IN SHORTCentral Darling Shire is managing over nine million dollars in capital works across roads, aerodromes, water infrastructure and community facilities. A two million dollar road sealing program is progressing across the state and regional network, while nearly six million dollars has been allocated for runway improvements at White Cliffs that will support emergency medical flights. New water treatment plants are being constructed for Ivanhoe and Wilcannia, and a one million dollar program will upgrade four swimming pools across the shire.Despite the financial pressures that have earned Central Darling Shire a spot on the NSW Auditor General's watchlist, the council is pushing forward with an extensive capital works program that touches almost every community in the shire.More than six million dollars is allocated for regional road works across the shire's vast network, which includes sections of the Barrier and Cobb Highways managed in close partnership with Transport for NSW. A successful two million dollar work proposal for this year's sealing program will see improvements to both state-managed and local road surfaces across the region. For those who drive these roads regularly, the significance of that investment needs no explanation. Distance is the constant companion of life in the Far West and the condition of the roads between communities is not an abstraction but a daily reality.White Cliffs Aerodrome is set for significant improvement, with close to six million dollars allocated for work that will lengthen and strengthen the runway. The urgency of this upgrade is underscored by recent discussions at council about low spots on aerodrome runways that have previously made emergency medical flights difficult or impossible to land. In a part of the world where the Royal Flying Doctor Service is a genuine lifeline, the condition of rural aerodrome infrastructure is a matter of life and death. Improving the White Cliffs runway is not just a capital works tick. It is an investment in the safety of every person living within its catchment.Water security is another critical thread running through the shire's infrastructure program. New water treatment plants are currently being fabricated and constructed for both Ivanhoe and Wilcannia. These towns sit in some of the most water-stressed country in Australia, and the quality and reliability of treated water supply is fundamental to the health and liveability of the communities that depend on it. The level four water restrictions currently in place in White Cliffs serve as a pointed reminder of how vulnerable the shire's water supply can be when rainfall fails.A one million dollar swimming pool upgrade program is also underway, covering four pools across the shire. The works include repainting and the installation of new shade sails. Community pools in remote towns are more than leisure facilities. They are gathering places, health assets and in the extreme summer heat of the western interior, a practical necessity.The council has also been managing the aftermath of environmental challenges, with staff and contractors recently removing eight truckloads of dead fish from the Menindee foreshore. Fish kills in the lower Darling and Menindee Lakes system have become a distressing but recurring feature of life in the region, and the clean-up work, while unglamorous, is a necessary part of managing the environmental consequences.

All risk, no reward for outback farmers In ShortThe Financial Gap: NSW Farmers are calling for compensation to be raised to $1,500 per claim, arguing the current $50–$200 rates are a "pittance" that fails to cover real business losses.Operational Chaos: Beyond the dig site, farmers report losing access to land within a 1km radius due to livestock stress, biosecurity risks, and disrupted water access.The Ultimatum: If fair compensation isn't met, the NSW Farmers Association suggests opal mining should be restricted strictly to public land reserves. Shortchanged farmers in the state’s northwest are desperately calling on government to deliver fairer compensation for small-scale title mining claims.NSW Farmers Acting CEO Mike Guerin said the proposed compensation amounts for opal mining claims fell well short of the real and ongoing losses faced by farm businesses hosting mining activity and called on the NSW Government to urgently rework the proposed compensation framework to ensure farmers were treated fairly and not forced to absorb the full financial and operational impacts of mining activity on their land.Under the current proposal, landholders would receive as little as $50 per claim in White Cliffs and $200 near Lightning Ridge, amounts NSW Farmers said were nowhere near the actual losses borne by farm businesses.“A lot of people don’t realise that an opal miner can turn up with a piece of paper and completely disrupt your business or your backyard,” Mr Guerin said.“Most of us only own the top few metres of dirt, and the government can sell the rights underneath the surface to miners who then have the right to turn up, dig holes, disrupt your operation and create a huge mess.“This is a massive impost on farmers who are doing their best to produce healthy plants and animals in a pretty harsh environment, and this pittance proposed by government as ‘compensation’ is little more than an insult.”NSW Farmers did not support the outcome of an independent review that recommended tiny compensation amounts, nor did it support the government’s response which failed to reflect the full extent of impacts experienced by affected landholders.Mr Guerin said an evidence‑based approach was needed to properly account for the costs associated with a small-scale title claim on their farm, to ensure farmers were not left carrying an unfair burden.“Real‑world losses extend well beyond the immediate surface disturbance and include increased biosecurity risks and ongoing management costs, defensive spending, livestock disruption, and significant impacts on labour and farm management,” Mr Guerin said.“Landholders have told us they can lose us up to a one kilometre radius around the actual title site as the livestock behaviour is disturbed on the adjacent land, which can also impact animal health, and access to watering points.“We've calculated a compensation rate of approximately $1500 per claim more accurately reflects the true costs and losses incurred by farm businesses hosting opal mining activity.“If the government is unwilling to provide fair and equitable compensation, in lieu of compensable loss, then opal mining should be restricted to public land only, within designated reserves established specifically for that purpose.“Even the Independent Reviewer identified that less than 1.5 per cent of the available area is being used for opal mining, indicating there is a huge area of land potentially available for the continuation of activity within existing areas. This is contrary to the claim that there is a lack of land available and NSW Farmers does not support expansion of the current footprint to Opal Prospecting Area 4.“

