Yaegl people to manage Pilot Hill
The Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation have been as appointed Crown Land managers for parts of Yamba’s Pilot Hill reserve including two heritage listed cottages. Celebrated at a special ceremony at Pilot Hill during NAIDOC week, the appointment marks a significant step forward in supporting the local Aboriginal community’s aspirations for the culturally significant area.
Meet the new post office building owners
Listen out for the chime of the town clock in the coming months. A new era, including a fixed timepiece, is to come for local iconic building, Hay Post Office. Catherine and Trent Cox (pictured) have bought the heritage-listed building and significant historical landmark.
Massive wind farm gets green light despite local opposition
A 1,300-megawatt wind farm between Hay and Deniliquin has been approved by planning authorities, promising to power more than half a million homes ... The Pottinger Wind Farm, stretching across farmland 60 kilometres south of Hay, will be one of Australia's largest wind energy projects when completed. But the decision hasn't come without controversy – more than 50 public objections forced the project to independent assessment rather than departmental approval.
Dispelling the ‘forever chemical’ fables: What’s really in Australia’s renewables?
In an era where climate action is a oft-discussed topic, and given Hay and Balranald's geographical location in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), fears over 'forever chemicals' persist. Among the more prevalent claims circulating is the fear that wind turbines and solar panels extensively use Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – the so-called "forever chemicals" – posing significant environmental and health risks.
Help us REACH 900: Our philanthropic campaign to support independent community news
The Naracoorte News REACH 900 philanthropic campaign will launch with an aim to support the production, sustainability, and longevity of independent news and advocacy for the wider Naracoorte community ... The first to sign up to REACH 900 are ambassadors The Australian associate editor John Ferguson, 7News reporter Cassie Treloar and The Naracoorte News senior journalist Nasik Swami.
Vets’ big hearts harmful, says ex-local
The selfless nature of many veterinarians is contributing to the sector’s mental health crisis, a former Naracoorte vet has told an SA Parliament committee. Dr Adele Feakes says business sustainability and profit routinely take a back seat to a vet’s altruism, placing additional pressure on individuals to survive and thrive in the industry.
Tree policy becomes a tree trap
Land clearing was effectively banned back in 1983—but apparently no one told the Shire of Northam. Their newly released draft Tree Retention Policy (LPP27) reads as if state and federal restrictions don’t exist. It’s packed with all the right buzzwords—biodiversity, canopy cover, climate resilience—but beneath the green gloss is a bureaucratic trap.
Jade joins students on Kokoda Trail
The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has joined scholarship recipients, Hannah Saunders and Rhiannon Jack, in successfully completing the Kokoda Trail, marking the end of a profound journey honouring Australia’s wartime history and the enduring values of courage, mateship, endurance, and sacrifice.
Uncertainty prevails despite algae grants
Sarah Herrmann. Small businesses have expressed concerns about long-term financial assistance after eligibility criteria for the $10,000 algal bloom grants were revealed last week. Pubs are one of the businesses not eligible, but Dalrymple Hotel, Stansbury, publican Rob Rankine said, even if they were, there were other hurdles businesses had to jump to get compensation.
Gas exports push manufacturers to the brink: Weld Australia demands urgent government action
Weld Australia is calling on the Federal and State Governments to take immediate and decisive action to protect Australian manufacturers, following the release of new research from The Australia Institute showing that east coast gas exports have caused wholesale gas prices to more than triple and electricity prices to double since 2015.
The road to the Bentley Art Prize was well travelled at its 40th show
At the 40th Bentley Art Prize presentations were made at Bentley Community Hall ... Reg and Phyllis Hartley started the Bentley Art Prize in 1985 and ran it until 2005, when Helen Trustum took over.
Give your feedback on CSIRO flood modelling report at sessions in Casino, Woodburn and Kyogle
The National Emergency Management Agency is working with CSIRO to identify flood mitigation options for the Richmond River catchment. This is part of the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative. As part of this work, CSIRO has developed a hydrodynamic model for the Richmond River catchment.
Government gas deal boosts Central Petroleum
The major Central Australian oil and gas producer, Central Petroleum Limited, has ... reported a 28 per cent increase in second half revenues from the first half of the 2025 financial year. CEO Leon Devaney says this reflects the impact of new multi-year gas sale contracts.
New Parkinson’s treatment now available on PBS
Australians living with Parkinson's disease are celebrating after the Federal Government listed a breakthrough treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), making it affordable for thousands of patients. VYALEV® (foslevodopa with foscarbidopa) is administered through a 24-hour infusion under the skin and helps restore dopamine levels in the brain.
$20 million research partnerships see Australia pioneer world-first FMD vaccine: MLA
A world-first biodegradable vaccine to protect livestock from foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been developed through a $20 million, five-year research partnership between Meat & Livestock Australia, Tiba Biotech, and the NSW Government ... MLA Managing Director, Michael Crowley, said while it was hoped that an FMD vaccine would never be needed, the research represented a proactive approach to managing biosecurity risk.
NSW Government delivers world-first foot and mouth vaccine to protect livestock industries & food supply: Moriarty
In a world-first, the Minns Labor Government and international biotechnology leader, Tiba BioTech, have developed a breakthrough foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine that is fast to produce and will see Australia become one of the few nations with the capacity to produce its own vaccine. FMD is a highly infectious viral disease that affects cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.
AgriTourism Summit 2025 programme announced, 12-13 August 2025
The second annual AgriTourism Summit is set to take place on August 12–13th 2025, at Banksia Orange. This year's theme, “AgriTourism Unlocked: Harvesting New Opportunities,” aims to explore the untapped potential of agritourism in Australia, focusing on sustainable strategies and community growth.
Three stations added to the National Park network in north west NSW: Sharpe
The government has invested $11.7 million to acquire the retired stations, totalling 34,773 hectares ... These three acquisitions nearly double new additions for the 2024-25 financial year to a total of more than 73,000ha. The NSW national parks network now totals almost 7,774,000 ha.
Transmission meetings disappoint Council
Buloke Shire Council ... Council accepted the invitation in good faith, based on TCV’s indication that an important update on the project would be shared. However, during the meeting, Council was advised that no announcement would, in fact, be made. Instead, the meeting was re-framed by TCV as an opportunity to strengthen its relationship with Council and improve consultation processes. Council expressed its disappointment ... Council was not informed of this amendment during Minister D’Ambrosio’s visit, despite its relevance and impact on affected landowners, some of which were present and engaged in the discussion held.
‘Timber in July’ draws bipartisan backing for Victoria’s wood fibre industry: VFPA
More than 70 guests—including Ministers, Shadow Ministers, MPs, CEOs and industry stakeholders—gathered at Parliament House yesterday for ‘Timber in July’, a showcase of the growing importance of Victoria’s plantation and wood fibre industry to the state’s economy, housing supply and climate goals.
More trees on farms to benefit landowners: Spence
The Allan Labor Government is encouraging Victorian farmers and landowners to take advantage of a new program to plant more trees on their farms – helping to boost timber supply, increase biodiversity and prevent soil erosion. Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today announced the Victorian Trees on Farms Program at Parliament House, alongside industry members at the Victorian Forest Products Association’s Timber Plantations showcase.
World Oceans Day 2025
NSW DPI. United Nations World Oceans Day is celebrated globally on 8 June each year to honour the ocean and how it supports us ... To celebrate, students from Lord Howe Island Central School (LHICS) took part in hands-on activities that encouraged them to get curious about the wonders of the LHIMP.
