New portable connectivity kits, internet-enabled forward command vehicles and satellite vessel tracking are being rolled out by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) to enhance community response during disasters.

Recent research from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) shows that almost half of Australians aged 50-66 worry that they will outlive their savings, despite Australia having one of the largest superannuation systems in the world, now totalling over $4.2 trillion.

There’s a few Council-led housing projects burbling away under the surface, one of which has popped up again with the statutory requirement to engage with the public.

It's still another week until parliament in Canberra comes back from its long winter break, which makes this a great time to revisit something that was rushed through the Senate with very little scrutiny on the last day of the last session, back in June.

In a major victory for community pressure and investor activism, Origin Energy announced yesterday that they would divest 100 per cent of their gas interests in the Northern Territory's massive Beetaloo Basin, along with fracking plans in the Lake Eyre Basin and WA's Kimberley region.

At this week's Lismore City Council meeting, a motion from Cr Adam Guise to switch to 100 per cent renewable energy and remove $92m worth of council's investment exposure to fossil fuels was defeated.

A minor item on Ballina Shire Council's agenda this week blew up when Cr Rod Bruem decided to add a last minute alteration to Ballina's investment strategy.