Investment in canine fleet for fire and rescue
Fire and Rescue NSW’s (FRNSW) Ignitable Liquid Detection Canines have welcomed enhanced resources and a vehicle which will allow firefighters to transport canines across the state, including remote areas, to investigate fire scenes. Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott celebrated the $100,000 NSW Government investment, which will guarantee the dogs - Xenos, Xando and Gandalf – will travel safely while also allowing the canines and their handlers to cover large areas, as they help firefighters undertake fire origin and cause analysis.
Investigation into the former principal of Milingimbi School
The Independent Commissioner Against Corruption NT, Ken Fleming QC, has made findings of corrupt conduct against a former principal of Milingimbi School in Central Arnhem Land and has made a series of recommendations relating to oversight and governance of remote schools. The ICAC report found that Ms Jennifer Lea Sherrington benefited from her position as principal of Milingimbi School by misapplying Department of Education and Milingimbi School Council funds, misusing debit cards and exploiting the lack of guidelines and department oversight for the Principal’s Initiative cost code.
Major overhaul to keep Wivenhoe pumping
Queensland’s largest hydro power station will undergo a $14 million overhaul to ensure it continues to pump cleaner, cheaper energy for years to come. Major maintenance works will start at the publicly-owned Wivenhoe Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Station this month, creating 100 jobs under the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
New national parks and reserves for Victoria
Victoria’s central west will have 65,106 hectares of new national parks further protecting the area’s unique environment and giving Victorians and tourists more opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. The new national parks will be created by linking existing state forests, parks and reserves. The largest will bring together Lerderderg State Park and much of the existing Wombat State Forest to create a new national park covering more than 44,000 hectares between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh.
New National Parks announcement
Pyrenees Shire Council notes with interest the latest announcement from the Victorian Government on new National Parks in Victoria’s Central West ... While Council understands the importance of protecting the biodiversity values of our parks, Council remains concerned about impacts of this decision on some other uses of the public land.
Events postponed, but Show can still go on
The Chief Minister announced Territory Day celebrations across the NT are deferred due to the unfolding COVID situation in Darwin ... Territory Day will go ahead at a later date so we can all celebrate together ... The Alice Springs Show which was due to happen today was cancelled due to the lockdown.
Mothers push for childcare shortage solutions
Eliza Berlage. Mothers in Kingston and Edenhope have channelled their frustration about the local childcare shortage into action by working with councils and government to ï¬nd solutions. With existing services at or close to capacity and waiting lists up to 12 months, many parents have been unable to work or study, and some have considered leaving altogether.
Robotic scanner to map caves
Chris Oldfield. Research, 3D scanning, 3D printing, aerial mapping, special events and school holiday programs continue to boost the economic success of Naracoorte Caves National Park. And soon a cave scanning robot will team up with staff and researchers at the World Heritage listed site. The revelation came at Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s June 22 meeting when palaeontologist Liz Reed delivered a Powerpoint presentation of the Australian Research Council (ARC) linkage project.
New affordable housing just months away from opening
Eight units are under construction at 115 Centre St in Casino through Momentum Collective ... Across the region, there is a chronic shortage of affordable housing, said Mark Edwards from Momentum Collective. “This is a positive move to support local people and key workers who may not be able to access safe, affordable housing.”
Mining exploration kicks off in earnest
Geoff Helisma. Corazon Mining announced on the Australian Stock Exchange on June 17 that it has “commenced drilling at the Mt Gilmore Copper Cobalt Gold Project”, which is 25km northwest of Grafton. “Drilling will target the priority 8km-long Gordonbrook Hill – May Queen copper-cobalt/silver-gold anomaly, within the greater 20km long Mt Gilmore Trend,” the announcement states.
Miles off the mark
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles has shown scant regard for the residents of Weipa, completely ignoring questions regarding normalisation. Mr Miles, who is also the Local Government Minister, didn’t even bother to address the questions put to him by Cape York Weekly.
