Wagga Wagga news - Free & Fearless
Margrit Beemster Research has been conducted in the Yallakool Creek and upper Wakool River near Deniliquin to find an easier way to detect adult freshwater mussels and to better understand why mussels are no longer as plentiful as they once were...
'Put politics aside': Water campaigners put solutions forward
THE need for real solutions to complex water issues is something one community-based group feels is the way forward in 2024.
The Speak Up Campaign wants to leave politics at the table and start working with communities in a bid to solve "unsolvable problems".
Speak Up chairman Shelley Scoullar acknowledged water is a complicated area, but said the time had come for all stakeholders to work together for better.
"Water reform has been over-complicated because too many decisions are based on what is best for the political future or ideology, instead of focusing on the core areas that need to be addressed," Mrs Scoullar said.
She said Speak Up had been trying to work with governments for more than eight years, as well as numerous landholders and farming groups to develop better ways to deliver water
reform. With the Murray-Darling Basin Plan making headlines at both a state and federal level last year after changes were made to water legislation by the Commonwealth.
"At present, there is a real risk the Basin Plan will go down in history as one of our nation's greatest failings ," Mrs Scoullar said.
"This can be averted with some priority changes."
One of the first areas the Speak Up Campaign believes needs to be addressed is water trading.
The organisation said its recommendation is a "one trade rule" where water entitlement can only be traded once per season and must be traded to a landholder and used for productive
purposes. The group also reaffirmed the need for an open, transparent and publicly accessible water ownership platform, which does not provide individual contact details.
Mrs Scoullar added wasted water through evaporation should also be on the agenda.
"Fixing this waste would simply involve improved management of the Lower Lakes, including infrastructure works and returning water that currently flows out to sea to the Southern Coorong.
"It has been argued this would jeopardise South Australia's drinking water supplies, but this would not be an issue if evaporation was reduced. There is no reason why water cannot be diverted directly from the Murray River ... there was also the option of increasing use of the SA desalination plant, which lays idle after being built at significant taxpayer expense."
One other issue the campaign highlighted was connectivity flows from the Darling River to the Murray River.
"The fish kills and other environmental degradation is a Darling River issue, which cannot be fixed by increasing Murray River flows," Mrs Scoullar said.
"The solution could be reduced carryover or extraction from the Northern Basin and this may require compensation for affected farmers.
"However, it needs to be clearly acknowledged that buying back water from farmers in southern NSW and northern Victoria will not solve issues in the Darling. Water buybacks in these areas might help the political expediency, which appears the priority of Water Minister Tanya Plibersek, but they will only lead to social and economic damage in these communities for virtually no environmental gain."
Mrs Scoullar said Australia was once renowned for its innovation and solving problems and this was the most important skill farmers possess.
She said open dialogue with communities, farmers and growers would prove more than fruitful for those making decisions.
The Speak Up campaign has ideas to solve water problems in 2024.
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on an arrest warrant in Wagga Wagga.
Matthew MERRITT, aged 40, is wanted by virtue of an outstanding warrant in relation to alleged assault/Intimation offence.
Officers attached to Riverina Police District have been conducting inquiries into his whereabouts; however, he has not been located.
Beverley is described as being of Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 180 cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair, and grey stubble beard and brown eyes.
He has been known to frequent the Tolland, Ashmont and Wagga Wagga areas.
Anyone who sights MERRITT, or who has information about his whereabouts, is urged to call Wagga Wagga Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Driver critical following single-vehicle crash – Central West
Friday, 12 January 2024
A man is in a critical condition following a single vehicle crash in the state’s Central West.
About 4.15pm yesterday (Thursday 12 January 2024), emergency services were called to the Mitchell Highway, Shadforth, about 15km south of Orange, after reports of a single-vehicle crash involving a Toyota Hilux.
Police were told the vehicle left the road before hitting a tree.
The 73-year-old driver was trapped for a short time before he was released and treated on scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The man was taken to Orange Hospital where he was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a critical but stable condition.
Officers attached to Central West Police District have commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Appeal for witnesses after a man suffers significant burns - Albury
Friday, 12 January 2024
Police are appealing for information after a Riverina man sustained significant burns at the weekend.
About 5.00am on Sunday (7 January 2024), NSW Ambulance paramedics responded to reports a man suffered burns at a residence in Russell Street, Howlong, approximately 30km northwest of Albury.
The 23-year-old-man was taken to Albury Hospital before being airlifted to Prince Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where he remains in an induced coma.
Detectives attached to Murray River Police District commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Burrinjuck Dam needs immediate upgrade
This is a disaster for our hard working farmers, the local economy and our future in agriculture.
How long will it take to simply secure a new environmental approval? What will it cost to get that approval, no matter the time and cost to build the dam and deliver critical water to our region?
The Queensland State Labor Government’s incompetence never seems to end. And the people of our region will pay the price of Labor’s failures.
