User Profile

Peter Bannan

Citizen of year accolade well deserved

MOULAMEIN resident Alan Fielding has done and seen a lot - but perhaps nothing prepared him for ConFest. The clothing optional festival is promoted as an alternative bush campout, held every Easter near the Riverine town. Mr Fielding and his wife...

04 Feb 2025

Farming and Environment

Duck harvest numbers surge

FAVOURABLE environmental and breeding conditions and more active hunters likely resulted in an increase in the number of ducks harvested last year, according to the game management regulator. An estimated 391,900 game ducks were harvested in 2024...

02 Feb 2025

News

Town leader mourned

SOFTLY spoken with a loud passion for a Quambatook that she made “stronger, kinder, and more connected”. That’s how Merril Kelly has been remembered, as tributes continued to flow for the retired school teacher allegedly murdered last week. Mrs...

01 Feb 2025

News

Flood risk objection fails

SWAN Hill Council has granted a planning permit extension for land on River Road, Swan Hill despite a recommendation that it be refused due to floods in the area since it was originally granted. The council granted a permit for the use and...

31 Jan 2025

News

Push to de-amalgamate council falls flat

A FRESH push to de-amalgamate Murray River Council has been defeated before it could even be investigated. In 2016, the then-NSW Government merged neighbouring Wakool and Murray Shires to form Murray River Council, as part of the Fit for the Future...

31 Jan 2025

News

New ED coming up to speed

ONLY small “teething” issues have been reported since Swan Hill District Health treated its first patient at the new emergency department. An open day prior to the official opening on December 11 attracted more than 700 people, with tours of the...

31 Jan 2025

News

Parent concern over bus plan

TRANSPORTING children on a bus on days of extreme fire danger “defies logic”, according to a Manangatang parent. The State Government has been urged to review Manangatang P-12 College’s fire management plan, which requires the college to bus all...

31 Jan 2025

News

Mayor questions rate cap timing

SWAN Hill Council Mayor Stuart King has criticised the timing and handling of two Victorian Government policy announcements on the eve of Christmas. The government announced local council rate increases would again be capped at the forecast Consumer...

31 Jan 2025

News

Windfall puts projects on move

PROJECTS in the Swan Hill municipality will get off the ground after the council discovered more than $1.2 million in surplus funds. Director of corporate services Bhan Pratap told the December ordinary meeting the financial statements for 2023:24...

25 Jan 2025

News

MP pushes for P-plater age reduction

MEMBER for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has renewed calls for Victoria’s probationary driving age to be lowered to 17. The Nationals MP said it would bring it in line with other states and reduce disadvantage for young people in rural areas. Ms...

25 Jan 2025

News

Onus campers to be fire safe

CAMPERS have been urged to ensure they are aware of current fire danger ratings after people were warned about unauthorised campfires in the state’s east last month. Last week police issued a warning about the dangers of unextinguished campfires...

24 Jan 2025

Health

Health network aims for close care

PATIENTS at Swan Hill District Health have been assured care won’t be compromised by the establishment of Local Health Service Networks. As part of the Victorian Government initiative, SHDH has been grouped into a network with other health services...

24 Jan 2025