Business

NSW Farmers has fronted a Senate Inquiry to call for the proposed biosecurity tax on farmers to be scrapped, with farmers already paying their fair share of biosecurity dues. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said despite a last-minute redesign, farm leaders remained opposed to the biosecurity levy bill and would continue to urge parliamentarians to vote against the levy’s introduction over the coming weeks.

Cracking down on people parking in designated electric vehicle charging station spaces is one focus of a range of new road rule changes. Two new offences have been brought in to stop non-electric cars from parking in EV parking areas, and stop EVs parking in a charging area when not being charged.

Jenny Pollard. The message was clear as farmers from around the Charlton district greeted representatives from the Transmission Company Victoria (TCV) with farm machinery bearing signs of dissatisfaction, as last Wednesday’s meeting about the Victoria to NSW Interconnector West (VNI West) at the Charlton Shire Hall opened to the public. 

More than 120 landholders and community members “dropped in” to Transmission Company Victoria’s (TCV) community information sessions last week for one-on-one discussions on all aspects of the VNI West project. Held in Kerang, Charlton and Stawell, the informal five-hour sessions were a direct response to community feedback...

Parrtjima – A festival in light has wrapped up for 2024 after once again lighting up Alice Springs in all its glory. The iconic Territory tourism drawcard delivered unforgettable experiences and attracted extraordinary crowds, marking its second-biggest opening weekend ever with over 8000 attendances ... including the unforgettable theatrical experience of Arelhe Urrperle...

MS Australia has today announced Ms Rachel Kerr as the recipient of the 2023 John Studdy Award in recognition of her commitment, dedication and service to people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) ... Since her diagnosis, Rachel has contributed tirelessly to the Queensland community, advocating for the rights and wellbeing of regional people living with MS.

NAB is encouraging primary producers to mark 28 June as a critical date if they’re considering or already utilising Farm Management Deposits (FMDs) as part of their tax planning this financial year. The FMD Scheme is designed to enable primary producers to set aside pre-tax income when they’re experiencing prosperous years and use it as a cashflow management tool for financially challenging years.

State Member for Hill Shane Knuth welcomed the news that South Korean-owned Ark Energy has withdrawn its proposal to add another wind farm near the small tablelands community of Ravenshoe. Mr Knuth said the company had embarked on an intense campaign last year, including renaming the project from Chalumbin to Wooroora Station Windfarm and reducing the project from 200 to 86, then to 42 turbines.

UK biotech startup, LyteGro’s solution converts the pulp of waste bananas into a proprietary liquid supplement to turbocharge metabolic processes offering high-value for Australia’s distilling industry. An exciting joint venture opportunity now exists for Australian investors, banana growers and authorities to scale production plants.

The Territory’s $40 billon economy by 2030 “won’t happen without the growth of this sector” said NT Minister Mark Monaghan, addressing more than 300 members of the extractive industry ... Mr Monaghan said gas from Beetaloo is “on the cusp of changing the Territory forever” as Empire Energy and Tamboran Resources are expected to make their final investment decision on pilot production activities this year.

Doug Robson. The influx of cattle coming onto the market is taking a toll on prices for all classes of cattle. There were 1934 head yarded at the NRLX on Wednesday, April 17 with the main increase being in the young cattle section.

Fourteen million dollars later, Casino has a world class equestrian centre with an undercover arena and shaded seating for 2500 people to watch events at the Casino Showground. At the official opening ... the speeches took place on the arena floor as horses and riders wound their way around the huge space.

Symbolism is what a leader does and does not do. What a leader recognises and responds to is just as important as what a leader ignores. Do actions reflect words? Symbolism is the single biggest determinant of a leader’s credibility.

A forward command vehicle will be near the intersection of Wandoo and Neaves roads in Pinjar this morning as police seek information about a transmission tower that was tampered with in April last year, which may be linked to another incident in the same location at the time.

It is with immense pleasure that we at the Donald Family Clinic would like to welcome a long anticipated new addition to our medical team. Dr. Maryna Aliakseyeva has officially joined us and her books will be open as of Monday, April 22, 2024. 

The ANZ branch in Tennant Creek has celebrated the opening of its new location after serving customers at its Paterson Street premises for decades. The new branch is still located on the main street, but now boasts a modern interior that’s bright and welcoming, showcasing ANZ’s unwavering commitment to the local community.

The Community Bank Maldon & District is now 25 years old, and you’re invited to the celebration at Bank Corner ... It all began with a determined group of local residents who banded together to see what they could do about the fact that the Commonwealth Bank and the National Bank had deserted the town.

A drive to establish new industry and jobs using Latrobe Valley's brown coal in non-energy ways is effectively dead after the state government stopped funding research into the work, a decision denounced as "folly" and "ideological madness" by local leaders. Australian Carbon Innovation at Federation University, which since 2011 has been researching the non-energy use of brown coal that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions, will close on June 30 after the government pulled the plug on funding.

Radial Timber in Yarram, with a strategy already in place for its mainstream timber operation, has embarked on a new approach to using its wood waste that takes the company deeper into the heart of the sustainable, circular economy. Radial has installed a pilot plant that uses pyrolysis technology; organic material, in this case wood residues, is burnt at high temperatures without oxygen to produce biochar, a stable solid that is rich in carbon and can fertilise and endure in soil for thousands of years.

On Thursday last week the Mount Alexander Falcons Women’s Sports Club launched a ginger beer made in collaboration with Shedshaker Brewing as a fundraiser to support the club and their community programs, which includes the outreach program at Tarrengower prison.