Basin Plan chickens return to roost
The trail of destruction that is the politically charged Murray Darling Basin Plan may have had its time in the sun as failings are laid bare. The court case of irrigators vs the MDBA, and last week’s suspension of NSW environmental water delivery has clearly demonstrated what locals have been concerned about, but remained unheard due to the dramatic power imbalance between the arbiter of truth, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, and the political aspirations of the politicians involved.
Statement from the Queensland Attorney-General
I have today instructed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to lodge an appeal against a sentence handed down in the Roma District Court ... Floyd Norman Daniel was convicted of multiple offences, including assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and committing a malicious act with intent.
Great Koala National Park Op-Ed: Kemp
This Labor government’s environmental policy doesn’t look like it’s being run by those in Macquarie Street, but maybe by rooftop protestors who contribute little to society ... These high-end activists are screaming “koala crisis”, all the while happily living in high rise towers built from concrete and steel, wrapped in plastics, stuffed with furniture made from imported timber ripped from forests overseas with zero environmental standards. That’s not conservation. That’s hypocrisy.
Government ordered to release Defence helicopter crash investigation: Roberts
The Government has been ordered to release an investigation into the Whitsundays helicopter crash that killed four Defence Force airmen. One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts secured a Senate order to have the national workplace health and safety regulator (Comcare) brief of evidence and investigation into the Taipan helicopter crash released.
RDA Orana supports the launch of The Energy Charter’s pioneering Regional Energy Collaboration Framework
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana together with The Energy Charter are proud to announce the launch of the innovative Regional Energy Collaboration Framework - a pioneering initiative designed to transform the way energy organisations and regional communities collaborate during Australia’s clean energy transition.
Art at heart of RALLY program sparking regeneration of regional towns
A new program is set to revitalise towns across regional New South Wales with the power of arts-led regeneration. Launched by Regional Arts NSW in partnership with Cementa Festival co-founder Alex Wisser, the RALLY program invites artists from across the state to connect and collaborate ... RALLY participant Eliza Wells said as well as enhancing creativity and self-expression, she hoped the program would reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing in her community in Harden-Murrumburrah.
Magical night walk
The Walking the Seasons program provides guided walks led by local First Nations Elders and aims to deepen the understanding of local landscapes ...
Wine industry catastrophe?
Hugh Schuitemaker. Peak representative bodies say the Riverland is at risk of "long-term economic" catastrophe, unless direct support is provided for the South Australian wine industry. The Advertiser on Monday reported local grape growers were "grappling with one of the worst crises to hit the industry".
Riverlanders make an impact
Madison Eastmond. Two Riverlanders have presented a first-of-its-kind survey to SA Parliament, with research findings revealing the challenges that many face while living with Tourette's. Contingent member, and Riverland Youth Theatre artistic director Sam Wannan, and RYT youth intern Rowen Hurrell, joined the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia to share the Tourette's Impact Report ...
Council recognises Covid concerns
The Covid concerns raised by people at recent community meetings discussing the impact of vaccinations have been recognised by Council now they have to advocate for answers.
Council calls for drought recognition
West Wimmera Shire Council has called on the State Government to expand the drought declaration area to cover the entire shire ... The program helps farmers affected by drought to meet their general rates and municipal charges ... Council also resolved to lobby the state government to expand the drought declaration area to cover the entire shire.
Sussan Ley appeals to Bendigo Bank executive
Member for Farrer and leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley recently met with the Chief Executive of Bendigo Bank, Richard Fennell following the closure of several branches in Farrer. Ms Ley said she "made a point" of travelling to the Adelaide office of Mr Fennell to discuss the recent decision to close regional branches ...
VFF slams VicGrid power play
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has written to state MPs to vote down the contentious VicGrid Amendment Bill that would pave the way for police-backed powers to force entry onto farms and slap landholders with fines of up to $12,100. VFF President Brett Hosking is reiterating previous calls to halt the Bill ahead of it being debated in State Parliament this Thursday.
Mary travels, this time to Mexico
The travels of former Donald resident, Mary Raynes, have so far also included meetings in Puebla with Heineken and Central Altiplano Maltería, Mexico ... Australia has been right in the brew of it, supplying on average 61 per cent, up to 85 per cent of Mexico's total malting barley imports.
Australian rural confidence softens as farmers report mixed outlook on the year ahead: Rabobank
Sentiment in Australia’s agricultural sector has softened over the winter months, as the nation’s farmers contend with higher input costs and mixed seasonal conditions, the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey has found. The survey, released today, found net farm sector confidence has eased to a neutral reading of zero (down from five per cent in the previous survey).
Moonta Mines on path to World Heritage
The World Heritage bid for the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra and Moonta is on track, with hopes of achieving recognition by July 2029. UK-based world heritage consultant Barry Gamble visited Moonta Mines last week and gave an update on the bid to National Trust of South Australia Moonta branch volunteers at the Moonta School of Mines.
Algae mural an ‘ocean coat of arms’
Sarah Herrmann. Marion Bay Community Centre is home to a new mural calling on the federal government to classify the algal bloom as a natural disaster. Sydney artist Patrick Hunter drove more than 1600 kilometres to donate his time and talent, painting a vibrant depiction of the giant cuttlefish and weedy sea dragon — iconic native species threatened by the unprecedented marine crisis.
Voucher tourism
Sarah Herrmann. Coastal regions impacted by the algal bloom are set to benefit from a travel voucher program this spring. The Coast Is Calling, delivered by the South Australian Tourism Commission, will release 20,000 vouchers for accommodation and experiences valued at up to $500 ahead of the September school holidays.
Rural Australians miss out on $8.35 billion in healthcare every year – and it’s getting worse: NRHA
Rural Australians are missing out on $1,090.47 in healthcare funding per person every year, compared to city residents – a funding gap the National Rural Health Alliance warns is costing lives. "The Forgotten Health Spend: A Report on the Expenditure Deficit in Rural Australia" tells a story of how we starve our rural Australians of healthcare access," said Susi Tegen, NRHA Chief Executive.
Bendigo Bank cuts ties with community fundraising groups
Bendigo Bank has pulled out of fundraising partnerships with community groups that have been drumming up business for corporate branches since 2004 ... The bank told community groups however, that it had reviewed this part of its business and determined the contributions were “not sustainable” ... Bendigo Bank has announced a $514.6 million profit.
Farmer frustration highlighted in inaugural farmer survey: VFF
Huge increases to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, crumbling regional roads, maintaining our biosecurity and forcing renewable energy infrastructure developments on communities topping the list of concerns in the Victorian Farmers Federation’s (VFF) inaugural State of the State: Victorian Farmer Priorities Survey.
Faster internet for regional Victoria: Hutchins
...The broadband towers are the first to be completed as part of Connecting Victoria’s Satellite to Fixed Wireless upgrades and provide the nbn Fixed Wireless service to more than 1700 premises. The new towers are also designed to allow for faster download speeds in future.
