Business

Barry Large. There's an awful lot of noise being made right now about the prices every day Australians are being charged at the checkout, whilst the big supermarkets rake-in record profits. Added to this political rhetoric driven by the cost-of-living crisis is an apparent concern about the need to ensure Australian farmers receive their fair share of the retail dollar.

The Northern Territory Government has opened consultation for the Draft Saltwater Crocodile Management Program 2024-2034, which will allow for the public to have input on how crocodiles are managed in the Territory. There are currently more than 100,000 crocodiles in the Territory.

Yet again another strike on the wharfs ends in a cave in by the stevedores. Last week DP World, which is owned by the Dubai Royal Family, agreed to increase wages by 25 per cent over the next four years to end a rolling series of stoppages that has gone on for months. That works out about double the predicted inflation rate with almost no productivity trade offs ... Welcome back to the thinking of the 1970s.

Australia’s agricultural sector is "moving confidently into 2024", with an overall positive outlook for the nation’s farmers and agribusiness industries in the year ahead, Rabobank says in its newly-released annual outlook ... while agri commodity prices are "well down on the highs seen over the previous two years", the bank’s price forecasts point to "continued positive farm margins in key agricultural sectors in 2024"

The Birchip Hotel is building on a traditional theme of celebrating home grown talent on Australia day and this year the event was another resounding success. Bathed in sunlight, and welcoming shade from the trees, picnic rugs were rolled out on the grassy beer garden at the Birchip Hotel, with young families enjoying a jam-packed card of home grown talent.    

Wilya Ajjul Janta Aboriginal Corporation held an exhibition last Friday at Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Cultural Centre to unveil its housing model that is more environmentally and culturally appropriate for Warumungu country. CEO Simon Quilty was ecstatic with the turnout and the community’s interest in changing the Territory’s housing models to suit its searing heat, especially in light of climate change.

Due to compliance issues with Council, Sandy Creek Clydesdales owners Matthew and Jaimie Thompson say they have been forced to cancel much of their business activities ... well-known and much-loved enterprise ... “We delved into just what changing the land use zoning would require,” Jaimie said.

As Australians were stocking fridges and checking gas bottles before Australia Day, local farmers were receiving word that the towering transmission lines would carve through their properties. One farmer said it was the first contact they had from the company, stating “no personal contact” before receiving the news that left them feeling “side swiped.”

As Australian politicians take aim at globally dictated emissions targets, are everyday Australians left to carry the burden of the ‘green dream’? ... There were an estimated 100 million individual solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in Australia at the end of 2022, and it is estimated 2 billion solar panels will be required if we are to meet the 2050 emissions targets.

Towong Shire Council is encouraging residents and visitors to discover the newly installed large-scale artworks along the Great River Road, which were unveiled in late December. Towong mayor, Cr Andrew Whitehead, emphasised council’s commitment to the project, providing an enjoyable experience for travellers, allowing them to appreciate the scenery of shire.

Motoring enthusiasts and the plain curious gathered at the former netball courts at the Corryong Recreation Reserve following the Australia Day ceremony to inspect a fleet of restored Ansair Flxible Clipper buses that was visiting the region.

The start of another year provides a good opportunity to take a little time out to reflect on the past year and assess what matters to you. This is not about setting huge new year resolutions, but more about identifying and pursuing what matters to you. A 3 x 3 x 3 framework is a useful approach, something for yourself daily, targets to achieve by the first quarter, and some goals for the year.

Australia’s only independent low-cost carrier Bonza is celebrating a year since taking to Aussie skies to democratise air travel across the country. Bonza revealed that during the past year it has saved Aussie travellers over $125 million by delivering upon its mission of making air travel more affordable and accessible to travellers…

Southern Downs Regional Council is inviting visitors and locals to explore the region’s rich arts scene which includes the region’s most loved sculptures carved by local and international sculptors ... stop off at PL Travers Park and check out the Mary Poppins monument ...

This year’s Heritage Weekend was another huge success with an impressive collection of vintage cars, trucks, historical tractors and machinery, stationary engines and motorcycles on show along with well supported swap meets. One of many highlights was the celebration of recognising 50 years of Versatile tractors sold and delivered in Australia.

Frances Evans. Following a few challenging years due to the pandemic and drought, it was a return to big crowds and big temperatures at the 52nd Tamworth Country Music Festival ... One name synonymous with Australian country music is Storer. And Storer did not disappoint.

The 10th annual Gynburra festival was held at Port Victoria on Friday and Saturday, January 26-27. The festival is named after the Gynburra fish, also known as butterfish or dusky morwong, which has cultural significance for the Narungga people.

After a long seven months, the gates to the Casino saleyards will open this Friday ... Tom Newsome is the managing director and he said the negotiation process with everyone involved has been professional and positive.

Every now and then, something comes along to remind you that, despite all the current negativity around the traps and around the world, it does one good to give yourself permission to grab at least one night a year to scoop up friends, invite visitors, get dressed up and have yourself a mighty good time. Enter the 18th Twilight Dinner.