Making Queensland safer – New youth criminal rehabilitation program in FNQ to help restore safety: Crisafulli, Gerber
... Staying on Track offering up to 12 months of rehabilitation for youths exiting detention, including at least six months’ intensive support to reintegrate them into the community and prevent them falling back into a cycle of crime ... These programs use a network of mentors, family support, and community engagement to help youth strengthen life skills, build positive relationships, and reduce reoffending, laying the foundation for long term change ...
VFF statement: In response to reports of some farmers receiving access notices from Transmission Company Victoria for their land as part of the VNI...
"We’ve consistently told TCV they must take a people-first approach and genuinely engage in a meaningful manner.” “Handing landholders a letter saying they will compulsory access their property to do land surveys flanked by a lawyer is completely tone-deaf and will only further add to mounting opposition to this project.”
20 new space missions to touch down in SA: Malinauskas, Szakacs
South Australia has further cemented its reputation as a global leader in the space economy with the announcement that the Koonibba Test Range will facilitate another 20 spacecraft returns by 2028.
$250,000 health plan endorsed
The South East is set for its most ambitious health overhaul in a generation, with the Limestone Coast Local Health Network endorsing a 10-year, $250 million clinical services plan designed to transform care across the region. The 65-page Draft Clinical Services Plan 2025 2035 charts a course for hospitals and community health across eight locations ...
Crime wave worsening under Labor as regional communities left exposed: Cleeland
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for failing to address the worsening crime wave across regional Victoria ... Fresh figures ... reveal substantial increases in criminal incidents, offender rates, and family violence ...
NSW country mayors raise concerns about centralised planning for rural NSW: CMA
Chairman of the NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA), Mayor Rick Firman OAM, has cautiously welcomed the planning reforms announced by the Minns’ Government. Mayor Firman, however, raised concerns about how centralised planning, standardised assessments and processes would improve outcomes for remote, rural and regional communities.
Creative Streets takes flight with aerial acts
The Creative Streets Festival will take Armidale' creative scene to new heights with a spectacular lineup of entertainment that will ignite your imagination and celebrate our region’s vibrant spirit ... This isn’t just a festival, it’s a creative collision of art, music, ideas, and community.
Major road safety boost – Transforming hundreds of kilometres of regional roads and extending their life by decades: Aitchison
...Forming part of the government’s focus to improve the safety, resilience and reliability of NSW roads, Transport for NSW is now undertaking a 10-month spray sealing program. The initiative is targeting more than 20 state road corridors from Broken Hill to Byron Bay and as far south as Eden.
QUT leads Queensland’s push to become Asia-Pacific biomanufacturing hub
QUT has launched an $18 million upgrade to its Mackay-based QUT Pioneer BioPilot, transforming it into Australia’s leading pilot-scale fermentation facility and advancing Queensland’s ambition to become an Asia-Pacific biomanufacturing hub.
Paralysed by neglect: the road council won’t fix until 2029
When does the cost of human life and injury tip the scales and become the first priority? John Hanckel used to start his mornings with a jog, breathing in the fresh country air around Hay ... All of that changed on one terrible day in October 2008...
Chest beating
"The Finocchiaro CLP Government" – this is how almost all of its chest-beating media handouts start – claims it is "delivering real results for tourism" ... So far as Alice Springs and MacDonnell are concerned, Tourism Research Australia tells a different story.
Hughenden celebrates official opening of Country Universities Centre and launch of 4821 Learning Lab
Flinders Shire marked a milestone in local education yesterday (24 September) with the official opening of the Country Universities Centre (CUC) Hughenden, which already has 17 students enrolled and studying locally.
Crocs snapping up big bucks for the Territory: Maley
...Crocodiles aren’t just an iconic part of the Northern Territory - they’re powering our economy too. A new report estimates the industry will contribute $151 million in 2025, supporting more than 300 jobs. The Economic Value of the Northern Territory’s Crocodile Industry ... outlines three growth scenarios that could see the industry’s contribution rise to between $176 million and $243 million by 2035.
An unbearably good time at Narrandera’s Koala Festival
The Cootamundra electorate's cutest residents have been the centre of celebrations in Narrandera, with the town's annual Koala Festival last weekend proving to be an ongoing success ... "This event is great for the local tourism economy, and it's an opportunity for us to celebrate one of the region's greatest environmental achievements," said Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke.
Industrial renewables laid bare
The Pyramid Hill was a hive of activity on Sunday as community members from Loddon and Gannawarra Shires gathered to discuss industrial renewable developments openly. The meeting hosted by Loddon Valley Renewables Awareness Group provided an open community forum, something that is avoided at all costs for transmission line and renewable developments, as one speaker framed it, "divide and conquer" is the standard modus operandi.
Varroa mite shakes Riverland beekeepers
Sebastian Calderon. A well-known Riverland beekeeper is examining how to adapt following the first detection of varroa mite in South Australia, with concerns rising over how the pest could impact both commercial hives and pollination services vital to local horticulture. Loxton-based commercial beekeeper Ian Cass said he has been preparing for varroa since PIRSA's varroa development officers (VDO's) began holding training sessions.
Dialysis in draft: State plan flags mid-term service priority for Naracoorte
The long-awaited prospect of renal dialysis services at Naracoorte Hospital has been formally recognised in the state government’s Draft Clinical Services Plan for the Limestone Coast ... Mr McBride emphasised that renal dialysis for Naracoorte had been a long-standing request from constituents who faced the burden of travelling to Mount Gambier or Adelaide for treatment.
Floods don’t wait – Katter calls for faster flood warning system upgrades: Katter
Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter, has criticised the slow rollout of the National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN) program, warning that Charters Towers and other North West communities are being left exposed.
Regenerative agriculture needs a remake
I’ve never had much patience for farming fashions dressed up as science, and none has made more noise than “regenerative agriculture.” ... At last week's Regenerative Food Systems Conference ... I found myself alternating between rolling my eyes and listening intently. That, in a nutshell, is how most practical farmers view regen: some solid agronomy smothered in ideology.
Local MP slams health report’s ‘weasel words”
Michelle Daw. After months of anticipation, the long-awaited Yorke Peninsula health services inquiry report has been released. Its 16 recommendations include upgrading services at Wallaroo Hospital and developing emergency departments at Yorketown and Maitland Hospitals ... Narungga MP Fraser Ellis said he was disappointed by the "underwhelming" language used in the report.
Mancel’s incredible record recognised
On September 9, Mancel Gray Giddings, OAM, was presented with his Order of Australia Medal at a ceremony at Government House, officiated by Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria. It was a truly special occasion, and Mancel was delighted to once again put his beloved Wycheproof on the map!
Combing through genetics delivers tools to keep bees busy: AgriFutures Australia
Australian researchers are delving into the secret life of bees in a quest to breed more resilient, productive and happy honey-makers. The nation’s first comprehensive honey bee genetic improvement program, Plan Bee, has delivered genetic tools to secure the future of beekeepers.
