Council relaxes residential caravan laws amid housing crisis
Lockyer Valley Regional Council has made changes to its local laws to assist those struggling to secure housing by allowing short-term residential use of caravans … Council resolved last month to amend its Subordinate Local Law No. 1.3 to allow temporary residential use of caravans, subject to conditions that manage public safety and amenity.
Mid Murray’s economic growth potential highlighted
Christine Webster. Swan Reach, west of Morgan, plus Truro and Mannum, have been suggested as having the most potential for accommodating development in a draft Growth Management and Housing Strategy for the Mid Murray ... The draft strategy said the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve presented significant economic development opportunities across several industries...
‘Hard truths’ in final flood report
Hugh Schuitemaker. The Riverland's State MP says a report into the 2022/23 Murray River flood response shows preparations for the emergency "fell short" of what was necessary. The final report of the Select Committee into the River Murray Flooding Event was released last week.
Nhill Fire Brigade celebrates arrival of two new emergency vehicles
Nhill Fire Brigade raised an incredible amount of funds for two vital appliances: a new light tanker and the replacement forward command vehicle were officially handed over to Nhill Fire Brigade in Nhill by D17 ACFO Chris Eagle on Sunday 18th May 2025.
CFA brigades stand down over controversial emergency services levy
Hundreds of CFA volunteers have made the difficult decision to stand down in protest against the Victorian Government's new Emergency Services Levy, passed during a late-night parliamentary session last Thursday.
Old fire practices rekindled in new Clarence Valley firefighting partnership
The Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation is collaborating with Forestry Corporation to integrate cultural burning with government bushfire management. This partnership aims to enhance the community's resilience to major bushfires and improve land management practices on Yaegl Country.
Listing in ’26? Moonta Mines World Heritage status could be ticked off as soon as next year
Joanna Tucker. Work is continuing towards the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra and Moonta World Heritage bid, with the possibility heritage status may be achieved as soon as next year ... an opportunity to skip the preliminary assessment, so World Heritage consultant Barry Gamble has decided to endorse the parallel preparation of a full World Heritage nomination.
Land sharing, affordable housing and community
Jeni Kendell. Each May, the Nimbin Aquarius Foundation is planning to put on an event to celebrate the original Aquarius Festival in 1973 which helped reawaken and renew our wonderful town of Nimbin and ripple out in so many ways to far corners of this country. This annual event will resemble the ‘Festival of Dangerous Ideas’ that has become a landmark for people thinking outside the square.
Campaspe opposes Emergency Services Volunteer Fund
Campaspe Shire Council is deeply disheartened by the passing of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) by the Victorian Parliament. While we wholeheartedly support the necessity of funding for volunteers, Campaspe Shire Council, alongside numerous other Victorian councils, vehemently opposed the introduction of this fund.
Biosecurity exercise for Northern Australia set to get underway: DAFF
The Northern Territory Government is stepping up preparedness efforts against emergency animal diseases with a managed biosecurity exercise funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Northern Australian Coordination Network (NACN) which is set to get underway tomorrow.
Aerial shark patrols extended to long weekend
Aerial shark patrols along the state’s coastline will be extended until the June long weekend, following unseasonably warm weather and an increase in shark sightings at popular beaches. This patrol season – which was brought forward to early November and will run until Monday 9 June – is the longest recorded in South Australia.
Releases to the Great Darling Anabranch ceasing: What you need to know
WaterNSW is advising landholders and the community along the Great Darling Anabranch (GDA) of a significant change in water management: the cessation of releases from Menindee Lakes to the GDA. This decision comes as the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is ceasing their call on the shared resource that previously necessitated these releases.
Visualisations give preview of Wagga Wagga’s new bridges
Wagga Wagga residents will have their first chance to see designs for the three new bridges to be built in the town with Inland Rail releasing new visualisations for public viewing. The new visualisations show how the Edmondson Street road bridge, Wagga Wagga Station footbridge – also known as Mothers Bridge – and Cassidy Parade footbridge will look once completed.
Annabelle Cleeland Statement: North East Victoria excluded from drought supportÂ
Farmers in North East Victoria have once again been left behind, with the Allan Labor Government’s latest drought funding announcement excluding our region entirely. The $15.9 million package announced today offers only token support, capped at $5000 per grant, and with strict conditions that prevent farmers from using it for the most basic and urgent needs like purchasing feed and water.
Backing farmers with more drought support: Spence
The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program has already supported more than 1,500 farmers in south west Victoria and will be extended to farmers in the new and existing Local Government Areas and French Island. The package will continue for the existing 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across south west Victoria and expand it to all West Wimmera...
McBride: Court process does not impact my role
With his head lowered and a diary in hand, independent member for MacKillop Nick McBride appeared before the Naracoorte Magistrates Court on May 7 ... faced resident magistrate Koula Kossiavelos for the first time, confronting three charges related to the alleged assault of his estranged wife of three decades, Katherine McBride, on April 10 at a property in the south east.
Hard Talk: Push for renal services at Naracoorte
Making more than a three-hour round trip to Mount Gambier Hospital and spending five hours on a dialysis chair each week is a tough routine for Ros Tregoweth ... In this edition of Hard Talk, The [Naracoorte] News spoke with multiple stakeholders, including patients, who expressed a shared sense of urgency for renal care services to be made available locally.
Farmers angry at new levy
Carey Brennan. Angry farmers and CFA members from all over Victoria gathered on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Tuesday to protest the proposed new tax by the State Government.
Homeshare model gets spotlight ideas
Members of the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee came to Dhelkaya Health in the first week of May. They heard from representatives of Homeshare Mount Alexander, including Homesharers and Home providers and the Homeshare peak body, the Homeshare Australia and New Zealand Alliance (HANZA).
 VFF slams government over new levy: a blow to farmers doing it tough
Despite strong opposition from the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), the Country Fire Authority (CFA), and farmers from all corners of Victoria, the Allan Labor Government’s proposed Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund has today passed a vote in Parliament. The VFF is deeply disappointed by this outcome and remains gravely concerned about the impact this levy will have on farmers...
Westbrook-Wyreema Road works complete
Floodway replacement and improvement works have been finished on Westbrook-Wyreema Road over Westbrook Creek. The $1.3 million project was the third to be delivered by Toowoomba Regional Council under the Betterment Program as part of the wider 2022 Flood Recovery Program.
Farmers front renewables inquiry: NSW Farmers Association
Energy developers must fairly engage with the community and properly address the impacts of renewable projects on regions, NSW Farmers has told a state inquiry. On Tuesday the state’s peak farm body appeared at a NSW Government inquiry into renewable energy zones, saying its calls to improve community engagement around the renewable transition were still yet to be answered.
