A century after his death, a New South Wales Police sergeant and Boer War veteran has been laid to rest with the honour and recognition he deserved, following a moving ceremony at Broken Hill Cemetery last week.Sergeant John Everett Lumley, who died in 1919 at just 39 years of age, had remained in an unmarked grave until recently, when community organisation Back to Barrier stepped in to ensure his service would not be forgotten.The dedicated group, which works to connect former police officers who served in the Barrier region, organised the reburial ceremony that brought together representatives from across the law enforcement and veteran communities.Sergeant Lumley's remarkable life of service began during the Boer War, where he served his country before returning to Australia to join the NSW Police Force. At the time of his death, he was stationed in the remote outpost of Tibooburra, serving communities in one of the state's most challenging and isolated regions.Historical records show Sergeant Lumley died of "paralysis," though modern medical understanding would likely provide a more specific diagnosis for his condition. His death at such a young age, particularly after surviving the dangers of war, highlighted the harsh realities faced by those serving in remote areas during the early 20th century.The ceremony attracted significant community support, with Broken Hill City Council Mayor attending alongside current serving police officers and members of the Broken Hill RSL. Roy Butler MP was also present to pay his respects to the fallen officer.Among the distinguished attendees was Rodney O'Regan OAM, a Vietnam veteran and retired Broken Hill police officer who serves as a patron of the Australian Light Horse Association. His presence created a poignant link between different generations of service members.The successful campaign to honour Sergeant Lumley demonstrates the ongoing commitment of organisations like Back to Barrier to preserve the memory of those who served their communities, often in difficult circumstances and far from public recognition.The remote nature of Sergeant Lumley's final posting in Tibooburra underscores the challenging conditions faced by early police officers in outback NSW, where vast distances and harsh conditions made their role particularly demanding.This long-overdue recognition serves as a reminder of the sacrifice made by countless men and women who dedicated their lives to serving others, ensuring their contributions to Australian history are properly acknowledged and remembered for future generations.

Several community and infrastructure projects were discussed during the Council meeting. Council noted the receipt of a $120,000 grant from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. The funding is designated for reducing drinking water risks at the Rankins Springs water treatment plant. It was also noted that all projects funded under the Office of Local Government Recovery Grants, totalling $1,000,000, have reached practical completion.Regarding potential cabin accommodation at the caravan parks in Goolgowi and Rankins Springs, Council considered a report but decided to take no action at this time.An approval was granted for the Red Dust and Paddy Melons Gallery to install an access ramp on the footpath. This approval comes with specific conditions: the ramp must be single width, attached to the property front, remain within the property boundary, and be constructed in accordance with the AS1428 design standard for access and mobility.Following community consultation, the Council also resolved to adopt concept design number one, known as 'Kingfisher', for the Lake Woorabinda precinct. This decision was based on a report from the Community Development Officer.Discussion around Berangerine Road concluded with the Council stating it is unable to upgrade the road to the requested standard due to current financial constraints. However, the Council will still clean out drainage structures and provide maintenance grading for the road. Furthermore, Council will approach the owners of Mywurlie Pastoral Co and Berangerine Station to discuss the possibility of them purchasing the road.For the Goolgowi West Water Supply, Council noted a report concerning the provision of clean water to approximately 14 connections west of the highway. Council plans to consult with West Goolgowi residents about two proposed options and their willingness to contribute financially.A future report is also planned to explore improving filtration for the Yoolaroi raw water, stock, and domestic supply network.Council also received updates on Development Applications processed during April 2025 and noted reports regarding Plant (machinery) as of May 7, and Plant Replacement.

Stay tuned for the results of the council’s action on spray drifting.Carrathool Shire Council addressed concerns about spray drift from cotton production operations and its potential effect on established trees in the area during its May meeting.Following a notice of motion from Councillor Geoff Peters, the Council resolved to raise this important issue with several relevant organisations. These include the Environmental Protection Authority, Agricultural Spray Operators, property owners involved in spraying, the NSW Department of Primary Industries, and Cotton Australia.

