Griffith agricultural business named as finalists for prestigious award

Griffith’s Mandolé Orchard has been named as a finalist in the most prestigious competition of the Sydney Royal Wine, Beer & Cider, Distilled Spirits, Cheese & Dairy Produce, and Fine Food Shows.

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW President’s Medal recognises and rewards Australia’s best producers, who are recognised for the overall integrity of their production practices. The medal is awarded to those who not only bring a product to market but also ensure the sustainability and prosperity of the future of Australian agriculture.

The judging criteria are governed by a triple bottom line approach which examines the sustainability of environmental, economic and social-good management practices throughout the production cycle from farm gate to plate.

The Mandolé Orchard is a sustainable family farm established in 2004 in Griffith, committed to growing and producing high quality Australian almonds and almond-based products.

Eight finalists are competing for the 18th Annual President’s Medal. The medal winner will be announced at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on 16 April 2025.

Social Impact Management Plan - Survey

Transgrid would like Riverina residents to provide feedback on the HumeLink West and HumeLink East Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) Survey.

The (SIMP) is designed to outline the process of managing and monitoring social impacts and identifying opportunities that can improve the social and economic benefits of HumeLink.

A podcast on RESETTLEMENT: Wiradyuri Gawaymbanha-gu Malamanha

Listen to Luke Wighton, a Wiradyuri man from Condobolin as he talks to Elders who share and discuss their histories, memories, and reflections on living as Indigenous peoples. On his new podcast titled RESETTLEMENT: Wiradyuri Gawaymbanha-gu Malamanha.

The recordings were made in 2024, 50 years after the launch of the Aboriginal Family Resettlement Scheme. The scheme aimed to encourage families to move from smaller and remote communities to larger rural communities such as Wagga Wagga to be closer to essential health and educational services.

Government Invests Over $21 Million in Regional NSW Infrastructure Projects

The Australian Government has committed over $21 million to enhance social infrastructure in regional New South Wales. This investment will support four major projects aimed at revitalising town precincts and boosting local economies.

Key Actions:

1. Cessnock: Over $14 million will transform Apex Park into a vibrant precinct, connecting local businesses, community groups, service providers, and the Cessnock Pool recreation area.

2. Mudgee: $2 million will be invested in the Mortimer Street Precinct to revitalise the south-eastern section of the Mudgee CBD, including plans for a hotel, residential apartments, commercial shops, restaurants, car parks, green spaces, and pedestrian connections.

3. Bathurst: The Connected Regional Neighbourhoods project will receive $1.7 million to develop a business case, master plan, and concept designs for the Bathurst CBD, incorporating smart, sustainable technologies and active transport infrastructure.

4. Cobar: Nearly $3.5 million will fund the design and planning works for the Grand Precinct, including the redesign of the Grand Hotel into a cultural-commercial hub, library upgrades, town hall restoration, senior housing, and streetscape improvements.

These projects are part of the regional Precincts and Partnership Program, which aims to transform regional, rural, and remote areas by investing in community infrastructure.

NBN Co Completes $480 Million Upgrade to Fixed Wireless and Satellite Services

Households and businesses in regional, remote, and outer-urban areas are now benefiting from faster broadband and increased data capacity, following the completion of NBN Co’s $480 million upgrade to its Fixed Wireless and Satellite services.

The upgrade has enabled around 800,000 premises to access broadband speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps. These enhanced speeds facilitate smoother streaming, faster downloads and uploads, and stronger connections, even with multiple devices online simultaneously.

The fixed wireless upgrades have significantly improved average end-user download speeds, increasing from approximately 48 Mbps in 2022 to over 100 Mbps today. Additionally, the use of the latest 4G and 5G wireless technology has allowed an extra 120,000 premises to access fixed wireless services for the first time.

NBN Co has introduced two new faster speed tiers, with around 90% of premises in the fixed wireless footprint now able to access speeds of up to 200-250 Mbps download, and around 80% of premises able to access speeds of up to 400 Mbps.

These upgrades are designed to meet Australia’s growing demand for data. The average Australian household currently uses more than 450GB of data per month, with around 22 connected devices. This is expected to increase to 1 Terabyte and more than 40 devices by the end of the decade.

In addition to the fixed wireless upgrades, the program has also enhanced NBN’s Sky Muster satellite service, providing much-needed connectivity options for over 200,000 households and businesses in regional and remote Australia. Customers now have access to unlimited data through NBN Co’s Sky Muster Plus Premium, offering download speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

This $480 million upgrade complements the Albanese Government’s broader investment in delivering a world-class NBN fibre network, backed by an additional $3 billion equity investment.

