Barrier Daily Truth, Broken Hill's Daily Newpaper: Read The News

Message getting through

Originally published: Monday, 28th February, 2011

Police thank responsible drivers

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Greening our perspectives

Originally published: Monday, 28th February, 2011

The city's Greens candidate for the NSW election said she wanted to change perceptions about the party.

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Party HQ for young racers

Originally published: Monday, 28th February, 2011

Young racegoers will be able to party in an airconditioned marquee this year.

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Roof an engineering feat

Originally published: Monday, 28th February, 2011

The depth of Broken Hill's engineering expertise was on show again recently when a team of 15 men and three cranes undertook the massive exercise of roofing a new structure at Kanandah Road.

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Thieves ransack home of terminally-ill woman

Originally published: Monday, 28th February, 2011

Police want the public to help them catch those responsible for ransacking a terminally-ill woman's home while she was in hospital, stealing a large amount of cash and her last will and testament.

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Dave eyes Council seat

Originally published: Monday, 28th February, 2011

As pre-polling in the City Council by-election gets underway today, Independent candidate Dave Gallagher looks back on his campaign as an eye-opener.

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Signs are good

Originally published: Saturday, 26th February, 2011

By Gina Wilson

Rex Airlines wants to add four more flights to its Broken Hill network.
The city’s Sydney and Adelaide routes both had a big jump in passenger numbers last year, with as many as 14 per cent more people flying.
While across the Regional Express Airlines (Rex) network passenger numbers fell by 1.4 per cent, the Broken Hill to Sydney leg rose 10 per cent to about 14,000.
The big jump was on the city to Adelaide leg with about 2,000 more people flying, bringing that route’s total seat sales to 17,000.
Rex, the sole commercial airline servicing the city, said it hoped to increase its early-week Adelaide flights to three but admitted that could be some time away.
“The next logical steps are increasing the Monday and Tuesday services from two return services to three return services which makes for three return services Monday to Friday,” the airline said.
“When demand increases to make this economically viable it will be considered as part of the ongoing network reviews.
“The average (occupancy) ... was below 63 per cent which does not warrant additional capacity ... (but) we as an airline are motivated to fly more.”
General manager for Rex’s network strategy Warrick Lodge said more mining activity boosted the city’s passenger numbers with Rex adding some ad hoc flights to serve passengers attending several large local conferences.
All in all 3,000 extra passengers flew through the city in the six months.
Mr Lodge said its network-wide passenger numbers were affected by increased airport charges at two regional airports, Burnie and Mt Gambier, which brought capacity down.
“The vast majority of our services went up including Broken Hill,” Mr Lodge said.
“It is showing strong signs and that’s positive for Broken Hill.”
While Mr Lodge admitted the figures were being compared to 2009’s global-financial-crisis-induced depressed level, he said there was growth occurring.
“We went through a period of (depression) during the GFC and with the pilot shortage ... but now we’re back on track and seeing some good signs of growth,” he said.
“We hope that we can continue to grow Broken Hill well into the future.”
Rex, which flies to 35 destinations in five states, said Broken Hill made up less than five per cent of its total passenger numbers.
The company posted a $12.2 million before tax profit, down 5.4 per cent, amid a five per cent jump in fuel costs and a 3.8 per cent increase in other costs.
In its half-yearly financial report for the six months to December 31, released this week, Rex showed a 1.4 per cent overall drop in passenger numbers.

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Dash gathers pace

Originally published: Saturday, 26th February, 2011

It’s not quite the race that stops a nation but you could say that the YMCA Living Desert Dash is the event that gets Broken Hill moving.
A small army of participants will set out this year for a day of running, jogging or walking from the Living Desert to Picton Oval on Sunday, March 27.
The event attracts entrants from all walks of life for serious competition, or just a lot of fun.
There will be a festive atmosphere at the finish line at Picton Oval with food and stalls, activities and exhibitions.
“Who knows, with the whole community behind it and in future years we can begin to attract some of the big name runners while at the same time developing the festival atmosphere,” committee member Steve Burton said.
“It is, after all, a fun-run and it’s fun, not fame, that motivates most of the entrants.”
Mr Burton also said registrations for the annual event have been strong and the arrangements were going well.
From this year on, anyone who takes part will become inaugural members of the “Living Desert Dash Legends Register”.
“Over the years and with further events, this list will of course thin out. The only way to stay on the ‘Legends Register’ is to be there each and every year.
“In years to come these ‘Living Desert Legends’ will be specifically recognised via a distinctive award system,” Mr Burton said.
Participants can choose to start at 8am for a 10km run or walk, or 8:30am for a 5km run or walk. There is also a short walk for children.
People can pick up entry forms from the YMCA.

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