Month: March 2025

Source: Historic Cooma Gaol listed on the NSW State Heritage Register

A new Regional University Study Hub opened to students this week at Katanning, bringing university closer in regional Western Australia.

Nearly half of young people in Australia have a university qualification but not in regional and remote Australia. In Katanning, only 12.9% per cent of young people have a degree.

Regional University Study Hubs are one of the ways to change this. The evidence shows that where they are, university participation goes up.

This new Study Hub in the centre of Katanning, will provide student support and facilities for students who are studying a university or TAFE course without having to leave their community.

The new Katanning University Study Hub is part of the Albanese Government’s $66.9 million investment to double the number of University Study Hubs across the country.

The hub will be operated by Regional Development Australia Great Southern who operate the existing Great Southern Universities Centre in Albany which has supported over 400 students since opening. 

So far, the Katanning Study Hub has 12 registered students. Katanning is one of Western Australia’s most multicultural regional areas. 

There are now 56 Regional University Study Hubs located across the country.45 of these Hubs are open with the other 11 Hubs expected to open during 2025. 

This builds on the recent announcement for 15 Suburban University Study Hubs, located in the outer suburbs for the first time.

This is one of the ways the Albanese Labor Government is helping more people get a crack at going to TAFE or university, including:

• wiping $3 billion in student debt from around three million Australians
• cutting a further 20 per cent off of all student loans if re-elected, wiping around $16 billion in student debt
• introducing a Commonwealth prac payment for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students
• making free TAFE permanent.

For more information: Regional University Study Hubs – Department of Education, Australian Government

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare MP:

“Today, almost one in two young people in their 20s and their 30s have a university degree. But not everywhere. Not in the outer suburbs and not in regional Australia.

“In the years ahead more jobs will require more skills.

“The Government has set a target that by 2050, 80 per cent of workers will have a TAFE or university qualification.

“To hit that target we have to break down that invisible barrier that stops a lot of people from the bush getting a crack at going to university.

“The evidence is that where University Study Hubs are, university participation goes up that’s why we are doubling the number of Regional University Study Hubs.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Education, Regional Development, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Anthony Chisholm:

“Each time we’ve opened a new study hub, just like this one in Katanning, we’ve removed educational barriers that can stop people from attaining a tertiary qualification.

“Around 44 per cent of students who are registered at the existing Hubs across the country are the first in their family to attend university, which is fantastic to see.”

“The hubs in Broome, Albany and Geraldton have changed the lives of hundreds of students. Now Katanning locals will get the same opportunity.”

Quotes attributable to Senator for Western Australia, Senator Glenn Sterle:

“So far, 12 students have registered to use the new Katanning Study Hub.

“Study Hubs provide student support and campus-style facilities for students who are studying a university or TAFE course without having to leave their community.”

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man charged with attempted murder following Claremont, Dowsing Point, West Moonah incidents

Thursday, 27 March 2025 – 9:51 am.

A man has been charged with multiple offences including attempted murder, arson, and evade police following incidents at Claremont, Dowsing Point and West Moonah yesterday.
He has been charged with attempted murder, arson, unlawfully setting fire to a property, common assault, do an act which resulted in the death of an animal, stealing, attempted motor vehicle stealing, motor vehicle stealing, evade police (aggravated circumstances), dangerous driving, and unlawfully injuring property.
The 55-year-old West Moonah man was detained to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at 10am today.

Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

The Australian Government has today announced a number of appointments to both the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and the National Intermodal Corporation (National Intermodal) boards. 

These appointments are:

• Mr Ingilby Dickson, Ms Janet Finlay, Mr Michael Carter and Ms Jill Rossouw for three-year terms, and Dr Marlene Kanga AO for a two-year term, as Non‑Executive Directors of the ARTC Board.
• Mr Michael Carter as the Deputy Chair, Ms Janice van Reyk as Non-Executive Director and the reappointment of Mr Michael Byrne AM as Non-Executive Director of the National Intermodal Board, each for a three-year term.
• ARTC delivers a safe and effective rail network that connects the nation, now and into the future. 
• National Intermodal facilitates the movement of goods across the national freight network and delivers world class, open access intermodal precincts.

The appointments follow publicly advertised, merit-based recruitment processes.