Lung Bus Brings Vital Free Health Checks to Wagga and GriffithA state-of-the-art mobile clinic, known as the Lung Bus, is set to visit Wagga Wagga and Griffith in August, providing free lung screenings and tests to local residents. This initiative aims to address the rise in occupational lung conditions seen across Australia over the past 15 years.The Lung Bus is described as a lifesaving service that removes geographical and financial barriers to essential lung health care. Many people, particularly workers whose jobs require such tests, know firsthand how costly lung tests can be, potentially costing hundreds of dollars each time. The arrival of this service free of charge is therefore highly anticipated.Equipped with several innovations, including digital chest x-ray technology and enhanced equipment for lung function tests, the Lung Bus brings world-class care directly to communities. Early detection through these checks is considered critical to effective treatment and can potentially save lives.The program is particularly crucial for protecting workers exposed to hazardous dusts. When materials are processed through activities like mining, drilling, and sanding, fine solid particles such as silica, asbestos, coal, wood, and metals can become airborne. Even short-term exposure to these occupational dusts can cause serious damage to the lungs and respiratory system.Conditions such as silicosis, asbestosis, pneumoconiosis (black lung disease), and lung cancer are linked to exposure to these dusts. Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pains, and mucus in the airways. The Lung Bus offers checks that can identify these dust-related diseases at an early stage.Early detection is vital because it allows for timely interventions, which can improve the chances of successful treatment and reduce the severity of these diseases. An Icare official emphasized that they are working to ensure every worker, no matter where they live, has access to world-class care.The Lung Bus also helps raise awareness about the risks of dust exposure and encourages workers to seek regular lung health checks.The Lung Bus is scheduled to be in Wagga from 4 to 5 August, and in Griffith from 25 to 26 August. According to available information, Lung Bus bookings are currently at capacity. However, individuals can visit the Icare website for more information or to arrange lung health checks. Workers can also arrange a free lung screening at Icare’s Sydney CBD clinic or with local providers regionally when the Lung Bus is not in the area. To book a free lung health check, you can contact Icare on 1800 550 027.The establishment of the Lung Bus follows revelations of the rise in lung disease cases like silicosis and the national ban on engineered stone, with an expert taskforce established to address silica-related health risks.This essential service has been made possible by the Minns Labor Government’s investment of $2.5 million in the Lung Health Mobile Clinic. A team of dedicated silica safety inspectors will also be funded to ensure businesses comply with strengthened work safety laws. The Lung Bus program is reported to have a significant impact, screening thousands of workers annually and visiting numerous locations across the state.

A 20-year-old man named Jet Jai Johnson from Broken Hill has pled guilty to five counts of animal cruelty.The charges stemmed from videos posted on social media showing acts of cruelty against livestock and native animals, including kicking a goat kid and attacking a kangaroo.Despite pleading guilty, his defence team plans to apply for the charges to be dismissed under Section 14 of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020.This application would allow him to avoid criminal conviction based on potential mental health or cognitive impairment issues.The final decision will depend on a sentencing assessment report from the Broken Hill Community Corrections District Office.Sentencing is scheduled for July 30.

Residents of the Central Darling Shire will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the council's plans for the upcoming financial year, with four key documents now on public exhibition.Following an extraordinary council meeting held on May 14, Administrator Bob Stewart approved the release of draft operational and financial plans for the 2025-26 period.Community Engagement Officer Gabrielle Johnston, who attended the meeting, confirmed that the draft documents would be available for review at council offices and on the council's website."We encourage all community members to take the time to review these important documents and provide their feedback during the 28-day exhibition period," Ms Johnston said.The documents include the Draft Operational and Delivery Plan outlining council's priorities for the upcoming year, the Long-Term Financial Plan projecting finances to 2035, the proposed Fees and Charges schedule, and the Workforce Plan detailing staffing arrangements.Of particular interest to residents may be the projected $992,000 operating deficit, which could impact service delivery across the shire.Submissions from the public will be accepted until June 11, with all feedback to be considered before the final adoption of the plans at the ordinary council meeting scheduled for 28 May.

The Sturt Highway is closed following a truck fire near at Duryeas Trail, east of Balranald.Emergency services has responded to a truck fire which has caused the closure of the Sturt Highway.Travellers are to avoid the area and expect delays.The highway is expected to re-open once the fire is extinguished and the site made safe.Image: Live Traffic NSW

Large volumes of water have started to arrive in Menindee Lakes in recent days after making its way down from Queensland into the Barwon-Darling system.WaterNSW has been tracking the progress of this large inflow event from northern basin tributaries through the river network, including via newly installed gauges on Talyawalka Creek and the Paroo River, to understand the potential impact on the Menindee Lakes system.Menindee Lakes can hold more than 1,700GL of water – equivalent to around 680,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. With this water now arriving, the lakes have around 50% of capacity available to fill.With room to capture this water in the lake system, flood operations will not be required in Menindee but rather a welcome return to water security in the region.Keep an eye on the Menindee Lakes storage levels via WaterInsights.

