Long-awaited outback relief welcomed: Pederick
The Opposition has welcomed the State and Federal Government’s announcement to establish a barge crossing at Cooper Creek on the Birdsville Track, delivering long-awaited relief for outback communities and freight operators. Shadow Minister for Regional Roads, Adrian Pederick said this is something that should have been addressed months before the Birdsville Track was flooded…
Councils have moved far beyond three ‘R’s
Local government is no longer all about "roads, rates, and rubbish", according to Local Government and Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain. McBain addressed representatives of 537 local government areas (LGAs) at last week's Australian Local Government Association's (ALGA) national general assembly.
Listen up! Council drives hospital protest
Towong Shire Council is encouraging the community to rally in Corryong next month to oppose the planned redevelopment of the current Albury hospital instead of building on a new greenfield site. "Council remains gravely concerned at the current plans to redevelop the existing hospital site as it will lead to insufficient capacity to meet the future demands of the region for the future," said Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead.
Tamworth’s mountain biking paradise: Anderson
One of the region’s most popular recreation facilities is moving forward thanks to the installation of new solar powered automatic opening gate. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said Tamworth’s mountain bike track was a must visit destination for mountain bike fanatics and recreational users getting out and staying active.
Translocation won’t solve the problem of too many koalas
It's never been a bright idea to translocate koalas and it's not the first time that they've been secretly translocated from the irrupting Sydney catchments sub-population. The NSW Government’s secrecy is intended to hide the fact that there are just too many koalas.
Live sheep package a disgrace – no consultation, no state contribution, no credibility: Hunter
The Opposition has slammed the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments over their deeply flawed $139 million live sheep phase-out package - calling it a political stunt dressed up as support, with no meaningful industry consultation and not a single dollar in new funding.
Fisheries vessel to inspect harmful algal bloom: Close, Scriven
South Australia’s flagship fisheries patrol vessel Southern Ranger will be operating in the Gulf of St Vincent tomorrow to conduct underwater observations of the harmful algal … State Government agencies are also taking weekly water samples at 17 sites across West Lakes, the Port River, the Patawalonga River and the end of four jetties at Largs Bay, Grange, Glenelg and Port Noarlunga.
Varroa mite ravages Clarence Valley hive
A Clarence Valley amateur beekeeper says she is devastated after having to destroy her hive of more than 6000 bees on the weekend that was ravaged by a Varroa Mite infestation ad has warned others to be on the lookout.
‘Radical’ noon bail cutoff challenged
Former prominent NSW Magistrate and Dean of Law at Southern Cross University, Professor David Heilpern has written to the NSW Chief Magistrate challenging new bail laws including a 12-noon cutoff he described as ‘radical’. A new bail division designed to streamline bail hearings across the state and deliver consistency in bail outcomes was introduced on July 7, where 6 virtual courtrooms will cover bail hearings from different regions.
Our voices remain silenced
A petition that gained almost 20,000 signatures before being presented to state parliament over 12 months ago remains hamstrung by the state government and the parliamentary committee process, says chair of the Limestone Coast Radiation Treatment Working Party, Lachlan Haynes. The petition, which was addressed to the members of the House of Assembly triggered a Legislative Review Committee inquiry to which the working group made a written submission and presented in person. The bipartisan, joint parliamentary committee then referred the matter to the Health Committee where it sat stagnant ever since.
Ronald Marks convicted
Horsham man Ronald Marks, who worked in kindergartens and child playgroups less than an hour from Naracoorte, has been convicted in the Horsham Magistrate’s Court of accessing child abuse material ... A Wergaia elder whose face was painted on a silo as part of the iconic Sheep Hills silo art, Mr Marks, 74, pleaded guilty to seven charges against him on July 2.
NRLE eID work nearing completion
The Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange is close to finalising the installation of electronic identification (eID) equipment and infrastructure for sheep. The Naracoorte Lucindale Council confirmed the progress, noting that it allocated nearly $1 million in this financial year for improvements to the sheep yards.
Mayor talk with Louie Zaffina: Everything’s ticking along well
Balranald Shire moving forward with key projects and community initiatives. Mayor Louie Zaffina has been keeping busy since taking office, with significant progress on several fronts across the Balranald Shire. From major infrastructure projects to community health initiatives, Council is delivering on multiple priorities while actively seeking solutions to regional challenges.
No escape? Movement of bee colonies into SA means varroa outbreak now ‘highly likely’ …
Hugh Schuitemaker. A senior Riverland politician is "deeply concerned" at the potential risks caused by a decision to allow bee colonies from varroa mite outbreak areas into South Australia. PIRSA has announced the movement of bee colonies from varroa-positive interstate jurisdictions into South Australia will now be permitted entry under specific movement conditions, in an attempt to support business continuity for the beekeeping industry and pollination-dependent partners.
Confirmed fire ant detection in Moranbah
Council has been aware of a confirmed detection of fire ants at the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance Broadmeadow Coal Mine site in Moranbah on Wednesday 9 July 2025. The detection was identified and managed...
When justice goes digital: Regional NSW grapples with bail reform
So, you're a police officer in a small Western NSW town, and you've just arrested someone at 10am. Under the new bail system, there's a good chance that person won't see a magistrate until Monday, and you'll be stuck supervising them while emergency calls pile up on your radio ... officers are being pulled off the streets to babysit accused people while magistrates work what appears to be school hours.
Legal weed soon, surely
Michael Balderstone. Jeremy Buckingham, the Legalise Cannabis NSW MP who won a seat in the last election, tried to get the government to make a move on the cannabis laws but Premier Minns dug his heels in. Next best option, Jeremy chaired an Upper House committee inquiry he initiated which has released its final report into "The impacts of the regulatory framework for cannabis in New South Wales".
NSW Country Mayors reiterate cost shifting frustrations: CMA
Local Government NSW released a new report on ‘cost shifting’ last week and the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) has reiterated their frustrations and the fact that the impacts are more deeply felt in rural, regional and remote communities. Cost shifting is the terms given to the offloading of cost burdens by State and Federal Governments onto already cash starved Local Government.
Final decision on Fox Coal mineral development licence application: Frecklington
The Crisafulli Government has rejected Fox Coal’s application to develop a proposed coal mine in the Bundaberg region. The Attorney-General found the application was not in the public interest after a full assessment.
We’re chuffed — WaterNSW gives interim licence for fishing club to operate Bells Bay
There’s been movement on the stalemate between WaterNSW and Kyogle Fishing Club with a formal interim licence to be issued next week. The gates to Bells Bay Campground are still locked despite initial reports they would be opened last Wednesday, July 9.
The scissors and the wound
Frank Baarda. Living in Yuendumu and having followed the Death in Custody saga, I was looking forward to the Coroner's report. I was not disappointed. A friend forwarded me the pdf, all 683 pages of it … In case you missed it, here are photos of the edged weapon and the stab-wound.
Parliamentary estimates: Where questions go to die
Estimates is meant to be the opposition’s one decent swing at the government’s budget—the rare chance to force ministers to justify the billions in taxpayer cash they merrily shovel around like chook feed. Instead, it’s turned into the legislative equivalent of asking a sulky teenager to explain where last week’s allowance went ... when ministers start throwing up emotional smokescreens instead of facts, it’s usually a sign they’ve got something to hide.
