Huge success for Ngukurr Leak Reduction Project
Roper Gulf Regional Council would like to congratulate the Ngukurr community, for winning the 2020 Tidy Towns Sustainable Community Award for Water Conservation. The town’s water conservation success has been a result of Power and Water Corporation’s Ngukurr Leak Reduction Project, a joint project with the Department of Local Government, Housing and Community Development (DLGHCD) that located and repaired water leaks in Ngukurr. Through its not-for-profit subsidiary Indigenous Essential Services, this project enabled Power and Water to provide sustainable water supply to the Ngukurr community and support continual community growth.
Communities in need of leadership from our MP
There was no such thing as COVID-19 the last time our so-called Member for Cook Cynthia Lui visited Weipa. It’s been some 530 days since the MP last flew out of Weipa Airport after a whirlwind trip to Weipa and Napranum. That was on August 28, 2019.
Innovative hydro-powered battery project a first for Australia
A $32 million hydro-powered battery project to be located near Albury will be Australia’s first, following approval by the NSW Government. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the hydro-powered battery will be charged by the nearby Hume Hydro Power Station that already provides power to 40,000 homes.
Lost crops costing farmers’ mental health
The scarcity of seasonal workers continues to impact growers as crop losses climb to over $45 million this week. The labour shortage is a result of Federal and state government decisions to restrict the movement of people through the Australian border in order to manage the human health impacts of COVID-19. Sixty-five separate crop losses from five states and territories have now reported on the National Crop Lost Crop Register.
Investment in trade, workers & climate headline NFF’s budget asks
Farmers have provided a detailed list of what Government can do to propel the sector’s contribution to Australia’s COVID-19 economic recovery and to support its continued prosperous future. Headlining the NFF’s 2021-2022 pre-budget submission is a call for government to invest in the development of a long-term agriculture trade strategy. "Recent disruptions will cost the industry $36.9 billion this decade," CEO Tony Mahar said.
Electric bikes offer a new Barossa perspective
Bike hire has returned to the Barossa Visitor Centre, with the exciting addition of electric bikes to make your journey safe, easy and fun. he Barossa Council’s Manager Tourism Services said electric bikes have become a popular way for visitors and locals to explore the region, because they cater for a wide range of ages and cycling abilities.
Solar hybrid renewable energy project visited by NSW MPs
... Minister Kean was incredibly excited by the community-led progression towards renewable energy, and our efforts to provide energy security and insulation from fuel price shocks ... There was much discussion regarding the opportunities and the appetite for the Island to explore a transition to 100% renewable energy ...
Department of Regional NSW spreads its wings to Armidale
The C.B. Newling building at Armidale, known locally as the Old Armidale Teachers’ College, will become one of four new Department of Regional NSW hubs and will house up to 100 new jobs in the New England region. Deputy Premier John Barilaro visited Armidale today and announced $2 million for initial works to establish the State Heritage-listed building as one of DRNSW’s four regional locations ... The Armidale hub will become one of four new DRNSW offices, alongside Queanbeyan, Dubbo and Coffs Harbour.
On-farm water recovery continues despite Minister’s promises
The Victorian Farmers Federation is calling for the Commonwealth Minister for Water Resources to keep his word and stop on-farm water acquisition to meet the 450GL up-water target in addition to the Murray Darling Basin Plan. VFF Water Council Chair Richard Anderson said he was disappointed the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture and Water is continuing to pursue on-farm water recovery despite the Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt’s promise not to do so.
New truck infrastructure washes over Warialda
Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton said the new truck wash was a great win for the local trucking and agricultural community. “This project is about supporting our stock carriers to improve their efficiency and truck cleanliness, which I know has been widely welcomed by the Warialda community,” Mr Coulton said ...
Let’s rename Clarence Way the Pothole Way
Classification is crucial when it comes to funding roads. Clarence Way is classified as a regional road and not a rural road. This affects state funding. Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland said it put Clarence Way in the same pool as roads in Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie and this meant tougher competition for funds.
