IN THE NEWS - The Drop

1. Small liquor brewers and distillers to receive major tax relief in next budget

Small liquor brewers and distillers are set to receive some much-needed relief after the federal government announced a tax cut worth up to $250,000.

The support package, set to be unveiled in this month’s budget, will triple the volume of liquor producers can sell before being taxed, adding an estimated $55,000 into the pockets of small distillery owners.

The changes are expected to benefit about 600 brewers and 400 distillers, most of whom are in located in hard-hit rural and regional Australia where the sector employs roughly 15,000 people.

The federal government hopes that that extra money saved on tax will go towards employing and training new staff, aiding their capabilities to export, as well as expanding operations and putting on more events.

The tax cut is also expected to benefit consumers, having the potential to decrease the price of drinks in bars in pubs.

2. Dunedoo Golf Club course torn up by tractor vandal

The 34-year-old man is accused of tearing up most of Dunedoo Golf Club’s nine holes on Tuesday night, leaving the fairways destroyed and the greens a muddy mess.

He then drove the tractor from the scene, but the hydraulic disc plough was left behind on one of the greens.

The man was arrested on Wednesday morning, and charged with a string of offences.

The club’s general manager Ricky Bush said the course had been “ripped to f***ing pieces”, devastating the small community of Dunedoo, about 90km northeast of Dubbo.

“We were the only sport in town which had kept going through the pandemic.”

3. Waverley Bowling Club’s bright future

Sydney’s second-oldest bowlo, dating back to 1893, had been long labouring to survive financially when members signed a deal with the Easts Group, the owners of the Sydney Roosters NRL team, in 2010. Easts committed to preserving the bowling greens and investing in the club.

The new development will include four buildings of apartments for the over-55 age group at the Birrell Street site – two of three storeys, one of two storeys and one of six storeys with the new clubhouse at the ground level. Many apartments will have ocean views and the clubhouse will include an indoor-outdoor cafe, bistro and bar.

“It’s now a momentous day to see this plan come to fruition,” said Mr Roper last week, as work finally started to clear the old greens and two-storey clubhouse, in a partnership between the club, Easts and Mirvac who bought the site.

“We think it’s a great development plan to incorporate two new world-class championship greens and a clubhouse into the scheme for the apartments.

“Today is a moment we should all be proud of,” said Easts CEO Joe Kelly at the ceremony. “This redevelopment secures the future of the bowling club and will deliver an asset to be enjoyed by the club and the local community.”

Source: https://www.domain.com.au/news/waverleys-10-year-battle-1047212/

4. Toowoomba pub offers $1,000 reward for return of stolen cow sculpture.

Betsy the Cow was taken from outside the Spotted Cow on Ruthven Street in Toowoomba’s Central Business District and has been a famous feature in the Garden City for decades. The pub has offered a $1,000 reward for the safe return of a beloved life-size cow sculpture stolen in a late-night heist.

General Manage Jabin Pirlo said Betsy went missing this month.

“We have CCTV footage of two individuals and we’re just hoping and urging Darling Downs locals to bring Betsy back,” Mr Pirlo said.

“Betsy has been an institution for over 20 years at the Spotted Cow,” he said.

“She’s very iconic. She’s renowned for selfies”.

News just in: The hunt for Betsy the cow is over – the famous Spotted Cow mascot has been located in a “paddock” in Toowoomba, but the $1000 reward is still up for grabs.

I wonder how long locals took to spot a cow that wasn’t moo-ving in the paddock? #worstdadjokes

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