Dinosaur Trails symposium attracts world experts
Two of the world’s leading palaeontologists along with scientific researchers and educators have gathered to discuss the importance of the Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail in Inverloch ... "It is a true legacy project for Council to be at the forefront of creating a world class tourism experience that celebrates the work of scientists, volunteers and the international significance of polar dinosaurs to the Australian Continent": Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan.
New eco burial option to start in 2023
Fraser Coast residents will now be able to opt for a natural burial at the new Nikenbah Natural Cemetery. A natural burial is a funeral that seeks to make as little impact upon the environment as possible and to return a body to the earth in as natural a way as possible.
Labor using coalition system to tax flood grants
The Labor Party have hit back at claims by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan that the government is taxing flood grants stating they are working with the same system they inherited from the coalition ... Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said the Albanese government was working within the constraints of a system they inherited ... “This is the usual practice, which the Government also used in response to the Feb-March floods."
A wall of Kindness helps people give and receive
A Kindness Wall was revealed at the Casino Neighbourhood Centre. The wall provides clothes for the people who need them and was set up by Momentum Collective ... “With the perfect motto, Leave one if you can. Take one if you need, the wall provides an opportunity for people who can help and a great way for people in need to have some essential items”: Fiona Miller, Momentum Collective.
Horticulture calls for meaningful discussion following passing of Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill: Growcom
Peak industry body for Queensland horticulture, Growcom is calling on the federal government to engage in genuine and meaningful discussion after the passing of the new Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 so industry can understand how it will be implemented. Growcom CEO Rachel Chambers said when discussing a Bill called ‘secure jobs, better pay’ you need to have the business owners, the people who create the jobs for employees, around the table. Without employers there is no employment.
The Bowerbird comes to nest under City ownership
Council has last week voted to continue operations of the popular refuse facility known as the Bowerbird ... “People can conveniently drop off items on their way to the tip, and these products are then given a second life in homes where they are needed most": Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn.
A bumper year for agriculture despite flooding: ABARES
“Crops in Western Australia and South Australia benefitted the most from spring conditions, with total production in both states forecast to reach new record levels. Total production in Queensland is forecast to reach the second highest on record, despite parts of the Darling Downs missing out on plantings after being impacted by the floods. In other parts of the country, the results are mixed with both flooding and water-logging impacting winter crop production": Jared Greenvillle, ABARES.
Major win for Traditional Owners
Thousands of generations of shared history across Cape York and the Torres Strait has been formally recognised by the Federal Court of Australia. Celebrations were held on Thursday Island as Justice Debbie Mortimer announced the historic Native Title consent determination, which covers about 65,000 square kilometres of land and sea.
Planning changes to deliver more housing options in Queensland: Miles
Providing rooming accommodation will now be easier after the Palaszczuk Government lifted a requirement for local government planning approval under certain conditions. Deputy Premier and Minister for Planning Steven Miles said the change to the Planning Regulation would provide more housing options in lower density residential zones.
World Soil Day – soil needs a partnership approach: DAFF
This year the theme of World Soil Day is ‘Soil: Where food begins’, highlighting the importance of healthy soil as a crucial element of food production ... “Soil in good condition is more productive. It has higher water-holding capacity, supports biological activities and resists erosion during extreme climate and weather events": Lisa Nitschke, DAFF.
Giants of the sky to bolster WA’s firefighting firepower: Dawson
The addition of two Large Air Tankers (LATs) will significantly strengthen Western Australia's firefighting capability as emergency services prepare for a busy bushfire season. A C130 Hercules LAT, which will remain in WA for the high threat fire season, was unveiled on 5 December 2022.
Glenreagh Bridge painting and repair work completed: Gulaptis
The Glenreagh Bridge is back to its former glory following the completion of painting on the 104-year-old structure. Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said the steel truss bridge was built at the end of World War I and is unusual for a bridge of its time.
