Have your say on proposed rail trail
Mount Alexander Shire Council is partnering with Central Goldfields Shire Council and community group Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. to determine the feasibility of a shared rail trail between Castlemaine and Maryborough. The proposed trail is 55km long and passes through the communities of Campbells Creek, Guildford, Newstead, Moolort and Carisbrook.
Trainee pilots visit Nhill
Over the past month, eleven planes from ‘Flight Training Adelaide’ have flown into Nhill. The pilots are all trainees from Hong Kong, sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airlines. Flying Austrian-built Diamond Star aircraft, with their 180 hp Lycoming engines, the pilots have been doing flying navigation exercises, learning to use maps rather than GPS technology.
Livelihoods destroyed at the hands of the Victorian Premier: Wellington Shire Council
"In three years, we haven’t seen any evidence or sign that the Premier ever had plans to deliver on his promises to support the native timber industry with new pine plantations or any form of alternative supply. Now the livelihoods of hundreds of locals are shattered in an instant without a single word from the Premier or his government": Cr Ian Bye, Wellington Shire Council Mayor
Williamson pleads for help for struggling prawn industry
Newly elected Member for Clarence Richie Williamson has called on both the state and federal governments to step up and financially support the struggling Clarence River prawning industry. Mr Williamsons impassioned plea via a private members bill in NSW Parliament last week is a month after he joined forces with Federal National’s Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, to financially assist the industry where about 50 locals haven’t received an income for 18 weeks.
Rail trail proposal derails local enthusiasm
A substantial number of landholders and residents of rural communities between Glenreagh and Ulong are vehemently opposing a proposal by the Glenreagh Mountain Railway (GMR) and their newly established sister company Tallowwood Ventures Ltd (TVL) to develop a 35km section of the currently inactive Glenreagh to Dorrigo Branch Line and transform it into a rail trail ... several residents including former GMR members told the Clarence Valley Independent they are “frustrated, angry, and disturbed” by the proposal.
CRFC’s 74-year-old Maclean co-op for sale
After 74 years’ service and millions of tonnes of seafood processed the Clarence River Fishermen’s Co Operative has listed its River Street Maclean premises for sale. Clarence River Fishermen’s Co Operative CRFC Chief Executive Officer Danielle Adams said the Co-Op was formed in 1945, and by 1949 it was established in the former premises of the Maclean Cooperative Dairy Company, where it has continued to trade for the past 74 years.
A budget for the ages – Grim, dark and deceptive: Bev McArthur
On 23 May 2023, the Premier Daniel Andrews said: “We’re doing everything we promised Victorians we’d do – and we’re not wasting a moment getting on with it”. What he perhaps should have said was: “We promised some things – we even promised to govern for all Victorians – but we will deliver only some things, dump plenty of others, and govern for a few.” For me there’s only one headline from this budget: Victoria is broke.
New business group in Allora
Last Friday in Allora, Jenco launched a new era in the company’s journey as it transitions from Jenco Feeds to the Millstone Group ... A powerhouse trio of leading industry brands - Jenco, Allora Grain & Milling and Running Cool has been brought together to create the all-encompassing Millstone Group.
More jobs than people in regions – New report by Regional Australia Institute reveals demand highest for doctors and nurses
Regional job advertisements grew three times faster than in metropolitan Australia at the end of 2022, with demand for doctors and nurses skyrocketing, according to new research by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) ... “Medical Practitioner and Nurse vacancies in regions represented almost half the total national vacancies for this occupation grouping, despite regional Australia representing only one third of the population”: Liz Ritchie, RAI CEO.
Colin Fassnidge, Analiese Gregory, Jake Kellie and others announced in Truffle Kerfuffle program
The wait is finally over. Truffle Kerfuffle has unveiled a delectable program and an incredible line up of chefs and culinary talent for Western Australia’s most decadent food festival held in the heart of Australian truffle country, Manjimup, from 23 to 25 June 2023.
Big miner stings taxpayers – the impact of bauxite mining on water yield: Frank Batini
Frank Batini. Probably the world’s largest mine, in terms of area, is Alcoa’s bauxite mine, located in the northern jarrah forest, within a biologically rich area, close to the State’s capital city (Perth) and on its domestic water supply catchments ... In 2007, Alcoa reported that the loss in water yield from five monitored catchments, where mining had occurred on part of the landscape, was 40-50 mmpa greater than in the un-mined forest. In the intervening 16 years the trees have grown and would now be using much more water.
Queensland cane crush fires up: Canegrowers
The 2023 sugarcane crush is officially underway, with harvesters roaring into life across the Atherton Tablelands this week as growers, harvesting crews and mill workers start the race to get Queensland’s 30 million tonnes of cane cut and crushed by the end of November ... Latest estimates put the crop at 30.55 million tonnes of cane, producing between 4 and 4.5 million tonnes of sugar, the majority of which will be exported to overseas markets in Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.
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).
