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Additional 12,000 tonnes of local softwood timber a boost for WA building industry
WA Forestry Minister Dave Kelly has announced that the McGowan Government has made an additional 12,000 tonnes of structural pine available over the next three months for the Western Australian timber manufacturing industry and the State's building and construction sector ... In the past, the WA softwood processing industry supplied approximately 65 per cent of pine products to the State's housing and construction market. The remaining demand has been met by timber imported from the Eastern States or overseas.
Forest scientists say new approaches are needed to address escalating Victorian forest wars
The professional association for forest scientists, growers and managers in Australia has expressed its concern at the escalating Victorian forest wars, saying changes are desperately needed in the way the State’s forests are managed. Forestry Australia Vice President Dr Michelle Freeman said the escalating situation in Victoria shows the State’s current approach to forest management is simply not working.
Orange medieval event puts regional NSW on the map
The biggest sporting and cultural event of its kind will come to regional NSW for the very first time when thousands come to see knights and vikings battle it out at the Medieval Faire in Orange next year, thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said a $200,000 grant will deliver the world-class two-day Orange Medieval Faire, where visitors can wander through a historical village featuring viking battles, archery, birds of prey displays and a giant medieval catapult.
100 year milestone for Phillip Island’s little penguins
Today marks a significant milestone for Phillip Island Nature Park and the very popular little penguins − which were put on the map as a must-see experience 100 years ago today ... Penguin numbers on the island have almost tripled since the mid-1980s − from 12,000 to around 32,000 breeding birds today thanks to extensive conservation work.
Disaster assistance extended following severe weather and flooding in NSW
Disaster assistance is now available in thirteen additional local government areas of Blayney, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Cobar, Gilgandra, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Narrabri, Port Macquarie Hastings, Upper Hunter, Warrumbungle and Weddin following severe storms and flooding from Tuesday 9 November 2021. These areas are now included in addition to the initial declaration for the local government areas of Tenterfield, Forbes, Bathurst, Blue Mountains, Cowra, Lachlan and Moree.
Scarborough final investment decision a vote of confidence: Pitt
“The US$12 billion project is a real shot in the arm for the industry, for Western Australia and for the nation ... It’s estimated the project will have a peak construction workforce of over 3,000 and 600 operational jobs including 230 jobs in the heart of Pilbara at Karratha with the first LNG cargo expected in 2026 ... Woodside says that Scarborough gas will provide enough energy to power the homes in 10 cities like Perth for more than 30 years" : Minister Pitt.
Opening the Scarborough project a climate crime: Greens
The Greens have slammed the decision to approve a massive new methane gas project in the weeks following the Glasgow climate pact, calling the Liberal & Labor-approved Scarborough project a slap in the face to climate scientists. Scarborough is the most polluting project currently proposed in Australia. Driven by the WA Labor government, the gas field threatens to release 1.6bn tonnes of carbon emissions - equivalent to 15 coal-fired power stations.
BHP approves Phase 1 of the Scarborough Project: BHP
"Scarborough via Pluto will be one of the lowest carbon emissions intensity global LNG projects projected to be in production in 2030 and will have the lowest carbon emissions intensity of an Australian originated LNG project at around 0.5 tonnes CO2 per tonne of LNG. The project will minimise its greenhouse gas footprint through development of low CO2 reservoir fluids coupled with energy efficient LNG processing, in close proximity to the end market – meeting market demand at lower emissions intensity" : BHP
Thousands of jobs to be created as LNG development progresses: WA Govt
The WA State Government has welcomed Woodside's and BHP's final investment decisions for the Scarborough and Pluto Train 2 projects that will create more than 3,200 Western Australian jobs ... Consistent with the WA Domestic Gas Policy, the Scarborough Joint Venture will make gas equivalent to 15 per cent of its LNG exports available to the domestic market.
Coalition continues to push through legislation that no one wants: The Greens
The Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2021 was passed into law yesterday despite some key stakeholders opposing it. Senator Lidia Thorpe moved an amendment to the Bill to alert the Senate of these concerns, including the lack of proper consultation and the overregulation of industry ... "The Government and its spy agencies can now take over the operations of an industry based on the decision of the Minister”: Senator Lidia Thorpe
