The Editor

Queensland Minister for Energy and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the changes to the National Construction Code 2022, covered making homes more accessible for people with mobility challenges, and increased the energy efficiency and electric vehicle readiness of new homes.

A new world-class wildlife hospital at Werribee Open Range Zoo is now fully operational to treat sick and injured wildlife in Victoria’s western region as part of the response to the devastating 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires. Minister for the Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio announced the completion of the RSPCA Koala Ward at Werribee Open Range Zoo, which will increase capacity to provide expert, compassionate care for sick and injured koalas, native birds, reptiles and mammals in Victoria’s western regions.

The presence of White Spot has been confirmed in an enclosed prawn facility in the north of NSW by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. White Spot is a highly contagious viral infection that affects crustaceans and can cause major mortalities in farmed prawns ... “The detection is within an enclosed prawn facility and was identified during routine testing carried out by our DPI Biosecurity Team.: Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews across the State are being trained to use state-of-the-art drone technology to assist in firefighting operations and other emergencies ... The RPAS are equipped with thermal imaging cameras and laser technology that can detect variable heat temperatures, identify people or animals under threat in a fire zone and measure the size of an area impacted by fire.

Celebrate the amazing environment, biodiversity and threatened species that call the Gloucester region home this September as part of the Gloucester Wild Festival. Australia is home to more than 500,000 animal and plant species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. In NSW there are close to 1000 species at risk of extinction, 116 of which are located in the Gloucester region.

Artworks from three Indigenous artists are featured in the latest exhibition, Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Country, which is on display at Crows Nest Gallery until September 18, 2022. The exhibition explores narratives relating to spiritual connectivity, place-making, traditional knowledge, healing and teachings of the participating artists, Cheryl Moggs (from the Bigambul First Nation people), Barbara Walker (from the Wiradjuri First Nation people) and Aaron Blades (from the Mandandanji First Nation people).

The Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival is set to be played for the first time since 2019 ... Angaston Football Club in the Barossa will host the carnival, the first time it will be held in SA ... "We're thrilled the AFL is bringing this event to regional South Australia for the first time. It's a great opportunity for our community to join in the spirit of competition and celebration that is synonymous with the Carnival and hopefully encourage those people in our own local community with an intellectual disability to get involved in the future": Mayor Bim Lange.

Record-breaking cotton production in Australia in 2021-22 is being reflected in the business cash inflows of NAB’s cotton growing customers, the July NAB Economics Data Insights: Agriculture report shows. The report shows business cash inflows for the bank’s agriculture, forestry and fishing customers continue to grow at a rapid pace, underpinned by a monster winter crop, strong commodity prices, and more recently, a record-breaking cotton bonanza.

Dog owners are being cautioned to keep an eye on their animals this spring to ensure a simple frolic does not end with a trip to the veterinarian. Charles Sturt University academics are leading the country in research that could provide widespread benefits for dog owners and veterinarians across the globe.