IN SHORTMayor Doug Curran attended a Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation meeting in Wentworth last week alongside the General Manager and Councillor Blumer, with the Murray Darling Basin Plan review dominating proceedings and prompting the mayor to urge Griffith residents to complete a submission and engage directly with the process. Mayor Curran has also acknowledged the retirement of Sussan Ley from the Farrer electorate, describing her as a representative who always had her constituents at heart regardless of political affiliationGriffith Mayor Doug Curran has opened his latest message to the community with a Leonardo da Vinci quote that cuts to the heart of everything this region is built on. "Water is the driving force of all nature." In a city whose agricultural identity, economic output and long-term viability are inseparable from access to water, that is not a philosophical observation. It is a statement of operational fact that every farmer, irrigator, business owner and resident in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area understands in their bones.Last week Mayor Curran travelled to Wentworth with Griffith's General Manager and Councillor Blumer to attend a meeting of the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation, known as RAMJO. The meeting was heavily focused on the Murray Darling Basin Plan review, a process that will shape water policy across the basin for the years ahead and that has enormous direct implications for communities like Griffith whose prosperity is built on irrigation agriculture.By the mayor's account it was a very good meeting. But it also underlined something that tends to get lost in the machinery of policy reviews conducted by bureaucracies and politicians: that community engagement is not a box to tick but a genuine opportunity to shape outcomes that will affect people's lives and livelihoods for a generation. "Please, please find out more, complete a submission and be a part of the review," Mayor Curran said. "This will be one of the most important reviews for Griffith's future."That is not hyperbole. The Murray Darling Basin Plan review is examining water use, environmental flows, buybacks and allocation arrangements across the most productive agricultural river system in Australia. The voices that carry weight in that process are not only those of government agencies and environmental lobby groups. They are also the voices of the communities that actually live and work in the basin, irrigate from its rivers, run businesses that depend on the agricultural output it supports and have watched previous iterations of the plan play out in ways that have not always reflected local knowledge or local need. If you have a view on how water in the Murrumbidgee system should be managed, now is the time to put it on the record. The MDBA's review consultation process is open to public submissions and the link is available through the BCB app story.The mayor also used his message to acknowledge the retirement of Sussan Ley from the seat of Farrer, a federal electorate that covers a vast swathe of southern and western New South Wales including Griffith. Ley, who served as a federal minister across multiple portfolios and was most recently Deputy Liberal Leader, has represented Farrer for more than two decades. Mayor Curran's assessment was characteristically measured and generous across political lines. "Regardless of your politics, it cannot be said that Sussan did not always have her constituents at heart," he said. Ley's retirement triggers a by-election for Farrer that will be watched closely across the western region. Mayor Curran is right that water will enter the by-election debate, and so it should. The seat covers much of the Murray Darling Basin. The views of whoever wins it on water policy, irrigation entitlements and the Basin Plan review will matter directly to Griffith and to every farming and irrigating community in the electorate. The by-election represents a moment for the region to make clear what it needs from its federal representative and what it expects on the issues that define the area's economic future.

IN SHORTThe NSW SES has issued a Prepare Now warning for Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Wanaaring, Tilpa and Milparinka, with heavy rainfall and flash flooding forecast — on top of ground already saturated from earlier rain.Dozens of roads across the Far West and Central Darling are closed due to flooding, including key routes in and out of White Cliffs, Wilcannia and surrounding station country — with more closures expected.Fog has grounded REX and Qantas flights at Broken Hill's Silver City Airport this morning, compounding disruption for travellers and freight across the region.Communities across Central Darling Shire, including White Cliffs and Wilcannia, woke this morning to find the region even more deeply isolated, with Transport for NSW confirming at 8:45am that the majority of local roads across the Far West remain closed due to flooding and slippery surfaces.The NSW State Emergency Service has issued a Prepare Now warning for Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Wanaaring, Tilpa and Milparinka, advising residents and property owners that heavy rainfall and flash flooding are forecast — arriving on top of ground that is already well beyond capacity.For those living and working in the communities that make up the Hay, Balranald, Carrathool and Central Darling local government areas, the timing is significant. Supply routes that connect the region's stations, homesteads and townships to Broken Hill, Cobar and the wider road network are among those closed, and the forecast of additional rain raises the real prospect of further deterioration in conditions before any improvement is seen.Across the Transport for NSW road condition report, the closures most directly affecting these LGAs include the Old Pooncarie Road in both its Tandou Road to Bindara Road section and the Bindara Road to Coona Point section, the Wanaaring to Wilcannia Road north section, the Henry Roberts Road between White Cliffs and Cobham — which remains open to four-wheel-drives only and with caution — Tandou Road, Netley Road and Loch Lilly Road.The Mutawintji Road is shut in both directions, whether approaching from the Silver City Highway or from the White Cliffs side, and the Mutawintji National Park Road itself is also closed. These closures directly affect movement in and around the eastern fringe of Central Darling Shire.On the state highway network, the Silver City Highway from Broken Hill to Packsaddle and from Packsaddle to Tibooburra remains open, but Transport for NSW is advising drivers to travel to conditions. The Wilangee Road between Broken Hill and Wilangee is open to general traffic with caution, though four-wheel-drive is recommended — and the section from Wilangee through to McDougals Well is closed entirely.Further into the western road network, the closures are extensive. The Cut Line is shut in both directions between Tibooburra, Borrona Downs and Wanaaring. Cameron Corner Road from Tibooburra to Fortville Gate is closed. So too are the Wompah Gate Road, Toona Gate Road, Hamilton Gate Road, Poole's Grave Road, Narriearra Road, Willara Crossing Road, the Veldt to Milparinka Road, the Veldt to Westwood Downs Road, Mount Arrowsmith Road, Mount Woowoolahra Road, Fowlers Gap to Teilta, Corona Road in both sections, Nuntherungie to Kayrunnera, Gum Vale to Hewart Downs, Monolon to Borrona Downs, Teilta to Border Downs Road via Pine View and a number of other routes.Adding to the region's Monday morning, thick fog has settled over Broken Hill, grounding flights at Silver City Airport with services operated by REX and Qantas both delayed. Fog in the far west during late summer is not uncommon when humid air pushes south, but it compounds an already difficult situation for those trying to access goods, services or medical care across a region where air access is often the only option when roads close.The SES is clear in its advice: do not attempt to drive through floodwaters under any circumstances, and prepare now. For those in affected communities, that means checking on supplies, ensuring vehicles are not parked in low-lying areas, and monitoring Bureau of Meteorology warnings as the situation develops.The Transport for NSW road condition report for the Far West will next be updated when conditions change.⚠️ Emergency Contacts & ResourcesIf you need emergency assistance, call the NSW SES on 132 500. If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.Road conditions: livetraffic.com | 132 701 Bureau of Meteorology warnings: bom.gov.au | 1300 945 108 Transport for NSW Far West District Works: 08 8082 6699

