Politics

Patricia Gill. Psychologist Jackie Ormsby has been elected unopposed for the Kent/Nornalup Ward while eight candidates will vie for five vacant seats on the Denmark Shire Council. Five people have nominated for three vacant seats in the Scotsdale/Shadforth Ward including deputy shire president Mark Allen and sitting councillor, Jan Lewis. Businessman Nathan Devenport, WA College of Agriculture Denmark residential manager Kelli Gillies – a former deputy shire president – and wildlife conservation organisation director Clare Campbell have also nominated. ... A former ministerial policy adviser, Ms Ormsby was surprised to be elected unopposed.

Through grant funding provided via the Commonwealth Government's Drought Communities Programme (DCP) Extension new water standpipes have been installed in Eden Valley, Moculta and Mount Pleasant. The standpipes will support those within the council area who do not have access to reticulated water supplies and may have limited access via other sources due to ongoing drought conditions.

A popular East Kimberley event held in May this year, and supported by the McGowan Government, injected around $6 million into the local economy and recorded its highest-ever ticket sales.

A vanadium mine in Queensland's remote northwest will pioneer production of a globally sought-after new economy mineral, supporting up to 400 regional jobs. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Resources Minister Scott Stewart and Multicom Resources’ chief executive officer Shaun McCarthy jointly announced the go-ahead for the $250 million Saint Elmo mine near Julia Creek, in the state’s North West.

Australian researchers have discovered a set of unique and potentially durable resistance genes from exotic barley lines and landraces that breeders can use to develop crops with more stable resistance to powdery mildew.

I took barely two steps from my car and a magpie slammed into the side of my face. I clutched my camera as I ran across the road. “I didn’t expect that,” I said breathless to the waiting residents. Happens all the time, they said. The group of six stood with umbrellas opened above their heads. It was a bright sunny day. The umbrellas were essential to deter the magpie if any of them stepped out of their units ... Marlene has lived on Pratt St for 11 years and the past five had been dominated by the magpie.

Geoff Helisma. After many years of secret negotiations between Clarence Valley Council and Essential Energy, Coffs Harbour City Council and CVC will each hold a 50 per cent share of “the disused Nymboida Hydro Power Scheme and associated water licences” once the deal is settled ... However, it seems that recommissioning the hydro infrastructure to generate electricity is unlikely to proceed.

Emma Pritchard. Grafton Fire Station is among 30 across the state outlined in a proposal by Fire and Rescue NSW to be temporarily taken offline in the event of staff shortages ... If implemented, Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station Deputy Captain Chris Rumpf said the proposal could jeopardise the safety of residents who rely on the service.

The agricultural sector is looking at another record-breaking year, with the gross value of production (GVP) forecast to reach $73 billion in 2021-22. ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said if the forecast in the  Agricultural Commodities: September Quarter  report proves to be accurate, then it will be the first time the agriculture sector has been valued at over $70 billion."

Expressions of interest are now being called for the McGowan Government's inaugural Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.

I’m all for saving forests. Unlike the climate change enthusiasts, I learnt how to do it by working as a forester. Forty years ago, after I’d started working in the bush, Neville Wran commenced what has become a tradition amongst Labor Premiers by saving NSW’s rainforests. They were actually quite safe then. Some were selectively logged and regenerated, some were preserved in Flora Reserves. All were protected from wildfire by the clean, open, grassy eucalypt forests around them – maintained by mild burning ... Now Mark McGowan has saved the forests  of the Southwest ...

“There is a terrible lack of rental accommodation in town at the moment and this is something we have identified to see if we can do something about it,” says Cook Shire mayor, Peter Scott. “We’ve been talking to super funds and investment companies about the prospect of investing money into the blocks and building them for rent.”

Cairns and the Whitsundays are closer than ever to Rockhampton with the first SkyTrans flight touching down in Rockhampton for the first time yesterday afternoon ... “Watching that first Dash 8-100 touch down yesterday was actually quite the moment because I know how much this new route will mean to our community and visitors,” Mayor Williams said.

Mark Knowles. Cape York residents now have unprecedented access to specialist medical care and diagnostics via a new mobile health clinic operated by Heart of Australia. Its new truck, “HEART 4” will see specialists from all over the country unite to give residents in Cooktown and the southern Cape access to cardiology, sonography, cardiac monitoring, sleep diagnostics and respiratory services.

District Council of Coober Pedy, Media Release, 13 September 2021

Weipa Town Authority chairman Michael Rowland says he was blown away by the response to the town’s new sports facility at Saturday’s official opening. Hundreds flocked to the Weipa Aquatic Sports Precinct for the festivities, which saw tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley cut the ribbon with Rio Tinto Weipa boss Michelle Elvy.

Six meerkats are getting set to make their public debut at Rockhampton Zoo this week, just in time for the September school holidays. The new meerkat mob now call the Rockhampton Region home – after arriving all the way from Taronga Zoo.

Under the State Purchasing Contract, all Victorian government entities such as local councils, schools, kindergartens and health facilities will be forced to bank with either the NAB, Westpac or the Commonwealth Bank. It is a move that is being strongly rejected by towns that rely on community banks ... “The big banks abandoned country Victoria in recent years – the last thing we should be doing is rewarding them with guaranteed business": Bev McArthur, Member for Western Victoria Region.