As restrictions lift, CFA is urging residents to remain fire-aware, as dry Autumnal conditions combined with strong winds can still lead to fast-moving grassfires.
CFA District 17 Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Chris Eagle said while conditions remain dry, a drop in both day and night temperatures have contributed to fire restrictions easing.
“Although we have had little to no rain, we have seen much of the crop and grass start to deteriorate or be eaten by livestock, which has resulted in reduced fuel loads,” Chris said.
“Many of our farmers have conducted successful stubble burning and I commend them for their effective management throughout this process and adherence to permit conditions.”
Despite the change, residents are advised to remain cautious if burning off around their homes.
“With autumn settling in, we will now see a number of landowners conduct private burn-offs to clean up their properties, however it is important they do so responsibly,” Chris said.
“We’ve still got dry fuels in some areas, so any burning off activity should have someone in attendance at all times, with enough water and resources to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively.”
To prevent unnecessary emergency callouts, landowners must register their burn-offs. It is also essential to take precautions and ensure conditions are safe before proceeding.
Burn-offs can be registered online at Fire Permits Victoria www.firepermits.vic.gov.au. If smoke or fire is reported, it will be cross-checked with the register to avoid an emergency response.
Where possible, landowners should also notify neighbours and those nearby who may be sensitive to smoke.
Residents travelling to other parts of Victoria are reminded to remain vigilant, as fire danger periods in other regions may still be active.
Strengthening safeguards and streamlining approvals for sacred sites in the NT4 min read
Protection of sacred Indigenous sites is a cornerstone of preserving Australia’s First Nations heritage. The Northern TerritoryAboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (the Act) requires project proponents operating in the Northern Territory (NT) to obtain approval to operate in the vicinity of sacred sites and comply with any conditions imposed to ensure their activities do not harm such sites.
The NT Government has proposed amendments to the Act. The Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (the Bill) aims to improve the regulatory framework by tightening timeframes and reducing red tape, while also enhancing protections for sacred sites. The NT Legislative Scrutiny Committee is considering the Bill and will provide its report to Parliament by 7 May 2025.
In this Insight, we outline the key changes proposed by the Bill and consider how they may impact stakeholders navigating the approval process.
The current framework
The Act provides the framework for the registration and protection of sacred sites in the NT. Under the legislation, the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (the Authority) is empowered to issue Authority Certificates (Certificates) to people who want to enter, use, or carry out works on sacred sites.1
After receiving an application, the Authority can request a conference with custodians to discuss the application and potential conditions of the Certificate.2 A Certificate will be issued where the Authority is satisfied that the work or use of the land could proceed without substantive risk of damage to a sacred site on the land.3
The Certificate will set out the relevant conditions the Authority considers accords with the custodian’s wishes or any agreement in place between the custodians and the applicant.4 The Act also establishes criminal offences for damaging sacred sites.5
What is changing and why?
The Bill proposes several key amendments aimed at improving efficiency while maintaining robust protections for sacred sites. Key changes include provisions for transferring Certificates to new parties in continuing projects and introducing enforceable undertakings for minor contraventions.
We consider these changes in detail below.
Transferring Authority Certificates
Currently, the Act does not allow for the transfer of a Certificate. Certificates are specific to the original applicant and identified works. For example, if a development is sold, the new developer must apply for a new certificate, even if the works remain unchanged, requiring repeated approvals and negotiations with custodians.
The Bill establishes a mechanism allowing for transferring a Certificate when prior consultations were conducted, and a Certificate was previously issued.6 Now, a person may apply for a transfer of a Certificate, subject to the land areas and usage conditions remaining the same.
This change aims to improve efficiency by eliminating repetitive applications within long-term projects involving multiple parties over time.
Recorded parties
The Bill also establishes a mechanism for a holder of a Certificate to apply to have additional individuals or groups added as ‘recorded parties’. Subject to the area, use of the land and the conditions of the existing Certificate remaining unchanged, the Authority must issue a new Certificate to the applicant holder, which includes the added recorded parties. This will have practical benefits for proponents, who wish to ensure that contractors or joint venture partners will also have the benefit of acting in accordance with an existing Certificate.
