Surprise developments for new levy
The State Government announced on Friday 30 May, amongst a list of drought-relief measures, that it would pause the implementation of a contentious new levy to fund emergency services ... The Tarrangower Times has been following the story and chatting to various stakeholders as the story unfolded towards this unexpected pause to one aspect of the ESVF ... "their rage is white-hot"...
Can’t grow Ag policy in a political storm: TasFarmers
TasFarmers is calling out the state's political leaders for failing to prioritise stability and good governance through the parliamentary process, following the Rockliff Government’s loss of a no-confidence vote on the floor of the House of Assembly.
Murray Darling Basin update
At its final meeting for 2024, the Condamine Catchment Management Association (CCMA) tackled a big question: how healthy is the water in our rivers? ... Using decades of data, maps, legislation and monitoring reports, Dr Paul Webb explored what we know – and what we don't – about the state of our waterways.
Sledgehammer taken to housing affordability
The State Government has taken a sledgehammer to the construction industry, introducing the Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 which will push the cost of building a home up by as much as $30,000 ... Shadow Assistant Minister for Planning and the Building Industry, Wayne Farnham, said the bill was just the latest example of Labor siding with fringe parties instead of backing Victorian families.
Council rejects VNI West project in its current form
Northern Grampians Shire councillors will call on the State Government to find an alternative to its VNI West transmission line project amid fears for the nation’s food security along with community mental health and wellbeing. Victoria to NSW Interconnector West – known as VNI West – is a proposed new 500kV double circuit transmission line connecting high-voltage electricity grids in New South Wales and Victoria.
Drought package is too little too late
The Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley says drought affected farmers are desperate for meaningful help not a scheme to share the cost of hay sheds and poly pipes following the Victorian government's announcement of an expanded drought assistance package and a 12-month pause on Emergency Services Levy (ESL) increases for primary producers.
Council continues unfair fire tax fight
The Towong Shire Council intends to keep up its opposition to the state’s Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Levy despite the Victorian government’s announcement last Friday of a 12-month pause on the tax for farmers. At its meeting on May 28th, councillors unanimously opposed the levy, which was due to take effect from 1 July, 2025.
Downs dominates thoroughbred industry
New Queensland Government data shows the state's racing industry now contributes close to $2.5 billion per annum to the State's economy, including a large chunk for the Darling Downs. The findings were according to independent data from research specialists IER.
Country mayors welcome report on RFS assets
Mayor Rick Firman OAM, Chairman of the NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA) has welcomed the release of the Public Accounts Committee's inquiry into the Assets, Premises and Funding of the NSW Rural Fire Service. The Inquiry, undertaken to examine whether the current frameworks governing assets, premises and funding for the RFS remained appropriate, effective...
Immediate help needed, not future-proofing
Drought-hit South East farmers need “immediate help” from government-funded relief packages, rather than money for future mitigation measures … That is the view of independent member of the Legislative Council of South Australia Sarah Game, who says her assessment of the state government’s drought-relief packages has been – in part – informed by her communication with South East farmers.
Labor’s Stop Puppy Farming laws a dog’s breakfast: Warr
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Kirrilee Warr MLA, has labelled the implementation of the Cook Labor Government’s Stop Puppy Farming laws a "dog’s breakfast" after the Government abandoned a $9.8 million contract just days after the new laws had taken effect.
Mayoral matters
Hindmarsh Shire Mayor Ron Ismay. I would like to commence by commending the thousands of regional people who took part in the protest over the recently legislated Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) levy on the steps of Parliament House in Spring Street last week ... This levy is an absolute disgrace!
Feral bounty debate rages as hunting Bill introduced into NSW Parliament
NSW Premier Chris Minns has sparked debate around the introduction of a bounty on feral animals. Speaking on radio last week Mr Minns suggested that a system where shooters are paid a small fee for each feral animal killed could be a "novel way" to reduce their populations, which he believes have "taken over a lot of parks."
Hay drops costly membership
Council has relinquished its membership with RAMJO (Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation) following a steep increase in its annual fee. This is despite a recommendation from General Manager, David Webb to continue full membership for the 2025-26 financial year and then reassess Council's position. Cr John Perry vehemently opposed this, and called for Council to cut its losses now, resign from RAMJO and not pay the $30,000 fee.
Big win$
Hugh Schuitemaker. The "financial burden" on Renmark Paringa ratepayers from major local infrastructure projects will be reduced after new funding was obtained from the State Government. Renmark Paringa councillors at last month's general meeting passed a motion to accept a $4.1m funding offer ...
River flow assessment ‘far from reality’?
Hugh Schuitemaker and Sebastian Calderon. Senior Riverland politicians say a recent assessment praising the impacts of environmental watering fails to acknowledge economic challenges faced by local primary producers. A recent comprehensive assessment of environmental outcomes in South Australia, conducted by the State Government under the Murray Darling Basin Plan, states environmental water is having a positive impact on ecosystems, biodiversity and habitat quality.
Kids call out public transport fail: “Where’s the tram?”
While the state unveiled a new Emergency Services Levy, it also tried to sweeten the blow with a headline-grabbing promise: free public transport for all Victorian children under 18, starting January 1. But for rural communities like Donald, that promise rings hollow. "We have no trains, the tram is decommissioned ..."
Drought announcement
Emma Kealy, Shadow Minister for Agriculture. The Allan Labor Government's drought announcement fails to deliver the immediate support farmers have been calling for and desperately need. While doubling drought resilience infrastructure grants and deferring the emergency services tax on agricultural land for a year may sound helpful, it does little to provide immediate support for farmers who are at breaking point.
Federal drought support falls short, say SA grain producers
Michelle Daw. Grain Producers South Australia says new federal drought support measures will offer limited immediate relief to grain producers facing severe financial pressure across SA.
Declare drought a disaster
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas has declined to officially declare a drought in the state, claiming that his administration's drought relief package represented the "largest in South Australia's history." … Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross and local accountant Abby Miller made an impassioned plea to the government, urging swift action to aid farmers in the region who were struggling with extreme drought conditions.
Minister: We have spoken to Abby
In light of the persistent drought conditions, the minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development has reached out to the Commonwealth government to seek clarity regarding the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) hardship provisions. Minister Clare Scriven confirmed this to The [Naracoorte] News after being asked about the support her office was providing to drought-stricken farmers in the region.
Coercive control now illegal
Allora recently hosted a session at the Allora P-10 State School with an aim to create more awareness and empower members of the community about the early warning signs of coercive control.
