role to play in curbing the housing crisis in Naracoorte and its surrounding towns. That’s the word from Shadow Minister for Regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti, who revealed a state migration strategy was being developed to tackle the housing crisis in the regional towns. Ms Centofanti told The News that the strategy would be made public once it was ready.
Emu greeting visitors and locals to Yamba
Visitors to Yamba this Easter may be greeted with the same inquisitive looks that have been exciting locals over the past couple of months from a Coastal Emu that has taken up residence in paddocks near Wynyabbie House at Palmers Channel. Social media has been abuzz with sightings and photos of the critically endangered, world’s second tallest bird, which is only found on the NSW North Coast.
Mobile phones banned in NSW High School’s from term four
Emma Pritchard, Rodney Stevens. High school students will be banned from using mobile phones at school from Term Four 2023 in an election commitment from the Minns Labor government designed to improve students learning and social development ... While students will still be able to carry their mobile phones to and from school, the ban will apply during class, recess, and lunch ... I don’t really agree with it: Cooper.
Step forward to resolve barley dispute with China: Wong, Farrell, Watt
The Australian Government has reached an agreement with China that creates a pathway towards resolving the dispute over Australian barley. Since 2020, China’s 80.5 per cent duties on Australian barley have effectively blocked exports to that market ... Following recent constructive dialogue at all levels, we welcome China’s agreement to undertake an expedited review of the duties over a three-month period, which may extend to a fourth if required.
Hololens expanding virtual care in regional Victoria: Thomas
Residents across East Gippsland can now access care through the rollout of the HoloLens - which provides virtual care to rural and regional Victorians in their own communities. Worn as a headset by a nurse and virtually guided by a doctor in a separate location, HoloLens is a mixed-reality holographic computer that gives patients a level of care much closer to an in-person examination than a regular telehealth appointment.
PS Oscar W is back on the water, to launch the SA Wooden Boat Festival’s program
We are thrilled to announce one of the SA Wooden Boat Festival's most iconic vessels, the PS Oscar W is back on the water this week and just in time for the launch of the festival’s official program. The final count-down is on towards the 29-30 April South Australian Wooden Boat Festival (SAWBF) weekend.
Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital proposed $12 million wildlife plan for Northern Rivers
An innovative regional wildlife care plan has been launched by Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital chair Ninian Gemmell, seeking an extra $6 million for a region-wide strategy. The 10-point plan aims to support all organisations involved in local wildlife care, recognising the vital roles played by the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital, Friends of the Koala Hospital and Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.
Crowd control funding to deter threatening behaviour at bottleshops
Takeaway liquor outlets in the Barkly are urged to take advantage of funding from the NT Government to engage crowd control services during permitted takeaway operating hours. The Crowd Control Assistance Grant will provide immediate financial support to outlets who are experiencing antisocial behaviour on their premises or who have been impacted by crime.
Emu working group hatched
To ensure that the emu population receives appropriate funding and care, a recent on-country meeting was held on Mount Wycheproof, with participation from Council, Traditional Owners, State Government agencies, Friends of Mount Wycheproof, Landcare, and community members. The group collectively resolved to establish a team representative of all stakeholders to oversee the welfare of the emus.
Getting Inland Rail back on track: King, Gallagher
The independent review of Inland Rail led by Dr Kerry Schott AO found major deficiencies in the governance and delivery of Inland Rail. It confirmed that Inland Rail is an important project to meet Australia’s growing freight task, improve road safety and to help decarbonise our economy. However, it also confirmed that the project is running significantly over budget and significantly behind schedule with just over 16% of the 1700km of track completed so far.
Narrandera’s tap water prompts complaints
Narrandera Shire Council General Manager George Cowan assured residents of the town that water quality is the Council’s number one priority, but relief is estimated to be three years away. Claims have been made that many residents are living off bottled water because the town supply is leaving them with irritated bowels and skin rashes.
