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Property

GPA: USA FIRB free pass totally unacceptable

Grain Producers Australia is calling for a rigorous investigation of the recent acceleration of Australian farmland purchases, by US-owned foreign investors with serious financial clout, emboldened by major tax breaks. 

Mining madness: What to say to companies wanting to explore your land for critical minerals

“Don’t talk to mining companies one-on-one. Don’t sign anything without a lawyer — not even an access agreement to your land.” This advice to landholders came from solicitor Belinda Rayment from the Environmental Defenders Office who was at a community meeting at Drake Hall on July 28 talking about mineral mining exploration licences.

Yaegl people to manage Pilot Hill

The Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation have been as appointed Crown Land managers for parts of Yamba’s Pilot Hill reserve including two heritage listed cottages. Celebrated at a special ceremony at Pilot Hill during NAIDOC week, the appointment marks a significant step forward in supporting the local Aboriginal community’s aspirations for the culturally significant area.

Meet the new post office building owners

Listen out for the chime of the town clock in the coming months. A new era, including a fixed timepiece, is to come for local iconic building, Hay Post Office. Catherine and Trent Cox (pictured) have bought the heritage-listed building and significant historical landmark.

Three stations added to the National Park network in north west NSW: Sharpe

The government has invested $11.7 million to acquire the retired stations, totalling 34,773 hectares ... These three acquisitions nearly double new additions for the 2024-25 financial year to a total of more than 73,000ha. The NSW national parks network now totals almost 7,774,000 ha.

Transmission meetings disappoint Council

Buloke Shire Council ... Council accepted the invitation in good faith, based on TCV’s indication that an important update on the project would be shared. However, during the meeting, Council was advised that no announcement would, in fact, be made. Instead, the meeting was re-framed by TCV as an opportunity to strengthen its relationship with Council and improve consultation processes. Council expressed its disappointment ... Council was not informed of this amendment during Minister D’Ambrosio’s visit, despite its relevance and impact on affected landowners, some of which were present and engaged in the discussion held.

Blast from the Past: Maldon Gothic

Tony Kane. Maldon has many examples of Gothic architecture ... One of the finest examples is John Robinson’s House in High Street, which was built about 1866. The house features intersecting gables and delicate timber barge boards.

Affordable homes open doors to new residents

The official opening of 24 new affordable dwellings in South Grafton earlier this month has given a number of Clarence Valley residents a much longed for place to call home ... a joint initiative by Anglicare North Coast and Northern Rivers Housing, the development is the biggest affordable housing delivery in the region so far in 2025.

Energy Minister must reconsider Central North REZ says Lovell

Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called on the Minister for Energy and Resources to reconsider the size and location of the Central North Renewable Energy Zone. Following the recent release of the draft Victorian Transmission Plan for public consultation, numerous objections have been raised by community members and local government...

Kealy calls for investigation into land tax assessments

Several flawed land tax assessments across the Wimmera and south-west have prompted The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, to call for an investigation. Ms Kealy said dozens of residents had contacted her office in the past few months regarding errors in their land tax assessments, including incorrect land classifications and relevant exemptions not being applied for primary production land and not-for-profit uses.

400 new flood-free housing lots part of Resilient Homes target for 4300 homes

Many are waiting to see the housing options that come out of the $100million Northern Rivers Resilient Lands Program. The NSW Reconstruction Authority made an announcement ... about the purchase of 72ha of flood-free land from Southern Cross University. It means 400 new housing lots in Lismore.

Energy transition must not trample farmers’ rights: VFF

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has reacted with concern following recent comments from Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, warning that the State Government’s energy transition risks alienating the very communities it needs most.

Council seeks improved transparency

At its July Council Meeting, Buloke Shire Council moved a motion for Council to write to relevant Ministers and Departments to seek genuine engagement between Council, the Government and the Buloke Shire community following the recent visit of the Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio, MP, Minister for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action on June 11, 2025. The Notice of Motion expressed disappointment in the Minister for failing to inform Councillors of major legislative changes tabled just eight days later ...

Tiny Homes On Wheels – an affordable housing option

As the housing crisis hits our community hard, the appeal of the Tiny Home on Wheels (THOW) has risen. The My Home Network Tiny Homes On Wheels working group have developed a confidential survey ... to improve appropriate uptake of THOW as affordable housing in our Shire and elsewhere.

Historic church falling down

Joanna Tucker. Copper Coast Council is set to buy an historic church near the tentatively listed UNESCO World Heritage Moonta Mines site which is continuing to deteriorate. The East Moonta Methodist Church, at the corner of Verran Terrace and Deeble Street, had another wall collapse last week.

One man’s legacy provides new premises for men’s shed

Many years ago, no one is quite sure how many, men would gather at Jimmy Byrne’s property on Bruxner Road near Drake ... Because of the gap in time since the men came together, the members are regrouping and inviting past and new members to rejoin the Drake Men’s Shed.

Too many compromises says Cr

Patricia Gill. Shire councillor Aaron Wiggins described the approval of 15 tiny cabins on Raintree Estate as 'too many compromises' without getting the best result for the community. Cr Wiggins moved the motion to approve the development 'en bloc' of five separate lots, at the June 24 Denmark Shire Council meeting. Though he moved the motion, he was against it.

Tiny cabins next big thing

Patricia Gill. Fifteen short-stay 'tiny house cabins', or holiday chalets, have been given the green light for Raintree Estate on South Coast Highway. The caravan-size chalets, which can be moved, will be placed on five locations on the farm and the development includes a manager's residence south of The Dam restaurant also on Raintree Farm.

Buckingbong Aggregation up for sale

Lawson Grains, controlled by Canadian investment giant AIMCo and New Forests, has put up for grabs an expansive cropping aggregation in the Riverina that could fetch about $40m. The Buckingbong Aggregation takes in three separate parcels totalling 4245ha of cropping area, with more than 90 per cent of it arable.

Property owners face homelessness

Christine Webster. The owners of a Mount Mary property, who were told by Mid Murray Council they were breaking the law by living on their vacant land in a motorhome and bus, have left the area in frustration ... Mr King believes he and his friend have a right to live on the property in their registered bus and motorhome.

Regional landholders under threat from Labor’s transmission takeover: Cleeland

The Nationals' Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has slammed new legislation proposed by the Allan Labor Government that would allow government officials and transmission companies to enter private farmland without consent, and hit landholders with steep fines if they object.

Australian Conservation Foundation disingenuous at best

Lloyd Hick. Queensland's peak representative body for rural producers has condemned the Australian Conservation Foundation for its latest misleading campaign against Australian cattle producers. AgForce Cattle President Lloyd Hick says AgForce has thrown its support behind Property Rights Australia's calls for ACF's tax free status as a registered charity to be withdrawn in response to its deceptive "Bulldozing the Bush" campaign.

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