New bridge taking shape
Hugh Schuitemaker. A Riverland council continues to make progress on the reconstruction of a major bridge in Renmark, utilising some of the largest construction machinery ever seen inside the region.
Common sense allows farmers to use ground water during bushfires
The NSW Government says it is reducing red tape which has stifled farmers’ ability to fight fires on their own property. During a fire emergency, a landholder can now take water from surface water and groundwater sources on their land without needing to have a water licence and water use approval.
Debt-free pool – $8M project fully funded
The replacement pool and facilities at the John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool will be constructed free of debt to Council and at minimal cost to ratepayers. The $8.067 million project received a further boost of $4.191 million last week following Council’s successful funding application under Round 2 of the Growing Regions Program.
Time to turn Service WA into the Cloud Service WA
Open letter to the Premier of WA. Dear Premier, I am writing to express a mixture of exasperation and incredulity at the state of Western Australia’s Department of Transport (DoT) vehicle registration and licensing system. It’s a system that forces citizens to reenact scenes from the 1985 film  Brazil ...
Opposition leader visits Hall Gap
Mallee business owners under persistent threat of bushfire told Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton they cannot secure the insurance they need to protect their livelihoods, after his visit organised by Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster.
France’s timber lesson
On the first anniversary of the Victorian state government’s closure of Gippsland’s native forest industry, France’s rebuilt historic Notre-Dame Cathedral has been completed in all its glory – and French timber was at the heart of this historic project. The oak hardwood timber used came from trees in French forests between 80-150 years old, with some more than 200-years-old.
Open letter to Rous County Councillors from Water Northern Rivers
We were heartened to read an article in the Tweed Coast Times, "Leading the way for a sustainable future water supply", p.13, 6/9/24. In the article Sharon Cadwallader (newly re-elected Rous County Councillor and Ballina mayor) said working to minimise water demand from big water users is an important part of water sustainability.
33rd Mardigrass planning meetings start
Michael Balderstone ... Thirty-three years is a long time saying the same message over and over again. Who would have believed when we started MardiGrass that weed would get legal but through a doctor and coming from Canada? It’s like a bad joke.
Resilient Lismore annual report released
The floods that devastated Lismore and the Northern Rivers in late February 2022 may be the worst natural disaster in recorded Australian history ... Resilient Lismore emerged out of the disaster to assist the many people who were affected by the floods.
YP residents crying out for connection
Rachel Hagan. Locals say existing communications coverage problems across Yorke Peninsula have been exacerbated by the influx of tourists to the region’s busy beachside towns. In October, Telstra’s 3G coverage was turned off across Australia, leaving many YP residents unable to rely on their phones and stuck on roaming.
New clean energy resource under our feet
A new report from Geoscience Australia, in collaboration with the Geological Survey of New South Wales, has found elevated levels of natural hydrogen and helium in locations throughout New South Wales.
Volunteers needed for the Allora Show
President of the Allora Show Society has put a call out for volunteers to help as this year’s Allora Show. It takes a dedicated team to bring this amazing event to life so any time you could help at the Show would be appreciated.
Fire exposes risk of chicken farm waste
The management, storage and disposal of farm waste products has become a focus after residents reportedly discovered a smouldering fire in a chicken litter stockpile last week. A resident in the Baringhup/Carisbrook area says they discovered evidence of self-combustion in a pile of chicken farm waste following a day of Total Fire Ban in the district, expressing concern that it could happen again.
Council to assist with raw water connection costs at Showground
The Narrandera Shire Council has agreed to a request for assistance from the Narrandera Showground Land Managers to reduce the financial impact of the raw water connection to the Narrandera Showground. Council will make a contribution of $2,500 to the Showground Trust ... Based on expected water usage on the site there is anticipated to be an operational cost in excess of $20,000 a year that will need to be paid by the Narrandera Showground Trust.
Consultation attracts Olympic-size response
Queenslanders have responded in their thousands to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority’s call for ideas and feedback on plans and legacy projects for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. The 100 Day Review attracted more than 5,000 submissions from a broad array of groups including residents, infrastructure and planning experts, sporting and community organisations and aspiring Olympians of tomorrow.
Centre faces funding shortfall
Two unforeseen acts just prior to Christmas have placed the future of the Corryong Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) and the community bakery in financial jeopardy. Firstly, the Australian government delayed providing $85,000 of grant funding, which had already been spent, until May 2025.
$7.2 billion for a new Kwinana port
On November 11 last year the WA Premier all but confirmed the project will go ahead. The only question is how much the Feds will stump up and how much influence will the unions have on the final design.
The WA Minister has learnt nothing from the live export debate
Has our State Minister for Agriculture learnt nothing from the live export debate? ... So, what’s next if Jackie Jarvis ends up as WA Minister for Agriculture after the next election - imposing bans on intensive piggeries, dairy calves, long distance transport of livestock, live export of cattle?
Clarence Valley hospitals experience high activity in recent months
The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) continued to improve planned surgery performance during the July to September 2024 quarter, despite hospitals with the locality experiencing some of the highest activity levels on record.
New Housing Delivery Authority to bypass Council
In a bid to boost housing construction and supply in NSW the state government has established a new Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) designed to lead a new development pathway that will see regional Councils bypassed by developers of approved residential "State Significant Development" projects valued at more than $30 million. The HDA was established under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (1979)...
Brooms Head foreshore to return to the community
Clarence Valley Council has announced the Brooms Head foreshore will be returned to the community with sites adjacent to the beach no longer available to families who have camped there for more than 50 years, across generations.
Strengthening Hindmarsh Holiday Parks
In September 2024, Hindmarsh Shire Council resumed management of the Nhill Holiday Park, bringing operation of all four parks across the Shire back in-house, as well as Four Mile Beach Camping area ... Hindmarsh Holiday Parks play a crucial role in the Shire’s tourism and economic development strategy, driving increased visitation and longer stays in our region.