With recent data from the eSafety Commissioner revealing a 450 per cent surge in cyberbullying over the past five years and ongoing news reports of the tragedies that occur as a result of online activity, Healthy Harold and the Life Ed team are bringing online safety education forward to keep kids safe earlier. Through the launch of the new module, Harold’s Online World, Life Ed aims to equip Year 1 and 2 students early with the tools to stay safe online. Harold’s Online World has been available in schools across Australia since Term 2, after an impactful introduction into selected states last term. “Like all of Life Ed’s modules, Harold’s Online World is designed to teach kids about topics they may soon confront in their world, empowering them to critically evaluate the issues at hand. “We want to give kids the chance to practise making positive choices in a safe environment before being confronted with difficult decisions,” Head of Education and Impact at Life Ed Australia, Karen Robertson said. Harold’s Online World encourages students to balance screen time with offline activities, recognise and report harmful content, engage in positive online interactions, and seek help from trusted adults. “It’s not just about online safety. To effectively embed learning about this topic, we must explore how we value, accept and treat each other across all domains,” Ms Robertson said. “That’s why this new module takes a comprehensive, age-appropriate approach to education that addresses the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of students. “This type of holistic education is what Life Ed prides itself on. “Our more than 45 years of experience in schools has taught us that scare tactics don’t encourage long-term change. “It’s about empowering children to learn about their bodies and celebrate their strengths, to instil confidence and resilience.” As a Trusted eSafety Provider, endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner, Life Ed has been supporting school communities with education on online safety and wellbeing since 2016, with the bCyberwise module for Years 3 and 4, and Relate Respect Connect for Years 5 and 6. Harold’s Online World addresses a critical need in the early years of primary school and allows for a more impactful whole-of-school approach, which sees learning evolve and grow as students do. In addition to the iconic face-to-face Healthy Harold visit, Life Ed provides free pre and post visit resources and support for teachers and parents, to continue the conversation in and beyond the classroom. Explore Harold’s Online World at lifeedorg.au/onlinesafety

Hay’s local superstar and running aficionado, Daniel Green, was overjoyed recently to run with William Goodge from the UK, a man who is running to break a record. “He is travelling with his dad, who gets up every morning to get them brekky. “He told me his dad said to him this morning; in a couple of weeks, you will not have to get up so early, and you can roll over and sleep in,” Daniel said. “He is so cool, he has run across Japan, America, and has completed many desert runs.” Young Daniel is justifiably proud of his phenomenal efforts in fundraising, having recently completed his third run in to Hay from Booligal. “It is really cool, the best part of the run is always the end. But it never really ends, because the money raised for the Fred Hollows Foundation goes on to do a really good job for people.” Goodge gave Daniel a new set of headphones, to use while he runs, and a long sleeved shirt from one of his sponsors. It was clear to see Daniel was pretty chuffed with the experience overall. Thanks to amazing people such as Daniel, so many people from vulnerable sectors of the world can now see. Congratulations Daniel, you are one inspiring young man! Goodge, from Ampthill in Bedfordshire, set off on April 15 to run the equivalent of 90 marathons, or more than two a day, across 4,000km of unforgiving terrain from Perth to Sydney, raising money for charity. He bids to become the fastest man ever to run across Australia. Goodge, who turned to running to cope with the death of mum Amanda to cancer in 2018 when she was just 53, has already run over 2,000km across Australia. His aim is to complete the challenge in a world record 35 days – beating the previous record set by Aussie Chris Turnbull, who completed the route in 39 days and eight hours last October.

The Member-elect for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey said the recent National Party split from the Coalition is a "huge day" in National Party history, and the decision to spilt with The Liberals and to not enter into a Coalition Agreement is "momentous" one.  "As a new member of The National's Party Room, I couldn't support a position to walk away from policies that we took to the election, just weeks ago, that were supported by the Parkes electorate as shown by my resounding result, simply to stay in a Coalition with The Liberal Party, who don't know what policies they do or will support," Mr Chaffey said. "That would be unfair to our National Party members, supporters, and those who voted for The Nationals.  "I strongly believe The Nationals are the only Party that truly represents regional Australia, and we proved today that we won't back down, and we won't apologise for standing up for what we believe in.   "It is unfortunately that we are in this position after such a long history with The Liberal Party, but I firmly believe that The Nationals have made the right decision, and we must stand by these policies to truly represent the people of the Parkes electorate and regional Australia.  "I do hope that this isn't a long-term arrangement as the country needs a united Opposition to hold the Labor Government accountable, but not at the cost of the people that we represent," Mr Chaffey said.  

