New plant in Tarpeena
A Tarpeena timber mill has announced it will be creating more jobs in the region with the construction of a new manufacturing facility at its existing site. This month, Timberlink will begin developing a treatment plant to produce Light Organic Solvent Preservative (LOSP) treated timber.
State’s first vanadium mine a new era for Queensland’s resources sector
A vanadium mine in Queensland's remote northwest will pioneer production of a globally sought-after new economy mineral, supporting up to 400 regional jobs. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Resources Minister Scott Stewart and Multicom Resources’ chief executive officer Shaun McCarthy jointly announced the go-ahead for the $250 million Saint Elmo mine near Julia Creek, in the state’s North West.
Worker reforms welcomed by NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers welcomes efforts by the Australian Government to streamline the Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) and the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) under the new Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, providing a simplified process for farm businesses to access the schemes. The Government’s commitment to bring an additional 12,500 workers from the Pacific region by March 2022 to work in Australian sectors including agriculture will help alleviate the workforce shortage crisis continuing to threaten the productivity of farm enterprises.
Firefighters fight proposal to move Grafton offline
Emma Pritchard. Grafton Fire Station is among 30 across the state outlined in a proposal by Fire and Rescue NSW to be temporarily taken offline in the event of staff shortages ... If implemented, Grafton Fire and Rescue 306 Station Deputy Captain Chris Rumpf said the proposal could jeopardise the safety of residents who rely on the service.
From tanks to tractors – operation grain harvest assist launched
A nationwide operation has been launched aiming to bolster the supply of local workers to help deliver this year’s bumper grains harvest and relieve pressure on farming communities. Retired and former ADF servicemen and women are being motivated and mobilised under Operation Grain Harvest Assist, to answer the call-up and work on grain farms stationed throughout Australia.
Regional youth taskforce tackles connectivity, staying safe online
The 2021 Regional Youth Taskforce have held their third meeting of the year, coming together over the weekend discuss how young people in regional and rural communities could better connect to outside services. Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor said the meeting focused on providing better access to training, services, work and recreational opportunities for young people across regional NSW.
Port builds North Queensland’s hydrogen future
Minister for Resources and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the Port of Townsville was a key piece of infrastructure when it comes to developing hydrogen exports. “Sun Metals is one of Townsville’s most innovative businesses and it’s exciting to have their sister company, Ark Energy, plan to export renewable hydrogen to South Korea from Queensland’s publicly-owned port,” Mr Stewart said.
Seasonal worker agreement extended with Victoria
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has agreed to continue its landmark quarantine arrangement with Victoria which sees Tasmania quarantine seasonal workers from the Pacific Islands, in return for the Victorian Government assuming responsibility for Tasmania’s commitment to assisting Australians returning from overseas.
Forestry starts with a seed – 5 million trees start their journey in Grafton
Over five million pine and eucalyptus seeds are being sown this year at Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Grafton nursery. The program is providing a boost to local employment and continuing to rebuild NSW State forest plantations previously harvested or lost in the Black Summer bushfires.
“Enormous potential” for agriculture in NSW
The opportunities and the potential of the NSW Agriculture sector to grow to $30 billion by 2030 came through loud and clear at the NSW Farmers online Annual Conference. “The prospects for increasing local food and fibre production are abundant, with 94 percent of the state out of or recovering from drought and strong commodity prices,” said NSW Farmers President James Jackson.
Distribution Priority Areas exceptional circumstances review for GPs
A new exceptional circumstance review for the Department of Health’s Distribution Priority Area (DPA) classification will help regional and rural areas respond to unforeseen workforce and population changes which may be impacting access to local GP services ... “I have heard loud and clear the concerns that the current approach is not capturing current or emerging local pressures, sudden and unexpected changes and unmet demand,” said Federal Regional Health Minister, Dr David Gillespie.
Ag workers can now carpool
Workers in rural and regional NSW can now carpool to and from work in a COVID-safe way following an amendment to the NSW Government’s Public Health Orders.
Farm worker shortage packing a punch
“With the current limit for seasonal workers expected to be met by October – and a forecast shortage of up to 24,000 workers in the horticulture industry – Labor’s Agriculture Minister can’t afford to delay ... The time is now for the government to roll out rapid testing. It’s a way to keep Victorians safe. It’s a way to help reopen this state and keep us open, and that’s what Victorians need as much as anything else,” said Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh.
Truckies benefit from regional expansion of McGowan Government program
After four months of delivery in the metropolitan area, the Heavy Vehicle Driving Operations Skill Set will now be delivered through South Regional TAFE to address the shortage of truck drivers in regional WA.
Ag visa plan big on announcements, short on details
The Federal Government’s re-announcement of an agricultural workers visa has done little to provide clarity for industry on how extra workers will safely enter Queensland. Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the visa had first been announced by the Federal Government three years ago, but there were still no details available.
Commercial rocket launch permit granted for South Australia
The Morrison Government has given regulatory approval for a commercial rocket launch to take place later this year from a newly licensed launch facility in South Australia.
AgSkilled 2.0 drives training needs for ag sector this harvest
Fee-free heavy vehicle truck driver training and licencing courses are now on offer to the grains, cotton, rice, viticulture and horticultural sectors across New South Wales as part of an industry-led workforce development strategy.
Liberal National Government introduces new Agriculture Visa to address workforce supply
The Liberal National Government announces that it has delivered a vital agriculture visa to help secure the future of rural and regional Australia. The Government says that the Agricultural Worker Visa will provide a long term, reliable workforce for our critical industries while solving one of the great challenges facing regional Australia in recent history.
Ag visa moves forward
NSW Farmers has welcomed news that an Australian Agricultural Visa (Ag Visa) is set to finally become reality from 30 September 2021. The new Ag Visa will widen the recruitment opportunities of low to skilled workers from participating countries, which the Association understands will initially be open to ASEAN countries.
Missing visa piece to fit farm labour puzzle
Growcom has enthusiastically welcomed confirmation today from the Federal Government that a new Australian Agriculture visa will be in place by the end of September.
Government makes NFF’s coveted Ag Visa a reality; provides hope for this year’s harvest
In a monumental commitment, the Federal Government has delivered on the National Farmers’ Federation’s long called-for Agriculture-specific Visa (Ag Visa) to provide real long-term workforce relief to Australian farmers.
Two thousand overseas agricultural workers arrive in NSW
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall today announced more than 2,000 overseas skilled agricultural workers have arrived in NSW in the last 12 months to help industry overcome the Covid-induced labour shortage.
