Australia’s first crowdfunded solar farm powers up at Grong Grong
The Grong Grong solar farm powered up last week and is now operational, providing proof that community-owned renewables projects can get off the ground. The 1.5 megawatt (MW) project was officially launched a month ago, a celebration of a four year endeavour by Komo Energy to build the country’s first crowdfunded solar farm.
CCS banned in Queensland GAB
Future water security has been ensured in the Queensland portion of the Great Artesian Basin (GAB), with Premier Steven Miles banning carbon capture and storage last week. Clifton and Pittsworth currently draw their town water from the Basin. Greenhouse gas storage activities, including carbon capture and storage projects, will be permanently prohibited in the basin as part of the move to protect the critically important resource.
Community-first: a gust of fresh air
The process of community consultation undertaken in a Tasmanian renewable energy zone has been praised for its commitment to listening to the community. The lack of community consultation was a big sticking point for residents of the East Greenmount/Ramsay area when they heard, through neighbours, that there were plans to construct a wind farm in their neighbourhood.
Community devastated at Kurrajong Laundry blaze
Kurrajong and the community in general were devastated with the news that the Kurrajong Narrandera Laundry building was extensively damaged by fire last Thursday night. Kurrajong team members arrived to find that emergency crews had contained the fire, but significant damage occurred, particularly to the centre of the building.
Labor announces disingenuous live sheep phase out committee: Littleproud
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor’s inquiry into the phase out of the live sheep export trade is once again disingenuous. Mr Littleproud said Labor has allowed just one week for submissions and has requested the committee report back in just over two weeks from now, by June 21, despite two public hearings in both Western Australia and Canberra.
Baaka Cultural Centre progressing well
Central Darling Shire Council has received a project update on the Baaka Cultural Centre. The development of the $9.5 million Baaka Cultural Centre at Wilcannia is a regionally significant project. It is being funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
There’s action at the station!
After successfully campaigning the Victorian State Govt. to continue funding the Overland until 2027, many of us were devastated to see the sudden appearance of the cyclone fence being erected at the Nhill Station on July 18th, 2023, preventing access to the veranda, when waiting to board the Overland or greet folks arriving ... it is pleasing to see Stage 1 of the renovations, has finally begun.
Paddock to plate: IGA visits Vishwa Farm
Kimberly Grabham. In areas like Hay retailers are lucky enough to benefit from the freshest produce. So lucky in fact, that Harrison’s IGA Fruit and Vegetable Department Manager Brandon Burns and worker David Osmond got to travel to Vishwa Farm to help pack broccoli, before picking up their order for the local supermarket.
Heated pool gets the nod
It was D-Day for Hay’s proposed hydrotherapy pool last Tuesday, the culmination of a 30-year effort by the Hay community. The pendulum was swinging between the need for a heated pool and Council’s deliberation on replacing the ageing John Houston Memorial Swimming Pool.
Yamba Welding and Engineering Australian Marine Exporter of the year
Yamba Welding and Engineering celebrated its 50th anniversary ... one of the Clarence Valley’s premier export businesses ... started in 1974 by Bill Collingburn in his garage and has grown to become Australia’s go to supplier for premium quality, high performance vessels, for the Australian Defence Force, Border Force, Marine Rescue, Coast Guard and the SES.
Rail trail proposal remains on track
It’s full steam ahead for Tallowood Ventures Limited (TVL) after the not-for-profit organisation announced their 2023 proposal to develop a 35km section of the currently inactive Glenreagh to Dorrigo Branch Line and transform it into a rail trail is one step closer following recent community efforts to clear vegetation along large areas of the rail corridor.
Favourable winter supports ag industry: ABARES
Production in Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors remains on track to be the third highest on record in 2024-25, supported by an improved seasonal outlook ... Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said this quarter’s Agricultural Commodities and Australian Crop Report show an expected improvement in agriculture following drier conditions seen in 2023-24.
New inquiry – Ending Live Sheep Export Bill
The House Standing Committee on Agriculture has today commenced an inquiry into the Export Control Amendment (Ending Live Sheep Exports by Sea) Bill 2024, which will end the live sheep export trade by sea from 1 May 2028. Committee Chair, Ms Meryl Swanson MP, said that the Bill fulfils the Government’s election promise to end the live export of sheep while providing time and funding for industry to adjust to the end of the trade.
From rich Avon schoolboy to legendary broadcaster
"With a voice like yours, you’ll never be an announcer," predicted the sister of young Bob Rogers, almost 80 years ago. Last Wednesday, the veteran radio presenter, whose broadcasting career spanned 78 years, died at his home in Mosman. Born to British parents, and raised at Rich Avon and Donald, during hard times ...
Expanded bus network to link new Yanchep line stations
An extended bus network for the northern suburb corridor will start when the Yanchep rail extension opens in July ... The new routes will improve network coverage with expanded services in Catalina Estate (Tamala Park); Eden Beach Estate (Jindalee), Trinity, Shorehaven and Alkimos Beach Estates (Alkimos), Amberton Estate (Eglinton) and Capricorn Beach Estate (Yanchep).
There is a labour shortage in Ukrainian agriculture
Labour shortage is becoming a big problem in Ukrainian agriculture. By the end of 2023, 10 per cent of agricultural enterprises indicated a lack of labour as the main factor hindering business development. This was the highest value since 2013 ... The war created a problem. But war can solve this problem.
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Building a seed bank for iconic forests: FCNSW
Forestry Corporation has embarked on a seed collection program to safeguard some of the most iconic forests in New South Wales. The giant eucalypt forests of the NSW high country dominated by Alpine Ash were severely impacted by the Black Summer bushfires.
Publican’s beer dream of a microbrewery for Woodburn close to coming true
For 20 years publican Daniel Simpson has wanted to brew his own beer at the Rod n Reel Hotel in Woodburn. That dream is close to becoming a reality. After the floods, Daniel bought the pub building and has put in a Development Application for a microbrewery.
Spreading illness down generations
Ted Sterle and Don Fuller. The explosion of type two diabetes, obesity, kidney disease and renal failure among remote and closed NT Aboriginal communities – at least 10 times the incidence among non-Aboriginal people – can be tracked to poor lifestyle choices not only within individuals: Such acquired changes can be passed on to the offspring down generations.
Australia’s winter crop planting up, but production to hang on La Niña – Rabobank
Australia’s farmers are expected to plant 23.55 million hectares to winter crops this year – up more than three per cent on 2023 – despite a mixed start to the season across the country, Rabobank says in its 2024/25 Australian Winter Crop Outlook ... This year’s winter crop planting – representing a 3.6 per cent increase on 2023/24 though down 1.8 per cent on the five-year average...
Wheels turn for Charlton Motor Club
Jenny Pollard. Like-minded motoring enthusiasts showed their support as the Charlton “Wheels on A79 Car, Truck and Tractor Club” was launched at the Traveller’s Rest last Sunday morning. The multi-vehicle and highway-defined title has been a deliberate attempt to embrace as wide a range of participants as possible – not just from the local areas, but also to include locations from along the Calder Highway route, with Charlton providing the nucleus of the operation.

