Keep the dam gate open
A number of Baringhup residents are concerned about the possibility of Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) closing the embankment at Cairn Curran Reservoir and the surrounding picnic and swimming areas. Local resident, Kerrie Jennings told the Tarrangower Times, “It would be good to achieve some clarification from GMW on their current proposal and reasoning. Also, are GMW truly open to local community input, and should we lose a much-loved part of Cairn Curran, is there an alternative visitor plan within an acceptable timeframe?”
Will this pandemic deter future generations of nurses?
There was a global shortage of nurses … and then the pandemic hit. Researchers, including a Charles Sturt academic, investigate how COVID-19 has affected an already struggling nursing industry and what can be done to save it.
NSW Cabinet reshuffle
NSW food producers and irrigation companies are looking forward to working collaboratively with a number of new Ministers, announced by the NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on Monday 20 December 2021. Murray Irrigation Chair, Steve Fawns said, ‘there are numerous Ministers who have responsibility for issues that fall under the operations of Murray Irrigation, and it is important to develop positive working relationships with each one’.
New exhibition explores Australians love of boats
Australia’s history is populated with maritime related stories. With over 1,000 rivers and a coast that stretches for more than 36,000 kilometres, it is no surprise that Australia abounds with stories of people who have lived and worked on the water. This exhibition presents some of those stories, exploring the remarkable connections between people and their boats.
Hume Dam releases increase to manage summer storm activity
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority has increased the amount of water released from Hume Dam to 17 gigalitres per day to manage inflows from Upper Murray catchments. Hume Dam is effectively full, at 99% capacity.
New online service for Environmental Management Plans
The Territory Government has strengthened the implementation of a recommendation of the Hydraulic Fracturing Pepper Inquiry with the establishment of a new online subscription service for Environment Management Plans (EMPs). The new online subscription service allows the community to have their say and keep up-to-date on drilling and hydraulic fracturing EMPs that are under assessment.
Straight talk from your new mayor
Kylie Thomas said it would take time for the Kyogle community to get used to having a new mayor. “I want people to know that I’ve been here a long time. I’m known in this community. I’m a team player and I have no outside agenda,” Kylie said.
Plenty of produce available, say Farmers
NSW Farmers President James Jackson said there were good production levels of fresh food despite the challenging weather of the past few months and urged shoppers not to panic buy. “Our growers are sending plenty of produce down to the Sydney Markets, and we’re working on making sure farm businesses can continue to harvest these crops,” Mr Jackson said.
Lockyer Valley to welcome Bruce and Denise Morcombe as 2022 Australia Day Ambassadors
The Lockyer Valley will welcome child safety advocates Bruce Morcombe OAM and Denise Morcombe OAM to the region as the 2022 Australia Day Ambassadors. Co-founders of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, the couple are committed to making communities a safer place for children.
Lord Howe Island Board Report
The Lord Howe Island Board Report covers a wide range of key matters relating to the island, including management, Covid-19, projects, infrastructure, engineering, environment and biosecurity.
Anyinginyi angered by gym eviction
Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation is calling out the behaviour of the Barkly Regional Council (BRC) for the eviction of the Corporation from the Sport and Recreation Centre. The town’s sole gym was built by Anyinginyi, maintained and operated for two decades on Purkiss Reserve. Anyinginyi Board Chairperson Ross Williams said the actions of Council are a repudiation of the Barkly Regional Deal’s intent to work together, co-operatively in the interests of the community.
2022 NT Youth Round Table members announced
Barkly locals Azra Zendelji 25, and Boyd Cook 17, have been selected to join a range of other young Territorians on the 2022 Youth Round Table. The 18 members will provide advice to the NT Government and inform the development of policies programs and services. They will also share information that enables the Government to engage with issues of importance to young Territorians. Both Azra and Boyd have spent their lives in Tennant Creek and are looking forward to advocating for their peers during their term on the Youth Round Table.
