The Riverine Grazier’s Tertia Butcher provides an update on renewable energy projects in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), situated around Hay and Balranald in NSW.

There will be no further band-aid remedies for Hay’s 60-year-old John Houston Memorial Pool.

Hay is to get a new swimming pool after Council made the difficult decision last week to borrow up to $4 million.

The alternative was coping with a leaking pool and handing back the $3 million received under the State Government’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund for pool replacement.

The Rainbow on the Plains Festival is a celebration of inclusions and diversity held annual in Hay. The Pride festival committee won the 2024 Hay Business Award for local business champion, and organisers Jade Auldist, Will Miller and Brett Boulton were on hand to collect it.

The minimum lot size is to be removed in Hay township (both North and South Hay) and some primary production land will be rezoned to low density residential in a bid by Council to address the housing shortage.

“This is the easiest and most cost-effective way,” General Manager, David Webb said.

The global threat of fire ants is under control in NSW, thanks to the efforts of Dean Whitehead and Industry and Investment NSW.

Mr Whitehead spoke at a recent meeting of Hay CWA in response to the threat of fire ants, and to explain the Fire Ant Eradication Program.

Mr Whitehead said the objective in regards to fire ants is eradication, and a stringent process is followed to achieve this goal.

Fire ants were first detected in Australia in Brisbane in 2001. They are native to South America, but have established globally and are one of the world’s worst invasive species.

Members of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) of NSW have endorsed more than 25 motions across sectors such as health, law and order, education, transport and the environment at the recent conference in Coffs Harbour.

Melissa Fattore is the lady spearheading the first of many Riverina Reader’s Festivals in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

Hay Services Club hosted a soft launch last Wednesday evening of its new restaurant operated by Chef Nelson Kong.

Invited guests were treated to an array of specially selected dishes and the opportunity to meet Chef Nelson, his wife Stephanie Yu and sous chef Alan Ho.

Chef Nelson hails from Canberra but has cooked all over the world, travelling and working in China, Japan, South East Asia and Europe as well as across Australia.

Farmer Leila McDougall is determined to raise awareness about farmer suicide after "losing too many people."

Hailing from Tatyoon in Victoria McDougall the 35-year-old began writing the feature film during the pandemic when Mellow in the Yellow, an annual music event she organises to promote mental health, was cancelled during lockdown.

Stream the feature length film now - link in story.

An emotional candlelight vigil was held at Hay Lions Park on Wednesday evening, bringing together a group of more than 30, who each took a stand against family violence.

National vigils are held annual on the first Wednesday of May to remember and honour those who have been killed by domestic or family violence.

This year, the family of murdered Forbes teacher and mother Molly Ticehurst asked the nation to come together or to leave their house light on in her memory, which prompted the gathering in Hay.

Another tax has been wacked onto local ratepayers by the State Government.

The Cemetery and Cremation Tax which comes into effect on July 1 is set to hit not only Local Government Councils, but also grieving families.

The State Government has announced it will impose the tax on every burial and cremation carried out, including at council-owned facilities. General Manager, David Webb said the revenue would be used to fund the Cemeteries & Crematoria Association of NSW.

“This got wacked onto us and no one knew it was coming,” Mr Webb said.

“It is to run the Association; straight out a money grab by the State Government.”

Hay, New South Wales, is a small town basks in the golden glow of the outback summer sun. It is a community whose history is deeply intertwined with the iconic figure of the Australian shearer. Here, amidst the vast sheep stations and dusty plains, lies Shear Outback: a treasure trove dedicated to preserving the rich legacy of this vital industry.

Shear Outback isn't just a museum; it's a multi-faceted experience that throws open the gates to the fascinating world of Australian sheep shearing.

A unique parcel of land in the Riverina town of Hay went under the hammer on Friday, with local businessman Geoff Murphy emerging from a spate of spirited bidding as the successful bidder.

Improvements are on the way for the main street of Hay.

Work is set to start next week on improvements to the main street to provide a stronger road and a smoother and safer journey for up to 5000 vehicles that drive through the town each day.

Hay Shire Council General Manager, David Webb welcomed the announcement made on Monday afternoon.

“Council staff have been working with TfNSW on the Lachlan Street surface upgrade works for the past two years and we look forward to the works finally being undertaken.,” Mr Webb said.

Emergency services were called to Hay Services Club on, after reports of two separate assaults which occurred during ANZAC Day two-up.

Several businesses had their garbage bins removed from their premises with reports they were used to block streets during the early hours of Saturday April 27.

Extensive damage to the changerooms at Hay Park was discovered on Sunday morning, by volunteers setting up for a local sport competition.

A Sturt Highway Taskforce has been formed in response to the rising road toll on the Sturt Highway.

“Two-thirds of fatalities are in regional areas and it's necessary to keep roads open for economic development and trade,” Hay Mayor Carol Oataway said.

Two requests for financial assistance by waiving fees and charges have met with a firm no from Hay Shire Council, and community and sporting organisations and groups can expect this to continue, at least for the current financial year.

“We do not have any money left in the budget,” General Manager, David Webb said. “Council is not immune to economical pressure.”

Manny Pottinger, an icon of Conargo Shire and surrounding districts, has been honoured in a renewable energy project.

Someva Renewables, a specialist renewable energy developer operating in Australia, has named its local project, Pottinger Energy Park.

Kimberly Grabham reviews Tim Booth best seller “You Called an Ambulance for What?”, a humours tome of the trials of being a paramedic.