Restoring and caring for Bungawalbin country
“We have a wetland here of national significance — like a mini Kakadu,” Jimmy Malecki said. State MP Janelle Saffin joined the gathering because of her interest in Landcare groups ... Richmond Valley Councillor Jill Lyons said the first Bungawalbin Landcare was initiated in the 1990s ...
Help available to Northern farmers plagued by locusts
The NSW Government has responded quickly to reports of Australian Plague Locusts in the State’s north by providing free support and pesticides to landholders, and by establishing a central State Co-ordination Centre, Minister for Agriculture and Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall announced today.
5 ways Biden can help rural America thrive and bridge the rural-urban divide
Rural communities provide much of the food and energy that fuel our lives. They are made up of people who, after decades of exploitative resource extraction and neglect, need strong connective infrastructure and opportunities to pursue regional prosperity. A lack of investment in broadband, schools, jobs, sustainable farms, hospitals, roads and even the U.S. Postal Service has increasingly driven rural voters to seek change from national politics.
Kookaburra Calling – is it time to form the state of Riverina?
Kookaburra has noticed that the movement to create a state of Riverina has been re-charged in recent weeks. The main driver behind this movement is Mr. David Landini, a Riverina wool broker, based in Wakool ... A key issue is the Murray Darling Basin Plan which has left many rural communities very dissatisfied and fearing for their long-term survival. The reduction in the number of rural electorates is another point of focus ...
$940,000 boost for water infrastructure in Stanthorpe to drive bushfire recovery
Local water infrastructure in Stanthorpe will get a $940,000 boost, as part of $8.9 million in bushfire recovery projects announced today by the Australian and Queensland governments. Maranoa MP David Littleproud said this project is one of nine Local Economic Recovery projects were announced today to support recovery in Queensland communities hit hard by the 2019-20 bushfires, including two exciting projects in Maranoa. “In our area, $940,000 will go to the Southern Downs Regional Council for the Smart Water Meters project,” Mr Littleproud said. “This project will install smart metering technology in Stanthorpe, which will help to adapt the built environment to future climate and natural hazard conditions.
Coober Peedy – water shortage
District Council of Coober Peedy, Media Release, 22 January 2021. Water consumption in the town remains excessively high. This may be due to leaks in the network or some customers using excessive water, such as filling up swimming pools. At the current rate of consumption, the town has two days of water in storage. During the day, the water employees will shut down various parts of the network in an attempt to isolate the cause. This means that some customers will have no water for about half an hour. If water leaks are found, the water outage could be longer. All outages will be notified on Council’s website, Facebook page and Mailchimp half an hour in advance.
Kingston District Council rolls out Australia’s first boat-ramp-on-a-roll!
Kingston District Council, Media Release, 14 January 2021
Council has rolled out an innovative new ‘boat-ramp-on-a-roll’ to improve launching and general beach access in Kingston....
Mildura Mayor Cr Jason Modica the new Chair of Murray River Group
The Murray River Group of Councils, Media Release, 13 January 2021
The Murray River Group of Councils has welcomed Mildura Mayor, Cr Jason Modica as...
Accommodation to support hospitality industry
Temporary accommodation will be offered to local hospitality staff in the Clarence Valley to lure more workers to fill vacancies in the hospitality industry.
Clarence...
Kookaburra Calling – Four
The scars of the pandemic and the substantial damage caused by the misguided response of politicians and the bureaucracy to it, such as a family unable to say farewell to an elderly relative before they die or unable to visit a newborn or people being left to die due to being banned from hospital or someone separated permanently from a partner or a young traveler abandoned overseas with no support or a business destroyed or the many other unnecessary and shameful failures of the system, will remain forever.
Clancy pushes for acknowledgment that CVC investments are having adverse impact on climate change
Geoff Helisma
At Clarence Valley Council (CVC), the lone Green (and only politically declared councillor), Greg Clancy, has regularly brought up a concept he put...
