Irymple Fire Brigade has eagerly accepted the keys to a new heavy tanker and celebrated the official opening of their new station today.
The keys were officially handed over today by the Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward, CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan and CFA Board Chair Jo Plummer.
The new station will allow Irymple’s dedicated volunteers to serve and protect the community well into the future.
Irymple Captain Andrew Millen said the new station and truck meant a lot to the brigade.
“The upgrades to our facilities and equipment have meant we have the necessary tools to continue keeping our community safe,” Andrew said.
“This has been a huge project and it is great to see the fruits of everyone’s labour come to fruition.
“We want to thank everyone who has been involved in this process, we really are so grateful.
“The brigade is very proud of its new station and truck and Irymple and surrounding communities will reap the benefits of this long into the future.”
The new station replaces the previous fire station on Koorlong Avenue in Irymple with a modern facility including four motor bays, a four-bay external shed, support areas, offices, and volunteer amenities.
The heavy tanker will also boost the brigade’s capability by providing 4,000 litres of water, an increase of 1,650 liters from the previous medium tanker.
The heavy tanker also has improved off-road performance, electronic monitors, electric rewind hose reels, and provides more safety and comfort features for volunteers.
Chief Fire Officer Jason Heffernan said it was great to see Irymple brigade receiving updated facilities and equipment.
“Irymple is a very remote brigade and they do an outstanding job of responding to their community as well as others around the area,” Jason said.
“The new station and truck will allow them to continue protecting lives and property for many years to come.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The body of a 57-year-old man has been recovered by the Search and Rescue Section today at Edith Falls.
The man had not been seen since entering a plunge pool at Edith Falls at around 3pm on Tuesday 8 July.
Police located and recovered the man’s body a short time ago near one of the waterfalls.
At this stage, police do not believe the death to be suspicious and was the result of a medical incident.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
The Northern Territory Police Force would like to pass on our condolences to the family and thank the members of the public, Parks and Wildlife, NT Life Saving, Department of Climate Change, Energy and the Environment and Water for their support.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
The upper and lower pools of Edith Falls and the walking track to the upper pool are expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.
The latest of the Albanese Labor Government’s new trade and investment missions took place in India this week building on the government’s commitment to create jobs and drive growth through stronger international partnerships.
This mission, one of five announced by the Prime Minister in April, will be attended by 30 delegates from across 22 innovative Australian companies, showcasing Australia’s cutting-edge clean energy solutions.
Led by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) in partnership with the New South Wales and Victorian Governments, and supported by Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, the mission will deepen our energy cooperation with one of our most important trade and investment partners.
Australia is a world leader in clean energy innovation, and businesses are well placed to partner with India as it transitions to a low-emissions future. India has set a commendable target to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, and Australian companies can play a key role in supporting that growth while opening up significant export opportunities.
Trade missions such as these are a critical part of the Government’s strategy to diversify and strengthen Australia’s trade and investment relationships. They showcase the best of Australian innovation to the world and deliver concrete commercial outcomes for our exporters.
The City of Greater Bendigo wants to hear from local community groups and organisations interested in holding a free or low-cost event or activity as part of this year’s Greater Bendigo Seniors Festival set to take place from October 5 to October 12, 2025.
This year’s festival will celebrate with the theme Connect Create Celebrate!
City of Greater Bendigo Acting Director Healthy Communities and Environments Andie West said the City is calling on local community groups and organisations to hold an event or activity during this year’s festival, to showcase their group, provide entertainment, activities and a chance for older adults to connect with others.
“We are looking for groups to hold activities and events that older people will enjoy such as, craft and gardening activities, tours, morning teas, entertainment, information sessions, learning opportunities, come and try days or exercise programs and events that promote positive ageing,” Ms West said.
“The annual Seniors Festival recognises and celebrates the valuable contribution of older adults to our community and encourages them to discover new activities and interests in our community.
“It’s a great way for groups and organisations to connect with older adults who make up a large part of our population.
“If you think your group or organisation can host a great event for older adults in the spirit of the festival then we want to hear from you.
“We have limited space in the printed program but would love to include as many events as possible that meet the broad needs of the community.
“Community events and activities registered by Wednesday August 6, 2025, where possible, will be listed and promoted in the printed and online festival program.
“Groups and organisations are also encouraged to promote events through their own networks and on the Connect Greater Bendigo events calendar.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Released 10/07/2025
The ACT Government is celebrating International Safewards Day by recognising the success of the ACT’s Towards a Safer Culture – Safewards program, making public hospitals safer for healthcare workers, patients, carers and families.
Safewards is an evidence-based model that helps staff and patients communicate more effectively to reduce conflict and instances of occupational violence.
It promotes collaboration between healthcare teams, consumers, carers and families to create safer, more supportive hospital environments.
