Business

Rex has taken delivery of another Boeing 737-800NG, further bolstering the airline's jet fleet deployed on its domestic network. The aircraft, registered VH-MFM, arrived in Brisbane ... from Montpellier in France, adorned in the distinctive Rex livery.

All roads lead to Birdsville this week - or do they? While the Birdsville Race Club isn't expected to have its annual two-day meeting directly impacted by rain, there are concerns that roads leading there could be cut off to visitors. Unseasonal August rain hit the North West and parts of the Channel country earlier this week and some roads were quick to shut, albeit temporarily.

Roll-up, roll-up and get ready to experience the razzle and dazzle of this year’s Narrandera Show. Celebrating its 140th year, there will a be spectacle of showtime amusement for the entire family to enjoy. Running on Saturday, September 3, the show is Narrandera’s longest running annual event, attracting thousands of people each year and this year will be welcomed back in spectacular style after having been put on hold due to Covid-19.

Emma Pritchard. Thousands of visitors attended the Grafton Vintage Motor Vehicle Club’s Motorfest 22 at Jabour Park, South Grafton, on August 28 ... Motorfest 22 Committee Chairman David Andrews said more than 300 vintage vehicles were proudly displayed for the public, with participants avidly embracing the opportunity to view the classic collection up close...

Many years ago one of my tasks involved assessing rehabilitated mine sites to see if they had attained the agreed "completion criteria" and could be accepted back by Government for ongoing management ... Some years later, a mining proposal was rejected by the EPA and I was approached by the company for advice on an "environmental offsets package" that could be acceptable ... What we managed to achieve was some expenditure in the local area/community with local decision-making.

The forestry sector in Tasmania supports more than 5,700 direct and indirect jobs, many of which are in our rural and regional communities. Our forestry industry delivers a wide range of renewable products which are essential to the community.

Global demand for cheaper cuts of beef is expected to increase in the year ahead as rampant inflation and slowing economic growth see consumers trade down, Rabobank says in a newly-released report. And Australia - as one of the largest exporters of beef "trimmings" (the cheaper meat cuts which remain after prime cuts are removed) - is expected to be among the best-positioned countries to benefit from this increased international demand, particularly from the US, the agribusiness bank says in its Q3 Global Beef Quarterly.

This year Forestry Corporation will plant around 14.7 million seedlings to grow timber that builds the homes, houses and infrastructure of Australia in forests. That’s the equivalent of 28 trees planted every single minute of every day throughout 2022 and a substantial contribution to the state’s communities, economy, building industry and carbon sequestration: Forestry Corp NSW CEO, Anshul Chaudhary.  

Research measuring the scale of grain and profit lost during harvest has found Western Australian growers have an opportunity to prevent harvest losses which were estimated at $300 million in 2021. Findings from the 12-month Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) investment, led by Grower Group Alliance (GGA), have been compiled from a study conducted across 75 sites during harvest 2021.

The turmoil in the native forest industry is deepening, with Australian Paper turning to recycle more paper as its hardwood timber supply dwindles, while a sawmill in the state’s far east is due to close because it has no timber. Recent developments have underlined the crisis facing the Gippsland industry.

As of NCC 2022, new residential dwellings will need to achieve the equivalent of “7  stars”  NatHERS thermal performance. New homes will also have a new annual energy use budget applicable to the home’s major appliances such as space conditioning, hot water, lighting, pool and spa pumps, and any on-site renewable energy generation.

Tourism in regional South Australia has not been dampened this winter, with the state celebrating its best July regional occupancy on record. Latest data shows July 2022 saw average occupancy for regional accommodation of 57 per cent, the best result for a July yet to be recorded. It was up from pre-Covid winter occupancy levels, of 50 per cent (July 2019).

Queensland Minister for Energy and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the changes to the National Construction Code 2022, covered making homes more accessible for people with mobility challenges, and increased the energy efficiency and electric vehicle readiness of new homes.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the site at Torbanlea will be home to a brand new train manufacturing workshop where 65 new trains will be built as part of her government’s $7.1 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program.

The Murdoch University research team - working with local industry including Synergy, Bluewaters Power Station and South32 - investigated the feasibility of using fly ash and other industrial by-products and waste materials as an ingredient in a low carbon concrete product called 'Colliecrete'.

Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) are expanding their plantation timber manufacturing operations thanks to a $1.2 million Victorian Forestry Plan innovation grant ... The new funding will help build a new $2.4 million specialised MASSLAM (Glue Laminated Timber) manufacturing facility to support the mill’s transition to alternative fibre sources ...

"Getting out and about on bikes is a great way to keep fit, engage with nature and enjoy the beautiful landscapes and cultural heritage of the region. And for keen riders, the new trails which will be opened in 2023 include a 200 metre elevation change from the top of Mt Lennard to the Collie River, featuring some long descents and leg-pumping climbs": WA Sport and Recreation Minister, David Templeman.

New opportunities to build in the growing regional hub of Karratha are now available, with the release of a range of residential and commercial lots in the Pilbara city. Ten large homesites at the award-winning Baynton West residential estate are being offered for sale ... At the nearby Tambrey Neighbourhood Centre, expressions of interest will soon be sought from developers for two commercial sites at the emerging mixed-use precinct.

Chris Oldfield. The birds, bats and frogs of Ramsar-listed Bool Lagoon have their own calls and stories. Those stories will be shared when Bool Lagoon and Hacks Lagoon (currently dry) next have water. ... “So, finding a way of sharing that site with people – it's important to me. It seemed like a good fit to be doing environmental eco tours at Bool Lagoon to share that wonderful site with people”: Dr Abigail Goodman.

The presence of Varroa Mite (a parasite of adult honey bees that weakens and kills colonies and can also transmit viruses) has exacerbated and magnified the regular stresses of beekeeping in Australia ... “Lead by beekeeper volunteers from around Australia, the eradication effort is progressing well; however, if NSW can't contain Varroa Mite, then it will eventually be everywhere in time, including Victoria”: Owner and Managing Director of Warral Maldon, Lindsay Callaway.