Determining the WA timber yield: Jack Bradshaw
Despite evidence to the contrary, the WA Minister for Forests (Jacki Jarvis) continues to argue that the WA timber industry had to close because it has run out of wood as a result of reduced growth rate due to climate change, quoting reports from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology as evidence. Neither of these organisations has any involvement in the determination of timber yield.
Concern over weed spread
Stewart's Range farmer Heather Heggie is concerned about the rapid spread of weeds throughout the Naracoorte Lucindale Council district ... “My question is in the absence of an engineer, what is the criteria for managing unsealed roads and the potential for weed spread?: Stewart's Range farmer Heather Heggie.
Rate debate
Will our council rates increase next financial year? While that could be possible because of inflationary pressures, an elected councillor of the Naracoorte Lucindale Council hopes the new council adheres to its core responsibilities and does not increase rates excessively. Last year Cr Cameron Grundy called on the council to look at how it could more fairly spread the rate burden across the district.
HOPE investigating potential vegetable gardening opportunities for socially disadvantaged
Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE) has been investigating opportunities for people to access under-utilised suburban backyards, especially for those who are unable to garden in rental properties. HOPE president Frank Ondrus said there are many people who own their own homes but who do not or cannot use the space they have for gardening. "It is our hope that with your support we will be able to offer space to people who wish to produce food for their own tables," he said.
Responding to the Productivity Commission’s “Advancing Prosperity” report – Further opportunities in relation to natural disaster management: John O’Donnell
John O'Donnell assesses the Productivity Commission's limited recommendations regarding natural disaster management in its latest report, "Advancing Prosperity", and concludes that the PC and governments have missed key opportunities to better nail natural disaster management across Australia.
Leeton’s Roxy development in limbo
Roxy Theatre project developers the Lloyd Group entered voluntary administration on Friday. Leeton Shire Council was telephonically advised at 11.30am that day that the Lloyd Group had gone into voluntary administration at 7am that morning. The Group has 59 state and local government projects under construction in Victoria and NSW.
Anxiety and anger over Eyre Peninsula desalination site decision: Centofanti
Deputy Premier Susan Close’s decision to ignore local expertise on a preferred site for a critical Eyre Peninsula desalination plant has angered community leaders and industry. Last month, Susan Close announced that the Malinauskas Labor Government had chosen the Billy Lights Point as the site for the Eyre Peninsula Desalination Plant rather than the site recommended by the Independent Eyre Peninsula Desalination Site Selection Committee – Sleaford West.
Government urged to pilot bold new plan to deliver urgent final water flows to Murray-Darling Basin, without the need for buybacks: Waterfind
An Australian-first program designed to restore critical environmental water flows to the Murray-Darling Basin, while meeting the ongoing needs of local irrigators and growers, has been proposed as an “immediate, affordable and genuine” solution to the nation’s Basin Plan – avoiding the need for short-term, unpopular water buybacks as announced by the Federal Government.
Clarence and Coffs councils’ disagreement over water supply agreement
A decision on a bulk raw water supply agreement with Coffs Harbour City Council has been deferred by Clarence Valley Council at its March meeting to allow the mayors of both councils to discuss an arrangement that is mutually agreed on. At the March 28 Clarence Valley Council (CVC) meeting councillors were advised a dispute resolution process that council resolved to enter at the December 2022 meeting had failed to negotiate an outcome both parties agreed on.
Keep an eye out for changed conditions downstream of Hume Dam this Easter: MDBA
Murray River campers and river users looking forward to spending time on the Murray downstream of Hume Dam this Easter are reminded to be aware of potentially changed river conditions as a result of the recent floods. MDBA Executive Director of River Management, Andrew Reynolds said depending on which part of the river you visit, riverbanks may have changed and hidden snags and other debris may be more prevalent.
Illuminate Festival returns to Shepparton in May
Greater Shepparton City Council is excited to welcome back the Illuminate festival to the shores of Victoria Park Lake next month. The event creates a full sensory experience, incorporating lights, music and food in a way that celebrates the region and builds Greater Shepparton’s brand as regional Victoria’s abundant, dynamic, cultural capital.