A new guide for New South Wales councils is set to strengthen consultation practices with regional, rural and remote communities.  The guide is designed to build stronger regional communities by delivering solutions tailored to local communities and informed by local knowledge and follows the introduction of the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Act 2024, by Independent Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.The Member for Barwon worked with the government to address the barriers which have historically faced regional engagement with government consultations, including population sparsity, and digital disadvantages. Mr Butler said that regional communities know what they need but feel disadvantaged by current consultation processes, including a reliance on digital channels, or consultation conducted during harvest. “While not all projects will reflect every view, consultation should be done to give regional, rural and remote communities a fair chance to share their input, which is what this guide will now ensure,” Mr Butler said.  “The guide will significantly reduce the risk of tick-the-box disingenuous consultation occurring or bad decisions being forced on vulnerable communities.” The Regional Communities Consultation Guide outlines the State Government’s approach to consulting with regional, rural and remote communities, including Aboriginal communities, to make better decisions and improve the lives of people across New South Wales. In a state first this legislation enshrines that compliance with the guide is required for certain consultations, setting a clear standard that those affected by decisions should be involved in the decision-making process. The guide is informed by in-depth stakeholder engagement across regional and rural communities, to ensure the priorities and expectations of regional, rural and remote communities are reflected. This included direct engagement with peak organisations including the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Local Government NSW, the Country Mayors Association, the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation and the Central NSW Joint Organisation. Further, around 200 stakeholders participated in eight regional listening sessions held in Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Nowra, Lismore, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Narrabri and Bourke. Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, said that no-one knows what a local community needs better than the people who actually call that place home.  “That’s what this is about, ensuring that the people impacted by the decisions we make are a part of the decision-making process,” Minns said.  “It’s a commonsense step, which I’m grateful Roy brought to the table because I genuinely think our state will be stronger for it. “Every community is different, from large regional centres to small remote villages and the people within these communities are equally different and diverse too, our engagement and solutions as a government should reflect that.” New South Wales Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, said that this guide – underpinned by transparency, accountability and best practice – is a reflection of what regional, rural and remote communities have said they want from NSW Government agencies. “Effective community and stakeholder engagement is fundamental to good governance. “This new guide demonstrates our commitment to improving consultation practices.” The guide will now be rolled out across agencies for immediate use and can be downloaded along with a detailed engagement summary here: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/consultation-regional-communities. 

As Australia celebrates National Volunteer Week, the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (Vinnies) has highlighted the extraordinary contribution of its volunteers while issuing an urgent call for more community members to join their ranks.The annual celebration comes as Vinnies reveals impressive figures from the West region, where dedicated members have supported 8,500 people over the past year, providing $775,000 in financial and material assistance to those most vulnerable in our communities."We're able to positively impact so many lives each year because of the dedication of our volunteers and members," said a Vinnies spokesperson. "Their commitment to supporting individuals experiencing disadvantage is the backbone of our organisation."Across NSW, Vinnies operates an extensive network of shops and support centres that rely heavily on volunteer efforts to address pressing social issues, including homelessness, poverty, and financial hardship.However, the charity has emphasised that more volunteers are urgently needed, particularly in Vinnies shops and support centres, to ensure they can continue to provide essential services to those facing challenges.A Multi-Faceted Approach to VolunteeringVinnies offers diverse volunteering opportunities that cater to different skills and availability. Their retail volunteering program is a significant contributor to the organisation's funding model, with volunteers performing crucial tasks such as sorting donations, assisting customers, and managing day-to-day operations.Community support services represent another vital area where volunteers make a difference, providing food assistance, financial aid, and support for those experiencing housing stress. These frontline volunteers deliver direct assistance and connect people with additional services when needed.At the parish level, Vinnies members work directly within local communities, offering immediate support to those experiencing financial difficulties by providing food, assistance with rent, and other essentials.Benefits Flow Both WaysWhile the impact on those receiving assistance is clear, volunteering also offers significant benefits to those who participate, providing opportunities to build skills, gain valuable experience, and forge meaningful connections within the community."Our volunteers often tell us they receive as much as they give," the spokesperson added. "The sense of purpose and community that comes from helping others is immeasurable."As National Volunteer Week continues, Vinnies is calling on Australians who can spare even a few hours each week to consider volunteering with the organisation, emphasising that each contribution, no matter how small, helps strengthen the safety net for our most vulnerable community members.Those interested in volunteering can contact their local Vinnies shop or visit the organisation's website for more information on how to get involved.National Volunteer Week runs from 19-25 May 2025 and recognises the vital contribution of Australia's nearly six million volunteers who donate their time and skills to support communities across the nation.Get Involved by visiting the Vinnies Volunteering Page at https://www.vinnies.org.au/nsw/get-involved/volunteering-nsw