New enforceable undertakings
New Part IVA of the Bill will establish a process for dealing with contraventions of the Act or conditions in a Certificate. The Authority will have the power to enter into an enforceable undertaking with a person regarding alleged contraventions. This amendment aligns the Act with enforcement mechanisms commonly used in environmental and development legislation.
The undertaking may contain any terms or conditions that the Authority considers necessary to ensure compliance with the Act or a Certificate.7 Time limits for performing obligations and methods to monitor compliance must be stated in the undertaking.8 Additionally, notice of both the alleged contravention and the undertaking must be published by the person giving it.9
When accepting an undertaking, various factors must be considered by the Authority, including:
the nature and gravity of the conduct;
the maximum penalty for the alleged contravention;
To promote transparency, notice of decisions to accept an undertaking along with reasons must be published by the Authority.11
If a proponent fails to comply with an enforceable undertaking, an application can be made to the Supreme Court for enforcement.12 The Supreme Court may issue orders requiring payment of costs incurred by the Authority in mitigating any harm resulting from non-compliance or compensation to individuals who suffered loss due to such contraventions.13
Notably, entering into an enforceable undertaking precludes criminal proceedings against a person who has agreed to it.14 If full compliance with an undertaking is achieved, reasonable steps must be taken by the Authority to discontinue prosecution efforts.15
Composition and Membership of Authority
The amendments formalise practices concerning appointments to the Authority. The Authority will be constituted of ten First Nations members nominated by Land Councils and two members nominated by the Minister.16
Members appointed via Land Councils can face termination on grounds such as incompetence or misbehaviour. Conversely, ministerial appointees may only face termination following written recommendations from the Minister.17
What do the changes mean for me?
It is important to remember that these reforms are still being considered by Parliament and are not yet law.
If the Bill is passed, the introduction of enforceable undertakings will provide a more flexible way to address minor contraventions without immediate resort to criminal prosecution.
If you are involved in ongoing or long-term projects in the Northern Territory, the proposed amendments may also simplify your compliance obligations by allowing the transfer of Certificates, and the addition to a Certificate of other parties working on a project as recorded parties.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) smart chargers can help us transition away from fossil fuels to 100 per cent renewable energy.
During a blackout on the Australian energy grid in February, ACT Government vehicles fed power back into the grid.
Major storms in Melbourne caused the blackout. At the time, there were 16 ACT Government fleet EVs plugged into vehicle-to-grid (V2G) smart chargers across the ACT. Four of them were charging, and 12 were sitting idle.
These 16 EVs received a signal from the grid. They started supplying power back into the grid in seconds. This is potentially the first time in the world that this V2G response has assisted during a power emergency.
V2G technology works using a bi-directional charger. The energy from an EV battery can send electricity back into the grid, just like rooftop solar. In this case, the emergency response lasted a few minutes before the grid stabilised. The cars began charging again as normal with minimal disruption.
These results show that V2G can:
contribute to the security of our electricity grid
reduce emissions from transport.
“V2G represents a huge opportunity for Australia,” Ross De Rango, Head of Energy and Infrastructure at Electric Vehicle Council, said.
“Over time it will put downward pressure on energy bills for everyone (not just EV drivers) and enable us to close coal and gas fired power stations sooner.
“We’ll be able to meet significant amounts of energy system peak demand from our cars, rather than from burning fossil fuels, and then recharge them later on from excess wind or solar.”
EV uptake is growing in Canberra. V2G can play a pivotal role here and across Australia as we transition our national energy systems away from fossil fuels to 100 per cent renewable energy.
Enabling V2G technology is a commitment in the ACT’s first Integrated Energy Plan. For more information on the ACT’s pathway to electrification, visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The hub will feature a child and family services and other community services.
A new Community Services Hub will be built in Woden.
The proposed location is on Callam Street, opposite the new CIT Campus Woden and with easy access to public transport connections and public carparking.
The new Hub will centralise community and government services under one roof.
Currently, Woden Community Service operates from three buildings in the region. Canberrans need to travel between them for the services they require.
Bringing services together in one place will ensure residents can get the support they need, efficiently and effectively.
This new four-storey facility will also offer much needed community accessible spaces in the Woden Town Centre such as meeting rooms, a multi-purpose hall and workshop spaces.
Once complete, the Hub will be part of a revitalised Woden Town Centre.
