Australian News & Articles | Australian Postcode

Most expensive Suburb in Australia

Thursday 27th of January 2011 GMT

Mosman Park Peppermint Grove
Perth suburbs have houses with highest average value Mosman Park Postcode 6012 and Peppermint Grove Postcode 6011, Most expensive house sold in Australia.
A TWO-kilometre stretch of Perth's Swan riverfront has become the most expensive real estate precinct in the country.Sausage sizzles won't be on the menu when fertiliser billionaires and militant vegetarians Pankaj and Radhika Oswal move in to their Bollywood palace in Peppermint Grove, The Australian reports.But theirs is not the only residence under construction.Last year's record sale of the sprawling 7564sqm Mosman Park residence of reclusive mining heiress Angela Bennett, the daughter of Lang Hancock's business partner Peter Wright, has sparked a flurry of renovations, building and buying across Perth's two most sought-after suburbs.Chris Ellison, a mining tycoon who shares his name, but not his billions, with a former Howard government minister, paid a cool $57.5 million for the Bennett home, within walking distance of developer Luke Saraceni's $16m pad and property magnate Peter Laurance's $20m-plus mansion.So it was no surprise when the Australian Bureau of Statistics crunched the numbers and announced that Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park had the highest average value of private sector houses in 2008-09, at $2.469m and $1.579m respectively.The two suburbs were well ahead of Mosman, in Sydney, with the highest average value houses in New South Wales at $1.373m.Prominent Perth car dealer John Hughes spent a lazy $6.7m for a temporary roof in exclusive Saunders Street while he and his wife, Margarita, fight Mosman Park Council over plans to bowl over his current home just down the road and rebuild.Hughes has lived in a relatively older house at the end of the cul-de-sac for 31 years, and loves it."I'd be very happy to live there forever," he says."But it's what my wife wants . . . and who in their right mind would argue with their wife?"Hughes, a Sandgroper known for his charity work, said Saunders Street was constantly changing."There always seems to be a crane or a couple of cranes on the skyline there," he says. "It's a street on the move."A few doors away at No.31 is one of Cape Bouvard billionaire Ralph Sarich's many investment properties, while Tim Goyder, who made his fortune in resources, like so many ratepayers in the area, and is the cousin of Wesfarmers CEO Richard Goyder, bought No 23 for $6.3m in 2007 so he could protect the views of his home at No 24 just across the road.source: www.news.com.au

Princess Mary losing touch with supporters

Sunday 28th of November 2010 GMT

PRINCESS Mary has lost the natural touch that won her a legion of loyal supporters, according to a controversial royal author .

Veteran royal reporter Trine Villemann said Mary is constraining her personality to conform to how she imagines a princess should behave.Villemann's assessment of Mary is contained in a new version of her book, 1015 Copenhagen K, named after the Danish royal family's postcode.The book is set to create another storm when it is released in English this month, with the inflammatory new subtitle "Mary's dysfunctional in-laws"."It is difficult to work out whether the bland personality she now projects is the result of her trying too hard to become the perfect princess," the updated book, due to be released this month, says."Is she really still terrified of opening her mouth and putting her stiletto heel in it? Or has (Danish royal castle) Amalienborg kidnapped the true spirit of Mary Donaldson, hurled it in the dungeon and thrown away the key?"Where is the carefree, natural girl Frederick kissed in January 2003 in Hobart? Where has the real Mary gone?"The book caused a storm when released in Danish last year with claims Mary's husband, Prince Frederick, still visited old girlfriends and their families.A website devoted to the English edition says Frederick is "emotionally crippled, bone idle and doesn't want to be king".Queen Margrethe, Mary's mother-in-law, is described as "bad tempered" and accused of neglecting her children.The Queen's husband Henrik is portrayed as "bling loving" and prone to going on strike."Can a commoner from Australia save the world's oldest monarchy from self-destruction?" the book asks.Villemann believes the monarchy is in danger of losing touch with ordinary people, citing Prince Frederick's recent 40th birthday celebrations as an example."Here was an opportunity to do something good. To give something back to the Danes," she said.Source: www.news.com.au

Rooty Hill RSL demands its own postcode

Saturday 11th of December 2010 GMT

Club lobbies PM for its own postcodeClaims it dwarfs many rural townsCastle star the face of viral campaign AN RSL wants to join the likes of the White House and the Pentagon and have its very own postcode.The Vegas of NSW's West, Rooty Hill RSL, says it has its own power plant, a hotel and even someone who has volunteered to be mayor.Many of the club's 48,000 members can't fathom that the town of Jugiong - about 40km from Gundagai, south NSW, and with a population of only 589 - has two postcodes "and we don't even have one".Tiriel Mora, who played suburban lawyer Dennis Denuto in The Castle, is the frontman on a viral video campaign arguing the case."We have more restaurants and bars than whole towns, why shouldn't we have [a postcode]?" CEO Richard Errington said. "It is big enough to be its own suburb and I want to be mayor."To further its cause, the RSL plans to lobby high-profile politicians when they launch policies in Sydney's heartland."We're going straight to the top," Mr Errington said. "Kevin Rudd was recently here for dinner, Kristina Keneally was here last week and Barry O'Farrell also is a big supporter. We're a politician's backyard."Harden Shire Mayor Chris Manchester said Jugiong was a jewel in the crown of his rural shire and he slammed the RSL's bid for independence. "The only thing Rooty Hill RSL has that Jugiong doesn't is the pokies," he said.Blacktown City Mayor Charlie Lowles said he was unconcerned about the threat of losing a chunk of his constituents to Mr Errington."I am happy for him to be mayor of Rooty Hill RSL, although I feel he would be better suited as the prince of a principality as then he would not have to get up early in the morning," he said.Loyal Rooty Hill supporters Betty Arlen, 75, and Judy Stack, 66, said the postcode was long overdue."I have a keen interest in postcodes as I used to work in the mail service and I know them all by heart," Ms Stack said. "This club is an icon - everyone knows Rooty Hill RSL, even Bert Newton and Don Lane."Like Penrith Leagues, Rooty Hill RSL had put the region on the map, Clubs NSW CEO David Costello said."If it wasn't for the RSL, Rooty Hill wouldn't have a four-star hotel, a state of the art gym, a new power station or, as of today, a tenpin bowling arcade and a laser skirmish centre," he said.An Australia Post spokesman said a bid for a postcode would be "unlikely"."It is highly unlikely that this new locality would be given a different postcode to the one it currently has as there is no delivery requirement for it to change," the spokesman said.Source: www.news.com.au

Five charged for assault on police at 18th birthday

Monday 24th of January 2011 GMT

FOUR men and a woman have been charged over the assault on three Sydney police officers who were treated in hospital for their injuries.Police were called to a house in Bowood Place, St Marys, at about 1.50am (AEDT) today after reports of people fighting at an 18th birthday party.When the police arrived the hosts of the party asked them to help evict those who were fighting. The officers were attacked as they attempted to carry out the evictions with a policeman suffering a broken nose and a female officer sustaining head injuries and concussion. Another male officer suffered back injuries.Five males aged in their late teens to their early 40s and a 46-year-old woman were arrested. They were charged with various offences that included affray and assaulting police.Four of the men and the woman were granted conditional bail and ordered to appear in court over dates in January and February.A 25-year-old male was refused bail and ordered to appear in Parramatta Local Court later today.The three officers were taken to Nepean Hospital for treatmentbefore being released.They will require ongoing treatment and have been placed on sick leave until further notice.Source: www.news.com.au

Sydney trip on cards for Katie Lee

Monday 24th of January 2011 GMT

GRAEME Rogerson has pencilled in the Coolmore Classic and Doncaster Mile for Katie Lee should the mare impress in today's Group One Telegraph Handicap (1000m).Rogerson said the grey -- who has started odds-on favourite at most of her 20 career starts -- would be hard to hold out at Trentham if the track was firm. The trainer, who still has boxes at Randwick, was unimpressed with Trentham ground staff for watering late Thursday.Rogerson said the trip to Sydney would be made easier if the traditional autumn wet stayed away.Meanwhile, Pane In The Glass may be the Blue Diamond favourite -- and her $9 TAB Sportsbet price likely to be slashed further if she wins at Rosehill today -- but track watchers down south reckon Patinack Farm have an even better two-year-old prospect.Boys On Tour has not raced but firmed to $12 for the $1 million two-year-old feature. The gelding will line up in the Blue Diamond Preview next Wednesday and have a look around Caulfield with Jamie Winks aboard. Bookies are sure to keep the youngster safe.* IT WILL be a sad afternoon at today's Wellington meeting as they commemorate the death of Irish jockey Damien Murphy and the recent drowning of steward James Perry.Murphy fell at the track on Australia Day and later died of head injuries, while Perry, who was lost in the horrific Queensland floods, was the chief stipe in the area for years.Wellington president Ian Giffin said it would be an emotional afternoon, with the Damian Murphy Memorial (1100m) to kick-start the meeting.Giffin said there had been plans to fly Murphy's mother, Mary McGarr, to the meeting, but was likely to be pursued next year for the fifth anniversary.* AUTUMN will be in the air at Warwick Farm on Monday when several topliners start to be rolled out, including Chris Waller's smart youngster Pressday, as well as Love Conquers All, Vision And Power, Graceful Anna and Sydney's favourite mare, Hot Danish.Picture: Mark EvansSource: www.news.com.au

Regional Queensland in flood recovery

Sunday 16th of January 2011 GMT

Queensland FloodsMaryborough Rockhampton Bundaberg

Finally residents in Maryborough, Rockhampton Bundaberg and Gympie have now begun to return to their homes after a long and freighting couple of weeks under the depths of the central Queensland flood waters.

Department of Communities regional director Mick Shearer says recovery efforts will now focus more on outreaching to households."The recovery effort is moving to a secondary stage now, which is focusing more on outreaching to households and working with them on site and throughout the community assessing applications for assistance."Mayor Brad Carter says, almost two weeks after the Fitzroy River peaked at 9.2 metres, Floodwaters are still receding, with most affected residents still unable to return to their homes at Rockhampton. Still more than 260 houses are without power and water; the local disaster management group are working as hard as they can to bring locals back to their homes.He said "I understand the urge to get home as soon as possible; however we've got to ensure all homes are safe to return to."Ms Bligh says both she and the recovery taskforce head are focussed on getting all flood affected communities back on their feet."Unless we get rural Queensland getting its agricultural product to market, unless we get the central Queensland mines operational - we're all connected and what happens in rural and regional Queensland matters, not just to people in Brisbane but to the whole country," she said."I think we need to understand all that connectedness and I want to reassure people that we do."At a Rockhampton Council meeting it was confirmed that that all necessary help will go out to residence in flood affected areas.Votes were made by Councillors collectively to extend rates discounts by a month, a $20 water rebate and offering free roadside rubbish collection and access to landfill for flood damaged goods.The council has also approved a $50,000 donation to the Premier's Flood Appeal.Retailers are now restocking shelves across Central Queensland city following the reopening of the Bruce Highway to all freight trucks and vehicles at Yeppen. The local airport will remain closed until sometime at the end of the month.Mayor Mick Kruger of Fraser Coast said Maryborough residents and businesses were helping each other out as the city moved ahead with recovery operations."People are supporting each other, everybody is getting in there and doing their bit," he said.Across Bundaberg, residents have had to go back into recovery mode after being trapped by floodwaters twice in two weeks. Fortunately Wednesday’s peak of 5.75 meters wasn’t as serious as the previous event which left only a hand full of homes and businesses inundated.Source: www.news.com.au

