Kindergarten pilot begins as record number of students start school: Cook, Winton
The Cook Government's landmark free Full-time Kindergarten Pilot begins today, marking a major milestone in early childhood education in Western Australia. The pilot is commencing at Roleystone Community College, Halidon Primary School, and Banksia Grove Primary School in the metropolitan region, and South Kalgoorlie Primary School and Dalyellup Primary School in regional Western Australia.
A better lifestyle through a stronger economy – Capacity boost at Port of Townsville’s busiest berths: Bates
The Crisafulli Government and Port of Townsville Limited are strengthening trade and supply chains in North Queensland with upgrades to berths three and four at the Port of Townsville. This upgrade removes a key bottleneck by extending the operating reach of the Port’s Liebherr Ship-to-Shore crane across both berths, improving vessel turnaround times for containerised, general cargo and other trade-critical freight.
Territory mango crop leads the nation: Maley
Territory growers produced 4.3 million trays of mangoes in the 2025-26 season, a 7.5 per cent increase on the previous year – the equivalent of an additional 300,000 trays of Territory mangoes flowing into domestic and international markets ... Currently, the Northern Territory continues to lead the nation in mango production, supplying 52 per cent of Australia’s total mango crop.
CLP cracking down on public housing tenants: Edgington
Delivering on its promise to reduce crime and restore the Territory lifestyle, the Finocchiaro CLP Government is cracking down to hold public housing tenants accountable for anti-social behaviour and damage to taxpayer funded housing.
Big energy, big decisions: Public hearing set for Dinawan Solar Farm as wind stage approaches milestone
The future of the Riverina’s energy landscape is moving into a critical phase this month as the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) prepares to descend on Coleambally for a public meeting regarding the Dinawan Solar Farm.
New principals begin the year at two small schools
Two small schools more than 120km apart — Broadwater and Old Bonalbo — have new principals starting this term. At Broadwater Public School - rebuilt after the 2022 floods - Jake Debrincat joins this term as principal. At Old Bonalbo, it is Samantha Cooper’s first time as a principal.
Australia Day and Survival Day
In Maldon, it was a friendly gathering in the Shire Gardens with flags flying and snags frying, all thanks to volunteers and the Maldon RSL ... In Castlemaine, Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson welcomed a packed Town Hall with a traditional ceremony on ... 26 January before Council CEO Darren Fuzzard spoke about the day’s theme of ‘Reflect, Respect, Celebrate’.
CMA discusses GST Review with NSW Premier and Treasurer
“While GST distribution has traditionally been seen as an issue between the State and the Commonwealth, Local Government is an important stakeholder. Councils across remote, rural and regional NSW depend on the State Government for a diverse range of funding, everything from roads to libraries, from community services to economic development initiatives,” Temora Mayor Rick Firman said..
Different action on WA demersal ban
While the WA Labor Minister for Fisheries announces the release of pink snapper fingerlings in Cockburn Sound south of Perth as part of their West Coast Demersal Recovery package, the Nationals WA continue to hold forums for fishers impacted by the demersal fishing ban and call for a parliamentary inquiry.
SEC breaks ground on Delburn Wind Farm: D’Ambrosio
Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio has visited the SEC Delburn Wind Farm site, where construction will begin in March ahead of operations starting in 2028. The 33-turbine wind farm will have a generation capacity of up to 205 megawatts of renewable energy to the electricity grid, enough to power more than 130,000 homes with renewable power. The SEC will hold 100 per cent ownership of the project.
Narrandera’s own Dame Marie Bashir passes away
Narrandera Shire Council has extended its deepest condolences on the passing of Dame Marie Bashir AC CVO, a remarkable Australian and one of Narrandera's most distinguished local-born citizens. Born in Narrandera, Dame Marie Bashir went on to lead an extraordinary life of service, becoming one of Australia's most respected medical professionals, advocates and leaders. Her achievements were many, including her historic role as the 37th Governor of New South Wales and the first woman to hold that office.
