Horse groups have grounds for complaint over planning schemozzle
The Bendigo Showgrounds – home of the Victorian Agricultural Shows Saddle Horse Championships and many other state and national equestrian events – is to have the size of its arena cut significantly under a Victorian Government redevelopment of the site.
“Wrong decision”, declares Laurie Levy: Duck season already under way
Coalition Against Duck Shooting Campaign Director, Laurie Levy, said at the weekend: “Despite the scientific reports that show native waterbirds are in serious long-term decline, Premier Jacinta Allan has extended Victoria’s duck shooting season this year, even with the serious risk of spreading bird flu that could be present on any wetland.”
Australia first survey targets the role of local papers
Political leaders across Victoria are being asked their views on the importance of local newspapers and their ongoing sustainability as part of an Australia-first research project. The Victorian government is the only state government in Australia to make this guaranteed commitment.
Parade traffic management: change of direction
Preparation for the Maldon Easter Fair and the 148th Easter Parade are underway ... on Thursday 13 March the organisers used social media to share their concern that a traffic management company had informed them that it would no longer provide its services to the parade ...
Volunteering difficulty
Encouraging volunteerism in regional areas is becoming increasingly difficult, according to Nick McBride, the independent member for MacKillop. Earlier this month, Mr McBride informed the House of Assembly that his MacKillop electorate office, based in Naracoorte, was contacted by constituents suggesting providing concessions for community contributors could help boost volunteer participation.
South Australia home to nation’s first advanced electronic warfare testing vehicle: Mullighan
A nation-first vehicle designed to test cutting-edge electronic warfare (EW) technologies on the go, has been developed in South Australia. Defence leader Raytheon Australia has pioneered the Electronic Warfare Tactical Engagement (EWTE) vehicle, to fast-track the innovation of local and national EW solutions.
NSW leads the way – first state to regulate batteries: Sharpe
The Minns Labor Government has introduced nation-leading legislation that would require suppliers to take greater responsibility for the handling and disposal of products including batteries that can cause a risk to human safety and the environment.
First machete ban in Australia passes Parliament: Carbines
he Allan Labor Government has implemented Australia’s first machete ban with the Terrorism (Community Protection) and Control of Weapons Amendment Bill [2024] passing Parliament ... Penalties of 2 years imprisonment or a fine of over $47,000 for being caught in possession of one will apply.
Politics drives Basin demise
Australia’s largest water reform project, the Murray Darling Basin Plan, appears to be joining a growing list of abject failures driven by politicians and bureaucrats who have little to no wisdom, ethics or skin in the game. Unless of course, that skin is water trading ... Despite constitutional protections, the Australian Federal Government's $13b has fuelled a 50 per cent reduction in NSW and Victorian irrigation water use since 1997-98. SA saw a 22 per cent reduction, while Qld bucked the trend increasing extraction by roughly 58 per cent.
More fall out from event cancellation
The cancellation of the recent Cohuna Bridge to Bridge fund raiser has created ripples through the halls of power in Melbourne and is still causing discussion about the huge jump in traffic management fees ... After The Bridge ran the story in our March 6 edition, we received a call from the Premier’s office asking to have more input into the story ...
Avenue of Honour extension opening coincides with Chauvel’s Anniversary Light Horse Memorial Ride
Lockhart Shire Council and The Rock RSL Sub-Branch officially opened The Rock Avenue of Honour Extension, a project honouring the service and sacrifice of Australian Defence Force personnel. This significant event coincided with Chauvel's Anniversary Light Horse Memorial Ride, bringing together history, remembrance, and community spirit in a powerful tribute to Australia's military heritage.
Equine excellence
If it takes a village to raise a child then it also takes a massive team effort from the Cambooya Campdraft Association, Cambooya Pony Club, other local pony clubs, local businesses and politicians to successfully redevelop the Cambooya Recreation Ground into a first class equine facility.
fabALICE to bring the razzle dazzle of drag to Alice Springs
The glitz and glamour of drag queens and kings returns to the Red Centre when fabALICE takes over Alice Springs from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 March. fabALICE is a vibrant four-day festival of colour, creativity, celebration and inclusivity featuring talented drag queens and kings...
Fresh start for Queensland – Community consultation for additional wind farm proposals: Bleijie
The Crisafulli Government is ensuring local communities are consulted on two new wind farm developments, in line with the LNP’s election commitment. Wind farm development applications for the Marmadua Energy Park and the Middle Creek Energy Hub, 23km east of Tara, and 15km south of Wandoan respectively, have been issued with proposed ‘call in’ notices.
Nhill water storage tank bursts, causing property damage
Nhill's town water storage tank burst on Wednesday, March 12, at approximately 6:40 a.m. when a low-level water storage facility failed on George Street. A spokesperson for GWMWater confirmed that no injuries were reported but said a small number of nearby residential properties experienced water damage.
Power outage knocks out Yorke Peninsula
Joanna Tucker. Last week, about 25,000 Yorke Peninsula residents were without electricity for almost 20 hours ... SA Power Networks said ElectraNet, South Australia’s main transmission network service provider, advised them that insulator pollution had caused a fault at its Hummocks substation.
Research to boost farmers’ connection with ‘green finance’: Charles Sturt University
A Charles Sturt University researcher argues that sustainability research is particularly relevant to supporting Australian farmers’ resilience to both climate change and market risk.
Archibald Prize makes its debut in Alice Springs: Charls
For the first time in its more than 100-year history, Australia’s most prestigious portraiture prize, the Archibald Prize, is coming to Alice Springs marking a major cultural milestone for the Northern Territory. Under the CLP Finocchiaro Government, the Archibald Prize 2024 exhibition will take centre stage at the Araluen Arts Centre from 24 April to 15 June 2025...
Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, has declared South Australians to be Australia’s worst water wasters
She is arguing they don’t need, or deserve, access to water from NSW and Victoria. In her new social media video Mrs. Dalton contends that the reason South Australians don’t have enough water is because the State wastes the water it already has.
Neighbour builds flying fox to get supplies to farm cut off when bridge washed away in floods
When the access bridge to a farm is washed away by flooding caused by ex- Cyclone Alfred, who is responsible for fixing it? On a property at Upper Duck Creek, near old Bonalbo, a woman in her 80s living with her son, in his 60s (both asked not to be named) have no access in and out of their farm because the bridge was washed away during recent flooding. The damaged bridge is not on their land.
Debt, crime, gallery make heavy lifting for Bill Yan
The debt exceeding $11 billion and growing, costing the taxpayer “a million bucks a day” in interest. The number of people in prison at an all time high. Crime exceeding the courts’ capacity to deal with it … Who would want to be a minister of the current Territory Government?
Major coalition – Urgent mental health help needed in agriculture: NFF
A major coalition has sent a powerful message calling for immediate action to address the mental health crisis in agriculture. More than 30 rural and healthcare organisations have joined forces for the first time to launch a joint statement to address the crisis disproportionally affecting people in agriculture.