The Hillston branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) has two motions before the 2025 NSW conference, being held in Wagga Wagga this week.The Hillston branch is part of the Murrumbidgee-Lachlan regional group, and their motions deal with health and social security issues.The Hillston branch motions read: “That the policy of the CWA of NSW be to advocate for the provision of best practice baby health services, including accessible and well-resourced clinics, to support the health and development of infants and young children across NSW.”and, “That the policy of the Country Women’s Association of NSW be to advocate Government to investigate the inclusion of sanitary products on the list of NDIS products.”Neighbouring branches also have motions before the conference.Barellan Branch motions from the Murrumbidgee-Lachlan region:"That the policy of CWA of NSW be to request a revision of government contracts to allow flexibility for provision of community transport in exceptional, compassionate circumstances, where nursing homes have no accessible vehicle for disabled residents in isolated communities."“That the policy of the Country Women's Association of NSW is to support the work of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, actively oppose all forms of modern slavery, raise community awareness about its existence, and encourage businesses to identify and address potential modern slavery practices within their supply chains.”    Condobolin Branch and Myamley Branch, from the Oxley Group, also lodged motions:“That the policy of the CWA of NSW is to advocate to the Department of Home Affairs to designate postcode 2877 as 'remote' for eligibility under the Working Holiday Maker Visa 417 program.”More than 600 members from around the state are expected to come together at Wagga Wagga’s Range Function Centre from 19 to 22 May, with 36 motions and several urgency motions to be put to delegates.At this year’s Conference, a new president for the Association will be elected, following the end of the three-year term by current president Joy Beames.The motions that will be put to delegates over the three days cover education, health, the environment, agriculture, transport and telecommunications. There are two urgency motions for consideration, both aiming to improve health care outcomes for remote, rural and regional NSW communities.

Construction in Deniliquin will start in 2026Australia Post recently announced a major infrastructure investment across NSW, announcing the development of six new greenfield sites in Tumut, Leeton, Casino, Deniliquin, Forbes and Byron Bay.It says the purpose-built facilities will be designed to boost parcel processing capability, handling between 900 parcels and 2,200 parcels per day, and enhance service across rural and regional communities as well as improving operational safety and efficiency.Sustainability is a key focus of the expansion, with all sites featuring 50kW rooftop solar power generation, and a number also investing in rainwater harvesting and EV charging capability.Australia Post General Manager Network Development & Support Services, Shane Plant said the investment reflects Australia Post’s commitment to improving services for regional communities across Australia.“In New South Wales, we’ve seen online purchases increase by 2.8% year-on-year, with data indicating that 82% of NSW households are now shopping online. As regional areas increasingly depend on eCommerce due to fewer physical retail offerings, these purpose-built sites will enable Australia Post to meet the growing parcel demand in these regions.”“Beyond speed and efficiency, we’re focused on providing safer workplaces for our team members and building environmentally responsible infrastructure that can serve communities well into the future,” Mr Plant said.The details and timelines for each of these new sites are as follows:Tumut: Construction has commenced on the 600m² site, with plans to open in late 2025.Leeton: Construction on the 1,105m² site will begin in early 2026, with an expected opening towards the end of that year.Casino: Construction on the 1,350m² site will begin in early 2026, with an expected opening towards the end of that year.Deniliquin: Construction on the 1,335m² site will begin in early 2026, with an expected opening towards the end of that year.Forbes: Construction on the 1,796m² site will begin in early 2026, with an expected opening towards the end of that year.Byron Bay: Construction on the 3,072m² site will begin in mid-2026, with the site expected to open by mid-2027.As part of this regional expansion, a brownfield site has also been secured in Narrandera. Further brownfield sites in Cooma and Ballina are in lease negotiations, Australia Post confirmed in a statement.

The community will be able to have its say at a public meeting on the Pottinger Wind Farm, a State significant development application (SSD-59235464) by Someva Renewables and AGL Energy to develop a 1,300 megawatt (MW) wind farm comprising 247 wind turbines, a 500 MW battery energy storage system and associated infrastructure.The proposed wind farm would be located approximately 60 km south of Hay and 75 km north of Deniliquin. The site is within the South West Renewable Energy Zone (SW REZ) and the proposed wind farm would connect into the approved Project EnergyConnect transmission line that is under construction.The wind farm is expected to generate enough renewable energy to power up to 593,000 homes and contribute to the NSW Government’s net zero targets and renewable energy objectives. It is also anticipated to create up to 900 construction and 50 operational jobs. Key issues identified in the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s whole-of-government assessment of the application include visual and biodiversity impacts, traffic and transport, and issues related to the energy transition.The decision on whether the development application will be given planning approval has been referred to the NSW Independent Planning Commission because the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure received at least 50 unique submissions objecting to the proposal.Commissioners Richard Pearson, Michael Wright and Sarah Dinning have been appointed by the Commission Chair to determine the development application.The Commission has access to all previous written submissions made to the Department on this proposed development, however it is particularly helpful for the Commission Panel to also hear the community’s views on the Department’s Assessment Report, which can be found on the Commission’s website.The public meeting on the Pottinger Wind Farm will be held across two days in Deniliquin and Hay.Day 110:00AM (AEST) Wednesday 4 June 2025Deniliquin Town Hall170 Cressy St, DeniliquinDay 210:00am (AEST) Thursday 5 June 2025Hay Services Club371 Murray St, HayAnyone wishing to present at the public meeting must pre-register on the Commission’s website using the Speaker Registration Form by 12:00PM AEST (12 noon) on Tuesday 27 May 2025.The Commission also invites the public to make written submissions on the application which can be lodged via the ‘Make a Submission’ portal or via post or email. Written submissions will be accepted until 5:00pm on Thursday 12 June 2025.Please note: The public meeting is intended to be livestreamed on the Commission’s YouTube channel. Registered speakers will be asked to nominate their preference for presenting in-person or by dialing in by telephone. If demand for either in-person or virtual attendance is low, the Commission may opt to conduct the meeting either entirely virtually or entirely in person. Similarly, if demand for speaker timeslots is high, the Commission will endeavour to schedule an additional day. This will be communicated to all registered speakers in advance, including how the Commission can assist people to attend the meeting virtually.

