Rail cheaper than trucks
Mal Peters says freight once arrived in Armidale by train, but government cuts shifted it to trucks and crumbling roads. He argues reopening the Armidale north rail corridor is vital for Australia’s freight competitiveness and environmental future.
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QW: Bring back the Armidale–Queensland rail line
Susan Moxon says: Please reinstate a rail line from Armidale to Queensland. It’s such a backward step not having it available for our community. Our ancestors broke their backs building the rail line. Please.
Keep readingQW: Net Zero
Well done, Jan Kleeman! I was listening last night to a Professor talking about the Ozone layer… when scientists told the world of impending disaster if we continued using Freon. The world listened. It appears that this event has escaped collective peoples memories. It was an essential piece of action that saved the world. Zero carbon is the next one. When will the average Joe realise? It’s certainly not helped by ignorant pollies sprouting rubbing. Reference: COP 30 Shaping Up as a COP-OUT
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When did ‘net zero’ become just another term for renewables?
RK Crosby says the term ‘net zero’ does not mean ‘renewable energy’ and we’ll continue to be stuck on these issues until we’re talking about the same thing.
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Scaling Without Losing the Spark
Mark Palmer says the most dynamic FMCG, food and lifestyle brands are founder-led – driven by vision, belief and authenticity. His founderproof® approach helps businesses scale without losing the spark that creates lasting brand value.
Keep readingLetter: Trains North’s current petition re rail
John Burrell from Armidale writes that the Trains North petition to reopen the railway north of Armidale is misguided – the line is derelict, bridges collapsed and sections lost to highway upgrades. He argues the region should instead focus on securing its Sydney service.
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Roy’s Roundup – Strong communities, safer roads and a proud grandad
Roy Butler recaps a busy fortnight for Barwon, from local leadership meetings and road safety inquiries to new funding for infrastructure, PFAS treatment and Crown land projects. Plus, Movember updates and a joyful note – welcoming his first grandson.
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Chaffey’s Corner – Fair energy and strong communities
Debate in Parliament has focused on energy reform, road conditions and telecommunications in regional NSW. Mark Coulton highlights the Nationals’ stance on fair energy targets and celebrates the strength and achievements of local communities.
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Denise’s Desk: It’s Time to Give Our Community Preschool Teachers the Pay They Deserve
Denise McHugh writes that we need to be ensuring community preschool teachers are paid on par with primary teachers.
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Ask an ethicist: How much should politics influence my dating decisions?
Daniel Finlay from The Ethics Centre says dating is hard enough without apps, but there’s a few things to think about before you put your political preferences on your dating profile.
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Merits of Regional Rail Renewal vs a Rail Trail: Failures of Decision-Making in New England
Train advocate Siri Gamage says we are stuck between a rock and a hard place: dependent on governments to meet our transport needs, yet repeatedly let down by their inaction.
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Letter: Rail Line and REZ
Rick writes transport and energy are both highly important and the REZ and its associated transmission lines can assist with both.
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Boys are still in the grip of crippling masculine stereotypes
Michael Flood from QUT says rigid norms of manhood, based in manly confidence and toughness, are still influential for young men.
Keep readingQW: Work for us Barnaby
“I’m going to keep my cards close to my chest,” “It’s worked so far for me, and I’m not going to give it up now.” (BJ) New Englanders would prefer that Barnaby work for the people who pay him a salary of more than $250,000 a year to work for them instead.
Keep readingQW: Can we find a new topic
Net zero. Rail trail. Renewables. Rail fail. Intermittent power. Trains north. Why are we perpetually stuck on these two subjects? Can we talk about anything else please?
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COP 30 Shaping Up as a COP-OUT
Jan Kleeman says after 30 years of talk, denial and failure to act, the planet is still heating fast. With COP30 ahead, she calls on world leaders to stop the net zero talk and start cutting fossil fuels now through real renewable energy action.
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Macca’s weeds: Pesticide resistance in 2025
Paul McIntosh writes there is absolutely no doubt that when you continue to use the same mode of action in all our pesticides, over and over again and leave a few survivors, you will soon develop your own increasing level of resistance.
Keep readingLetter: Rail trail a chance for community unity?
Scott Harrison writes it’s important for those who oppose the rail trail and want to use the rail corridor for something else, to come to the table with a cohesive plan as to what that actually is.
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Compassion, Not Cruelty, Should Guide Our Parliament
Denise McHugh writes the Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Hastie are exploiting heartbreak for political gain.
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How the world’s constant crises are quietly fuelling anxiety in Australians
Psychotherapist Diane Young says an increasing number of people, especially young Australians, are feeling perpetually anxious and trapped in a cycle of consuming distressing world events, yet powerless to make a change.
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