Menindee Common Trust in Limbo as Legal Costs and Land Disputes Leave Council at a CrossroadsIN SHORTThere are approximately fifteen outstanding leases and licences on Menindee Common Trust land that remain unresolved due to the high cost of using mandatory Crown Land legal templates. Several private homes have been built on what are technically council roads rather than private land, creating a significant legal liability for the shire. Council has resolved to seek urgent discussions with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and push for special grant funding before agreeing to take on another three year management term.The future management of the Menindee Common Trust is hanging in the balance after Central Darling Shire Council resolved at its February ordinary meeting to demand urgent state government support before committing to a further three year term overseeing the troubled parcel of Crown land.The trust, which sits on the doorstep of the Menindee Lakes system in the state's Far West, has accumulated a significant backlog of unresolved legal and administrative issues that the council says it simply cannot afford to fix on its own. At the heart of the problem is a stack of approximately fifteen outstanding leases and licences that have been stalled for years because the legal templates required under Crown Land regulations are expensive to prepare and enforce.Interim General Manager Robert Hunt told councillors the situation is more complicated than a simple paperwork delay. A number of private residences have been built on what are technically classified as council roads rather than privately titled land. That means people are living in homes that sit, legally speaking, on public road reserves, a circumstance that creates genuine liability and uncertainty for both the residents and the council responsible for managing the land.Adding another layer of complexity, Indigenous land use agreements are required before access to key points on the trust land can be formalised. Racecourse Road, one of the main access routes through the area, is among those requiring an agreement before it can be properly administered. Negotiating those agreements takes time, specialist legal expertise and money, none of which the cash-strapped shire currently has in ready supply.Council discussed the option of returning the land to the Crown entirely, which would effectively hand the administrative burden back to the state government. However, that option attracted concern from councillors who argued that walking away would cost the local community its seat at the table. Local management, even when difficult, keeps decision making closer to the people who actually live and work around Menindee.The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has already approached the council about renewing its management commitment for a further three years, but the council's position is clear. No commitment will be made until the state agrees to fund the legal and administrative work needed to bring the trust's affairs into order.For communities across the western region, including those in neighbouring Balranald and Carrathool shires who share many of the same land tenure complexities and Crown land management challenges, the outcome of these negotiations will be watched closely. The question of who carries the cost and responsibility for managing complicated Crown land assets is one that resonates well beyond the Menindee Lakes foreshore.

In ShortMajor Funding Boost: Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe has received a $60,000 donation from the Regional Voices Fund to kickstart her Farrer by-election campaign.The by-election follows the sudden retirement of long-serving Liberal member Sussan Ley, following her leadership defeat by Angus Taylor.For the first time in 25 years, the National Party is expected to contest the seat against their Liberal partners, creating a crowded and unpredictable field.Aspiring candidate Michelle Milthorpe’s campaign for the federal seat of Farrer has received a significant injection of capital, with the Regional Voices Fund announcing a $60,000 donation to support Ms Milthorpe’s efforts.The funding is intended to kickstart Milthorpe’s bid to claim the seat following the recent retirement of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley. The Regional Voices Fund, an organisation dedicated to supporting independent representation in rural and remote electorates, stated that the contribution reinforces its commitment to community-backed leadership.Dr Lorraine Gordon, Chair of the Regional Voices Fund, said the decision to back Milthorpe was rooted in the candidate's deep ties to the electorate and her performance in the 2025 federal election."Michelle Milthorpe embodies the integrity, courage, and deep community connection that regional Australia needs in federal parliament," Dr Gordon said. "She is across the issues that the people of Farrer are facing on a daily basis. She is someone who will do the hard yards to improve the communities of Farrer."Dr Gordon noted that Milthorpe’s previous campaign demonstrated a clear appetite for change within the south-western New South Wales electorate."The strength of Michelle’s 2025 campaign... demonstrated substantive support for change in the Farrer community and the likelihood that she will be even more competitive at this by-election if given equal financial support as the major parties," she added.Guided by principles of evidence-based policy and active listening, the Regional Voices Fund aims to foster a "thriving and prosperous" regional Australia. The organisation views the upcoming contest as a pivotal moment for Farrer to shift toward more inclusive, community-centred representation.Ms Milthorpe, has welcomed the generous support of the Regional Voices Group, describing it as another sign of growing community momentum behind her campaign.“I welcome their support,” Mrs Milthorpe said. “The Regional Voices Group is a crowdfunded organisation that enables many people to contribute small amounts to create a big impact. At a time when people across our region are doing it tough, that model of participation really matters.”Mrs Milthorpe said community-backed funding helps ensure local voices can compete in a political environment traditionally dominated by major parties and large institutional donors.“At the last election, I also welcomed the support of Climate 200 and its more than 33,000 donors, including people from Farrer and right across the country, and I welcome that support again,” she said.“These donations helped level the playing field against major parties backed by large donations from mining companies, lobby groups, the financial sector and gambling interests. It would be great to see the parties brought under the same scrutiny as I was regarding campaign funding.“This by-election is too important to be distracted by dirty tricks from the major parties. Our community deserves a serious conversation about the issues that matter — cost of living pressures, access to health care, childcare shortages and support for our ageing population.”The Farrer By-Election: What You Need to KnowThe upcoming by-election for the seat of Farrer was triggered by the sudden retirement of Sussan Ley, who served as the local member for 25 years. Ley announced her departure from politics in February 2026 following a Liberal Party leadership spill in which she was defeated by Angus Taylor.The Stakes and the Field:The Liberal Party: Historically a safe stronghold, the party now faces a significant test under the new leadership of Angus Taylor. They will be fighting to retain the seat against both an invigorated independent movement and a challenge from their Coalition partner.The National Party: Under the Coalition agreement, the Nationals do not typically contest seats held by sitting Liberal members. With the seat now vacant, the Nationals have confirmed they will run a candidate.Michelle Milthorpe (Independent): Having finished second to Ley in the 2025 election with a significant swing in her favour, Milthorpe is running on a platform of "finishing what we started." She is campaigning heavily on local infrastructure, healthcare—specifically the Albury-Wodonga hospital redevelopment—and regional water management.Other Contenders: One Nation and Family First have confirmed they will field candidates, while the Labor Party has indicated it may sit out the contest.The by-election date is yet to be formally announced by the Speaker of the House, but campaigning is already well underway across the vast electorate.

