Hay drops costly membership
Council has relinquished its membership with RAMJO (Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation) following a steep increase in its annual fee. This is despite a recommendation from General Manager, David Webb to continue full membership for the 2025-26 financial year and then reassess Council's position. Cr John Perry vehemently opposed this, and called for Council to cut its losses now, resign from RAMJO and not pay the $30,000 fee.
Big win$
Hugh Schuitemaker. The "financial burden" on Renmark Paringa ratepayers from major local infrastructure projects will be reduced after new funding was obtained from the State Government. Renmark Paringa councillors at last month's general meeting passed a motion to accept a $4.1m funding offer ...
River flow assessment ‘far from reality’?
Hugh Schuitemaker and Sebastian Calderon. Senior Riverland politicians say a recent assessment praising the impacts of environmental watering fails to acknowledge economic challenges faced by local primary producers. A recent comprehensive assessment of environmental outcomes in South Australia, conducted by the State Government under the Murray Darling Basin Plan, states environmental water is having a positive impact on ecosystems, biodiversity and habitat quality.
Town and city bushfire protection case studies from Australia and the US: John O’Donnell
John O'Donnell presents an analysis of town and city bushfire protection case studies where prescribed burning and other adaptive management and mitigation have assisted in restricting bushfire impacts on communities across Australia and the United States. His extensive review covers some 25 Australian and nine US fires.
Kids call out public transport fail: “Where’s the tram?”
While the state unveiled a new Emergency Services Levy, it also tried to sweeten the blow with a headline-grabbing promise: free public transport for all Victorian children under 18, starting January 1. But for rural communities like Donald, that promise rings hollow. "We have no trains, the tram is decommissioned ..."
Drought announcement
Emma Kealy, Shadow Minister for Agriculture. The Allan Labor Government's drought announcement fails to deliver the immediate support farmers have been calling for and desperately need. While doubling drought resilience infrastructure grants and deferring the emergency services tax on agricultural land for a year may sound helpful, it does little to provide immediate support for farmers who are at breaking point.
Federal drought support falls short, say SA grain producers
Michelle Daw. Grain Producers South Australia says new federal drought support measures will offer limited immediate relief to grain producers facing severe financial pressure across SA.
Algal bloom threatens entire marine habitats
Michelle Daw. Entire marine habitats around Yorke Peninsula could be destroyed by the current algal bloom, a local marine conservationist has warned. Speaking at a community forum in Marion Bay on Sunday, June 1, Andy Cameron of Foul Bay said the full extent of the damage caused by the bloom was yet to be revealed.
Climate data and Wheatbelt wisdom: Reading between the rainfall lines
In a year when the eastern states have either been drowning under floods or gasping through drought, and here in the west half the state has been left staring at a dry horizon, it seemed timely to stop watching the skies and start digging into the past ... What I aim to do is cut through the rising noise between the climate catastrophists shouting Armageddon and the hardened sceptics waving it all away, versus the climate fatalists like me—convinced that, whatever humans do, nature already has the final say—and put some facts on the table.
Declare drought a disaster
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas has declined to officially declare a drought in the state, claiming that his administration's drought relief package represented the "largest in South Australia's history." … Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross and local accountant Abby Miller made an impassioned plea to the government, urging swift action to aid farmers in the region who were struggling with extreme drought conditions.
Minister: We have spoken to Abby
In light of the persistent drought conditions, the minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development has reached out to the Commonwealth government to seek clarity regarding the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) hardship provisions. Minister Clare Scriven confirmed this to The [Naracoorte] News after being asked about the support her office was providing to drought-stricken farmers in the region.
Coercive control now illegal
Allora recently hosted a session at the Allora P-10 State School with an aim to create more awareness and empower members of the community about the early warning signs of coercive control.
Regional view: State budget
The Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes MP handed down the State Budget on Tuesday 20 May and it is now available for public scrutiny — it is presented more like an illustrated, online brochure than a spreadsheet. It came after the government sent a flurry of announcement emails to the media (evidently scheduled one-per-minute over the Tuesday lunchtime period).
Elmhurst project wins water award
GWMWater is pleased to announce that its project, GWMWater's First Fully Off-Grid Facility, The Elmhurst Water Treatment Plant, has won the Infrastructure Project Innovation Award (Regional) at the 2025 Australian Water Awards. The project involved successfully upgrading Elmhurst's water supply to meet drinking water standards by implementing a new off-grid water treatment plant.
Australia-Indonesia bird flu partnership takes flight on global stage: CSIRO
A new avian influenza collaboration between CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Indonesia has gained international recognition in Paris overnight, with endorsement from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) ... The three-year initiative, called BICOLLAB, was formally endorsed at the World Assembly of Delegates during WOAH’s General Session...
Australia’s cotton capital struggles to buy underwear
Narrabri launches a cheeky new campaign calling for major retailers to close the regional retail gap ... Watch the saucy short video and read the ARR.News interview with Narrabri Shire Mayor, Darrell Tiemens and Narrabri Shire General Manager, Eloise Chaplain.
Shocking incident at Ramsay
Police allege a teenage boy was threatened with a gun during an attempted break-in at Ramsay property last Saturday. Police have charged three men in relation to the incident ... It is then alleged one of the offenders with a firearm threatened a teenage boy, who was a neighbour, before the three offenders left the scene in a red 2008 Holden Commodore utility ...
Protecting Toowoomba’s garden region legacy
In the lead up to Toowoomba Regional Council's planning scheme draft being released, The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) has launched a new community campaign, Protect Trees Toowoomba.
Australia Post works behind scenes on Narrandera Post Office location
Australia Post is working to establish ongoing arrangements for its Post Office in Narrandera and is grateful to locals for their patience and understanding.
Free caravan and weighing day at Narrandera
Caravanners in Narrandera will be offered road safety and caravanning advice at free caravan weighing days on Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June. Narrandera Shire Council and Transport for NSW will co-host the caravan weighing days with "Your Weigh - Mobile Vehicle Weighing" to educate caravanners about correctly calculating their caravan’s weight...
Murrumbidgee Council leads new chapter at Darlington Point Riverside Caravan Park
Murrumbidgee Council has taken over the reins of one of the area's most-loved holiday spots - the Darlington Point Riverside Caravan Park, a popular destination nestled on the picturesque banks of the Murrumbidgee River.
Inlet caretaker wins shire citizen of the year award
Shaun Ossinger was announced the Community Citizen of the Year on Saturday night at a Shire of Denmark Volunteer Appreciation Sundowner. Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee chief executive Shaun won the award for his commitment to sustainability and community wellbeing, through championing initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring the natural environment.