The model includes 12 practical strategies staff can use to reduce the likelihood of conflict and support a positive environment. These include:
sharing more information between team members and patients to build stronger relationships and find common areas of interest
senior team members visiting each patient, enabling them to escalate any concerns and ensuring they feel seen and heard
staff and patients agreeing on mutual expectations of each other in the hospital environment.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the ACT Government was proud to support the continued rollout of Safewards across Canberra’s public hospitals.
“Safewards is transforming the way care is delivered in our hospitals. It’s about creating and supporting environments where patients feel heard, staff feel supported, and everyone feels safe,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“Today, on International Safewards Day, we celebrate the dedication of our nurses and healthcare workers who are championing this change. We are proud of our progress so far and grateful to our staff and consumers who are leading the way.”
An initial pilot of the Safewards Model carried out in the ACT in 2021 found:
more than half of Safewards nurses thought that the model of care had had an impact on conflict and containment in their workplace
two out of three Safewards nurses thought their colleagues viewed Safewards favourably
nearly half of all Safewards nurses had heard positive consumer/patient feedback.
Following the successful trial in four wards across Canberra Health Services, the ACT Government committed $4.67 million to expand the program under the Nurses and Midwives Towards a Safer Culture ‘The Next Steps’ Strategy aiming to implement Safewards in 12 wards by June 2026.
To date, Safewards has been introduced in 10 wards, with the Towards a Safer Culture team delivering more than 400 in-service education sessions and training over 450 Safewards Champions across Canberra Health Services.
Phase 4 of the rollout began on 30 June 2025 in Wards 7B and 7C of Building 5 at Canberra Hospital, which will complete the Government’s commitment once fully implemented.
“The ACT Government made a commitment to implement Safewards in 12 wards by the middle of next year and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Congratulations to the team for their excellent work implementing this important model of care in our hospitals,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
Quotes attributable to Judy Ryall, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Canberra Health Services:
“Safewards has empowered our nurses and midwives to build stronger and more respectful relationships with patients. It’s not just about reducing conflict; it’s about fostering trust and safety.
“Our nurses and midwives are at the heart of Safewards. Their commitment to compassionate and collaborative care is what makes this model so effective.
“We’re proud of the leadership they have shown in creating safer spaces for everyone.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Released 10/07/2025
The ACT Government has launched ‘Minds Together’, a free online program to support families, friends, and carers of those experiencing suicidal distress.
People in support roles often provide life-saving practical and emotional support, Minds Together provides additional support and tailored resources for those support people when a loved one is experiencing suicidal distress.
Minister for Mental Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the program benefits the person experiencing distress, while also reducing distress and enhancing coping mechanisms for the carers themselves.
“There are many complexities and challenges that friends, families and carers navigate when supporting those in suicidal distress, or after a suicide attempt,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“The Minds Together program provides free access to information, lived experience stories and targeted low-intensity modules to help support people when they are supporting someone who is experiencing suicidal distress or has attempted suicide. It also connects users with information about aftercare services available in the ACT.”
If you are supporting a loved one, friend, or are a carer of someone experiencing suicidal distress or who has attempted suicide, please visit Minds Together for more information at https://mindstogether.org.au/supporting-someone-in-the-act/
The Minds Together program is funded under the ACT and Commonwealth Government Bilateral National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
Quotes attributable to the Hon. Emma McBride, Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention:
“Support for carers and loved ones of those experiencing suicide distress is vital. With today’s launch of Minds Together, Canberrans will now have tailored support for those who need it most.
“Minds Together will deliver low intensity online support to loved ones and carers of those experiencing suicidality for free.
“The Albanese Labor Government is proud to support the ACT Government through the bilateral agreement to deliver quality care in the heart of communities.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Jaelea Skehan OAM, Director of Everymind:
“Everymind is pleased to be working with the ACT Government and local suicide prevention and carer services to ensure that free and accessible support is available to family, friends and carers across the ACT.
“Together, we’re making it easier for family, friends and carers to access support while also strengthening the broader aftercare and suicide prevention system in a way that’s sustainable, inclusive and responsive to community needs.
“Minds Together has been designed with people who have a lived experience of suicide and provides family, friends and carers with the information and confidence to support someone experiencing suicidal distress while also looking after their own wellbeing. Combining online learning and face-to-face supports, the program provides practical information and tools that people can immediately apply in their own lives.”
Project Acacia has today reached a significant milestone with a number of industry participants (see below) selected to explore how innovations in digital money and existing settlement infrastructure might support the development of Australian wholesale tokenised asset markets.
Project Acacia is a joint initiative between the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC). This work is also supported by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), and the Australian Treasury. This project is one of the initiatives highlighted in the Government’s March 2025 Statement on Developing an Innovative Australian Digital Asset Industry.
