Blank Canvas Central Coast
From headland to hinterland, the Central Coast boasts a vibrant community of makers and creators. A selection of works from outstanding local ‘Makers and Creators’ will be featured across April as part of the inaugural creative activation Blank Canvas Central Coast.
Whyalla uneARTh Festival 2021
Back with a brand new format, Whyalla's award winning uneARTh Festival is sure to offer a great experience for everyone.
Bursting with bridge happiness
Last week Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland said she couldn’t hold onto the news any longer or she would burst when the announcement was made that Kyogle Council would receive $40.3 million in state funding to replace 84 bridges.
A message to MP Pitt from Dr Peter Barker, OAM, Cohuna
"You are surrounded by the passionate custodians of the southern Murray Darling Basin. I deal with these ladies, gentleman, and their kids on a daily basis and when they are sad or vulnerable, I hear the stories. So, what is it that is driving some to want to sell the farm as a best counselled option after weeks of therapy as opposed to the suicide planned when the wife brings her husband in the night at the point of desperation. I’m going to talk about some of the straws that are breaking backs and what follows is extracted from many conversations I have had with troubled farmers when they see a problem with no solution, they can influence ..."
Station not up to scratch, says Council
Narrandera’s century old police station has been branded as outdated and the community’s plea for a new station will be on the NSW Police Minister’s desk this week. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has heeded the call from Narrandera Shire Council and is due to speak with Minster for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott.
Strategy would make path to $300B by 2030 less steep
John Lloyd, Agribusiness Australia. This is not a critique of the National Farmers Federation’s laudable $100 billion aspiration. Agribusiness Australia’s own ambition is built on continuity with the NFF platform, and also to ensure it becomes reality. But it’s just a matter of seeing trend against target.
Clarence Valley revs its ‘growth engine’
Geoff Helisma. “It is my intention to provide RDA Northern Rivers with a copy of the Clarence Valley Regional Economic Development Strategy [2018 – 2022],” Clarence Valley mayor, Jim Simmons: wrote in his minute, “which identifies [CVC’s] ‘Engines of Growth’ as being tourism, agriculture (beef cattle, blueberries, macadamias and sugar cane), aquaculture, forestry, logging, sawmilling, marine manufacturing and logistics. I see our focus being on growing these ‘Engines of Growth’, along with improving our digital connectivity within the area, to capitalise on the state government’s recent decision to decentralise the public sector workforce to regional areas"
Wrong route for Planning Minister on Inland Rail
NSW Farmers and the Country Women’s Association of NSW (CWA of NSW) are alarmed by a proposal that would stifle community consultation on the Inland Rail project. It comes as the NSW Minister for Planning the Hon Rob Stokes MP has issued an order declaring the construction of the Inland Rail in NSW as a critical state significant infrastructure project.
WA election result an impetus to form new state
David Landini, Riverina State Group. The Labor party victories in the recent Queensland and West Australian State elections are a reminder that a Labor government will eventually be elected federally as well.
Dingo management update
MidCoast Council is again asking the community to refrain from approaching or feeding Dingoes in the Tea Gardens / Hawks Nest area following the need for lethal control of a sub-adult pack this week. The three males and two females had been involved in at least five incidents involving people and domestic pets over the last month, all increasing in ferocity ... "We are all really disappointed that it has come to this," said Council's Senior Ecologist, Mat Bell.
Rural land to E zones in NSW
The NSW State Government announced on 10 March 2021 that The Minister for Planning will issue a new section 9.1 direction (to the Koala SEPP) to ensure that only the Minister, and not councils, will be empowered to rezone land used for primary production to an environmental zone (E zone), or to rezone land currently in rural zones 1, 2 and 3 to other rural zones.
Wartime gun restored to former glory
After nearly 20 years of waiting, a rare World War II artefact has finally been restored to its former glory and unveiled to the public. The 40mm Bofur gun – one of only 11 produced during the wartime year of 1942 – has been part of the Whyalla Maritime Museum collection since the early 1990s, desperately awaiting restoration due to age-related deterioration.
Council wraps up upgrade of War Memorial surrounds
When it was built in 1924, the Rockhampton War Memorial was the largest and most expensive war memorial to be built in Queensland, outside of Brisbane. The plants surrounding the spire are symmetrically apart at precisely 30 °– this allows the daylight shadow cast by the spire to cross the encircling palms like the hour hand of a clock from sunrise to sunset
The Scenic Rim is growing – you can help plan for the future
Mayor Greg Christensen said a survey will open next Wednesday 17 March and encouraged the Scenic Rim community to have their say on Council's first-ever region-wide growth management strategy.
The future of funerals in the spotlight
The future of funerals is in the spotlight following community feedback showing increased interest in more eco-friendly burial options. Sunshine Coast Council is investigating natural burial sites within existing cemeteries.
Celebrate National Playgroup Week!
Mount Alexander Shire Council is celebrating National Playgroup Week (24-30 March) by hosting a pop up playgroup in Victory Park on Friday 26 March. Families with children aged 0-5 years are invited to come along and see what playgroup is all about. They can also try a craft activity, listen to a story, learn a new song and connect with other families.
Shire successfully prosecutes owner following vicious dog attack
The successful prosecution in the Derby Courthouse on 10 March 2021 of a vicious dog attack is a timely reminder for all dog owners of their responsibilities towards their dogs. The Shire of Derby/West Kimberley brought about a prosecution of a local dog owner whose dogs attacked a holiday maker in February 2020. At the time, the attack left the woman in hospital overnight, unable to work for about three weeks, with long term scarring and a fear of dogs. The Court imposed a fine and court costs of over $5000.
Council pawsitive about Animal Management Strategy
Community education, vet partnerships, and pet registrations are just some of the key items outlined in Council’s newly adopted Animal Management Strategy. The strategy was officially endorsed by Council this week and will now set the direction for animal management in the Rockhampton Region until 2023.
Dormitory disaster
Nicholas Rapulo. Yanco Agricultural High School students have blasted the NSW Department of Education, saying they are feeling unheard, unvalued and un-nurtured over their run-down dormitories. The girl’s dormitories have been unfit for the students for the better part of 20 years, and their promised repair has been delayed once again.
Pollies on tour
Last week the stars aligned, the heavens opened and upon rays of golden light came a contingent of politicians and bureaucrats to witness what the current water policy decisions are doing to our economy, food producers and environment. The attendance of such dignitaries was less to do with heavenly intervention, but mainly blood, sweat and tears by those who tirelessly advocate to end the government sanctioned destruction.
Latest Mount Morgan water restrictions
Level 6 Water Restrictions will be implemented in Mount Morgan from Monday 15 March, following the news that the No. 7 Dam has fallen to below 10% capacity. However, the water conservation by Mount Morgan residents means watering of private gardens can continue ... Cr Rutherford: “Residents have worked so hard to keep plants and veggie patches alive despite the hot dry weather, and to say watering would no longer be possible would have been very tough."
Desperate locals push for parks, not houses
The first Ed Boyd knew of the Richmond Valley Council’s idea to turn five small parks into housing lots was when he read an article in the Independent at home on a Wednesday evening. He was stirred to action and immediately organised a public rally under the camphor laurel tree in Sunnyside Park on Sandilands St in Casino.