Qantas 747 forced to return to Bangkok after plunging almost 8000m

Wednesday 26th of January 2011 GMT

HOURS after a Qantas jet plunged almost 8000m during an emergency descent yesterday a Sydney-bound flight was forced to return to Bangkok because of engine problems.Flight QF2 carrying 352 passengers was about 30 minutes into its flight from Bangkok International Airport when one of its engines began "consuming fuel more quickly than normal'' a Qantas spokesman said.It was forced to return to Bangkok where it landed safely about 7pm local time (11pm AEST).Affected passengers are expected to spend a second night in temporary accommodation with Qantas scrambling to send a replacement engine from Sydney for the troubled Boeing 747 today."As far as possible we will try and get passengers who need to return to Sydney urgently on other flights but that will be dependent on availability on other airlines,'' the spokesman said."It was not actually an engine failure, (the pilots) did not shut the engine down they just reduced the thrust.''However one passenger on the flight says the engine "blew".The spokesman said there were no other replacement Qantas aircraft available in Bangkok.The latest safety drama for the besieged airline follows the emergency descent of a Boeing 737-400 yesterday after its cabin lost pressure on a flight from Adelaide to Melbourne.Almost 100 passengers on board the flight were forced to wear oxygen masks as the plane plummeted 7900m to a height of 3000m.Qantas said an air-conditioning fault caused the depressurisation.Last week a trans-Pacific flight carrying 375 passengers diverted to Fiji after suffering an engine problem while in November Qantas suffered its most serious safety scare when an engine exploded mid-air en route to Sydney on board one of its flagship A380s.Last night's incident was not the first time flight QF2 has been forced to land because of mechanical problems.In January 2008 the airline and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau launched an investigation after QF2 from London lost power from all four of its generators on its descent into Bangkok.The 747 with 344 passengers on board lost electrical power about 15 minutes away from landing.At the time the ATSB said if the power failure occurred further away from an airport there could have been a serious accident.Source:www.news.com.au

funny things to say, conversation starters

Saturday 29th of January 2011 GMT

Be FunnyMake People LaughThings to Think About

Facebook Status

1. What's another word for "thesaurus"?2. Who coined the phrase, "coined the phrase"?3. If there's an exception to every rule, what is the exception to that rule?4. If no tickets are sold at a movie, is the movie still shown?5. Why is there a light in a fridge but not in a freezer?6. At the Cinemas which arm rest is yours, "left or right"? 7. If you were in court and asked to say the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! What would you happen if you said no.8. Have you tried to find the word camouflage in the dictionary.9. Is the word dictionary in the dictionary.10. When does the weather change from partly cloudy to partly sunny?11. When does a furtune cookie expire?12. Why are pizza's round and pizza box's square? 13. If ghosts can walk through walls why don't they fall through floor's?14. If prunes are dehydrated plums, where does prune juice come from? 15. If a cow laugh's, does milk come out it's nose?16. Why are they called apartments, when they're all stuck together?17. Why do we wash bath towels? Aren't we clean when we use them?18. Why is it, when a door is open it's "ajar", but when a jar is open, it's not "a door"?19. What do bird's see when they get knocked unconscious?20. Why is abbreviation such a long word?

Treasurer Wayne Swan disgusted by flood low lifes

Monday 31st of January 2011 GMT

AUSTRALIANS who claimed emergency aid for flood victims when all they suffered was a power outage are "low lifes", Treasurer Wayne Swan has said.

Centrelink payments of $1000 for adults and $400 for children were available to people without means testing, even if the only ill-effect the disaster had on them was 48 hours without power.Mr Swan told ABC Radio this morning that such people disgusted him."If there are people who have been eligible for the levy but haven't required it and have gone in and claimed it, I think they are simply low life," he said."People may face all sorts of extraordinary circumstances, they may not have personal identification."If we were to get really bureaucratic, with really rigid rules in the first 48 hours or so, then we would be having an entirely different discussion about how we were too rigid and weren't paying people who were in dire need."For this reason, some people who weren't deserving of the payment would be able to get it, Mr Swan said."People in the community won't appreciate the behaviour of people like that, if there are people like that," he said."I've heard one or two stories as well and I've got nothing but disgust for people who do that."Mr Swan told ABC radio that he believed there there was support for a levy to help fund the Queensland flood recovery but that he was happy to discuss a longer term response to disasters.Mr Swan's comments came as the Government announced it would provide an extra $200,000 to help flood-affected Queenslanders access legal information and advice.Attorney-General Robert McClelland said many lawyers were working across Queensland to ensure that people affected by the floods can access legal assistance.Mr Swan was in Brisbane with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Premier Anna Bligh yesterday when the Australian cricketers beat England to secure the one-day series.He told ABC radio that most of the punters he spoke to at the Gabba were comfortable with the levy despite several polls showing the majority of Australians oppose it.His comments came as independent senator Nick Xenophon accused the Federal Government's of offering only a band-aid solution to the damage in Queensland with the flood tax.He said that he would prefer a broad discussion about how Australia deals with natural disasters into the future, including the potential for government insurance cover for events like floods.Senator Xenophon is to be briefed by Labor this afternoon on the flood recovery package, which includes a levy on middle-income Australia that the opposition argues is unnecessary.Source: www.news.com.au

Cyclone Yasi could rival Larry says Bureau of Meteorology

Monday 31st of January 2011 GMT

A SEVERE cyclone expected to hit Queensland on Thursday is likely to rival, and on some measures, dwarf Cyclone Larry, which devastated parts of north Queensland.

The Bureau of Meteorology says Cyclone Yasi will be a severe category three or four cyclone when it crosses the Queensland coast, likely early on Thursday morning.Bureau senior forecaster Ann Farrell said the latest modelling suggested Yasi would make landfall somewhere between Innisfail, in the north, and Proserpine, in the south.If it hits as a category three, wind gusts up to 200km/h can be expected, and 250km/h if it builds to a four, as Cyclone Larry was when it devastated Innisfail and surrounding communities in March 2006.It's currently off Vanuatu, about 1975km east, northeast of Townsville, and moving westward at about 30km/h."At this stage we're expecting it to continue moving towards the Queensland coast and intensify ... and it's likely to reach the coast early on Thursday morning," Ms Farrell said."By that stage we will be looking at a severe tropical cyclone so certainly at least a (category) three, and a category four we wouldn't be ruling that out by any means."She said the last cyclone of that magnitude to hit Queensland was category four Cyclone Larry.Larry left a trail of destruction including damage to 10,000 homes and a repair bill of more than a billion dollars.Ms Farrell said there were many measures on which to judge cyclones, including wind strength and the physical size of the storm. In terms of wind strength, Yasi had the potential to rival Larry, but it was of a far greater physical size."One measure is how far do the gales extend from the central eye. In this case, Yasi is certainly a bigger storm," she said.She said forecasts for Yasi would be refined as it approached, but all the modelling showed it was on course to hit the coast.She said Yasi was a fairly fast moving system, meaning it was unlikely, on current information, to stay in the same location and dump vast amounts of rain on an already flood-devastated state.She said the other factor to consider was the storm surge that would likely accompany the cyclone."The more intense the system, the greater the concern about storm surges," Ms Farrell said."Certainly that is a distinct threat with this system."How far up above the normal high water mark it reaches will depend on the timing and what the tide is. Whether it is high tide or low tide will make a difference."Meanwhile, Brisbane District Disaster Co-ordinator Peter Martin warned residents in the southeast not to be complacent."We do live in the tropics and the sub-tropics and equally cyclones can impact the southeast corner of Queensland," he said."Their history shows that they can impact upon us directly or they can impact upon us indirectly as a result of a significant pattern including increased rain that can occur in the context of a cyclonic event."Mr Martin said people should stock up on torches, battery-operated radios, water, food, medicine, fuel and first-aid and monitor weather alerts."This is not a time to be alarmed but certainly a time to (take) precaution," he said.Disaster management groups across north Queensland are meeting to plan for Yasi's arrival, the Department of Community Safety told AAP.Premier Anna Bligh is also in talks with Emergency Management Queensland chiefs.Source: www.news.com.au

Victoria launches child protection inquiry

Monday 31st of January 2011 GMT

The Victorian Government has announced an inquiry into the state's child protection system, to fix what it says is one of the state's biggest crises.

The review panel will be headed by former Supreme Court judge Philip Cummins and has until November to provide recommendations to the Government.The Premier, Ted Baillieu, says the inquiry aims to reduce the incidence and impact of child abuse and neglect."Vulnerable children have been at risk in this state for too long and in numbers that are just appalling," he said."This has been one of the biggest crises facing the state."He wants a comprehensive review of the systemic problems and recommendations to strengthen and improve the protection and support of vulnerable young people."We have a duty of care to protect our most vulnerable, to ensure they are safe from harm, and we are establishing this inquiry to identify the system's weaknesses," he said.The child protection system has been plagued by delays, accusations of abuse and staff shortages.The Minister for Community Services, Mary Wooldridge, says the inquiry will seek submissions from family and children who have been part of the child protection and out of home care system."To make long-term meaningful improvements to the way we support children and families, we need to fully understand the range of complex issues influencing the system," she said.

Front line workers

But the Opposition Leader, Daniel Andrews, says what is really needed is more front line child protection workers."I don't believe that there were any commitments made by the Baillieu-led opposition campaigning for government, to any additional front line workers," he said."Having commissions of inquiry and reviews are one thing, but extra workers and extra resources to build on our strong record of investment, that's what will put kids first." Source: http://abc.com.au/news/

Blackout hits Melbourne Airport, affects Virgin flights

Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 GMT

PARTS of Melbourne Airport suffered a blackout this morning, and power is still out in some areas. The outage hit about 4.30am, and while essential power has been restored airport staff are still working to get systems back online.

Lights have returned to the Virgin terminal, but it is believed the outage may have affected baggage handling equipment and therefore some flights. Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Carly Dixon said they were not yet sure what caused the blackout, but they were working to find out what happened. "We are working as quickly as possible to rectify the situation," Ms Dixon said.

It is just a scene of mass devastation

Thursday 3rd of February 2011 GMT

The north Queensland farming town of Tully has been devastated by the worst cyclone in living memory, with roofs torn from homes and other structures blown away.

The town, just inland from Mission Beach where Cyclone Yasi made landfall as a monster category five storm, is littered with debris and residents are braced for heartbreaking scenes at first light at 5.47am (AEST). Early reports suggest Tully, Mission Beach and Innisfail, 50km north of ground zero, are the worst hit communities. But Yasi's fury has been felt hundreds of kilometres away, in Cairns to the north, and Townsville to the south, and all the places in between.Cassowary Coast councillor Ross Sorbello said the worst of Yasi appeared to be passing away from Tully, but he's full of dread about what he'll see when the sun comes up. He said he'd had many reports of homes without roofs, including his own mother's where he'd been taking shelter, forcing he and his wife and mum to flee. "We are talking about a pretty strong brick house that was built in the 70s, so god help us in the morning when we look at some of the older places," he told AAP. Other nearby properties had suffered the same fate, he told AAP. He said that even in the dark, a very brief look outside as the eye passed over, told him the devastation would be vast. "It is just a scene of mass devastation," he said. "(Cyclone) Larry was a boy compared to this." He said people were calling him to recount their losses. "People are calling up telling me they've got roofs off, one farmer said he had a great big shed blow away," he said. "All of it confirms that we will be waking up to scenes of destruction in the morning." He said Yasi's fury, which brought winds of up to 290km/h to the north Queensland coast, was finally starting to move on from Tully. "The winds are still going but its finally starting to die down a little so it appears the worst is over." Tully resident Stephanie Grimaz said houses in her street had been ripped apart. "The flat from across the street is in our front yard and we can see other houses which have just been destroyed," she told AAP. "There are sheets of iron everywhere, the streets are just full of debris." Speaking during the eye of the storm, Ms Grimaz said the winds had been terrifying. "We live in a pretty solid concrete house and even that was trembling," she said. At Bilyana, south of Tully, several buildings have been damaged, the ABC reported. "I think all the roof's gone. I could hear it all popping off," one resident, identified only as Rae, told the ABC. Innisfail district disaster coordinator Inspector David Tucker said the cyclone was still raging in the area about 3am (AEST), with no sign of an easing in wind speed or rain. "We've obviously got damage to a couple of the police residences in Tully, parts of the building structures of the Tully CBD, significant wind gusts, significant rain coming through," he told the ABC. "Cardwell that have reported damage, Mission Beach as well, Tully, Silkwood, El-Arish as well, the Innisfail township, significant damage across most of the policing divisions." Source: news.ninemsn.com.au

Cairns survives Yasi with little damage

Thursday 3rd of February 2011 GMT

Cyclone Yasi has left Cairns relatively unscathed and the city will be open for business "very soon", the city's mayor says.