IN SHORTWhite Cliffs' iconic underground dugout homes cannot be meaningfully assessed against national construction codes, which were written for conventional above-ground buildings.Central Darling Shire Council is advocating for the dugouts to be removed from the local environmental plan so that a state environmental planning policy can govern approvals instead. Council says it is currently legally responsible for any issues arising from these structures despite lacking the legislative tools to properly manage them.White Cliffs is unlike almost anywhere else in Australia. Beneath the sunbaked red soil of the opal fields, hundreds of people live in homes that were carved out of the earth decades ago to escape the region's brutal summer heat. These dugouts are part of the town's character, its economy and its identity. They are also, at present, an administrative headache that the local council says it is not equipped to handle.Central Darling Shire Council resolved at its February ordinary meeting to formally advocate for the removal of the White Cliffs dugouts from the local environmental plan. The push is part of the council's submissions to the broader review of the Far West Regional Plan, which sets the land use framework for the entire region.The core of the problem is straightforward. National construction codes and building standards were written with conventional above-ground structures in mind. They set requirements for things like ceiling heights, natural light, ventilation and structural load that simply do not translate to homes that are underground, hand-excavated and often irregularly shaped. When a resident wants to extend, renovate or build a new dugout in White Cliffs, a development application lands on the council's desk. The council is then required to assess it against standards that were never designed for that kind of structure.Councillors noted that this leaves the shire in an uncomfortable legal position. The council holds the regulatory responsibility but lacks the legislative framework to exercise it properly. If something goes wrong with a dugout that received council approval, the shire is exposed despite having had no workable tool for assessing the application in the first place.The proposed solution is to transfer regulatory control to the state government through a dedicated environmental planning policy. That would allow a minister with the appropriate resources and legislative authority to set rules that are actually suited to subterranean dwellings, rather than forcing a small remote council to apply urban building codes to underground opal miners' homes.For residents of White Cliffs, the change would mean clearer and more appropriate pathways for development approvals. Read our coverage of the White Cliffs land disputes:Underground War: Native Title vs. Home Ownership in the White Cliffs Dugouts“I’ve got my super in it:” The Opal Mining Ban That’s Rocking White Cliffs"Lied to"; White Cliffs Diggers Mental Health Crisis an 10-Year Wait for Opal Mining Future ContinuesWhite Cliffs mining future hangs on AGs desk

IN SHORTThe NSW Auditor General has identified Central Darling Shire as one of five councils in the state facing serious financial sustainability risks, citing low own-source revenue and high dependence on government grants. The council holds a cash balance of approximately $1.979 million but is currently owed $8.828 million in outstanding grant reimbursements, because it must fund works upfront before claiming the money back. Council is now calling on the state to establish a draw-down facility so rural shires can access grant funds as work is performed rather than after the fact.Central Darling Shire Council (CDS) is carrying more than eight million dollars in debt, thanks to slow payment of grants by the NSW and Federal Governments. It is money that is owed but has not yet been received, forcing the council to operate like a bank for the state and federal governments it serves.The February ordinary council meeting of CDS heard from the finance manager that the shire's cash balance sits at approximately $1.979 million at the end of January 2026. But sitting behind it is a debt owed to the council of $8.828 million in outstanding grant reimbursements, money the shire has already spent delivering projects on behalf of state and federal funding programs but has not yet been paid back.The problem is structural. Under the current system, councils must outlay funds to complete or progress capital works before they can submit a claim for reimbursement. For a large metropolitan council with a deep rates base and strong own-source revenue, that gap between spending and reimbursement is manageable. For a remote shire like Central Darling, which covers one of the largest and most sparsely populated areas in New South Wales, it is a chronic strain on operations.The NSW Auditor General's 2025 report has identified Central Darling as one of just five councils across the entire state that are currently struggling with financial sustainability. The report points to low own-source revenue and heavy reliance on government grants as the primary risk factors. Those are not criticisms unique to Central Darling. They describe the structural reality facing most remote and rural local governments in Australia, where the rate base is simply too small and too dispersed to generate the income needed to fund services independently.Council is projecting an end-of-year deficit of $830,000 for the current financial year. At the same time, it is overseeing more than nine million dollars in capital expenditure across roads, aerodromes, water treatment infrastructure and community facilities. The gap between what the shire earns and what it is required to deliver is significant.In response, councillors have resolved to advocate for the establishment of a state-managed draw-down facility. The proposal would allow councils to access grant funding progressively as work is completed, rather than waiting weeks or months for reimbursement claims to be processed. It is a practical solution that would ease cash flow without changing the total amount of grant funding available.If Central Darling can leverage its position on the Auditor General's watchlist into a genuine policy change on how grants are paid, the whole region benefits.