Government Ensures Future of Regional Aviation Services

The Australian Government has announced measures to secure critical aviation services for regional Australia. Collaborating with the administrators of Regional Express Holdings (Rex), the government aims to ensure these services continue beyond 30 June 2025.

Key Actions:

• Support for Rex: Working with shortlisted bidders to provide necessary support, contingent on maintaining service levels for regional communities.

• Contingency Plans: Exploring options, including potential Commonwealth acquisition, if no buyer is found.

• Financial Aid: Providing a loan of up to $80 million and acquiring $50 million of Rex's debt to keep regional routes operational.

• Operational Support: Waiving the "use it or lose it" test for Rex's flight slots at Sydney Airport until 24 October 2026.

These steps highlight the government's commitment to maintaining connectivity and supporting local economies in regional and remote areas.

Funding to strengthen First Nations arts and languages

The Australian Government is investing over $68 million to support First Nations arts and language organisations across Australia. This funding, distributed through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) and Indigenous Languages and Arts (ILA) programs, aims to sustain vital cultural practices.

IVAIS Program:

• Over $38 million allocated to 83 First Nations-owned art centres, fairs, regional hubs, and industry service organisations.

• Supports artists and arts workers in earning income, developing skills, and connecting to the art market.

ILA Program:

• Nearly $30 million for 70 community-led language and arts activities.

• Focuses on conserving and revitalising First Nations languages and cultural expressions.

Notable grant recipients include Arlpwe Artists Aboriginal Corporation in NT, Ardyaloon Art and Culture Centre in WA, and Numburindi Development Aboriginal Corporation in NT.

Ministers Tony Burke and Malarndirri McCarthy highlighted the importance of these programs in preserving and promoting First Nations cultures, ensuring sustainable infrastructure for future generations.

Australian Government Invests $12 Million to Upgrade Regional Airports in NSW

The Australian Government is investing nearly $12 million to upgrade regional airports across New South Wales under Round 4 of the Regional Airports Program. These upgrades are vital for regional communities, providing better access to emergency healthcare, commerce, industry, tourism, and education.

Key Projects and Funding:

• Merimbula Airport: $3.8 million for an 80-metre runway extension, enabling larger aircraft to land.

• Moruya Airport: Over $200,000 for runway, taxiway, and apron resealing, and lighting replacement.

• Albury Airport: $5 million for a full runway overlay to improve safety and support larger aircraft.

• Moree Regional Airport: $1 million to upgrade the aeromedical apron, taxiway, and parking bays.

• Griffith Regional Airport: Almost $500,000 to replace ageing runway lights.

• Mudgee Regional Airport: $220,000 for stormwater drainage upgrades.

These improvements will enhance safety, accessibility, and capacity at regional airports, supporting emergency services, boosting the economy, and promoting tourism.

Australian Government Secures Commitments to Maintain Regional Banking Services

The Australian Government has successfully secured commitments from major banks to ensure that banking services remain available in regional areas. This initiative aims to address the decline in regional banking services, with 36% of bank branches in regional Australia having closed since 2017

• Moratorium on Branch Closures: NAB has committed to a new moratorium on regional branch closures, with CBA and Westpac extending their existing moratoriums. These commitments ensure no regional branch closures by these banks before 31 July 2027.

• New Bank@Post Agreements: CBA, NAB, and Westpac have reached new in-principle agreements with Australia Post, and ANZ has agreed on key terms to join the service. These agreements will enhance the financial outlook for Bank@Post and provide greater certainty and choice for banking customers in rural and regional areas.

The Government is also working on longer-term options to ensure sustainable banking services, including a focus on cash distribution and accessibility.

Minister for Local Government, Kristy McBain MP, emphasized the importance of these measures in keeping regional communities connected and thriving.

2025 National Awards for Local Government

Nominations are now open for the 2025 National Awards for Local Government, celebrating locally led innovation. Now in their 39th year, these awards honor local councils across 13 categories.

New Categories for 2025:

• Affordable Housing: Recognising leaders and projects addressing housing need from policy, planning, social, or infrastructure perspectives.

• Outstanding Rural and Remote Council: Honoring achievements of smaller, more remote or rural councils.

