Government delivers comprehensive plan to protect turtles: Watt, Powell
The Raine Island Recovery Project - completed in December 2025 - documented almost 20,000 turtles gathering in the ocean and almost 4,000 turtles coming onto the island at night to lay eggs. Raine Island is the world’s largest green turtle rookery and is the source of almost 90 per cent of the northern Great Barrier Reef green turtle population.
Westbrook land for water treatment plant
Toowoomba Regional Council has acquired a property in Westbrook that will be the location of a future water treatment plant ... With the site being acquired for a water treatment plant, Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff said Council would require funding to progress the project in an accelerated timeframe.
West Coast fishing ban causes south coast congestion
Warren Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has accused the State Government of rushing the demersal fishing ban and causing a sharp rise in boat traffic on the South Coast. He says that boat ramps are overcrowded, tourism infrastructure under strain and there is no support in sight. Since the closure of key recreational and commercial fishing areas, there has been daily congestion at Windy Harbour, Walpole, Peaceful Bay and Denmark.
Health, water security and safer roads topics dominate mayoral summit
Regional local government councils including Narrandera came together again for the eighth annual Cootamundra Mayoral Summit hosted by the Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke this week. Ms Cooke said it was clear that health, water security and safer roads remained top priorities right across the electorate
The housing crisis: could tiny homes be the solution?
Ivona Rose. Interest in tiny homes is increasing on the Central Coast and across Australia, driven by soaring house prices, lack of housing availability, shifts toward sustainable living, downsizing, dwindling available land, and the growth of short-stay rentals like Airbnb ... Can tiny homes play a meaningful role in affordable housing, and where can people locate them?
Menindee Review to tackle water and environmental challenges: MDBA
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) and joint River Murray governments have initiated a detailed review of the Menindee Lakes System to address long running operational and water management challenges.
Where’s the childcare centre?
Big promises, no build as Naracoorte waits on old TAFE site project. A grand on-site announcement, artist impressions, and firm timelines promised a solution to Naracoorte’s long-running childcare shortage — but almost two years on, the proposed early learning and childcare centre at the former TAFE site has yet to take physical shape.
Berri Primary’s prayers answered
Madison Eastmond. A $15M funding boost to Berri Primary School was the highlight of a recent regional tour undertaken last week by Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven. Minister Scriven’s announcement of the State Government capital works investment program funding last Thursday has answered long-term advocacy calls for the major redevelopment of Berri Primary School...
What does the rail lease actually require?
This is yet another instalment in my running theme: the State rail debacle. A saga of privatisation, monopoly infrastructure, and governments that appear to have misplaced both the keys and the contract. Twenty-five years after Western Australia leased out its freight rail network, one basic question still has no straight answer: what does the Brookfield/Arc lease actually require?
Farmers welcome focus on water management: NSW Farmers Association
NSW Farmers says a vote supporting a Royal Commission into water management is a positive step towards a stronger farming future ... “We’ve been sounding the alarm on water management for a number of years, it’s beyond time that farmers and communities were treated as equal partners with the environment,” Mr Bootle said.
Kingston community still waiting on jetty insurance
Following severe storms in May 2025, the Kingston Jetty was severely damaged and then three weeks later in June, after more storm surge events and seven metres swells, the Jetty was destroyed. An engineering report estimated the extent of damage at $11.2 million and a claim was submitted to the State Government, which self-insures its assets.
Forestry sends firefighters to South Australia after Victorian deployments: Forestry Corporation of NSW
Forestry Corporation of NSW has deployed 10 firefighters to South Australia to support firefighting operations following several weeks of assistance in Victoria ... In recent weeks, Forestry Corporation deployed 20 firefighters to Victoria to assist with the Walwa River Road fire in both Field and Incident Management (IMT) positions.
Biggest four years ever for our exports: Szakacs
South Australia has officially experienced its strongest four years on record for international trade, with latest ABS stats revealing our state’s exporters have sold an additional $21 billion worth of local goods to the world since 2022 ... Each calendar year within this period has eclipsed the pre-2022 record of $13.1 billion by more than $3 billion, with 2023, 2024 and 2025 each exceeding $17 billion.
Casino dairy farmer learns about reducing emissions in carbon advice project
More than 120 farmers across the state are working with government experts to develop plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their property ... The plans are designed to help farmers baseline their emissions, understand where their emissions are coming from, and what carbon farming practices they can implement on their farm, including extensive livestock, dairy and mixed farming systems. One of those farmers is Casino dairy farmer Fleur Tonge.
60 years NT: The ups, the downs
Alex Nelson. This year, 2026, marks the 60th anniversary of a pivotal episode in the history of the Northern Territory. Seismic changes occurred in national and local politics that profoundly influenced the course of events shaping the Territory as we know it today.
Love notes to Maldon
To help celebrate the 60th anniversary of Maldon receiving the title of 'Australia's First Notable Town', the Tarrangower Times and Maldon Heritage Network invites everyone to write a 'Love Note' to the town. It's a chance to reflect upon what makes Maldon special, whether that's a memorable festival or best bushwalking route or a favourite coffee spot. To get the ball rolling, here is a letter written by State Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards MP ...
$7 billion pumped hydro projects declared critical for NSW: Sharpe, Scully, Jackson
Two multi-billion-dollar renewable energy projects with the potential to power over 1 million homes in peak demand have been declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) by the Minns Labor Government ... $3.5 billion Western Sydney Pumped Hydro Project at Lake Burragorang is a ZEN Energy ... $3.6 billion Yarrabin (Phoenix) Pumped Hydro Project near Mudgee is a ACEN Australia project ... Both projects, are in the early planning stages and are located on WaterNSW land.
Rivers of opportunity lost – Measure water properly, build dams, develop North Queensland: Robbie Katter
The latest floods have again shown that the ‘data’ used by the bureaucrats in Brisbane for all things water is farcical, or terribly inaccurate at best, The Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader, and Member for Traeger has said ... “The Department simply have no idea how much water there is! They’re the same Department who openly say there isn’t enough water to release to farmers.”
Government’s fire management approach is failing communities and putting lives at risk: Horstman
The Cook Labor Government’s approach to fire management has become so reckless that it is only a matter of time before lives are lost, according to Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Hon Rob Horstman MLC ... “Day after day, I am hearing of yet another Government-approved burn being lit while temperatures soar and fires rip through national parks and native bushland."
Nanarup proposed location for low-impact desalination: Punch, Whitby
Nanarup has been chosen as the site for the proposed small scale seawater desalination plant, a vital project that will secure the Lower Great Southern region's water future and support its continued growth. Planning for a new, climate-resilient water source began in 2009, with seven potential locations identified between Walpole in the west and areas 50 kilometres east of Albany.
Basin Plan Review, and the impenetrable legislation
Australia's largest water reform, the Murray Darling Basin Plan, was sold to communities as a balanced, adaptable plan, with a triple bottom line of communities, agriculture, and the environment, and supposedly based on the best available science. Unfortunately, nothing appeared further from the truth.
Helping regional shows thrive and connect communities: Spence
Victoria’s regional shows celebrate the heart of their communities, showcasing everything from fresh produce and handmade craft, making them a must visit destination throughout the vibrant spring and summer seasons. The program supports projects and activities promoting agriculture, improving infrastructure and upgrading amenities for community use during annual agricultural shows and events...
