NFF condemns ‘appalling attack’ on cattle class action victims: NFF
National Farmers’ Federation President David Jochinke has labelled the Federal Government’s recent correspondence on the live cattle class action as an “appalling attack on victims”. In a letter the Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus sent to the NFF and provided to media last week, the Government has accused the victims of trying to line their pockets.
Your mysterious power bill changes
Many of the 5.7 million Australian electric power users without solar panels on their roofs are likely to face very different power costs when they receive their next quarterly bill. Although we have continually been told in recent times that the already high price of power will be reduced, certain power retailing companies are simply currently advising their customers that “new electricity rates” will apply from the beginning of this month. They do not, however, warn that the new rates will generally sharply increase...
Findings shared from Australia’s first hydrogen microgrid: Cook, Buti
The Cook Government has ... released a Public Knowledge Sharing Report on the Denham Renewable Hydrogen Microgrid - the first of its kind in Australia. The project, which is now fully operational, includes a 704-kilowatt solar farm, 348kW hydrogen electrolyser and a 100kW fuel cell located in Denham, providing an innovative alternative to diesel generators.
International business through the eyes of a Ukrainian gardener
The state will lose taxpayers, and entrepreneurs will face additional difficulties in doing business. The state budget and entrepreneurs will lose in order to curb terrorism and international crime. In the case of bank accounts for foreigners, a long-standing rule of humanity applies. Namely, they choose the lesser of two evils. This is an unspoken rule of the global financial system.
Respect announce $15 million redevelopment of Avonlea
Respect, a leading not-for-profit aged care provider in regional Australia, has announced a $15 million redevelopment project for its residential aged care home, Avonlea, located in Nhill.
The project, set to commence in the second half of 2024, will secure ongoing services and support for older people and their families across Nhill and the surrounding region for generations to come.
More accessible tourism for Top End parks: Bowden, Ah Kit, Uibo
A tender has been released to improve disability access for the lower plunge pool at Edith Falls, to supply and install a hoist to provide visitors in wheelchairs safe access into the plunge pool. The hoist will be designed to fit in with the natural landscape and will be fitted with a mechanism so the person in the wheelchair can operate it in a safe manner.
LLEN explores pathways to success
More than 50 Board Members, staff, partners, stakeholders, and community members attended the North Central LLEN Annual General Meeting and stakeholder event at the Rex Theatre in Charlton. With a focus on exploring vocational pathways to success, the evening featured a range of elements ...
Reconstruction Authority identifies 370 homes for retrofit or house raising – but where are these homes?
The NSW Reconstruction Authority announced that 370 homes have been identified as eligible for house raising or retrofit. These 370 homes are across seven council areas. IndyNR.com has asked the Authority if any of these 370 homes are in Coraki, Broadwater, Woodburn or nearby. We are waiting on an answer.
Agriculture needs to do more to attract and educate young people: Nuffield Australia
As Australia’s agriculture industry continues to struggle with labour shortages, universities in other countries better prepare their students to work in agriculture. That’s the finding contained in Kathryn Fleay’s Nuffield Scholarship report ... Kathryn, an agronomy and operations manager from Western Australia’s wheatbelt, researched how Australia could shore up its agricultural workforce, particularly through university degrees with strong ties to the industry.
Commodity prices, production and exports ‘beefing up’ and some consumer pressure expected to ease, says Rural Bank
Commodity prices, production and exports have broadly lifted in the first half of the year, with beef the standout performer in Rural Bank’s Australian agriculture mid-year outlook 2024 (the Outlook), released today. With an overall outlook favourable for the second half of the year, despite some variability across sectors, some cost-of-living relief is also expected to reach beyond the farm gate.