Key Details:

• Nominations Open: Until 17th of March 2025

• Voting Period: 18th of March to the 18th of April

• Eligibility: All elected local government organisations and associations, and other recognised organisations providing direct services to Australian communities

Examples of Winning Projects from 2024:

• Armidale Regional Council’s Girls in Civil program

• City of Launceston’s public Wi-Fi network rollout

• Wyndham City Council’s LIT light experience

Early Works Begin on Inland Rail Safety Upgrades in Regional NSW

In a significant move to enhance transportation safety and efficiency, early works are set to commence on the removal of two railway level crossings and the implementation of improved safety measures along the Inland Rail project corridor near Parkes and Illabo in regional New South Wales. This initiative, backed by a combined investment of $350 million from the Australian Government and the New South Wales Government, aims to revolutionize the region's transport infrastructure.

The project will see the level crossings on the Newell Highway at Tichborne and the Olympic Highway at Harris Gates replaced with grade-separated crossings, such as overpasses or underpasses. This upgrade is expected to significantly improve road and rail safety, while also facilitating faster and more reliable freight delivery.

Geotechnical investigations, biodiversity studies, and Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys at the Tichborne site will commence on Wednesday, February 12th. These works will be conducted on weekdays from 7am to 6pm until the end of March, weather permitting. During this period, intermittent traffic changes, including stop/slow traffic movements, will be in place on the Newell Highway. Similar investigations at the Harris Gates intersection are scheduled to follow in the coming months.

The Inland Rail project is part of a broader $450 million commitment to grade-separating Inland Rail interfaces with roads across NSW. This initiative aims to enhance national freight and supply chain networks while reducing transport emissions and improving road safety. Once completed, the project will enable double-stacked train movements up to 1.8 kilometres long, boosting the efficiency of goods transportation between Melbourne and Brisbane via inland NSW.

This development is expected to create thousands of jobs and better connect regional businesses, manufacturers, and producers to national and global markets, ultimately benefiting the regional economy and enhancing the overall safety and reliability of Australia's transport infrastructure.

New Australian Government Drought Plan

The Australian Government has released a new Drought Plan aimed at guiding and explaining policies and programs for farming businesses and communities as they prepare for, manage through, and recover from drought. This plan is a significant step towards providing clear, coordinated, and collaborative support for those affected by drought conditions.

Key Features of the Drought Plan:

• Clear Guidance: The plan offers a detailed explanation of what the government will and won’t do during droughts, ensuring that farmers have a clear understanding of available support.

• Program Details: It outlines the various programs available to assist farmers before, during and after droughts, providing a comprehensive support framework.

• Improved Coordination: The plan promotes better coordination of drought-related programs across Australian, state, and territory governments, aiming for a more unified approach.

• collaborative Efforts: It seeks to work closely with farmers, their communities, the agriculture and finance sectors, and other government and non-government organisations to address drought challenges effectively.

The Drought Plan supports the National Drought Agreement (NDA) which was signed earlier this year between the Commonwealth, states, and territories. It explains how the Australian Government will meet its obligations under the agreement, covering measures for drought preparedness and support for farmers in hardship, regardless of when and where drought conditions occur.

This 5-year plan is a crucial tool in ensuring that farming communities are better equipped to handle the impacts of drought, providing them with the necessary resources and support to thrive even in challenging conditions.

Job Opportunity: Executive Director at Eastern Riverina Arts

Easter Riverina Arts is on the lookout for a visionary and strategic Executive Director to lead a dynamic team and make a significant impact across the region. This role involves championing arts and cultural initiatives, fostering transformative partnerships, overseeing sector development programs, and cultivating a positive, high-achieving organisational culture.

The ideal candidate will have proven executive experience in strategy, finance, and people management, along with a deep passion for arts, culture, and community.

Application deadline: 5pm, Monday 10th February 2025

Job listing: https://www.easternriverinaarts.org.au/news/job-opportunity-executive-director

Eastern Riverina Arts Announces Exciting Art Commissions

Eastern Riverina Arts is thrilled to announce two new art commissions for the Station Creative Workspace in Wagga Wagga. The first Commission is for an Acoustic Artwork in the meeting room, themed around Voice and Collaboration. This piece will enhance the room’s acoustics while complementing its professional atmosphere.

The second commission is for a large-Scale Installation in the stairwell, themed around Interconnection and Creative Evolution. This bold and innovative artwork will reflect the identity of the creative hub and inspire everyone who passes through.

Key Details:

• Budget: $2500 (+GST) per commission

• Timeline: Completion by 1st May 2025

• EOIs Close: 17th February 2025

• Eligibility: Open to creatives in the Eastern Riverina Arts service region

Arts are invited to submit their proposals, including their concept, timeline, and budget, for a chance to bring their vision to life at the station.

