Month: April 2026

Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing up to $38.1 million to PLS Group Limited (PLS) to support an innovative, lower–emission lithium processing demonstration plant in Western Australia. 

The project will trial Calix Limited’s innovative, electric‑kiln technology, which has the potential to cut emissions from calcination, one of the most energy intensive steps in lithium processing, by more than 80% when powered by renewable energy. The demonstration plant is 100% owned and operated by PLS and will be located at its Pilgangoora Operation in the Pilbara. 

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the project supports ARENA’s priority to accelerate low emissions processing technologies in the critical energy minerals sector. 

“Australia supplies more than half of the world’s spodumene but refines only a small portion at home. This project is an important step in building Australia’s capability to produce low emissions battery materials onshore and to capture more value from the global transition to clean energy.” 

Once fully operational, the plant is designed to produce approximately 3,000 tonnes of lithium phosphate per year, a key material used in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, particularly for electric vehicles and energy storage applications. 

Australia is the world’s largest producer of spodumene, a mineral used to make lithium chemicals such as lithium phosphate. However, most spodumene is currently processed overseas. By demonstrating a cleaner, more efficient refining process here in Australia, the project aims to build local capability and create new economic opportunities. 

PLS Managing Director and CEO Dale Henderson said Australia had a major opportunity to build greater value through local processing. 

“The Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant is an important step toward capturing more processing value onshore while demonstrating lower-carbon methods for producing the lithium battery materials the world needs.” 

“This funding highlights the Australian Government’s commitment to backing local innovation with the potential to significantly reduce emissions across the global lithium supply chain.” 

“We’re proud to be progressing this technology at Pilgangoora with support from the Australian Government, demonstrating how Australia can play a leading role in the sustainable processing of critical energy minerals.”  

As a key driver of early-stage capability building in the critical energy minerals sector, ARENA is supporting Australian companies to develop local expertise, build low emissions processing capacity, and lay the foundations for a more resilient and competitive industry.  

The Advancing Renewables Program (ARP) is ARENA’s flagship, always-open funding initiative supporting a broad spectrum of renewable energy projects—from early-stage research and development through to demonstration and pre-commercial deployment. This program is continuously open for applications that align with ARENA’s strategic priorities as set out in the Investment Plan.  

This project is ARENA’s second investment in critical energy minerals, which was added to the Investment Plan in 2025 as a focus area within the low emissions metals strategic priority. 

For more information about the Advancing Renewables Program visit the ARENA funding page.  

ARENA Media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Major Crash Investigation Unit has arrested a man in relation to a fatal crash that occurred on the Arnhem Highway on 27 October 2025.

Around 8:20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that two motorcycles had collided with a feral pig approximately 19km east of the Stuart Highway intersection and 1km east of the Arnhem Hwy and Lambells Lagoon Road intersection.

Police and St John Ambulance attended and located a 18-year-old female pillion passenger who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Two male riders, aged 24 and 26, were conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital via Careflight with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigations conducted with crash analysis determined the then 24-year-old’s motorcycle was allegedly travelling at dangerously high speeds throughout its journey, with speeds well over 200km/h recorded.

On 22 April 2026, the now 25-year-old male was arrested and conveyed to the Palmerston Watch House where he was charged with:

• Recklessly Endanger Life
• Drive Motor Vehicle Cause Death
• Careless Drive Cause Death
• Driving at a dangerous Speed

He was bailed to face Darwin Local Court on 6 May 2026.

Police have issued a summons for the 26-year-old male to appear at the Darwin Local Court on 4 June 2026 for the offence of Careless Drive Cause Death.

Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference NTP2600038869.

Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Tasmania Police

High range drink driver charged

Thursday, 23 April 2026 – 3:11 pm.

A 64-year-old Prospect woman was charged with drink driving after a vehicle was reported driving erratically in Prospect Vale this morning.Following information from members of the public, the woman was located at her home address and subjected to a breath test which returned a positive result.The woman was transported to the Launceston Police Station where she returned a reading of 0.276.She has been disqualified from driving for 24 months and will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on 13 May 2026.Anyone who observed the driving behaviour of a red Mitsubishi Outlander in the Prospect area this morning is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Local bushfire preparedness and community resilience have received a significant boost with the delivery of new specialist firefighting equipment, funded through the Alcoa Bushfire Ready Fund.