Govt/Dr dispute close to being resolved
Chris Oldfield. As Christmas looms, and the final 2021 edition of this newspaper goes to print, high level negotiations were taking place between the SA Government health officials, the Australian Medical Association and the Rural Doctors Association of SA. The News understands the intention on both sides was to resolve the rural doctor crisis crippling country SA. And in good faith, for three of the five unfilled 24-hour shifts on the Naracoorte hospital roster, local doctors are working together.
151 Denmark people won’t be home for Christmas
A total of 151 Denmark people, aged one year to 87, are homeless or live in caravans, sheds, vehicles, tents, in overcrowded housing, sleep rough or couch surf. The number is expected to swell by 22 per cent by the end of the year due to people living in insecure housing ... more than 30 people were applying for each rental vacancy in Denmark, rents were ‘sky-high’, families were leaving Denmark and businesses were closing or reducing operating hours because of the staff shortage.
Landcare champions in our own backyard
The Strongs were early adopters in sustainable farming after the droughts of the early 80’s and 90’s, it was after this when the family started to notice a change in farming profitability ... By 1997 the Strongs had implemented the method of direct seeding ... In 2006 they started marketing ‘Arcadia Saltbush Lamb’ and built up a self-replacing Soft Rolling Skin (SRS) dual purpose merino flock with high fertility to match that of cross breeds.
First harvest of biomass crops
Around one thousand trees will be harvested at Yanco this week in the next phase of a critical biomass crops for bioenergy trial. NSW DPI Senior Research Scientist, Dr Fabiano Ximenes, said the harvest operation would provide important insights into expected productivity of the trees and their potential benefits in terms of carbon sequestration and soil nutrient impacts.
Narrandera Koala Art Trail Design Competition now open
The Koala Art Trail Design competition is to encourage creative designs for decorated fibreglass sculptures that will become a feature of a Koala Art Trail. This will be a project proposed by the Tourism Department of the Narrandera Shire Council to increase engagement of visitors and locals within the various tourism and retail businesses. The aim is to create an art trail of 800mm high, decorated fibreglass Koala Sculptures in and around Narrandera.
FPH regulation tabled
Just two days after the NSW Upper House enquiry into floodplain harvesting, NSW Water Minister, Melinda Pavey, tabled another attempt in parliament to pass floodplain harvesting regulation. The bold move by the NSW National Party was taken despite the ink being barely dry on the consultation that sought to address the end of system flow target for the Darling Baaka, licensing to the legislated legal limit, and to maintain volumes and entitlements within existing SDLs.
Victorian Ombudsman finds border exemption scheme “unjust”
The border closure imposed by Victorian and New South Wales State Governments in response to COVID-19 not only had huge financial impacts but a great human cost. The Victorian Ombudsman has found the narrow exercise of discretion under the border exemption scheme resulted in unjust outcomes, and recommended the Government publicly acknowledge the distress caused to affected people.
Fire station’s newest recruit already helping Santa
New recruit Geoffrey Steven will work out of the Coraki Fire Station. He is among 214 accomplished men and women who have graduated as officers at the FRNSW Emergency Services Academy in Sydney. South Grafton Fire Station has Ryan Raymond as their new recruit.
Government mitigates shark attack risk
Geoff Helisma. The NSW Government is adding drumlines into its mix of anti-shark measures along the state’s coastline. Last week at Yamba, Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis met with Paul Butcher, principal research scientist with NSW Department of Primary Industries, to mark the installation of 15 SMART (Shark Management Alert in Real Time) drumlines, which will be deployed daily between Iluka Bluff and Angourie Back Beach.
We’ve learnt nothing from Black Summer
Einstein supposedly said that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Australia’s current approach to forest management is insane ... Now the Senate’s Finance and Public Administration Committee has published “Lessons to be learned in relation to the Australian bushfire season 2019-20”. It would be amusing if not for the ongoing dire consequences.