"The CBD and our beautiful esplanade in Cairns is unscathed," Mayor Val Schier said on Thursday morning."We're very relieved this morning."Yasi crossed at Mission Beach, south of Cairns about midnight as a category five. Mission Beach, Tully, Tully Heads, and Cardwell appear to have borne the monster cyclone's full force.Cairns was well prepared and people were inside and "bunkered down" on a very windy night, Ms Schier.There's debris down and branches and trees and the power is out, but relative to our friends down south we've been unscathed."We're hoping that the airport will be open in a couple of hours. They'll do a clean-up of the runway and we'll be open for business very soon," she told Fairfax Radio Network.Ms Schier said that as a tourist town they were keen to get things back up and running so as not to discourage people from coming."We've done it a bit tough economically in the last couple of years and we really need to build our tourism industry," she said."The main concern at the moment is we're waiting for the electricity authority to let us know the all clear because we don't want people coming into contact with live power lines."We lost power in some suburbs from very early on - from 7 o'clock in the evening - so the majority of Cairns is without power."There were very strong winds overnight but "no major reports of structural damage" which the mayor says is testament to the housing that's been built to a much higher standard in recent years."We'll be out cleaning the streets and getting rid of the debris and giving people the all clear to go home," she saidSource: news.ninemsn.com.au

Sea, air search for missing man after Yasi

Friday 4th of February 2011 GMT

Police will conduct a sea and air search of Port Hinchinbrook on Friday in the hope of locating a man who has been missing since moving his boat before Cyclone Yasi struck.

A police spokesman told AAP the male has failed to contact associates, adding that the missing person report was lodged from Canada."He said he was moving his vessel into the mangroves to be safe from the storm surge," the police spokesman told AAP."Since that time we haven't heard from him."We cant get into that area by foot."We're trying to get a police water search as soon as we can, as well as do an aerial survey of the area."Water police reach Port Hinchinbrook on Friday morning after their boats were moved to sheltered moorings before Yasi arrived.An aerial survey of boats, which are stacked like bath toys on the foreshore, in the area may locate the vessel."A lot of the vessels broke moorings so we are trying to map out where all the vessels ended up," the spokesman said."What we found from the Lockyer Valley (during the floods) was a lot of people are reported missing because they are out of contact and this may be a classic example of that."But we are treating it very seriously."Deputy police commissioner Iain Stewart said he cannot rule out more people may be reported missing in the days to come."We are trying to locate both the boat and the person," Mr Stewart told Seven News."Obviously I can't say (this is the only missing person) at this time."Mr Stewart said local police officers were trying to get in touch with local residents to make sure no one else was missing.Source: news.ninemsn.com.au

Live coverage Perth bushfires

Monday 7th of February 2011 GMT

Residents have been evacuated. Dozens of buildings destroyed. At least 12 people taken to hospital. No deaths reported.

So far, the fire has burnt out 381ha, destroyed 42 homes and damaged another 19 properties.The most seriously affected homes were in the area east of Buckingham St, authorities said. Other homes around Martin St, Clifton St, Ciro Rd, Turner Rd and the lower scarp also affected.3.29pm More than 100 firefighters and 50 trucks have been drawn from across the state including Bunbury, Albany, Northam and Geraldton as well as 21 firefighters from Victoria who will assist in incident control.The Victorian government will also provide two helitanks to join two others already in the air.3.22pm Although the bushfire in Roleystone is mostly contained it is still the greatest concern, says Fire and Emergency Services Authority state co-ordinator Mal Cronstedt."It's very complex, very hilly and poses inordinate problems for fire fighters in both assessing the fire and fighting the fire itself," Mr Cronstedt said."It was a herculean effort by firefighters in that area to contain it to the 800 hectares," he said."That's a moving beast and it will require a huge effort today to put in a fire line completely around the fire and ensure it's as safe as practically possible."This will continue for some time and I expect the effort in Roleystone will go for many days yet."2.59pm Anyone trying to re-enter the fire area before the all-clear is given by fire crews will be arrested, Police Superintendent Daryl Thornton told WA Today.2.47pm Kelmscott resident Lionel Goodall tells Perth Now of defending his home from the fires."I was walking around bare foot. They’ve been on red hot ashes,’’ he said looking at his feet."But I’m OK. I was up the back of the house fighting the fires. It came through that quick. One minute it was about a mile and a half up the Brookton Highway and by the time I got to the house, it was in the backyard."2.22pm Experts have responded to the natural disasters affecting regions right across Australia. David Bowman, Professor of Forest Ecology in the School of Plant Science at the University of Tasmania says - while appearing "perverse" - floods, storms and bushfires occuring at the same time is simply "characteristic of this tough old land." "The key issue is Australians need to come to accept that these natural challenges are part of the deal of living in Australia - we still need to learn how to adapt to these challenges and recognise the environment is shaping us as much as we are shaping the environment.”Mr David Bruce, from the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), says the current fires are consistent with the national bushfire forecast released last October, as south-west Western Australia has had its driest winter on record, after years of drought. "So even with some good rain in recent months it was only going to take a blast of hot summer weather and wind to bring back conditions where serious bushfires can occur."2.11pm The bushfire situation remain out of control, but is "clearly a lot better than it was yesterday" said Premier Colin Barnett.Mr Barnett expressed sympathy for Perth hills residents affected by the bushfire and said "the stress, the trauma of this will go on for some time." He said it had been heartening to see most residents had followed advice from fire fighters and opted to leave their homes."That would be a very difficult thing to do; hard to imagine," the premier said."A result of that good sense and proper management of this serious fire is that there has been no loss of life and that's something we should all be thankful for."2.03pm This photograph sent in by a reader shows the damage left in the Perth hills region after the bushfire. A car has been gutted by fire, but the attached trailer and the house appear untouched.1.47pm Donations can be made at any Bankwest branch to the newly launched Perth Hills Bushfire appeal.The Department for Child Protection has asked people to please not send household items or clothes to evacuation centres as they now have plenty.1.44pm Fire-affected regions of the Perth hills are now a natural disaster area.Premier Colin Barnett said residents who had lost homes were now eligible for $3000 payments, or $1000 if their property had suffered significant damage. The natural disaster declaration means that residents can also receive funds through the WA Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements initiative.1.36pm Some roads closed by the fire threat have now reopened, including Toodyay Road in Red Hill and the Great Northern Highway in Upper Chittering.The Brookton Highway remains closed. The Buckingham Bridge, which forms part of Brookton Highway, has sustained extensive damage from the fires, which may result in the stretch of highway being impassable for up to three weeks.1.16pm Western Power says more than 1600 homes are without power in the area, with power switched off for safety but poles down as well.Dozens of people were taken to Armadale Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation yesterday and a firefighter who was hospitalised after being hit by a vehicle was this morning in a stable condition.1.09pm Many evacuated residents of Kelmscott and Roleystone in Perth's east are anxiously waiting at police roadblocks for an all-clear but some don't know if they have homes to go back to.Helen Linden left her house around midday on Sunday and doesn't know if it's still standing, with police not allowing residents back in until firefighters declare it safe.She got out with her laptop, passport and dogs and was waiting anxiously for the all-clear near the Kelmscott Primary School which has been closed for the day because of the fire danger."It's not knowing, if you could just get up there and have a look," she said as helicopter water bombers flew overhead into the smoke."It's a shock, you feel numb. You can deal with trauma if you know what it is."12.55pm An investigation by FESA, police and Western Power determined that a bushfire raging out of control near Brigadoon started when high winds caused a tree branch to come into contact with electrical transmission infrastructure.Initial investigations have determined a blaze in Kelmscott was accidental caused by a person using a grinder.12.44pm Local volunteer Amamda Culver lends a hand at an evacuation centre set up at the Armadale Arena in South Eastern Hill Region of Perth.12.32pm Authorities are worried up to 60 properties in the City of Armadale region will be devastated. Fierce winds are hindering the fight against the rapidly spreading bushfires. The Bureau of Meteorology predict the winds will not ease until later this afternoon.12.09pm Cyclone Yasi, which last week devastated Queensland, is believed to be partly to blame for Perth's raging bushfires, the West Australian reports.The low pressure system left over from cyclone Yasi clashed with a high pressure system in southern WA, causing the wind gusts that fanned the bushfires, Weather Bureau duty forecaster Austen Watkins said."The pressure gradient is strengthening the winds more than usual."12.01pm FESA has released an emergency bushfire warning for homes east of Campersic Road in Brigadoon, Baskerville, Millendon, Red Hill and Herne Hill in the City of Swan. See the full warning here.11.33am It's 8.33am in Perth right now and there are about 200 firefighters and at least two helicopters trying to contain the blaze at Roleystone.A volunteer firefighter who was injured yesterday is in a stable condition at Armadale Hospital. It was earlier reported he may have been hit by a fire truck.11.16am Authorities say 41 houses in the Roleystone area have been destroyed so far, and 19 damaged. The number is expected to increase.

Helicopters and fire crews are battling two major blazes to the northeast and southeast of the city.

Authorities believe 40 buildings have already been destroyed and they are bracing for more damage."The 40 (buildings) is expected to be revised upwards in the light of day," said WA Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) regional coordinator John McMillan this morning.The destroyed buildings include homes, sheds and carports. The Buckingham Bridge on Brookton Highway has also been destroyed.Mr McMillan said the two largest fire fronts remained out of control and unpredictable, with the blaze near Roleystone spreading in numerous directions at a speed of 100m per hour."Our struggle will remain until we get some respite in these unusual weather conditions," he said on ABC Radio."It's just the strength of the easterly winds. They were at damaging strength two days ago and they have maintained the consistency."There have been no reports of deaths so far.At least 12 people have been taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation. A firefighter was also taken to hospital. It is believed he was hit by a fire truck near Roleystone."We haven't had loss of life. We are grateful for that but certainly there's a lot of trauma that goes with it," Mr McMillan said.FESA emergency warnings have been issued for the suburbs of Roleystone, Kelmscott, Brigadoon, Baskerville, Millendon, Red Hill and Herne Hill.Evacuation centres have been set up near both major fires and hundreds of residents have already evacuated.Many roads have been closed in those areas and residents who have left will not be allowed back until the all-clear is given.'It was so quick'One family in Kelmscott told thewest.com.au the fire approached so fast they barely had time to escape before their house was destroyed."It was so quick," said Talia Tucci, 16."I went outside and all I could see was black smoke everywhere."We could see our next-door neighbour hosing everything down but his house just burnt and then it came up to the back of our house and we had no time to get anything, it just came up too fast."As the Tuccis fled with only a handful of possessions, firefighters were forced to jump off the balcony of the house to escape the flames.Other residents were given just 20 minutes to prepare for the blaze to hit their home.The Roleystone bushfire started at 11.42am yesterday, and at noon was not considered by firefighters to be a major threat.But the situation deteriorated rapidly, and a bushfire advice was put out at 12.45pm, warning of the fire.By 1.30pm, the danger had escalated so dramatically that an emergency warning was put out saying homes in parts of Roleystone and Kelmscott would be hit by fire in 20 minutes."There is a threat to lives and homes. You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive," it said.The advice said that if people had not left in 20 minutes, it would not be safe to leave.Authorities believe the Roleystone fire was started accidentally by someone using a grinder.The fire to the northeast of Perth, near Brigadoon, began when strong winds downed a tree branch which fell onto power lines.Source: news.com.au

Liz Hurley touches down, seen at Warnes house

Wednesday 9th of February 2011 GMT

British model Elizabeth Hurley has touched down in Melbourne and gone straight to visit love interest Shane Warne at his home in Brighton, south of Melbourne.