24 innovative use cases from a diverse range of organisations, ranging from local fintechs to major banks, have been conditionally selected for this next stage of the project. There will be:
19 pilot use cases, which will involve real money and real asset transactions, and
5 proof-of-concept use cases involving simulated transactions.
The use cases involve a range of asset classes, including fixed income, private markets, trade receivables and carbon credits.
Proposed settlement assets for the use cases include stablecoins, bank deposit tokens, and pilot wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC), as well as new ways of using banks’ existing exchange settlement accounts at the RBA.
Issuance of pilot wholesale CBDC for testing use cases will occur on a range of private and public-permissioned DLT platforms, including Hedera, Redbelly Network, R3 Corda, Canvas Connect and other EVM-compatible networks.
ASIC clears way for industry participation
Supporting Project Acacia, ASIC is providing regulatory relief to participants to support and streamline the pilot.
ASIC’s relief will support the responsible testing of tokenised asset transactions, in some cases using CBDCs, between participants and a limited number of financial institutions in the coming months.
ASIC has previously provided individual relief of a similar nature to participants in earlier digital money projects led by the RBA.
Testing of use cases will occur over the next six months, with a report on the findings from the project expected to be published in the first quarter of 2026. The findings of this next stage of the project will support the RBA’s ongoing research into how innovation in the financial system can best support the Australian economy in the digital age.
Lead use case participants
Australian Bond Exchange
Australia and New Zealand Banking Corporation
Australian Payments Plus
Canvas
Catena Digital
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Fireblocks
Forte Tech Solutions
Imperium Markets
Northern Trust
NotCentralised
ProspEx Group
Westpac Banking Corporation
Zerocap
Brad Jones, Assistant Governor (Financial System) at the RBA said: “Ensuring that Australia’s payments and monetary arrangements are fit-for-purpose in the digital age is a strategic priority for the RBA and the Payments System Board. Project Acacia represents an opportunity for further collaborative exploration on tokenised asset markets and the future of money by the public and private sectors in Australia.
“The use cases selected in this project will help us to better understand how innovations in central bank and private digital money, alongside payments infrastructure, might help to uplift the functioning of wholesale financial markets in Australia.
“We thank all interested parties for their efforts in Project Acacia to date and look forward to reporting back on the findings that will emerge over the reminder of the project.”
ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke said: “Innovation is a sign of a vibrant economy and society. ASIC supports the responsible development of new technologies, including tokenisation and distributed ledgers.
“ASIC sees useful applications for the technologies underlying digital assets in wholesale markets. The relief from regulatory requirements that we have announced today will allow these technologies to be sensibly tested—to explore opportunities and identify and tackle risks.
“Importantly, Project Acacia will allow industry and regulators to work together to learn more about how these use cases may reshape the financial services industry, potentially boosting efficiency and foster economic growth.”
Professor Talis Putnins, Chief Scientist at DFCRC said: “It is great to have collaboration from so many parts of the industry, from small fintechs to large banks, alongside the key financial regulators in this forward-looking, innovative project. The real money settlement models being tested, including issuing pilot wholesale CBDC on third party platforms, reflects another world-first for Australia in this rapidly evolving field.
“The project is of strategic importance to the DFCRC because, as a co-operative research centre, our focus is on bringing together key groups to unlock the large economic potential of digital finance innovation in Australia. Recent research suggests potential economic gains in markets and cross border payments could be in the order of AU $19 billion per year. Project Acacia is a significant step towards realising these gains, by providing evidence on the forms of money and settlement models that best enable tokenised real-world asset markets.”
About Project Acacia
Project Acacia is exploring how different forms of digital money and associated infrastructure could support the development of wholesale tokenised asset markets in Australia. The consultation paper initiating Project Acacia was released in November 2024 and called for industry feedback and expressions of interest in participating.
Project Acacia is a joint research project between Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC). The project is supported by key stakeholders including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Treasury, which are all represented on the project Steering Committee, along with representatives from the RBA and DFCRC.
Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
The ACCC will not oppose Lactalis BSA S.A.S. (Lactalis)’s proposed acquisition of Fonterra Co-Operative Group (Fonterra)’s consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses.
Lactalis and Fonterra both currently acquire raw milk from dairy farmers in Victoria and Tasmania, as well as processing and supplying a range of dairy products across Australia.
“We looked very closely at the transaction as it will combine two of the largest buyers of raw milk in Victoria and lead to some further consolidation in Tasmania,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.
“While we acknowledge the concerns raised by some representative bodies, after careful consideration we have determined that the acquisition is unlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition.”
The ACCC found that across Gippsland, the Murray and Western Victoria, alternative buyers of raw milk would continue to constrain Lactalis if the acquisition proceeded.
