MANUFACTURING heavyweight 3M is vowing to fight a multibillion-dollar lawsuit over widespread use of “forever chemicals” at Australian defence sites – including the RAAF base at Williamtown. The federal government is suing 3M for more than $2 billion to recover costs from the per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foam that contaminated 28 defence […]
NSW FARMERS is warning state and federal governments must urgently respond to an acute cost-of-production shock with new data showing spikes in fuel and fertiliser prices caused by global shortages have slashed confidence. The latest NSW Farmers Farm Business Sentiment Survey suggests 80 percent price increases for fuel and fertiliser have flowed through to freight […]
A MAJOR freight rail line intended to connect Melbourne and Brisbane will be left half-finished after its cost nearly tripled in six years, sparking anger from farmers and regional leaders. The federal budget will include plans to pare back the Inland Rail project and instead end it at Parkes in central NSW. Independent analysis shows […]
PROPOSED legislation currently before the NSW Legislative Assembly would allow the Energy Minister to identify the highest-priority renewable energy projects in the planning pipeline and prioritise them for streamlining. The NSW Government says it would result in more streamlined approvals for generation, storage and network projects that will power homes, industry and economic growth. However, […]
THE Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will carry out maintenance and improvement works on the Hunter Valley and North Coast rail corridors this weekend to maintain safety and reliability. The works will take place between: – Telarah in New South Wales to Acacia Ridge in Queensland from 5:00am Saturday 16 May to 7:30pm Monday 18 […]
RURAL residents are crying out for reliable roads, the state’s peak farming body has told an inquiry into local government funding and fiscal sustainability. Last week, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport held hearings with more than 20 councils in Wodonga, Wagga Wagga and Taree. Also present were representatives […]
THE NSW Government is attempting to introduce a statewide approach for how communities have their say on planning proposals. A draft statewide Community Participation Plan is now on public exhibition. Currently there are more than 100 different Community Participation Plans across the state, each with its own approach, timeframes and thresholds for consultation on planning […]
CONSTRUCTION is underway on a new refuge in the Maitland local government area to provide women and children escaping domestic and family violence with more access to secure accommodation. Housing Plus is developing the refuge, with specialist support services to be delivered onsite by Carrie’s Place Domestic Violence and Homelessness Services once the project is […]
BUILDERS say they are under pressure from a ‘triple threat’ caused by spiking fuel prices. Matthew Pollock, Executive Director of Master Builders NSW, said builders are increasingly feeling pressure from fuel price rises from a triple pain point perspective. The cost of keeping diesel-fuelled commercial vehicles and equipment operating and getting to site. Rising transport […]
THE Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety has concluded its two-year inquiry into community safety in regional and rural communities. The Committee’s final report, tabled on 19 March, makes 15 recommendations. Committee Chair Edmond Atalla MP said he hopes that the inquiry will result in lasting change. “Communities in regional NSW deserve to feel […]
