Politics

Readers may have noticed stories concerning Minister Pavey handing the operation of graveyards to the NSW Public Service ... The Jewish faith and the Islamic faith are supporting the Roman Catholic Church which is in Court with the Government. The People of the Book have united in the issue of looking after the dead.

Geoff Helisma. Glen Innes Severn Council (GISC) has voted to “support Clarence Valley Council (CVC) in seeking a moratorium on future mining and mining exploration in the Clarence Valley catchment”. Mayor Carol Sparks tabled a mayoral minute at the May 27 GISC meeting, outlining her motivation to table the minute.

Environment Minister, Matt Kean has today announced the second largest land acquisition for national parks in the last 10 years with the purchase of the neighbouring Langidoon and Metford stations, 65km east of Broken Hill. The plan for the two properties, totaling 60,468 hectares, is to create a new outback reserve conserving significant biodiversity and Aboriginal heritage in the region ... The purchase follows on from the recent creation of another outback reserve - Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park which was the largest purchase of private land for the national parks estate.

Doonan Creek Environment Reserve in Peregian Springs is now the largest reserve in Sunshine Coast Council’s conservation estate thanks to the acquisition of an additional property. The latest purchase adds 94 hectares to the existing reserve and brings it to an impressive 474 hectares in total.

Somerset Regional Council is using new materials in its resurfacing works of some sections of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann said council was using a new plasticised binder in its resurfacing project ... “It feels distinctly different from the old surface."

Armed with a list of issues that need addressing in the Far North, the remote mayors and council CEOs from the Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance were met with a warm welcome. “We felt like we were listened to,” said Lockhart River mayor Wayne Butcher, who is also the chair of TCICA.

A planning study to determine the future requirements for Indian Ocean Dr between Breakwater Dr in Yanchep and Seaview Dr in Lancelin is underway ... Main Roads WA said based on projected land-use changes and traffic growth a dual carriageway was likely to be required in the future.

New homes currently being rolled out in Tennant Creek have not only created a building boom in town but have been welcomed by residents whose living conditions are now drastically improved. The $7 million investment, delivered by the Territory Labor Government, include nine three-bedroom homes and four four-bedroom homes.

Central Goldfields Shire Council is reminding all households using an open fireplace or wood heater to ensure care is taken to prevent producing excessive amounts of smoke, which can have a negative impact on your neighbours and the environment.

The Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, said he is still in “shocked disbelief at the sheer arrogance of the acting Premier and his head health honcho and their combined defence of Victoria’s never ending COVID mismanagement”.

Kirstin Nicholson. It was a crazy few hours on Wednesday, May 26, when the Cohuna Kangas announced on its Facebook page that a person who attended their footy and netball matches on Saturday, May 22 had since tested positive for COVID-19. ... The town was sent into a flurry. Apart from the Kangas’ Facebook post, there was no official community-wide notification, and no official government announcement, leaving many wondering what was happening. The old bush telegraph was working at full capacity and social media was running wild.

CMEFG. Over the last two weeks Central Murray Environmental Floodplains Group has engaged on-ground managers of federal and state government departments responsible for the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, federal and state environmental water and its delivery, and the North Central Catchment Management Authority ... Passionate community angst was voiced continually throughout the day about present management of the forest contra to what has been publicly written and posted by government departmental staff.

This year's theme for World Environmental Day 2021 is "Ecosystem Restoration" in line with commencement of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Knox Park is a hosting venue on June 6 from 10am- 3pm.

Earthworks and preliminary works have commenced for the Marapikurrinya Park pop-ups project, delivered in partnership by the Town and BHP. The project is part of the reinvigoration of the West End district, which includes the current greening works. Trade from the pop-ups will boost economic activity, support local job creation and foster skills development.

Australia is chairing the 25th anniversary meeting of the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS), which started yesterday. “This meeting is important for Australia, in particular our agricultural sector, to help shape the science-based international standards underpinning food import and export,” says, Nicola Hinder, DAWE.

South Burnett Regional Council Mayor Brett Otto revealed he is getting desperate for a permanent water solution for Kingaroy, saying he has called on the state government to help make a case for federal funding ... “We all need to get on the same page with this issue or we will end up trucking water and that is not sustainable for us or for the Queensland Taxpayer,” he said.

Upgraded taxiways designed to accommodate Regional Express, Qantas and larger passenger aircraft at Wagga Wagga Airport has opened to air traffic this week. The scope of the project included widening and strengthening the existing taxiways and extending taxiway A to the runway end to allow for the passenger traffic to enter onto the runways without having to perform a turnback to take-off.