Australia Post banking expansion in “national interest”: Katter
Australia Post’s future lies in the ability of the public-owned service to diversify and meet the needs of a modern-day nation that is being strangled by grotesque free-marketeers, Katter’s Australian Party Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has said ... Mr Katter said, with its well-established network of branches, an expansion of Australia Post into the personal and business banking space was in the “national interest” and now was a golden opportunity for transformation.
New leadership to shape future of Coober Pedy: Brock
Following a national recruitment campaign, three people have been appointed as ongoing administrators for the District Council of Coober Pedy (Council) in a move expected to fast track the road back to an elected member body. Mr Geoff Sheridan has been appointed as the new principal administrator and will work with two supporting administrators, Ms Erika Vickery OAM and Mr John Moyle to make critical decisions for Coober Pedy’s future.
New locally built homes ready for Broome workers: Carey
The State Government has announced the completion of five newly constructed dwellings in Broome which will house government workers servicing the Kimberley area ... The properties will house employees from the Departments of Education and Primary Industries and Regional Development to ensure delivery of essential government services in Broome.
New trial will transform Wangaratta’s green waste into soil: Shing
A new program to help reduce carbon emissions by converting household sewage and green waste into biochar, a carbon-rich material made from biomass, is to be trialled in Wangaratta ... The ground-breaking trial will see biosolids from Wangaratta’s wastewater treatment plant mixed with the city’s green waste then processed into biochar in Melbourne.
How a river icon was restored to its former glory
An incredible makeover for one of the Sunshine Coast’s beloved boathouses has sparked a trip down memory lane. The heritage listed Maroochy River ‘Wheel House’ has been lovingly restored thanks to specialist heritage advice and the handy work of volunteers from the Buderim Men’s Shed.
Minister says councils called for donation return changes
Changes to how campaign donation returns are lodged were at the request of SA’s councils, Local Government Minister Geoff Brock has revealed. The changes were considered a factor in the campaign donation return saga which saw 45 elected members, including four mayors, throughout the State lose their positions after failing to lodge their documents on time.
Labor’s sneaky closed-door consultation on water buybacks: Littleproud
Labor is sneaking into St George to hold closed sessions on its water buyback plan. A St George information session on the Strategic Water Purchasing Framework will be hosted by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on Monday, 13 March, between 2 and 4pm. However, the location remains a secret, and the website link only allows invited guests to rsvp. Leader of The Nationals and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud described Labor’s tactic as “outrageous”.
Scientists head to River Murray to study environmental impacts of flood: Close
Scientists have launched a series of research projects to determine how River Murray environments are responding to the once-in-a-generation flood. The Department for Environment and Water is working with the Goyder Institute for Water Research and its partners to fill knowledge gaps to inform the future management of riverine, floodplain and wetland habitats.
WA producers take to world stage at food trade events: Jarvis
Western Australian food and beverage companies are showcasing their finest produce on a global stage at two major food trade events, with support from the McGowan Government. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, in partnership with Invest and Trade WA, is leading the charge this week at FOODEX Japan 2023.
Mr Plummer leaves behind a lasting legacy
The Warumungu community is in mourning after a community leader sadly passed away ... Mr R. Plummer was a Warumungu Traditional Owner, a Cultural Advisor to the Legislative Assembly and a member of many organisational boards ... The senior songman was just 62 years old and he definitely left a lasting legacy in the community of Tennant Creek.
Reflecting on the first 100 days: Patrick Ross
"How time flies when you’re having fun. The learning curve has been vertical and still heading north. So, what can I tell you all? I’m incredibly humbled by the immense support which has been shown to me over the last 100 days in the public realm and within both the Council Chamber and by the administration.
Libs choose `regional’ Ben Hood
Naracoorte raised Ben Hood has won a Liberal vote 119-87 to replace former Health Minister Stephen Wade in the Legislative Council. In a blow to Opposition Leader David Speirs, who had publicly said he wanted a woman for the job, the majority of 220 State council members voted for a regional person – Mr Hood, now of Mount Gambier.
Rules changed in bid to boost accommodation
Ancillary dwellings or granny flats and detached habitable rooms in the Denmark shire will be limited to 70sqm and 30sqm of outdoor living space ... The Shire wanted to streamline granny flat development in a effort to combat the growing rental crisis in the town.
Curtains for Wellcamp COVID facility
The Queensland Government will not renew the lease of the Wellcamp quarantine facility when it expires next month. The 1000-bed facility opened early last year to house those with COVID-19 who needed to quarantine. It cost the State Government more than $220 million to set up, but only housed 730 people.
MRSG ‘disappointed’ that solutions are ignored
The organisation representing community and farming interests across the NSW Murray region has expressed ‘disappointment’ at the Albanese Government’s push to reintroduce water buybacks. The Murray Regional Strategy Group (MRSG) has worked tirelessly on solutions that would help deliver environmental water without sacrificing food production.
Locked out!
Community members, farmers, industry representatives and journalists have been locked out of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Bridging the Gap water buyback consultation meetings in Deniliquin ... The Federal Government and their bureaucracy’s contempt for southern NSW and northern Victoria communities has no sign of slowing down, even a meeting over a community good, like water, is essentially invite only.
Nhill Visitors Information Centre volunteers
HM Woodhouse-Herrick. The first day of Autumn was a beautiful cool day for our day out for the Volunteers who man the Visitors Information Centre Nhill one day a month. With thanks to the Hindmarsh Shire, we filled the bus with those who were able to come along and familiarised ourselves with places such as the grand old Church at Pella out of Rainbow, the painted Silo at Albacutya ...
Allora residents want more from their Council
A Connecting with Council meeting hosted by Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) in Allora last Wednesday provided an opportunity for residents to speak their minds about issues important to them. Seven of the eight councillors, Mayor Vic Pennisi and a few SDRC officers were in attendance to speak about and listen to issues affecting the town.
Council vote to demolish Treelands Drive Community Precinct
Clarence Valley councillors voted to demolish the existing 22-year-old Yamba Treelands Drive Community Precinct TDCP at their February meeting despite backlash from Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy, who argued the motion was illegal and moved a dissent motion. In an extraordinary turn of events that pre-empted council’s vote, people who had made submissions about the TDCP were advised by email more than three hours before the CVC meeting that the Northern Regional Planning Panel will meet on March 14, at 2pm, to determine the development application’s fate.
Kadina native garden is the bees’ knees: SA Water
Three years after being established, a thriving native garden at SA Water’s Kadina Depot is demonstrating the success of growing water efficient, locally-sourced plants, with the idea easily able to be replicated in Yorke Peninsula backyards ... SA Water’s Vegetation Services Specialist Shaun Kennedy said he’s thrilled to see the garden continuing to flourish and attract an interesting array of birds and insects, including native bees, which are taking advantage of newly-installed ‘bee hotels’.
Spread the word: Stop the weeds!
Our region is a hotspot for weeds. Our weather supports the growth and spread of all types of weeds, but some weeds are a biosecurity concern ... Rous County Council is the local weed biosecurity control authority.
Farm incomes to ease as prices drop, inputs rise: ABARES
Farm cash income for all broadacre farms is projected to decrease nationally by around 7 per cent to average $327,000 per farm in 2022–23 but remain 46% above the 10-year average ... “However, farm incomes are projected to fall slightly in 2022–23 because of lower prices for most commodities and input costs remaining high after significant increases in 2021–22": Head of Farm Performance at ABARES, Peter Gooday.
