New nature-based tourist sites attract visitors to the Snowy Valleys
The Snowy Valleys community will today celebrate the grand opening of new tourism facilities in Bago State Forest, near the towns of Tumut, Batlow and Tumbarumba. The ‘Enhancing Nature Based Tourism’ project … has delivered new and upgraded visitor facilities serving as a drawcard for the regional tourism industry.
Agriculture sector profoundly disappointed in United States’ tariff decision: NFF
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) expresses its profound disappointment in the United States’ decision to impose a 10 per cent tariff on all Australian exports. The United States and Australia have a deep and multifaceted agricultural relationship underpinned by the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement, which sees zero tariffs applied to two-way trade between our nations.
Candidates respond to the Budget
It’s the political silly season as the rush to get elected hits full steam. Once dormant pollies spring to life with promises of shiny beads and mirrors, and a promise that this time it will be better.
Street works impact bakery
The small profits achieved by the Upper Murray Community Bakery in January and February have been offset by a decrease in custom caused by the streetscape project. "The bakery is currently operating at deficit of approximately $4000 per week, which is completely unsustainable,"...
Mayor tells of family tragedy
Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead, was front and centre when 500 people gathered at Albury's QEII Square on Saturday to rally for a new single site, greenfield hospital on the border ... Speaking at the rally, Cr Whitehead said that "a broken system" had contributed to his father's death ...
Sculpture launch precedes lunch
Khancoban came alive on Saturday with the highly anticipated Khancoban Long Lunch event and the opening of the local leg of the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail and Snowy Hydro monument. Held at the town's community hall, the event was an afternoon filled with fine food, live music and a warm community atmosphere.
Olympics dream comes true
When Greenmount resident and Clifton State High School's Year 11 student Ellie Stenzel stepped up to the microphone to make the opening address to the Equestrian Australia Board and the Olympic Committee in support of Toowoomba's bid to stage the Equestrian events she may not have realised the full importance of her speech to the future of equestrian events on the Downs.
Land valuations rise across region
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald has allayed fears of a large increase in their Council rates following the release of land valuations last week. The Valuer-General has issued new land valuations to the Toowoomba Region, which has an overall median increase of 31 per cent since the last revaluation issued in 2022.
Eight vie for Riverina
Riverina will head to the polls to elect their next Federal MP on Saturday, 3 May. Eight candidates have declared they're entering the race for the seat of Riverina, four party affiliated and four independents. The Riverina electorate - and other incarnations of the division - has been held by the Nationals for nearly 45 years (since October 1980).
Murray Cod returned to Macquarie River after five years at Fisheries Centre
After having spent five years in the NSW Government's Narrandera Fisheries Centre native fish hatchery, 19 mature Murray Cod saved from the drought-ravaged Macquarie River in 2019 have now been returned to their home waters.
Nationals back in town
The Warren Blackwood electorate has been returned to the WA Nationals with Bevan Eatts wrestling the Seat from Labor's Jane Kelsbie. Manjimup farmer and businessman Mr Eatts, recorded a 4 per cent swing to his party which had fallen at the last State Election to Labor's Jane Kelsbie in a 2.2 per cent swing.
Do no harm and hear the other side
Once every three or so years at the federal level, peak bodies in agriculture line up to present their election wish lists to the major political parties, in the hope of getting them embedded in their campaign platforms ... it’s time to change the tune.
A fresh start for Queensland – adult crime, adult time expands to 33 offences: Crisafulli, Frecklington, Purdie, Gerber
The Crisafulli Government is expanding its landmark Adult Crime, Adult Time laws to 33 youth crime offences, with new laws introduced to the Queensland Parliament ... The Making Queensland Safer (Adult Crime, Adult Time) Amendment Bill 2025 provides for an additional 20 Adult Crime, Adult Time offences, including attempted murder...
No compensation for holiday van owners
Clarence Valley Council Mayor, Ray Smith is confident Council is acting in accordance with legislation concerning the impending eviction of 136 Holiday Caravan owners at four Council managed caravan parks. Letters were sent in early March to Holiday Caravan owners at Iluka Riverside Holiday Park, Brooms Head Holiday Park…
Trauma for hospital upgrade
Despite the $263.8 million investment to redevelop Grafton Base Hospital, major trauma patients will still be triaged to Lismore or Tweed Heads for treatment. At a recent community meeting concerning the paramedic roster changes at Yamba Ambulance station and the impacts they could have, Australian Paramedics Association members revealed that the upgraded Grafton Base Hospital will not be classed as a major trauma hospital.
Mandatory state government charge to be collected by councils
"... the 3 per cent rates increase to Hindmarsh is approximately $250,000 (which will cover our insurance premium increases and not a lot more), while the ESVF will generate for the state government between $2m to $3m additional from Hindmarsh alone. Multiply these figures by 38 rural councils across the state and the sum becomes $76-118 million!!!": Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ron Ismay.
Council chasing water
Funding is being sought for Council to undertake test bores to identify a suitable ground water source for Hay. Council currently draws water from the Murrumbidgee River, but fears there could be a major risk on the water supply should the river water become unavailable or unsuitable.
Back from the brink: Lord Howe woodhen population surges
Lord Howe Island's native woodhen has made a remarkable recovery, with the latest survey revealing a population of at least 1,638 birds on the Island. This is a significant turnaround for the Lord Howe woodhen, which was reduced to just nine breeding pairs in the 1970s.
Air service transition: QantasLink to Skytrans
In October last year, Transport New South Wales announced that Skytrans had been awarded the RPT Air route from Sydney to Lord Howe Island as a replacement for the QantasLink service which had operated since June, 1991 ... Lord Howe Island Board invited members of the public to join a "virtual" QA session with Skytrans CEO, Alan Milne ...
Biodiversity versus Great Koala Park: a bit of  fairdinkum science: Vic Jurskis
According to Forestry Australia’s Dr Freeman, National Parks don’t guarantee biodiversity ... The Endangered listing of koalas north of the Victorian border and the idea of a Great Koala National Park are farcical. The koala is an irruptive species. High numbers indicate an irruption, not a stable population.
Riverland councils left high and dry as federal funding falls short – What about us?
“We’re paying more for everything we do, whether it’s fixing roads, managing waste, or maintaining community facilities. But unlike households, local government has to contend with the cost shifting of services from other levels of government, with no extra funding to support them": Renmark Paringa Mayor Peter Hunter ... Mid Murray Council also strongly advocating for more federal support ... The South Australian Local Government Association has also called on the Federal Government to provide appropriate funding for local governments.
VFF demands Fire Service Levy halt and Inquiry referralÂ
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling on the Victorian Parliament to take immediate action and refer the deeply flawed Fire Services Levy Bill to a parliamentary inquiry, as it faces debate in the Upper House this week. VFF President Brett Hosking said the Bill must be referred to a parliamentary inquiry to ensure the community has a voice in the process.