Hurley, 45, was photographed walking into Warne's home less than one hour after her plane landed at 8pm, according to reports in Fairfax newspapers and the Herald Sun.Warne, 41, had workers spend the day going through his gated mansion with an industrial vaccum while gardeners tidied the courtyard and planted new trees. Huge privacy screens were also set up behind the gates to block the view from waiting paparazzi. But those outside the house were able to spot something that looked like a mattress being delivered earlier in the day. Warne was also seen driving around the block several times before Hurley arrived. Hurley, who is expected to stay in Australia for two weeks, refused to say whether she was going to visit Warne when asked at Melbourne Airport. She received cheers and claps from a crowd of about 100 onlookers when she passed through customs. The couple's relationship was thrown into the spotlight by British media last December with grainy photos showing the pair kissing at a London party. Both refused to speak to media about their rumoured fling, but Warne conceded he was "busted" when he was spotted jetting back to Australia after a suspected romantic weekend with Hurley in Los Angeles in late January. The couple's relationship has also been closely monitored via their Twitter conversations, with Hurley telling her followers her time in LA was the "best in a long, long time…".Hurley announced her split from husband Arun Nayar after the photograph of her and Warne kissing became public.Source: news.ninemsn.com.au

Police officer charged over WA bushfire

Thursday 10th of February 2011 GMT

A West Australian police officer, whose use of an angle grinder allegedly ignited a bushfire which raged through the Perth hills district destroying 72 homes, has been charged.

The 56-year-old man who lives in the area, was charged by summons with carrying out an activity in the open air that causes or is likely to cause a bushfire.The charges followed an investigation by the arson squad into allegations the Roleystone man's use of an angle grinder on a trailer set fire to grass and caused the blaze.Gusting winds quickly spread Sunday's fire which eventually ripped through Kelmscott and neighbouring Roleystone forcing hundreds of people to evacuate.A total fire ban was in place in the area at the time, barring any lighting of fires or use of tools such as angle grinders in the open air.On Wednesday morning (WST) WA police spokesman Bill Munnee said it was of concern that the officer, who was on leave at the time, could not been found."We have contacted all family members and friends and we are pretty confident we will get hold of him," Inspector Munnee said."I believe he is just shattered and devastated and he's probably just taking time out to reflect on a few things."He said he didn't think the officer would "contemplate the worst".By Wednesday afternoon, it was confirmed police had spoken to the officer and he was summonsed to appear at Armadale Magistrates Court on March 15.Under the Bushfire Act, the man could face a maximum penalty of $25,000 or 12 months in jail.Late on Wednesday, the fire had finally been contained and the last of the evacuees allowed back to their properties, some just to inspect smouldering ruins.Some residents have complained that phone alerts sent through the StateAlert emergency warning system arrived too late for them to prepare to defend their homes or evacuate with cherished belongings.The fire started at around 11.45am (WST) on Sunday but alerts were not issued until 1.50pm.The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) has defended the timing, saying the fire had been contained just after midday but strong wind gusts whipped it up again and it jumped containment lines.FESA spokesman Allen Gale said the fire started near homes in swirling, gusty winds and there was a lot of vegetation around."It's an ongoing dilemma of living in a high risk bushfire area and knowing that one day there's a possibility your home could be lost."There has also been criticism that not enough controlled burn-offs of bushland in the area had been done.Department of Environment and Conservation Fire Management Services manager Murray Carter said a prescribed burn was carried out in the Banyowla Regional Park four years ago but none were scheduled last winter."It has its own set of complications in that rugged terrain."But it's not an area we avoid."Mr Carter said the department's research scientists would examine the fire's behaviour and assess the effect of the last prescribed burn.He said it was very difficult to do controlled burns close to houses."To put in a burn where houses are right up against the bush, you do run the risk of burning the houses down yourself."There's no margin of error. You have to have everything in your favour."Residents also did not appreciate smoke going through their properties, Mr Carter said.City of Armadale mayor Linton Reynolds said the city's two volunteer fire brigades had a strong interest in ensuring prescribed burns were carried out in the area's parks and reserves."I extended the burning season by two weeks for our fire brigades to help them complete their burns."Mr Reynolds said there would be reviews to see if any lessons could be learnt from the fire.The state opposition's emergency services spokeswoman Margaret Quirk has called for an independent inquiry to examine WA's ability to prevent and fight dangerous bushfires."An inquiry is not about directing blame, it's about ensuring world's best practice is applied to cope with the increased risk."Emergency Services Minister Rob Johnson said reviews were conducted after every major fire and FESA called in experts from other states to report on the fire and evaluate WA's firefighting capabilities.Source: news.ninemsn.com.au/

School terms and public holidays for 2011 NSW Government schools

Saturday 1st of January 2011 GMT

Term Dates for 2011 in NSW

This information (and TAFE teaching and vacation dates) can be faxed to you by phoning 1300 301 146

Term 1

Friday, 28 January 2011 to Friday, 08 April 2011

Term 2

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 to Friday, 01 July 2011

Term 3

Monday, 18 July 2011 to Friday, 23 September 2011

Term 4

Monday, 10 October 2011 to Tuesday, 20 December 2011

School terms and public holidays for 2011 NT Government schools

Saturday 1st of January 2011 GMT

Term Dates for 2011 in NT

Term 1

Monday 24 January to Friday 1 April(Students resume Tuesday 25 January)

Term 2

Monday 11 April to Friday 24 JuneEaster break Friday 22 April - Monday 25 April Semester break Monday 27 June - Friday 22 July

Term 3

Monday 25 July to Friday 30 September(Students resume Tuesday 26 July)Midsemester break Monday 3 October - Friday 7 October

Term 4

Monday 10 October to Friday 16 December

School terms and Dates 2011 in SA

Saturday 1st of January 2011 GMT

Term Dates for 2011 in SA

This information is current as of December 2010.To confirm this information, please contact the Department of Education and Children's Services on 8226 1083.

Term 1

31 Jan - 15 Apr

Term 2

2 May - 8 Jul

Term 3

25 Jul - 30 Sep

Term 4

17 Oct - 16 Dec

NABs exit fee plan triggers fresh lender mortgage war with rivals

Friday 11th of February 2011 GMT

NATIONAL Australia Bank will pay the exit fees for home loans in a bold bid to poach customers from its two biggest rivals.

The NAB will reimburse home owners the average $700 penalty they are slugged when they desert mortgage behemoths Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank.The move looms as the most dramatic shake-up to the market in years and follows the Commonwealth Bank's vow this week to fight back in the home loan sector after losing pace over the past year.An email sent to NAB managers late yesterday, and seen by the The Daily Telegraph, reveals the bank's plan for the aggressive campaign.Industry sources said the NAB's campaign had the potential to cost the bank tens of millions of dollars if the offer was taken up widely, but it was likely to reap long-term dividends.It promises to propel the big four banks into a bitter price war that could see a raft of cheap deals and incentives offered to home buyers.And in good news for home owners, interest rates aren't expected to rise any time soon.Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens told a parliamentary committee in Canberra yesterday that inflation would hit 3 per cent by June as a result of price shocks from the Queensland floods and Cyclone Yasi."The [Reserve Bank] board's view at the recent meeting was while there will be substantial impacts on the short-term path of economic activity and prices, monetary policy should not respond to those," he said.With Commonwealth Bank finance chief David Craig this week promising his bank would push its "foot back down on the floor in home loans", other banks are likely to be caught in the cross fire.ANZ and NAB have both scrapped mortgage exit fees - the charges forced upon customers who switch mortgage to another lender in the first four years of their loan term.Westpac and the Commonwealth - the most expensive major banks for standard home loans - still charge the fees, all but locking in hundreds of thousands of customers at higher rates.In the email, the NAB's Lisa Gray accused the Commonwealth and Westpac of stifling competition."The two major banks with the highest standard variable rates have refused to support competition and have maintained a $700 mortgage early exit fee," she wrote.NAB abolished the fees on variable mortgages "because we believe customers should have freedom to walk down the road and find a better deal if they are unhappy with their bank". The move will increase pressure on the two banks to abolish exit fees.Source: www.news.com.au

Flood affected areas in Queensland

Tuesday 1st of February 2011 GMT

Affected areas in Queensland

Please note that this information is relevant to natural disasters within the period of December 2010 - February 2011.There has been a significant amount of flooding that has affected many areas in Queensland from late December 2010 and early January 2011. Almost three quarters of Queensland State has been declared a disaster zone.The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) assists people who have been adversely affected by the heavy rainfall, storm damage and associated flooding that began in November 2010 and continues in January and February 2011 across Australia. For more information call Centrelink on 180 22 66.Recovery work is underway, with support available for those affected and opportunities for everyone to help others in need.

