SA

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Albanese Government’s plan to buyback water under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan ignores all evidence of the devastation farming communities will be forced to endure. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy said the announcement by Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to buyback water continued to ignore the concerns of farmers about the reduction in the amount of water available to produce food.

A town Centre Rejuvenation Plan has been described as “fantastic” but should not ignore Naracoorte is a service centre with an economy underpinned by agriculture. Explaining his concerns, Cr Peter Ireland believed expenditure featured in the plan – a maximum of $9.7 million in the first three years – had a focus on tourism at the expense of Naracoorte being a service centre for agriculture.

The SA Liberals misguided opposition to voluntary water buybacks risks undermining South Australia’s position ahead of Friday’s Murray–Darling Basin  Ministerial Council meeting. A united South Australian position is crucial when dealing with the unwillingness of the NSW and Victorian governments to deliver the 450 gigalitres promised when the Murray-Darling Basin Plan was agreed to: Susan Close, SA Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate, Environment and Water (SA).

Lucindale CFS brigade captain Andy Cane recalls being 18 on Ash Wednesday ... “There was scrub everywhere, and the fire was going that fast. We didn't even see it until it came over the top of us”: Lucindale CFS brigade captain Andy Cane.

The SA Opposition has been advised that there could be a precious stockpile of the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) vaccine up for grabs – but will soon expire – that could be used to protect South Australians from the disease as the flood recovery in the Riverland officially begins. Chairman of the Immunisation Coalition in Australia, Dr Rod Pearce, has indicated that the New South Wales Government is in possession of a surplus of JEV vaccines, with doctors based in the state telling him “they can’t give them away”.

The annual South Australian Wine Industry Snapshot for 2022 was recently released. A collaboration involving the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA), the report is designed to provide an annual overview of the South Australian wine industry each year, including challenges and wins ... South Australian Wine businesses report volume has declined 13 per cent year on year in 2022 compared to 2021 which was a record vintage.

Claims for travel, child care costs and other reimbursements paid to councillors will soon be available on the Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s website. This follows a request by Cr Cameron Grundy "in the interest of openness and transparency” ... “From a personal perspective I consider I am paid by the ratepayer and in the interest of openness and transparency, I want to see a situation where my allowance and associated claims to council are public information”: Cr Cameron Grundy.

Lifeline South East has received the thumbs up from councillors to be the new tenant at the back of the Town Hall on Ormerod St, but not as a shop front or office. Essentially, it will operate as a call centre for local volunteers and be linked as part of the national service’s 24-hour suicide prevention help line – 13 11 14.