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...
Vanadium royalty relief a win for regional jobs, emerging industries: Michael, Sanderson
Vanadium miners will be afforded significant royalty relief with the Cook Government delivering a major election commitment which will support Western Australia's resources industry and help the State's economy remain the strongest in the nation. From today, a 2.5 per cent royalty rate will apply to vanadium products in a move to incentivise production of the critical mineral in WA and encourage its emerging vanadium battery industry.
Is Struan House being left to rot?
Is the slow decay of the iconic Struan House south of Naracoorte a case of “demolition by neglect” — and has South Australia squandered a once-in-a-generation chance to anchor cutting-edge agricultural research in the Limestone Coast?
Pig blitz just bacon bits: NSW Farmers Association
New data has revealed the NSW Government is contributing just ‘bits of bacon’ to the desperate effort to curb feral pigs, the state’s peak farm body says. Media reports of 53,000 feral pigs culled by authorities over the past year were dwarfed by the estimated tens of millions of the pests farmers were reporting in the paddock, NSW Farmers’ President Xavier Martin said.
A better lifestyle through a stronger economy – Nation-leading initiative unlocks surplus Townsville land for housing: Bleijie
The Crisafulli Government’s nation-leading Land Activation Program has come to Townsville, unlocking local under-utilised government-owned land to deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders. The 4.5-hectare site next to Townsville Pimlico TAFE is the first within the region to join the landmark initiative and will deliver up to 150 homes.
WA Labor must reveal greyhound racing’s future: Hunter
The Cook Labor Government and the Minister for Racing and Gaming, Paul Papalia, must clearly state whether they support the future of the greyhound racing industry in Western Australia following serious animal welfare incidents at Cannington Park and ongoing uncertainty facing the sector.
New legislation to crackdown on ‘factories of hate’: Minns, Scully, Hoenig
The NSW Government will today introduce legislation into Parliament to strengthen councils’ enforcement powers to shut down unlawful places of worship. The legislation is a crackdown on ‘factories of hate’ which are unlawfully promoting hate, intimidation and dividing our community.
Kindergarten pilot begins as record number of students start school: Cook, Winton
The Cook Government's landmark free Full-time Kindergarten Pilot begins today, marking a major milestone in early childhood education in Western Australia. The pilot is commencing at Roleystone Community College, Halidon Primary School, and Banksia Grove Primary School in the metropolitan region, and South Kalgoorlie Primary School and Dalyellup Primary School in regional Western Australia.
A better lifestyle through a stronger economy – Capacity boost at Port of Townsville’s busiest berths: Bates
The Crisafulli Government and Port of Townsville Limited are strengthening trade and supply chains in North Queensland with upgrades to berths three and four at the Port of Townsville. This upgrade removes a key bottleneck by extending the operating reach of the Port’s Liebherr Ship-to-Shore crane across both berths, improving vessel turnaround times for containerised, general cargo and other trade-critical freight.
Territory mango crop leads the nation: Maley
Territory growers produced 4.3 million trays of mangoes in the 2025-26 season, a 7.5 per cent increase on the previous year – the equivalent of an additional 300,000 trays of Territory mangoes flowing into domestic and international markets ... Currently, the Northern Territory continues to lead the nation in mango production, supplying 52 per cent of Australia’s total mango crop.
CLP cracking down on public housing tenants: Edgington
Delivering on its promise to reduce crime and restore the Territory lifestyle, the Finocchiaro CLP Government is cracking down to hold public housing tenants accountable for anti-social behaviour and damage to taxpayer funded housing.
Big energy, big decisions: Public hearing set for Dinawan Solar Farm as wind stage approaches milestone
The future of the Riverina’s energy landscape is moving into a critical phase this month as the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) prepares to descend on Coleambally for a public meeting regarding the Dinawan Solar Farm.
New principals begin the year at two small schools
Two small schools more than 120km apart — Broadwater and Old Bonalbo — have new principals starting this term. At Broadwater Public School - rebuilt after the 2022 floods - Jake Debrincat joins this term as principal. At Old Bonalbo, it is Samantha Cooper’s first time as a principal.
Australia Day and Survival Day
In Maldon, it was a friendly gathering in the Shire Gardens with flags flying and snags frying, all thanks to volunteers and the Maldon RSL ... In Castlemaine, Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson welcomed a packed Town Hall with a traditional ceremony on ... 26 January before Council CEO Darren Fuzzard spoke about the day’s theme of ‘Reflect, Respect, Celebrate’.
CMA discusses GST Review with NSW Premier and Treasurer
“While GST distribution has traditionally been seen as an issue between the State and the Commonwealth, Local Government is an important stakeholder. Councils across remote, rural and regional NSW depend on the State Government for a diverse range of funding, everything from roads to libraries, from community services to economic development initiatives,” Temora Mayor Rick Firman said..
Different action on WA demersal ban
While the WA Labor Minister for Fisheries announces the release of pink snapper fingerlings in Cockburn Sound south of Perth as part of their West Coast Demersal Recovery package, the Nationals WA continue to hold forums for fishers impacted by the demersal fishing ban and call for a parliamentary inquiry.
SEC breaks ground on Delburn Wind Farm: D’Ambrosio
Minister for the State Electricity Commission Lily D’Ambrosio has visited the SEC Delburn Wind Farm site, where construction will begin in March ahead of operations starting in 2028. The 33-turbine wind farm will have a generation capacity of up to 205 megawatts of renewable energy to the electricity grid, enough to power more than 130,000 homes with renewable power. The SEC will hold 100 per cent ownership of the project.
Narrandera’s own Dame Marie Bashir passes away
Narrandera Shire Council has extended its deepest condolences on the passing of Dame Marie Bashir AC CVO, a remarkable Australian and one of Narrandera's most distinguished local-born citizens. Born in Narrandera, Dame Marie Bashir went on to lead an extraordinary life of service, becoming one of Australia's most respected medical professionals, advocates and leaders. Her achievements were many, including her historic role as the 37th Governor of New South Wales and the first woman to hold that office.
Commission of Inquiry’s first public hearing of the new year to be in Toowoomba
The Commission of Inquiry into Child Safety has announced it will hold its first public hearing of 2026 in Southern Queensland with a key focus on the intersection between the child safety and youth justice systems. The public hearing will be held in Toowoomba, commencing on Monday the 16th of February ... Commissioner, the Honourable Paul Anastassiou KC said the community's input will help inform the Commission's work in its review of the effectiveness of the child safety system to keep children and Queenslanders safe.
Minister calls snap foam forum
Michelle Daw. Environment Minister Lucy Hood has called a hastily arranged community forum at Corny Point this week, following growing criticism of the state government's handling of the harmful algal bloom affecting southern Yorke Peninsula ... Public frustration escalated over the weekend following reported comments by Premier Peter Malinauskas, who stated the algal bloom was "non-existent in most of the state" — remarks that have drawn strong backlash from affected coastal communities.
Labor for MacKillop’s future?
As MacKillop heads toward the March 2026 state election, voters are being challenged to weigh experience, independence, and influence. Labor candidate Mark Braes makes his case in an exclusive Q&A with The [Naracoorte] News, pitching decades in law, local government, and mayoral leadership—alongside the leverage of being part of a governing SA Labor Party.