Affected area's by Postcode

If you are affected by these following disaster area's or know of these area's and this information is incorrect by any way please notify "australian-post-codes.com" by contacting us at info@australian-post-codes.com SPRING HILL 4000
WACOL 4076
POINT LOOKOUT 4183
WOMINA 4370
BURPENGARY DC 4505
SURBITON 4724
CAMOOWEAL 4828
WATERFRONT PLACE 4001
RICHLANDS DC 4077
RUSSELL ISLAND 4184
YANGAN 4371
UPPER CABOOLTURE 4510
MEXICO 4728
NICHOLSON 4830
WINTERGARDEN 4002
WEST END 4101
BETHANIA 4205
TANNYMOREL 4372
WOOLMAR 4515
VERGEMONT 4730
RUNGOO 4849
GEORGE STREET 4003
WOOLLOONGABBA 4102
YATALA DC 4207
THE HEAD 4373
WOOTHA 4552
SUNNYSIDE 4737
YURUGA 4850
SPRING HILL 4004
FAIRFIELD GARDENS 4103
ROBINA TOWN CENTRE 4230
WATSONS CROSSING 4385
TINBEERWAH 4563
KOUMALA 4738
WONGALING BEACH 4852
NEW FARM 4005
YERONGA 4104
TAMBORINE 4270
WHETSTONE 4387
WOONDUM 4570
WEST MACKAY 4740
WARRAMI 4854
NEWSTEAD 4006
YEERONGPILLY 4105
STOCKLEIGH 4280
YELARBON 4388
OBI OBI 4574
YALBOROO 4741
SHELL POCKET 4855
HAMILTON CENTRAL 4007
ROCKLEA DC 4106
WOODHILL 4285
YAGABURNE 4390
WOOWOONGA 4621
VALKYRIE 4742
WALTER LEVER ESTATE 4856
PINKENBA 4008
SALISBURY EAST 4107
RUNNING CREEK 4287
KINGSTHORPE 4400
YENDA 4625
SHOAL POINT 4750
NEW HARBOURLINE 4858
EAGLE FARM BC 4009
COOPERS PLAINS 4108
SPRINGFIELD LAKES 4300
YARGULLEN 4401
RIVERLEIGH 4626
WALKERSTON 4751
SOUTH JOHNSTONE 4859
ALBION DC 4010
WILLAWONG 4110
REDBANK PLAINS 4301
WAINUI 4404
WURUMA DAM 4627
MARIAN 4753
WOOROONOORAN 4860
HENDRA 4011
WOODRIDGE 4114
RIVERVIEW 4303
WERANGA 4405
YARROL 4630
SEPTIMUS 4754
EAST RUSSELL 4861
WAVELL HEIGHTS NORTH 4012
KARAWATHA 4117
SILKSTONE 4304
WEIR RIVER 4406
YERRA 4650
NETHERDALE 4756
PACKERS CAMP 4865
NORTHGATE 4013
REGENTS PARK 4118
YAMANTO 4305
NANGWEE 4407
PACIFIC HAVEN 4659
EUNGELLA DAM 4757
WOREE 4868
VIRGINIA DC 4014
UNDERWOOD 4119
WIVENHOE POCKET 4306
BELL 4408
WOODGATE 4660
ST HELENS BEACH 4798
WRIGHTS CREEK 4869
SHORNCLIFFE 4017
STONES CORNER 4120
WILSONS PLAINS 4307
JANDOWAE 4410
TORBANLEA 4662
MIDGE POINT 4799
WHITFIELD 4870
TAIGUM 4018
ROCHEDALE SOUTH 4123
TEVIOTVILLE 4309
WARRA 4411
WOONGARRA 4670
WILSON BEACH 4800
YARRADEN 4871
TANGALOOMA 4025
SPRING MOUNTAIN 4124
WYARALONG 4310
BRIGALOW 4412
WONBAH FOREST 4671
WOODWARK 4802
WALKAMIN 4872
ROYAL BRISBANE HOSPITAL 4029
PARK RIDGE SOUTH 4125
WIVENHOE HILL 4311
WIEAMBILLA 4413
YANDARAN 4673
SPRINGLANDS 4804
WONGA 4873
WOOLOOWIN 4030
SPRINGWOOD 4127
SOMERSET DAM 4312
PELHAM 4415
TAUNTON 4674
QUEENS BEACH 4805
WANGETTI 4877
KEDRON 4031
TANAH MERAH 4128
YIMBUN 4313
YULABILLA 4416
LOWMEAD 4676
WUNJUNGA 4806
YORKEYS KNOB 4878
CHERMSIDE WEST 4032
LOGANHOLME DC 4129
WOOLSHED 4340
WERIBONE 4417
WURDONG HEIGHTS 4680
SWANS LAGOON 4807
TRINITY PARK 4879
ZILLMERE 4034
MEADOWBROOK 4131
TOWNSON 4341
GULUGUBA 4418
WEST ROCKHAMPTON 4700
COLEVALE 4808
PADDYS GREEN 4880
BRIDGEMAN DOWNS 4035
MARSDEN 4132
LYNFORD 4342
WANDOAN 4419
THE COMMON 4701
UPPER HAUGHTON 4809
SPEEWAH 4881
BALD HILLS 4036
WATERFORD WEST 4133
WOODLANDS 4343
TAROOM 4420
YARAKA 4702
WEST END 4810
TOLGA 4882
WILSTON 4051
COORPAROO DC 4151
UPPER FLAGSTONE 4344
TARA 4421
YEPPOON 4703
WULGURU 4811
WONGABEL 4883
RED HILL 4059
CLEVELAND DC 4163
GATTON COLLEGE 4345
WESTMAR 4422
TIERI 4709
ROSSLEA 4812
YUNGABURRA 4884
PADDINGTON 4064
THORNLANDS 4164
MARBURG 4346
TEELBA 4423
DUARINGA 4712
VINCENT 4814
TOPAZ 4885
BARDON 4065
VICTORIA POINT WEST 4165
WINWILL 4347
GLENAUBYN 4424
WOORABINDA 4713
RASMUSSEN 4815
MUNGALLI 4886
TOOWONG DC 4066
KANGAROO POINT 4169
WYALLA PLAZA 4350
DULACCA 4425
WURA 4714
WOODSTOCK 4816
WONDECLA 4887
ST LUCIA SOUTH 4067
SEVEN HILLS 4170
YANDILLA 4352
RIVERSLEIGH 4470
VALENTINE PLAINS 4715
THURINGOWA CENTRAL 4817
TUMOULIN 4888
TARINGA 4068
HAWTHORNE 4171
YARRANLEA 4356
HEBEL 4486
BLACKWATER 4717
YABULU 4818
NORMANTON 4890
UPPER BROOKFIELD 4069
MURARRIE 4172
WOONDUL 4357
ST GEORGE 4487
WARNOAH 4718
WEST POINT 4819
KARUMBA 4891
MOGGILL 4070
TINGALPA DC 4173
WEST HALDON 4359
NEBINE 4488
THEODORE 4719
TOWERS HILL 4820
WUJAL WUJAL 4895
SINNAMON PARK 4073
HEMMANT 4174
VICTORIA HILL 4361
TALWOOD 4496
YAMALA 4720
TANGORIN 4821
WESTLAKE 4074
WYNNUM WEST 4178
TALGAI 4362
WEENGALLON 4497
WEALWANDANGIE 4722
THREE RIVERS 4824
SHERWOOD 4075
MANLY WEST 4179
LEYBURN 4365
WARNER 4500
RETRO 4723
WINSTON 4825
If you are affected by these disaster area's or know of these area's and this information is incorrect by any way please notify "australian-post-codes.com" by contacting us at info@australian-post-codes.com

Parramatta in spotlight as pollies woo west

Thursday 10th of February 2011 GMT

Premier Kristina Keneally began wooing western Sydney this week,

choosing Parramatta train station to launch her Fairness for Families policy on Monday morning followed by a debate against Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell in Penrith in the afternoon.The Fairness for Families bills will deliver a $250 rebate for families on less than $150,000 on their electricity bills. Reporters Mark O’Brien and Jenna Daroczy ask: What’s in it for Parramatta?1. King’s School decision back before cabinet A decision on the future of the old King’s School site is likely before the March election, with Premier Kristina Keneally saying ‘‘of course’’ she wanted it resolved before then.Ms Keneally also said ‘‘due cabinet process’’ would be observed in making a decision, despite reports she would be making her own decision.Local artists want the land and buildings in Parramatta’s Marist Place and overlooking the Parramatta River to become an arts hub, while the Catholic Church wants to create a social welfare hub, offering refugee services, counselling, after-school programs and others.Ms Keneally confirmed she had ‘‘received an offer’’ from the Catholic Church for the land, but said she was ‘‘also considering the arts community’’.‘‘I understand there is great community interest in this site, which could provide a range of opportunities,’’ she said.‘‘There is enough land to consider a combined use for the arts and also a space for community services.‘‘Yes, I do have a personal interest in this site and I want to see the best value achieved for it . . . of course I would like to see it resolved before the election.’’However, Ms Keneally refused to guarantee the land would remain in public hands.At the Penrith leaders’ debate, Independent Parramatta councillor Lorraine Wearne said western Sydney residents had been treated ‘‘like second-class citizens’’ when it came to funding for the arts, and she wanted to see the site remain in public hands and finally be turned into an arts precinct as once championed by former Parramatta mayor and western Sydney minister David Borger.2. Funding for loop bus serviceMs Keneally defended her decision to fund brand new CBD loop bus services in Campbelltown, Gosford and Liverpool before giving any funding to Parramatta Council’s existing, but stretched, Loop Bus service.The Premier said Parramatta candidate Pierre Esber had been ‘‘bashing our ears’’ about getting funding for the bus service, and that he was ‘‘getting a good hearing’’.So far, this has not resulted in any money for the solely council-funded bus service.Ms Keneally acknowledged her government wanted Parramatta to be Sydney’s second CBD, but reiterated her commitment to the Parramatta to Epping rail link, rather than explaining why she was happy for the council to foot the bill for the entire bus service.3. Liberal candidate backs rail linkKristina Keneally said Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell could not be taken seriously while he continued to oppose more public transport for western Sydney by planning to scrap the Epping to Parramatta rail link.Mr O’Farrell’s own candidate in Parramatta, Geoff Lee, is inclined to agree with Ms Keneally.‘‘The Parramatta to Epping rail link will be an important part of the Sydney rail network and a project I will be fighting for,’’ he said. Mr Lee said he would also lobby Mr O’Farrell for state funding to expand the councilfunded Parramatta Loop Bus to take in UWS, Harris Park and the northern suburbs.4. Keneally defends ignoring branchesAfter apologising to western Sydney for Labor being ‘‘too focused on itself’’, Premier Kristina Keneally has defended not allowing local branch members to vote for their own candidate in Parramatta.Parramatta councillor Pierre Esber was selected to run as the candidate by head office, despite fellow councillor Julia Finn putting her hand up for the role and calling for a branch vote.Ms Keneally said Mr Esber was a ‘‘strong local candidate with experience in the local council’’ who represented the ‘‘fresh team and fresh ideas’’ she was seeking in candidates.She would not say why local branch elections were not held.5. Abbott brings shadow cabinet hereFederal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott held his first shadow cabinet meeting of the year in Parramatta last Friday. He joined local state Liberal candidates Tony Issa (Granville) and Geoff Lee (Parramatta) in a walk through Church Street before cabinet got under way in the morning.Source: www.parramattasun.com.au

Mitch Clark wants to make amends for Lions

Thursday 17th of February 2011 GMT

DRIVEN by memories of a "pretty poor" 2010, Brisbane's Mitch Clark has vowed to make amends.

Clark will take the first steps towards redemption in tomorrow night's NAB Cup pre-season matches against Essendon and St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.He is likely to line-up at full forward in place of the troubled Brendan Fevola, who is set to emerge from rehabilitation in the coming days.The 23-year-old was outstanding in the ruck in 2009 after being thrown in the deep end following injuries to regulars Jamie Charman and Matthew Leuenberger in the first month of the season.He was named in the All-Australian squad and was unlucky to miss the final cut after standing tall in all 24 matches for Brisbane in their march to the second week of finals.But much like the Lions themselves, Clark suffered a reversal of fortune in 2010.Injury and suspension disrupted the start of his campaign and by his own admission, the East Fremantle product failed to reproduce the stellar form of 2009.He hit the training track like a man possessed during summer and if you ask anyone around the Lions' den who is having a good pre-season, the answer is invariably Mitch Clark."This has definitely been the best pre-season I've had since I've been at the club. Last year was very disappointing for myself personally and for the team," Clark said."I didn't reach the same levels that I know I can play. It was not the standard that I should be setting ... I had a pretty poor year but there were probably a few guys in the same boat."Once we finished off last season, I was really excited about this pre-season. I'm coming into my sixth season now and I have to be contributing more and more to the team each week."I can't put last season down to any one thing but I know I have to raise my standards."I had to take my fitness to another level and I think I've done that so I'm looking forward to playing some good footy again."With Fevola's future uncertain, Clark will initially work in tandem with Jonathan Brown in Brisbane's forward line although the skipper is unlikely to spend much time on the paddock in the pre-season.Source: www.couriermail.com.au

Its the video horror show that politicians dont want you to see

Friday 18th of February 2011 GMT

But the graphic and bloody scenes are merely the shocking reality of our booze-soaked city centres, the Police Association of NSW says.

The police union released the video on Friday as part of its bid for statewide curbs on the sale of alcohol in pubs and clubs.One particularly disturbing scene shows a young man being knocked unconscious during a street brawl in Wollongong.He's then kicked extremely hard in the face while he lies motionless on the ground, sending his head jerking sharply backwards. A close-up later shows blood pouring from his face.Police Association president Scott Weber said politicians didn't want the public to see the footage, but he hoped it would provoke lawmakers into addressing alcohol-fuelled violence.A recent report by the Australian Education and Rehabilitation Foundation put the national annual cost of alcohol misuse at $36 billion, with around 70,000 alcohol-related assaults occurring every year."You can't bury your head in the sand any more. Politicians actually have to step up and do their job, that is protecting the community," Mr Weber told journalists in Sydney.His warning came as a scrap erupted among political heavyweights over plans to rid Sydney of boozy bust-ups, with the city's Lord Mayor Clover Moore accusing state ministers of showing contempt for the community.The row is a hangover from December when the NSW government stripped City of Sydney of new powers to use police data to work out if pubs and clubs could have extended opening hours.Under the proposed system, venues that consistently attracted violence would not have been allowed to stay open later.The city had planned to consult Sydneysiders about the government scrapping the system.But it says it was banned from doing so after Planning Minister Tony Kelly changed the law late on Thursday night."The minister was so worried about community opinion that he changed the law to cut out the community's right to have a say," Ms Moore said in a statement on Friday."He's ordered council to revoke our improvements by 3 March."NSW Premier Kristina Keneally dismissed the criticism, saying the issue was resolved in December.Ms Keneally also responded to the police association, which accused her government of doing little to tackle alcohol-related violence.The union wants a three-month state-wide trial of 3am closing times, 1am lock-outs and restrictions on the sale of high-alcohol drinks in pubs and clubs.It would follow the example of a three-month trial in Newcastle, which police and politicians credit with helping reduce alcohol-related violence in that city, and would affect 320 premises."I don't think they (politicians) actually have the strategies. I think there's been powerful lobby groups in place ... sitting there telling them not to go down this path," Mr Weber said.He pointed to Wollongong, on the south coast, where he said an application to introduce restrictions on booze sales had been in the offing for 15 months.Ms Keneally said the government was tackling violence through its "Hassle Free Nights" policy, which adopts various strategies in the state's most violent entertainment districts such as the Sydney CBD, Manly, Newcastle and Wollongong."We take an approach that there is no blanket 'one size fits all'," Ms Keneally told reporters."What works in Newcastle may or may not be the solution in Wollongong. But what we do do, is ensure local communities, including local police, have the opportunity to tailor a solution to their situation."Mr Weber called the Hassle Free Nights approach "foolhardy".Source: news.ninemsn.com.au