Commission of Inquiry’s first public hearing of the new year to be in Toowoomba
The Commission of Inquiry into Child Safety has announced it will hold its first public hearing of 2026 in Southern Queensland with a key focus on the intersection between the child safety and youth justice systems. The public hearing will be held in Toowoomba, commencing on Monday the 16th of February ... Commissioner, the Honourable Paul Anastassiou KC said the community's input will help inform the Commission's work in its review of the effectiveness of the child safety system to keep children and Queenslanders safe.
Minister calls snap foam forum
Michelle Daw. Environment Minister Lucy Hood has called a hastily arranged community forum at Corny Point this week, following growing criticism of the state government's handling of the harmful algal bloom affecting southern Yorke Peninsula ... Public frustration escalated over the weekend following reported comments by Premier Peter Malinauskas, who stated the algal bloom was "non-existent in most of the state" — remarks that have drawn strong backlash from affected coastal communities.
Labor for MacKillop’s future?
As MacKillop heads toward the March 2026 state election, voters are being challenged to weigh experience, independence, and influence. Labor candidate Mark Braes makes his case in an exclusive Q&A with The [Naracoorte] News, pitching decades in law, local government, and mayoral leadership—alongside the leverage of being part of a governing SA Labor Party.
Back to school scorcher
Madison Eastmond. Additional hot-weather measures are being adopted by Riverland schools, as students brave an intense heatwave – including yesterday's 49C scorcher – for the first week of the 2026 school year ... "This is definitely the hottest beginning of a school year we have had in a while," said Barmera Primary School principal Jayne Foulds.
Restoring National pride in Northern Territory Government schools: Hersey
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is restoring National pride in Northern Territory Government schools, with schools directed to play and sing the National Anthem under a new policy introduced by the Minister for Education and Training. The new policy ‘Assemblies, special events and the Australian National Anthem’ mandates all schools to play and sing the National Anthem at school assemblies and special events.
Tax shock for farm trailblazers: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers with cellar doors and fruit stands should beware of huge new bills being slapped on them by the state government, NSW Farmers says. Reports have spiked of family farmers being forced to pay up to $300,000 in land taxes to the NSW Government for diversifying their businesses with small farmgate sales and agritourism experiences.
Three-day childcare guarantee now in effect for all families
Every child is now guaranteed three days of subsidised childcare, but there's a catch for rural families. The three-day childcare guarantee now in effect for all families. A new federal subsidy removes work test, but access to centres remains challenge in Barwon electorate, according to the local MP.
West Coast shark fishers caught up in demersal ban
A Lancelin based shark fisher says there has been no commercial fishing in the West Coast bioregion between Lancelin and Tims Thicket (south of Mandurah) for nearly 20 years ... Mr Stokke, who also partners with his brother in a western rock lobster boat, said he thought the ban was probably targeting the wet liners but they (the shark fishers) were thrown under the bus with them.
Show Society confidence in games bid
Allora Show Society is moving ahead with an attempt to become involved in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games after discussing the potential for a multi-function stables complex at the showgrounds. It is anticipated that the complex would cost around $1.5 million and would become a valuable asset at the showgrounds beyond the Olympics.
Hole lot of drama on Armidale Road
Several vehicles have had tyres damaged, and rims broken as they’ve travelled along a notoriously dangerous 22km section of Armidale Road between Coutts Crossing and Nymboida in recent months, with one social media user likening it to the Mariana Trench. With countless potholes, some measuring 16cm deep and 40cm wide, creating a hazardous obstacle course on the bitumen, many locals and business representatives ... have shared various warnings online...
A better lifestyle through a stronger economy – Crisafulli Government delivers aviation academy for North Queensland’s defence workforce: Bates
The Crisafulli Government is delivering skilled jobs and long-term training pathways for Queenslanders, with the Townsville Aviation Training Academy opening its doors and welcoming its first group of defence aviation apprentices this week. Delivered through Aviation Australia the academy will provide specialist training to support Boeing Defence Australia’s new maintenance workforce for the Australian Army’s AH-64E Apache helicopters, alongside the expanding CH-47F Chinook program.
