Contributor, ARR.News

A landmark report by the National Farmers’ Federation and KPMG released on 25 May 2023 has underscored the need for better engagement to unlock the economic potential of Indigenous agriculture. The Realising the Opportunity report, released at an NFF forum in Darwin on 25 May 2023, aims to strengthen the economic and cultural empowerment of Indigenous Australians through accessible and collaborative pathways in agriculture.

The state’s peak agricultural body says mandatory electronic identification tags for sheep should cost no more than $1 per tag, setting a clear target for state and federal governments ... farmers were still worried about how much the scheme might cost their businesses, and made it clear there must be financial support to implement traceability reform.

Energy Estate has provided a response to Australian Rural & Regional News regarding issues raised in the statement issued by David Littleproud, Leader of the Nationals, Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce and Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry concerning the impact of renewables ... "a commitment to minimising ongoing impacts to the environment ... to providing the opportunity for detailed public consultation ..."

In-demand workers are facing soaring rents and dwindling vacancies in rural and regional areas, creating an “unsustainable” situation for the agricultural sector. Tenants are paying at least 10 per cent more than last year for the majority of areas, with Upper Hunter rents the worst – jumping by 22.9 per cent.

Planned sporting facility upgrades at the Bill Woodfull Recreation Reserve in Maldon are one step closer following a recent meeting of Mount Alexander Shire Councillors. On Tuesday 16 May, Councillors unanimously voted to award a contract for the construction of a new all gender pavilion at the reserve to local builder BLR Provincial Pty Ltd.

Mount Alexander Shire Council is partnering with Central Goldfields Shire Council and community group Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. to determine the feasibility of a shared rail trail between Castlemaine and Maryborough. The proposed trail is 55km long and passes through the communities of Campbells Creek, Guildford, Newstead, Moolort and Carisbrook.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority's annual water conference River reflections is on in Narrabri on 14–15 June, and the final program is now  available. The 2-day forum is a showcase of the communities, industries and ideas in water management and will include an address by MDBA Chair Sir Angus Houston.

Single, doubles or queens – it’s time to dig deep into the depths of your linen cupboard to give those old sheets a second chance at life. To celebrate World Environment Day, Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Council have teamed up with BlockTexx and St Vincent de Paul Society to hold a community textile recycling event, ‘Give a Sheet ® for the Planet’.

"In three years, we haven’t seen any evidence or sign that the Premier ever had plans to deliver on his promises to support the native timber industry with new pine plantations or any form of alternative supply. Now the livelihoods of hundreds of locals are shattered in an instant without a single word from the Premier or his government": Cr Ian Bye, Wellington Shire Council Mayor

On 23 May 2023, the Premier Daniel Andrews said: “We’re doing everything we promised Victorians we’d do – and we’re not wasting a moment getting on with it”. What he perhaps should have said was: “We promised some things – we even promised to govern for all Victorians – but we will deliver only some things, dump plenty of others, and govern for a few.” For me there’s only one headline from this budget: Victoria is broke.