School term dates for 2011 Victoria (vic)

Saturday 1st of January 2011 GMT

Kindergarten term dates

Term 11 February to 8 AprilTerm 227 April to 1 JulyTerm 318 July to 23 SeptemberTerm 410 October to 22 December* (25 April is Easter Monday - a public holiday - as well as ANZAC Day. 26 April is a public holiday in lieu of ANZAC Day)

School term dates

Term 11 February (teachers start) to 8 AprilTerm 227 April to 1 JulyTerm 318 July to 23 SeptemberTerm 410 October to 22 DecemberThe first day of Term 1 is when teachers start – this is a student-free day. Please check with your school when your child starts as student-free day arrangements may vary from school to school. Please check with your school when other student-free days will occur throughout the school year.(25 April is Easter Monday - a public holiday - as well as ANZAC Day. 26 April is a public holiday in lieu of ANZAC Day)

Time is right for carbon price, says Julia Gillard

Thursday 24th of February 2011 GMT

FROM July 1 next year there will be a fixed cost attached to carbon pollution which will evolve into a floating market price for emissions, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said today.The fixed price would be enforced for up to five years before the transition to price competition.She outlined the basic structure of the Government's climate change mechanism and said all revenue would go to compensating households and business, and funding renewable energy programs.But the size of the initial price and the magnitude of compensation payments have not been calculated yet.The Prime Minister made clear that activities which caused pollution would become more expensive: "That is the whole point."But she said: "Clearly, as a Labor Prime Minister, I want to make sure that industry can make the change, that they've got smooth transition in the change..."There was still "work to do" to discuss the levels of compensation, with the Greens arguing that that industries had to feel pain or they would not reduce emissions. For example, it is not yet certain the transport sector - including petrol prices - would be included in the carbon pricing network.The thrust of the Prime Minister's announcement was to highlight her determination to advance acting on climate change and that she would not be deflected by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's claims of "a great big new tax".Passage of her climate change legislation, which seems a long way off from being drafted, is not guaranteed even with the support so far of the Greens.Ms Gillard was releasing the second report from the climate change committee which is helping put together the Government's renewed bid for a market-based response to global warning which penalised carbon emissions.For the first time a starting date was announced, something business has been calling for over several months as they struggling with the timing of their own investments."The time is right and the time is now. If we do risk being left behind, it will cost us jobs," Ms Gillard said.The Prime Minister appeared with Climate Change Minister Greg Combet, Independent MPs Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott, and Greens Leader Bob Brown and his deputy Christine Milne.Vowing not to take a backward step, she said: "We are a competent nation and we are not afraid of change."The initial tax on carbon pollution would operate from three to five years - that detail has not been settled - before transition to an emissions trading scheme based on international market pricing.Ms Gillard compared the program to the economy change caused by the industrial revolution and said Australia could not afford to be left behind."The global economy is shifting," she said in a statement."Right now, Australia is at risk of falling behind the rest of the world. The longer we wait, the greater the cost to the economy, and the greater the cost to Australian jobs."Source: news.com.au

People power wins over fast food giant after McDonalds told to burger off

Sunday 27th of February 2011 GMT

McDonald's lose fight to set up shop in suburb

Residents object to "bogans, fake meat smell"

Ruling ends massive 15-month legal battle

McDONALD'S has been forced to ditch plans for an outlet in a Melbourne suburb after residents won a David and Goliath court battle to keep the fast-food giant off their turf. A VCAT ruling this month upheld a decision by Knox City Council to refuse a permit to construct the eatery on the corner of Ferntree Gully and Kathryn roads, Knoxfield, ending a 15-month legal battle.More than 600 residents voiced their objection through a petition to council.VCAT arbitrator Laurie Hewet ruled the outlet's impact on surrounding properties through increased traffic and late trading hours outweighed the economic benefit it could bring to the area."The nature of this site's residential interfaces and its broader residential context ... has led me to conclude that this proposal is not acceptable for this site," Mr Hewet stated."It is clear that the site is too close to residences and has been chosen because of the skate park across the road," Mr Colling said."As a youth worker, I have seen young people cross that road and it can be dangerous."It would happen far more if the restaurant was there."But a Facebook group administered by Mr Colling, rallying residents behind the push to have the restaurant barred, said residents feared "bogans in their 'doof doof' cars all hours of the night, rubbish all over the place and the stench of fries and fake meat wafting through our streets."Mr Colling hopes the site will become a childcare centre or kindergarten.Source: www.news.com.au

Australian Broadband Search Broadband Availability by Postcode, Suburb or Phone Number

Monday 28th of February 2011 GMT

Search & Compare Broadband Providers & Internet Plans Australia wide.

What is ADSL? Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)

ADSL Broadband is one form of the Digital Subscriber Line, this is provided through a telephone lines that gives you access to the internet with speeds of up to 140 times faster than dial up or ADSL2 can offer speeds of up to 24Mbps.A splitter, or DSL filter, allows a single telephone connection to be used for both ADSL service and voice calls at the same time. This component is generally supplied by the Internet Service Provider (ISP).The graph above displays the frequency plan for ADSL. Red area is the frequency range used by normal voice telephony (PSTN), the green (upstream) and blue (downstream) areas are used for ADSL.

What is Naked DSL?

A naked DSL or dry loop DSL has a little difference to ADSL or ADSL2 it runs as the same form as ADSL but without the telephone service. This means there is no dial tone and no cable connected from the telephone switch to the splitter.However, the customer could still use the line for regular telephone services know as Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP).

What is Cable?

Cable broadband is made of COAX to deliver high speed broadband access. This is generally only available in metropolitan and built up areas.

What is Wireless Internet?

Wireless Broadband Internet gives customers ease and comfort of the net without using any wires. Wireless Internet has become one the fastest growing services to use the internet.Wireless Broadband Internet works by connecting to telecommunication towers Geographically suited to were the customer is placed, Wireless Internet can be accessed in almost anywhere around Australia.

What is Satellite Internet?

Satellite Broadband Internet has grown popular around remote, rural and regional areas due to its vast coverage capabilities. Satellite Internet is slower in speed than other types of Internet Broadband but these days prices set the balance for that.A great place to start looking for Internet Broadband is at youcompare.com.auIf you're after a way to check for Broadband Availability by Postcode, Suburb, Phone Number or your address Bigpond have a great component that does it all for you. You can find it by visiting Bigpond Now.Test you current Internet Broadband speed with our Speed Tester. Click Here

ATMs eject thousands in free cash after Commonwealth computer glitch

Tuesday 1st of March 2011 GMT

A GLITCH bugging Commonwealth Bank has caused ATMs to spill out "thousands of dollars" with police forced to guard machines.

The malfunction is understood to have affected dozens of ATMs in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.However, CBA has warned that those customers who took advantage of the glitch, which they insist has now been rectified, are unlikely to get away with it.Commonwealth spokesman Bryan Fitzgerald told 3AW radio this evening that the glitch was caused after an error in system maintenance last night, and confirmed the problem had affected ATMs in Melbourne.With ATM networks functioning in offline mode, customers were able to overdraw their accounts - withdrawing more money than was actually available to them."We will be following up on those customers to get our money back," Mr Fitzgerald said.He said customers had an obligation to repay any funds withdrawn that is not theirs and reassured all other customers that their money was safe.Police have received numerous reports of cash being dispensed in large amounts.NSW Detective Superintendent Col Dyson warned it was a criminal offence to keep excess money dispensed from an ATM, and that they must return it to the bank."They should also realise that ATM locations are covered extensively by surveillance," he said.In Sydney, police were called to guard affected machines, including one at a suburban shopping centre which was "very busy" until the problem was noticed.Late this afternoon, NSW police reported that around 40 ATMs operated by a "major bank" were dispensing large amounts of excess cash. "There were two or three policeman guarding the ATM," Plumpton Fast Photo retail assistant Jancy told the Daily Telegraph."We didn't really know what was going on but there were people crowded around the machine."Then the coppers came and stood around while the [service] guy fixed it.Wizzers Hair Design manager Keven said: "A lot of people came to the ATM and it was very busy between 10.30 until just now."We saw about two or three police but they couldn't stop the people, they couldn't say 'No don't do that' because who knows what they were getting?," Keven said.Earlier, the Commonwealth Bank said “routine maintenance” triggered a major glitch still affecting online, electronic and phone banking.The computer malfunction has prevented online money transfers and BPAY, and is also affecting EFTPOS, ATM and phone banking.While the problem was first reported this morning, the issue continued to frustrate customers as the day neared close of business.Banking customers today were unable to transfer money from their accounts or pay bills as the bank suggested people with urgent transactions should visit a local bank branch.CBA spokesman Steve Batten said it was investigating the problem which had occurred last night during “routine database maintenance”.Mr Batten said full banking services were expected to resume this afternoon.In the meantime, affected services included funds transfer through NetBank, CommSee Bpay and phone banking channels. Some EFTPOS and ATMs were also affected, he said.“The CBA understands the potential impact these matters can have on our customers and apologises for the inconvenience,” Mr Batten said.The bank said its NetBank system was still online, but also reported that scheduled payments due today would be delayed until “later today”.In a statement, the bank urged customers to “bear with us while we investigate and resolve this issue”.Many users reported frustration at the problems, with some concerned they would be charged for overdrawing their accounts, or failing to meet payment deadlines.Others tweeted that they were unable to get through to the Netbank hotline.In December, the bank was hit by a separate computer problem that left about 5 per cent of its customers without access to their money.The problem was tracked down to a lagging computer file.A corrupt file triggered late payments for thousands of NAB customers in November, while its online banking system went offline for about eight hours in late January.The malfunction comes a day after the bank launched an app for Android-enabled phones, with the bank estimating 20 per cent of log-ons were now done over mobile devices.The CBA said its mobile banking platform had been “been modified for Android to enhance the mobile banking experience with customised screen sizes and resolution, along with faster processing time”.Mr Batten said the latest banking issue was unrelated.Source: www.heraldsun.com.au

Australian Daylight Savings Time 2011

Tuesday 1st of March 2011 GMT

Australian Daylight Savings Time (DST)

Australian Daylight Savings Time (DST) dates back from the First World War and was initially applied to all states around Australia, but in 2010 the only States that participate in Daylight Savings Time are New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania other States such as Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory don’t participate in Daylight Savings.Daylight Savings begins on the first Sunday of October which is 3rd October, 2010 (03-10-2010) at 2:00am Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), Clocks need to be turned forward 1 hour to 3:00am.Australian Daylight Savings Time is followed through until the first Sunday of April 2011 (03-04-2011), Clocks are then turned back 1 hour at 2:00am to 1:00am.

Australian Daylight Savings for 2012

When is Daylight Savings?

NSW, VIC, ACT, SA and TAS Daylight Savings

End Period of Daylight Savings Time
on Sunday 3 April 2011
at 3:00am set your clocks
back one hour to 2:00amStart Period of Daylight Savings Time
on Sunday 2 October 2011
at 2:00am set your clocks
forwards one hour to 3:00am

Australian Postcode Database Free Download

Friday 1st of October 2010 GMT

Free Australian Postcode Database

We found that it was a long and difficult process to find and compile Australian Postcodes as a database so in turn we have made it easy for other developers to access and download one.We have supplied three common formats for you to play with a Postcode spread sheet, CSV file and a sql database file absolutely free for you to download.