Naracoorte hosts shadow cabinet
Chris Oldfield. Humour, youth and a passion for rural and regional people were hallmarks of SA’s Shadow Cabinet who last week gathered in the clubrooms of the Naracoorte showgrounds. Member for MacKillop Nick McBride welcomed his Liberal colleagues and local constituents to the forum, which was part of an intense three-day tour of the region.
Council back on track for a thriving 2023
As we head to the end of another year, 2023 will herald exciting times for the Barkly Regional Council (BRC), says CEO Emma Bradbury. After a tough year of staffing shortages and financial struggles, Ms Bradbury says Council has experienced a turnaround of its financial position to a new standing of excellence, with an external auditor citing BRC as one of the strongest in the NT.
Hat trick for Labor
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards has been elected for a fourth term with a comfortable majority ... Back in 2010, when Ms Edwards was first elected, Bendigo West was considered to be a marginal seat. “It’s now one of the safest seats,” she said. “On Sunday morning, it was the ninth safest seat in Victoria; this figure may very well change as counting continues.”
Shire of Coolgardie wins National Meals on Wheels Australia award
The Shire of Coolgardie’s independently run Meals on Wheels service was recognised on a National stage this week, after winning the Meals On Wheels Australia Service Excellence Award for 2022 ... The program not only provides residents with free and nutritious meals, but it also became a welfare check on clients in our regional towns throughout the Shire.
Turtley awesome scenes as season of wonder begins
It’s been an egg-cellent start to the Sunshine Coast turtle nesting season, with six nests laid in seven days. At sunrise on Friday, November 25, expert citizen scientist and Turtle Care volunteer Lesley Dimmock spotted the first turtle tracks on Buddina beach.
Central Queensland primed for Defence future
Boosting Defence Force presence in Central Queensland would provide maximum capability gains for Australia’s Defence Forces while remaining substantially out of range for the most likely enemy long-range weapon systems. That’s the finding of a compelling submission to the Federal Government’s Defence Strategic Review compiled by independent defence consultants commissioned by key local government and regional development authorities in Central Queensland.
The Victorian election and the Riverina State
David Landini, Riverina State Group. The Victorian election, with the re-election of the Daniel Andrews’ Labor government, and the election of seven Greens Members of Parliament, ensures that the suppression of natural resource-based industries such as irrigated agriculture and timber harvesting will not only continue, but actually accelerate and expand. That these Members of Parliament are all urban-based, while the industries being suppressed are all in the country, demonstrates the cultural and economic division existing between the urban and country populations.
Choke hold
Even with more than 100,000 megalitres a day crossing the South Australian border, SA Water closed the barrages due to seawater flowing into the freshwater estuary. SA Water satellite imagery also shows the current flooding is still not moving down the Coorong. The real risk of constraints relaxation may be felt closer to home. The modification of the Barmah Choke has been seen as the crown jewel for accessing held environmental water. The choke protects Echuca-Moama and Koondrook-Barham from large Murray floods from Hume Dam, currently on display with the flows heading north down the Edward-Wakool system ... Community concerns over constraints relaxation flooding farmers and potentially impacting townships has been labelled as scaremongering by MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville.
‘Pressure and punitive action’ used in regard to RFS assets
Coolamon Shire Council General Manager Tony Donoghue said arguments still continued in regard to who should include Rural Fire Service assets in their financial statements. “The information provided by the Minister for Local Government does not change Council’s opinion that these assets should not be included as part of Council’s financial statements...": Coolamon Shire Council General Manager Tony Donoghue
Nurses take campaign to the streets
The Narrandera Branch of NSW Nurses and Midwives Association Union members took to the streets as part of strike action last Wednesday (November 23). About 15 Narrandera NSWNMA Union Members and numerous community representatives showed their support during a march in East Street ... Taking a stance, the members highlighted their plight of fighting for safer staffing levels by means of more acceptable nurse-to-patient ratios.
