Gathering plenty of piping good enthusiasm in Maclean
Maclean celebrated its 120th Highland Gathering in style across two massive days of events on the Easter Long Weekend ... Over 130 competitors travelled from as far as Perth, Melbourne, and Townsville to compete in the 33 solo events on the program.
Councillor’s comments create community anger
With the Aboriginal flag held in front of them, signs in their hands, and expressions of anger and disbelief on their faces, proud Yaegl, Bundjalung, and Gumbaynggirr men, women, and children, had a clear message they wanted to deliver during the monthly Ordinary Meeting of Clarence Valley Council (CVC) last week.
$210m spent on water buybacks – local entitlements sold to meet MDB targets
The Australian Government has released figures pertaining to more than $89 million water purchasing contracts for the period March 1 to April 14. Total purchases over the past six weeks total $210 million. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Austender website lists only contract values awarded.
Barunga West Council to retain current structure, move to direct election of mayor
Michelle Daw. Barunga West Council has decided to retain its current structure and not reintroduce wards, following a review of its representation of residents ... They also voted for future mayors to be directly elected by the community, rather than by their peers as is currently the case.
No heads up: Locals say toxic microalgae advice was too slow
Sarah Herrmann. Southern Yorke Peninsula residents have criticised the speed at which advice was provided to the public about the toxic microalgae bloom, which has been detected at Edithburgh and Coobowie, and caused dead marine life to wash up on numerous other SYP beaches.
River Murray Communities Water Transition Program
Nicola Centofanti. While many irrigators have been removing patches of wine grapes and converting to other crops, there are still many grape growers feeling the impact of ongoing low prices. With consumption of commercial wine falling globally and the large volume of wine retained in storage, there is little cause for optimism in the immediate future.
Four renewables projects announced for South West REZ
Four wind, solar and battery projects have been granted the right to connect to new power lines in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The projects are Origin Energy’s Yanco Delta wind farm, Spark Renewables Dinawan Energy Hub, Someva’s Pottinger Energy Park and BayWA’s Bullawah Wind Farm.
Election 2025 – Watch the Better Border Health candidate forum
The Better Border Health Albury Wodonga group held a health forum for Farrer candidates last week, and has published the forum on YouTube for those who were unable to attend.
Not enough boots on the ground to deal with tropical soda apple north of Kyogle, advocacy group says
Prue Weir spoke about the issue of tropical soda apple at the Kyogle Council meeting on Monday, April 14. Ms Weir is a part of a group of residents formed in late 2023 to raise awareness of the insidious weed ... “It is an environmental disaster,” Ms Weir said.
Plumber presents plan for levee to reduce backwater flooding in Coraki
Ian Brown is a plumber who has lived in Coraki for 55 years. He presented his flood levee proposal at the Richmond Valley Council meeting on Tuesday, April 15. He reckons his proposal will reduce the backwater from floods at Coraki.
Employment pathway trainee pilot program delivered on Groote: Edgington
For the first time, an employment pathway trainee pilot program for Aboriginal health workers and practitioners is being delivered on Groote Eylandt. Minister for Health Steve Edgington said it would provide a closer-to-home learning pathway for Aboriginal people in the region to pursue a career in health.
Raising a glass to regional Victoria’s best events: Dimopoulos
The Allan Labor Government is investing in the regions, supporting major events across the state which attract visitors from around the world and provide a huge boost for local economies. Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos … joined local winemakers ahead of the upcoming Grampians Grape Escape to announce more than 20 events will be supported…
Golden opportunity as fossicking area established in Mount Morgan: Last
Locals and tourists can go for gold searching for buried treasure in Central Queensland with a new fossicking area established at Mount Morgan. The recreational fossicking area has been established after the Government consented to a General Permission Area (GPA) on State land surrounding Mount Morgan No 7 Dam.
Onslow 100 Year Festival
The town of Onslow, where it is today, was settled in 1925. We are proud of its rich history, and this year we are thrilled to commemorate a significant milestone – 100 years since its establishment after its relocation!
Why do all roads for migrants lead to the big city?
Western Australia has once again recorded the fastest population growth in the country, adding 72,600 people in the year to September 2024. To put that into perspective: if every one of those new residents moved into the 200 towns across the Wheatbelt’s 42 shires, it would more than double the population of every town. Yet, on a recent drive across the Wheatbelt, cutting through multiple towns, I didn’t see a single new house being built.
My journey from Nepal to Western Australia: A tale of transition and reality
Omika Upadhayay. This is the story of how I left behind my home, my family in Nepal, and a budding career in agricultural research to become one of over half a million people who migrated to Australia last year—and eventually found myself working in the WAFarmers office.
Drug and drink drivers targeted during Operation Xray Easter
Darling Downs police are reminding motorists to keep road safety a priority during the Easter holiday break. Easter is one of the busiest times across the Darling Downs District and road users can expect to see an increased police presence as part of Operation Xray Easter.
Easter bilby news
The Australian alternative Easter emblem, the bilby, is iconic but at risk. Bilbies once occupied much of arid and semi-arid Australia but have disappeared from about three quarters of their historic range.
Porcupine Village: Comment by Tuesday
The Porcupine Village development has been referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act and is available on the EPBC Public Portal for community feedback until Tuesday 22 April.
Funding deed for feasibility study finalised
As communicated with shareholders in June 2024, Murray Irrigation (MIL) and our fellow southern irrigation infrastructure operators (IIOs), Coleambally Irrigation Cooperative Limited (CICL) and Murrumbidgee Irrigation Limited (MI), applied for funding under the Australian Government’s Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program for a feasibility study to explore what is required to bolster the efficiency and resilience of our irrigation networks in an era of water recovery.
Memorial for Sgt Doig
After pumping $2000 into a Police Legacy Memorial, cattle producer Richard Ogilvie recently returned to Lucindale for the unveiling of a memorial for his friend, the late Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig PEM LEM ... The memorial is a plaque on a stand and a life-sized silhouette of Sgt Doig, based on a photo taken by his mother, Faye.
Easter Rod Run 2025 – What’s on: Message from the organisers
Steven Alldrick. A warm hello to all our entrants, visitors, and locals who have ventured to Narrandera this year for the 40th Narrandera Rod Run. We are excited to be back for another wonderful Easter, with a good number of entrants, we expect similar numbers around the oval at the show n shine on Sunday; with 400 cars in attendance.