The project will also create more jobs in the construction industry.
Construction is expected to commence in 2026–27.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Equipd Allied Health will re-open an upgraded facility from August.
The Chifley Health and Wellbeing Hub will re-open to the community from 1 August 2024 with an extensive range of clinical services for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) community members.
From 1 September 2024, gym and wellbeing services will commence.
A new provider, Equipd Allied Health, will manage the upgraded facility.
Investing in a unique service
The ACT Government has invested over $470,000 towards new equipment and upgrades to the facility, with
$350,000 for a range of training, weights, strength and conditioning and wellness equipment
$123,000 for a new clinical treatment room, new carpet and all-purpose gym flooring and improvements to the facility.
Equipd Allied Health will provide dedicated services and comprehensive care and wellbeing to community members and wellbeing for people of all abilities.
Canberrans with health conditions or impairments, older people with chronic pain or requiring rehabilitation can rely on tailored allied health care to meet their needs.
Clinical services
Clinical services will be available for Hub members from 1 August 2024.
Services will be improved by:
a new clinical treatment room
new testing equipment
exercise and resistance training equipment for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) community members.
Gym services
Gym services will re-open from 1 September 2024.
These include member access to:
new cardiovascular training equipment
pin-loaded fixed weights and strength equipment
free weights
balance balls
yoga equipment and accessories.
Members can expect to see new and familiar faces among the staff.
Continuity for community
Equipd Allied Health aims to ensure there is continuity for previous members.
Future members can expect a modern, fit-for-purpose environment that supports their health and wellbeing.
“We are dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community and fostering genuine connections through compassionate care, professional excellence, and evidence-based practices,” Dylan Grubb of Equipd Allied Health said.
“Our number one goal as health professionals is managing risk in an exercise setting and we have clinical equipment coming that will ensure gold standard of care.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Sports to use the oval include rugby league, touch football, soccer and cricket.
New upgrades to the Melba Neighbourhood Oval pavilion and a new canteen are now complete. The upgrades will make playing and watching sport in West Belconnen a more comfortable experience.
The upgrades include:
heating in the changing rooms
privacy screens at the entry to the changing rooms
lighting
mirrors, vanities and shelves
toilet cubicles
an accessible toilet with a foldaway baby change table
power points adjacent to wet areas
lockable shower cubicles
hygiene disposal points
nonslip flooring.
Sports to use the oval include rugby league, touch football, soccer and cricket.
Spectators cheering on their team will also benefit with:
three new public toilets (two unisex and one accessible)
a new water refill station
bike racks
a new canteen featuring a digital art wrap highlighting some iconic Canberra images.
A barbecue area is also close by. It is securely caged off to allow storage and for groups to cook the traditional fundraiser brunches and lunches.
“These enhancements will significantly improve the experience for our players, volunteers and the entire community, fostering a more welcoming, inclusive and comfortable environment for everyone in our club,” Belconnen United Sharks Junior Rugby League Club President Matt Brown said.
“As all sports, including the great game of rugby league, look to continue to grow female participant numbers in community sports, having more dedicated change rooms enhances our ability to make everyone feel welcome, valued and respected as they engage in junior sports in large part thanks to our new and upgraded facilities.”
Cricket ACT is pleased to see the upgrade works completed.
“For cricket in the Territory to continue on its current nation-leading trajectory of growth, we need to ensure male and female players of all abilities are able to compete in the best possible facilities, and we’re excited to see what impact these and other facility improvements around the region will have on our great game,” Cricket ACT Territory Infrastructure Manager Lauren Coates said.
The Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund made possible through Cricket Australia. Cricket ACT also helped to contribute to the upgrades to the pavilion with $25,000.
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Kids IP Incubator recipients in Melbourne for the workshop this week.
Eight teams have been selected to take part in the Kids IP Incubator Initiative, an Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) and Screen Australia program for children’s content makers to develop Australian IP for digital platforms.
Following a competitive assessment process, a mixture of experienced and emerging creatives has been selected for a three-month program which kicks off this week with an in-person workshop at the ACTF offices in Melbourne.
Digital content strategist Nico Lockhart will lead the workshop, joined by investment managers from Screen Australia and development managers from the ACTF. Nico has a decade of experience in online content, formerly leading the digital content division of animation and production studio WildBrain. He is the co-founder of a new venture which develops YouTube-first IPs.
