Inverell Council notes community concerns over proposed Battery Energy Storage System

INVERELL Shire Council has considered a report regarding the proposed Inverell Battery Energy Storage System, a renewable energy project put forward by South Energy. The BESS, slated to be located about five kilometres east of the Inverell CBD, has caused concern among residents. Inverell mayor, Kate Dight, said council recognises renewable energy projects will play [...]

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Bonshaw RFS celebrates new station and long-serving members

NSW Rural Fire Service members in the Northern Tablelands on Saturday celebrated the official re-opening of the Bonshaw Rural Fire Brigade station and the recognition of long-serving volunteers across the region. The Bonshaw Brigade’s new $230,000 station replaces the facility tragically destroyed by fire in January, 2024. The modern, two-bay station will provide improved amenities [...]

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NFF: Environmental law reform must make sense for farmers

THE National Farmers’ Federation has urged lawmakers to ensure there will be no detrimental impacts to agriculture, as federal environmental law is flagged for fast-tracked reform. The Federal Minister for the Environment and Water will introduce reworked reforms of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to Parliament by the end of the year. NFF [...]

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New era of transparency for council meetings

NEW rules for council meetings will soon be in place as the State Government spearheads a change of culture to boost transparency and community confidence in local government. A new Model Code of Meeting Practice for local councils, released on Friday, will come into effect in councils from January 1 next year. The changes to [...]

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Support extended for aviation services connecting remote western NSW communities

SUPPORT for subsidising commercial flights to and from some of western New South Wales’ most remote communities – including Lightning Ridge and Walgett – has been extended for another 12 months to better connect people and businesses. The subsidies are funded from a $2 million investment from the NSW Government’s Regional Development Trust, and will [...]

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Regional police honoured for their service

MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has congratulated the 31 police officers and staff who were honoured with medals and awards at the New England Police District medal and awards ceremony. Mr Moylan attended the ceremony on Thursday alongside New England Police District Superintendent Chris McKinnon, Western Region Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland, local police officers, [...]

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BoM’s long-range national forecast for spring

THE Bureau of Meteorology has issued its long-range forecast for the 2025 spring season. The long-range forecast is updated weekly for the upcoming 3 months. For the September-November period, rainfall is likely to be above-average for most of the eastern half of Australia. There is an increased chance of unusually high rainfall across much of [...]

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Securing the future of town water funding

A system overhaul is set to improve water affordability, availability and reliability across New South Wales. Over the next two years, the NSW Government will explore a new funding model for local water utilities to address critical inefficiencies with the current system of project-based capital grants. The reform is part of the Town Water Risk [...]

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Work experience opportunity for ag students closing soon

ASPIRING agricultural professionals have until this Sunday, August 31, to apply for a fully-funded agricultural work placement within the Gwydir Valley. The Young Aggies Moree Rural Scholarship provides a $2000 bursary to help university students currently studying agriculture to explore a wide range of professional opportunities in Moree’s agricultural sector over a two-week period. Funded [...]

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Statewide blitz on regional road maintenance

A pothole and road repair blitz will soon start across regional New South Wales, including pavement renewal and resurfacing on the New England and Hume highways. Fast-tracked funding will increase state road maintenance funding in the regions to $1.25 billion this financial year, with key works already underway. The investment will deliver safer roads, from [...]

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