Archive for month: February, 2026
Council Advocates for Inquiry into Regional Airfare Pricing
Council Advocates for Inquiry into Regional Airfare Pricing
Wentworth Shire Council is calling on residents, ratepayers, and local tourism operators to provide feedback to the Australian Government Productivity Commission regarding the cost of regional air travel.
The Commission is currently undertaking an inquiry into the “Determinants of regional airfares” and will host a community engagement session in Mildura on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
Impact on the Shire
Council recognises that while Mildura Airport is the primary aviation gateway for the Shire, pricing structures significantly impact the Wentworth Shire community.
- Economic Development: Competitive airfares are essential to support the region’s transition toward a high-value visitor economy, encouraging interstate and international visitation to our local natural assets and major events.
- Community Connectivity: The disparity between the cost of regional flights and the time required for rail or road transport places a disproportionate burden on regional residents.
Participation
Community members are encouraged to attend the session to discuss how airfare pricing affects their business operations and household budgets.
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, 24 February 2026
- Time: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
- Location: Mildura Tourism (Benetook Room B), 190 Deakin Avenue, Mildura
For those unable to attend, formal submissions to the inquiry remain open until 15 March 2026.
For further information, please visit the Productivity Commission website.
Important Changes to Overseas Licence Conversions
Transport for NSW and Austroads have introduced new arrangements for transitioning overseas driver and motorcycle rider licences to Australian licences.
What has changed?
As of 1 February 2026, the arrangements for converting licences from certain countries have changed.
- List A (Recognised Countries): If you hold a valid car or rider licence from a “Recognised Country” (such as the UK, USA, New Zealand, or Canada), you generally do not need to pass a knowledge or driving test to convert your licence, provided your licence is current or expired within the last 5 years.
- List B (Formerly Experienced Driver Recognition): Drivers from jurisdictions on “List B” must now pass the Rider/Driver Knowledge Test and the Rider/Driving Test to obtain a NSW driver licence. The previous exemptions for experienced drivers from these countries have ceased.
Timelines for moving to NSW
- Permanent Residents: You must get a NSW driver licence within 3 months of living in NSW to continue driving or riding.
- Temporary Visitors: You must get a temporary NSW driver licence within 6 months of living in NSW to continue driving or riding.
Check your eligibility
Because the list of recognised countries and testing requirements has changed, we urge all overseas licence holders to check their specific status on the Service NSW website.
[Button/Link: Check Licence Eligibility at Service NSW]
Be Prepared: Rural Aid encourages farmers to register for support
Wentworth Shire Council is encouraging local primary producers to register with Rural Aid to ensure they are prepared for future challenges.
Rural Aid provides critical support to rural communities during times of storm, bushfire, flood, and drought. While many in the region may already be connected with the organisation, Rural Aid is urging those who are not yet registered to do so now.
Registering ahead of time ensures faster access to support for farmers and their families when disaster strikes. It also strengthens the collective voice of the farming community, allowing Rural Aid to advocate for greater assistance.
Services available to registered farmers include direct assistance, recovery programs, and mental health and wellbeing support.
To register, visit https://faa.ruralaid.org.au/ or call 1300 327 624 for more information.
