Politics

The Liberals and Nationals will scrap Labor’s Emergency Services Property Levy (ESVF), Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley, vowed at a rally on the steps of Parliament House ... “Labor’s new levy has doubled or even tripled charges for property owners across the state with primary producers hit hardest and facing rate hikes of up to 150 per cent."

In the early hours of Friday May 16, Labor and members of the Animal Justice Party, The Greens and Legalise Cannabis Party, colluded with the Allan Labor Government to pass their latest tax, the Emergency Services and ‘Volunteers’ Fund ... The Nationals Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, has labelled the new Emergency Services Levy as a land tax by stealth – targeting the farming community in particular – and as “socialism gone mad in Victoria”.

Reading the near hysterical outbursts of faux upset and horror on the part of members of the mainstream media and some current and former Liberal Party MPs at the decision by the National Party not to re-enter a Coalition with the Liberal Party whilst in Opposition reminded Kooka that Coalition, whilst offering benefits to the National Party, has also come at a cost. Nothing comes free.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has made changes to its local laws to assist those struggling to secure housing by allowing short-term residential use of caravans … Council resolved last month to amend its Subordinate Local Law No. 1.3 to allow temporary residential use of caravans, subject to conditions that manage public safety and amenity.

Christine Webster. Swan Reach, west of Morgan, plus Truro and Mannum, have been suggested as having the most potential for accommodating development in a draft Growth Management and Housing Strategy for the Mid Murray ... The draft strategy said the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve presented significant economic development opportunities across several industries...

Hugh Schuitemaker. The Riverland's State MP says a report into the 2022/23 Murray River flood response shows preparations for the emergency "fell short" of what was necessary. The final report of the Select Committee into the River Murray Flooding Event was released last week.

Newly appointed Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley has vowed she would continue to put the people of Farrer first. The Member for Farrer since 2001 was elected Opposition Leader of the Liberal Party last week and is one of the longest-serving female MPs in Canberra.

Nhill Fire Brigade raised an incredible amount of funds for two vital appliances: a new light tanker and the replacement forward command vehicle were officially handed over to Nhill Fire Brigade in Nhill by D17 ACFO Chris Eagle on Sunday 18th May 2025.

Hundreds of CFA volunteers have made the difficult decision to stand down in protest against the Victorian Government's new Emergency Services Levy, passed during a late-night parliamentary session last Thursday.

Artist James Voller recently returned to the Rainbow Llew Schilling Silo to further develop his concept for art activation at the Silo once construction works are complete ... The Rainbow Silo presents a new challenge though, with the inclusion of internal art activation within one of the Silo bins - a first for the popular Silo Art genre.

The silent heroes of a town are the ones who put their hands up to volunteer. "If you want something done, ask a busy person," as the old cliché says. So, as we celebrate National Volunteer Week, let's look into the many undertakings of our Mayor, Carol Oataway.

The community has spoken and Whyalla City Council has listened – last night endorsing the introduction of a city-wide dry zone, following majority public support for the idea. Council received almost 2,500 responses to its survey over a six-week period, asking residents if they wanted to retain the existing dry zone, or move to a city-wide dry zone.

The Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is collaborating with Forestry Corporation to integrate cultural burning with government bushfire management. This partnership aims to enhance the community's resilience to major bushfires and improve land management practices on Yaegl Country.

“It’s a call to connection, to courage, and to conversation.” That’s how Councillor Cristie Yager described the second Notice of Motion she put forward ... “We must be strong enough together to admit when we get it wrong, and to keep trying until we get it right, because the only time things truly fail is when we stop trying.”

It was over within two hours. There were no adjournments, minimal disruptions, and a quiet sense amongst several members of the public seated in the gallery that the first progressive steps towards restoring trust and transparency between Clarence Valley Council (CVC) and the local community following weeks of tense backlash were taken during the monthly Ordinary Meeting of CVC in Maclean on May 15.

Following completion of the Campaspe Shire section of the Waranga Rail Trail in late March, the entire trail was officially opened on 17 May in Rushworth by Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell.

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has welcomed news about malting barley market diversification and growth opportunities in Australian export trade into Latin America. An article ... highlighted recent market diversification and growth activity, with benefits for Australian grain producers and broader industry, while boosting national economic prosperity.

A Regional Cities New South Wales delegation comprising local government leaders from nine municipalities from across the state last week embarked on a two-day tour of the Central West ... Regional Cities NSW Deputy Chair and Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council Cr Russell Webb said the visit allowed delegation members to get a deeper insight into the industries, infrastructure and unique attractions in other regions.

Joanna Tucker. Work is continuing towards the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra and Moonta World Heritage bid, with the possibility heritage status may be achieved as soon as next year ... an opportunity to skip the preliminary assessment, so World Heritage consultant Barry Gamble has decided to endorse the parallel preparation of a full World Heritage nomination.

Jeni Kendell. Each May, the Nimbin Aquarius Foundation is planning to put on an event to celebrate the original Aquarius Festival in 1973 which helped reawaken and renew our wonderful town of Nimbin and ripple out in so many ways to far corners of this country. This annual event will resemble the ‘Festival of Dangerous Ideas’ that has become a landmark for people thinking outside the square.

A beloved Lismore institution is set to come back to life, as the town’s cinema has officially been purchased and will re-open as Lismore Cinemas. Under new private ownership, the cinema will undergo a multimillion dollar refurbishment and return as a state-of-the-art venue celebrating shared experiences, local pride and the power of storytelling.

Campaspe Shire Council is deeply disheartened by the passing of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) by the Victorian Parliament. While we wholeheartedly support the necessity of funding for volunteers, Campaspe Shire Council, alongside numerous other Victorian councils, vehemently opposed the introduction of this fund.