Politics

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews across the State are being trained to use state-of-the-art drone technology to assist in firefighting operations and other emergencies ... The RPAS are equipped with thermal imaging cameras and laser technology that can detect variable heat temperatures, identify people or animals under threat in a fire zone and measure the size of an area impacted by fire.

Celebrate the amazing environment, biodiversity and threatened species that call the Gloucester region home this September as part of the Gloucester Wild Festival. Australia is home to more than 500,000 animal and plant species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. In NSW there are close to 1000 species at risk of extinction, 116 of which are located in the Gloucester region.

Artworks from three Indigenous artists are featured in the latest exhibition, Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Country, which is on display at Crows Nest Gallery until September 18, 2022. The exhibition explores narratives relating to spiritual connectivity, place-making, traditional knowledge, healing and teachings of the participating artists, Cheryl Moggs (from the Bigambul First Nation people), Barbara Walker (from the Wiradjuri First Nation people) and Aaron Blades (from the Mandandanji First Nation people).

The Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival is set to be played for the first time since 2019 ... Angaston Football Club in the Barossa will host the carnival, the first time it will be held in SA ... "We're thrilled the AFL is bringing this event to regional South Australia for the first time. It's a great opportunity for our community to join in the spirit of competition and celebration that is synonymous with the Carnival and hopefully encourage those people in our own local community with an intellectual disability to get involved in the future": Mayor Bim Lange.

Chris Oldfield. Patrick Ross stands aloft in the world of leadership, decision making, procedure and uniting people during challenging and complicated times ... After much lobbying by various sections of the Naracoorte Lucindale community and beyond, Mr Ross has finally tipped his hat and said: “Yes, I will stand for mayor” in the November 2022 council elections.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the site at Torbanlea will be home to a brand new train manufacturing workshop where 65 new trains will be built as part of her government’s $7.1 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program.

The Murdoch University research team - working with local industry including Synergy, Bluewaters Power Station and South32 - investigated the feasibility of using fly ash and other industrial by-products and waste materials as an ingredient in a low carbon concrete product called 'Colliecrete'.

The current shooting, hacking up and burying of Brumby carcasses under piles of branches in the Bogong High Plains, the Victorian Alpine National Park and the Barmah National Park should be stopped immediately. A motion in the Victorian Parliament passed last week, voting in favour of cancelling current, and planned, aerial and ground shooting of Brumbies ... “This is the result that we have been fighting hard to achieve for years now”: Bev McArthur, Member for Western Victoria.

Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) are expanding their plantation timber manufacturing operations thanks to a $1.2 million Victorian Forestry Plan innovation grant ... The new funding will help build a new $2.4 million specialised MASSLAM (Glue Laminated Timber) manufacturing facility to support the mill’s transition to alternative fibre sources ...

"Getting out and about on bikes is a great way to keep fit, engage with nature and enjoy the beautiful landscapes and cultural heritage of the region. And for keen riders, the new trails which will be opened in 2023 include a 200 metre elevation change from the top of Mt Lennard to the Collie River, featuring some long descents and leg-pumping climbs": WA Sport and Recreation Minister, David Templeman.

New opportunities to build in the growing regional hub of Karratha are now available, with the release of a range of residential and commercial lots in the Pilbara city. Ten large homesites at the award-winning Baynton West residential estate are being offered for sale ... At the nearby Tambrey Neighbourhood Centre, expressions of interest will soon be sought from developers for two commercial sites at the emerging mixed-use precinct.

One hundred and fifty years ago, our communications with the rest of the world underwent a startling change that allowed Australia to communicate with the rest of the world in mere hours instead of the months it had taken previously, when the Overland Telegraph commenced operations. Around 130 people including dignitaries, historians, descendants of workers, and community members have gathered at Frew Ponds to honour the construction of the Overland Telegraph Line that crossed the continent from Adelaide to Darwin.

The presence of Varroa Mite (a parasite of adult honey bees that weakens and kills colonies and can also transmit viruses) has exacerbated and magnified the regular stresses of beekeeping in Australia ... “Lead by beekeeper volunteers from around Australia, the eradication effort is progressing well; however, if NSW can't contain Varroa Mite, then it will eventually be everywhere in time, including Victoria”: Owner and Managing Director of Warral Maldon, Lindsay Callaway.

Mr Beasley’s divisive and abrasive approach to the River Murray is illustrated in his 2021 book, Dead In The Water ... "A successful advocacy role in the Murray-Darling Basin requires having the confidence of the Basin communities – which include irrigators, other businesses, and the public. I’m not convinced that appointing a Sydney lawyer, who believes water buybacks are the only way forward, will wash with these communities" : Opposition Minister for Water Resources and the River Murray Nicola Centofanti.

Prominent barrister and author, Richard Beasley SC, has been appointed South Australia’s Commissioner for the River Murray ... "Having a Commissioner for the River Murray sends a clear message to upstream states that South Australia is serious about defending its water rights, including the 450 gigalitres promised but not delivered": SA Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close MP

Provaris’ $4.5 billion Tiwi H2 (Hydrogen) Project has the potential to be a first-mover in the world’s transition from fossil fuels to zero-carbon energy, and will demonstrate the commercial advantages of compressed hydrogen production and export from the Northern Territory to markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is looking into ways of better connecting with residents outside Toowoomba City by potentially holding meetings in regional towns ... motion proposed ... will see a report outline a variety of options and officer recommendations for additional engagement of councillors into regional communities, to be presented in October. This motion passed unanimously.

Mayors converged on Temora Shire last Friday, to discuss health related matters. The heads of both Hilltops Region, Mayor Margaret Roles and Narrandera Shire, Mayor Neville Kschenka met with Mayor Rick Firman of Temora Shire. The leaders discussed the issue of lack of dialysis services in their communities.

Has the last thoroughbred race been run and won at Camooweal? The president of the race club thinks so ... Camooweal had successfully raced for 132 years until last year when it was deemed by Racing Queensland that the track was no longer fit for racing ... Racing Queensland could have a crisis on its hands, with many other bush clubs under threat of losing their annual meetings due to a lack of funding for infrastructure, especially for track upgrades.

There has been much said about the Murray-Darling Basin Authority over the 10 years of Basin Plan implementation ... The latest attempt by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to justify the hydraulic land clearing and loss of capacity of the Murray River needs to be called out for what it is – mismanagement in breach of the 2007 Water Act.