The ARTC and the National Intermodal board appointees will bring a wealth of skills and experience to ensure:

Mr Ingilby Dickson is an experienced board director, providing the ARTC Board expertise in freight, supply chain, rail and safety following his roles with Sadleirs Transport Group, Ron Finemore Transport and the Australian Logistics Council.

Ms Janet Finlay brings her experience as a chartered accountant and an experienced board director to the ARTC Board. She has held roles across multiple sectors as well as government, including as the Deputy Chancellor of Adelaide University, Director of the SA Water Corporation and Deputy Chair of the State Planning Commission of South Australia.

Mr Michael Carter has a strong construction background and rail experience, principally in rail operations, including at Queensland Rail and Aurizon Holdings Ltd. He also brings a strong understanding of large project management. Mr Carter’s appointment to the ARTC and National Intermodal boards will support continued synergies between these two important companies. 

Ms Jill Rossouw is an experienced director, having held Non-Executive Director positions with the Port of Brisbane and the Brisbane Airport Corporation. She is the current Chair of the High Speed Rail Authority and brings experience in project finance, infrastructure investments and complex financial structuring to the ARTC Board.

Dr Marlene Kanga AO will provide the ARTC Board with extensive board director experience covering significant government entities, including as a board member of Endeavour Energy, the Sydney Water Corporation, Innovation Australia and Airservices Australia. In 2023, Dr Kanga’s role as a global leader in STEM was recognised with the official naming of Tunnel Boring Machine “Marlene” on the Australian and NSW Government’s Western Sydney Airport Metro project. 

Ms Janice van Reyk has significant board experience and understanding of intermodals through her roles at NSW Ports, Port of Melbourne/Ports Victoria and the Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd, and will be a strong asset to the National Intermodal Board. 

Mr Michael Byrne AM is an existing director of National Intermodal with experience in the ports, logistics and supply chain sectors, as well as board roles with the CBH Group and Peel Ports UK. He was also former Chief Executive Officer and Director of Linfox Pty Ltd, and Managing Director, Chief Operations Officer and Director of Toll Holdings Ltd.

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“The appointments to ARTC and National Intermodal will provide the boards with important skills and ensure the long-term success of the organisations.

I would like to thank the outgoing Non-Executive Directors of both ARTC and National Intermodal for their service to the boards.”

Quotes attributable to Finance Minister Katy Gallagher:

“This is a crucial time for ARTC and National Intermodal, and having the right leadership teams in place will ensure their continued success long into the future.

I welcome these appointments and am confident they will be great assets to ARTC and National Intermodal in delivering on the Government’s objectives of transforming Australia’s future supply chains.”

Source: Ministers for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

Australian landholders will have more insight and ownership of the renewable energy potential of their land thanks to a project set to receive $500,000 in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The project, being delivered by RELA Australia Pty Ltd (RELA), will build on their existing product, creating an improved software tool that provides clear, independent information to assess the potential of wind and solar energy generation on regional land. With the inclusion of additional data points, such as the ability to include farm plans while using the tool, this will allow landholders to determine the potential income of renewable energy generation assets on their land and be better equipped to negotiate agreements with renewable developers.

ARENA Chief Operating Officer, Chris Faris, said that collaboration and partnership is key to realising Australia’s net zero goals, especially in rural and regional Australia.

“This software will empower Australian landholders to make informed decisions about participating in the clean energy transition. By understanding the renewable energy potential of their land, they will be better equipped to engage and negotiate with renewable energy developers to get a better deal and a fair share of the income benefits from the clean energy projects that are critical to Australia’s net zero future,” said Mr Faris.

“This project can help further assist landholders understand the potential for new income streams from their land, giving them a greater stake in the clean energy transition on their own terms.”

ARENA recognises that the clean energy transition relies on cooperation between industry, government and local communities. Projects such as RELA’s software ensure the transition is about more than just consultation; it’s about giving Australians real agency over their involvement in the transition. Through the upgrades to this tool, Australian farmers and landholders can take more control, ensuring renewable energy projects and developments occur in a way that benefits both communities and investors.

Chief Product Officer at RELA, Stuart Gourley said that RELA Assess gives landowners independent insights into the renewable energy potential of their land, helping them understand their options and empowering them to proceed with confidence.