Member for Barwon honours local achievers and community contributorsIN SHORTMember for Barwon Roy Butler has formally recognised nine community members in Parliament for their service and achievementsThose honoured included Richard Blackman OAM, John Elliott OAM, Alistair Ferguson OAM, Raymond Hughston OAM, Aunty Gladys Walford, Alice Gordon, Michelle Wheeler and Mariah DelaneyVale Doug Carroll was also acknowledged, with condolences offered to his family for his community contributionsMember for Barwon Roy Butler has used his time in Parliament to formally recognise nine community members who have made significant contributions across the electorate.The community recognition statements, delivered during the recent sitting week, honoured individuals for their service, achievements and dedication to regional communities.Among those recognised were Richard Blackman OAM and John Elliott OAM, both recipients of Medals of the Order of Australia for their community service.Mr Butler also paid tribute to Alice Gordon, Aunty Gladys Walford, Alistair Ferguson OAM, Michelle Wheeler, Mariah Delaney and Raymond Hughston OAM.Vale Doug Carroll was also acknowledged in Parliament, with Mr Butler offering condolences to his family and recognising his contributions to the community.Community recognition statements provide members of Parliament with an opportunity to formally acknowledge the achievements and service of constituents on the public record.The Barwon electorate, as does all of Australia, relies heavily on community volunteers and local leaders to maintain essential services and support networks.From sporting clubs to emergency services, cultural organisations to agricultural industry groups, community members contribute thousands of volunteer hours each year to keep regional towns functioning.Mr Butler's recognition of these individuals in Parliament ensures their contributions are recorded in Hansard, the official parliamentary record, and acknowledged at the state level.The Order of Australia honours recognise Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement. Recipients are nominated by community members and assessed by the Council for the Order of Australia.The OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) is awarded for service worthy of particular recognition.Community recognition statements are a regular feature of parliamentary sitting weeks, allowing all MPs to honour their constituents' achievements.

 Your Vote, Your Voice: Why Preference 'Deals' Are a Myth in AustraliaIn ShortTotal Voter Control: Candidates and parties cannot "give" or "trade" your preferences; the power to decide the order of candidates rests entirely with you.The "How-to-Vote" Reality: The colorful cards handed out at polling booths are merely suggestions or guides, not legally binding instructions.No "Wasted" Votes: The preferential system ensures that if your first choice is eliminated, your vote automatically flows to your next preference, ensuring your voice still counts.If you’ve spent any time scrolling through social media lately, you’ve likely encountered a very specific type of electoral anxiety. It usually sounds something like: “I’d love to vote for XYZ, but I’m worried about where they’ll send my preferences.”It’s a fair concern. In an era of complex digital algorithms and backroom political maneuvering, it’s natural to assume our ballot papers are subject to the same kind of deal between candidates.And often, those who sprout this - in caps lock - online, are pretty convincing.However, there is a fundamental rule of Australian democracy that often gets lost: In the House of Representatives, your preferences belong to you, not the candidate.There is a persistent idea that candidates conspire before an election and trade their preferences. The theory goes that if you vote for Candidate A, they have the power to hand over your vote to Candidate B if they don't win.In the federal seat of Farrer we are heading to the polls soon, following the resignation of our incumbent Federal MP Sussan Ley.Like every other electorate in the country, it is legally impossible for any candidate to give preferences to another.When you fill out that green ballot paper, you are creating a set of instructions. If your first-choice candidate is eliminated from the count, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) looks at your ballot to see who you chose next. No party official or candidate can reach into that pile and redirect your '2' or '3' to someone else.We’ve all seen the volunteers lining the entrance to polling places, armed with those colorful slips of paper. These "How-to-Vote" cards are the source of most of the confusion.When a party or candidate enters a preference deal, they aren't changing the mechanics of the vote; they are simply offering a suggestion. They are printing a voting guide and hoping you follow it.That flyer is a recommendation from a candidate on how to order your preferences to best support their own platform.As the voter, you have the absolute right to ignore the card entirely and number the boxes in any order they see fit (as long as you vote according to the AEC rules, such as using ticks or crosses instead of numbers).The beauty of our system is that it allows for a sophisticated vote. You don't have to worry about wasting your vote on a minor party or an independent candidate.If your preferred candidate doesn't get enough support to stay in the race, your vote doesn't disappear into a black hole. It simply moves to your next choice. This ensures that the person who eventually represents Farrer in Canberra is the one who holds the broadest support across the electorate.Next time you hear someone worry about where a candidate is "sending" their preferences to another candidate, tell them that is incorrect. Remind them that when you vote, you're ranking your options, and they are the numbers that matter. You decide exactly where the preferences go - no one else.Watch the AECs video explainer HERE Preferential voting: House of Representatives explainer

IN SHORTState-provided flood mapping contains a reported one-metre error that has incorrectly classified significant portions of Wilcannia and Menindee as flood-prone land. This classification has prevented affected residents from obtaining home and property insurance and has stopped landowners from building on or developing their land. Central Darling Shire has secured grant funding to correct the mapping and develop an updated floodplain management plan based on accurate data.For years, residents of Wilcannia and Menindee say they have been living with the consequences of a government mapping error they had no part in creating. A one-metre inaccuracy in state-provided flood mapping has incorrectly placed large sections of both towns inside flood-prone zones, with consequences that have quietly devastated the ability of ordinary people to insure their homes and develop their land.Central Darling Shire Council raised the issue at its February ordinary meeting, describing the impact as one of the more significant planning injustices affecting the shire's communities. When land is classified as flood-prone in official state records, a cascade of restrictions follows. Insurers use those records to assess risk, meaning residents in the affected areas face policies they cannot afford or flat-out refusals. State planning directives that apply to flood-affected land prevent new dwellings from being approved and effectively sterilise land from development, even when local knowledge and ground truth say the risk does not exist.The error, a one-metre discrepancy in the flood modelling used to create the maps, is not a minor administrative footnote. In flat country like the western plains, one metre of elevation difference can move the boundary between a flood-affected zone and dry land by a significant distance. In the towns of Wilcannia and Menindee, where properties sit close to the Darling River system, that error has had real-world consequences for real people over many years.Council has confirmed it has secured grant funding to correct the mapping and develop a new floodplain management plan for the shire. The new plan will be based on updated survey data and modelling that reflects the actual topography and flood behaviour of the land, rather than the flawed historic records currently sitting in state databases.The relevance of this issue extends to the broader Darling River corridor. Communities in Balranald, Hay and Carrathool shires also sit in river systems where flood mapping directly shapes planning decisions, insurance markets and land values. 

