CATEGORY

Property

Vast new outback park in NSW protects important wetlands: Sharpe

The NSW Government has acquired Comeroo, Muttawary and Maranoa stations (known collectively as Comeroo). The purchase will see more than 37,000 hectares containing endangered ecological communities and an array of threatened species added to the NSW national park estate, managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The housing crisis – time to act

Viv Markham.  As Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards said, “There is no magic fix.” This week’s article poses the questions: how big is government appetite to fix the homelessness and the housing problem? ... we’re at a housing crossroads, so why not consider other solutions?

Shane Love and David Littleproud stand united in opposing overbearing Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Laws: Love, Littleproud

The Nationals WA and Federal National Party have ... taken a stand against the flawed implementation of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Laws by WA Labor ... “WA Labor MPs have admitted they have botched the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, now, with Federal Labor considering enacting similar legislation, concerns are being raised": Shane Love.

Deputy Mayor puts forward national issues considered relevant to Council

Narrandera Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cameron Lander has reported on some of the many issues discussed at the 2023 Australian Local Government Association National Assembly that he felt were of particular interest to Narrandera Shire Council ... The 2023 NGA theme was "Our Communities, Our Future" and looked at ideas on new federal programs and policies that would support councils to build stronger communities in the future.

Minister for Heritage, we have a way out

WAFarmers met with the Western Australian Minister for Heritage recently. We had an interesting discussion on the roll out of the State's new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Laws. The Minister clearly believes that the new laws won't impact farmers the way our lawyers tell us it will; in his view the roll out is smooth and all it needs is some tweaking ... Minister, some more advice.

Housing – It’s a post – Covid mess

Viv Markham. There’s a serious problem in the community at the moment, and that problem is housing ... Those even further down on their luck are camping out in tents, caravans and cars - out in the bush and on the outskirts of our towns ... And what is being done to help those doing it tough?

VNI West, Transgrid Moulamein meeting

It was a packed house at the Moulamein Recreation Reserve as community members from across the region gathered for the landholder information session on the proposed 500 kilovolt double circuit transmission line ... It was fantastic to see a town hall meeting ... the ultimate ‘pub test’.

Commonwealth Games costs too high at over $6 billion: Andrews

With significant planning work and extensive market soundings completed, it is now certain that the cost of hosting the Regional Victorian Commonwealth Games will exceed $6 billion – more than twice the estimated economic benefit the Games would bring our state. In the face of these numbers, the Victorian Government has made the decision not to proceed with hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026.

Roger that, instant home two years after house fire

Roger bought a house in Mallanganee in 2003. Two years ago, the house was burned to the ground ... Roger said he has been homeless since the fire. That changed with the delivery of a self contained small house costing about $77,000. The house has a kitchenette, shower and basin and somewhere to sleep. Roger is “stoked” about the help he is getting from his mates to make the small house a home.

Aboriginal agreements could change how local governments operate: Bev McArthur

Victorians should be alert – and probably alarmed – at a deal that has been kept quiet by the State Government that will give indigenous groups in Western Victoria a huge say over water, roads and biosecurity ... The land mass covered by the agreement is nearly 36,000 sq km and involves ten local councils: Ararat, Horsham, Buloke, Hindmarsh, Pyrenees, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians, Yarriambiak, Mildura and West Wimmera ... “There is so much to be worried about in relation to this ‘unprecedented’ agreement:” Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur.

New renewable energy landholder toolkit available to support Queensland landholder: QFF

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has released a new toolkit to provide information and practical guidance for landholders considering hosting a renewable energy project on their property. ... “There is much for a landholder to consider before entering into an agreement. It is also important for landholders to understand that they can say no to hosting a wind or solar farm development...": QFF CEO Jo Sheppard.

Hogan and Williamson push for more flood funding

The push for more funding for the flood ravaged Northern Rivers region has been taken up by Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, who questioned the Minns NSW Government on the massive reduction in buybacks offered and Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, who launched a petition to fully fund the Resilient Homes Program as promised ... On Saturday Woodburn locals lined the bridge armed with signs, a town which felt the full brunt of the catastrophic flood, that still feels unheard as they struggle to rebuild.

Marion Yay

Patrick Goldsmith. Marion Bay will get its long sought-after boat ramp upgrade after Yorke Peninsula Council received $3.04 million through the state government’s South Australian Boating Facilities Fund ... Concept plans for the ramp were endorsed by council members in October, but only approved by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport last week.

How to create a home for all the seasons and lower energy bills

Here’s a great chance to tap into inspiring tips from Sunshine Coast design experts and learn how to make your home comfortable all year round. Sunshine Coast Council has developed a free educational design booklet, online course and smart phone compass to help you better understand our local sub-tropical climate and how the sun in winter and summer influences the liveability of our homes.

Misleading tactics used by transmission companies to dupe farmers: VFF

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has expressed concerns about misleading information being provided to farmers who may be impacted by the proposed VNI-West transmission project. VFF President Emma Germano said the Australian Energy Market Operator (which is planning the project on behalf of the Victorian Government) had released information to landholders designed to pressure them into signing away access to their land.

Regional renting is about to get a whole lot harder: Bev McArthur

Mrs McArthur said the trifecta of mortgage stress, rental compliance and tax increases, will result in ‘rental providers’ seeking easier financial options ... “This rental crisis will become increasingly obvious in regional cities like Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat as we draw closer to the Commonwealth Games."

The new Maldon Design Guidelines

Viv Markham. Since the 1960s, heritage has been an important part of Maldon’s persona. It’s therefore surprising that the recently published and updated Maldon Design Guidelines (MDG) was not announced with a little more fanfare.

New houses delivered

Two 2 bedroom homes built in Wagga, by Adaptive Interiors, transported here and welded on foundations by Zac Pirie Welding and Fabrications. This is one of the 3 town blocks sold to the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office for $1-00 per block.

Hands & Hearts repairing 100 homes in 10 days –  doing what the government won’t

A project led by locals aims to raise $50million to help flooded communities. The project was born out of the frustration over the lack of funding to rebuild homes after the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation released flood maps that showed priority areas that excluded most of the damaged homes.

Despairing residents express anger over fudged flood figures

The gathered people were angry, frustrated and sad. Many took the mic and spoke and for some it was clearly uncomfortable to bare their sorrow as they shook and their voices broke ... Henry Luong told people to “use your rage and make it your power”.

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act update: WAFarmers

Farmers beware! Come midnight tonight [30 June 2023], don’t think you can crank up your bulldozer, grader or continue building that new hay shed and not have to worry about the new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws ... While some may think that the Premier's light touch and soft start might sound appealing, by law nothing has changed, and you could well find yourself prosecuted for any heritage damage you do in the coming months with no legal recourse despite the Premier's spin.

Plan to ease rent shortage

Patricia Gill. The upper level of heritage-listed Edinboro House is set for a $2.3 million redevelopment for 10 ‘micro’ apartments to ease Denmark’s shortage of rental housing. The charity, Denmark Futures Ltd, has an option to purchase the property expiring in October and awaits the outcome of Department of Communities funding applications for the project.

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