“With support from ARENA, we are strengthening RELA Assess to provide additional data, automated assessments to more landowners and farm planning tools that support the coexistence of farming and renewable energy. These enhancements will be guided by a Stakeholder Reference Group established by the Project representing the various stakeholders, including agricultural peak bodies, government and First Nations organisations, and will help landowners gain clearer insights to more fully understand the potential and opportunity costs of a renewable energy project on their land. By improving transparency and decision-making, RELA Assess continues to support landowners in the clean energy transition”.

It is expected that the tool will be available later this year. For more information visit ARENA’s project page https://arena.gov.au/projects/ 

ARENA media contact:

media@arena.gov.au

Download this media release (PDF 151KB)

Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

Scientists on an Australian Antarctic Program voyage to the Denman Glacier region in East Antarctica are trialling new ways to understand biodiversity, without the need to disturb marine creatures.
On board Australia’s icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, Australian Antarctic Division geneticist Dr Leonie Suter is collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) from seawater samples during the Denman Marine Voyage, to build a picture of the biodiversity in the region.

eDNA is DNA shed by all organisms into the environment, allowing scientists to identify what organisms were in the water around the time a sample was taken.
“If we take a small seawater sample, we can filter that and then sequence the DNA to tell us what’s living there,” Dr Suter said.
“It’s a way to do a biodiversity survey from just a small water sample, without ever having seen any of the animals. We can infer what’s living there from the genetic traces that are left behind, and we can do that from surface water, but also throughout the water column all the way down to the seafloor.”
During the two-month voyage Dr Suter is collecting five-litre surface water samples, three times a day, through the ship’s seawater line. She is also collecting water samples from different depths using RSV Nuyina’s Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) instrument.
“The surface and CTD samples will give us a three dimensional picture of biodiversity,” Dr Suter said.
“And if we do this sampling repeatedly, as part of a long-term monitoring program, we can look at whether biodiversity is changing over time, and which ocean variables are influencing community compositions.”
Key to this long-term monitoring program could be some new technology Dr Suter is trialling during the voyage, in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) in California.
“We have two automated eDNA samplers that will plug in to the seawater line and automatically filter the water at pre-determined times throughout the voyage,” Dr Suter said.
“Later we’ll compare the results from the manual and automated systems to see if we can use the automated system on future voyages.”
Dr Jim Birch, Director of the SURF Center at MBARI, said the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) and the Filtering Instrument for DNA Observations (FIDO) could collect 60 and 144 water samples, respectively.
“Both instruments filter water and preserve whatever is on the filter in a way that allows the sample to sit unrefrigerated for two to four months,” Dr Birch said.
“You can schedule the instrument sampling times on a phone or computer and they’re very simple to operate.”
The ESP has been used on ships, “autonomous surface craft”, and elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. However, this is the first time FIDO has been deployed in the field, and the first time for both instruments in the southern hemisphere.
“This is an engineering test for us – will these devices work autonomously over 10 weeks with very little human interaction?” Dr Birch said.
“We’re really excited to see how they perform.”
Dr Suter said she is ready to “expect the unexpected”.
“There are a lot of unknowns on this voyage,” she said.
“But these tools will help us learn more about the baseline diversity and describe the environments that we’re encountering in the different regions of the Southern Ocean.”
Dr Suter is one of 60 scientists on board RSV Nuyina, spending two months using the ship’s marine science capabilities to investigate critical climate questions about the glacier’s accelerated melt rate, factors influencing it, and the regional and global impacts.
Learn more in our digital feature Nudging a sleeping giant.
The Denman Marine Voyage is a collaboration between the Australian Antarctic Division, the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS), the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP) and Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF).
This content was last updated 3 minutes ago on 27 March 2025.

Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

RORY MCCLAREN: We’ve also had another call. The Federal Minister, Catherine King, for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, has rung in. Good morning to you, Minister.

CATHERINE KING: Good morning. How are you?

RORY MCCLAREN: Going very well, Catherine King. We’ve been talking a lot about infrastructure across 891 this morning. We know that there is a lot of money that has already been allocated to South Australia in regards to infrastructure funding, particularly on things like the North-South Corridor, the Torrens to Darlington upgrade. How do you respond to criticism that of that $17 billion worth of money that was announced last night, only $125 million is going on one project in Adelaide’s north? 