$160,000 Dialysis Unit Investment for Wilcannia HospitalNew renal dialysis service to include ECG machine, virtual care unit and infection control equipmentIN SHORTWilcannia Multi-Purpose Service will receive $160,000 for clinical equipment for a new renal dialysis unit, including an ECG machine, virtual care unit and infection control equipmentThe investment is part of a $1.9 million upgrade package for Far West health facilities announced by the NSW GovernmentThe new dialysis service will allow local patients to receive treatment close to home rather than travelling long distances, particularly benefiting a community with high rates of chronic kidney diseaseWilcannia Multi-Purpose Service is set to receive $160,000 worth of clinical equipment for a new renal dialysis unit currently being developed at the facility.The investment forms part of a broader $1.9 million upgrade package for Far West health facilities, with the Wilcannia dialysis unit representing a significant expansion of local health services.The funding will deliver key clinical equipment including an ECG machine, a dedicated virtual care unit for clinical support, and a pan sanitiser to meet infection prevention and control guidelines.The new dialysis service addresses a critical gap in health care for the Wilcannia community and surrounding areas, where chronic kidney disease rates are significantly higher than state averages.Currently, residents requiring regular dialysis treatment face long-distance travel to access services, placing enormous strain on patients and families.The development of an on-site renal dialysis unit will allow local patients to receive life-saving treatment close to home, reducing the burden of travel and enabling better health outcomes through more consistent care.Dialysis is a medical procedure that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when kidneys are no longer able to perform these functions adequately. Patients with end-stage renal disease or chronic kidney failure often require regular dialysis treatments multiple times per week.The $1.9 million Far West health facilities upgrade package also includes $220,000 to repurpose a medical records room and unused bathroom at Wilcannia MPS into toilet and shower facilities for emergency department and palliative care patients.Other projects across the district include $90,000 for a community walking track and memorial garden at Menindee Health Service for Aboriginal communities to place plants in remembrance, and $170,000 for three projects at White Cliffs Health Service to improve patient experiences and support staff safety.For communities in Central Darling and surrounding shires, improved access to dialysis services represents a significant quality of life improvement for residents managing chronic kidney disease.The virtual care unit component will enable Wilcannia clinical staff to access specialist support remotely, ensuring patients receive high-quality care despite the facility's remote location.Construction timeframes for the new dialysis unit have not yet been announced.

IN SHORTThe Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan for Far West NSW is seeking community input through an online consultation portal where residents can pin specific problem areasRecent rainfall has highlighted infrastructure weaknesses along the Silver City Highway at Black Oak, Treloars and Smiths Well CreekMember for Barwon Roy Butler says the more pins dropped on problem locations, the more likely they are to be prioritised for upgradesResidents across the Far West have the opportunity to shape future transport infrastructure through an online consultation process for the Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan.Member for Barwon Roy Butler is encouraging locals to use the Have Your Say NSW portal to identify problem areas, particularly along the Silver City Highway where recent rainfall has again exposed infrastructure weaknesses.The SRITP-Far West consultation allows community members to drop pins on an interactive map, highlighting specific locations requiring attention. Areas of particular concern include sections at Black Oak, Treloars and Smiths Well Creek along the Silver City Highway – a critical route connecting communities across Central Darling, Balranald and surrounding shires."Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans are drawn up to ensure that transport infrastructure and services in regional NSW focus on community needs and sustainable development," Mr Butler said. "But they are vastly improved by community input."Mr Butler emphasised that the plan needs local knowledge to address the unique transport challenges facing the region."The SRITP - Far West is being delivered this year, but it needs your input, so that it meets the unique transport needs of this part of the state," he said."The recent rains have again shown up the weaknesses with road infrastructure along the Silver City Highway at Black Oak, Treloars and Smiths Well Creek, so I am calling on people in the Far West to visit the SRITP-Far West web page and drop a pin to highlight your concerns with these sections of this vital transport artery. The more pins, the more likely these places will be prioritised for upgrades."The consultation is open to all residents, with particular relevance for pastoralists, transport operators and businesses relying on reliable road access across the region.The Silver City Highway serves as a key freight and tourism route, connecting Broken Hill to communities south through to the Victorian border.Community members can have their say at https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/far-west

In ShortSurging Grievances: Small business complaints regarding internet services have jumped 16.1%, while reports of total service loss have risen by 17%.Safety Alarms: Residents in the Back Country are reporting critical fears over the inability to contact emergency services post-3G shutdown.Policy Push: NSW Farmers is urging the community to "be the squeaky wheel" by reporting issues to the TIO to hold providers accountable to the new Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO).New data from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has highlighted a rise in complaints regarding mobile and internet services, with nearly one-quarter of all NSW grievances now originating from regional areas.The findings come as residents across Back Counrty shires continue to report persistent connectivity issues following the 3G network shutdown.According to the TIO’s latest report, small business complaints regarding internet services rose by 16.1 per cent, while reports of "no phone or internet service" increased by 17 per cent. For many in the Western Division and Riverina, these statistics reflect a daily reality of dropped calls and unreliable data speeds.Sarah Thompson of the NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee stated that the figures align with the feedback received from primary producers and rural families.“A lot of people are fairly fed up with complaining about this long-running issue, and it’s clear enough isn’t being done to fix the problem,” Mrs Thompson said.“I agree with Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Cynthia Gebert when she says consumers don’t see phone and internet connectivity as optional anymore, these are vital not only for business and education but the basics of everyday life.”The TIO report suggests that for many remote users, the lack of reliable service is no longer merely an inconvenience but a safety concern. During a series of regional visits organised by NSW Farmers in late 2025, attendees raised significant alarms regarding their ability to contact emergency services.Mrs Thompson indicated that while policy changes are in motion, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen.“The government’s Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation is a critical step toward better voice and data services,” Mrs Thompson said.“Requiring that mobile coverage be reasonably available outdoors across the country will improve safety and improve liveability for everyone, not just those who live in the capital cities. But there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done to make sure that providers are accountable to the UOMO and deliver what’s been promised.”The NSW Farmers Association continues to maintain that the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) should not be viewed as a substitute for direct investment into existing terrestrial network infrastructure.With many residents in the Far West feeling forgotten by service providers, Mrs Thompson urged the community to continue formalising their grievances through the proper channels to ensure the region's issues are documented.“NSW Farmers continues to advocate that UOMO must be a complementary tool and not replace investment in improvements to the existing terrestrial network – we know a lot of farmers struggle daily with reliable and quality connection,” she said.“So I think we need to keep being the proverbial squeaky wheel and keep complaining, but do it in a way that matters, and that’s to the TIO.”“We’re encouraging people who aren’t satisfied with their service or the resolutions from their providers to go to the TIO to try and get a better outcome and make sure the issues are reported on.”

