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State politics

Community chimes in on World Heritage bid

Sarah Herrmann. Calls for increased local consultation as part of the progressing Moonta Mines World Heritage bid were made at a community forum last week. The forum gave those interested the opportunity to quiz UK-based World Heritage consultant Barry Gamble, who had travelled to the Copper Coast for the official celebration of the tentative listing...

Dangerous numbers on koalas

Vic Jurskis. No matter what the cost of the Great Koala National Park it’s a scam and NSW’s Environment Minister has real numbers which prove it. Unfortunately, the numbers will no longer be politically dangerous once the Park has been legislated and the renewable timber industry has been destroyed to appease the Greens.

Regions the place to be, but lacking housing

Sarah Herrmann. Regional South Australia’s rental market is bucking national trends. October’s PropTrack Market Insight Report revealed regional SA had the highest rental vacancy rate, offering renters more choice than a year ago ... Planning law changes allowing larger granny flats will improve accessibility and create more housing options, SA Housing Minister Nick Champion says.

Building community and town pride

Rachel Hagan. Price is a town with a deep history and has been a key part of Yorke Peninsula, but one key feature it has been missing is a museum — that is until now. By mid to late January, the Price Museum will be structurally ready to go ... Price Progress Association secretary Karen Newbold says it all needs to be finished by April 20, 2025, and she is confident all the work can be achieved by that deadline.

What’s that fish?

Visiting photographers Brett Newmarch and Claire Greenwell, recently came across an unusual fish in the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (LHIMP) ... "After about 30 minutes, Brett came across an unusual looking fish hanging vertically in the water column. It was characterised by a silver body, approximately 6 cm in length, with spotted markings and appendages up to 40 cm long."

Calling a spade a spade, it’s like calling a spud a spud

Peter Hobbs. ... three major issues ... The first is the invasion of arable land which will reduce the capacity to grow the primary products for food production; the second being the thoughtlessness in procuring land that has been with families for generations; and the third and perhaps the most devious is the government’s divide and conquer tactics resulting in friendship and harmonious neighbourhood destruction.

Sniffer dogs search for fire ants in Kyogle region

The NSW Fire Ant Program is launching Operation Five Valleys in the Kyogle region in an effort to prevent the spread of fire ants. The fire ant team will use specially trained detection dogs and human surveillance teams to monitor identified high-risk sites.

Roadside fire danger

Privatisation and outsourcing are to blame for grass “higher than the white posts” along our region’s roadsides, according to SA Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis. The hazardous vegetation was raised in State Parliament this month by the Member for MacKillop, Nick McBride.

Official trailer released for NT film, Kangaroo

STUDIOCANAL has unveiled the first trailer for Kangaroo, a heartwarming family comedy filmed in the breathtaking Red Centre earlier this year ... The Northern Territory Government contributed $900,000 to the production through Screen Territory’s Production Attraction Incentive Program (PAIP), creating significant opportunities for the local community.

Council responds to water complaints – no reason for concern

Narrandera Shire Council has received the results from recent PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) testing in the local drinking water supply, offering assurances to residents that there is no cause for concern. The assurances follow recent complaints from residents about the colour of Narrandera water which is not a new occurrence in the town.

Narrandera High student recognised for outstanding achievement

Narrandera High School student Tahlia Gilbert has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to Aboriginal education in NSW public schools at the 19th annual Nanga Mai Awards. Tahlia’s award was the outstanding all-rounder student of the year in NSW’s secondary education.

Clarence Valley advocate helps shape future at inaugural NSW Youth Summit

Paris Rose Brailsford, a 21-year-old youth advocate from the Clarence Valley, proudly represented her region at the first-ever NSW Youth Summit held in Sydney ... The Summit brought together participants from diverse regional and metro communities, cultural backgrounds and life experiences.

Hay sits out the calm before the renewable energy storm

SW-REZ is in the calm before the REZ Access Rights announcement-storm in the coming months. Proposed large-scale windfarms such as Pottinger, Engie and Bullawah are all waiting in the wings for the all-important announcement to be made ... further proposals are coming forward, with renewable energy development company RES announcing a $40 million commitment to local community development as part of its plan to construct the Argoon Wind Farm.

Wow for the wharf

Hugh Schuitemaker. A significant milestone in Renmark’s recovery from the 2022/23 flood event has been marked with the opening of the town’s new wharf. A large crowd of local residents, plus local and state government representatives, gathered at the Renmark riverfront last Wednesday to mark the opening of the town’s redeveloped wharf.

Police Minister responds to TRYRA – Letter to the Yanchep News Online Editor

The Hon. Paul Papalia. I am writing to thank the Two Rocks Yanchep Residents Association for their August 19 correspondence regarding staffing and operational hours at Yanchep Police Station. The Western Australia Police Force advise that metropolitan police districts provide the community with a 24 hour per day, 365 days per year policing response.

Lismore lays the foundation for a world-class skatepark

An important milestone in constructing Lismore’s new $3.9 million Lismore Skatepark was reached this week, with the pouring of 2400m2 of concrete set to begin ... The facility includes both ‘street’ and ‘park’ (bowl) sections and a covered mini ramp, which is eagerly anticipated by the local skater community.

New faces join Buloke Council

Buloke Shire Council has officially re-elected Cr. Alan Getley as Mayor, and Cr. Graeme Milne as Deputy Mayor, during the Special Council Meeting ... in Wycheproof. The meeting also confirmed the Council’s delegate appointments and set the schedule for the year ahead.

Moving buybacks to drier, higher ground

Once people start moving onto the Summerland Estate at Fairy Hill, near Casino, how many will want to relocate their home? ... The first four relocated homes from the 2022 floods will be moved to Mount Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah. It is part of the largest assisted relocation program in Australian history.

Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024: Rowland

Based on public statements and engagements with Senators, it is clear that there is no pathway to legislate this proposal through the Senate. The Government will not proceed with the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024. The Government invites all Parliamentarians to work with us on other proposals to strengthen democratic institutions and keep Australians safe online, while safeguarding values like freedom of expression.

Robust legislative agenda for final parliamentary sitting week: Edgington, Cahill

The CLP Government will introduce a comprehensive schedule of legislation for the final parliamentary sitting week of the year, commencing Tuesday. The First Home Owner Grant Amendment Bill 2024 and Fines and Penalties (Recovery) Amendment (Validation) Bill 2024 are two significant legislative priorities to be debated this sitting.

Consumers urged to choose quality batteries this sale season after record number of fires: Sharpe, Dib, Chanthivong

The NSW Government is warning consumers about the potential dangers of buying poor quality lithium-ion battery powered products as gifts this holiday season, which may pose a fire risk. The warning comes amid fears that substandard lithium-ion battery powered devices may flood the market during Black Friday, Cyber Monday and other pre-Christmas sales ahead of new regulations coming into effect next year.

Gallery on half the ANZAC oval carpark

The Aboriginal art gallery, now known as ATSIAGA, will be placed on about half of the present Anzac Oval car park ... ATSIAGA stands for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia, suggesting the plan still has ambitions for national status ... there was no mention of  the assertive campaign  by traditional custodians who want the gallery to be built south of The Gap.

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