CATHERINE KING: Well, someone seems to have missed in the Budget, we’ve actually put $690 million into South Australia, so I’m not sure how that occurred. Of course, one of those projects is $125 million to remove the Curtis Road level crossing, and that is a huge project for the North, a really important project. So I wouldn’t underestimate how significant that is.

But the other project, which is a really big project, is over $525 million has been committed to the High Productivity Vehicle Network. This is actually about getting upgrades between the South Eastern Freeway and the Sturt Highway, which include things like the duplication of the Swanport Bridge and Murray Bridge Township Bypass in Monarto. That is really important to enable trucks to actually not be in Adelaide, keeping trucks off Cross Road, which I understand the member for Boothby, Louise Miller-Frost, has been calling for [Indistinct]…

RORY MCCLAREN: [Interrupts] And Catherine King, of that money, how much of that money is new money? So we’re really clear. 

CATHERINE KING: $525 million is new money in the Budget for the High Productivity Vehicle Network. That is new money in the Budget decision that we’ve made. There’s also $40 million for Main South Road upgrades. That is, again, new money in the Budget. So over $600 million of new money in the Budget for South Australia last night. Again, as I said, Curtis Level Road Crossing removal is huge.

But really, this Heavy Vehicle Productivity Network, we’ve been talking about it for ages. It is really great news for the people of Adelaide’s southern suburbs. You can be rest assured that there won’t be additional trucks clogging Cross Road. This is an investment we’ve been working on closely with the South Australian Government. They submitted the business case to us back in October for this network to Infrastructure Australia, and this is now us stepping up now that we’ve properly done the work, properly understood what can be done, and work with the South Australian Government to deliver this project.

RORY MCCLAREN: Catherine King, thank you for your contribution. 

Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

EDDIE WILLIAMS: Well, tax cuts for all workers. Energy Bill Relief. But Budget deficits as far as the eye can see. They are some of the takeaways from the Federal Budget, with a closer look at what it might mean closer to home. Kristy McBain is the Member for Eden-Monaro and the Minister for Regional Development and Local Government. Good morning. 

KRISTY MCBAIN: Good morning, Eddie. 

WILLIAMS: What practical difference will this Budget make in the South East? 

MCBAIN: As you said, there are two new rounds of tax cuts. They’re modest tax cuts, but when they’re combined with the tax cuts that are already in the system, on average by 2026-27, Eden-Monaro taxpayers will be getting an average tax cut of $2,169. Modest changes for the next two years as those two rounds come in, but when we look at the cumulative total, that is good news for workers right across our communities. Obviously, the new round of Urgent Care Clinics, another 50 to the 87 that are already out there in our communities. One of those areas is going to be in the Bega Valley.

WILLIAMS: Whether it’s health or whether it’s housing, the challenges that regional and rural Australia face play out a bit differently to those in the city. The National Rural Health Alliance says there’s a lack of a targeted strategy to address those unique health challenges in rural communities. Is the Government taking any specific steps to address those specific issues in regional Australia? 

MCBAIN: We’ve obviously made an announcement about $8.5 billion to strengthen Medicare. There’s a huge amount of money in there, which is all about the health workforce. $662.6 million, which is about growing our health workforce. There’ll be hundreds more GP and rural generalist training places. There are 100 more Commonwealth supported university places for medical students from next year. There are hundreds of scholarships for nurses and midwives to continue to grow their skill set. There are more incentives for our doctors to work in regional and rural Australia, and that builds on our previous announcement to wipe HECS for doctors and nurse practitioners to work in rural and remote Australia. We know it’s really important to deal with the health workforce side of things. It’s not a quick fix to grow our doctor numbers and make sure that they’re trained up and ready to go in our regions, which is why we’re investing really heavily in it. It’s something that should have been happening for decades and unfortunately wasn’t. We’ve seen the freezing of Medicare rebates, which has significantly hampered GP numbers, but we are seeing more students go through and enter our GP training courses now than we have seen in a number of years. 

WILLIAMS: The Budget is forecast to remain in structural deficit for the next decade. Net debt is rising. Is the Government making any effort at all to pay down Australia’s debt? 