Telstra's 3G Network Shutdown: A Step Towards Enhanced Connectivity

Telstra has officially closed its 3G network, marking a significant milestone in its journey to enhance customer experiences and meet the growing demands of Australians. This transition allows Telstra to repurpose the 3G spectrum for its more advanced 4G and 5G networks, which are better equipped to handle modern data demands.

Expanding 5G Coverage

Telstra has already rolled out 5G coverage to over 500 towns across Australia and continues to expand this footprint by repurposing the 3G spectrum. This move aims to bring faster and more reliable connectivity to even more communities

Customer Support Initiatives

Recognising the challenges some customers face with the transition; Telstra has launched a dedicated 3G helpline. Available at 1800 990 853 from 8am to 7pm AEDT, Monday to Friday, this helpline is staffed by experts ready to assist with any 3G-related issues. The company has also provided nearly 19,000 free mobile phones to support customers during this transition.

Network Improvements

Over the past five years, Telstra has upgraded over 12,000 4G mobile sites and expanded its 5G network. The company's mobile network now covers 3 million square kilometers and reaches 99.7% of the Australian population. These efforts are part of Telstra's ongoing commitment to delivering the best technology and connectivity to its customers

Telstra remains dedicated to continuous investment in its network infrastructure, ensuring that customers receive top-notch connectivity and support. The closure of the 3G network is a crucial step in accelerating the expansion of 5G, promising a brighter, more connected future for all Australians.

$3 million to support leak detection and water efficiency

Source: $3 million to support leak detection and water efficiency

Media Release: Minister for Water

The NSW Government is charging ahead with its commitment to save billions of litres of water by injecting $3 million into round 2 of its innovative Active Leak Detection Project, helping to boost long-term water security for regional towns and cities across New South Wales.

It forms part of the hugely successful Water Efficiency and Regional Leakage Reduction Program that has secured $11.3 million in further funding, on top of an initial $12.5 million investment, to continue its activities in the regions over the next two years.

The program has already achieved impressive results between 2022 and 2024, clocking up a staggering 7,500 megalitres (ML) per year in water savings in over 60 regional locations.

This next round aims to save up to 4,000ML of water per year, or enough to meet the annual water needs of around 20,000 NSW regional households.

The active leak detection project uses cutting-edge equipment including noise loggers, electronic listening sticks, ground microphones and leak noise correlators to detect leaks within local water networks that will then be repaired by local councils.

Crews will survey approximately 6,000 kilometres of regional water supply mains across more than 40 high priority areas that are severely impacted during dry months including Warrumbungle Shire, Warren, Moree Plains, Forbes, Cobar, Dubbo and Lithgow.

The NSW Government is locking in more locations over the coming weeks.

The next stage of the program will also focus on identifying leaks in residential properties, with homeowners to be notified if issues are found. Work commenced in January and will be rolled out until June 2026.

The $35.3 million Water Efficiency and Regional Leakage Reduction Program aims to create a more sustainable and resilient water future for country towns and cities across the state.

For more information, visit the Regional Leakage Reduction Program webpage. 

Funding boost for veterans projects around NSW

Source: Funding boost for veterans projects around NSW

Media Release: Minister for Veterans

More than $124,000 in funding has been provided to 99 community groups, schools and ex-service organisations from Wyong to Wagga Wagga, Cootamundra to Coogee, Winston Hills to Wollondilly as part of the Anzac Community Grants Program (ACGP) to commemorate veterans across the state.

Minister for Veterans David Harris announced today that $124,629 will be provided to a wide variety of projects that commemorate and educate NSW communities about the service and sacrifices of current and former servicemen and servicewomen.

The 2024 round of the ACGP received 116 applications, surpassing the number received last year with a record amount of funding requested. Up to $3,000 was provided to help fund each of the 99 projects around the state, with veterans as well as the wider community benefitting from the projects delivered from this round, including 34 schools, 20 RSL sub-Branches and 15 Councils.

Grant recipients include Wyalong Public School in the state’s west with funding to enhance their commemorative garden and Goulburn Mulwaree Council to support the display of the significant CEW Bean Military Collection.

For the full list of 2024 ACGP recipients and more information about the program visit https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/acgp2024

Short-term Regional, Rural and Remote employment program expanded

Source: Short-term Regional, Rural and Remote employment program expanded

Media Release: Minister for Regional Health

A highly successful regional, rural and remote deployment program for key health care roles is set to be expanded over the next three years, with NSW Health recruiting nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to be posted to short term placements across NSW.

