Business

More $10,000 tagged barra have been changed to be worth a million dollars each, taking the grand total of Barramundi worth a million dollars to more than 80. There are still $10k fish waiting to be reeled in, but from today the chances of hooking a red tagged barra worth a million dollars are through the roof.

Deeper understanding of the anti-viral activity of tea tree oil opens doors to animal and human health applications. While tea tree oil is relatively well-known for its ability to treat a range of bacterial and fungal infections, new research has confirmed the homegrown essential oil could also be a valuable tool in the fight against respiratory viruses in livestock and humans.

Kerry Cain. Last Saturday, the Newstead Fire Brigade impressed attendees at the Newstead Pool Party by showcasing its latest addition, the Field Command Vehicle (FCV).  With this specially equipped vehicle, the brigade can now respond more effectively and decisively to emergencies of all kinds and direct and deploy its appliances and personnel, as well as those of other services, as required.

Over the next 10 years 2700 mansions, at a cost to the taxpayer of $1.5m each, will be spread across Aboriginal communities in the NT outback ... It's simple: $4,000,000,000 divided by 2700 houses equals $1,481,481 per house ... we have asked Mr Albanese and Ms Lawler for a break-up of what the $4 billion will be spent on.

Health bureaucracies that slashed rural nursing services for the sick and elderly have been put on notice by Member for MacKillop Nick McBride and Health Minister Chris Picton ... Without consultation, on January 22 the green rubber rings of two Local Health Networks squeezed out rural nursing services at Lucindale, Tintinara and Coonalpyn. People with cancer, MS, heart conditions and the elderly were told to drive round trips of 80kms or more for many nursing services. Most have no ability to drive. There is no public transport.

The VFF says the Victorian Government’s fast-tracking of renewable energy projects by accelerating planning approvals is a slap in the face after years of sham consultation with farming communities. VFF President Emma Germano said the green-lighting of major renewable projects adds to a poor-track record of consulting landholders set to be impacted and risks further alienating already frustrated farmers across Victoria.

From the Australian Street Art Awards – an Australia-wide organisation established in 2018 – comes the following message: "We have a surprise! Making good on our promise that size really does matter, we are announcing three extra awards this evening – for Best Small Town Street Art Festival or Event.

After the MaldON WalkON booklet was launched mid last year, all printed copies ran out the door. Friends of Maldon Historic Reserve Group Spokesperson Lee Mead said, “Due to the booklet’s popularity and value to Maldon, we have been successful in gaining a community grant from Mount Alexander Shire Council to reprint lots more copies.”

Mark Blythe. Everybody has probably driven past that imposing front entrance along the Maldon- Bendigo Road at some stage, and wondered what goes on in there. Last week, the [Tarrangower] Times got to poke around inside and have a long chat with Dylan Morgan, the Processing Manager at the Kaiser Reef gold treatment plant on the edge of town.

The Territory and Federal Labor governments announced a landmark $4 billion investment this week to improve Aboriginal housing in remote communities across the Territory. The investment will see 2,700 homes built across the Territory’s remote communities in the next 10 years, with 270 homes built each year.

Australia’s grain growers are looking to improved prospects in the season ahead, with 2024/25 gross margins set to increase on the back of a lower cost of production, Rabobank says in newly-released research report ... The report, Australia’s winter crop gross margins – which analyses winter crop performance from 2017/2018 – forecasts 2024/25 average gross margins for the three major Australian winter crops (wheat, barley and canola)...

Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald dropped into the IGA Local Grocer at Westbrook last week to congratulate the store on wins at a recent IGA conference ... The achievement is significant given that there are 65 stores judged in the various categories and the Westbrook shop has been operating for only two-and-a-half years.

The Spirit of the Land Lockhart Festival has been awarded a Silver Medal for the Best Small Town Street Art Festival or Event by the 2023 Australian Street Art Awards ... The Spirit of the Land Lockhart Festival is held annually on the second weekend of October and is renowned for its farm art sculpture exhibitions, fine arts and photography exhibitions...

In a first for the Riverina and most probably in New South Wales, a close association has developed between agribusiness in the Riverina and secondary schools teaching agriculture ... The Riverina Compendium provided a vehicle to build on the past experiences, to attract a suitably qualified workforce, to provide a greater number and diversity of jobs within the Region...

A Transgrid helicopter will take to the skies across the Riverina-Murray, Sunraysia and Far West regions from this week to inspect high-voltage electricity transmission lines for the network’s annual bushfire prevention program.

Cohuna’s visiting paramedics and Ambulance Community Officers (ACO) now have access to a gym to keep their bodies and minds healthy and active. Thanks to an initiative of ACO Travis Hore and the generosity of Bree from Evolve Fitness and Performance, our visiting ambos can keep as fit as they want when they want and still be ready at a moment’s notice to jump in the ambulance.

In a public hearing ... President Smith, representing the Shire of Ashburton, has ignited a call to action to halt the ongoing regional services inequality and curb the accelerating closures of banks across regional Australia. President Smith emphasised the urgent need to shed light on the insidious impact these closures are having on towns and communities...