How the Bendigo showgrounds project became a sports rort (without the sport)
Through the Bendigo Showgrounds Master Plan, the biggest and most active user group that sits hand-in-glove with the Bendigo Agricultural Show Society’s primary reason for existence has been absolutely and unceremoniously shafted.
Play, ride, explore: Wingello’s Forest Recreational Park reopens
Get ready for adventure, the brand-new Wingello Forest Recreational Adventure Park is officially open, and it’s better than ever ... Located in the heart of Wingello State Forest, the park was designed by Nicholas Bray Landscapes to offer a more inclusive and accessible outdoor experience.
A fine blend of science with heritage grapevines to future proof Australian wines: CSIRO
New mildew-resistant and drought-resilient grapevines have been planted in South Australia’s Coonawarra wine region to help safeguard the future of Australia’s wine industry against a changing climate and disease threats.
Wel.Co breaks ground on $100M Gracewood community in Mallala
Wel.Co has officially commenced construction on the $100M Gracewood residential community in Mallala, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of much-needed housing in regional South Australia.
Rainbow Walk questions answered
Diana Roberts. The concept for walking paths around Nimbin was originally envisaged as a three-stage project in 2007. Stage one connected Cullen Street to Alternative Way and Cecil Street. The exact route for this stage was defined in 2013, after extensive consultations with the community and affected private landholders.
Central Darling Shire on alert as floodwaters approach
Residents in Wilcannia, Tilpa, and Menindee are being urged to prepare for potential flooding as floodwaters from upstream Queensland make their way downstream.
Music, trucks, fish, beef – Six big events coming to Richmond Valley
The busy time for events in Richmond Valley is May–August. Mark these events in your calendar because you won’t want to miss them.
Aboriginal land council: It’s their way or the highway
Transparency is a very one-sided proposition for the Central Land Council (CLC): It wants the news media to publish its positions but it won't give answers to questions the media put to them. That's certainly the experience of the Alice Springs News with this secretive organisation which, like other Aboriginal land councils and land trusts, are not subject to freedom of information requests.
Government must scrap expanded emergency services tax and commit to fairer fire services levy: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling on the Victorian Government to immediately abandon its proposed expanded tax for emergency services and instead focus on urgently reforming the existing Fire Services Property Levy to ensure it is fair, transparent and sustainable for all Victorians.
High time to end the war on weed
MardiGrass Organising Committee. For 33 years, MardiGrass has given voice to the Oz weed resistance, tirelessly educating and agitating for an end to the war on weed. As usual, MardiGrass offers mind-blowing ideas and education all weekend at the 2025 Hemposium, and is an extraordinary chance to share and learn about our favourite plant ally and healing herb. The Hemposium will showcase an impressive line-up of speakers ...
Minister Jarvis a modern major Minister
I am the very model of a modern Minister for Agriculture. You know you’ve made it as a minister when the Premier grants you one of the prestigious 12th-floor offices in Dumas House – even better if it overlooks Kings Park, with sweeping views across the Swan River and out to Rottnest.
What’s your plan?
As the debate over rare earth mining in our district intensifies, concerns have been raised about the state government's commitment to conducting an independent investigation into the potential risks of the operation. Independent member for MacKillop, Nick McBride, put a spotlight on the issue during the March sitting of the House of Assembly, pressing Energy and Mining minister Tom Koutsantonis to outline his plan.
Radiotherapy essential
Radiotherapy for our region is essential, regardless of who forms government after the May 3, federal election. That is the key message from Limestone Coast Radiation Therapy Working Group chairman … "South Australia still remains an outlier as one of the only Australian states without the provision of radiation cancer treatment outside of its capital city, being Adelaide," Mr Haynes said.
The brutal cost of ignoring the bush: Australia’s rural collapse
Government changes have reallocated 3,200 gigalitres of irrigation water to environmental flows, much of it unmetered and flowing out to sea, creating dire consequences for regional food production. The Gannawarra Region alone is losing $1.3 billion annually – and these impacts are expected to worsen.
Farmers say “No” to REZ
Wimmera and Mallee farmers have mapped over 600,000 hectares of farmland where landholders have indicated they do not want to be in a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The farmers that are in opposition have had their paddocks marked darkest.
Eternal optimism
It has been a long summer, resulting in dry dams and yellow paddocks that are visible to everyone. And in an unusual development, agriculture has featured recently in world headlines thanks to discussions of world trade and tariffs.
Electioneering
Candidates have been on the campaign trail in the Bendigo electorate, revealing their plans and proposals. On Wednesday 2 April, Nationals candidate for Bendigo Andrew Lethlean and Liberal candidate for Bendigo Matt Evans joined Hon. Kevin Hogan MP ... to announce that an elected Liberal and National coalition government would deliver a $1 million upgrade to the Ironbark Gully Trail...
Opinion – Bauxite mine expansion approval exposes double standards for forest conservation in Western Australia: Lachlan McCaw
Dr Lachlan McCaw AFSM. Federal environmental approval recently granted for expansion of the South 32 Worsley bauxite mine has given the green light to clearing of a further 3855 hectares of native forest around Boddington south-east of Perth ... the community should question how much bauxite mining is enough, and whether closure of the native forest timber industry is simply a convenient smokescreen for increased mining in the jarrah forest.
Partnership to give battlers a chance
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has recently awarded two waste facility operational services contracts to locally-based not-for-profit organisation Ability Enterprises, which will give residents a second chance through employment at Council.
Big plans for rodeo grounds
Grong Grong Horse Sports Pty Ltd has put a proposal to the Narrandera Shire Council for a five year lease of the old Grong Grong Rodeo Grounds. The committee considers it a great space with so much room for growth and opportunity for the town of Grong Grong.
Free trade doesn’t guarantee a good deal
Federal Member for Indi, Helen Haines, has welcomed news that the Australian government is re-opening discussions with the European Union regarding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) but warns that our agricultural industry should not be compromised in doing so.
Country Mayors call out failure to address funding shortfalls
Mayor Rick Firman OAM, Chairman of the NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA) has bemoaned the major parties’ lack of commitment to Local Government and their failure to address funding shortfalls that were clearly identified in the Interim Report into Local Government Sustainability.
