JEV vaccine stash could be up for grabs as mosquito threat looms: Hurn
The SA Opposition has been advised that there could be a precious stockpile of the Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) vaccine up for grabs – but will soon expire – that could be used to protect South Australians from the disease as the flood recovery in the Riverland officially begins. Chairman of the Immunisation Coalition in Australia, Dr Rod Pearce, has indicated that the New South Wales Government is in possession of a surplus of JEV vaccines, with doctors based in the state telling him “they can’t give them away”.
Dinosaur dig returns after Covid-19 hiatus, as world-class dinosaur trail gains momentum
This week a team of ‘dino hunters’ will embark on the first ‘dinosaur dig’ at Inverloch since the Covid-19 pandemic, as Bass Coast Shire Council ramps up plans for a $40 million world-class Dinosaurs Trail to celebrate the area’s fascinating pre-historic heritage.
Rex signs LOI for two more Boeing 737-800NG jets
Rex Airlines confirms that it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to lease two Boeing 737-800NG jets. The two aircraft are expected to arrive in Australia in June and July 2023.
Bonza shares the love with first ever Sunshine Coast to Mackay flight on Valentine’s Day
New Aussie airline Bonza continues its launch with its first-ever direct flight from the Sunshine Coast to Mackay with customers travelling or reconnecting with loved ones this Valentine's Day. Proving love is in the air, a local Sunshine Coast couple who share the same nicknames as Bonza’s aircraft (Shazza and Bazza) renewed their wedding vows airside at Sunshine Coast Airport.
Unlocking the secrets of productivity – A monumental challenge for Australia’s future: Hugh Christie, TFGA
Whilst we are seeing positive changes with international freight capacity returning to levels pre-COVID-19, productivity issues at major Australian container ports identified in the latest Productivity Commission report cost the Australian economy an estimated $605 million annually. These inefficiencies directly impact Australian farmers and if not addressed soon will be a compounding cost for all primary producers as well as exporters more broadly.
Debt wiped for country practice: Butler
A doctor or nurse practitioner who lives and works in rural and remote Australia will have their HELP debt wiped ... The HELP debt reduction for a doctor or a nurse practitioner will depend on the length of their course of study, and the amount of outstanding HELP debt when they commence providing eligible services in an eligible location.
With its back to the wall, Commonwealth Bank halts closures
Junee is one of the first towns to benefit from a parliamentary call for banks to halt all planned branch closures until a senate inquiry reports back at the end of the year. The Commonwealth Bank is the first of the big four to act on the official request, sent Friday, with Junee and Bright closures put on hold.
Decision on Bird In Hand gold mine application: Koutsantonis
After careful consideration, the Minister for Energy and Mining, Tom Koutsantonis MP, has declined an application by Terramin Australia Ltd to develop the Bird In Hand gold underground mine at Woodside. Terramin’s concept for its proposed Bird in Hand mine, and related applications for a Mining Lease and a Miscellaneous Purpose Licence, have undergone comprehensive assessment by government, including an eight-week statutory public consultation.
Access to National Parks: Bev McArthur
The Victorian Government is overseeing the slow demise of National Parks, ignoring the very rules that established their existence and importance in the state. In State Parliament, the Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, has asked the Minister for the Environment to immediately review a decision made last year to change public access rights to the Grampians National Park.
Towards World Heritage recognition for Murujuga: Whitby, Plibersek
The Australian Government has nominated Murujuga Cultural Landscape for inscription on the World Heritage List. The formal nomination was submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in late January 2023. If accepted, Murujuga would be the second site in Australia listed for World Heritage Status for First Nations cultural heritage.
New QPS high-tech drones ready for take off: Ryan
Queensland Police is preparing to launch two new high-tech Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) in the state’s north as part of ongoing trials in assisting frontline officers. The advanced Teledyne FLIR SkyRanger R70, used by militaries across the globe, has joined the QPS fleet and is undergoing testing ahead of its deployment to Townsville and Cairns.
Mayor cautions landowners on dealing with some renewable energy companies
Mayor of the South Burnett, Brett Otto is urging local farmers and landowners to be vigilant when entering into discussions with proponents of renewable energy developments, including wind farms, solar energy sites and transmission lines. The South Burnett region will play a major role in the Queensland Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan and is expecting an influx of renewable energy infrastructure developers.
Rural health system needs overhaul: NSW Farmers
The state’s peak farming body is calling for the federal government to commit to an overhaul of how rural health is handled. NSW Farmers health spokesperson Sarah Thompson said plans to get doctors into the bush by wiping HELP debts were ‘promising’, but would not be a silver bullet.
Visitor Park update for local residents
Barkly Regional Deal hosted a BBQ information session on Wednesday to update interested community residents and stakeholders on the progress of the Tennant Creek Visitor Park. The Visitor park aims to provide short-term, alternative and affordable accommodation for people travelling to town for cultural, health or social reasons.
Wine industry wrap
The annual South Australian Wine Industry Snapshot for 2022 was recently released. A collaboration involving the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA), the report is designed to provide an annual overview of the South Australian wine industry each year, including challenges and wins ... South Australian Wine businesses report volume has declined 13 per cent year on year in 2022 compared to 2021 which was a record vintage.
Survey reveals huge spending gap on eID: NSW Farmers
NSW Farmers is calling for a substantial investment from the state and federal governments to make their traceability reform achievable. A move to electronic identification (eID) for sheep and goats will far exceed the $20 million offered by the federal government, and with a timeline set for mandatory tagging, farmers are in the dark on what financial support will be made available.
Powerlink Queensland responds to Property Rights Australia
"Powerlink has made significant efforts to improve our community and landholder relations since works in the Surat Basin occurred from 2012 to 2015. We will continue to work with landholders, the community and other stakeholders to refine our processes to deliver our commitments in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan": Powerlink spokesperson.
From fly and flop to outback adventure: Tourism on the move
The fabric of our tourism needs to be like a patchwork quilt, with many patterns, “a big fabric which defines itself” in the world of competition ... And the national news reporting of the latest crime wave in The Alice is unlikely to make much of a difference, says Brendan McKenna, COO for Australia and New Zealand of the JUCY Group, a camper car hire business from across the ditch that’s been in Australia for 12 years.
Maldon’s summer market
2023 is well and truly upon us, and there is no stopping the Maldon Market ... A regular stall is our much loved sourdough bread-making specialists, ‘Bread Builders’. Ken and Amy have worked tirelessly to bring us their organic artisan bread for the past 10 years, never missing a market that we can recall. Ken Hercott became interested in bread and baking at an early age, growing up on an organic wheat farm in the Loddon Mallee region.
Art Trail for Murray River Council
The River Country Art Trail will receive a boost of over $1,747,431 from Round Two of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund ... Under the project, the River Country Art Trail aims to build an outdoor gallery on silos and water towers, creating a trail across Murray River Council towns, linking them in a unique, high impact visitor experience across the area.
Too many mozzies? Learn from Rentokil’s Mark Kendall
The data of pest control expert, Rentokil indicates that mosquito activity is up right across Australia, increasing 216 per cent in November, compared to October recordings ... Rentokil has a database on pest activity across Australia. ARR.News asked a few questions of Mark Kendall from Rentokil Initial.
Take a fresh look at our future
An innovative project will be launched next week to identify economic opportunities for development in the Upper Murray. Led by Dr Juliette Milbank, ‘The Future of the Upper Murray’ will cover an area on both sides of the Murray River ... It seeks to develop strategic and innovative long-term projects that take advantage of local regional strengths.
