Forest firefighters deploy to Victorian firegrounds: FCNSW
Nine fire specialists from Forestry Corporation have deployed to Victorian firefronts as part of an interstate NSW firefighting contingency ... “Our firefighters are highly skilled and experienced in Australian bushland firefighting and are always ready to lend a hand in regional NSW or further afield": Rebel Talbert, FCNSW’s Senior Manager Fire and Natural Hazards.
Fewer police, court delays and criminals walking free
The latest Report on Government Services (ROGS) published recently has exposed the Victorian Government’s failure to keep Victorians safe, with crime rising while police funding is cut, court backlogs worsen, and criminals are left on the streets instead of behind bars. The report paints a grim picture of a justice system under strain...
DFES and Marine Rescue WA introduce Deckee
A free app designed to make boating safer and more convenient for everyone will soon undergo a public trial in selected areas including Two Rocks and Whitfords. Marine Rescue Two Rocks is holding an open day including a sausage sizzle on Sunday, February 23 where people can learn more about the app and setting it up.
Throwing good money overboard – WA Government’s aquaculture obsession
DPIRD, dated January 22, 2025, announces a $7 million splurge under the banner of “Building Climate Resilience on WA Farms.” Tucked neatly inside this generous handout is an eye-watering $1,071,770 for “future-proofing” Western Australia’s aquaculture industry. Future-proofing? Against what, exactly? Climate change? Cue the laughter.
Take precautions amid rise in crime
RACV and Neighbourhood Watch Victoria are working together to improve the security of Victorian farms and regional properties following a rise in crime, with the regional areas of Latrobe, Mildura, Ararat and Horsham among the top five highest Local Government Areas for criminal incidents and recorded offences.
Taking it to the streets
Following a meeting of representatives from councils across the border region in Wodonga last week, the decision was made to march on the Victorian Parliament in a united campaign for the construction of a new Albury-Wodonga hospital.
Powerline battle still strong
In an ironic twist that many joked could have conspiracy written all over it, last Monday’s Community Meeting in Murrabit, to discuss the VNI West transmission line project, at the Murrabit Golf Club, lost power just before the meeting commenced.
Sworn to keep us safe
Our local area is served by the Drayton Police Station and one of their newest officers is Constable Sam Crumblin. Closing in on age 40, Sam is older than your typical police graduate, however brings lots of life experience and perspectives to the table.
Urban Channel Pipeline Project to benefit community
Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) is looking forward to kicking off the Urban Channel Pipeline Project this year, which will provide a range of benefits to the communities of Griffith and Leeton ... The project is designed to replace inefficient aging channels around Griffith and Leeton with 47.5 kilometres of new pipeline.
Unruly mob leads to call for action
Reports of a home being "smashed up" in Narrandera last week have caused an uproar on social media, with a number of people describing the incident as "absolutely disgusting behaviour" ... Well known youth advocate David Polhill posted on Facebook, saying a "hard working family relatively new to town found their house surrounded by a group of 10 late primary/early high school girls".
SA Parliament delivers on Forestry Select Committee Report: Centofanti, Hood
The report of the Select Committee on Matters Relating to the Timber Industry in the Limestone Coast and Other Regions of South Australia has been tabled in Parliament, after 5 years of evidence over two parliamentary sessions ... The committee published 17 recommendations covering aspects of the industry from transparency, infrastructure investment through to industry productivity innovations and the importance of water security.
Respond to biosecurity incidents
Clarence Valley residents can download a free mobile device application which provides them with fast, reliable, accurate, and current information about Biosecurity emergencies across NSW, including the nearby Fire Ant invasion.
Youth crime crisis: Locals call for change
Every night *Ivy checks her doors and windows and makes sure they are secure before she goes to bed. But she doesn’t sleep, at least not for long. As she told the Clarence Valley Independent last week, she’s lucky if she catches "between four and five hours of shuteye each night." "I’m always on edge, because I never know when they will come," she said.
Council applies for funding to create more housing options
West Wimmera Shire Council is taking proactive steps to address the critical housing shortage across the region. Council is applying for $5 million from the State Government’s Regional Worker Accommodation Fund – Round 2.
Coral health update
Last summer saw the highest global Sea Surface Temperatures on record and waters in the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (LHIMP) followed this trend. When water temperatures are warmer than average, marine "heat stress" builds up over time.
Tragedy: Browns Beach rocks claim another victim
Michelle Daw. A notorious rocky headland at Browns Beach in Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park has claimed another victim, with the death of a recreational angler at the weekend ... Mr Mohsini, who emigrated to Australia from Afghanistan, is the fourth person since 2019 to have died while fishing at Browns Beach.
World Heritage bid for Victorian Goldfields: Plibersek, Allan, Chesters, Kilkenny
Victoria’s Goldfields – home to the most extensive and best surviving goldrush landscapes in the world – has ... been added to Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List. This is the first formal step on the path to World Heritage status, celebrating the extraordinary history, culture, and heritage of Victoria’s goldrush era.
Students have to wait one more term before they’re back home
Students and parents of the flooded Broadwater Public School had hoped they would be back at their rebuilt school this coming term ... They return to school on day one of term 2, more than three years after the 2022 floods severely damaged the small school.
Where does all the money go?
How many troubled children in Central Australia fall under the umbrella of the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)? Surely that was a known number upon which Anthony Albanese’s $250m “special grant” was based.
Youth crime crisis in Parkes electorate demands urgent action, say local leaders
Following a tragic incident in Gunnedah involving a fatal collision with a vehicle allegedly stolen by three 14-year-olds from Moree, local leaders are demanding immediate and decisive action from the NSW Labor Government to combat the escalating youth crime in the Parkes electorate.
A fresh start for Queensland – Local community consultation rights made permanent on wind farm developments: Bleijie
The Crisafulli Government has delivered a key election commitment with all wind farm developments becoming impact assessable from Monday, 3 February. The new planning pathway for regulating wind farms is the first step to requiring all renewable projects be impact assessable and subject to the same rigorous approval process as other major development projects.
Sports funding
Sporting clubs and community groups in the South East play a vital role in fostering social connections and promoting an active lifestyle ... Are government efforts sufficient enough to support these local clubs in towns such as Naracoorte, Penola, and Bordertown?
