CAPA Conference takes flight: Powell
For the first time, the flagship event – CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific 2025 – is being held outside a capital city, highlighting Cairns’ growing importance as a hub for regional aviation and tourism.
A case study in folly #5: Firestorm of incompetence – what Yankees Gap says about modern fire management
It’s time to return to a model where prevention isn’t a seasonal checkbox or an afterthought, and land management isn’t a sideshow. Fires like Yankees Gap should be front-page scandals, not just for the damage they cause, but also for what they reveal about how badly we’ve lost our way.
Independent inquiry must examine concerns with US beef import rules: Cattle Australia
Dr Chris Parker. The recent decision by the Federal Government to accept that the United States has met our biosecurity standards has created immense anxiety within our beef industry, given our strong belief in rules-based trading and science-based protections.
Councils become ‘critical frontline actors’ in crisis response
A joint emergency response by five local councils during one of the most severe weather events in Victorian history has redefined how regional organisations can work together to save property and lives, a new study has found.
Labor signs Australia up to WHO IHR
The Australian Federal government has adopted the World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement, while other countries rejected the treaty, citing risks to civil liberties, sovereignty, censorship and even incompetence and corruption at the WHO ... Critics of the agreement aren’t as sure the benefits outweigh the risks.
Better big bank abandons communities, again
Just two years after local towns of Barham and Cohuna had their Bendigo Bank agencies ripped from their clutches the Better Big Bank is at it again. In 2024 the Bendigo Bank reported a net profit, after tax for 2024, of a meagre $545.0 million, up 9.7 per cent.
Don’t get sick as you age
People living with age-related illnesses are falling through the cracks of a system designed to support the elderly ... Carer’s exhaustion and burn out, jeopardized safety, greater pressure on hospital emergency services, family conflict, incidents and accidents, delayed medical intervention have all reached breaking point for sufferers and carers thanks to a backlog of unprocessed applications.
Council responds to pay dispute
Towong Shire Council has expressed disappointment that some of its outdoor staff have chosen to engage in industrial action regarding the current Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiations. In response to last week's industrial action, council said in a statement that it had made a two-stage pay offer to staff which would see them on average get a 4.23 per cent increase on current hourly rates and applicable allowances.
Trail receives international recognition
The Sculpture by the Sea project, incorporating the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, was the recent recipient of the prestigious Gratias Agit award in Prague. Founding CEO and artistic director, David Handley, travelled to Prague as a guest of the Czech government to receive the award on behalf of Sculpture by the Sea.
Dalby hosting Grains Research update
Key grains research outcomes will be shared next Tuesday, 5 August at the Grains Research and Development Corporation's (GRDC) free Grains Research Updates event. Events are being held at multiple locations across Queensland and New South Wales this week and next week, with Dalby by far the closest to Clifton.
De-amalgamation back on the agenda
Planning is underway to establish a case in favour of creating a new council for rural areas to the south and west of Toowoomba. It's the second serious attempt to separate a large slice of the Region's rural sector from the growing urban area of Toowoomba and surrounds.
Call to take stronger stand against water buybacks
Witnesses at an inquiry have urged the NSW Government to take a stronger stand against water buybacks as part of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which are not only having an immediate social and economic impact, but limiting drought and flood preparedness.
New ponds unveiled at Narrandera Fisheries Centre
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has launched eight new purpose-built aquaculture ponds for endangered Macquarie Perch breeding at Narrandera Fisheries Centre, funded by Snowy Hydro under the Snowy 2.0 Threatened Fish Management Plan.
Australia’s largest transmission project moves into next phase
Australia's largest energy transmission project, EnergyConnect, has moved into its next phase with specialist teams making significant progress constructing the eastern alignment of the project across the Riverina. More than 1600 personnel are working on the critical project, with construction of two sections of new high-voltage transmission line, stretching 540 km from Buronga to Wagga Wagga, more than 70 per cent complete.
Regional banks and supporters launch campaign to keep branches open in regional Australia: RBIA
A group of 25 regional banks and supporters have banded together to advocate to keep face-to-face branches open in regional towns. The organisations have formed the Regional Banking Investment Alliance (RBIA) and want essential bank branch services such as cash handling and fraud advice to be supported by a community service obligation (CSO) on the wider Australian banking sector to share the cost burden.
Affordable homes open doors to new residents
The official opening of 24 new affordable dwellings in South Grafton earlier this month has given a number of Clarence Valley residents a much longed for place to call home ... a joint initiative by Anglicare North Coast and Northern Rivers Housing, the development is the biggest affordable housing delivery in the region so far in 2025.
Interruption to Council services due to industrial action
Scenic Rim Regional Council is taking all possible steps to minimise disruption to the community during industrial action planned by three unions this week. Council CEO David Keenan has received notices of protected industrial action ... from three of the six unions representing Council employees...
Working dogs show their skills
The Maclean Show Society committee is recovering after their biggest weekend in recent memory with great crowds enjoying the NSW Working Dog Stock Trial championships. The 2025 Clarence Valley Council and Maclean Show Society NSW State Championships Working Stock Dog Trial was held at Maclean Showground from July 25 to 27, with competitors vying for $5000 in prize money.
Green Gold Australia’s River Road solar farm approved by Council
The latest in renewable energy projects went before the July meeting of Hay Shire Council, where the development was approved. Green Gold Energy is proposing a five-megawatt solar farm on the property of Cameron and Lyn Clark, on the Murrumbidgee River Road.
Farmers take water battle to Supreme Court
After years of simmering frustration, irrigators across the NSW Central Murray and Goulburn-Murray regions are finally getting their day in court. A landmark class action against the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and the Commonwealth Government is set to begin in the Supreme Court of NSW on August 11. The legal battle represents 28,000 group members, and seeks at least $750 million in damages.
Compassionate reversal
In a compassionate reversal of a previous decision, the Naracoorte Lucindale Council has this time unanimously agreed to waive all cemetery fees for children up to the age of 10, excluding the cost of plaques. This motion, which had been rejected in May, received full support from elected members in the council meeting held on July 22.
Roadside tree hazard
After surviving a head-on collision on the Riddoch Hwy, Maaoupe farmer Neil Engler wants to know why the Transport Department plants its trees so close to our main roads and highways. “It’s dangerous for everyone, not just me,” he said after arriving home from hospital 24 hours after the accident.
