Williamson welcomes unveiling of designs for $263.8 Grafton Base Hospital rebuild
Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, has today welcomed the release of the latest artist impressions for the $263.8 million redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital and is encouraging the community to attend upcoming pop-up information sessions to learn more about this important project.
Community demands change to tackle crime: Anderson
Communities across the region, concerned about ongoing serious incidents of crime will soon have their voice heard as the Time for Change e-petition hits the NSW Parliament. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said 22,015 people across New South Wales had signed the petition, sending a strong message to the Labor Government.
Minns Labor Government to reform Victims Registers to ensure victim-survivors of serious crimes receive mandatory notification: Chanthivong, Daley
The Minns Labor Government will today introduce legislation to the NSW Parliament significantly reforming the state’s victims registers to ensure victim-survivors of serious crimes receive a mandatory notification about their right to sign up as a registered victim-survivor, to receive critical information about an offender.
Young criminals arrested during crime crackdown to start the year: Crisafulli, Purdie
The Crisafulli Government is continuing its efforts to restore safety to Queensland, with more than 20 deployments of the State Flying Squad into crime hotspots in the first three months of the year. A quarterly snapshot of police efforts to turn the tide on youth crime reveals Police made more than 4,235 arrests of youth in the first three months of the year, laying 18,028 charges.
Oldest man in Australia attributes long life to eating baked beans every day
The oldest man in Australia lives close to Richmond Valley – in Grafton. Ken Weeks has been officially confirmed as the oldest Australian man ever – he is 111 years and 189 days old.
Kestrel Aviation celebrates 40 Years of service, innovation and regional leadership: Cleeland
The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has paid tribute to Kestrel Aviation as the iconic Mangalore-based company celebrated its 40th anniversary at this week. Ms Cleeland was a guest speaker at the anniversary celebration, where she praised the local, family-owned business for its leadership in aerial firefighting, emergency response, and aviation training .
Northern Grampians withdraws from five-council alliance
Northern Grampians Shire Council has withdrawn from a five-council alliance created to collectively advocate to State Government on issues including transmission lines, renewable energy and mining. The alliance, formed in February this year, also includes Buloke, Gannawarra, Yarriambiack and Loddon councils, which are all directly impacted...
Buloke’s clarification
Recent media reporting has incorrectly suggested that Buloke Shire Council, along with neighbouring councils, has entered into a $100 million deal with VicGrid in relation to the VNI West transmission project. This is incorrect.
Court finds gunman not guilty
The man charged with the murder of Lucindale police officer Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig was recently found not guilty due to mental incompetence and will not face a criminal trial. The SA Supreme Court made the ruling after a joint request from both the prosecution and the defence.
Suffering in silence: Farmers call for a hand up, not handouts
Around the state, Mr Schinckel said the amount of money spent by producers nowadays would be something in the order of $10-$15 million per week per 1000 producers. “So, $50m that the SA government is offering is not going to go far—it’s a drop in the ocean.” ... He believed that the state and federal governments did not know or understand livestock production.
Rare extension made to restrictions
The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will be extended in parts of Victoria including Towong Shire for the first time since 2019, as unseasonably dry conditions continue to elevate fire risk. A lack of rainfall has left vegetation in the state's South West and parts of the North East susceptible to fire ignition, with some areas as dry as they were during the devastating 1982/83 fire season.
Kingston loses council seat
South West MLC Louise Kingston lost her seat when the Legislative Council count for the recent State Election was finalised. She described this as a long and drawn-out process ending her short time of representing the South West ... Ms Kingston resigned from the National Party to serve as an Independent after accusing WA Opposition leader Shane Love of bullying.
Western Victoria’s largest natural disaster followed by significant levy increase
On 19 March 2025, over 120 concerned community members attended a public meeting at the Winiam Hall. Several motions were moved during this meeting, leading to the formation of the West Wimmera Action Group Inc. to address local concerns regarding the discussed issues.
Property potential
Madison Eastmond. Berri Barmera Council says no local dwelling applications are being refused, while senior Riverland property industry figures say a new major residential development is set to help address a “dire shortage” of housing in the region.
Sharks in the shallows
Sarah Herrmann. Shark sightings close to the shores of numerous South Australian beaches have prompted the SA Government to extend aerial shark patrols — but Yorke Peninsula is not included ... Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA told the YP Country Times on April 24 it was aware of community concerns about sightings across the state, including on YP.
Seminar: Promoting export opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), 14 May 2025
It is well recognised that Victoria's rural and regional areas are home to many of the key businesses in the food and fibre sector as well as manufacturing sectors and are major contributors to Victoria's exports ... Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) in partnership with Global Victoria and hosted by Wodonga Council proudly present the MENA seminar...
Community healthcare concerns
The community has called for better access to specialist healthcare services and further development of local health infrastructure within the district. This was strongly voiced during the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN) public consultation for the development of the clinical services plan ... The goal of the consultation was to engage the community in identifying what matters most in advancing local healthcare services.
Covid lies exposed as politicians act with impunity
Any remaining notions of politicians acting with honesty, integrity, and best available science in the face of a pandemic have been crushed like a child discovering that Santa Claus writes unmistakably like Mum, after a five-year legal battle by the opposition's upper house leader, David Davis, to access Covid lockdown documents.
Editorial: Record breaking festival marks 30 years
Now that the dust has settled on the 2025 Man From Snowy River Bush Festival, the board and more than 300 volunteers that made it successful can take a well deserved bow ... As the festival got into full swing, staff from at least four government agencies including the Department of Health and Worksafe descended on the event in search of infractions that impeded organisers and volunteers while trying to deal with record attendances.
$210m spent on water buybacks – local entitlements sold to meet MDB targets
The Australian Government has released figures pertaining to more than $89 million water purchasing contracts for the period March 1 to April 14. Total purchases over the past six weeks total $210 million. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Austender website lists only contract values awarded.
River Murray Communities Water Transition Program
Nicola Centofanti. While many irrigators have been removing patches of wine grapes and converting to other crops, there are still many grape growers feeling the impact of ongoing low prices. With consumption of commercial wine falling globally and the large volume of wine retained in storage, there is little cause for optimism in the immediate future.
Four renewables projects announced for South West REZ
Four wind, solar and battery projects have been granted the right to connect to new power lines in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ). The projects are Origin Energy’s Yanco Delta wind farm, Spark Renewables Dinawan Energy Hub, Someva’s Pottinger Energy Park and BayWA’s Bullawah Wind Farm.
