Housing pods hit the ground in Eugowra: Cooke
Flood-impacted residents across the Cabonne Shire can now apply for modular homes, with the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government expanding its temporary accommodation program following last year’s successful caravan rollout. Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said modular homes are now being installed on the properties of flood-impacted residents.
A new Territory Worker Connect Portal and UK delegation to yield a boost for hospitality workforce: Fyles, Kirby
A delegation of Territory business will aim to recruit 100 hospitality workers when they visit the United Kingdom and Ireland next month to increase our skilled workforce through the Global Worker Attraction Program.
JEV vaccine stash could be up for grabs as mosquito threat looms: Hurn
The SA Opposition has been advised that there could be a precious stockpile of the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) vaccine up for grabs – but will soon expire – that could be used to protect South Australians from the disease as the flood recovery in the Riverland officially begins. Chairman of the Immunisation Coalition in Australia, Dr Rod Pearce, has indicated that the New South Wales Government is in possession of a surplus of JEV vaccines, with doctors based in the state telling him “they can’t give them away”.
Dinosaur dig returns after Covid-19 hiatus, as world-class dinosaur trail gains momentum
This week a team of ‘dino hunters’ will embark on the first ‘dinosaur dig’ at Inverloch since the Covid-19 pandemic, as Bass Coast Shire Council ramps up plans for a $40 million world-class Dinosaurs Trail to celebrate the area’s fascinating pre-historic heritage.
$1 billion to build better bush roads and rail: Toole
A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $1 billion in the regions to upgrade the roads communities use every day, fast-track freight and rebuild transport infrastructure after disaster ... “We want a road and rail network built for the long-term with the capacity and strength to survive fire and floods, to meet the growing freight task and to get product to market cheaper and more efficiently": Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole.
Liberty Theatre to receive AV upgrade: Tuckerman
Chairperson, Friends of the Liberty Theatre and Cultural Centre Inc, Bimbi Turner said the funding will help the theatre show classic and current release films for the community to enjoy, having been denied such pleasure for far too long. "This $250,000 grant is extremely exciting for the Friends of the Liberty Theatre and Cultural Centre Inc. in bringing to life the entertainment for the broader community in this iconic 1939 cinema by once again being able to show films."
Unlocking the secrets of productivity – A monumental challenge for Australia’s future: Hugh Christie, TFGA
Whilst we are seeing positive changes with international freight capacity returning to levels pre-COVID-19, productivity issues at major Australian container ports identified in the latest Productivity Commission report cost the Australian economy an estimated $605 million annually. These inefficiencies directly impact Australian farmers and if not addressed soon will be a compounding cost for all primary producers as well as exporters more broadly.
Debt wiped for country practice: Butler
A doctor or nurse practitioner who lives and works in rural and remote Australia will have their HELP debt wiped ... The HELP debt reduction for a doctor or a nurse practitioner will depend on the length of their course of study, and the amount of outstanding HELP debt when they commence providing eligible services in an eligible location.
With its back to the wall, Commonwealth Bank halts closures
Junee is one of the first towns to benefit from a parliamentary call for banks to halt all planned branch closures until a senate inquiry reports back at the end of the year. The Commonwealth Bank is the first of the big four to act on the official request, sent Friday, with Junee and Bright closures put on hold.
Decision on Bird In Hand gold mine application: Koutsantonis
After careful consideration, the Minister for Energy and Mining, Tom Koutsantonis MP, has declined an application by Terramin Australia Ltd to develop the Bird In Hand gold underground mine at Woodside. Terramin’s concept for its proposed Bird in Hand mine, and related applications for a Mining Lease and a Miscellaneous Purpose Licence, have undergone comprehensive assessment by government, including an eight-week statutory public consultation.
Access to National Parks: Bev McArthur
The Victorian Government is overseeing the slow demise of National Parks, ignoring the very rules that established their existence and importance in the state. In State Parliament, the Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, has asked the Minister for the Environment to immediately review a decision made last year to change public access rights to the Grampians National Park.
Towards World Heritage recognition for Murujuga: Whitby, Plibersek
The Australian Government has nominated Murujuga Cultural Landscape for inscription on the World Heritage List. The formal nomination was submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in late January 2023. If accepted, Murujuga would be the second site in Australia listed for World Heritage Status for First Nations cultural heritage.
New QPS high-tech drones ready for take off: Ryan
Queensland Police is preparing to launch two new high-tech Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in the state’s north as part of ongoing trials in assisting frontline officers. The advanced Teledyne FLIR SkyRanger R70, used by militaries across the globe, has joined the QPS fleet and is undergoing testing ahead of its deployment to Townsville and Cairns.
Mayor cautions landowners on dealing with some renewable energy companies
Mayor of the South Burnett, Brett Otto is urging local farmers and landowners to be vigilant when entering into discussions with proponents of renewable energy developments, including wind farms, solar energy sites and transmission lines. The South Burnett region will play a major role in the Queensland Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan and is expecting an influx of renewable energy infrastructure developers.
Rural health system needs overhaul: NSW Farmers
The state’s peak farming body is calling for the federal government to commit to an overhaul of how rural health is handled. NSW Farmers health spokesperson Sarah Thompson said plans to get doctors into the bush by wiping HELP debts were ‘promising’, but would not be a silver bullet.
Visitor Park update for local residents
Barkly Regional Deal hosted a BBQ information session on Wednesday to update interested community residents and stakeholders on the progress of the Tennant Creek Visitor Park. The Visitor park aims to provide short-term, alternative and affordable accommodation for people travelling to town for cultural, health or social reasons.
Survey reveals huge spending gap on eID: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers is calling for a substantial investment from the state and federal governments to make their traceability reform achievable. A move to electronic identification (eID) for sheep and goats will far exceed the $20 million offered by the federal government, and with a timeline set for mandatory tagging, farmers are in the dark on what financial support will be made available.
Powerlink Queensland responds to Property Rights Australia
"Powerlink has made significant efforts to improve our community and landholder relations since works in the Surat Basin occurred from 2012 to 2015. We will continue to work with landholders, the community and other stakeholders to refine our processes to deliver our commitments in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan": Powerlink spokesperson.
Kids trouble: The government has to fix it, says Mayor
"There are enough organisations that are funded to make sure that kids are safe. Unfortunately there is a hole in the delivery, kids are falling through the cracks. We have so many service providers in Alice Springs. There is no level of accountability. There are service providers that are not getting audited to deliver what they are getting funded to do": Alice Springs Mayor, Matt Paterson.
Statement on Fuel Tax Credits Scheme: NFF
We welcome the confirmation by the Prime Minister yesterday that the Government will leave the Fuel Tax Credits Scheme unchanged. This is a huge relief to farmers who would otherwise have seen a significant spike in their costs. Farmers are already battling skyrocketing costs on too many fronts.
More openness and transparency for NLC
Claims for travel, child care costs and other reimbursements paid to councillors will soon be available on the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s website. This follows a request by Cr Cameron Grundy "in the interest of openness and transparency” ... “From a personal perspective I consider I am paid by the ratepayer and in the interest of openness and transparency, I want to see a situation where my allowance and associated claims to council are public information”: Cr Cameron Grundy.
Naracoorte Lucindale Council to help Lifeline
Lifeline South East has received the thumbs up from councillors to be the new tenant at the back of the Town Hall on Ormerod St, but not as a shop front or office. Essentially, it will operate as a call centre for local volunteers and be linked as part of the national service’s 24-hour suicide prevention help line – 13 11 14.
