Forestry sector dismayed by decision to end native Victorian forestry: Forestry Australia
"There are very few production systems on the globe that offer stronger sustainability credentials than well managed native forests. In fact, we know that well managed native forests can actually provide superior biodiversity, fire and climate outcomes. Simply excluding harvesting from native forests does not guarantee biological diversity, particularly from the broader threats of wildfires, invasive species, and climate change. Closing the native forest timber industry in Victoria will constrain the silvicultural and management options for State forests": Dr Michelle Freeman, President of Forestry Australia.
Native forestry announcement a massive blow for regional Victorian families: FWCA
Today’s announcement to bring forward the end of native forestry by six years is a devastating blow for thousands of regional Victorian families. It is estimated that native forestry provides 5000 direct jobs and many more indirect jobs providing the lifeblood for regional communities such as Orbost, which stands to lose 37 per cent of its workers.
Delivering certainty for timber workers: Andrews
The Victorian Government is stepping in to deliver certainty for timber workers, sawmill operators and their communities, with an expanded transition support package as part of the Victorian Budget 2023/24. This package removes the uncertainty that has been caused by ongoing court and litigation process and increasingly severe bushfires, with an additional $200 million in support for workers and their families to transition away from native timber logging earlier than planned – by 1 January 2024.
River Murray under threat by Labor’s $600m hydrogen plant that won’t lower energy bills: Patterson, Girolamo
Peter Malinauskas’ experimental hydrogen plant could raid precious water resources from the River Murray to operate, it has been revealed, alongside confirmation SA households won’t see a cent of energy bill relief despite $600 million taxpayer investment ... “We are the driest state in the driest continent in the world, and Peter Malinauskas doesn’t know where he is sourcing the huge amounts of water needed to run this experimental hydrogen plant that does nothing to reduce the cost of SA electricity bills": Shadow Minister for Energy and Net Zero, Stephen Patterson.
WA to build a strong carbon farming future: Jarvis
The McGowan Government has become a Carbon Industry Code of Conduct partner, enhancing the State's reputation in the emerging carbon market. Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis announced the Western Australian Government has become a Code Partner at the Carbon Farming Industry Forum in Cairns on 22 May 2023.
Outback tourism on track to grow: Hinchliffe, Healy
Two 52-year-old Queensland-built, 2000 class ‘Silver Bullet’ railmotors are part of 29 new Outback Queensland visitor experiences for 2023. Longreach-based Outback Rail Adventures’ facilities including workshop and storage area and rail sidings were officially opened by Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy.
Vintage 1912 McDonald ‘EB’ oil tractor highlights transformative change in agricultural industry: National Museum of Australia
The significant transformation of Australia’s agricultural industry is represented by the extraordinary McDonald ‘Imperial’ oil ‘EB’ tractor, which is going on display in the Museum’s Gandel Atrium ... “The McDonald ‘EB’ oil tractor represents a theme of Australian innovation in a revolutionary era for engineering. This acquisition represents our agricultural history, and we are thrilled to share it with Australia": Dr Mathew Trinca, National Museum Director.
New Alice film: Kindness triumphs over misery
Two friends, one white, one black. Two film makers, one white, one black. A couple more than 30 years together, one white, one black. Signs of hope for Alice Springs at a time when there isn’t much. The film maker is Penny McDonald and her co-producer is Audrey Napanangka, who also gives the new movie her name.
Forestry Australia welcomes return of China timber exports
"Australia is the sixth most forested country in the world but is a net importer of timber products. The current approach is not working if we want to continue to provide local timber products to support affordable housing and flow-on benefits to meet society’s needs. We are in effect, exporting our forest management challenges to other nations, when we have high environmental standards and highly skilled professionals and scientists to appropriately manage our resources locally": Dr Michelle Freeman, President of Forestry Australia.