This is the biggest public infrastructure failure in Australia’s history and no amount of spin by Labor Government’s can cover it up.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/paradise-lost-dam-just-cant-be-fixed/news-story/106a5609506cf7f29a2ff2ee66886dff
Stephen Bennett MP
Bree Watson - LNP for Bundaberg
Colin Boyce MP
Bryson Head MP
💦
Nationals MP Sam Birrell says the government need to have “more broad thinking” about how to mitigate against floods in Victoria because of the “real challen...
Wagga childcare investigation
Bega 💯
Attention all Aussies! Kraft (USA) sold the original recipes for their Australian peanut butter and Vegemite to Bega Dairy in NSW. Kraft would not allow Bega to keep the Kraft name so it had to change to Bega, but keeping the familiar label.
Now Kraft has decided to come back with a different peanut butter recipe and oppose Bega's business! Just because they have more money, doesn't mean they should renege on the deal by returning in opposition to the original company they sold!
We need to stick with Bega because they use mostly Australian peanuts, while Kraft now only has access to largely imported nuts.
SUPPORT BEGA PEANUT BUTTER & VEGEMITE! SHARE THIS MESSAGE
SUPPORT AUSTRALIAN MADE 🇦🇺
I live on the Central Coast
Buy 🇦🇺 Bega NOT Kraft
Attention all Aussies! Kraft (USA) sold the original recipes for their Australian peanut butter and Vegemite to Bega Dairy in NSW. Kraft would not allow Bega to keep the Kraft name so it had to change to Bega, but keeping the familiar label.
Now Kraft has decided to come back with a different peanut butter recipe and oppose Bega's business! Just because they have more money, doesn't mean they should renege on the deal by returning in opposition to the original company they sold!
We need to stick with Bega because they use mostly Australian peanuts, while Kraft now only has access to largely imported nuts.
SUPPORT BEGA PEANUT BUTTER & VEGEMITE! SHARE THIS MESSAGE
SUPPORT AUSTRALIAN MADE 🇦🇺
I live on the Central Coast
Council desolved
Oh yes Estalla pub back on the cards 🍺
A massive hotel and tavern in Estella which would include a bistro, sports bar, bottle-o and more could still be on the cards after its initial refusal. 🍺🍾 See the new plans ➡ https://bit.ly/3TTNcOc
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on an arrest warrant in Wagga Wagga.
Isaijah BOOTES, aged 23-24, is wanted by virtue of an outstanding warrant in relation to an alleged drug related offence.
Officers attached to Riverina Police District have been conducting inquiries into his whereabouts; however, he has not been located.
BOOTES is described as being of Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165-180 cm tall, of thin build, with brown hair, and ginger/brown beard and brown eyes.
He has been known to frequent the Turvey Park, Tolland, Ashmont and Wagga Wagga areas.
Anyone who sights BOOTES, or who has information about his whereabouts, is urged to call Wagga Wagga Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
National Earth Produce farmer Ross Marsolino says Woolworths’ statement to the Supermarket Review is “a lot of hogwash” because farmers are “not getting” market price.
In a statement to the Supermarket Review, Woolworths said, ‘The supermarket price of fruit and veg is determined by what we pay our farmers for each variety. We pay farmers the market price for their produce, which can vary throughout the year due to weather, seasonality, supply and demand.’
‘We’re always working to strike the right balance to ensure our customers have access to high quality and affordable fresh produce, while also ensuring our suppliers receive a fair market price.’
Last year, Mr Marsolino walked away from a $2 million harvest because of the strain of costs.
“That’s a lot of hogwash – totally a lot of hogwash,” he told Sky News Australia.
“It’s all rubbish.
“That report that Woolies have given – market price, paying market price – we’re not getting market price.
“Regardless of what the price they’re paying, they’re retailing at a lot higher than what they’re paying.”
National Earth Produce farmer Ross Marsolino says Woolworths’ statement to the Supermarket Review is “a lot of hogwash” because farmers are “not getting” market price.
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on an arrest warrant in Wagga Wagga.
Angus BEAVIS, aged 19, is wanted by virtue of an outstanding warrants in relation to alleged traffic/other offences.
Officers attached to Riverina Police District have been conducting inquiries into his whereabouts; however, he has not been located.
BEAVIS is described as being of Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 170 cm tall, of slim/thin build, with brown hair and a mullet style hair cut, a mostache and brown eyes.
He has been known to frequent Wagga Wagga, Tolland and Ashmont areas.
Anyone who sights BEAVIS, or who has information about his whereabouts, is urged to call Wagga Wagga Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Mafia winery sold
Warburn Estate winery, established in 1968 by a man known as the "don of dons", is sold to a family business best known for processing orange juice.
Great to see Lake action
🤞
A new product that kills blue-green algae blooms has been injected into Lake Albert.
In 3 weeks, we should have the results - hopefully solving an issue that's plagued the region for over a decade.
Possible Blue green algae cure?
Public Holidays 2024
🤪
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Wagga Free Local News posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?