Australian children have more content available to them than ever before across a range of multiple platforms and screens. This initiative will provide insight into the rapidly changing kids’ content landscape and empower creators with information and strategies to deliver distinctive Australian content for digital platforms like YouTube, which requires unique strategies to engage with audiences.
ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland said, “As the child audience fragments and more and more children gravitate towards digital platforms, we need to ensure that quality programming made specifically for them reaches them wherever they are. This unique initiative will allow new and experienced practitioners to learn, experiment and develop fresh and innovative content that is specifically created for the platforms they are accessing it on, and keeps up with the ever-changing kids’ content landscape.”
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said,“As the ecosystem for children’s content continues to shift globally, it’s essential that we provide our creators with the support and resources to innovate and take full advantage of new platforms and opportunities to reach Australian children. The Kids IP Incubator Project is a fantastic way to help both emerging and experienced creatives refine their skills and develop bold, original Australian stories for Australian children. We’re excited to see the projects that will evolve from this initiative and look forward to their contribution to a vibrant and sustainable future for children’s content in Australia.”
Projects selected for the initiative are:
Bookstore Duck: Angus Woodiwiss, Celine Goetz, Patrick Egerton and Sophie Knoblanche
Moving Out – The Mini Series: David Smith and Bill Northcott
My Brother the Monkey King: Nicholas Lin and Aven Yap
Pit-Pats: Darcy Prendergast and Josie Mackerras
Proudfoot and Friends: Lucas Proudfoot, Ellenor Cox, John Armstrong, Mikalya Nicol, Georgie Bauman, Freddy Komp, Tim Shultz, Jenny Hanslow, Lauren Woods and Douglas Watkin
The Void Diner: Monique Mulcahy, Millie Holten and Caitlyn Staples
Weird Warden: Nicole Delprado and Grace Rein
Woolings: Liam O’Leary and Amanda Spagnolo
Following the workshop, participants will undertake fortnightly online masterclasses with thought leaders, companies and creators in the space to further develop their practice over the coming months. Teams will receive a grant of up to $20,000 to develop their projects during this phase. At the end of the three months, teams will formally pitch their projects to a panel of ACTF and Screen Australia representatives and be invited to apply for a second round of development funding.
ACTF Media Enquiries
Emma Field | [email protected]
Media enquiries
Maddie Walsh | Publicist
+ 61 2 8113 5915 | [email protected]
Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist (Mon, Tue, Thu)
+ 61 428 767 836 | [email protected]
All other general/non-media enquiries
Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]
Woman, youth charged by Taskforce Raven during CBD patrol
Wednesday, 9 April 2025 – 11:56 am.
An 18-year-old woman and 17-year-old girl have been arrested following an incident in the Launceston CBD yesterday afternoon.
Members of Taskforce Raven were conducting routine patrols of the CBD at the time, and arrested the 18-year-old who was wanted in relation to outstanding shoplifting matters.
She was charged with five counts of stealing, unlawful possession of property believed to be stolen, and possessing and consuming liquor in a public place.
She will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.
The youth will be proceeded against by summons for possessing and consuming liquor in a public place.
Taskforce Raven is continuing to target recidivist offenders, including youth offenders, through routine patrols and proactive investigations.
Anyone with information should contact the taskforce on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
Police investigate serious pedestrian crash in Hobart’s CBD
Wednesday, 9 April 2025 – 11:40 am.
Police are continuing to investigate a serious crash involving a pedestrian and a vehicle in Hobart’s CBD last night.Police and emergency services were called to the scene in Davey St near the intersection of Hunter St just before 8pm.Initial investigations suggest that a 75 year old man and a 73 year old woman were crossing the road just down from the traffic lights when the man was hit by a vehicle travelling along Davey St.Upon arrival, the man was provided with medical assistance and then taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for further treatment. He remains in a critical condition.The woman was not physically injured but was taken to hospital as a precaution.Two lanes of Davey St were blocked for 2.5 hours while specialist resources including crash investigation and forensics attended the scene to carry out examinations.Police are calling for witnesses or anyone who has CCTV or dash cam footage to contact police on 131444.