Public health hub for Keith
It’s a sigh of relief for hundreds who have struggled for years to access quality health services at the “unsustainable” Keith and District Healthcare. The hospital will transition into a public health hub soon with seven-day urgent care, implement a community paramedic and nurse practitioner, and upgrade the aged care facility ... under the management of the Limestone Coast Local Health Network (LCLHN).
Banks scrap closure plans
The decision by two major commercial banks to scrap the closure of several branches across small towns in regional South Australia has been dubbed "a win for the community”. Bank SA and Westpac branches will remain open indefinitely in regional South Australian towns, including Naracoorte and Kingston. The decision by the banks in February to terminate in-person banking in the regional communities angered customers...
Immigration reform won’t help SA’s labour needs
The proposed immigration reforms recently announced by the government have the potential to hobble the economic growth of smaller South Australian towns in the future. That’s the view of Shadow Minister for State Migration and Regional Population Growth, Sam Telfer, who argues the reforms are “focused on the wrong levers”. Mr Telfer told The News that the reforms would impact regional South Australian businesses and won’t address their labour needs.
The rebirth of 48 Main
48 Main bar and music venue is the kind of place where everyone knows your name ... And that vision, brought to life by the late Steve McMahon, holds a very special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Now, the beloved bar is back with just the right people at the helm.
Nailed it!
Kevin Moloney. So anticipation built when news broke that a new food offer was to open in the same building as its antecedents ... We also learned the restaurant would be called Franco’s, so we started Googling to check the pedigree of the new kid on our food block.
GPS Tagging to reduce the risk of sheep theft
A new technology has been made available to Australian farmers to help reduce the risk of stock theft ... James and Bec learned about the tags at a gathering organised by another victim of stock theft, Kevin Butler.
New plan outlines the Gannawarra’s flood recovery targets
A new plan developed by Gannawarra Shire Council in partnership with more than 30 agencies will guide the Gannawarra’s recovery from the October-December 2022 floods. The Gannawarra Municipal Flood Recovery Plan features 48 priority actions across 11 recovery target areas that Council and other agencies will work on to guide recovery efforts.
Denmark’s World Cup game plan
Denmark aims to gain international tourism exposure by luring the Danish women’s soccer team to the town before the FIFA Women’s World Cup in July and August. The FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand with two of three group stage matches in Perth/Boorloo.
Budget 2023 in a nutshell: No relief for bush says Ley
There are certain elements of the Budget the Coalition supports, but Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley thinks most people were looking for something to ease the cost-of-living crunch ... "The government also has a self-imposed delay in funding for important projects in our region. In short they are spending less in the MIA and taking longer to do it, which is hugely disappointing": Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley.
Agritourism consult provided fertile conversation
A meeting held at Murray Connect on Wednesday, May 10 with Destination Riverina Murray (DRM) and local tourism stakeholders provided stimulating conversations around the new agritourism strategy ... The developing Agritourism Strategy will provide significant opportunities for farmers, tourism operators and the wider community to capitalise on the Riverina Murray's unique combination of agricultural and tourism assets...
New SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework an Australian first: Powerlink
Powerlink has developed a new framework – the SuperGrid Landholder Payment Framework - that significantly boosts payments to landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure. Under the new framework, Queensland landholders hosting new transmission infrastructure will receive higher payments.
Westpac a no-show after public humiliation at first senate hearing into bank closures
Westpac should have been fronting up at the second hearing of the Senate inquiry into regional bank closures in Cloncurry this morning but after the beating it took during the first hearing at Sale in March, it appears it was not prepared to face an angry mob in a town where it was planning to close its local branch ... It has presented an ideal opportunity to have a close look at the grilling its executives received at Sale and remind readers that this is the bank with the worst track record leaving communities without banking services.
Enabling a stronger and more resilient defence industry: Fyles
The Northern Territory is currently on show at the Northern Australia Defence Summit – a key industry event to promote opportunities and enhance support for the defence industry. The Northern Territory is positioned as a key enabler for defence in the Indo-Pacific region and the Northern Territory Government is undertaking a range of strategic investments to support a capable and resilient defence industry.
