New local health service networks
The Victorian Government has announced 12 Local Health Service Networks. These have been designed following consultation and feedback from health services, and in response to the Government’s plan to improve access, equity and care closer to home. The Board acknowledged correspondence from the Minister for Health, placing EWHS within the Grampians Local Health Service Network.
Levy raises questions
A State Government levy to raise funds for emergency services has caused some concerns, with suggestions that there was not enough consultation and that the levy is an expanded tax. The Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) was announced in December by the Victorian Government as a replacement for the Fire Services Property Levy and will be collected from Tuesday 1 July.
Councillors, staff not protected
Elected members and council staff do not have parliamentary privilege like state and federal politicians do. They can be sued for defamation, slander, and libel as a result of what is said during any of their meetings, especially those which are open to the public and livestreamed. At Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s January 28 meeting, CEO Trevor Smart explained his previous advice around livestreaming and tort law.
Alleged thief caught – Local businessman calls for greater police presence
After enduring nearly $15,000 in losses from multiple break-ins and spending around $30,000 on security upgrades, a local businessman is finally feeling a sense of relief. Police have arrested and charged a suspect believed to be responsible for the break-ins at a block of shops in Naracoorte.
Basin water conference comes to lower Murray in 2025: MDBA, Murray Bridge Council
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) will hold its fifth annual water conference 29 and 30 July in the city of Murray Bridge in regional South Australia. MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said it was the first time River Reflections would be held in this part of the southern Basin where community interests and water management challenges differed to those further upstream.
Changes to TRC’s Animal Management Centre
Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is removing the after-hours, drop-off box facility at Toowoomba’s Anzac Avenue Animal Management Centre effective from tomorrow, Friday, February 28. Residents are instead being called upon to help with looking after animals and finding their owners.
It’s just not good enough! Mayor makes call to action
The current proposal for the new Albury Wodonga regional hospital is simply inadequate, according to Towong Shire mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead. "The redevelopment proposed will barely meet current demand let alone the future demands for a region of 300,000 people," he said. ... "We are demanding the healthcare service and facilities our community deserves," Cr Whitehead said.
170 GL in unnecessary water recovery to win city votes
In a clearly political move to win city votes at the expense of regional Australia, the Commonwealth yesterday kicked off a second buyback tender in the southern Murray-Darling Basin in 2024-25. NSW Irrigators’ Council CEO Claire Miller said with an impending election, "this announcement is clearly intended to try to win city votes while throwing regional communities, farmers and even the environment under the bus.
Disbelief at Plibersek’s disdain for rural Australia
Community and farming groups have expressed "total disbelief" at the latest attempt by the Albanese Government to destroy regional communities. Leading the charge is Murray Regional Strategy Group, with Chair Geoff Moar saying the latest announcement of more water buybacks on the eve of a Federal election was "beyond comprehension".
Dairy productivity growth – a glass half full: ABARES
National dairy productivity has continued to stall since 2010-11, achieving an average annual growth rate of -0.04 per cent from 2010-11 to 2022-23. Yet, under the surface of these national level aggregates, the story has some positive elements.
“Trust is gone”: Highway works anger Indigenous community
Works on a stretch of the Sturt Highway west of Hay are under threat as claims that Aboriginal sites have been destroyed have been levelled at Transport for NSW. “We aren’t going to let it rest,” Hay Local Aboriginal Land Council (Hay LALC) CEO Ian Woods said. “We’ll take it all the way to the Environment Court if we have to.”
Will the Health District split deliver for smaller communities?
A worker inside Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has responded to Member for Murray Helen Dalton’s calls to split the district in two. Ms Dalton raised the issue in NSW parliament recently, proposing a new Western health district for the townships of Deniliquin, Jerilderie, Berrigan, Finley, Leeton, Griffith, Hay, Hillston, Lake Cargelligo, Balranald, Barham, Moulamein and Tocumwal.
Council GM awarded pay rise
Emma Pritchard and Rodney Stevens. Clarence Valley Council (CVC) General Manager Laura Black has been awarded a 2.5 percent pay rise after Councillors voted on the recommendation to increase her remuneration during one of the most drama filled Council meetings in years ... Data obtained from the NSW Office of Local Government shows between July 2023 and June 2024, Ms Black was paid $363,866.
“Enhancements” will lead to less ambulances being available
There are times when paramedics from Yamba Ambulance Station are called away from the Lower Clarence, that they are told they are the only ambulance available between Ballina and Coffs Harbour.
Jails full… but 400 beds vacant at Clarence
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has spoken out about the number of inmates languishing in police cells due to jails being full – and the CV Independent can reveal there is a 400-bed facility locally that hasn’t been open since 2022 as it isn’t fit for purpose.
Farmers concerned over dingo protection changes in North-West Victoria
Mallee farmers are voicing frustration over changes to dingo management laws, fearing increased threats to their livestock as wild dogs seek water and food amid dry conditions ... On the other side of the debate, scientists and conservationists highlight the importance of protecting the Big Desert dingo population, known as Wilkerr to the Wotjobaluk First Nations People.
Riverlanders work to restore local turtle populations
Madison Eastmond ... being carried out in the Hills and Fleurieu, Limestone Coast and Northern, and Yorke as a multi-region intuitive, the TURTLE Project is a collaborative effort of landscape boards, First Nations, citizen scientists, NGOs, councils and landholders to gather information to guide the protection of freshwater turtles across South Australia.
‘Desperation’ over doctor shortage
Christine Webster. The Australia-wide problem of being unable to attract enough doctors to rural areas is impacting heavily on the Waikerie Medical Centre and local community ... Dr Wanguhu said young doctors often preferred to take up posts at medical centres in Barmera, Berri and Renmark where they were not required to work in an emergency hospital.
Cape Elizabeth ‘single biggest driving force’
Sarah Herrmann. Damage at Cape Elizabeth was the single biggest driving force behind a proposed coastal access strategy for Yorke Peninsula, Northern and Yorke Landscape Board general manager Tony Fox says.
Coastal plan out now
Sarah Herrmann. Community consultation is now open on the draft Yorke Peninsula Coastal Access Strategy 2025-2035, with members of the public invited to share their feedback via a survey ... Consultation sessions have already been held with local landholders and progress associations, 4WD representatives and the tourism sector.
Facelift for Bute beauty
Michelle Daw. Much-needed repairs have been completed to the acclaimed artwork on a silo at Bute. Artist Adam Poole-Mottishaw and his assistant, Shane Cook, repaired sections including the face, hair and hands of the young girl depicted on February 18 and 19.
Fire Services Levy hike to hurt farmers: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says proposed hikes to the proposed Fire Services Levy could see some farmers forced to pay up to 400 per cent on top of the current levy.