The NSW Health Deployment Program was first established in May 2023 to create a pipeline of skilled health professionals for short-term roles.

The short-term positions of between two and 13 weeks offer healthcare professionals the opportunity to travel and work in regional, rural and remote parts of NSW they may never have visited, with accommodation and travel costs covered.  

The NSW Government is currently seeking healthcare workers from more than 20 professions including nurses, midwives and allied health professionals for a range of short-term positions in hospitals and health facilities across NSW.

The initial success of the program so far has seen 90 staff undertake hundreds of deployments across the state in priority roles such as nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech pathology and physiotherapy.

NSW Health will now increase the team to around 400 to further strengthen its support to regional, rural and remote areas

Healthcare workers seeking a role with NSW Health, or current staff, are encouraged to register their interest via the NSW Health website.

The Minns Labor Government has introduced a series of measures to strengthen the state’s health workforce including:

• Implementing the Safe Staffing Levels initiative in our emergency departments

• Providing permanent funding for 1,112 FTE nurses and midwives on an ongoing basis

• Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in more than a decade for nurses and other health workers

• Investing an additional $200.1 million in key worker accommodation

• Beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities

• Boosting subsidies for regional health workers.

Contract awarded as Sheahan Bridge upgrade planning project progresses

Source: Contract awarded as Sheahan Bridge upgrade planning project progresses

Media Release: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

The Australian and NSW Governments are progressing plans for an upgrade of a key bridge on one of Australia’s busiest road freight corridors, as part of efforts to unlock access for more heavy vehicles.

The $20 million jointly funded planning project for the Sheahan Bridge Upgrade project on the Hume Highway at Gundagai has moved into its next phase of development with a contract awarded to provide a concept design for the bridge’s upgrade or replacement.

WSP Australia Pty Ltd will provide concept design development and environmental assessment of potential upgrade or replacement options for the northbound bridge over the Murrumbidgee River.

The current northbound bridge was built in 1977, with duplication of the southbound lanes officially opened to traffic by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 25 May 2009 when he was Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

While the load limit was increased from 68 to 85 tonnes in 2020 on the northbound bridge, for the safety of motorists Higher Productivity Vehicles still have to use a permit to travel on the NSW section of the Hume Highway due to the age of the bridge and structure limitations.

These limitations on the northbound bridge also restrict opportunities for contraflow during emergency response or planned maintenance activities on the southbound bridge.

The Federal and NSW Labor Governments are working together to ensure that this major bridge on the Hume Highway, the oldest and busiest highway in NSW, which follows the 200-year-old track traversed by Hume and Hovell in 1824, can meet the challenges of 21st century road freight.

The upgrade planning project will investigate potential solution options which include:

• building a replacement bridge on a new alignment upstream (east) or downstream (west) of the existing bridge

• replacing the existing bridge on its current alignment

• strengthening the existing bridge.

Transport for NSW is now working with the contractor to further investigate each alternative and identify a preferred option.

It is expected a preferred option will be identified for public display in mid-2026 and Transport will keep the community updated as the project progresses.

Albanese Government delivering free broadband for 30,000 unconnected Australian families

Source: Albanese Government delivering free broadband for 30,000 unconnected Australian families

The Albanese Government has announced an additional $4.9 million in funding to NBN Co to extend the free School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) to 30 June 2028, to ease cost of living pressures and narrow the digital divide for unconnected families with school children.

More than 23,000 families across the country are already accessing free NBN broadband through the SSBI, and this additional funding will assist more families to access the program.

Families save around $1,000 a year through the program, and it allows children who otherwise would have difficulty accessing the internet connections that are crucial to modern learning to have the same opportunities as their peers.

The program was due to finish in 2025. The extension will now allow the free services to continue for new and existing families until 30 June 2028, with up to 30,000 places available in the program. It brings the Albanese Government’s total investment in the program to $13.7 million.

To be eligible, families and carers must:

• have a child living at home enrolled in an Australian school;

• have no active broadband service over the NBN network in the last 14 days; and

• live in a premises where they can access standard NBN services.

Once a family is assessed as eligible, they are issued with a unique voucher which they can redeem with one of the participating internet providers. The free service begins from the day the service is activated until 30 June 2028 and is available across all NBN technologies

To apply, families and carers are encouraged to contact the National Referral Centre run by Anglicare Victoria on 1800 954 610 (Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm AEDT) or visit: www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet.

For more information on the program visit: School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Art