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?
New healthcare service for Robe
The Robe community will soon benefit from a new healthcare service that will significantly improve access to primary care. Robe is one of only two locations in regional South Australia, alongside Ceduna, to be selected for the expanded Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Pilot program, which aims to offer more healthcare options for residents in the region.
Future focused reshuffle
Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia has announced a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle, saying it is future focused. Mr Tarzia said the reshuffle followed the retirement announcement of John Gardner (former shadow minister for education) and departure of Jing Lee (former Upper House MP).
New vehicle for CERTified legends!
Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) Maldon Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has received a significant boost with the arrival of a new response vehicle. The updated 2024 Nissan XTrail 4x4 Hybrid reflects AV’s commitment to supplying its CERT teams with the latest equipment to support their critical work in local communities and environmental sustainability.
Tourists to dive into new artificial reefs in Great Sandy Marine Park: Powell
...two new artificial reefs will be installed in the Great Sandy Marine Park in a $2.5 million project to benefit recreational boaties, fishers, snorkellers, scuba divers, kayakers. The first location, south of Bundaberg, offshore between Elliott Heads and Woodgate Beach, will provide an alternative area for recreational fishing...
Funding campaign gathers momentum
The Corryong Neighbourhood Centre (CNC) has thanked the community for its support for the ‘1000 Steps to Sustainability’ campaign to ensure its future. "We have raised just over $20,000 directly into the CNC account as at Wednesday lunchtime and will have details on UMIF donation account receipts when we receive the report at the end of the week," said CNC o-ordinator, Sara Jenkins.
Cash cut at boat ramps
Sarah Herrmann. Recreational boaters in the Yorke Peninsula Council area will soon be unable to buy a single-launch permit with cash, after elected members voted to remove traditional coin machines from boat ramps ... RecFish SA executive officer Asher Dezsery said app-based payments had caused issues across the state.
No action on allegations Aboriginal sites were destroyed
In November 2024, The Riverine Grazier reported on investigations NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) into concerns Aboriginal scarred trees had been removed from Gundaline Station’s Red Gum forests ... "The Department has decided not to continue its investigation or take any further action in response to this matter."
Hay run makes Renmark stop
Renmark provided a rest stop for more than 50 trucks carrying hay to help South Australian farmers impacted by drought. A convoy of trucks carrying hay to be donated to drought-affected farmers, through organisation Aussie Hay Runners with support of the State Government, last Saturday passed through Renmark.
All she wants to do is give back to the town that welcomed her – Roz Knights receives Australia Day OAM
Roz Knights was cutting onions this morning for Kyogle’s Australia Day barbecue when State MP Janelle Saffin popped in to congratulate her. Roz has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her public service.
Promise to build career fire station in Yanchep
WA Labor has promised to build a career station in Yanchep if they are re-elected at the March 8 state election. When making the announcement this morning Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said if Labor was returned, planning for the new career fire station would take place after the election with it to be built in about the following 18 months or so.
Burning our way through bushfire volunteers
Governments exist to serve the public good by ensuring critical services like emergency response are accessible to all. Yet in a scenario both tragic and absurd, celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Katy Pery and billionaires like Amazons Jeff Bezos hired private firefighters to protect their mansions during recent wildfires.
Mining battle
Proposed mining for rare earths elements in the Limestone Coast is facing opposition from local producers and residents. Many sections of the community are concerned about how mining would impact production in one of the state's key agricultural regions.
Call for evidence on SA veterinarian mental health
Locals with concerns about the mental health of South Australian veterinarians have until the end of February to give evidence on the growing scourge. Written submissions and expressions of interest to appear before a Joint Committee on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Veterinarians in SA close on February 28.