Transformed freight vision can supercharge Victorian economy: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Victorian agriculture industry can propel the state’s economy and surpass $20 billion dollars of food and fibre exports by 2030 if the Victorian Government focusses on road maintenance, lowering costs and improving freight efficiency. In a submission to the Refresh of the Victorian Freight Strategy, VFF President Emma Germano said having a plan to maintain and fix regional roads would be key to reinforcing agriculture…
Shared Shop is up and running
Donald Shared Shop is now up and running after a formal morning tea launch ... Pat Timmons, Executive Officer for Rural Business & Community ... highlighted the potential durability of the model for difficult times ahead such as drought, and the importance of the business and social connectedness being built now.
Power for the asking, in more ways than one
The NT Government is charging you five times as much for electricity compared to what Fred next door is paying for solar. Got an envelope? Turn it over. Here we go ... Just 13 per cent of the town’s electricity consumption is from solar. A mere 3 or 4 per cent comes from the Uterne Solar Farm ...
Five employability skills for our next generation: Number 3 – an ability to problem solve
As the world gets more complex, the need to problem solve is a critical employability skill. We seem to live in a world where our “patience is appreciated” but problems are not solved. An example is when you have the misfortune to contact a telecommunications, utility, financial services, or government organisation ... Problem solving and accountability go hand in hand!
Why don’t more farms go off grid?
Last month, I attended the AgZero - WAFarmers PowerShift Forum, where we got the good oil on the exciting future that awaits us as we turn off coal and gas and turn on renewables ... it got me thinking about the cost-benefit of taking our farms across to the green side of the electricity equation and cashing in on all this free sunlight we have.
Live sheep export legislation passes Australian Parliament
Australian Alliance for Animals. The Australian Senate has this week passed historic legislation enshrining the phase out of live sheep exports into law. The Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Act 2024 prohibits exporting live sheep by sea from Australia by May 1, 2028 and unlocks a $107 million industry adjustment package. Australian Alliance for Animals spokesperson, Dr. Jed Goodfellow, welcomed the passage of the legislation, describing it as a pivotal moment in the history of animal welfare in Australia.
Men of Steel lengthen Taggerty’s life
The over one hundred year old Taggerty Buffet Car has been a familiar inclusion of the collection at Donald’s Train Park for many years, having been purchased by Donald Lions Club for $2,000 around twenty years ago. Once having held royalty, it is now being somewhat treated like royalty, with the erection of a steel shed cover to protect the historical carriage from the elements.
Frostbite Rally riders roar into town
The Warwick Chapter of the Historical Motorcycle Club of Queensland will host their 30th Anniversary Rally in Allora this weekend with riders coming from Northern New South Wales, Brisbane, Townsville, Brisbane and all around South East Queensland. At least 140 riders and pillions with their precious bikes will gather at the Allora Showgrounds.
Eat or heat
The vulnerable in the district are choosing between heating and eating this winter. If they turn on heating to keep themselves warm during the chilly nights, many say they will be faced with eye-watering power bills. So, what does the public do? The [Naracoorte Community] News asked our decision makers to explain why we have one of the highest electricity prices in the world and what is being done to give regional South Australians some relief.
Local agripreneur Robyn Verrall wins silver at 2024 Women Changing the World Awards
Charlotte Jackson. Robyn Verrall, a dedicated agripreneur from Keith, has been awarded Silver in her category at the prestigious 2024 Women Changing the World Awards. This accolade celebrates her outstanding contributions to regional and rural communities, particularly her efforts to empower women and girls.
No bushfire expert on panel
The Howitt Society has condemned the state government for not including bushfire expertise on the panel that is investigating the future of Gippsland's native forest ... The Howitt Society's bushfire fears come as a cross-section of bush users, miners and prospectors are rebelling against the possibility that several hundred thousand extra hectares of forest could be included in a Great Forest National Park.
Region’s historic water significance in the spotlight
Coliban Water recently hosted representatives from Heritage Victoria as part of a bid to have the Victorian Goldfields listed on the World Heritage List. Adam Crameri, General Manager Water and Climate Strategy at Coliban Water, highlighted the significance of the region, noting that its inclusion would make it the 21st site in Australia to achieve this status.

