Month: April 2026

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

The City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to support two events designed to help local businesses, including a free in-person marketing session to boost customer engagement.

Maximising Your Marketing is a free event being held on Thursday April 30 at Galkangu Bendigo GovHub from 4pm to 6pm and is being delivered by Business Victoria.

Economy & Experience Manager James Myatt said businesses would find the in-person session invaluable.

“The City’s latest business survey results revealed that more businesses were seeking to further strengthen their marketing capabilities,” Mr Myatt said.

“The two-hour free session is designed to help business owners and managers build the essentials for an effective marketing plan.

“Participants will discover how to improve their marketing, boost customer engagement and reach their business goals.”

During the session, participants will learn to:

• Understand the role of marketing in business success
• Conduct market research to gain target audience insights
• Identify opportunities to attract and engage ideal customers
• Maximise customer satisfaction, loyalty, and advocacy
• Use social media to extend marketing reach

To register your spot, visit Business Victoria: Maximising Your Marketing.

From 10am to 4pm on Wednesday April 29, the Victorian Government’s Small Business Bus will be in Hargreaves Mall, offering free advice and support for local small businesses in Greater Bendigo.

Expert business advisers from Monarch Institute are offering free 45-minute one-to-one sessions to help people start, build, or transform their small business*.

“The business adviser can help you to identify a clear direction for your business, discuss key issues and priorities, and develop a business action plan to achieve your goals. Bookings are essential,” Mr Myatt said.

Walk-ins are also welcome for the Bus Concierge service which provides general information about support available from Business Victoria including online webinars, grants, and programs.

For more information and to book, please visit Business Victoria: Workshops and Small Business Bus.

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

COULTA

Issued on
21 Apr 2026 13:43

Coulta Fire

The CFS is responding to scrub fire near Coulta burning towards Marble Range, 60km North West of Port Lincoln, South Australia.

CFS volunteers on 6 trucks, supported by Farm Fire Units and aircraft, including firebombers and observational aircraft, are on scene working to extinguish the fire which is currently burning in scrub.

Additional support is heading to the fire, anyone in the area is encouraged to stay alert.

Smoke can be seen from surrounding areas and will be visible from the highway. Roads are currently open around this incident however this may change at short notice. Continue to monitor road closures at: traffic.sa.gov.au.

Message ID 0009387

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to two aggravated burglaries in Lajamanu overnight.

Around 9:30pm last night, police received a report that a masked youth entered a residence and stole a set of keys and a phone.

Three youths allegedly fled the scene on foot.

A short time later at 12:40am, police received a report that up to six offenders were attempting to enter another residence.

The offenders were allegedly kicking the doors and were armed with blunt objects. The offenders demanded the vehicle keys and stole the vehicle after the keys were handed over by the victim, who feared for their safety.

The vehicle was later recovered and a 14-year-old male has been taken into custody.

Investigations remain ongoing to identify further offenders.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 and quote reference number P26115546. You can also report anonymously via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

Destination Greater Bendigo Loddon is pleased to announce the region’s new dedicated tourism industry conference, bringing tourism operators, businesses, and destination thinkers together for a full day of practical learning and industry insight.

Destination Greater Bendigo Loddon (DGBL), the region’s newly established Visitor Economy Partnership (VEP), will host the inaugural Greater Together Tourism Conference, to be held on Tuesday 26 May 2026 at Larnangurrak, Dja Dja Wurrung’s Corporate and Community Centre in Bendigo. 

Greater Together creates a dedicated space for anyone invested in the future growth and success of tourism across the region to come together, chart a way forward, and access practical tools, fresh ideas, and meaningful collaboration when it matters most. 

“This conference is a fantastic opportunity for the tourism industry to come together,” Tom Smith, Chair of Destination Greater Bendigo Loddon said. 

“As a new VEP, supporting our operators and businesses is at the heart of what we do. Greater Together brings key tourism leaders to our region, and the calibre of these speakers, the conversations that will happen in that room, and the connections operators will walk away with make this event a ‘must attend’ for our regional industry.”

Keynote Speaker and Business Futurist Morris Misel will unpack the complexities of what lies ahead, exploring the current challenges facing the industry while offering clear, practical insight into navigating what’s next. Building on this, the program features interactive sessions on small business strategy and packaging that actively engage participants and share tools they can apply immediately, alongside a session examining how businesses can adapt to an increasingly AI driven visitor search environment, and much more.

Early bird tickets are available until 22 April for $55, with DGBL Members entitled to discounted and complimentary tickets depending on membership level. Tickets are available via Humanitix at Greater Together Tourism Conference.

Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced the first two projects under its Battery Breakthrough Initiative with over $4 million in funding to support innovative Australian projects aiming to deliver next generation battery technologies, spanning pack assembly and advanced battery materials.

By backing innovative battery technologies, these projects will help build a competitive, resilient and sustainable battery manufacturing industry in Australia.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the projects demonstrate how Australian innovation can strengthen the nation’s battery supply chain.

“These projects support Australian companies to progress next-generation battery materials production and advanced manufacturing of battery packs.

“By supporting innovative battery technologies, ARENA is helping reduce costs, cut emissions and build sovereign capability to support Australia’s clean energy transition.”

Supported projects

PowerPlus Energy

$2.23 million to PowerPlus Energy to help expand and automate parts of its battery pack assembly line at its facility in Victoria. The funding will allow PowerPlus Energy to increase annual production from 50 MWh to 150 MWh and expand into new market opportunities.

Firebird Metals

$2 million to support Firebird Metals in developing Australia’s first demonstration-scale facility in Perth that processes manganese concentrate into cathode materials for batteries. The funding will allow Firebird to leverage Australia’s manganese resources to supply growing global demand for manganese-rich batteries, whilst enhancing domestic processing capacity and supply chain resilience.

About the Battery Breakthrough Initiative

The Battery Breakthrough Initiative (BBI) is a $500 million funding program delivered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). The Program is a key part of the National Battery Strategy and its design has been settled in consultation with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR).

The Battery Breakthrough Initiative aims to support and grow battery manufacturing in Australia, provide clean energy opportunities for Australia’s workforce and allow Australia to leverage its expertise in energy storage.

BBI is an open, merit-based program which will remain open until funds are exhausted or otherwise terminated or extended by ARENA.

ARENA Media

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an indecent assault in Katherine East on Sunday afternoon.

Around 5:20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report a man had indecently assaulted a 10-year-old female near Frangipanni Court.

The victim managed to get away and ran to a family member’s residence for safety.

Several other children and witnesses were in the area at the time of the assault.

Detectives from the Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch are investigating and a person of interest has been identified.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 and quote reference number P26114317. You can also report anonymously via crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Electronic recordings including CCTV and dash cam footage, can be uploaded here: https://ntpol.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/ntp2600037600

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Strike Force Trident has arrested three youths in relation to stolen motor vehicles near Darwin overnight.

Around 1:40am on Monday, an off-duty member received information that two Nissan Navaras and a Toyota Hilux were performing burnouts near a hostel on Batten Road, Marrara. The vehicles were allegedly stolen. 

Trident units and General Duties were deployed and located the Toyota Hilux abandoned on Amy Johnson Avenue nearby burnout marks on the roadway, and the Nissan Navara was also located bogged in a drain on Batten Road.

The remaining Navara was followed by members to Rapid Creek, where it entered the Jingili Water Gardens and allegedly damaged property.

The vehicle was located again in Moil and offenders abandoned the vehicle before police initiated any pursuit.

Two 17-year-old boys and a 13-year-old boy were arrested near a school in Moil.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number P26114660. Anonymous reports can also made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A woman in her 50s has been arrested following a domestic violence incident in Karama on Saturday.

Around 2:50pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a woman in her 30s had been assaulted with a glass bottle by a woman known to her at a bus stop on Kalymnos Drive, Karama.

Casuarina General Duties attended the scene to find the victim had suffered a serious injury to her lower left leg. They performed first aid before she was conveyed by St John Ambulance to Royal Darwin Hospital.

The 54-year-old offender was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number P26113311. Anonymous reports can also made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

Source: Tasmania Police

Assaults in Hobart CBD under investigation

Monday, 20 April 2026 – 12:36 pm.

Police investigating multiple reports of assault in the Hobart CBD on Saturday night and early Sunday are asking any victims to come forward, and calling for witnesses to provide information.
The incidents occurred in the Hobart CBD throughout the evening of Saturday, 18 April and the early hours of Sunday, 19 April, around the Elizabeth Street bus mall, Davey Street, Despard Street and Argyle Street areas.
A 14-year-old boy from Collinsvale was arrested on Sunday and has been charged with Criminal Code assault, common assault, unlawfully possess a dangerous article in a public place and public order offences. He has been detained for court.
Police allege over the course of about three hours, several people not known to the alleged offender were assaulted in the CBD and received non-life-threatening injuries.
Police are aware there may be several victims yet to be identified and encourage any victims and/or witnesses to these alleged assault matters to come forward.
Anyone who may have information to assist in the investigation is urged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.
Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au