“We found that while the industry in Tasmania is already concentrated, Lactalis has a limited presence and the acquisition would not substantially alter the market dynamics. If the acquisition proceeded, Lactalis would continue to be constrained by Saputo and, to a lesser extent, Mondelez,” Mr Keogh said.
“Because Fonterra and Lactalis have differing end product mixes, they often seek to acquire milk from farmers with different production profiles. Accordingly, we found that they are not likely to be each other’s closest competitors. This was reflected by analysis which showed very few farmers switched between the two processors.”
The ACCC also concluded that the transaction was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the wholesale supply of dairy products such as drinking milk, cream, cheese, chilled yellow spreads and dairy ingredients like milk powder.
The differing production focus of Fonterra and Lactalis meant that there was limited overlap between the two in the supply of these products.
For longer-life, readily transportable products such as cheese, dairy ingredients and chilled yellow spreads, the ACCC found that retailers and wholesalers would also continue to benefit from import competition.
“Supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths are also major customers in this market, with significant levels of bargaining power,” Mr Keogh said.
“They also have the ability to sponsor new entry or even enter directly, as Coles has demonstrated through its acquisition of Saputo’s milk processing assets.”
The term “chilled yellow spreads” refers to butter and other products with a similar texture and fat content, such as margarine.
The term “raw milk” refers to unpasteurised cow’s milk, whereas “drinking milk” refers to milk that has been pasteurised to make it safe for human consumption.
Background
The ACCC commenced a review of the proposed acquisition on 2 May 2025. As part of the review, the ACCC consulted industry stakeholders including farmers, dairy groups, retailers and foodservice businesses.
Lactalis BSA S.A.S. is a French multinational dairy group based in Laval, France. Lactalis business activities include acquiring raw milk from farmers and processing it into dairy products and ingredients for domestic consumption and export. In Australia, it owns a range of brands such as Pauls, Vaalia, Oak, Président and Lactalis Foodservice.
Fonterra is a New Zealand-based dairy co-operative which is owned by around 8,000 New Zealand farmers. In Australia, Fonterra processes raw milk acquired from its farmers into various dairy products as part of its ingredients and consumer and food service businesses.
It owns consumer brands such as Western Star, Mainland, and Perfect Italiano, and produces certain Bega Cheese products under licence. It supplies foodservice products via the Anchor Food Professionals brand.
While the ACCC has reviewed the proposed acquisition of Fonterra’s consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses by Lactalis, this is not an indication that Lactalis’ bid will ultimately be accepted by the target business.
Whether Fonterra will ultimately accept Lactalis’ bid is a matter for Fonterra.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Wadeye Police have seized a significant quantity of alcohol and several weapons during a search operation in Wadeye on Tuesday morning.
Around 11:50am, police conducted a lawful search of a residence in Wadeye following intelligence that liquor was allegedly being sold from the location. During the search, officers located and seized 51 bottles of liquor with an estimated value of $25,500.
Two crossbows, a compound bow, and a quantity of arrows were surrendered from a nearby residence during the search operation.
Investigations remain ongoing.
Acting Senior Sergeant Ian Young said “The illegal sale of alcohol in restricted communities continues to have far-reaching and harmful impacts.
“This seizure is a direct result of community cooperation and highlights the importance of working together to reduce alcohol related harm.
“Police remain committed to disrupting the supply of alcohol and other controlled substances in restricted communities.
“We continue to urge anyone with information on the supply of alcohol or drugs to our communities to make contact on 131 444 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
The City of Greater Bendigo has partnered with Peter Krenz Centre to deliver a series of low-cost outdoor fitness sessions for people of all fitness levels to shake off the chill and fire up their fitness under lights!
The Lights On sessions offer community members four exciting six-week programs which will take place at both Ewing Park and Lake Neangar on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between July 21 and August 31.
The programs aim to give residents, in particular women and gender diverse community members, more opportunities to be physically active in the evening through the darkest part of the year.
The sessions will be guided by qualified fitness instructors and the program options include:
Outdoor Equipment Circuit (cardio focus) – 5.30pm Tuesdays, Ewing Park
Beginners Running Program – 6.30pm Tuesdays, Ewing Park
Outdoor Equipment Circuit – 5.30pm Thursdays, Lake Neangar
Outdoor Equipment Circuit – 6.30pm Thursdays, Lake Neangar
Each six-week program costs $30 (or $5 per session) and includes six 45-minute sessions of either an outdoor equipment circuit, combining outdoor fitness equipment and bodyweight exercises, or a beginner’s running program.
Community members can choose one program and enjoy 6 weeks of community, health, and fun! 16 – 17-year-olds are welcome to register and participate, provided they have parental permission.
To sign up to the program or for more information, visit: