Cape Jaffa Marina closure
Following severe storms at the end of August 2024 which saw seven metre swells hit the coastline, significant sand ingress compromised safe navigation of vessels to and from the Cape Jaffa Marina. As a result, the commercial fishing fleet unfortunately had to transport to Robe to commence their annual fishing season.
October – Safe Work Month
Preventing injuries, accidents, bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct while at work will be a focus this month - National Safe Work Month ... Although some people have died while working in their own businesses, helping to keep employees safe in the workplace is behind recent reforms to work health and safety laws. SA Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher announced the “significant reforms” ...
Breaking the cycle
An award-winning local policeman says the district needs to come together to “break the cycle” of domestic violence that exists in our community. Naracoorte’s Senior Constable, Chris Mailley, who works in supporting domestic and family violence victims, says, “just one incident is too many”.
Queensland state election looming
With nominations for the 2024 Queensland Election closing at noon yesterday, candidates have begun hitting the campaign trail in the Condamine electorate. Barring any last minute nominations, the candidates are: Pat Weir (LNP), Ben Whibley-Faulkner (Labor), Ellisa Parker (Greens), Alan Hughes (Family First Party).
Furious farmers boycott water webinar
Farmers on the Murrumbidgee River claim they have been kept in the dark about a NSW Government plan to acquire flow easements along the riverfront to accommodate environmental water releases ... The scheme would allow the government to negotiate with landholders to acquire flow easements and, if no agreement can be reached, the water minister can decide to proceed with compulsory acquisition of the flow corridors "on just terms".
Farmers concerned about constraints process
Murray region landholders have increasing fears of government forcibly acquiring their land, and these have been exacerbated by a recently released draft discussion paper, followed by a series of meetings. The NSW Government is suggesting it may use compulsory acquisition of land to claim easements, which will allow higher flow levels of environmental water to be delivered to South Australia under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
CFA open for all
Andrew Mole. There is a certain can-do attitude when it comes to Koondrook and getting things done – and the town’s CFA volunteers are a prime example. On Sunday, the local brigade held a very casual, very enthusiastic and very well received open day to unofficially officially unveil its new annex.
Elected councillors declared – No changes following recount for Hay and Edward River
There have been no changes following a recount in Hay and Edward River Councils last Friday. An unsuccessful candidate in both Hay and Deniliquin requested the recount due to very tight margins … The official councillors for the next four years for Hay are Martyn Quinn, Will Miller, Carol Oataway, Lionel Garner, Darren Tapper, Geoff Chapman, Paul Porter and John Perry.
Tender time
Senior Riverland politicians have urged local irrigators to avoid signing up for the Federal Government’s latest expression of interest for water buybacks. The Federal Government last week opened the Restoring Our Rivers 2024: Expression of Interest 2 (Large Portfolios of Water Southern Connected Basin), allowing for water buybacks from Riverland communities.
New program to ease pressure on GPs
Joanna Tucker. The South Australian Government has announced a significant expansion of pharmacists’ scope of practice, aiming to alleviate pressure on GPs and hospital emergency departments by allowing pharmacists to manage a wider range of health conditions. Under the new program, South Australians will be able to visit local pharmacies for common ailments ... in addition to already available services like medication for urinary tract infections and oral contraceptive pill resupply.
NSW Fisheries Officers action over safety concerns
NSW Fisheries Officers have taken industrial action and are refusing to inspect commercial trawlers at night over safety concerns after several alleged violent incidents where they have been shot at, threatened with knives … The Public Service Association PSA which represents NSW Fisheries Officers said they are avoiding certain areas and individuals at the very time fears have emerged that crooks, poachers and organised criminals … have taken over the state’s rivers, oceans and estuaries and are now plundering valuable species like abalone and rock lobster.
Billion-dollar loss from Victoria’s business events: McArthur
Victoria's once-thriving business events sector is in crisis, with recent data from Tourism Research Australia showing a dramatic drop in market share from 36 per cent in 2014 to just 21 per cent in 2024. Victoria was once the leader in business events, far ahead of New South Wales (27 per cent) and Queensland (15 per cent) in 2014.
New ultra heavy tankers for North West CFA fleets: Symes
The vehicles are part of a fleet of 29 ultra heavy tankers rolling out across regional Victoria ... The new tankers will provide a valuable boost to the capability of the brigades ahead of the upcoming fire season. Valued at $440,000 each, the ultra heavy tankers have a 10,000-litre water tank, improving the ability to fight fires in rural areas with open grasslands…
Felled trees just the start of changes on Yanchep Beach Rd
DevelopmentWA, the agency responsible for felling trees on Yanchep Beach Rd two weeks ago, says most of the trees remain and new ones will be planted once an access upgrade in the area is completed. In the days following the cutting down of the trees, including some tuart trees, Yanchep News Online was contacted by a number of residents who were shocked at the loss of the mature trees.
A prospect of independent power
GWMWater has recently provided an update on a study entitled “Donald Community Power Plant Study” investigating the feasibility of a community power plant and potential microgrid infrastructure to supply the residents of Donald with locally harvested and stored green energy. This is not the first time the concept has been investigated for the town.
Cohuna Carp Catch is back
The North Central Catchment Management Authority’s (CMA) Native Fish Recovery Program is hosting the popular event on Gunbower Creek at the Gateway Information Centre end of Garden Park on Sunday, October 27. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be heaps of prizes based on the size and number of carp caught, as well as water bug activities, colouring tents, turtle and native fish displays, and a free lunch.
“Perfect Trifecta” for river fish
While punters look to find the best bets on racecourses across the state, the perfect trifecta could be within the banks of three northern Victorian waterways. Water for the environment will flow down the Loddon River, Serpentine Creek, and Pyramid Creek during October, to provide local native fish with a party of their own. Environmental water releases from Laanecoorie Reservoir will begin in early October, targeting flows of 400 megalitres a day.
Declan’s Law ready to be introduced to Parliament next week: Finocchiaro
The CLP Government will deliver on its promise to introduce Declan’s Law in the first sittings of Parliament, commencing next Tuesday. Under Declan’s Law, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said there would be a presumption against bail for youth and adult serious violent offenders, regardless of whether a weapon is involved.
Still no clear answer or solution on Wilcannia Weir
The Department of Planning and Environment (Water) advised some months ago that there would be an independent review of the original design of the Wilcannia weir. Several names were recommended to the department by the community to form membership of the Independent Review Panel.
Will wild dogs take the bait? Aerial baiting trial will use DOGGONE
Aerial baiting is one of the tactics used to reduce wild dog populations. This time though, instead of using fresh meat to bait the dogs, a bait called DOGGONE will be trialled. The Eyes on the Rim project will monitor wild dogs and their impact on endangered species.
Clarence and Richmond Valley businesses suffering in ongoing energy dispute: Williamson
Nationals MP for Clarence, Richie Williamson is urging the Minns Labor Government to step in and resolve the ongoing industrial dispute between the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and the state’s major energy companies, which is heavily impacting local businesses across the Clarence and Richmond Valleys. Months of strike action by the ETU has delayed thousands of projects, including critical infrastructure such as housing and roadworks, while driving some businesses to the brink of bankruptcy.
Mortlake Energy Hub to power South West Victoria: D’Ambrosio
Renewable energy developer BrightNight now has the green light to begin construction on the $700 million Mortlake Energy Hub in the state’s southwest. The project will combine a 360-megawatt solar energy facility with a 300-megawatt battery energy storage system capable of powering 140,000 homes and cutting emissions by 41.4 million tonnes annually.