In ShortExpanded Charges: Grahame John Franks now faces a total of 22 charges, including child abuse material, bestiality, and unauthorised firearms.Bail Refused: Appearing via video link in Griffith Local Court today, Franks was denied bail and will remain in custody.Strict Restrictions: The court issued a Disassociate Order barring contact with victims or co-accused; the matter returns to court on March 5.Hay man Grahame John Franks remains in custody following an appearance at the Griffith Local Court on February 19. Appearing via video link before Magistrate Pauline Wright, Franks faced a significantly expanded list of charges.Franks is now facing a total of 22 charges, an increase from the initial counts filed during his arrest in Hay last December.The updated charge list includes:Child Abuse Material: Multiple counts of production, possession, and dissemination.Crimes Against Children: One count of procuring a child under 14 for unlawful sexual activity.Bestiality: Possession and dissemination charges.Firearms: Seven charges relating to the possession of unauthorised firearms and ammunition.Magistrate Wright refused bail, and Franks will remain in custody. During the proceedings, the court also issued:A Disassociate Order: Formally prohibiting Franks from contacting victims or any co-accused individuals.ADVO Application: An application for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order is currently pending.The matter is scheduled for further mention on March 5, where the ADVO application will also be heard.

One Nation Targets Helen Dalton for FarrerIn ShortThe Approach: One Nation has officially invited Independent State MP Helen Dalton to contest the Farrer by-election. Dalton has confirmed discussions with Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce but remains undecided.The Domino Effect: If Dalton moves to federal politics, it will trigger a secondary by-election for her state seat of Murray, where she currently holds a significant 66% two-candidate preferred majority.A Crowded Field: This by-election marks the first three-cornered contest in Farrer since 2001. Contenders already include 2025 runner-up Michelle Milthorpe (who secured 43.8% of the two-candidate vote) and representatives from Family First and The Greens.Following last week’s resignation of former Liberal Deputy Leader Sussan Ley, the race for the sprawling federal seat of Farrer has intensified, with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation confirming they have approached high-profile Independent state MP Helen Dalton to run under their banner.The move comes as One Nation is enjoying a rise in national polling, to contest what is expected to be a crowded by-election. Ms. Dalton, the current Member for Murray, confirmed she has been in discussions with both leader Pauline Hanson and Party figure Barnaby Joyce regarding the vacancy."I can confirm that Helen Dalton has been in discussions with Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce regarding the Farrer by-election," a spokesperson for Ms. Dalton said. "Helen will always put the needs and interests of her electorate first."Ms. Dalton has previously stated her mobile phone has been "burning up" since Ms. Ley’s resignation, but she remains undecided on whether to make the jump to federal politics. If she chooses to run, she would need to resign her state seat, triggering a secondary by-election in Murray.A spokesperson for One Nation confirmed their interest in the state MP but noted she is not the only high-profile figure on their radar."I can confirm that One Nation has spoken to Helen Dalton and that she's not the only person we have spoken to. We have spoken to several high-profile people within the Farrer electorate."Other Approaches by One NationReports indicate that One Nation is casting a wide net for a candidate with strong ties to the region's agricultural interests. Beyond Ms. Dalton, the party has reportedly approached Narrandera businessman David Farley, known for his advocacy regarding the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. One Nation has also approached vocal critic of current water management policies Darren De Bortoli. The Griffith winery head has reportedly turned down the offer.Farrer By-Election: Confirmed and Likely ContendersThe upcoming by-election is set to be the first three-cornered contest in Farrer since 2001, as the Liberal-National Coalition agreement traditionally prevents the parties from running against an incumbent. With the seat vacant, both major conservative parties will face off.2025 election runner-up Michelle Milthorpe, a community-backed Independent, has already begun her campaign to "finish what she started." The field is further bolstered by confirmed entries from Family First (represented by Rebecca Scriven), The Greens, and People First. Additionally, the unregistered Riverina State Party has expressed interest, but doen’t expect to have their Party officially registered with the Australian Electoral Commission in time for the planned by-election.No date has yet been confirmed for the by-election.

Member for Barwon tables parliamentary motion after walk-in hours reduced.IN SHORT Member for Barwon Roy Butler has tabled a parliamentary motion calling for immediate restoration of full walk-in emergency hours at Wilcannia Multi-Purpose ServiceThe hospital reduced after-hours walk-in access in late November, requiring patients to use an intercom system between 7pm and 7amButler's motion argues that Wilcannia's high chronic disease rates, poor access to health services and remoteness make the reduced hours unacceptable for community safetyMember for Barwon Roy Butler has given notice of a parliamentary motion calling for the immediate restoration of full emergency department hours at Wilcannia Multi-Purpose Service.The Wilcannia MPS reduced its walk-in emergency care hours in late November, with after-hours patients now required to call an intercom system to access care between 7pm and 7am.The change, initially described as temporary until January 31, appears to have been extended, prompting Mr Butler to move for its reversal in the sitting week just concluded.Mr Butler's motion acknowledges that after-hours emergency care remains available via the intercom system, but argues this is inadequate for a community facing significant health challenges."Wilcannia has a high incidence of chronic disease, poor access to health services, and its remoteness makes it extremely difficult to divert emergency cases elsewhere," the motion states.The motion commits Parliament to "restoring the full number of hours immediately and to find ways of preventing future reductions."Far West Local Health District announced the changes in November, citing ongoing challenges in recruiting key health workers in rural and regional areas across Australia.District CEO Scott Dykgraaf said the decision was made with "great care and consideration" for patients and staff, with safety and wellbeing at the heart of the decision."This change is being implemented to ensure patients receive safe care during the summer holiday period," Mr Dykgraaf said at the time. "On-call staff will still attend and provide prompt access to patients who require treatment after hours."However, for residents of Wilcannia and surrounding properties in Central Darling Shire, the reduced hours represent another erosion of already limited health services in one of the state's most remote regions.The Wilcannia MPS has been providing care to the local community for over 140 years and operates a two-bed emergency department alongside eight residential aged care beds.In life-threatening emergencies, residents are advised to call Triple Zero (000). For non-urgent matters, healthdirect is available on 1800 022 222 for 24-hour advice from a registered nurse.Mr Butler's motion will be debated when Parliament resumes on March 17.

