News

Optus fast-tracks 5G rollout across Loxton

LOXTON residents are set to benefit from recent upgrades that will expedite the 5G network rollout, providing better connectivity and less downtime. From 25 March, Optus activated the 5G+ network on an existing site located in Loxton, which should...

Staff Contributors

20 hours ago

News

Potential for upcoming ‘horror’ flu season

FALLING influenza vaccinations due to “vaccine fatigue and misinformation”, combined with the high risk of a horror flu season, could result in more Riverland lives being lost from flu and other respiratory diseases this year. Australian Medical...

Staff Contributors

14 Apr 2025

News

Regional communities deserve a more equitable funding model

EQUITY is often confused with equality, but they are not the same. Equality means giving everyone the same resources, while equity means distributing resources based on need to ensure fair opportunities. Imagine two communities hit by a flood, one...

Staff Contributors

13 Apr 2025

News

Lower unemployment rates in South Australia

NEW data shows the state’s unemployment numbers, including in the Riverland, have fallen through the first part of the year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) latest unemployment numbers show South Australia has decreased 0.4 percentage...

Staff Contributors

09 Apr 2025

News

A broader regional issue for local government

RENMARK Paringa Council is accompanied in its struggles. Neighbouring councils are also feeling the pinch, with Mid Murray Council also strongly advocating for more federal support. Without an urgent increase in federal support, Renmark Paringa and...

Staff Contributors

08 Apr 2025

News

Grants to tackle regional youth issues

GRANTS are now available for Riverland not-for-profit organisations working with local young people, aiming to engage them with local projects. The Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) has opened up applications for grants of up to $10,000...

Staff Contributors

08 Apr 2025

News

New small business benchmarks released by the ATO

NEW benchmarks released by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are aiming to help Riverland small business compare their economic performance. The ATO has released a new set of updated financial benchmarks, which include average expenses against...

Staff Contributors

08 Apr 2025

Community

Denim distress at Jeanwest closure

JEANSWEST is set to become another of several clothing outlets that have closed while occupying a store at the Renmark Plaza. Joining the previous closures of Rockmans, Noni B, and a Millers outlet at the Renmark Plaza, Jeanswest will finish trading...

Madison Eastmond

08 Apr 2025

News

Boat, trailer, and tent stolen from Cooltong

RIVERLAND police are seeking assistance to locate stolen items from a property. Sometime between 1 March and 22 March, unknown suspects attended a rural property, on Stoney Pinch Road, Cooltong, and stole a boat, trailer and a Tigerz 11 roof-top...

Staff Contributors

07 Apr 2025

News

Arrest follows metal theft at Loxton home

A LOCAL man was arrested after he allegedly stole numerous items from a property at Loxton. Between 22 March and 25 March, a 36-year-old man allegedly stole copper pipes from a Karoonda Highway property, at Loxton. The man was charged with numerous...

Staff Contributors

07 Apr 2025

News

MP pushes for standpipes funding answers

PARLIAMENT has been used to press the State Government for answers on a funding request to help maintain and retain standpipes, used for water delivery to drought-hit Mid Murray Council farmers and their families. Council has applied to PIRS...

Hugh Schuitemaker

07 Apr 2025

News

Victorian group gets Jane Eliza guernsey

PLANS for the Jane Eliza development, in Renmark, are one step closer to being realised following an official announcement of a developer for the project. Renmark Paringa Council today announced a Lands Facilitation Agreement (LFA) had been entered...

Hugh Schuitemaker

26 Mar 2025

News

Councils unite on preventative health

A NEW preventive health partnership has been established to take a collaborative approach to improving the health and wellbeing of people across the Murraylands. The Murraylands Preventive Health Partnership is a collaborative project involving Mid...

Staff Contributors

26 Mar 2025

News

Randell claims second-straight sports day crown

RANDELL has won the Championship shield at Waikerie High School’s recent sports day for the second year in a row, scoring 1553 points to Cadell’s 1434 points. King came in third with 1424 points, and Ritchie fourth with 1050. Randell also won...

Staff Contributors

25 Mar 2025

Agriculture

Barmera-based grape grower JASON PERRIN has provided the following opinion piece regarding debate surrounding the potential for a MANDATORY CODE OF CONDUCT in the wine industry… An honest conversation about grape industry issues

I COMMEND Barker MP Tony Pasin for his thoughts in last week’s Murray Pioneer (‘An honest conversation about wine’, 12/5/25). As his heading was “An honest conversation…”, I would make these comments. It is great that he supports the...

Staff Contributors

25 Mar 2025