Kidney unit snubs the Cape
A political decision to build a kidney transplant unit at Townsville instead of Cairns has riled medical experts in the Far North. The state government held bids from both Cairns and Townsville hospitals for the new renal transplant unit, but opted for the more southern hospital, despite evidence suggesting more patients would benefit if it was in Cairns.
Revised Remote Engagement and Coordination Strategy launched
Local Government Minister Chansey Paech and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Selena Uibo were in town this week to launch the revised edition of the Remote Engagement and Coordination Strategy (RECS). The RECS is part of a suite of tools designed to improve all aspects of regional and remote engagement, travel, and coordination of community visits ... Work on the RECS second edition was led by a group of NT Government agencies and the Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory.
Gingin brigades will shift to new emergency services centre
A new emergency services centre with the capacity for an incident control centre if there is a major bushfire in the area is being built in Gingin. The Gingin Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Gingin South Bushfire Brigade will share the Gingin Emergency Services Centre ... Emergency Services Minister Reece Whitby said volunteer firefighters in the Gingin area had been in the thick of bushfire fighting responses this year, including the Red Gully and Wooroloo bushfires.
Real outcomes for regional and rural Queensland
Economic development and delivering the State’s Economic Recovery Plan has been the focus of the Palaszczuk Government’s Regional Community Forums held across the state todayMinisters and MPs participated in the sixth Regional Community Forums, held in seven regional centres.
$2.8 billion to future proof regional NSW
Thousands of new jobs and significant infrastructure builds in regional NSW will be delivered through the 2021-22 NSW Budget, supporting the recovery and future prosperity of regional communities following drought, bushfires, floods, the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently the mice plague.
Primary Industries and Regions South Australia – SA State Budget 2021-22
Through more than $875 million in new measures supporting South Australia’s regions, the Marshall Liberal Government will build key infrastructure, drive economic growth and recovery to ensure our regional communities thrive.
Territory iron shipment leaves Darwin port
The first shipment of iron ore from processed waste materials at Frances Creek Mine are being celebrated this week as a huge sign of strength and confidence in the Territory’s mineral industry. The Territory Labor Government approved the Mining Management Plan for the Frances Creek Mine in March 2020 enabling the processing of existing ore stockpiles at the mine. NT Bullion – the operator of the mine – has been using innovative x-ray technology from German based Steinert to screen waste rock stockpiles at the site to produce export quality iron ore.
No plan for Weipa: Rio Tinto dragging its heels on normalisation
Weipa's future continues to be in limbo as Rio Tinto refuses to make a commitment to hand over the keys to the town ... Rio Tinto says it is open to the idea of normalisation, but refuses to make any kind of commitment ... Deputy Premier Steven Miles is also the state’s Local Government Minister and hasn’t even visited Weipa to discuss the issue ... Member for Cook Cythia Lui has also remained silent, despite hearing the concerns from the community during her last visit.
Onslow successfully powered by 100% renewable energy in trial
Horizon Power has demonstrated the Onslow microgrid's full capacity after successfully powering the Pilbara town for a total of 80 minutes. Electricity was powered by 700 kilowatts of customer generated solar and 600 kilowatts of utility solar, while supported by battery technology.
Humpback whale swim tour season starts along Ningaloo Coast
Humpback whales have been spotted along the spectacular Ningaloo Coast, with Western Australians encouraged to support tour operators amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With the humpback whale swim tour season starting soon, visitors to the Ningaloo Coast have the opportunity to swim with these magnificent creatures in their natural environment.
Three train manufacturers shortlisted for Queensland train building program
Queensland is one step closer to building its next passenger train fleet after shortlisting three leading train manufacturers to enter the next phase of the Rollingstock Expansion Program (REP). Train manufacturers Alstom, CAF and Downer Rail have been shortlisted to manufacture the first 20 trains of the new fleet in a purpose-built Maryborough manufacturing facility following an extensive Expression of Interest process run by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