Member for Barwon raises concerns about reducing minimum firefighters from four to twoIN SHORTMember for Barwon Roy Butler has questioned a proposal to reduce minimum firefighter numbers on Rural Fire and Rescue NSW trucks from four to twoFire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell outlined the strategy in November, citing resource challenges in rural areas where four-person crews are difficult to maintainThe proposal has raised concerns about firefighter safety and response capabilities in remote areas where backup can be hours awayMember for Barwon Roy Butler has lodged a Question on Notice in Parliament about a proposal to decrease minimum firefighter numbers on Rural Fire and Rescue NSW trucks from four to two.The question, submitted during the recent sitting week, seeks information about any plans to reduce crew requirements on fire appliances servicing regional and remote NSW.The proposal has sparked concern about firefighter safety and response capabilities in areas where backup is often hours away.Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell outlined the strategy in November, explaining that resources in rural areas were stretched thin and the usual four-person requirement for trucks was proving difficult to accommodate.The proposed two-person tanker strategy would utilise some part-time firefighters to address staffing shortages in rural towns.However, the proposal has raised questions about how reduced crews would handle complex emergencies, particularly structure fires where multiple firefighters are needed to rescue people from burning buildings while others fight the blaze.Radio presenter Mark Levy challenged Commissioner Fewtrell on whether the changes would impact lives and firefighting capabilities during a heated on-air exchange in November."I don't like this," Levy said, pressing the Commissioner on whether response times and rescue capabilities would be compromised.For communities across the Far West, firefighting resources are already stretched across vast distances.The region relies heavily on volunteer Rural Fire Service brigades, which cover approximately 95 percent of NSW's land area but serve less than 10 percent of the population.Remote properties can be hours from the nearest fire station, making crew size and capability critical when responding to emergencies.Any reduction in minimum crew numbers would potentially affect both Rural Fire Service volunteers and Fire and Rescue NSW career firefighters working in regional areas.The NSW Rural Fire Service is the world's largest volunteer fire service, with over 70,000 volunteer members organised into 2,000 local brigades.Mr Butler's Question on Notice seeks clarification on:• Whether the proposal applies to RFS, Fire and Rescue NSW, or both• What assessment has been made of safety implications• How the change would affect response capabilities in remote areas• Timeline for any implementationThe question will be answered by the relevant minister in coming weeks.Regional firefighting capacity has been under scrutiny since the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020, with concerns about equipment funding and staffing levels in rural areas.

IN SHORTAn estimated 100,000 native bony bream died at Menindee Lakes in early February after an extreme heatwave followed by a sudden temperature dropThe Murray-Darling Basin Authority has launched a comprehensive review of the lakes system to address long-running operational and water management challengesConservation groups say the NSW Government has failed to implement recommendations from the 2024 Connectivity Expert Panel report that could prevent such disastersThe Murray-Darling Basin Authority has launched a detailed review of the Menindee Lakes system following another mass fish kill event that claimed an estimated 100,000 native bony bream in early February.The fish deaths occurred after an extreme heatwave was followed by a sudden temperature drop, a combination to which native bony bream are particularly vulnerable.Reports of dead fish at Lake Menindee were received late on Monday 2 February, with the NSW Environment Protection Authority, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Fisheries, and the Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water monitoring conditions throughout summer.The latest disaster has prompted renewed criticism of the NSW Government's management of the Darling/Baaka River system, with conservation groups arguing the scale of the die-off points to deeper systemic problems.MDBA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said all governments involved had committed to finding a viable way forward that responds to concerns and prepares for the future."The Menindee Review is about examining the information we have, strengthening what is working and coming together to develop practical solutions to ensure the long-term health and resilience of Basin communities, industries and the environment," Mr McConville said.As part of the review, a technical report has been released explaining the history of the lakes and why they operate the way they do, identifying risks and opportunities.The review comes as the lakes system sits at approximately 58 per cent capacity, with water being drawn from Lake Menindee to meet Murray demands while trying to keep Pamamaroo and Wetherell as full as possible.For communities in Central Darling and surrounding shires, the health of the Menindee Lakes system is critical, providing town water security for Broken Hill and supporting local pastoral and tourism industries.Nature Conservation Council Inland Water Campaigner Mel Gray said the latest event was predictable."To see a hundred thousand native fish dead on the banks of Menindee Lakes is heartbreaking, but it is not surprising," Ms Gray said. "This is the predictable and predicted outcome of a river system managed to the brink of collapse."The Minns government has had the blueprint to restore the Darling/Baaka since the NSW Connectivity Expert Panel delivered its final report in July 2024. Their failure to act has left the river vulnerable and fragile."The fish kill is particularly distressing for the Barkindji people, for whom bony bream is an important totemic native fish species.The EPA has been supporting Barkindji Rangers and Central Darling Shire Council with clean-up operations, with much of the work done by hand due to difficulty accessing the site with heavy machinery.Phase two of the review will be conducted throughout 2026.This is the latest in a series of catastrophic fish kill events at Menindee Lakes, with over one million fish dying during the 2018-2019 drought and another major event occurring in 2023.