“Make no mistake, NSW does not support water buybacks, and harnessing water through new water efficient infrastructure reduces the need for buybacks.” - HingertyThree major water efficiency projects that the NSW Government says could spell significant environmental water savings for the Riverina region, are now on public display The NSW Government is inviting residents and stakeholders in Griffith, Berrigan and surrounds to have their say.The proposed projects aim to deliver a combined 18.1 billion litres of water back to the environment by upgrading and modernising infrastructure for farming, town water supply and golf course irrigation, contributing to Murray-Darling Basin Plan targets. The proposals include: Modernisation of the West Corurgan Private Irrigation DistrictGriffith City Council Smart Metering ProjectGriffith Golf Club Irrigation System Refurbishment“These projects could bring huge benefits to Griffith and Riverina residents, farmers, and the environment, but we need to take a closer look at the proposals and consider all the pros and cons,” NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said. “These projects could bring huge benefits to Griffith and Riverina residents, farmers, and the environment, but we need to take a closer look at the proposals and consider all the pros and cons. “It's important we hear directly from the community to understand their views, which, alongside other key considerations, will help us determine whether the projects will progress to a formal funding application. “We know modernising equipment and infrastructure can bring private and public assets into the 21st century while helping us be more efficient with the way we use water, which translates to big environmental savings. It’s a win-win.“Make no mistake, NSW does not support water buybacks, and harnessing water through new water efficient infrastructure reduces the need for buybacks.”With the support of the NSW Government, proponents have applied for funding under the Australian Government’s Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program. West Corurgan Private Irrigation District manages water delivery for about 300 farming properties across 212,000ha between the Murray River and Billabong Creek. Its $154.6 million project would modernise 565km of existing irrigation infrastructure, including optimising approximately 120km of open earthen channels, automation of the delivery network and replacement of non-compliant meters. It would also construct a 500km piped and pressurised stock and domestic watering system, including pumps, pipelines, valves and water treatment facilities. It aims to significantly reduce water losses and improve supply reliability while returning an estimated 17.8 billion litres of water back to the environment, with 100 per cent of the savings going towards NSW's Basin Plan targets.    Meanwhile, Griffith City Council has put forward a $5.23 million proposal to upgrade Griffith’s water supply network with a smart metering system, which would help staff monitor operations in real-time, reduce water waste and pinpoint leaks. The new automated system would replace ageing meters, streamline the network and better prepare the city for future demand. The project would save an estimated 414 million litres per year, slashing long-term losses by 57 per cent. Half of those savings - 207 million litres - would be returned to the environment.Griffith Golf Club has also proposed a $2.65 million project to upgrade its ageing irrigation system, saving 113 million litres of water with 103 million litres going towards Basin Plan targets. The golf course’s current system was installed over 35 years ago and is subject to frequent breakdowns and inefficient water delivery, leaving parts of the course over-watered and other sections too dry. The funding would construct 5km of main pipeline and 21km of adjacent piping spanning over 54ha, alongside more than 940 efficient sprinklers, a new irrigation pumphouse, 2 storage tanks and an automated control system. The overhaul would aim to modernise the facility, which could draw more visitors to Griffith and enhance community recreation opportunities.  We will carefully consider all community feedback on these proposals, which will help us determine whether the projects will progress to a formal funding application to the Australian Government.     Submissions close on 30 May. For more information and to lodge feedback, visit the website here.