Our database comes with the following fields

* Postcode * Suburb * State * Delivery Office * Pre-sort Indicator * Parcel Zone * BSP Number * BSP Name * Category * Latitude * LongitudeOur Australian Postcode database is commonly used for Real estate websites, Postcode search finder websites, corporate franchised companies with multiple outlets, Google street map components or just a Postcode search component on any website.We’re offering this database for free that’s right at no charge and we don’t want your email address either.If you like, "and it would be much appreciated" please link to us on your website.This database is no longer available! Sorry for the inconvenience.Please visit Austrlian Post to obtain a copy

Civil action to come in Hey Dad! scandal

Monday 7th of March 2011 GMT

FORMER child-star Sarah Monahan says she plans to launch civil action against Seven Network executives and the man she claims acted inappropriately towards her on the set of TV show Hey Dad.

Ms Monahan, now 33, claims she was a victim of inappropriate behaviour by actor Robert Hughes, who played her on-screen father, during the 1990s.Hughes, who know lives in Singapore, denies the allegations which first surfaced in March last year.Ms Monahan told A Current Affair she will not wait for NSW police to finish their investigation into the allegations before launching civil action."We really don't know how much longer it's going to take and (police) can't tell how much longer it's going to take or if it's even ever going to result in charges," she said.Ms Monahan said her anger extended beyond Hughes to the television executives who she believes knew of the allegations."I was sure that they knew because everybody knew," she alleged."It's all about them making their money and the best way to hurt them is with their pocket book, go after their money," she claimed.Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au

School term dates for 2011 Western Australia (wa)

Saturday 1st of January 2011 GMT

School term dates
Term dates for primary and secondary students in public schools in Western Australia (all dates are inclusive). Independent Public Schools should be contacted directly for advice on school development days and term dates.Term 1 Wednesday 2 February - Tuesday 19 April Term 2Thursday 5 May - Friday 8 July Term 3 Tuesday 26 July - Friday 30 SeptemberTerm 4 Tuesday 18 October - Wednesday 14 December

Free Broadband Speed Test Australia

Wednesday 9th of March 2011 GMT

Australian Broadband Speed Test.
Test Your Broadband Download and Upload Speeds.
Internet Speed Test Australia.

How fast is my internet connection?Start your internet speed test below and compare your results with family and friends!Welcome to our Internet Broadband Speed Tester.This broadband speed test will test your bandwidth download and upload speeds.Results will show Download, Latency and upload speeds in Kbps.Just hit the Start button below when you're ready to start your speed test.*Please note that actual speeds may vary based on factors such as line quality, distance from exchange (for ADSL/ADSL2 ), technology used, hardware capabilities, server route and network congestion.Start Your test Below.

What is KBPS?

Kbps stands for "Kilo Bits Per Second", this is the rate that data travels through your internet connection. 1000 Kilo Bits is equal to 1 Megabyte.

Why do I have different results each time I run a speed test?

The speed test is calculated by the current throughput your internet connection has at the time. There are many factors why your internet connection fluxuates in speeds such as network congestion and other downloads in progress can affect your connection speeds. Try stoping all other internet activity each time you run a speed test.

I was told my internet connection was faster?

The Broadband speed test can result in slower connections due to network congestions between you and our server.Any other internet activity that be active on your computer can cause slower connections.*Please note that actual speeds may vary based on factors such as line quality, distance from exchange (for ADSL/ADSL2 ), technology used, hardware capabilities, server route and network congestion.Australian Broadband Search Broadband Availability By Postcode, Suburb Or Phone Number.Or Search & Compare Broadband Providers & Internet Plans Australia wide. Click here

Australian Broadband Availability by Postcode, Suburb or Phone Number

Saturday 1st of January 2011 GMT

Search & Compare Broadband Providers & Internet Plans Australia wide.

What is ADSL? Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)

What is Naked DSL?

What is Cable?

Cable broadband is made of COAX to deliver high speed broadband access. This is generally only available in metropolitan and built up areas.

What is Wireless Internet?

What is Satellite Internet?

Satellite Broadband Internet has grown popular around remote, rural and regional areas due to its vast coverage capabilities. Satellite Internet is slower in speed than other types of Internet Broadband but these days prices set the balance for that.A great place to start looking for Internet Broadband is at youcompare.com.auIf you're after a way to check for Broadband Availability by Postcode, Suburb, Phone Number or your address Bigpond have a great component that does it all for you. You can find it by visiting Bigpond Now.Test you current Internet Broadband speed with our Speed Tester. Click Here

Australias richest postcode 2027 Edgecliff

Thursday 10th of March 2011 GMT

Edgecliff Postcode 2027SydneyNsw

AUSTRALIAN taxpayers declared a total income of $583.4 billion in 2007-08, an increase of 9.3 per cent on the previous tax year.

The latest Tax Office snapshot released yesterday revealed that total included $431.8 billion in salary and wages, a 14 per cent increase.But which part of Australia earnt the most?According to the snapshot, Sydney contributed a swag-load, boasting seven of the nation's wealthiest 10 postcodes.Topping the list was 2027, the postcode that covers the well-to-do suburbs of Darling Point, Edgecliff and Point Piper in Sydney's east. It boasted a mean taxable income of $186,202.Among the big-money names calling that postcode home is Westfield's Frank Lowy, who has an estimated worth of $4.2 billion.The second-richest NSW postcode was across the Harbour at Mosman and Spit Junction (postcode 2088) with a mean taxable income of $156,063, earning it fourth spot nationally.The next most well-heeled Sydney postcode was 2030, centred on Dover Heights and Vaucluse, the address of businessman James Packer and his estimated $4 billion fortune.That ritzy postcode had a mean taxable income of $146,996.In sixth spot nationally was Bellevue Hill (2023) with $142,858 followed by Northbridge (2063) with $141,645.Woollahra - home to Aussie Home Loans boss John Symond and his estimated $350 million - was in seventh spot nationally with a mean taxable income of $139,573.Rounding out the national top 10 was the leafy postcodes of Woolwich and Hunters Hill, which Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett calls home.Yesterday's snapshot also revealed the average cost of using a tax agent rose 12 per cent to just over $300, reinforcing the Government's resolve to scrap annual returns for millions of workers in favour of electronic returns.Source: www.news.com.au

Aussies advised to leave Japan immediately as nuclear zone widens

Friday 18th of March 2011 GMT

AUSTRALIANS living within 80km of the devastated Fukushima nuclear power plant have been urged to evacuate amid fears that a complete meltdown is now inevitable.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency said expats should observe an exclusion zone much bigger than the 20km one imposed by Japanese authorities "as a precautionary measure", The Daily Telegraph reported.The US and France have gone one further, evacuating their nationals from the capital Tokyo.The Department of Foreign Affairs also urged Australians to consider leaving Tokyo and other earthquake-affected areas for their own safety.But it was refusing to charter a flight to bring Australians home. DFAT said the advice had nothing to do with the threat of nuclear contamination, adding: "We are providing this advice because of the continuing disruption to major infrastructure, its impact on the welfare of people on the ground and continuing aftershocks."Japanese emergency workers continued their battle to quell the growing atomic disaster, with four military helicopters dumping huge buckets of sea water on the four damaged reactors to try to cool down the exposed nuclear fuel rods.High-pressure police water cannons were also being sent in to join the battle.If they fail, a meltdown at one reactor could spew so much radiation into the atmosphere that attempts to avoid the same fate at the other three reactors would have to be abandoned.The crisis has been building since all power to the plant failed following last Friday's magnitude 9 earthquake and the huge tsunami that followed.As the death toll was expected to top 25,000 last night, the US was planning to charter aircraft to take its citizens out of Japan, while France assigned two planes for citizens who wanted to leave.Britain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands also advised their nationals to leave Tokyo or refrain from travelling to the northeast.Major Australian companies including the Commonwealth Bank, BHP Billiton and Billabong were scaling back their operations in Tokyo and cancelling visits by Australian staff.In Washington, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairman Gregory Jaczko warned there was no water left in the spent-fuel pool of reactor 4, resulting in "extremely high" radiation levels.Mr Jaczko said: "We believe that secondary containment has been destroyed and there is no water in the spent-fuel pool and we believe that radiation levels are extremely high, which could possibly impact the ability to take corrective measures."The NRC released projections showing that within 800m of the plant radiation levels were so high people could receive a fatal dose and that even 80km away they could receive more than 16 times the average annual dose people receive from natural sources.Source: www.news.com.au

The Kookaburra Song

Monday 20th of September 2010 GMT

Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree

The Kookaburra Song LyricsKookaburra sits on the old gum treeMerry merry king of the bush is he.Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra,Gay your life must be!Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,Eating all the gum drops he can see.Stop Kookaburra, stop KookaburraSave some there for me!Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,Counting all the monkeys he can see.Laugh Kookaburra, laugh KookaburraThat's not a monkey, that's me!

History

"The Kookaburra Song" (also known as "Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree") is a popular Iconic Australian nursery rhyme written by Marion Sinclair.Marion Sinclair was a music teacher at Toorak College, a girls' school in Melbourne which she had attended as a boarder. In 1920, she began working with the school's Girl Guides company.One Sunday morning in church, in 1932, Marion Sinclair had a sudden inspiration, and dashed home to write the words down. "Kookaburra" was entered in 1934 into a competition run by the Girl Guides Association of Victoria, with the rights of the winning song to be sold to raise money for the purchase of a camping ground, eventually chosen as Britannia Park. The song was performed for the first time in 1934, at the annual Jamboree in Frankston, Victoria at which the Baden-Powells, founders of the Scouting and Guiding movements were present.Despite its particular "Australian-ness", the song is well-known and performed around the world, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom, where the Girl Guide movements in those countries have adopted it as a traditional song.

Controversy

In 2010, an Australian primary school director, Garry Martin, asked school children to replace "gay your life must be" with "fun your life must be." After outcry from internet users that he was banning the word gay and the Australian gay and lesbian advocacy group (Also Foundation), Martin tried to clarify his position. He stated: "All I was doing, relatively innocently, was substituting one word because I knew if we sing 'Gay your life must be' the kids will roll around the floor in fits of laughter."More Controversy in 2009 when World Famous Band "Men at Work" were accused for ripping off "The Kookaburra Song..." ONE'S a pub classic, belted out at top volume by tipsy patrons around closing time. The other is a more dignified affair, a favourite of youth choirs and choral groups... Read the full story...

Men At Works Down under ripped off The Kookaburra Song

Monday 20th of September 2010 GMT

ONE'S a pub classic, belted out at top volume by tipsy patrons around closing time. The other is a more dignified affair, a favourite of youth choirs and choral groups.