The project, led by Portland Fire Brigade Captain Ian Hamley, has equipped local volunteer brigades with specialist resources designed to improve bushfire and non structure fire response in areas where conventional firefighting methods are not possible.

The new capability supports safer, more effective operations in remote, steep, environmentally sensitive and culturally significant locations.

The equipment purchased through the project includes 20 lengths of percolating bushfire hose, 10 impact sprinklers, a 7,500-litre collar tank, and an inline booster pump. Together, this equipment allows extended hose lays well beyond vehicle access, while also supporting sprinkler based asset protection in situations where direct firefighting access is limited.

Ian Hamley said the funding had delivered a meaningful and practical improvement to local firefighting capability.

“This project was about addressing real operational gaps we face during bushfire response,” Ian said.

“The new equipment allows our volunteers to safely get water where it’s needed most — into inaccessible terrain and sensitive areas — while also providing improved options for asset protection using impact sprinklers.

”Volunteer training formed a key part of the project, with members of local brigades undertaking hands on instruction in the safe and effective deployment of the new equipment, including hose lay construction, water supply management, and sprinkler system setup.”

Ian said ongoing training would remain a focus to ensure the equipment continues to deliver long-term benefits.

“Investing in equipment is only part of the solution,” he said. “Ensuring volunteers are trained, confident and ready to deploy it safely means this capability will keep delivering value well into the future.”

The project aligns strongly with the Alcoa Bushfire Ready Fund’s focus on improving bushfire preparedness, strengthening community resilience, and supporting sustainable, community led initiatives.

The addition of extended hose lays, portable water supply and impact sprinkler capability allows fires to be managed effectively while minimising environmental disturbance and protecting culturally and environmentally sensitive areas.

Importantly, it also improves volunteer safety by reducing reliance on vehicle access and heavy machinery in hazardous conditions.

This investment ensures the community is better prepared for future bushfire seasons and highlights the value of partnerships between industry, volunteers and emergency services.

Submitted by	Ian Hamley

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

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Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is supporting two First Nations‑led microgrid projects in the Northern Territory with $11 million in funding, helping remote communities design, develop and lead their own local energy solutions to improve power reliability, affordability and energy security.

The projects, located in Borroloola and Ltyentye Apurte, will demonstrate how distributed energy resources such as solar and batteries can deliver cleaner, more reliable electricity in parts of regional and remote Australia where the main grid does not reach or is currently unreliable.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the projects reflect ARENA’s commitment to supporting First Nations participation and leadership in Australia’s clean energy transition.

“These projects show the opportunities for First Nations-led design and co-development of local energy solutions, improving reliability, lowering costs and reducing reliance on diesel,” Mr Miller said.

“Just as importantly, they help de-risk future community microgrid projects by generating practical learnings that other communities can draw on as they plan their own energy solutions.”

The first project ARENA is supporting is the Ngardara Project in Borroloola in the NT Gulf region, co-led by Original Power and the Ngardara Cooperative, a First Nations community owned and led cooperative that represents the community interest in the project. The project aims to be Australia’s first utility scale solar microgrid led by a First Nations cooperative and involves the design and development of a solar and battery microgrid to significantly reduce diesel consumption, improve reliability and lower energy costs.

Clean Energy Projects Co-Director at Original Power Madison Sturgess said “The Ngardara Community Microgrid Project directly challenges legacy energy systems to innovate and evolve to the emerging reality that First Nations communities are seeking to drive renewable energy solutions that can overcome long-term challenges to energy access and affordability.

“Despite underdeveloped regulatory frameworks and traditionally monopolistic energy arrangements, the Ngardara Project has driven the Northern Territory energy sector to engage and co-deliver a viable and replicable pathway for genuine ownership, decision making and benefit for diesel-reliant, vulnerable remote communities and their energy future.”

