The Editor

For the first time ever, Costa, Australia’s leading fresh produce grower, have sent a shipment of their premium Lovocados to Singapore by sea freight. The order of 3200 trays left Brisbane in May and arrived in Singapore in June, and there have since been twelve more containers shipped to locations across Asia including Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.

At the half-way point of 2021, Australian agriculture appears set for another strong year with the NAB Rural Commodities Index up 2.5% month-on-month in May to now be 6.2% above the same time in 2020. NAB’s June Rural Commodities Wrap, released today, reports that dairy farmers are among the producers enjoying the flow-on effects of good prices and strong seasonal conditions across many parts of the country.

Horizon Power has demonstrated the Onslow microgrid's full capacity after successfully powering the Pilbara town for a total of 80 minutes. Electricity was powered by 700 kilowatts of customer generated solar and 600 kilowatts of utility solar, while supported by battery technology.

Humpback whales have been spotted along the spectacular Ningaloo Coast, with Western Australians encouraged to support tour operators amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With the humpback whale swim tour season starting soon, visitors to the Ningaloo Coast have the opportunity to swim with these magnificent creatures in their natural environment.

The Barossa’s landmark play destination, Barossa Adventure Station at Angaston, has been named South Australia’s Park of the Year. The Barossa Council took out the award at the Parks and Leisure Australia SA/NT 2021 Awards of Excellence, and will now vie for the national title later this year.

Queensland is one step closer to building its next passenger train fleet after shortlisting three leading train manufacturers to enter the next phase of the Rollingstock Expansion Program (REP). Train manufacturers Alstom, CAF and Downer Rail have been shortlisted to manufacture the first 20 trains of the new fleet in a purpose-built Maryborough manufacturing facility following an extensive Expression of Interest process run by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The Territory Government is creating investment opportunities for the resources sector with today’s announcement of a new acreage release for onshore petroleum exploration. Applications and submissions for an exploration permit are now invited over two areas in the southern Georgina Basin, on the Northern Territory/Queensland border.

The NSW Government will pursue establishing a Regional Job Precinct in line with the announcement of a brand new film studio at Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour, the NSW Deputy Premier, the NSW Treasurer and the Member for Coffs Harbour announced today ... “The proposal, which also includes a boutique hotel, a state-of-the-art film school, an indigenous art gallery and an Olympic and film memorabilia museum, would provide an exciting new industry for the region,” said Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

The NSW Government has taken a monumental step towards securing the long term future of greyhound racing in NSW, announcing $25 million in additional infrastructure funding and a new funding model that will see the regulator fully-funded by the NSW Government.

With the dry season in full swing and school holidays just around the corner, Territorians and visitors are being urged to be Crocwise when exploring the Top End. So far this year, crocodile management teams have removed more than 160 crocodiles from Top End waterways.