Landowners must give 24-hour notice before any planned burn—even outside fire season—to avoid fines and unnecessary RFS callouts.The MIA District RFS is reminding all landowners and residents that they are legally required to notify both the RFS and their neighbours at least 24 hours before lighting any planned burn—at any time of year. This requirement has been in place since the inception of the Rural Fires Act 1997 and applies year-round, not just during the Bush Fire Danger Period. Failure to notify can result in a fine of up to $1,100 and often leads to unnecessary callouts of local RFS volunteer brigades, wasting valuable time and resources that could be needed for real emergencies. “People often don’t realise this rule is mandatory 12 months of the year,” said Operational Officer Justin MacKellar. “If we are not informed about a fire, we treat it as an emergency. That means volunteers may leave work or home to respond to what turns out to be an allowed but unnotified burn.” Planned burns are a valid tool for land management, but they must be conducted responsibly. When burns are lit without notification: Emergency triple-zero calls are made by concerned neighbours or passers-by. Local brigades respond as if it is an out-of-control fire. The person responsible may face significant fines and enforcement action. Before lighting a planned burn, residents must: Notify the RFS at least 24 hours in advance. Notify all neighbours who may see or be affected by the smoke. Ensure the burn complies with current fire regulations and is conducted safely. Consider the direction of the Smoke drift and if it will affect roads, towns, or villages. “This isn’t just about compliance—it’s about respect for your neighbours, for our volunteers, and for community safety,” the spokesperson added.