MCBAIN: We’ve made some significant inroads into that. We’ve reduced the overall national debt by over $170 billion. It will mean that as taxpayers, we’re paying $70 billion less in interest on that debt. Even in this Budget, there’s been $2 billion worth of savings found. Over the four budgets we’ve done there’s been $90 billion of savings made through cutting wastage and rorts, and making sure our departments are working efficiently and effectively. We’ve seen the fruits of that labour by making sure we’ve got Government departments working well. During Cyclone Alfred, where NEMA did such a fantastic job of coordinating response and recovery efforts. Where Services Australia were out on the ground making sure payments were rolled out to people directly impacted. The national emergency stockpile delivering out sandbags, pre-placing generators, and making sure we had a heavy lift helicopters pre-placed in Queensland and New South Wales. You can see the fruits of better, more effective coordination when it comes to those real time disasters. 

WILLIAMS: 7:15 on ABC South East. If you want to have your say on the Budget, you can call or text 0467 902 684. Joe raises the issue of Ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred, and she says she’s disappointed that the Budget doesn’t seem to have anything new on climate adaptation or emissions reduction. Is that an area where the Government’s dropped the ball? 

MCBAIN: We’ve been the only Government to really take forward climate action for decades. A legislated emissions reduction target. There’s been significant work on pre-preparing places by having the National Emergency Management Agency set up, which came into effect after we took Government. We’ve had the Disaster Ready fund, which is all about resilience and mitigation in our communities. Something that local governments and insurance companies were calling for to make sure our infrastructure was ready to go. We’ve seen that with the Watergums Bridge in Womboin, a significant investment by the three levels of government to ensure that a community doesn’t get cut off every time it rains and there is a flood. So there’s been some heavy work in that space and that will continue. 

WILLIAMS: Phil at Bombala asks why Australia can’t build manufacturing again to survive a changing world. The Government’s spoken a lot about its Future Made in Australia policies. How realistic is a manufacturing industry future in Australia? 

MCBAIN: We’ve said from day one that we need to invest heavily in a Future Made in Australia, and in our last Budget we committed $22 billion towards that very thing. We’ve seen with our National Reconstruction Fund, equity stakes taken in manufacturing mining equipment in Toowoomba, working with some of our defence primes to manufacture more things in this country. There is a significant commitment to making sure we manufacture more in Australia, including the stake that we’ve taken now in South Australian steel manufacturing. It is really important as a country that is a little bit further away from the rest of the world, that we do learn the lessons of COVID, that we are more self-sustainable, and we’re a Government that’s committed to that and putting money into it. 

WILLIAMS: Will you match the funding commitment that the coalition has made to help upgrade the bigger pool? 

MCBAIN: I’ll have more to say in the coming days and weeks on my election commitments for the Bega Valley and for Eden-Monaro as a whole, but I’m incredibly proud to have secured tens of millions of dollars in funding for local roads, for community infrastructure, and for other critical projects to date. The way I work is working with our local communities to make sure projects that are funded are key priorities. 

WILLIAMS: Kristy McBain, appreciate your time this morning. Thank you. 

MCBAIN: Good to be with you.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

We asked Canberrans on the WeAreCBR Instagram page to let us know where their favourite places to hang out with friends in the city centre. If you are on the lookout for the next best place to hang here are the best of the best!

You reel-y love movies

Whether you love a rom-com, fancy a thrilling drama, or want to have a good chuckle, there is a movie around for everyone! City favourites include:

Looking to have a yummy drink or two?

Summer time is the perfect time to catch-up with friends and try out new bars, and the CBD has no shortage of amazing places to head to! Local favourites include:

Coffee and friends make the perfect blend

Cafes, patisseries and restaurants are Canberra’s speciality, we have an abundance of different places to test out and try and offer a wide variety of selections, so why not head over to some fan favourites like:

Needing to have a shopping trip with your pals?

The Canberra Centre is home to a wide variety of shops that will cater to all! From everything from fashion, beauty, homewares, food and more! It’s the perfect place to head to too ensure everyone can have a look at their favourite things!

Check out some outdoor beauty too!

This city centre also has some beautiful artwork, sculptures and public art surrounding the town! From murals, to fountains, to wacky and quirky sculptures. Find the whole list here: https://www.arts.act.gov.au/public-art

Stay up to date with news and events in the ACT, sign up to our email newsletter: Subscribe to OurCBR

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services