In the second project, ARENA is supporting the design and development of a proposed First Nations-led microgrid in Ltyentye Apurte, near Alice Springs in the NT, being developed with Atyenhenge-Atherre Aboriginal Corporation (AAAC). If constructed, the project has the potential to improve reliability, supply renewable energy for the equivalent of around half of the community’s electricity demand and create economic opportunity for the community.

Chief Executive Officer of Atyenhenge Atherre Aboriginal Corporation Ellie Kamara said “The Ltyentye Apurte community prides itself on meeting the challenges of the community, on being innovative, and doing everything possible to improve the lives of the people in the community.

“One such challenge is electricity reliability; in the past few years blackouts have occurred for significant lengths of time, and there is no alternative if power is down in the community. In the extreme hot or cold our old people suffer from either no heat or air-con, and the store cannot open – impacting food security for the community. The microgrid aims to alleviate this challenge enabling a constant source of electricity in the event of a blackout.

“Selling the energy back into the grid seeks to enable a contribution to the electricity for each household, and create the opportunity for someone from the community to upskill and help support the maintenance of the microgrid and other infrastructure around the community. This may appear small to an outsider, but every contribution towards a household, and each person employed in the community contributes to the overall economy and wellbeing of the community.”

Both projects are subject to a number of conditions before they can progress to construction. If successful, they have the potential to provide a blueprint for scalable, community-led microgrid models in other remote communities.

About the Regional Microgrid Program

ARENA’s Regional Microgrid Program was established in response to changes to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which introduced new standards for the delivery of essential services.

The Program includes $125 million in funding to develop and deploy microgrid projects in regional and remote communities, with $75 million specifically allocated to support microgrid projects in First Nations communities.

The Program is now closed to new applications. For more information, please visit the ARENA funding page.

About ARENA’s commitment to First Nations Inclusion

ARENA is embedding First Nations inclusion across its operations and funding programs. In 2024, eight First Nations people were appointed as assessors and advisors to the ARENA Advisory Panel, bringing lived experience and cultural knowledge into project evaluation. ARENA has also expanded merit criteria in key funding programs to better reflect First Nations engagement, inclusion and benefit-sharing.

In its 2025 Statement of Intent, the ARENA Board affirmed the importance of empowering First Nations peoples to benefit from the energy transition through self-determined initiatives, guided by best-practice engagement principles. These principles are at the core of the Regional Microgrid Program.

ARENA’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was published in September 2025, a formal commitment to reconciliation and to enabling First Nations communities to thrive through the energy transition.

ARENA Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Dartmoor Fire Brigade will soon have a new place to call home, with construction on their brand-new fire station underway.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating an armed persons incident that occurred in Alice Springs yesterday evening.

Around 9:45pm, police received a report that a group of youths had followed a 37-year-old male to his residence on Nelson Terrace in Araluen, produced weapons, including an edged one, and demanded he hand over valuables.

A second adult male inside the residence confronted the group and they fled the scene on foot. No injuries were reported to police.

Police received subsequent reports from nearby locations of a group of youths, some allegedly armed, attempting to gain entry into properties. No unlawful entries or injuries were reported to police.

Police responded and proactive patrols were conducted in the area, however the group remains outstanding.

Strike Force Viper has carriage of the investigation and anyone with information, dash cam, or CCTV footage is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference NTP2600038869.

Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

Please be aware that our Payment Portal, Online Customer Requests and Building Application lodgment portal will be unavailable between:

Starts: 6:00pm on Thursday April 23, 2026

Ends: 11:00pm on Thursday April 23, 2026

For any payments please refer to your invoice or statement for other payment options during this period.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating an aggravated burglary that occurred at a hotel in the Barkly early this morning.

Around 5:05am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that an adult female had unlawfully entered the bar area of the business.

It is alleged staff had apprehended the offender when a group outside approached the building and began damaging windows and doors. The female offender exited the building and the group allegedly continued to cause damage before leaving the scene in a white sedan.

One of the staff members, an adult male, suffered minor injuries but did not require medical treatment.

No property was reported stolen.

Police members from Ali Curung and Tennant Creek attended the scene and investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone with information, dash cam, or CCTV footage is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P26117633. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.