Vaccine supplies run short as mosquito virus threat spreads its wings to the city: Speirs
The Opposition is calling on Peter Malinauskas to urgently source more Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccine doses and expand the criteria for those who want to boost their safety and be vaccinated against JEV – as concerns over the potentially deadly virus grow ... “It’s clear JEV is no longer a Riverland specific problem and $300 for a vaccine is completely unreasonable given so many South Australians are battling through a cost of living crisis": SA Opposition Leader, David Speir
Free sandbag removal resumes in Echuca
The state government’s program for the collection of sandbags from properties in Echuca and Echuca Village has resumed. Campaspe Mayor Cr Rob Amos is encouraging Echuca residents and businesses with sandbags on their properties to take advantage of the free service, which is provided through Emergency Recovery Victoria’s (ERV) Flood Recovery Clean-up Program.
Labour shortage
Even with the current economic uncertainty, if you think the skilled worker shortage problem was all COVID-19 driven and will self-correct over time, then think again ... According to a recent study, 87 per cent of global employers admit that they are currently struggling with skills gaps issues, which is probably why your machinery dealer is telling you that the wait on new equipment is anything up to two years.
NLC votes 6-3 in favour of The News
Chris Oldfield. The new Naracoorte Lucindale Council has voted 6-3 in favour of supporting this newspaper, The News. Its decision follows a motion by Cr Cameron Grundy, seconded by Cr Trevor Rayner ... It called on the council to treat The News and another outlet identically, including all paid advertising, all media releases and all photo opportunities regarding news items and visitors. The motion also says: “Furthermore, council representatives are required to respond to requests from media within 24 hours.”
Sun Cable fiasco undermines Labor’s 2030 $40b economy, says Barkly MLA
It wasn’t a good start for of the Barkly’s economic future when news broke recently about Sun Cable’s entry in voluntary administration. Member for Barkly and Shadow Minister for Mining and Tourism Steve Edgington says the announcement seriously undermines Labor’s promise of a $40 billion economy by 2030.
Barkly duo announced as part of 2023 Youth Round Table
Seven inspiring young leaders came together yesterday as the Territory’s new NT Youth Week Ambassadors ... Ambassadors, aged 16 to 22, play a key role in the organisation and promotion of NT Youth Week and have chosen this year’s theme: "Break Free, Unleash Your Story".
Minister talks local issues in Tennant Creek
Disabilities and Multicultural Affairs Minister Ngaree Ah Kit was in Tennant Creek this week to meet with key stakeholders to ensure their voices are heard and represented in government decision-making. Over two days she met with The Mob Aboriginal Corporation, Barkly Regional Council, Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation and the Barkly Disability Network to name a few.
Footbridge, gutter danger
Maldon’s heritage-listed gutters in Main Street and High Street may look good and are effective during heavy rain events, but they can be tricky to negotiate when getting in and out of your car. The wooden footbridges can also be dangerous, particularly for people with balance problems.
Where do we start?
As we approach January 26, I always follow the discussion around the day with some curiosity. What a range of views and varying degrees of passion, from fully supportive, outraged or ambivalent. Neither the pigment of skin nor the sexual preference clearly defines, in my experience, where one will fit. The history around the day is often in debate and the meaning for people too...
Hike to Heal Scavenger Hike returns
Returning to Mount Peel Bushland Park in 2023 will be Hike to Heal, an interactive hiking adventure suitable for all levels of fitness and hiking experience. Hikers have fun following clues at the Mt Peel Bushland Park or a park of their choosing to find natural treasures and solve riddles as they walk along the trail.
New year funding bonanza
Locals will be able to make a day out at Narrandera water tower under plans to build a picnic shelter, barbecue area, playground and toilet, thanks to $660,000 from Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the new playground would be an extra reason to visit and spend time near the iconic artwork on the Narrandera water tank.
Feedback needed for policy on footpath trading
Southern Downs Regional Council's Regulatory Services Team is currently responsible for issuing approvals for various footpath trading activities ... interested in obtaining feedback from participants and/or clients of disability groups and agencies of service providers about what some of the issues/ concerns are that people with disability have with the current commercial use of footpaths in the region.
Experience wool industry heritage at Jondaryan Woolshed across Australia Day
Enjoy a trip through the pioneering days of the Australian wool industry at the Jondaryan Woolshed’s Back to the Woolshed event from January 26-28, 2023 ... “The three-day family event opens on Australia Day (Thursday, January 26, 2023) and runs across the following two days”: Toowoomba Region Mayor Paul Antonio
Mosquito-borne disease alert following monsoonal rains: NT Health
Territorians and visitors are being urged to protect themselves from mosquitoes bites, with mosquito numbers expected to increase following recent heavy monsoonal rainfall. Some mosquito species can transmit viruses including the Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses, as well as the potentially fatal Japanese encephalitis and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses ... three cases of Japanese encephalitis have been diagnosed in the Northern Territory (NT), with the first detected in in 2021.
Listen to the silence: Still no details on buybacks and land swaps
As the first anniversary of the floods approaches, residents are still wondering about buybacks, retrofitting and land swaps. They are still waiting to make decisions about their homes. The NRRC has not let residents know the options available to them.
New brewery in old Grafton brewery
Rodney Stevens. A development application for an Artisan Food and Drink premises in the former Grafton Brewery has been lodged and council are calling for public submissions on the proposed development. The application, lodged with Clarence Valley Council CVC by Rick Firth is for the “Establishment of an Artisan Food and Drink Industry comprising of a brewery, distillery and roastery within an existing industrial site.”
First Nations funding to look after Country: Scanlon
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon visited Maryborough on 17 January 2023 and said a record number of First Nations groups would share in funding of more than $1.5 million, from organisations on Mabuiag and Muralag Islands in the Torres Strait in the north, to near Birdsville in the west and Gatton in Southern Queensland.
As Coen receives a resupply, Council urges communities to ‘Get Ready!’
Cook Shire Council worked with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, local businesses and wholesale suppliers to coordinate delivery of essential supplies to the regional land-locked community of Coen, the Shire’s second largest township, and northern-most hub.
Australian athletes scope world athletics cross country championship track in Bathurst: Toole, Franklin
The first Australian athletes to qualify for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships have visited the course in Bathurst on 16 January 2023, just over a month out from the event ... "Bathurst is known for adrenaline-fuelled sporting achievements, and the World Athletics Cross Country Championships will be right at home at Mount Panorama with more than 500 athletes competing from 68 nations": Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole.
After the rain: Shire of Broome commences program to combat mosquito-borne diseases
While the heavy rains that lashed the Shire of Broome last week from ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie caused relatively minor damage in Broome, they have presented an increased risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases in town and surrounding communities. The Shire has commenced a pest management program ...
SA products for SA public homes: Mullighan, Michaels
Public houses built in South Australia must use products manufactured in this state, under ground-breaking mandates introduced by the Malinauskas Government ... From now, South-Australian manufactured products must be used on public housing construction and maintenance programs, where available.
Fortescue welcomes the arrival of Australia’s first prototype battery system designed for a zero emission battery electric mining haul truck: FMG
Fortescue’s decarbonisation journey has taken a major step forward with WAE Technologies (WAE) completing and delivering to Australia the largest battery of its kind, ready to be installed in a prototype zero-emission battery electric mining haul truck that Fortescue it is developing with Liebherr. The state-of-the-art 1.4MWh prototype power system sets the pace for ground-breaking innovation in heavy industry and is a bespoke design intended for integration into a 240-tonne mining haul truck.