Now, as unlikely as it seems, the classic children's ditty Kookaburra and the Men At Work hit Down Under are set to go head-to-head in court amid accusations part of the rock anthem is a rip off.Music publishing company Larrikin owns the Kookaburra song and claims the melody that accompanies the line "Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree" is reproduced in Down Under. The case is due to start in full within days.A fresh battle erupted yesterday, with lawyers for Down Under songwriters Colin Hay and Ron Strykert, and music giants Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Sony DADC Australia, EMI Songs Australia and EMI Music Publishing, claiming Larrikin doesn't actually have copyright to Kookaburra - the Girl Guides do.It dates back to 1934 when Toorak college teacher Marion Sinclair wrote the song for a Girl Guides jamboree in Victoria.Then, a year before her death in 1988, she signed over her copyright for her work to the Libraries Board of South Australia. A tender process was undertaken by the public trustee after her death, with Larrikin ultimately buying the copyright of Kookaburra.But lawyers for the music industry heavyweights contested this "chain of title", alleging it was not Ms Sinclair's copyright to sell.David Catterns QC presented the original competition entry form from the Victorian Girl Guides, which includes the words "All material entered will become the property of the Guides Association".Mr Catterns told the court: "We submit the phrase is the copyright."The hearing is to begin next week, with Larrikin Music seeking compensation from Down Under songwriters Colin Hay and Ron Strykert and EMI and Sony for breach of copyright and unpaid royalties.The entertainment giants, along with Hay and Strykert, have lodged a counter-claim against Larrikin alleging misleading or deceptive conduct.The part of the Down Under song that is alleged to have breached copyright is the distinctive flute riff.According to court documents, lawyers for the songwriters and the record companies will argue "the Down Under work does not incorporate the whole or any substantial part of the Kookaburra work".Larrikin managing director Norman Lurie launched the court fight in 2007 after an alleged connection between the Kookaburra work and Down Under was raised on the ABC TV quiz show Spicks And Specks.Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au

Villawood Detention Centre a no go zone

Friday 29th of April 2011 GMT

• NSW police "ready and willing" to break up protest • Detention centre is Federal Government property • Talks with remaining protesters have broken down • Department "continue to engage with the protesters"NSW police are ready and willing to break up the Villawood protests but the Federal Government won't let them into the detention centre. Despite being in Sydney, the detention centre is Federal Government property - meaning state authorities can't set foot on it unless formally invited. A State Government source said police had been forced by federal authorities to sit on their hands.The Immigration Department said it had chosen to handle the matter itself. However, negotiations with the remaining three protesters broke down yesterday.Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has called for the protesters to be forcibly removed and it is believed Premier Barry O'Farrell would happily send police in to oblige, but it is outside his jurisdiction.Even the riot squad had to be invited on to the premises when the violence first broke out a week ago.Mr O'Farrell has previously called for more clarity over law enforcement in centres.State Police Minister Mike Gallacher will take the issue to the next Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management in July.The Immigration Department yesterday stood by its refusal to let NSW police handle the protesters, who have been on the roof for a week in the wake of the riots and fires which have sparked protests and unrest around the country."The department ... has well-established relationships with law enforcement agencies, however the department and the detention service provider are handling the situation at Villawood and continue to engage with the protesters, encouraging them to come down from the roof," a spokeswoman said."The department and the Australian Federal Police continue to monitor the situation at Villawood. However the department doesn't discuss operational planning."Yesterday the protesters' negotiator pulled out of talks with Immigration after the department and the UNHCR representative "failed to give him any assurances about the cases of the three detainees". Dr Mohamed Al-Jabiri had been seeking a guarantee the men would not be prosecuted.Meanwhile, two asylum seekers at the Perth Immigration Detention Centre received medical checks after threatening self-harm yesterday. And a small group of detainees at Christmas Island's Northwest Point facility came down from a roof where up to eight had been staging a protest since Tuesday.Source:www.news.com.au

Royal wedding gets stamp of approval

Tuesday 12th of April 2011 GMT

ROYAL MAIL: The official Australia Post Stamp showing Kate Middleton and Prince William. Source: Supplied

AUSTRALIA Post is commemorating the royal wedding with two stamps featuring Prince William and Catherine Middleton. The stamps will feature an image of the couple taken after their engagement was announced.Both stamps will be released today - one at the domestic rate of 60 cents and one at the international rate to the United Kingdom of $2.25."We trust this special stamp issue provides collectors and the public with a memento to mark this historic and happy event," Australia Post managing director and chief executive Ahmed Fahour said.The stamps were designed by Jo Mure from the Australia Post design studio.They will be available through participating Australia Post retail outlets.Prince William and Ms Middleton will be married on April 29 at Westminster Abbey.Source:www.couriermail.com.au

Petrol Price Finder Battle the Petrol Prices

Tuesday 7th of June 2011 GMT

Petrol price finder component launched by carsguide.com.au

Carsguide.com.au have launched a Petrol Price Finder component probably one of the most amazing components I've come across this year on the net. The petrol price finder component is a free service that all motorists with a hand held smart phone should get in the habit of using weekly. This could help your saving every week and month that could equal to 100's a year!The Petrol Price Finder component is a cinch to use, just enter the Suburb or Postcode you’re in or near, enter the type of fuel your car consumes and let the Petrol Price Finder do the rest. The search results will show the Service Stations with the lowest Petrol Prices and a Google map of their locations so getting there is easy. Search results can also be refined by a Service Station of your choice.The Petrol Price Finder collects its data from motormouth.com.au. The launch was made from data released from the Australian Institute of Petroleum showing the average household spending an additional $36 per month on petrol compared to the last seven months.The Petrol Price Finder can be found atcarsguide.mobi for mobile phone users orwww.carsguide.com.au/petrol for desktop users

Federal Budget 2011 Wayne Swans code for wealth redistribution

Wednesday 13th of July 2011 GMT

WAYNE Swan has a thing about postcodes.

He once wrote a book titled Postcodes, which was an ode to wealth redistribution.Budgets, he said, were not just about money. They were "moral documents reflecting our priorities", which is as good a justification of social engineering as you'll ever hear.In Wayne's world, the job of government is not to get out of the way of enterprising citizens and allow them to create wealth and jobs.No, in Wayne's world, the job of government is to move wealth from rich postcodes to poor postcodes.But in order to fund his profligate Government's insatiable appetite for spending, "rich" keeps being defined down.So families who live in the middle belt of suburbs around Melbourne, working hard, paying hefty mortgages and facing increased cost of living pressures, are finding themselves classified by the Treasurer as overprivileged.Meet the new rich, wealthy on paper but not when it comes to the nuts and bolts of making ends meet.If your family income is $150,000 a year you are deemed too rich for the ever-increasing welfare perks such as the baby bonus, parental leave and family benefits.Yet the new rich face extra taxes in the form of a mandatory flood levy, dwindling private health insurance rebates and drastic new imposts expected with the carbon tax in the form of higher power bills, fuel and food costs.Not that they are looking for a handout.They just want the Government to keep its hands out of their pockets.In his 2005 book Postcodes, the Splintering of a Nation, Swan laid out the personal philosophy forged in his childhood in the Queensland canefields: "I walked to school along the narrow gauge sugar train tracks, barefoot and sucking a stick of cane."The former surfer, turned Queensland Institute of Technology lecturer, turned Labor Party apparatchik wrote that poverty is often concentrated in forgotten postcodes of people who are invisible until something goes wrong.His aim is to redistribute the wealth postcode by postcode -- whether we like it or not.Those families in postcodes deemed to be rich, with a notable absence of Mercedes cars in the driveway or first-class airline tickets in the glovebox, can continue to head off to their offices early to work to pay their mortgages.These are the hard-working, self-reliant middle-class Australian voters who put governments into power.They heard Swan say this week that his Budget would "spread opportunity to every postcode in Australia".But now they have found themselves on the wrong side of his wealth redistribution.And they don't feel rich at all.source:www.heraldsun.com.au/

Japan 2011 video footage of earthquake and tsunami in iwate

Saturday 15th of October 2011 GMT

Earthquake and tsunami in iwate, Japan

This is another deverstating moment for Japan... Japan has been plunged into chaos after a cataclysmic earthquake sent a fierce tsunami crashing through towns and cities up and down the east coast.

Popular Paper Sizes and Charts. Printing Formats, Paper Standards.

Saturday 31st of December 2011 GMT

Paper Standards

Many paper size standards conventions have existed at different times and in different countries. Today there is one widespread international ISO standard (including A4, B3, C4, etc.) and a localised standard used in North America (including letter, legal, ledger, etc.). The paper sizes affect writing paper, stationery, cards, and some printed documents. The standards also have related sizes for envelopes.In the ISO paper size system, the height-to-width ratio of all pages is the square root of two (1.4142 : 1). In other words, the width and the height of a page relate to each other like the side and the diagonal of a square. This aspect ratio is especially convenient for a paper size. If you put two such pages next to each other, or equivalently cut one parallel to its shorter side into two equal pieces, then the resulting page will have again the same width/height ratio.

The ISO 216 definiton of the A paper sizes is based on the following basis:

The length divided by the width is 1.4142 The A0 size has an area of 1 square metre. Each subsequent size A(n) is defined as A(n-1) cut in half parallel to its shorter sides. The standard length and width of each size is rounded to the nearest millimetre. View paper sizes and chart of (A) Series Paper »

B Series Paper

The B series are defined in the standard as follows: "A subsidiary series of sizes is obtained by placing the geometrical means between adjacent sizes of the A series in sequence." The use of the geometric mean means that each step in size: B0, A0, B1, A1, B2 … is smaller than the previous by an equal scaling. In a similar manner to the A series; the lengths of the B series still have the ratio 1:\sqrt{2}, and folding one in half gives the next in the series. The shorter side of B0 is exactly 1m.

Popular C Series Envelop Sizes and dimensions

The C series is used only for envelopes and is defined in ISO 269. The C series formats are geometric means between the B series and A series formats with the same number.

A Series Paper – A paper size chart A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8

Saturday 31st of December 2011 GMT

Popular Paper Sizes and Printing Formats with A Series Paper

The international paper size standard, ISO 216, is based on the German DIN 476 standard for paper sizes.ISO paper sizes are all based on a single aspect ratio of square root of 2, or approximately 1:1.4142.The base A0 size of paper is defined to have an area of one m². With the given aspect ratio of square root of two, this corresponds to a piece of paper with a longer side of one metre multiplied by the square root of the square root (that is, the fourth root) of two and the shorter side being the reciprocal of this value. Rounded to millimetres the A0 paper size is 841 by 1,189 millimetres (33.1 × 46.8 in).Successive paper sizes in the series A1, A2, A3, and so forth, are defined by halving the preceding paper size along the larger dimension. The most frequently used paper size is A4 (210 × 297 mm).The significant advantage of this system is its scaling: if a sheet with an aspect ratio of √2 is divided into two equal halves parallel to its shortest sides, then the halves will again have an aspect ratio of √2. Folded brochures of any size can be made by using sheets of the next larger size, e.g. A4 sheets are folded to make A5 brochures. The system allows scaling without compromising the aspect ratio from one size to another—as provided by office photocopiers, e.g. enlarging A4 to A3 or reducing A3 to A4.Similarly, two sheets of A4 can be scaled down and fit exactly 1 sheet without any cutoff or margins. Weights are easy to calculate as well: a standard A4 sheet made from 80 gram/m² paper weighs 5 grams (as it is one 16th of an A0 page, measuring 1 m²), allowing one to easily compute the weight—and associated postage rate—by counting the number of sheets used.

The ISO 216 definition of the A paper sizes is based on the following basis:

Advantages of A Series Paper

The advantages of basing a paper size upon an aspect ratio of √2 were already noted in 1786 by the German scientist and philosopher Georg Christoph Lichtenberg. Early in the twentieth century, Dr Walter Porstmann turned Lichtenberg’s idea into a proper system of different paper sizes. Porstmann’s system was introduced as a DIN standard (DIN 476) in Germany in 1922, replacing a vast variety of other paper formats. Even today the paper sizes are called “DIN A4″ in everyday use in Europe. The term Lichtenberg ratio has recently been proposed for this paper aspect ratio.

Disadvantage of A Series Paper

The main disadvantage of the system is type does not scale the same way; therefore, when a page is resized, the type set on it loses legibility as the proportion between the type’s x-height, page margins, and leading are distorted. When trim is involved, as in the manufacture of books, ISO 216 sizes are generally too tall and narrow for book production (see: Canons of page construction). The distortion is even more pronounced with printed sheet music. European book publishers typically use metricated traditional page sizes for book production.By 1975 so many countries were using the German system that it was established as an ISO standard, as well as the official United Nations document format. By 1977 A4 was the standard letter format in 88 of 148 countries. Today the standard has been adopted by all countries in the world except the United States and Canada. In Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile and the Philippines the US letter format is still in common use, despite their official adoption of the ISO standard.View Other Popular Paper Sizes and Formats

Australian Daylight Savings Time 2012

Tuesday 10th of January 2012 GMT

Australian Daylight Savings Time (DST)

Daylight Savings Time in Australia

Daylight Savings begins on the first Sunday of October, 2nd October, 2011 (02-10-2011) at 2:00am Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), Clocks need to be turned forward 1 hour at 2:00am to 3:00am.Australian Daylight Savings Time is followed through until the first Sunday of April, 1st April 2012 (01-04-2012), Clocks are then turned back 1 hour at 3:00am to 2:00am.

When is Daylight Savings?

NSW, VIC, ACT, SA and TAS Daylight Savings

Start Period of Daylight Savings Time
on Sunday 2 October 2011
at 2:00am set your clocks
forward one hour to 3:00amEnd Period of Daylight Savings Time
on Sunday 1 April 2012
at 3:00am set your clocks
backwards one hour to 2:00am