Balranald Shire Mayor Louie Zaffina recently sat down with The Riverine Grazier’s cadet journalist, Kimberly Grabham, to talk about recent issues arising in the shire. This is proposed to be a monthly chat.A giant line in the sand keeps on being drawn, and a giant clean-up from almost 20 years is well underway. Six months into the dynamic new Local Government being voted in, I think it is safe to say the general consensus would be this; the Louie Zaffina-led Balranald Shire Council is a strikingly positive juggernaut striding towards a bright new future. “We have a lot of things we are trying to get done; and we are concentrating on getting things done right,” Mayor Zaffina said. “We want to get our house in order, and make proactive changes for a good foundation, one we can build upon to cement a strong future for Balranald Shire in its entirety.” The history of Balranald Shire and associated issues are known by all. Balranald Shire Council was placed under administration by the NSW government in January 2020, following the recommendations of a public inquiry report that revealed significant dysfunction and a failure to serve the community's interests. The council's elected members were dismissed, and an administrator, Michael Colreavy, was appointed to oversee operations. The administration period was intended to be a temporary measure, with the aim of restoring good governance and resolving long-standing issues before the next local government elections. The administration period lasted from January 29, 2020, until the local government elections in October 2024. So, it is a safe statement to make; things were not right and had not been right for a while. But the futures’ looking so bright, we’re all going to need shades. “There are many various projects in the pipeline, and the prospect of more being discussed and investigated,” Mayor Zaffina said. BIDGEE HAVEN Bidgee Haven Hostel has just recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Largely built off the back of over $700,000 worth of local people fundraising and donating money, it is owned and run by Council. It has run for many years at a deficit. There has been around $6 million dollars in grant funding which had been given to the former Council to expand and improve the hostel, and this money has been sitting there for years. Mayor Zaffina, the elected council members and the executive team decided it is high time this money was used for the good of the hostel, and to keep its resources at peak. Under the current grant, the council will accomplish many valuable implementations and upgrades which will further maintain and enrich Bidgee Haven Hostel. These include the construction of a new six-bedroom extension, which consists of the expansion by five high-dependency rooms plus a room to replace one lost to the internal modifications of the existing facility. There will be new kitchen works to the existing building and new dining room extension to the existing building. Also included are landscaping, fire protection upgrade (pump house and tanks), power upgrade, loose furniture fittings and equipment and an activity room extension. There will also be laundry and pan room refurbishment and external works and infrastructure including fencing. Additionally, in May Council will be applying for two grants to continue the Bidgee Haven enhancement project. With grant funding, there will be a rework of store and consulting rooms, as well as a refurbishment of existing resident rooms. The second amount of grant funding will allow the Bidgee Haven staff accommodation project to commence, with building of two, two-bedroom units, and three studio-like rooms. “Interestingly, at the moment there are rooms at Bidgee Haven which are unoccupied, and not bringing in revenue,” Mayor Zaffina said. “So, while we are definitely thinking towards the future in regards to making sure there is enough room for residents, we are also thinking about the whole picture, and the bottom line is you cannot have residents there without qualified staff also having somewhere to live in order to work there as well. “It is vital to be proactive about things and accomplish things now and into the future; the longer things remain the same, the more work needs to be done in the future. A lot needs to be done in the shire, in a lot of areas. And Council has hit the ground running.” ZONING RESTRICTIONS A recent community consultation drop-in session attracted spirited and varied discussion on various town issues. Balranald has the benefit of a brand new, proactive council and Mayor, and I was fortunate enough to sit down with Balranald Shire Mayor Louie Zaffina to have a chat about the many projects Council has in the works, and already has underway. The recent community consultation drop-in session was to discuss the housing strategy for the shire. One of the issues raised was to change the zoning restrictions on allocations of land around the area, and the size restrictions of lots. “We are certainly looking towards changing the restrictions on blocks,” Mayor Zaffina said. “At the present time, there is a restriction on blocks to the tune of about 40 hectares, and we are looking to change it so people can have five acre lots for hobby farms and various other purposes, and rezoning land next to town. “The change has already been made in Euston, and has been in the processes for four years or more. “Euston is an intensive agricultural area, and the move has been to great benefit for many.” THE CENSUS Mayor Zaffina said he and Council have been urging agencies such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics to find alternate solutions to reporting population in the area. When initiatives such as the community consultations crop up, it means experts looking into and analysing the needs of the town are operating on inaccurate data when they are looking to the census to tell them about facts of a town.“The census is just not accurate for the area, including Euston,” Mayor Zaffina said. “We have a lot of seasonal and itinerant workers, so many times of the year, populations of towns such as Euston and Robinvale can be easily doubled if not tripled. “As fantastic as these workers are for our local economies, for the government at large to not be recognising this means we are accommodating many more people in the area but not getting the correlating government funding for essential needs such as medical and hospitals. “This is still an ongoing issue; to figure out how to get this accurately reflected on things such as the census. The way it is at the moment is actually hurting us, we need to make government bodies understand and reflect the true number.” The census tells us who we are and where we are going as a nation, and helps our communities determine where to build everything from schools to supermarkets, and from homes to hospitals. It helps the government decide how to distribute funds and assistance to states and localities. RUNWAY Council has resolved to negotiate with the adjacent land owners of the Balranald Airport runway. This negotiation is to try to purchase land to extend the runway at the Balranald Airport which will potentially add over 500 meters to the existing runway. The primary goal is to upgrade the airport's capabilities and facilitate the use of larger aircraft. The extended runway would improve the airport's ability to attract larger commercial and private aircraft, supporting regional economic development and tourism. It will improve the airport's ability to handle larger firefighting aircraft and other emergency services, enhancing community safety. RAMJO In the interests of being proactive, Balranald Shire Council has been attending Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) meetings for the past months, in an observer capacity and intends joining the organisation. The Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) brings together 11 regional councils to provide a united and local voice for our communities on key issues. The RAMJO region covers an area of over 80,000 square kilometres and has a population of 152,909 people. Joint organisations help to build stronger councils and to improve service delivery and infrastructure in key priority areas such as water security, energy, transport, digital connectivity, waste management and health, across these rural and regional communities. The small RAMJO team works collaboratively with the General Managers and Mayors and other staff at each council to identify priority issues and then advocate for government funding and industry support to address these key projects. CARAVAN PARK “There is the prospect of a Master Plan for Balranald Caravan Park in the view of upgrading and modernising the council asset. This is of course all subject to grant funding. “Long term, the prospect of whether it would be more beneficial for council to keep running the caravan park or for them to lease the park to another party to run.” BYPASS There has been some uncertainty in the community, with talks of a potential bypass being implemented. During the recent community consultation meeting in regards to housing, attendees expressed they were happy with the prospect of the ever-increasing quantity and sized heavy vehicles to have another avenue to travel, but were worried the bypass would result in the town dying, such as other towns like Tooleybuc who have had a bypass. Mayor Zaffina said this simply would never happen. “As part of an agreement entered to by Iluka Mining Company at the start of their work in the area, there was an upgrade made by them to McCabe Street in Balranald,” he said. “This was so mining trucks coming in off the Ivanhoe Road had somewhere to go, with the aim of reducing the strain on main roads in the town. “Any full or future bypass would undergo heavy and specific consultation with the community.” MUSEUM Balranald Shire Council was recently approached to take over the highly popular and culturally significant Southern Cross Museum. Mayor Zaffina brings up an important consideration. “At the moment, we still need to be careful and conservative in our actions,” he said. “Balranald Shire Council is still subject to two Performance Improvement Orders (POI), one implemented in 2019, and one implemented in 2024. “We are making great progress with these, but are still working through them, and need to heed these and be cautious, especially in regards to budgeting.” Mayor Zaffina said Council will certainly hold the prospect under consideration. EXECUTIVE ROLE CHANGES Mayor Zaffina said the Interim General Manager, Mr Peter Bascombe is also recommending and implementing changes to the organisational structure of the executive arm of Balranald Shire Council. “The role of Director of Governance will now be split into two positions; Chief Financial Officer and Executive Manager of Community and Governance. “Balranald Shire Council has had no Chief Financial Officer for many years, and the two more focused positions will only continue to ensure all aspects of the council’s needs and business run to peak.” The Position of Director of Infrastructure and Planning Services will remain. THE BOTTOM LINE What it all boils down to is Louie Zaffina and Balranald Shire Council are putting their best foot forward every day for the benefit of the shire where they all live; their home, which they love. Mayor Zaffina is aiming to have a monthly catch up with The Riverine Grazier.